September 6, 2025
It has been a long wait, but quarterback
J.J. McCarthy is a playable option in Superflex leagues with his Minnesota Vikings set to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The second-year quarterback missed his entire rookie season after sustaining a meniscus injury, but it's now his show in Minnesota after the Vikings parted ways with
Sam Darnold in the offseason. He'll start with a road game against a strong Bears pass defense that allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL and ranked seventh in pressure percentage in 2024. With a rebuilt interior offensive line, capable veterans at all skill positions -- including All-Pro
Justin Jefferson at receiver -- and a quarterback-friendly coach, McCarthy is still worthy of holding a QB2 spot in Week 1.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The New York Giants are showing strong confidence in rookie quarterback
Jaxson Dart, naming him the primary backup behind
Russell Wilson. According to Albert Breer, the team feels comfortable putting Dart into live game action already, an impressive endorsement for the rookie. Dianna Russini of The Athletic added that head coach Brian Daboll even threw Dart into practice reps this week specifically to test how he'd handle pressure situations. Dart rewarded that trust with an excellent preseason, posting 424 passing yards, four touchdowns, and no turnovers. His rise to QB2 is notable, especially with former No. 1 overall pick
Jameis Winston still on the roster. While Dart isn't on the fantasy radar for Week 1, his talent and quick ascension make him a potential waiver-wire sleeper if Wilson were to struggle or miss time.
--Nathan HarveySource: Albert Breer
September 6, 2025
New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback
Tyler Shough missed out on the starting job to second-year quarterback
Spencer Rattler. Shough saw plenty of preseason action, going 36-for-54 for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception over three games, while adding three carries for 23 yards, one touchdown, and one fumble. The 26-year-old will need to wait for his opportunity, which could come sooner rather than later given Rattler's likely short leash. He isn't worth rostering now but is worth monitoring for future fantasy relevance.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
New York Jets quarterback
Justin Fields will face stiff competition in Week 1 when he squares off against his former team, the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. New York's offense figures to take a run-centric approach this season, and that includes their new signal caller, who is capable of wondrous fantasy feats with his legs. His prowess as a thrower, however, is the asset in question, as Fields has yet to completely take the reins of an offense using primarily his arm. Whether that takes place in 2025 remains to be seen, but the 26-year-old could have trouble finding room on the ground during his first appearance in Jets green. Pittsburgh was a top-12 unit against opposing ground attacks in 2024 (109.8 yards per game), and they yielded the seventh-fewest points per game (20.8). Fields comes in at RotoBaller's QB8 this week due to his upside as a rusher, but fantasy managers will want to temper expectations in a contest with the lowest projected combined point total of the week (38.5).
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
New Orleans Saints quarterback
Spencer Rattler won the starting job over rookie
Tyler Shough and will lead Kellen Moore's new-look offense against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1. In three preseason games, Rattler completed 30 of 43 passes for 295 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while adding 41 rushing yards on seven carries. He's still trying to rebound from a rough rookie year in 2024 that saw him complete just 57% of his passes with four touchdowns, five interceptions, and five fumbles. Facing an Arizona defense that allowed the fifth-fewest passing scores last season, Rattler belongs on waivers in standard leagues and is only a fringe option in deeper two-QB or superflex formats.
--Dakota Legg - RotoBallerSource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars and their new look coaching staff take on the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, who had inarguably the worst defense in football last year. That means quarterback
Trevor Lawrence, who has underwhelmed both in real football and fantasy football throughout his career, has a chance to start off the season strong. Lawrence averaged just 15.2 fantasy points per game in 2024, but with offensive guru Liam Coen now head coach of the team and a strong abundance of weapons at his disposal, the former number one pick seems like a top breakout candidate in 2025. Week 1 against the Panthers is about as good as it gets for the Jaguars to build some offensive momentum to start the season. Stream Lawrence with confidence in Week 1.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams quarterback
Matthew Stafford is healthy for the 2025 season, and he'll have some low-end fantasy appeal when he takes the field in Week 1 against the Houston Texans. While Stafford lacks the rushing upside needed to be a top fantasy quarterback, his strong and accurate arm puts him in the conversation as a starter in two-quarterback leagues. The Texans ranked near the middle of the league in most metrics against quarterbacks last year, although their 19 interceptions did rank second-most in the NFL. However, Stafford has a track record of playing clean, turnover-free football, so this matchup isn't a major concern. The presence of
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams should elevate his game (and his fantasy production) in Week 1.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Arizona Cardinals quarterback
Kyler Murray is entering his seventh season in the NFL with only one playoff appearance under his belt and a total record of 36-45-1. The two-time Pro Bowler has only led the league in any stat one time, and that was in his rookie year when he led in sacks taken. With those negatives out of the way, Murray has still amassed at least 3,700 yards and 20 touchdowns through the air in each season that he was healthy. He's also compiled 400+ yards and 4+ touchdowns on the ground in four of his six seasons. With that being said, Murray faces off against the New Orleans Saints, who are ranked as the 23rd D/ST in RotoBaller's defense rankings. More time to build chemistry with
Marvin Harrison Jr. should pay off this past offseason, so Murray heads into this game with QB1 upside, especially due to his dual-threat abilities.
--Alex Fischbein - RotoBallerSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
New England Patriots quarterback
Drake Maye will open his second pro season against the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. Maye showed several flashes of potential last year, and there's optimism that his accurate passing skills and mobility could make him a fringe top-12 quarterback this year. He definitely has top-12 upside in Week 1 against the Raiders, who allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks last year. It also helps that Maye is playing with the best receiver group of his career, headlined by veteran
Stefon Diggs. Maye should be started in all two-quarterback formats, and he's even a strong option in deeper single-quarterback leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Tennessee Titans quarterback
Cameron Ward opens his NFL career on the road against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. This matchup would have an unfavorable outlook for any quarterback, and that's especially true with a rookie who has not yet played a regular-season snap. While Ward did show that he can handle tough matchups in college, a Broncos defense led by Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto is a whole different beast. Fantasy managers should expect that Denver will implement a game plan intended to rattle Ward early. Whether that game plan is effective remains to be seen, but with such a difficult matchup waiting for him, Ward can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Miami Dolphins quarterback
Tua Tagovailoa starts the season healthy and with a good group of pass-catchers as he leads his team to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. Since he doesn't run very much at all, the 27-year-old has limited upside. No quarterback in the NFL had a lower air yards per attempt (5.8) than Tua in 2024, and he averaged just over 260 passing yards per game while throwing 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games. The Colts were a slightly above-average matchup for quarterbacks last year, and Tagovailoa always has the potential for a big day if his playmakers find space. He typically focuses on short, accurate passes, though, rather than taking deep shots. He is the QB21 this week, making him a low-end starter in two-quarterback leagues in Week 1 even though his offense appears to be healthy.
--Zach ThompsonSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Indianapolis Colts quarterback
Daniel Jones will make his debut with his new team against the Miami Dolphins at home in Week 1. Jones won a close training camp battle with
Anthony Richardson Sr. to be the team's starting quarterback heading into the regular season. He draws a matchup against a Miami defense that was tough on fantasy quarterbacks in 2024 as they allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Jones brings some upside on the ground and has several weapons around him to target, but he remains a low-end QB2 for fantasy purposes until he proves otherwise.
--Matt TerelleSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
San Francisco 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy opens the 2025 season against the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday. In two starts against his division rival last season, Purdy was 39-for-56 (70% completion rate) for 414 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception. In five career starts against Seattle, Purdy has nine touchdowns to three interceptions and has averaged 241.6 passing yards per game. With running back
Christian McCaffrey (calf) drawing a questionable tag for the season opener, there may be increased reliance on Purdy's arm. Fortunately, wide receiver
Jauan Jennings (calf) has been cleared for the game and will join tight end
George Kittle and receiver
Ricky Pearsall as Purdy's top targets downfield. Fantasy football managers can start Purdy, as he still has enough support around him to finish as a low-end QB1.
--Dan StephensSource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
New York Giants quarterback
Russell Wilson enters Week 1 against the Washington Commanders as a risky fantasy play. Despite a solid 2024 season with the Steelers, where he averaged 15.7 fantasy points per game, he is ranked as the 29th-best fantasy quarterback for the opening week. The Commanders' defense, which ranked 19th against fantasy quarterbacks in 2024 by allowing 15.87 points per game, presents a favorable matchup on paper. However, an injury to starting left tackle Andrew Thomas and inexperience with the other 10 starters could limit Wilson's upside. This matchup, combined with his new team and system, makes Wilson a risky play, even with a manageable defensive opponent.
--Danny BoilySource: NFL.com
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert completed 25 of his 34 pass attempts for 318 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions during Friday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs. He also took three sacks and rushed for 32 yards. The former first-round pick started off the 2025 season on the right foot, and there's no indication that he's slowing down anytime soon. If anything, his schedule only gets easier in the short term as the Chargers take on the Las Vegas Raiders next week. Herbert has quickly asserted himself as a strong QB1 option in fantasy football.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
Page 27 of 30...252627282930
RADIO
