September 4, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen is set to start against the Kansas City Chiefs in the team's Week 1 showdown in São Paulo, Brazil. Returning after a one-year stint with the Chicago Bears and healthy following a heel injury last season, Allen will face a less favorable matchup against Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson. While Allen has a proven track record, posting 70 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns last year, his role is less specific with the emergence of
Ladd McConkey and the return of
Quentin Johnston (concussion). Although Allen is an experienced pro with a strong connection with quarterback
Justin Herbert, the combination of a tough individual matchup and an offense that will lean on the run makes him a riskier start. RotoBaller projects him as the WR47 this week. Fantasy managers should consider Allen a low-end WR3/FLEX option in this matchup.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
September 4, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Ladd McConkey is ready to build on his impressive rookie season in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs. McConkey performed well in the second half of his rookie year, recording 82 receptions for 1,149 yards and seven touchdowns. With
Quentin Johnston (concussion) only recently cleared from concussion protocol and
Keenan Allen joining the team mid-camp, McConkey is positioned to see plenty of targets from quarterback
Justin Herbert. He also had a favorable matchup with Chiefs cornerback Kristian Fulton. McConkey's ability to create separation and his role as a reliable chain-mover should lead to a strong performance, even against a tough Chiefs defense. RotoBaller ranks him as the WR11 this week, confirming his status as a low-end WR1. Fantasy managers should feel confident starting McConkey.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
September 4, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers rookie running back
Omarion Hampton is poised to make his mark in Week 1 against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil. The first-round pick out of North Carolina has looked explosive in limited preseason action. While veteran
Najee Harris (eye) is off the injury report and will play, his usage is uncertain after missing most of training camp. This provides an excellent opportunity for Hampton to take on a significant workload and establish himself as the lead back in an offense that leans on the run under offensive coordinator Greg Roman. The Chiefs, however, boast a stout run defense that allowed only one carry over 40 yards last year. Hampton's explosiveness will be crucial for breaking through this strong front. Despite the tough matchup, the team's reliance on the run and Harris's uncertain status put Hampton in a good position. RotoBaller projects him as the RB18 this week, making him a solid RB2/FLEX option with high upside.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
September 4, 2025
Dan Graziano of ESPN says that he's drafting Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka "everywhere I can." Not only did Tampa fall in love with the former Ohio State star before taking him in the first round, but they've "grown to covet him even more since" and "believe he can play any of the wide receiver positions in their offense." In addition to all that,
Chris Godwin (ankle) has yet to practice after dislocating his ankle in Week 7 of last year, and
Jalen McMillan (neck) could miss around half the year. Graziano says to expect the Bucs to use Egbuka "in the slot and on the outside as needed." In a pass-happy offense, the 22-year-old pass-catcher could be targeted heavily early on behind WR1
Mike Evans. And the good news for those that took Egbuka in their drafts is that he should remain involved once Godwin and McMillan return, whenever that may be.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
September 4, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert is set to face a tough Week 1 matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs in São Paulo, Brazil. Herbert is entering the season fully healthy and will have his primary weapons back in
Ladd McConkey, returning veteran
Keenan Allen, and a healthy
Quentin Johnston (concussion). However, the Chiefs are ranked among the top 10 defensive units this year and will look to pressure Herbert frequently. The Chargers' offense, led by offensive coordinator Greg Roman, is expected to lean on the run game this year, but Herbert must make plays with his arm. Herbert's impressive 2024 stats of 3,870 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just three interceptions show his efficiency. Still, this tough matchup between two solid defenses on the road makes it hard to predict a high ceiling performance. RotoBaller projects Herbert as the QB23 this week. He is a low-end QB2, and fantasy managers outside superflex leagues should consider other options.
--Don FanelliSource: RotoBaller
September 4, 2025
ESPN's Dan Graziano thinks that Jacksonville Jaguars rookie running back
Bhayshul Tuten could come out of nowhere to surprise everyone in Week 1 against the Carolina Panthers. Graziano doesn't think the Jaguars even know yet how their backfield will shake out in 2025.
Travis Etienne Jr. and
Tank Bigsby are the incumbents, but the team took both Tuten and
LeQuint Allen Jr. in this year's draft. Graziano writes that while Etienne and Bigsby will get the first shot, the "new front office and coaching staff drafted Tuten and Allen and have plans for them." Tuten is a "home run hitter" and is the most explosive of the group, and his explosiveness "could lead to greater opportunities sooner rather than later." The 23-year-old is an interesting watch candidate in shallow fantasy leagues to begin the season and is worth a stash in deeper leagues, especially if you already have Etienne or Bigsby rostered.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN.com - Dan Graziano
September 4, 2025
Washington Commanders head coach Kliff Kingsbury acknowledged the preseason "hype train" for rookie running back
Jacory Croskey-Merritt leading into the 2025 regular season during a press conference on Thursday. Kingsbury also mentioned that he has a lot of respect for Croskey-Merritt's journey from being a practice-squad player to making it to the NFL. "He can't get enough," Kingsbury said. The 24-year-old's love for football has catapulted him to potentially having a big role in Washington's backfield in his rookie season. However, the Commanders listed him as the RB4 on their first unofficial depth chart of the year in what is shaping up to be a full-blown committee involving JCM,
Austin Ekeler,
Chris Rodriguez Jr. and even
Jeremy McNichols. Ekeler is probably the safest flex play in PPR leagues in Week 1 against the Giants, but it's a dicey fantasy situation right now.
--Keith HernandezSource: Commanders.com - Zach Selby
September 4, 2025
Philadelphia Eagles kicker
Jake Elliott gets his season underway on Thursday in a division rivalry matchup against the Dallas Cowboys. In two meetings against Dallas last season, Elliott was perfect from the spot, making all four of his field goal attempts and going nine-for-nine on extra points. He did struggle on attempts from beyond 50 yards in 2024, making just one out of seven tries, but was one of the best in the league from 40-49 yards, going eight-of-nine from that range. The Cowboys also let up the second most points per game last season (27.5), and with Philly's high-powered offense it seems likely they'll put a good amount of points on the board. Elliott should be a starting kicker in fantasy lineups for Week 1.
--Ricky Maloney - RotoBallerSource: NFL.com
September 4, 2025
New York Jets offensive guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (triceps) will undergo season-ending surgery on his torn triceps, a source told Adam Schefter of ESPN. Vera-Tucker tore his triceps muscle in practice on Tuesday and will be forced to miss the entire 2025 regular season. It's tough news for the 22-year-old former first-rounder in 2021 who also tore the triceps in his other arm back in 2022. He also missed 12 games in 2023 with a torn Achilles, to it's an understatement to say that he's been injury-prone early in his career with the Jets. The injury will cause the Jets to reshuffle their offensive line right before the Week 1 season opener this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which is never ideal. It's possible that Joe Tippman will slide over to right guard to replace Vera-Tucker, with Josh Myers starting at center.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN - Adam Schefter
September 4, 2025
ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reports that the San Francisco 49ers believe wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall is "poised for a Year 2 jump." The former first-round pick dealt with a myriad of issues during his rookie campaign but is slated to handle a large workload in 2025 with the 49ers' wide receiving corps in shambles. Fellow wideout
Jauan Jennings' (calf) recent return somewhat throws a wrench in that, at least for the time being. Still, it's unclear if Jennings will require ramp-up time, as he's dealt with a calf injury for the majority of the summer. Pearsall and quarterback
Brock Purdy have spent time this offseason developing chemistry, and San Francisco's passing offense has been excellent with him at the helm. If Jennings is slow to find his groove, the Florida State product could be in for a tremendous season.
--Alex CiullaSource: Jeremy Fowler
September 4, 2025
When asked if he envisions a similar workload split this year between running backs
Jahmyr Gibbs and
David Montgomery in 2025, Detroit Lions offensive coordinator John Morton smiled and said, "We'll see." In 2024, Montgomery would often open the game in the backfield before giving way to Gibbs on the second offensive series of the game, but that could change in 2025 with Ben Johnson out of town. Lions beat writers got the impression during training camp this summer that Gibbs might be the "starter" to begin games this year, which would make fantasy managers that invested a top-five pick in him pretty happy. Montgomery is still going to be involved as long as he's healthy, though, and he could steal valuable goal-line touches from Gibbs. Both RBs should be rostered in all formats, but Gibbs' fantasy upside feels higher than it ever has before.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Colton Pouncy
September 4, 2025
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that Dallas Cowboys defensive back Trevon Diggs (knee) will be on a pitch count in Thursday night's season opener against their division rival, the Philadelphia Eagles. Diggs dealt with another significant injury in 2024 but has progressed more quickly than initially anticipated in his rehabilitation. While he'll suit up and likely get the start against Philadelphia, it's expected that Dallas will limit his reps as he works back to full health. It's unknown how many snaps the University of Alabama product will get in Week 1, but any time he spends on the field is a boon for the Cowboys' defense. Teammates Trikweze Bridges and C.J. Goodwin figure to work in his stead while he gets a breather.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
September 4, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs tight end
Travis Kelce did not remark on whether this would be his final season in the league Thursday, instead noting he's "ready to rock" ahead of the 2025 season."It's the last year on the contract, but I'm feeling young and ready to rock." The 35-year-old has notably lost weight this offseason and appeared laser-focused as we approach his thirteenth NFL season. Kelce's production had declined in each of the prior two campaigns, but there's some hope he'll be rejuvenated and hungry after a Super Bowl loss. It's unclear if this season will be his swan song, but he'll be put to task as much as ever, particularly early on with the news of wide receiver
Rashee Rice and his six-game suspension. The Chiefs have capped Kelce's reps in the past, but he'll still be fed a healthy diet of targets. The veteran is RotoBaller's TE6 ahead of the season's opening week.
--Alex CiullaSource: Charles Goldman
September 4, 2025
Green Bay Packers running back
Emanuel Wilson has officially been named the team's backup option to open 2025, ahead of teammates
Chris Brooks and the injured
MarShawn Lloyd (hamstring). Wilson was the Pack's second-leading rusher in 2024 (502 yards), appearing in all 17 games during his second professional season. The 26-year-old flashed as he spelled starter
Josh Jacobs, and has rushed for over 4.87 yards per carry in each of his first two campaigns. His upside (and floor) will be limited while Jacobs has a stranglehold on the lead job, but at least for the early part of this year, he'll be the handcuff to own. This situation could become more fluid when Lloyd returns following the first four games, but Wilson will get a chance to run away with the second-string job while he's shelved, and is capable enough to do so.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 4, 2025
Jacksonville Jaguars third-year tight end
Brenton Strange is listed as the team's starting option on the official Week 1 depth chart. Strange appeared in all 17 games last season but played just 55.6% of Jacksonville's overall snaps. Even with ex-teammate
Evan Engram missing a good chunk of the season (eight games), the 24-year-old never consistently impacted the field. In 2025, Strange will get the opportunity to be more productive than his 40/411/2 line from last season, though he'll face stiff target competition in wide receivers
Brian Thomas Jr. and rookie
Travis Hunter. There is a way to go before the Penn State product reaches fantasy relevance (RotoBaller's PPR TE20 in Week 1), but he could provide some spike weeks this season as the potential third option in the Jags' passing attack. He's a more intriguing asset in best ball and dynasty formats for now.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
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