RADIO
Caleb Williams Brings QB1 Upside in Road Matchup
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams will kick off his third NFL campaign this Sunday, on the road against the Carolina Panthers. At a glance, the USC product's 2025 statistics may seem a modest improvement upon his rookie season. While some might point to a dip in completion percentage (58.1%), Williams undoubtedly showed growth and maturity during Chicago's playoff run - becoming more efficient within the structure of the offense. Perhaps most impressively, he was sacked only 25 times in 2025, a stark contrast to his league-high total of 68 the year prior. Carolina's pass defense was no pushover a season ago, ranking as a top-half unit on a yards-per-game basis (209). Still, head coach Ben Johnson's elite pace of play and the bevy of weapons at the 24-year-old's disposal should be more than enough to keep him in the QB1 conversation Week 1. Even with wide receiver Rome Odunze (calf) a potential inactive, Williams still slots in as RotoBaller's QB9 ahead of Sunday's slate.
Source: ESPN
Source: ESPN
Jimmy Horn Jr. Falling Down Depth Chart with Teammate Healthy
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Jimmy Horn Jr. is slipping down the depth chart, which has also caused his fantasy stock to fall. A couple of weeks ago, it seemed like Horn might have a chance to compete for the No. 3 receiver role with Xavier Legette (ankle) sidelined. However, Legette is back to 100%, leaving no chance for Horn to start in Week 1. The 24-year-old will likely find himself in the No. 4 or 5 receiver role to open the season. He's coming off a quiet rookie campaign in which he caught 11 passes for 108 yards, ranking as the WR138 in PPR leagues. Although he now has a pro season under his belt, Horn still may not emerge as a top-100 fantasy receiver this year. He can be avoided in all redraft and most dynasty leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Dalton Schultz Is a High-Risk Option in Week 1
Houston Texans tight end Dalton Schultz could get enough work to be a deep-league starter this season with Jayden Higgins (knee) vacating targets due to his season-ending injury and Tank Dell (knee) on IR to start the season. However, Schultz has a very tough Week 1 matchup against the Buffalo Bills, who were the best team in the NFL at limiting tight ends last year in PPR scoring. He did have 106 targets last year, and his strong rapport with C.J. Stroud could get him enough volume to overcome the tough matchup. However, Schultz is only RotoBaller's TE 19 this week in PPR formats, making him not the best option unless you're forced to look for emergency, last-minute help from the waiver wire.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Oscar Delp is Ruled Out for Week 1
New Orleans Saints tight end Oscar Delp (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's season opener versus the Detroit Lions. This doesn't come as a surprise, considering Delp hasn't been able to practice at all this week due to a nagging hamstring injury. The third-round rookie has been battling the issue since he sustained it in late August. His professional debut will have to wait at least one more week. Juwan Johnson and Noah Fant will handle the tight end duties during the season opener. Delp is worth a stash in dynasty leagues, but is unlikely to see much of the field while Johnson and Fant are healthy.
Source: neworleanssaints.com
Source: neworleanssaints.com
Jaylin Noel Healthy for Week 1, Ready for a Bigger Role?
Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (hamstring/finger) is not on the injury report headed into his team's Week 1 matchup with the Buffalo Bills. The third-round pick played all 17 regular-season games as a rookie, totaling 26 catches for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Noel could be more involved this year after Jayden Higgins (knee) was lost for the season, but he has yet to lock in a role and remains a very high-risk play for Week 1. Even with Kayshon Boutte joining the mix on the outside, Noel could still be the primary option in the slot. Noel is RotoBaller's No. 83 WR for Week 1, so while he is worth a stash in dynasty or deep leagues due to his potential, he isn't a starter in hardly any formats against the Bills.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Ty Johnson is Questionable for Week 1 with Hamstring Injury
Buffalo Bills running back Ty Johnson (hamstring) was a limited participant during Friday's practice session. According to the Bills' official website, Johnson is considered questionable for the upcoming Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. Johnson missed the first two days of practice before getting in a limited session to end the week. Johnson missed a good portion of camp, so it's unclear if he'll be game-ready in time for Sunday's contest. If he sits out, Ray Davis could have an expanded role behind lead back James Cook III in the backfield. Neither back offers weekly starting value with Cook healthy and getting the bulk of the carries.
Source: buffalobills.com
Source: buffalobills.com
Kayshon Boutte a Deep-League Sleeper in Texans Debut
Houston Texans wide receiver Kayshon Boutte is ready to play his first game for the Texans after joining them via trade from the New England Patriots this preseason. With Jayden Higgins (knee) out for the year, Boutte could emerge as the team's second option behind Nico Collins. Since he hasn't played with QB C.J. Stroud very long, though, it's hard to know exactly what his role will be in Week 1 against the Bills. Last year for the Patriots, Boutte was a home-run threat who was a boom-or-bust play on his way to 551 receiving yards and six touchdowns. He could be in a similar role for the Texans, which makes him a high-risk play in Week 1, when he's ranked as the No. 58 WR in RotoBaller's rankings.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Malik Davis to Undergo Hip Surgery
Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis (hip) is scheduled to undergo hip surgery on Saturday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. Davis injured his hip during Friday's practice, and it appears to be significant enough to require surgery. The 27-year-old will be placed on the Injured Reserve, and he'll miss the first four games of the season. Davis was slated to be the No. 2 back behind Javonte Williams to begin the season. Now, Emari Demercado will slide into the role unless the Cowboys make another move ahead of the Week 1 matchup against the New York Giants. Fantasy managers who had Davis rostered might want to turn their attention towards Demercado as a handcuff option behind Williams.
Source: Todd Archer
Source: Todd Archer
Chris Jones is Dealing with Calf Injury
Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones (calf) was a limited participant during Friday's practice. Jones appears to have tweaked his calf during Friday's practice session. The veteran tackle wasn't on the injury report on Thursday, so this is a new issue. The severity of the injury is unknown right now, but Saturday's injury report should help clarify the situation. The loss of Jones would be a significant hit to the Chiefs' defense ahead of Monday's game against the Denver Broncos. Rookie Peter Woods could get the start if Jones is unable to go on Monday night.
Source: chiefs.com
Source: chiefs.com
Chuba Hubbard Cleared, a FLEX Option in Week 1 vs. the Bears
Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (hamstring) doesn't carry an injury designation heading into Week 1's matchup against the Chicago Bears. Hubbard practiced this week and was not listed on Carolina's injury report after dealing with a hamstring injury since mid-August. Backfield teammate Jonathon Brooks (groin) was also removed from the injury report as the Panthers will have both running backs available in Week 1. Hubbard rushed for 511 yards and one touchdown while catching 30 passes for 223 yards and three scores in 15 games last season. He is listed as the RB1 in Carolina's depth chart but will likely split touches with Brooks. The 27-year-old is RotoBaller's RB31 and is considered a FLEX option heading into Week 1 against a Bears defense that allowed 134.5 rushing yards per game last year. With the plus matchup, fantasy managers can start Hubbard as a FLEX in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
WR3 Treatment for Christian Watson in Week 1
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson is healthy and will look to put up a career season the Packers head to Minneapolis to face off with the division-rival Vikings in Week 1. Watson got a hefty four-year extension this offseason to stay with the Packers to be their top wide receiver this season. Watson has been insanely efficient in his career, with at least 2.25 yards per route run or better in three of his four NFL seasons. But he's run just 1,058 total routes in that span, missing time in each season of his NFL career. Can Watson stay healthy? Will the Packers' offense consolidate touches after Romeo Doubs left for New England and Dontayvion Wicks was traded to the Eagles? Against the Vikings, Watson is a high-upside WR3 play for fantasy.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Nico Collins Is a Top-10 WR in Week 1
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins is lined up for a heavy workload in Week 1, and he's a great option to get in fantasy lineups against the Buffalo Bills. Collins has posted three straight seasons with over 1,000 receiving yards, even though he has missed games each year. Last season, he racked up 1,117 yards and six touchdowns during the regular season as C.J. Stroud's top target. This year, Houston lost its second receiver, Jayden Higgins (knee), for the season to a preseason injury, and that could leave even more targets and opportunities for Collins. Stroud will be looking to bounce back after the rough end to last season, and if he's effective, he'll lean heavily on Collins. Against the Bills, Collins is a low-end WR1, checking in as RotoBaller's No. 7 WR in the PPR rankings for Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Packers D/ST Not Recommended in Week 1 Against Vikings
The Green Bay Packers' defense and special teams unit will have to contend with a good Minnesota Vikings offense as the two teams match up at U.S. Bank Stadium for each team's season opener. With new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon replacing Jeff Hafley, who took the head coaching job in Miami, Gannon will have to play some games at the start of the season without Micah Parsons and his pass-rush. The Packers will switch to a 3-4 defense and they added new pieces like veterans Javon Hargrave and Zaire Franklin, as well as rookie cornerback Brandon Cisse, who will be a Week 1 starter opposite Keisean Nixon. The Packers have talent on defense, but we'll see if Gannon can get the most out of this group without Parsons for a number of games. Against the Vikings in Week 1, the Packers are not a recommended D/ST to slot into fantasy lineups.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Kicker Trey Smack In the Week 1 Streaming Conversation
Green Bay Packers kicker Trey Smack looks to start his career off on the right foot as the team heads to Minneapolis to take on the Vikings in the season opener for both teams. Smack, Green Bay's sixth-round pick in last April's NFL Draft, was a perfect 9-of-9 on field goals during the preseason, with a long of 59 yards. He also booted home all seven extra points and looked every bit like a kicker that has some staying power for the Packers. Of course, kicking in actual games that count is a different story entirely, but Smack seems up to the task. With the Packers being an above-average offense, Smack should get plenty of chances to score points, so for that, he's in the streaming conversation for fantasy kickers against Minnesota in Week 1.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
Woody Marks Can Be a Deep-League Flex Sleeper
Houston Texans running back Woody Marks will be in a timeshare to start his second season in the NFL, but he could work his way into a large enough role that he has fantasy value. Last year, as a rookie, Marks finished the year with three receiving touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns, 208 receiving yards, and 708 rushing yards. The Texans went out and added veteran David Montgomery to the mix this offseason, but Marks is still likely to be involved on receiving downs. He seemed to wear down at times last season and could benefit from the shared workload, but he could also lose valuable red zone work, raising his risk factors. For Week 1's matchup against the Bills, Marks is only the No. 45 RB in RotoBaller's rankings, but he could get close to a 50-50 split in the timeshare, which could make him a deep-league sleeper in PPR leagues.
Source: RotoBaller
Source: RotoBaller
