September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver
Jalen Nailor should be left out of lineups when the club plays against the Chicago Bears in Week 1. Coming off a hand injury, the fourth-year pro has been given the all-clear to play, but the bigger issue from a fantasy perspective is his role within the offense. It looked for a time that Nailor could be the team's WR2 next to
Justin Jefferson with
Jordan Addison (suspension) set to miss the first three weeks, but the Vikings traded for
Adam Thielen and quickly squashed that idea. The Vikings like Nailor, a willing run blocker who caught six touchdowns a year ago, but with tight end
T.J. Hockenson fully back in the fold, Nailor is the team's fourth option and unlikely to see regular volume in the passing game.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
With the Minnesota Vikings going through changes at wide receiver, tight end
T.J. Hockenson is a starting-caliber option as his team prepares to take on the Chicago Bears in Week 1. The veteran tight end figures to be a key part of Minnesota's passing game with wide receiver
Jordan Addison (suspension) set to miss the first three games, and could very well be the team's second option behind superstar receiver
Justin Jefferson. Hockenson started only nine times last season while recovering from an ACL injury the year prior, and figures to see a natural boost nearly two years post-surgery. He caught 95 passes in 2023 despite the Vikings playing half the season with backup quarterbacks, which bodes well for managers who drafted him as Minnesota breaks in first-time starting quarterback
J.J. McCarthy in 2025.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
D.J. Moore opens his eighth NFL season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Moore is coming off a down 2024 campaign, averaging 11.1 half-PPR fantasy points per game, ranking 32nd on the year. His efficiency dipped notably, with his yards per target falling from 10.0 to 6.9 and touchdowns dropping from eight to six, as rookie quarterback
Caleb Williams went through growing pains. The outlook for 2025 is more promising. With
Keenan Allen no longer in Chicago, over 120 vacated targets create an opportunity for Moore to re-establish himself as the clear WR1 in Ben Johnson's new offense. He also draws a dream Week 1 matchup against a Vikings secondary that surrendered the most fantasy points to wide receivers last season. The favorable matchup boosts Moore's floor, but his ceiling still depends on Williams taking a second-year leap. Moore enters Week 1 as a low-end WR2 with upside.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings kicker
Will Reichard should be viewed as a low-end starting option during his team's Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears. The second-year kicker had an excellent start to his first season -- he made every kick in his first seven games -- but saw his year go sideways with a quadriceps injury that required an IR stint and affected his performance during the season half. Now healthy, he's still attached to a talented Vikings offense that rebuilt its offensive line, added running back
Jordan Mason, and traded for receiver
Adam Thielen. Chicago can be a treacherous place to kick, but Minnesota will make the journey early in the season with pleasant weather in the forecast.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Rome Odunze begins his sophomore season on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. The 2024 ninth-overall pick had a quiet rookie year, averaging 6.9 half-PPR fantasy points per game and finishing as the WR49, while playing behind two veteran receivers. Now in 2025, Odunze has a prime opportunity to step forward in new head coach Ben Johnson's offense. With
Keenan Allen gone, the Bears vacate over eight targets per game, opening the door for Odunze and others to take on a much larger role. The matchup is ideal, as Minnesota's defense allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024. Still, Odunze's production will hinge on how quickly
Caleb Williams can take a step forward in year two. Given the favorable matchup, Odunze is a high-risk, high-reward WR3 in Week 1.
--Nathan HarveySource: Rome Odunze
September 6, 2025
Rookie wide receiver
Tai Felton of the Minnesota Vikings appears to have only a minor role as his team takes on the Chicago Bears on Monday, keeping him off the fantasy radar. The rookie from Maryland looked to have a pathway to playing time with
Jordan Addison suspended,
Rondale Moore (knee) out for the season, and
Jalen Nailor (hand) in jeopardy of missing the opening week, but Minnesota opted for veteran help instead by reacquiring
Adam Thielen in a trade with Carolina. With Nailor carrying no injury designation, Felton is realistically the team's sixth option behind its top three receivers, tight end
T.J. Hockenson, and pass-friendly running back Aaron Jones. Felton is a worthwhile taxi-squad stash in dynasty formats, but he can be left on the waiver wire in redraft leagues.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The Minnesota Vikings defense/special teams is facing an above-average season-opening matchup against the new-look offense of the Chicago Bears in Week 1. As Detroit's offensive coordinator, new Bears coach Ben Johnson helped the Lions beat the Vikings five times in a row, scoring 30-plus points each time, but this matchup is a different beast in his first game in Chicago. Bears quarterback
Caleb Williams was sacked an NFL-high 68 times and faced pressure on nearly 24% of all dropbacks as a rookie, while Minnesota blitzed more than any team in the league and tied for second in quarterback pressures. A road game against a new offensive scheme brings some risk, but there is good reason to think a Minnesota defensive line that added Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen can cause some havoc.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's matchup against the Chicago Bears. Darrisaw tore his ACL and MCL in Week 8 of the 2024 season and has spent the offseason recovering from the major injury. He practiced at full capacity on Friday and continued drills on Saturday, though head coach Kevin O'Connell cautioned, "It's going to depend on how (Darrisaw) feels on Sunday." If Darrisaw plays, he's set to face off against Bears edge rusher Montez Sweat, who tallied 5.5 sacks last season. With the Vikings relying on
J.J. McCarthy at quarterback, having their starting left tackle healthy is crucial for both pass protection and offensive consistency. Fantasy managers and game planners should monitor Darrisaw's status closely, as his availability will have a direct impact on McCarthy's performance and the Vikings' rushing attack.
--Nathan HarveySource: Alec Lewis - The Athletic
September 6, 2025
Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (illness) is doubtful for Monday Night's matchup against the Chicago Bears. The six-time Pro Bowler has missed most of Vikings training camp but participated in his first limited practice on Friday. Head coach Kevin O'Connell noted, "It's more of a physical ramp up as we move forward." With Smith unlikely to play, veteran Josh Metellus will step in at strong safety. This is a positive development for the Bears' offense, as Smith has long been a cornerstone of Minnesota's defense and a key player in defensive coordinator Brian Flores' scheme. Smith's next expected opportunity to play is Week 2 on Sunday Night Football against the Atlanta Falcons, assuming a continued health ramp-up.
--Nathan HarveySource: Alec Lewis - The Athletic
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams kicker
Joshua Karty is a fringe top-12 fantasy option heading into Sunday's season opener against the Houston Texans. With a strong offense in place, Los Angeles should be able to move the football quite well, even against an above-average Texans defense. This should lead to several field goal and extra point opportunities for Karty, who went 29-for-34 on field goals and 32-for-36 on extra points as a rookie last year. SoFi Stadium's ability to protect kicks from elements such as wind also benefits Karty, especially if he attempts any long-distance kicks on Sunday. RotoBaller's experts have the Stanford product ranked as the overall K11 this week, making him startable in leagues with at least 12 teams.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson (calf/groin) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. The two-time Pro Bowler has been limited in practice all week, but given the high-profile matchup against
Justin Jefferson, don't be surprised to see him suit up. In Jefferson's last three games against Johnson, he has recorded 13 receptions on 24 targets for 138 yards and a touchdown, averaging 8.8 half-PPR fantasy points per game. If Johnson sits out Monday, Jefferson is poised for a big game, and the Bears' defense will face major challenges containing Minnesota's high-powered offense.
--Nathan HarveySource: Chicago Bears
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie running back
Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is off the injury report and expected to make his NFL debut Monday Night against the Minnesota Vikings. Monangai was limited in practice on Thursday and Friday but saw full participation on Saturday and is in line to make his NFL debut this week. With
Roschon Johnson (foot) very questionable this week, Monangai is projected to be the backup behind starter D'Andre Swift. He faces a tough matchup, as Minnesota allowed the second-fewest rushing yards in 2024. Monangai is expected to see some touches, which is notable for a seventh-round rookie. His volume is uncertain, but he is worth monitoring in deeper leagues or best-ball formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Courtney Cronin - ESPN
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears running back
Roschon Johnson (foot) is listed as questionable for Monday Night's divisional matchup against the Minnesota Vikings. Johnson was limited in practice on Saturday, but ESPN's Courtney Cronin speculated that it is a stretch we see Johnson this week. If he were to sit out, D'Andre Swift and
Kyle Monangai will handle the backfield workload. Swift is projected for heavy volume, but a tough matchup against Minnesota's strong run defense drops him to a mid-tier RB2 for Week 1. Monangai would slide into the backup role behind Swift if Johnson misses the game. Johnson is expected to be a game-time decision and is too risky to start in fantasy this week, even if he plays. Fantasy managers should plan around Swift as the primary back and monitor Monangai for potential touches.
--Nathan HarveySource: Courtney Cronin - ESPN
September 6, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars should be better on offense with head coach Liam Coen at the helm, starting with Week 1 against the suspect Carolina Panthers defense. That should mean plenty of kicking opportunities for
Cam Little, who proved he had plenty of kicking power when he hit a 70-yard field goal during preseason. The second year pro has interesting upside from a season-long perspective, as the Jaguars have a chance to have a good offense, but not too good, leading to lots of deep field goal chances. Week 1 will be a good starting point for Little fantasy managers who believe in the Jaguars offense this season. With a great matchup and plenty of offensive weapons to move the ball well, Little could be in line for a busy day in Week 1.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The Los Angeles Rams defense/special teams is an intriguing fantasy option for Week 1 against the Houston Texans. Although Houston has a solid offense, they're a bit shorthanded right now with
Joe Mixon (foot) and
Christian Kirk (hamstring) sidelined. The unit also regressed slightly last year as
C.J. Stroud's interception total increased to 12 in his second pro season. In addition to some concerns about the Texans' offense, fantasy managers should be optimistic about the Rams' defense's upward trajectory. Los Angeles forced 20 turnovers last season, and that number is due to increase with players like Jared Verse and Darious Williams continuing to take steps forward. RotoBaller's experts currently have the Rams ranked ninth in the latest D/ST fantasy rankings.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
RADIO
