September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Olamide Zaccheaus begins his seventh NFL season on Monday Night Football against the division-rival Minnesota Vikings. He's coming off an impressive preseason, finishing with the second-most targets from rookie QB
Caleb Williams, while logging 64% of the Bears' receiver snaps (third among the WR group). Operating primarily out of the slot in head coach Ben Johnson's offense, Zaccheaus draws a favorable matchup against a Vikings defense that surrendered the most fantasy points to wideouts in 2024. While he's not a recommended Week 1 starter in fantasy, Zaccheaus is a name to monitor on the waiver wire for potential upside.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
The Jacksonville Jaguars face
Bryce Young and the Carolina Panthers in Week 1. The Jaguars defense was one of the worst in football last year so it is hard to trust them in fantasy football this year, but a Week 1 matchup with the Panthers means they could perform solidly. Young played better last year down the stretch after being benched, but their offense still should be viewed as one of the best matchups for defenses this season. The Jaguars have some solid defensive players and athletes, especially if Travis Hunter can apply his receiver ball skills to the defense, but from a season-long standpoint, it is difficult to have faith in them. However, in Week 1, they are worth consideration at the very least.
--Seth Quinn - RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Luther Burden III makes his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Drafted in the second round of 2025, Burden brings plenty of long-term excitement, but his early-season fantasy outlook is limited. Chicago's pass-catching group is crowded, featuring
Rome Odunze,
D.J. Moore, veteran
Olamide Zaccheaus, and two capable tight ends in
Cole Kmet and
Colston Loveland. For now, Burden slots in as the WR4 in Ben Johnson's offense, which leaves little room for consistent targets out of the gate. While his talent makes him a name to monitor for the future, Burden carries minimal fantasy value in Week 1 and should remain on fantasy teams' benches.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Noah Fant agreed to a one-year deal with the team in July. He began his career with the Denver Broncos before spending the last three seasons with the Seahawks. In 2024, the 27-year-old appeared in 14 games for Seattle. However, he wasn't very productive, finishing the year with 48 receptions for 500 yards and one touchdown. Fant should see some attention from quarterback
Joe Burrow throughout the 2025 campaign. Still,
Mike Gesicki is projected to lead the way in targets at the position. Of course, with
Ja'Marr Chase,
Tee Higgins, and
Chase Brown in the equation, there likely won't be much work for anyone else. As a result, fantasy managers should keep Fant out of the lineup in Week 1 against the Browns. That's not expected to change in the weeks ahead.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Chicago Bears tight end
Colston Loveland makes his NFL debut on Monday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings. Drafted 10th overall in 2025, Loveland enters the league with high expectations as a long-term playmaker in Ben Johnson's offense. However, fantasy managers should temper expectations for Week 1. Loveland will begin his rookie season in a timeshare with veteran
Cole Kmet, who has been a steady producer throughout his five-year career. With target competition across the offense and the necessity for a
Caleb Williams Year 2 leap, Loveland's fantasy value may take time to materialize. The matchup doesn't help either, as Minnesota's defense allowed the ninth-fewest fantasy points to tight ends last season. Until his role becomes clearer, Loveland is best treated as a low-end TE2 in Week 1.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams tight end
Tyler Higbee remains atop the depth chart heading into Week 1 against the Houston Texans, but he's not a reliable fantasy option given the competition for targets posed by wide receivers
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams. Higbee has a track record of lower production when he's third or lower in the pecking order. In the two games where Higbee, Nacua, and
Cooper Kupp were all healthy last year, Higbee averaged just 4.8 fantasy points. Fantasy managers should expect the veteran tight end to have a similar role this year, or perhaps a slightly smaller role if
Terrance Ferguson emerges as a pass-catching threat. He can be avoided in all 1TE leagues this week.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
The Chicago Bears defense enters the 2025 season with a new identity after a major offseason shakeup. Following the midseason firing of head coach and defensive play-caller Matt Eberflus, Chicago brought in former Saints head coach Dennis Allen to take over defensive duties. Last year, the Bears were a rollercoaster on defense, finishing 13th in points allowed and 11th in turnovers forced, but just 27th in yards surrendered. Their Week 1 matchup against the Minnesota Vikings isn't ideal, as Minnesota scored 30 points in both meetings last season, averaging 391 yards per game. The Vikings are handing the keys to the offense to rookie quarterback
J.J. McCarthy, who makes his first career start under the bright lights of Monday Night Football. While the spotlight could lead to mistakes, McCarthy inherits a strong supporting cast and a favorable system, making it tough to count on Chicago's defense as a fantasy option. The Bears open the week ranked as the D/ST15 in RotoBaller's rankings, outside the typical starting range. Fantasy managers should treat them as a sit in Week 1 until Allen's defense proves it can be more than a matchup-dependent streamer.
--Nathan HarveySource: Courtney Cronin - ESPN
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Jarquez Hunter is an intriguing dynasty stash given his draft capital, but he lacks short-term fantasy value. As a result, he can be left on your bench (or redraft waivers) heading into his Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. There are plenty of reasons to avoid Hunter this week. First, the Texans' run defense was very strong last year, allowing the sixth-fewest rushing touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. Additionally, he is buried on the Rams' depth chart.
Kyren Williams and
Blake Corum are both ahead of him for now, and there's additional concern that he could drop to the fourth rung after Los Angeles elevated
Cody Schrader from the practice squad on Saturday. The difference between third- versus fourth-string is the difference between being active or inactive on gameday, so it will be interesting to see his status when the inactives report comes out. Regardless, Hunter is not a startable fantasy option in Week 1.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals kicker
Evan McPherson appeared to be on his way to becoming one of the league's best at the position. However, McPherson's production has gone in the wrong direction since his rookie year, and he finished the 2024 campaign by making only 72.7% of his attempts, a career-low. He was also limited to 12 games due to injury. The Bengals offense can move down the field quickly, which should give the 26-year-old chances to produce for fantasy managers. Still, until McPherson proves he can be trusted to capitalize on his opportunities, managers may want to consider other kickers for the Week 1 AFC North clash with the Browns.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams running back
Blake Corum should be avoided in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. While Corum projects to open the year as the direct backup to
Kyren Williams, he's more of a handcuff at this time and is unlikely to surpass more than five or six carries. With lower volume, Corum should be left on the bench (or waivers in leagues with smaller rosters). That's especially true this week against the Texans, who allowed the sixth-fewest rushing touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Los Angeles Rams wide receiver
Tutu Atwell enters the season listed third on the depth chart, which likely leaves him off the fantasy radar for the time being. Although this week's matchup against the Houston Texans is enticing for receivers specifically, Atwell's volume will likely be impacted by the presence of
Puka Nacua and
Davante Adams, two star pass-catchers who could each command at least 10 targets. Atwell figures to be the primary deep threat option in Los Angeles, which means that he will have some big plays and touchdowns, but he'll also have his fair share of dud games. As long as he's in the No. 3 role, it will be too difficult to predict when those boom or bust games will happen. For now, he can be left on waivers in most leagues.
--Andersen PickardSource: RotoBaller
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals tight end
Mike Gesicki finished the 2024 campaign with 65 catches (83 targets) for 665 yards. He also had two touchdowns, although they both came during the Week 7 matchup with the Browns. Gesicki and quarterback
Joe Burrow built a strong rapport, resulting in the 29-year-old agreeing to a three-year, $25.5 million contract in March to remain in Cincinnati. The Bengals brought in
Noah Fant this offseason. However, Gesicki is projected to lead the position in targets. That's not saying he will receive consistent attention from Burrow throughout the season, especially with
Ja'Marr Chase,
Tee Higgins, and
Chase Brown in the mix. Still, the Bengals explosive offense makes Gesicki a starting option in two-tight end setups versus Cleveland.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
September 6, 2025
Cleveland Browns running back
Quinshon Judkins is scheduled to meet with the NFL this week regarding his ongoing domestic battery case, according to PFT's Mike Florio. Judkins recently signed his rookie contract and is expected to join the team this week, but he still faces potential league discipline. The timing, length, or likelihood of a suspension remains uncertain, but Judkins could miss more time beyond Week 1. If he is suspended,
Jerome Ford and
Dylan Sampson are poised to absorb the bulk of the workload in Cleveland's backfield. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation closely, as Judkins' availability will directly impact running back target shares and value for Ford and Sampson. While the holdout has ended, Judkins' status remains a significant question mark for the beginning of the 2025 season.
--Nathan HarveySource: Mike Florio - Pro Football Talk
September 6, 2025
The Miami Dolphins elevated running back
Jeff Wilson Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson Jr. was initially signed to the practice squad after
Jaylen Wright (knee) underwent a small procedure on his knee. He is expected to serve as the RB3 behind starter De'Von Achane and rookie
Ollie Gordon II. With depth thin in the Dolphins' backfield and lingering questions about Achane's calf, Wilson is primarily a depth piece for Week 1. While unstartable in fantasy this week, Wilson Jr. is likely to see some touches in the offense, making him a player to watch if injuries persist.
--Nathan HarveySource: Miami Dolphins
September 6, 2025
Cincinnati Bengals running back
Samaje Perine agreed to a two-year deal in March, marking his third stint with the team. He spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he accounted for only two touchdowns. It's safe to say Perine was most productive during his previous tenure with the Bengals. However,
Chase Brown is the undisputed No. 1 option on the depth chart, and he isn't projected to leave many snaps for Perine or rookie
Tahj Brooks. Fantasy managers can expect the 29-year-old to get the bulk of his opportunities as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He may also get a few carries alongside Brooks. With that said, Perine likely won't get enough work to make him a viable fantasy option versus the Cleveland Browns, so managers should keep him out of the lineup.
--Dennis ClausenSource: ESPN
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