September 2, 2025
Jackonville Jaguars second-year wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. said that his chemistry with quarterback
Trevor Lawrence is even stronger this year. "I feel like we've definitely got a lot closer, whether it's football or off the field, like all the little things," Thomas said. "I feel like our chemistry is growing on the field, and I feel like it's going to continue to grow throughout the season." Despite Lawrence missing seven games in 2024 due to head and shoulder injuries, Thomas amassed an impressive 87 catches on 133 targets for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns in 17 games in his rookie season. Although many players have the dreaded sophomore slump, Thomas figures to be immune, playing more out of the slot in new head coach Liam Coen's offense. As long as the former LSU star doesn't miss time with injuries, he should finish as a top-10 fantasy wideout again in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: jacksonville Florida Times-Union - Juston Lewis
September 2, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back
Ashton Jeanty could be in line for a significant number of touches in his first NFL game on Sunday against the New England Patriots. Along with star tight end
Brock Bowers, Jeanty is expected to be a central focus of new Raiders play-caller Chip Kelly's offense. In Kelly's four previous years as an NFL play-caller, his offenses have ranked in the top ten in rushing attempts, yards, and touchdowns three times. The Raiders and Patriots appear to be relatively evenly matched teams on paper, which means the game script should not prevent Las Vegas from looking to pound the rock on the ground. In 2024, New England's defense ranked 14th in yards per carry allowed (4.4) and 17th in rushing touchdowns allowed (16). Jeanty is a must-start running back in Week 1.
--Will BradySource: RotoBaller
September 2, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams said he has not been told what his workload will be in the season opener on Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles, per Jon Machota of The Athletic. Williams also said he was "caught by surprise" by not playing in the preseason, but views it as a show of "confidence and trust" in him by the coaching staff. The 25-year-old is expected to be Dallas' lead running back early in the year, with veteran
Miles Sanders and rookie
Jaydon Blue also seeing touches out of the backfield. Williams has struggled with efficiency on the ground in recent years, averaging fewer than four yards per carry in each of the last two seasons while playing for the Denver Broncos. He profiles as a low-end RB3/high-end RB4 in fantasy, but is in danger of losing work over the course of the season if he fails to produce.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jon Machota
September 2, 2025
An unnamed NFC executive told The Athletic's Jourdan Rodrigue that Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie wide receiver
Emeka Egbuka is "plug and play" and "will be pro-ready." Egbuka is expected to play a prominent role in Tampa Bay's offense right away, with fellow wide receivers
Chris Godwin (ankle) and
Jalen McMillan (neck) both set to miss the beginning of the season. Egbuka won a national championship in his final collegiate season at Ohio State, recording 81 receptions for 1,011 yards and 10 touchdowns in the process. Given his prospect pedigree as a first-round pick and the opportunity for immediate contribution with the Buccaneers, Egbuka has been a deserved riser throughout fantasy draft season. He profiles as a high-upside fantasy WR3 for 2025.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Jourdan Rodrigue
September 2, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers running back
Kaleb Johnson may be limited to a reserve role early in his rookie campaign. The team signed
Jaylen Warren to a three-year, $17.5 million extension on Monday, further solidifying him as the starter. Warren saw minimal preseason action, a sign the coaching staff is preserving him for a full workload. That leaves Johnson, the 2025 third-round pick, as more of a complementary option to start the season. He flashed potential in the preseason with 94 rushing yards, including 73 after contact. While Johnson isn't likely to offer early fantasy value, his talent could earn him a larger role as the season progresses. - Nathan Harvey
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 2, 2025
Cleveland Browns beat reporter Tony Grossi believes there is "zero chance" rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins (unsigned) suits up Sunday against the Cincinnati Bengals. Judkins, a second-round pick, was accused of domestic violence in July. Although the charges were dropped, he has yet to sign his rookie contract. Grossi said on the ESPN Cleveland Radio that the deal will not be finalized until the NFL determines the length of his suspension. If Judkins doesn't play in Week 1, the Browns are expected to lean on
Jerome Ford and
Dylan Sampson in the backfield. It's a favorable spot for the duo, as they face a Bengals defense that allowed the seventh-most points in the NFL last season.
--Nathan HarveySource: ESPN Cleveland
September 2, 2025
New York Giants quarterback
Jaxson Dart could find himself starting sooner rather than later in his rookie season. The 2025 first-round pick put on a clinic in the preseason, racking up 424 total yards, four touchdowns, and zero turnovers, while showcasing poise beyond his years. Although veteran
Russell Wilson will open the season as the starter, Dart's strong showing has put real pressure on the coaching staff. With a talented supporting cast led by
Malik Nabers and a revamped defense, the Giants are well-positioned to support a young quarterback. If the team struggles to win early, head coach Brian Daboll may decide to turn the offense over to Dart sooner than expected.
--Nathan HarveySource: Darryl Slater - NJ.com
September 2, 2025
Free-agent wide receiver
Kendrick Bourne is visiting the Washington Commanders on Tuesday after meeting with the San Francisco 49ers on Monday. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, "the framework of a deal is in place for both teams," suggesting a signing could come soon. Washington extended
Terry McLaurin last week, acquired
Deebo Samuel Sr. in March, and still has
Noah Brown and
Luke McCaffrey on the roster. Regardless, the veteran wideout appears poised to land with a team in the near future.
--Nathan HarveySource: Ian Rapoport - NFL Network
September 2, 2025
Seattle Seahawks running back
Kenneth Walker III (foot) logged a full practice on Monday as the team prepares for its Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker had been limited for most of training camp with a lingering foot issue, but his early-week participation is an encouraging sign for his availability. The third-year back is expected to operate as Seattle's lead runner against the 49ers defense, that surrendered the sixth-most fantasy points to running backs in 2024. If active, Walker should be viewed as a strong high-end RB2 to open the season.
--Nathan HarveySource: Gregg Bell - The News Tribune
September 2, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Jaydon Blue is expected to carve out a reserve role early in his rookie season. The 2025 fifth-round pick opens the year as the RB3 on the depth chart, sitting behind veterans
Javonte Williams and
Miles Sanders. Blue brings a burst of speed and explosiveness to the backfield and could see opportunities situationally right away. At the University of Texas, he was a proven weapon through the air, racking up 42 receptions for 368 yards and six touchdowns in his final season. While Blue isn't likely to be fantasy-relevant out of the gate, his skill set and upside make him a strong stash candidate with the potential to earn a bigger role as the season progresses. - Nathan Harvey
--Nathan HarveySource: RotoBaller
September 2, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Omarion Hampton could see fewer touches in Week 1 as the team heads to Brazil to face the Kansas City Chiefs. With veteran
Najee Harris (eye) expecting to suit up Friday, a committee in the Chargers backfield appears likely. The 2025 first-round pick should still command a healthy share of touches, thanks to his first-round draft capital and Harris's lack of training camp reps. Even in a tough matchup against a Chiefs defense that was among the league's best against running backs in 2024, Hampton remains a solid RB2 play for Week 1. - Nathan Harvey
--Nathan HarveySource: Adam Schefter - ESPN
September 2, 2025
Los Angeles Chargers running back
Najee Harris (eye) said he expects to play Friday night against the division-rival Kansas City Chiefs. The former Steeler missed all of training camp after sustaining a "superficial" eye injury in an incident on the Fourth of July. If active, Harris will likely split work with 2025 first-round pick
Omarion Hampton in a committee backfield. Given his lack of practice and preseason reps, fantasy managers should temper expectations. Facing the Chiefs' defense, which allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs in 2024, Harris profiles as a low-end RB4 while he eases into his new role. - Nathan Harvey
--Nathan HarveySource: Adam Schefter - ESPN
September
2,
2025
According
to
Mike
Reiss
of
ESPN,
New
England
Patriots
wide
receiver
Stefon
Diggs
(knee)
is
expected
to
be
ready
for
their
season
opener
against
the
Las
Vegas
Raiders.
Head
coach
Mike
Vrabel
noted
that
"As
of
today,
read more...
September 2, 2025
Carolina Panthers quarterback
Bryce Young received a vote of confidence from wide receiver
Adam Thielen after the veteran pass-catcher was traded to the Minnesota Vikings last week. "He's a great quarterback," Thielen said of Young. "You saw that at the end of last year." He also proceeded to commend Young for overcoming periodic struggles last season and returning to inject some life into the Panthers' offense near the end of the year. If that carries over into 2025, Young has the potential to be a mid-range fantasy QB2 while the Panthers could sneak into the Wild Card conversation.
--Andersen PickardSource: Alec Lewis
September 2, 2025
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that the team is being "smart" and "conservative" with how they manage linebacker Dre Greenlaw's workload. Greenlaw has a lengthy injury history, so Payton and his staff have decided that it's in their best interest to take some of the load off him before the season even begins. The veteran defender missed most of 2024 with a torn Achilles, and he also battled a quadriceps issue this summer. Now, it appears the 28-year-old is healthy, but Denver is still going to be careful with his involvement. Levelle Bailey, Justin Strnad, and Drew Sanders are all candidates to earn more defensive snaps if Greenlaw sees a reduced workload in Week 1.
--Andersen PickardSource: Chris Tomasson
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