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
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
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