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Frank Ammirante's 5 fantasy football bold predictions for Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. Expert predictions for Drake London, Marvin Harrison Jr, Bryce Young, more.
The NFL season has finally arrived, so it's time to dive right in and provide some bold predictions. These are either notable players who are hitting their ceilings or surprise starts that I'm ranking significantly above consensus.
On this page, you'll read about a mix of positions, depending on matchups and projected volume.
Read on to find out why I'm going bold on Drake London, Bryce Young, Marvin Harrison Jr., Zay Flowers, and J.J. McCarthy.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
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- NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
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Drake London Puts Up 150+ Receiving Yards
There's a lot of hype around London now that he has a gunslinger under center in Michael Penix Jr. After all, this is a significant upgrade on Kirk Cousins, who played through injury and was clearly not himself last season.
We saw what the London and Penix combo can do last year, especially when the Falcons' No. 1 wideout put up 187 yards and two touchdowns against the Panthers in Week 18.
Don't be surprised if London starts off his 2025 season on a high note. I'm boldly claiming that he'll go for 150+ receiving yards against the Buccaneers.
For one, this is a projected high-scoring game, as reflected in the 47.5-point game total. On top of that, we've seen London dominate against this Todd Bowles' defense, putting up 154 yards and a touchdown against them last season.
There's also a chance that the Falcons could be a bit inefficient on the ground after losing right tackle Kaleb McGary for the season. That could force Penix to the air more, where he can pepper his favorite wideout with targets. Darnell Mooney's status is in question for this game. If he can't return, that would leave London on a clear path for extreme volume.
Obviously, if you have London, you're never benching him, as he was your second-round pick, so this doesn't help you in start-sit suggestions. The way that you can use this advice is to fire up London in DFS or target alternate lines on his player props.
Bryce Young Throws For 250+ Yards
Young came on strong in the second half last season, starting to look like a quarterback who was taken first overall. Now comfortable in Dave Canales' scheme, we can project a leap from Young in his third season in the NFL.
After all, we've seen how Canales can get the most out of his quarterbacks. Just look at what he did for Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield.
#Panthers QB Bryce Young was the only QB in the NFL with 10+ TDs and 0 INTs over the final 3 games last season.
I asked OC Brad Idzik how rewarding it was to see him finish that way after such a challenging start.
Full episode with Brad Idzik: https://t.co/wy22Xf4F8D https://t.co/UXSwUdpw8X pic.twitter.com/K7VuEZngM0
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) September 2, 2025
But most importantly, the leap for Young has to do with the addition of a potential stud WR1 in Tetairoa McMillan. This is a wide receiver who has drawn comparisons to Drake London and Mike Evans. McMillan can be a target hog who wins downfield, makes contested catches, and opens up room for the rest of the offense.
Having a big target like this on the perimeter can pay significant dividends for the development of a young quarterback like Young. I'm betting that the Panthers' signal-caller has a spike week against a vulnerable Jaguars defense. This is a projected close game with a relatively high total of 46.5.
Jacksonville has a vulnerable defense that Young can pick apart. Expect the McMillan addition to show immediate results with a big game for Young in Week 1.
Marvin Harrison Jr. Catches 2+ Touchdowns
Harrison had a disappointing rookie season. After being heralded as one of the best wide receiver prospects in recent memory, the former Buckeyes' star was taken in the second round of fantasy drafts. That's why we were underwhelmed when we only got 885 yards in a full season.
But one thing that Harrison did well was score touchdowns, finding the end zone eight times in his debut year.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of the most likely 10+ TD WRs in the NFL.
8 TDs on only 62 catches last year.
Major red zone threat who ranked 2nd in end zone targets, behind only Ja'Marr Chase.
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) August 29, 2025
Seeing Harrison rank second in end zone targets has to have you feeling good about his touchdown equity on this Cardinals team.
Arizona is in an excellent spot for Week 1 against the Saints, who look like the worst team in the NFL this season. The Cardinals have an implied total of 25+ points, so they're projected to score at least three touchdowns. I'll boldly claim that Harrison hauls in two of those scores to kick off Year 2 on a high note.
Zay Flowers Puts Up 100+ Receiving Yards
Zay Flowers is one of the most underrated wideouts in the NFL. Despite demonstrating elite separation skills, Flowers is routinely ignored by the fantasy community because the Ravens are a run-heavy offense. While I understand those concerns, we also have to acknowledge that this is an ascending young talent who is the top target in one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL.
The spike weeks will be there, and if we get touchdown variance on our side, Flowers can provide a major profit at ADP.
Don't be surprised if Flowers hits his ceiling in Week 1 in a potential AFC Championship preview against the Bills. This projects as a close game where the Ravens will likely need to air it out more than usual.
With Isaiah Likely looking in doubt for this matchup, that means there's one fewer target to rack up receptions across the middle. Bet on Flowers having a bunch of opportunities to make big plays after the catch.
J.J. McCarthy Rushes for 1+ Touchdown
J.J. McCarthy is set to take over as the Vikings' starting quarterback. This is one of my favorite targets in fantasy football this year. It's the perfect situation, with a quarterback whisperer in Kevin O'Connell and a generational WR1 in Justin Jefferson.
These are the only QBs I'd take over JJ McCarthy in redraft leagues:
Josh Allen
Lamar Jackson
Jayden Daniels
Jalen Hurts
Joe Burrow
Patrick Mahomes
Dak Prescott
Drake Maye
Caleb WilliamsEnd of list. pic.twitter.com/MEjqncvwZh
— Frank Ammirante (@FAmmiranteTFJ) August 21, 2025
However, Week 1 is a tough matchup against a defense coached by Dennis Allen. The Bears are an improving group that poses a daunting task for a quarterback making his NFL debut.
That's why I'm betting that McCarthy leans on his legs in this one. This is an underrated component of his game, as people tend to forget that the former Michigan star rushed for eight touchdowns in his final two seasons.
In a game where he's likely under duress with the Bears slowing down this running game, look for McCarthy to make plays happen with his legs, resulting in a rushing score. While it's tough to start McCarthy in fantasy given how deep the quarterback position is, take a shot on him to score an anytime touchdown.
