Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 7th, 2025, 1:00 ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
Network: CBS
Pittsburgh Steelers
Quarterback
Aaron Rodgers: SIT
A soon-to-be 42 Aaron Rodgers in an Arthur Smith offense with basically one starting-caliber wide receiver. Even Aaron Rodgers wouldn’t start Aaron Rodgers in fantasy football.
Who am I kidding? Yes, he would. Aaron Rodgers would start Aaron Rodgers in fantasy baseball. That doesn’t mean you should.
Running Back
Jaylen Warren: FLEX, RB3
Kaleb Johnson: FLEX, RB4
Kenneth Gainwell: SIT
The Jaylen Warren contract extension has added fuel to the fire of the never-ending debate, “Is he actually good?”. I am in the camp that Warren is a J.A.G. (just a guy). Remember how everyone thought Rhamondre Steveson was locked in as the guy for the Patriots after his four-year, $36 million extension with $17 million guaranteed? They spent a second-round pick on TreVeyon Henderson. This is essentially a lengthy way of saying that the contract extension isn’t anything to get too excited about. I expect a committee that involves Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, and rookie Kaleb Johnson in a frustrating, non-fantasy-friendly manner. Basically, what we all expect from Arthur Smith. Warren and Johnson are the most startable, but there’s going to be wild swings in production based on how “Awful” Arthur Smith feels that week.
Wide Receiver
DK Metcalf: START, WR3
Calvin Austin III: SIT
Roman Wilson: SIT
You can’t sit a guy like DK Metcalf, but don’t be shocked if he scores fewer than ten fantasy points in Week 1. Being the WR1 with little to no target competition is great and all, but on a run-first offense with a quarterback who was drafted the year I graduated high school (my 20-year class reunion is in November), it’s not promising for his outlook. You’re starting Metcalf, but temper expectations if he fails to make a big play, especially against a Jets defense that allowed the seventh-fewest points to receivers in 2024. You’re not starting any other receiver on the Steelers.
Tight End
Pat Freiermuth: SIT
Jonnu Smith: SIT
Unless you’re in a league that requires you to start two tight ends, you’re not starting Jonnu Smith or Pat Freiermuth. If you are in a league that requires you to start two tight ends, are you ok?
New York Jets
Quarterback
Justin Fields: START, Borderline QB1
Thanks to his rushing prowess, Justin Fields offers a relatively safe floor as long as he’s on the field. If he can put up just decent passing stats, he’s a near must-start. Fields faces a Steelers defense that gave up the fifth-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks last season. Oh, they also added cornerbacks Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay. Neat. Fields is a borderline QB1 with the upside to win you your week, but the downside to cost you it as well.
Running Back
Breece Hall: START, RB2
Braelon Allen: FLEX, RB3
One of the most talked-about backfields of this offseason, the Jets are expected to roll out a Lions-esque committee that features both Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. The keyword here is expected. We’ve seen Allen’s explosiveness and the upside he offers when he has the ball, but the truth is we really don’t know how the touches will shake out. Allen’s involvement certainly caps Hall’s value, but we won’t know how much until we find out on the field. Both are startable, but you can’t trust either.
Wide Receiver
Garrett Wilson: START, WR2
Allen Lazard: SIT
Josh Reynolds: SIT
If you see “WR-NYJ” on any player not named Garrett Wilson on your roster, drop them. Wilson’s an every-week starter, but temper your expectations with Fields under center, especially in tough matchups.
Tight End
Mason Taylor: SIT
Considering the lack of weapons behind Garrett Wilson, rookie Mason Taylor has an opportunity to carve out a role to become a startable fantasy asset. But we’re a long way from that coming to fruition.