Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, September 7th, 2025, 1:00 ET
Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Network: FOX
Carolina Panthers
Quarterback
Bryce Young: SIT, QB2 (Startable in SuperFlex)
If you’re in a pinch at the quarterback position, you could do a lot worse than Bryce Young in this matchup. The Jaguars were a top-five fantasy matchup for quarterbacks last season, and Young’s promising stretch after getting benched last season offers hope he can become a fantasy mainstay for years to come.
Running Back
Chuba Hubbard: START, RB2
Rico Dowdle: SIT
Chuba Hubbard won a lot of people’s fantasy titles last season, but don’t discount the impact Rico Dowdle could have on his workload and upside. I love Hubbard this week as a high-end RB2 in a great matchup with sneaky shootout potential, but Dowdle’s involvement is something to watch early in the season, even if the latter isn’t a startable asset right now.
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan: START, WR2
Xavier Legette: FLEX, WR4
Hunter Renfrow: SIT
The Panthers’ once (relatively) deep receiver room thinned out rather quickly. After dealing Adam Thielen back to the Vikings, the Jalen Coker excitement was snuffed out with a surprise placement on the IR. Tetairoa McMillan is going to be a target hog and could flirt with WR1 production, and Xavier Legette is a startable FLEX. Hunter Renfrow could wind up a startable fantasy asset, but starting him is taking a needless risk.
Tight End
Ja’Tavion Sanders: SIT
A sleeper pick who could emerge from the tight end glob of mediocrity to become a viable starter, but Ja’Tavion Sanders should remain on benches and waiver wires for the time being.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: START, QB1
In one of my bold calls for Week 1, I ranked Trevor Lawrence as the QB6. Full disclosure, I’m extremely bullish on his potential in a Liam Coen-run offense. But considering the matchup (Carolina allowed the third-most points to QBs in 2024), the weapons, and the luxurious hair, there’s a non-zero chance Lawrence could wind up in the top three this week. I’m starting him everywhere I have him. And that’s a lot of leagues.
Running Back
Tank Bigsby: Start, Borderline RB2
Travis Etienne: Start, Borderline RB2
Bhayshul Tuten: SIT
LeQuint Allen: SIT
A backfield that caused more vitriol this offseason than the peak heat between “Team Jacob” vs “Team Edward”, Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne are two names that’ll be watched very closely on Sunday. They were listed as co-starters and will both be involved, but the big question is who’ll be the Jags version of Bucky Irving and who gets relegated to Rachaad White status. Rookies Bhayshul Tuten and, to a much lesser degree, LeQuint Allen will likely be sprinkled in from time to time as well. Both Bigsby and ETN are startable on the RB2/FLEX borderline.
Wide Receiver
Brian Thomas Jr.: START, WR1
Travis Hunter: START, WR3
Dyami Brown: SIT
If Liam Coen can elevate TLaw like he did Baker Mayfield, Brian Thomas Jr. is a dark horse to finish as the WR1 overall on the season. I like his chances of finishing as the Week 1 WR1 as well in a smash spot matchup against the porous Carolina secondary. BTJ has earned a set-it-and-forget status. Considering we don’t know how much Travis Hunter will actually play on either side of the ball, he’s an extremely volatile WR3 but remains one of the most exciting stories in the league.
Tight End
Brenton Strange: START, TE1
One of my favorite breakout candidates at the position, Brenton Strange should see enough volume to warrant starting every week until further notice.