Welcome to Week 1 of The List! This season, our Rankings Team will be providing a few thoughts on players they are particularly high or low on this week to give some perspective on their FLEX and positional rankings. You can find these thoughts below, followed by our full Top 150 FLEX. Positional rankings are also available to help you make your toughest lineup decisions of the week!
In a game with sneaky shootout potential, Bucky Irving is set up to squash any concerns of a sophomore slump with another stud-like performance against division rival Atlanta. Irving should be called upon to be the focus of the Bucs’ offensive attack with Chris Godwin sidelined and Mike Evans another year older. –Jay Felicio
I didn’t know there was such a thing as a “quiet” 1400 yards and 12 total touchdowns, but that is exactly what Jonathan Taylor pulled off in 2024. This was despite missing 3 games and running in an offense that was in a tailspin all season. He projects to hit the ground running in Week 1 of the 2025 campaign as the foundational piece of the Daniel Jones iteration of this offense. Taylor is one of the few backs who projects for 23+ touches this week, and his touchdown equity is through the roof against a weak Dolphins’ front. I have him as my RB5 and 10 spots ahead of consensus in my FLEX rankings this week. –Eric Romoff
Far be it from me to pour cold water on any rookie hype train, but I feel it necessary to offer a word of caution on Omarion Hampton in Week 1. Yes, he profiles as an outstanding prospect at the NFL level, but historically, running backs take some time to ramp up, and he must now navigate Week 1 with Najee Harris expected to play after injuring his eye in a fireworks mishap this summer. Before drafting Hampton, the Chargers made Harris the highest-paid free agent among running backs this offseason, and I don’t think it’s likely for them to cast him aside entirely from the opening kickoff. I’m expecting Harris to get the slight edge in total touches this week and to have the inside track for goal line work, moving Hampton down a full 13 spots below consensus in my FLEX rankings. –Eric Romoff
Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton is someone I’m fading in Week 1. The Chiefs were a top-3 unit versus fantasy running backs last season, and I’d expect the Chargers to be playing in a negative script. If Najee Harris even gets to touch the field, it could limit Hampton around the goal line in this matchup. –Steve Pintado
I had a hard time not ranking him as the WR1 overall, but Brian Thomas Jr should also quell any concerns for a sophomore slump with a strong Week 1 performance against the Panthers. Carolina was a top 10 matchup for fantasy wide receivers last season and likely remains the same with one of the league’s worst secondary units.-Jay Felicio
Even in a favorable matchup, I don’t trust Packers receiver Jayden Reed. Not only does he face more target competition in first-rounder Matthew Golden, he’s also playing through a Jones fracture in his foot. No thanks.-Jay Felicio
A great sleeper at tight end this week is Brenton Strange against the Panthers, who allowed the second-most fantasy points to tight ends. While everyone will be focused on Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter, Strange should be the short-area target for Trevor Lawrence, as it presents a good matchup. –Steve Pintado
Good matchup, one of the highest game total projections of the week: The Kyle Pitts redemption tour starts Week 1. –Jay Felicio