Joe Burrow is my QB1 for Week 1, and I would be shocked to see him throw for less than 300 yards and three touchdowns.
Overall, I think Daniel Jones will end the season as a solid Superflex starter, but I want to see what he looks like in live game action before I’m comfortable starting him week in and week out. Lucky for him, the Ravens ranked 28th in sacks per game last season and the bottom half in pressure rate.
All aboard the Shough Truck! My colleague Brett Ford has been behind the wheel of that 4×4 longer than anybody I know, and with an over/under pushing 50 facing a defense that allowed the highest aDOT in the league last season, I’m riding shotgun Week 1. If rookie receiver Jordyn Tyson were active, he’d be pushing the top 10, but even without him, Tyler Shough’s a lock to start in Superflex and a borderline start with upside in 1QB.
There’s nothing quite like when your fantasy players get off to a hot start. Omarion Hampton looks to be in store for just that. The Chargers open up the season against the Arizona Cardinals in their debut with new Offensive Coordinator Mike McDaniel. This team will look to establish the run quickly, with its offensive line together and healthy this season, and they’re sitting on a hefty 28.5 implied points for the game.
The Cleveland Browns have a Myles Garrett-sized hole in their defense, and we are about to see how much he adds to that team. The Jacksonville Jaguars will be their first test, and we’ll see how this offense fares in year 2 of Liam Coen‘s offense. The real test is how this backfield will shape up and how the ball will be distributed. Most people drafted Bhayshul Tuten as an RB3, but I like him this week for a top-24 finish and the opportunity to stack it on the Browns.
Javonte Williams is beginning the season in a divisional matchup with the Giants. Though there is a lot of excitement for the Giants this season, the Cowboys should have a vastly improved defense, could control the clock better, and could ride Williams to a big day. He looks to land well inside the top 10 this week.
Chris Godwin has a favorable matchup at wide receiver this week and should be locked in as a WR2 or FLEX option in Week 1. The Bengals didn’t make major improvements to a secondary that was questionable at times last season. The Bengals vs. Buccaneers game has a 50.5 over/under this week, so expect a high-scoring game. With Emeka Egbuka dealing with a toe injury, Godwin could be peppered with targets in a high-scoring matchup.
For a sleeper option, look toward Devaughn Vele, who has the potential to give you a top-30 week. Vele plays a Lions team with many question marks in terms of health in the secondary. When Vele was getting targeted last year as the WR2, he averaged over 10 fantasy points during that stretch. We could see Tyler Shough and company come out of the gates lighting up the passing game. Vele has major sleeper appeal for fantasy lineups in Week 1.
Christian Watson is a sit in Week 1 for me. Watson looks to be in line for a breakout season, with the team potentially changing its identity back toward the passing game. However, Watson has struggled against the Vikings throughout his career. In five career games, he has not eclipsed 50 receiving yards or found the end zone. The Vikings were a top-two team last year at stopping fantasy receivers. Minnesota’s defense will look to prevent Watson from beating them deep downfield, and he could struggle in Week 1.
I’d also consider sitting Terry McLaurin in Week 1. The Eagles’ secondary is ranked fourth according to PFF, with a dominant young group of players. McLaurin has failed to get over 60 receiving yards in each of his last four matchups against the Eagles. It could be a rough day as the defense tries to make Jayden Daniels look elsewhere in the passing game.
Let’s keep it simple: the Top 4 TEs from your draft prep are still the Top 4 in Week 1, so we’re starting our studs as we always do. Brock Bowers has an especially juicy matchup against the Miami Dolphins. That said, let’s dig a little deeper for those who are streaming the TE position this season.
Dallas Goedert is my TE6 this week against the Washington Commanders. The Philadelphia Eagles are implementing a new offense this season, one that made a fantasy monster out of Tucker Kraft. Goedert is one of the few holdovers from last year. He has the established trust of his QB in his back pocket, especially in the red zone.
I’m higher on Dalton Schultz (TE13) than consensus (TE18) this week, as well. The Houston Texans lost WR Jayden Higgins for the season just a few weeks ago, and it’s going to take some time for newcomer Kayshon Boutte to learn a new offense. Expect a steady diet of targets for Schultz, who has finished as Top 12 fantasy TE (PPR) in five of his last six seasons. Schultz, who’s only rostered in 33% of Sleeper leagues, may be worth holding onto for awhile.
In deeper leagues, keep an eye on Tampa Bay Buccaneers TE Cade Otton, who faces a Cincinnati Bengals squad that ranked dead last in fantasy points per game to TEs in 2025. For those digging even deeper, Los Angeles Rams TE Terrance Ferguson (LAR) is an interesting, high-upside dart throw in Thursday night’s game against the San Francisco 49ers.