Fantasy Football 2025: Start’Em, Sit’Em Week 1

Quarterbacks

Start: Dak Prescott vs. PHI

Admittedly, this is a tough pull. The Eagles’ defense was one of the better defenses against fantasy quarterbacks during the 2024 season. The Eagles gave up the third-fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks at just 15.6 fantasy points per game. The Eagles also allowed the second-fewest points to opposing offenses at 17.8 points per game. And while some of the major pieces are still intact, there are some holes. CJ Gardner-Johnson and Darius Slay are on different teams this season, and they’re being replaced by former Giants DB Adoree Jackson and Sidney Brown at Safety. The Cowboys finally gave Ceedee Lamb a new running mate and Dak Prescott a new receiver in George Pickens.

The Cowboys will have to exploit the Eagles’ weakness in the secondary while also trying to establish a new ground game led by former Broncos running back Javonte Williams. Expect Prescott to lead the charge through the air against the Eagles.

Start: Tua Tagoviloa vs. IND

Tua Tagoviloa gets a decent matchup for Week 1 as the Dolphins take on the Colts. Tua heads into the matchup with a clean bill of health and also gets starting receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle back healthy as well. The Dolphins added former Raiders tight end Darren Waller to replace Jonnu Smith (sleeper alert!). Running back De’Von Achane, who was dealing with a calf injury late into the preseason, is also expected to play and be 100%.

The Colts weren’t great defending the pass in 2024, surrendering the seventh-most passing yards to opposing quarterbacks at 229 per game. The Colts also gave up 19 fantasy points per game to opposing quarterbacks last season. Tua should be ready and willing to let it fly all over the place.

Sit: Sam Darnold vs. SF

Sam Darnold is getting ready for the next chapter in his NFL career as he becomes the QB1 for the Seattle Seahawks in 2025. But he’ll have a tough outing against NFC West division rival San Francisco 49ers this week. The Niners got Robert Saleh back in the fold. The former Niner, then Jet, now Niner is familiar with the setup in San Fran and should pose problems for Darnold and the Seahawks. The Niners, without Saleh last season, were still tough against the pass. They allowed the fifth-fewest passing yards to opposing quarterbacks at 192.8 a game. The Niners also allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to opposing QBs at 17.2 per game

Running Backs:

Start: Chuba Hubbard vs. JAX

The Jaguars were one of the worst units in defending the run against fantasy running backs last season. The Jaguars allowed the second-most fantasy points to the position at a whopping 27.6 fantasy points per game. Hubbard now commands the Panthers’ backfield and should continue to see the bulk of the work. Rico Dowdle is there as backup to help spell Hubbard if need be as well. The Jaguars also gave up 19 touchdowns on the ground in 2024, boosting Hubbard’s ceiling for a potential score in Week 1.

Start: Tyrone Tracy Jr. vs WAS

While there was a belief that competition would spark between Tyrone Tracy Jr. and rookie running back Cam Skattebo, Tracy held his own during training camp and emerged as the undisputed RB1 in the Giants’ backfield. While Skattebo will have a role too, Tracy gets a great matchup against a Washington Commanders defense that allowed 137.5 yards per game on the ground last year. The Commanders also allowed the third-best yards per attempt average to opposing running backs at 4.8. During the 2024 season, Tracy averaged 4.4 yards per attempt. Seems like it’s all showing up as a go for the Giants running back to have a good game.

Sit: Jaylen Warren vs. NYJ

Sure, Jaylen Warren just got paid on a new two-year extension, and he’s slated to be the RB1 to start the season. That doesn’t mean you should throw him in your lineups. The Steelers face off against the New York Jets for Week 1, and this could be a tougher matchup for the newly minted running back. Warren faces off against a stout Jets run defense that allowed the 11th-fewest fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024.

Wide Receivers:

Start: Matthew Golden vs. DET

Is it gutsy to play a rookie wide receiver this early in the season? The Packers were planning on drafting a WR1 during the draft and now they have him. Matthew Golden and QB Jordan Love have been working together a lot during training camp and that new relationship could reveal itself against the Detroit Lions. The Lions allowed the third-most Air Yards and the 10th-most YAC last season. The Lions also allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers at nearly 39 points per game.

Start: Davante Adams vs. HOU

Matthew Stafford (back) has been cleared to play, and that’s the best news Davante Adams‘ managers could have heard this week. Adams may be older but he’s still one of the best route runners in the league. Even with Puka Nacua being the WR1, there’s plenty of volume to go around for Adams to outperform his ADP. The Texans’ pass defense was a bright spot for the team last season, allowing just 200 yards per game through the air. However, the Texans still allowed 34.6 fantasy points per game to fantasy wide receivers last year, opening up opportunities for Adams to eat in Week 1.

Sit: Calvin Ridley vs. DEN

Two words. Patrick. Surtain. The Broncos’ best cornerback and arguably one of the league’s best corners will have the duty of taking away the Titans’ top receiver in Week 1. Surtain was targeted just 10.9% of his coverage snaps last season. That’s the lowest percentage among 83 corners in the NFL, according to NFL.com. With the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year out there in coverage, it could be a long day for Calvin Ridley this week. The Broncos also gave up the 11th-fewest fantasy points per game to receivers at 32.9.

Tight Ends:

Start: Tyler Warren vs. MIA

Another rookie cracks the list for Week 1 in the Colts’ tight end, Tyler Warren. Shane Steichen finally has the tight end of his dreams (no pun intended). The expectation is that Warren will be an integral part of the Colts’ offense this season. An opportunity presents itself this week against the Miami Dolphins. The Dolphins struggled against opposing tight ends last season, giving up 13.6 fantasy points per game to the position. With Daniel Jones under center, the targets should be there for Warren to be involved early and often.

Sit: Dallas Goedert vs. DAL

Despite the issues the Cowboys’ defense had last season, they did defend the tight end position pretty well. The Cowboys allowed just 10.5 fantasy points per game to the position last year. Goedert’s standing in the Eagles offense seemed to take a hit last year, too. AJ Brown and Devonta Smith will continue to see targets as the two major cogs in the Eagles’ passing game. With a capable back Saquon Barkley also soaking up targets, and Jahan Dotson now establishing himself during training camp, there might only be scraps left over for Goedert this season.