Who should I start? Who should I sit? Who has a favorable matchup this week and who faces a tough challenge?
Get the answers to these questions in this week’s start or sit.
NOTE: Rarely will I insert stars into this column. You need to start your stars with confidence each week. And if you can’t, your team probably has big problems.
Start ‘em
Quarterbacks
Kyler Murray (Arizona Cardinals): Murray is facing the Carolina Panthers, a team that gave up a ton of fantasy points per game to quarterbacks last season. His dual-threat ability gives him a high floor, and the favorable matchup provides a high ceiling.
Dak Prescott (Dallas Cowboys): Prescott is playing against the New York Giants, a defense that gave up over 400 total yards in Week 1. This matchup is a great opportunity for Prescott to rebound from an underwhelming Week 1 and put up big numbers.
Patrick Mahomes (Kansas City Chiefs): Mahomes and the Chiefs are taking on the Philadelphia Eagles in a matchup with shootout potential. The Eagles’ defense looked vulnerable in Week 1, and Mahomes’ increased rushing attempts make him an even more dangerous fantasy asset.
Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers): Herbert is playing against the Las Vegas Raiders, a team he has historically performed well against. The Chargers’ offensive scheme and Herbert’s array of weapons make him a strong start.
Geno Smith (Las Vegas Raiders): Smith and the Raiders are playing the Los Angeles Chargers, who gave up several big plays through the air in Week 1. Smith’s command of the new offense and strong chemistry with his receivers make him a solid fantasy option with QB1 upside.
Running Backs
De’Von Achane (Miami Dolphins): Achane is facing the New England Patriots, a team that ranked 23rd in the league in run defense last year. He is a dual-threat back who can score on the ground or through the air, giving him a high fantasy floor.
Bucky Irving (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Irving had a middling Week 1 but faces a Texans team already up against the ropes. He has shown the ability to break off big plays and is a solid RB1 option.
Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals): Brown is playing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, a defense that has shown weaknesses against the run. He should have a significant role in the Bengals’ game plan, giving him a high fantasy ceiling.
James Conner (Arizona Cardinals): Conner is playing the Carolina Panthers, a defense that has struggled to contain opposing running backs. Although Trey Benson is factoring into the Cardinals’ game plans, Conner is still the guy.
Javonte Williams (Dallas Cowboys): Williams is playing against the New York Giants, a team that is destined for hard times in 2025. He is the Cowboys’ lead back and is a great start due to his high-volume role and a favorable matchup.
Wide Receivers
Jakobi Meyers (Las Vegas Raiders): Meyers is facing the Los Angeles Chargers, and he had a good deal of success in Week 1. With the injury to TE Brock Bowers, Meyers is expected to see a high volume of targets, making him a great play.
Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers): McMillan was a heavy part of the Panthers’ Week 1 game plan and he’ll continue to be so moving forward. Despite the tough matchup, McMillan’s high usage and air yard share make him a high-upside play.
Marvin Harrison Jr. (Arizona Cardinals): Harrison playing against the Panthers provides an optimal opportunity to really have a breakout game. He is a key part of the Cardinals’ passing attack and should have plenty of opportunities for a big fantasy day.
George Pickens (Dallas Cowboys): Obviously, CeeDee Lamb is a must-start in this one, but Pickens against the New York Giants offers a premier opportunity for his first breakout performance with the Cowboys. He is a great start with high upside in a favorable matchup.
DK Metcalf (Pittsburgh Steelers): Metcalf is playing against his former team and I really like this as an opportunity in the quintessential “revenge game.” He is the Steelers’ top receiver and a prime target for Aaron Rodgers, making him a good start.
Tight Ends
Sam LaPorta (Detroit Lions): LaPorta and the Lions are playing against the Chicago Bears, who have struggled to defend tight ends in the past. He is a cornerstone of the Lions’ offense and should see plenty of targets.
David Njoku (Cleveland Browns): Njoku did not have a great Week 1 performance and was overshadowed by the rookie Harold Fannin Jr.. But he is a bounce-back candidate after a slow Week 1.
Mark Andrews (Baltimore Ravens): Andrews is playing the Browns, who have historically been a tough matchup. However, Andrews is a top tight end with a high-volume role, making him a must-start in this division rivalry.
Hunter Henry (New England Patriots): Henry is one of Drake Maye’s favorite targets and has a good matchup against the Jets this week.
Brenton Strange (Jacksonville Jaguars): Strange was a big factor in the Jaguars’ game plan in Week 1 and has a juicy matchup against a Bengals team that is all offense and little defense.
Sit ‘em
Quarterbacks
Justin Fields (New York Jets): Despite a strong Week 1 performance, Fields faces a tough Buffalo Bills defense that should be a top-tier unit in 2025. The Jets may also rely heavily on their running game, limiting Fields’ passing attempts and making him a risky play.
J.J. McCarthy (Minnesota Vikings): McCarthy played lousy for three quarters in Week 1, got a break from the Bears defense, and somehow earned offensive player of the week. He is still getting acclimated to the NFL, and this matchup with the Falcons is a difficult test that could lead to a low-scoring performance.
Bo Nix (Denver Broncos): Nix faces the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has a solid defensive front and can get to the quarterback. After an underwhelming Week 1, Nix is a high-risk play who could struggle against a defense that is capable of shutting down opposing offenses.
Tua Tagovailoa (Miami Dolphins): Tagovailoa is playing the Patriots, who have a strong and disciplined defense that is designed to limit big plays. With the Dolphins’ offense looking shaky in Week 1, Tagovailoa is a risky fantasy option in what could be a low-scoring game.
Caleb Williams (Chicago Bears): Williams and the Chicago Bears are playing on the road against Ben Johnson’s former team. The Lions lost to the Packers in Week 1 and have their backs against the wall, making them a dangerous team and putting Williams in a difficult situation on the road.
Running Backs
Tony Pollard (Tennessee Titans): Pollard faces a tough Los Angeles Rams run defense in Week 2. While he has the volume, the difficult matchup makes it hard to trust him as a surefire fantasy play.
Alvin Kamara (New Orleans Saints): Kamara faces a very tough opponent in the 49ers in Week 2. With quarterback Spencer Rattler at the helm, the Saints’ offense could struggle to move the ball, limiting Kamara’s opportunities.
D’Andre Swift (Chicago Bears): Swift and the Bears are playing against the Detroit Lions, who have a solid run defense. Although he appears to be the featured workhorse back on the Bears, Swift is a risky play against a team that has a lot of familiarity with his playing style.
Aaron Jones (Minnesota Vikings): I honestly don’t know how much Jones has left in the tank and I think Jordan Mason is the better play. Game script could ultimately determine if Jones has much of a role.
Ken Walker (Seattle Seahawks): I hate to say it, but I think Walker could be on the decline. With Zach Charbonnet getting significant snaps, Walker’s role is not as secure as it once was, making him a risky play.
Wide Receivers
Calvin Ridley (Tennessee Titans): Ridley is facing a tough Los Angeles Rams secondary that has been known to shut down opposing receivers. Despite a high target share in Week 1, the difficult matchup makes him a risky play.
Zay Flowers (Baltimore Ravens): Flowers had a terrific Week 1 with a high target volume but the sledding gets tougher against a typically stout Browns defense this week.
Tyreek Hill (Miami Dolphins): Hill is just an absolute mess with age and ego going against him. The Patriots present a tough challenge and I just don’t trust what’s going on in Miami right now.
Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints): Olave faces the San Francisco 49ers, a team with a strong pass defense. The Saints’ offense is still figuring out its identity with a new quarterback, and Olave could struggle to get open against a difficult opponent.
Michael Pittman Jr. (Indianapolis Colts): Pittman is playing against the Denver Broncos, who have a strong secondary that can shut down opposing wide receivers. With a tough matchup, Pittman is a risky play this week.
Tight Ends
T.J. Hockenson (Minnesota Vikings): Hockenson struggled against the Bears in Week 1 and the Vikings are still trying to figure out what McCarthy does well. I’d sit Hock until he shows signs of getting into a groove with his QB.
Dalton Schultz (Houston Texans): Schultz is facing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, a team with a solid defense that is capable of limiting production to tight ends. He is a touchdown-dependent player with a low floor, making him a risky fantasy option.
Pat Freiermuth (Pittsburgh Steelers): Freiermuth is playing the Seattle Seahawks, who have a strong defense. Freiermuth’s fantasy value has taken a hit with the addition of tight end Jonnu Smith to the Steelers’ offense, as evidenced by a low snap and target share in Week 1.
Kyle Pitts (Atlanta Falcons): Pitts had a nice Week 1 performance but faces a tough defense in the Minnesota Vikings. With the Falcons’ offense still a work in progress, Pitts is a risky fantasy option until we know his usage better.
Chig Okonkwo (Tennessee Titans): Okonkwo is playing the Los Angeles Rams, a team that has a solid front seven. He is a boom-or-bust player with a low floor, and his limited role in the Titans’ offense makes him a risky fantasy option.
