Your path to fantasy success in 2025 begins with this article.

Will McFadden

Fantasy football drafts have wrapped, and your rosters have materialized. Some of you feel great about those rosters. Some of you may not.

But now the fun begins!

Throughout the season, I'll help you build the best lineup and become a league legend. Each week, I will recommend starters at each position as well as sleepers in matchups I really like. I will also spotlight one Falcons player in each section.

It's not all too difficult to tell someone to start Bijan Robinson or Josh Allen on any given week, and I assume everyone reading this right now would already know to do so. Therefore, I'll try to focus these recommendations on players who might be on the starting or flex bubble.

Keep in mind that I am merely offering my humble opinion. Ultimately, you are responsible for these fateful fantasy decisions. (Unless you win, in which case I will accept most of the credit.)

Running backs to start in Week 1

Aaron Jones vs. Chicago Bears

In 15 career games against the Bears, Aaron Jones has 1,232 total yards and 13 touchdowns. In his two games against them last year as a Viking, Jones gained 235 yards and scored twice. With a first-time starter behind center, Minnesota could really lean on its ground game.

Tyrone Tracy vs. Washington Commanders

Washington ranked 26th in average defensive EPA against the run last season, per TruMedia, and Tracy should get a lot of action after Cam Skattebo missed time in the preseason. The second-year back is adept at generating big gains, and the Commanders gave up the fourth-most explosive runs in 2024.

Trevor Etienne vs. Carolina Panthers

Although the Jags' backfield might be a full-blown committee in Liam Coen's first season, Etienne should get first crack at the starting role. The Buccaneers gained more than 200 yards on the ground in each of their games against Carolina last season.

Sleeper start - Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs. New York Giants

Part of the fun of fantasy if the thrill of hitting on an unknown player. Let it fly with this seventh-round pick in Week 1.

Sleeper start Jerome Ford vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland's backfield may change a bit throughout the season, but Ford looks like a good bet to be the starter out of the gate. The Bengals are a great fantasy matchup for Ford, and the Browns may lean on their run game.

Falcons spotlight Bijan Robinson vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

In his two games against them last season, Robinson had 183 total yards and one touchdown. The Falcons envision even bigger things for their third-year back this fall, and you drafted Robinson in the first round for a reason. A big Sunday could be in store.

Wide receivers to start in Week 1

Josh Downs vs. Miami Dolphins

According to Next Gen Stats, Daniel Jones averaged the 11th-fewest air yards per attempt last season. That's a vastly different play style than Anthony Richardson, who led the league in that metric. Downs figures to benefit from that difference and has a great matchup in the slot for this one.

D.K. Metcalf vs. New York Jets

Metcalf got off to a fast start last season with 366 yards and two touchdowns during the month of September. He's now paired with Aaron Rodgers, who has no problem locking in on a favorite receiver. Metcalf also excels against press and man coverage, which the Jets have run a lot of in recent years.

Courtland Sutton vs. Tennessee Titans

Sutton could have a tough matchup ahead against L'Jarius Sneed, but he's always been a great floor play thanks to his touchdown potential. I'm high on the Broncos' offense this season, and Sutton will once again have a massive role in that.

Sleeper start - Jakobi Meyers vs. New England

In his first game against his former team, Meyers caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown. Geno Smith is the best quarterback Meyers has ever worked with, and I think the two will get off to a fast start.

Sleeper start - Deebo Samuel vs. New York Giants

Given the uncertainty with Washington's backfield heading into Week 1, Samuel could be heavily involved early on. He's the perfect gadget player for Kliff Kingsbury's offense.

Falcons spotlight - Darnell Mooney vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The big fantasy question surrounding the Falcons concerns the status of Darnell Mooney. While the receiver has been back on the field and says he feels good, Mooney is still considered day-to-day andcould very well be a game-time decision.

Tight ends to start in Week 1

T.J. Hockenson vs. Chicago Bears

When healthy, Hockenson has always been reliable both on the field and in fantasy lineups. With a young quarterback in J.J. McCarthy taking over and facing a tough Bears defense in Week 1, Hockenson could provide a perfect safety blanket.

Trey McBride vs. New Orleans

McBride not catching a touchdown pass for the first 16 weeks became huge story last season. I wouldn't be shocked if the Cardinals dial something up to make sure that gets taken care of in Week 1.

Jonnu Smith vs. New York Jets

Arthur Smith does love his tight ends.

Sleeper start - Evan Engram vs. Tennessee Titans

I did say that I'm high on this Denver offense in 2025, and Engram is a fascinating player to pair with Sean Payton. If the 31-year-old has a late-career revival, I wouldn't be shocked in the slightest.

Falcons spotlight - Kyle Pitts vs. Tampa Bay

Pitts is also a sleeper start for me in Week 1. Last year, he caught 11 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns against the Buccaneers, and Michael Penix Jr. might want to send Pitts a message by getting him involved early.

Quarterbacks to start in Week 1

Tua Tagovailoa vs. Indianapolis Colts

This is a big season for Miami and for Tagovailoa. I'd expect the offense to come out of the gates swinging. Yes, this offseason has been rocky, but sometimes that creates magic on the field.

Baker Mayfield vs. Atlanta Falcons

Mayfield might take a step back this year after posting an insane 7.2% touchdown rate on throws last season, but he has thrown nine touchdowns to just three interceptions against Atlanta since joining the division in 2023.

Kyler Murray vs. New Orleans Saints

The Cardinals are a popular sleeper team this season, and they have some of the best continuity in the league. Murray might not be the runner he used to be, but this is a good Week 1 matchup and he should start the year strong.

Sleeper start Geno Smith vs. New England Patriots

For those in two QB leagues, Smith is an appealing option in Week 1. He is behind a better offensive line in Las Vegas than he was in Seattle, and the Patriots were one of the worst pass-rushing teams in the league last season. With a decent group of skill players around him, Smith could put up points in this game.

Falcons spotlight - Michael Penix Jr. vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Another combo sleeper/Falcons pick here. This Falcons-Bucs matchup has a lot of potential to turn into a shootout, and Penix would benefit as much as Mayfield in that scenario. There are going to be some weeks this season where Penix is among the best fantasy quarterbacks why not Week 1?

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