Tennessee Titans wide receiver Elic Ayomanor is set to make his NFL debut against the Denver Broncos on Sunday afternoon. The rookie out of Stanford projects to operate as the team's No. 3 receiver behind Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett. On one hand, Ayomanor could see a bump in opportunities if Ridley is smothered by Patrick Surtain II and simply becomes a non-factor in the passing attack. On the other hand, though, many of those targets will be funneled to Lockett, and the Broncos' generally strong defense could rattle Ward enough to the point where he's ineffective passing to all of his receivers. Ayomanor is a fine fantasy stash, but he should be left on your bench until we have a clearer understanding of his exact role and usage in the Titans' offense.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins running back Ollie Gordon II is set to be the primary backup for the team when they open the season on Sunday afternoon against the Colts. Gordon had a strong preseason with 126 rushing yards and a touchdown, along with three catches for 48 receiving yards over his three preseason games. Gordon was a sixth-round pick of the Dolphins out of Oklahoma State, and he was the biggest running back in the draft class. He showed off his power running style this preseason and could grow into a nice complement and change-of-pace option behind De'Von Achane. Jaylen Wright (knee) has been ruled out for Week 1, leaving Gordon as the primary backup behind Achane. Gordon is the RB41 in RotoBaller's rankings for Week 1, making him one of the best backups on the board, but a long-shot starter in most standard formats. He's definitely an exciting rookie to watch in Week 1, but his role isn't big enough to start him as a FLEX play quite yet.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans tight end Chig Okonkwo could carve out a fantasy-relevant role during Week 1 against the Denver Broncos. While the Broncos have a strong defense and could strategize to rattle rookie quarterback Cameron Ward, Okonkwo is in a favorable position as a tight end, because he should serve as a short- to medium-yardage security blanket for Ward. Plus, while Denver was spectacular against running backs and wide receivers last year, they were merely average against tight ends and allowed the ninth-most receptions to the position. Okonkwo isn't a household name at the tight end position, but he could be a top-18 option this week and therefore warrants some consideration for your lineups in deeper leagues.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs will host the Miami Dolphins to kick off the 2025 NFL season in Week 1. Downs dealt with a hamstring injury for much of August, but he is off the injury report and ready to go on Sunday. The veteran receiver will take on a Dolphins secondary that is considered a team weakness and could struggle to slow opposing pass-catchers. Downs is likely to operate as Daniel Jones' top target this season, provided he can stay on the field and shake the injury bug that has plagued him over his career. Fantasy managers can treat Downs as a solid WR3/flex option heading into Week 1.

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Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce will open the 2025 season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Pierce missed some time over the preseason with a groin injury, but he is off the injury report and ready to roll for Week 1. The speedy wideout will operate as the team's WR3 behind Josh Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. in a Daniel Jones-led attack. Pierce has shown the ability to break off explosive plays over his career, but his consistency isn't always there. He sets up as a low-end flex/WR6 heading into Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard opens the 2025 season with a difficult Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos. Pollard averaged 67.4 rushing yards per game last season, and he's facing a Broncos defense that allowed the fifth-fewest rushing yards and fourth-fewest rushing touchdowns to opposing running backs last year. While Denver did show some susceptibility against pass-catching backs, Pollard will likely need to touch the ball around 20 times (or score a touchdown) to make him a meaningful fantasy starter. Managers should treat him as an RB3/FLEX option heading into this weekend.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton was given a larger opportunity on Friday evening during their contest against the Chargers, following the injury to top wideout Xavier Worthy. Worthy suffered a shoulder injury in the opening quarter, which paved the way for Thornton to have a significant role in the season opener. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes looked his way four times, but he was only able to bring in two of them for 41 yards. His longest catch of the evening came on a 38-yard pass. While Mahomes looked his way downfield, Thornton was unable to connect consistently. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Worthy's status, as Thornton could emerge as the team's primary deep threat if he were to miss an extended period of time. However, he will be tough to trust in most formats as he will likely slot in as the No. 3 WR in the offense, behind Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane has no injury designation and should be ready to go on Sunday when the Dolphins face the Colts. He was limited in practice on Wednesday and Thursday due to a calf injury, but was able to return to full practice on Friday. He may share more work with exciting rookie Ollie Gordon with Jaylen Wright (knee) out, but Achane's speed and play-breaking ability on the outside make him the favorite to carry most of the work in Miami's backfield this season. Last year, Achane played all 17 games, totaling 907 rushing yards on 203 attempts, 592 receiving yards on 78 catches, and scoring a total of 12 touchdowns. His dual-threat production has him ranked as the RB5 for Week 1 in RotoBaller's rankings, and he is an elite play who should be started in all season-long formats.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley is expected to have a strong season, but it could start off on a relatively sour note. Ridley faces the Denver Broncos on Sunday, which means he'll spend most of his time being covered by elite cornerback Patrick Surtain II. Last season, Surtain allowed just 1.15 fantasy points per target to opposing receivers, which ranked second-lowest in the NFL. As a team, the Broncos allowed the fifth-fewest fantasy points to the position, as well as the fewest touchdowns. While Ward will surely throw Ridley's way often, especially if the Titans are trailing, the odds of Ridley breaking off numerous big plays are severely reduced. For this week only, you can probably find a better WR3/FLEX option than Ridley.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Tyler Lockett will make his team debut in Week 1, facing off against the Denver Broncos. After a long and effective tenure in Seattle, Lockett is now a Titan and will catch passes from rookie quarterback Cameron Ward. The veteran receiver could benefit from this week's matchup. Although Denver has a very strong defense anchored by elite cornerback Patrick Surtain II, Ward could look to funnel passes to Lockett if Ridley is routinely smothered by Surtain on the perimeter. Lockett has developed into a short- to medium-yardage option and can benefit Ward as he gets open to provide an outlet for the young quarterback. Lockett might not crack 50 yards and a touchdown, but he should see at least a handful of targets with the potential to be a low-end starter in deep PPR formats.

From RotoBaller

Kansas City Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt was inefficient during their loss to the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday evening. Hunt ran the ball five times for a mere 16 yards, averaging a low 3.2 yards per carry. Through the air, Hunt was able to bring in two of his three targets for 10 yards. Despite his modest showing on the ground, Hunt saw the same amount of carries (five) as presumed starter Isiah Pacheco. However, given Hunt's underwhelming production, the Chiefs may look to decrease his workload later in the season as Pacheco averaged 5.0 YPC in this contest. In 2024, Hunt replaced the injured Pacheco and served as the lead option for most of the campaign, but carried a low ceiling as he posted a similar 3.2 YPC on 200 attempts. For now, managers in deeper formats should view Hunt as low-range, touchdown-dependent RB3 heading into their Week 2 matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

From RotoBaller

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cameron Ward opens his NFL career on the road against the Denver Broncos in Week 1. This matchup would have an unfavorable outlook for any quarterback, and that's especially true with a rookie who has not yet played a regular-season snap. While Ward did show that he can handle tough matchups in college, a Broncos defense led by Patrick Surtain II and Nik Bonitto is a whole different beast. Fantasy managers should expect that Denver will implement a game plan intended to rattle Ward early. Whether that game plan is effective remains to be seen, but with such a difficult matchup waiting for him, Ward can be left on the bench in most fantasy leagues this week.

From RotoBaller

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa starts the season healthy and with a good group of pass-catchers as he leads his team to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. Since he doesn't run very much at all, the 27-year-old has limited upside. No quarterback in the NFL had a lower air yards per attempt (5.8) than Tua in 2024, and he averaged just over 260 passing yards per game while throwing 19 touchdowns and seven interceptions in 11 games. The Colts were a slightly above-average matchup for quarterbacks last year, and Tagovailoa always has the potential for a big day if his playmakers find space. He typically focuses on short, accurate passes, though, rather than taking deep shots. He is the QB21 this week, making him a low-end starter in two-quarterback leagues in Week 1 even though his offense appears to be healthy.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson (elbow) will hope to take the field against the Miami Dolphins at home in Week 1. Goodson is listed as questionable for the game as he is still recovering from an elbow injury he suffered during the preseason. He has been practicing on a limited basis this week, giving him a chance to suit up. Goodson is listed as the RB2 in Indy behind Jonathan Taylor, which gives him some fantasy value as a handcuff. That being said, rookie DJ Giddens is also lurking as the RB3 and could potentially overtake Goodson if his injury lingers. For now, Goodson is worth a stash in deep fantasy leagues as the backup in case Taylor misses time.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. will open the 2025 season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Pittman draws a matchup against a Miami defense that was tough on opposing receivers last season, as they allowed the third-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. That being said, secondary is a weakness for Miami this year, which will benefit the Indy pass-catchers. Pittman played through a back injury in 2024 which limited his production, but he is fully healthy heading into 2025. That being said, he will have to fight for targets alongside Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell, Alec Pierce, and first-round rookie Tyler Warren. It still remains to be seen how the targets shake out with new quarterback Daniel Jones under center. For now, Pittman can be used as a middling flex option heading into Week 1.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones will make his debut with his new team against the Miami Dolphins at home in Week 1. Jones won a close training camp battle with Anthony Richardson Sr. to be the team's starting quarterback heading into the regular season. He draws a matchup against a Miami defense that was tough on fantasy quarterbacks in 2024 as they allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to the position. Jones brings some upside on the ground and has several weapons around him to target, but he remains a low-end QB2 for fantasy purposes until he proves otherwise.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor will open his 2025 season with a home matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Taylor finished his 2024 season on a tear, scoring six touchdowns over the final three games of the year. He will look to get off to a fast start this season against a Miami defense that allowed the 18th-most fantasy points per game to opposing running backs. Thanks to the Colts' decision to go with Daniel Jones over Anthony Richardson Sr. at quarterback, Taylor should see more targets and more carries at the goal line than he would if Richardson were available. Taylor checks in as a top-six, must-start fantasy option heading into the first week of games.

From RotoBaller

Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens will make his NFL debut at home against the Miami Dolphins in Week 1. While still listed as the RB3 in Indy, Giddens could see some work as the backup to Jonathan Taylor thanks to Tyler Goodson's (elbow) questionable status heading into Sunday. With a decent showing, Giddens could overtake Goodson as the RB2 for the Colts, which would give him plenty of fantasy value as the handcuff to Taylor. For now, Giddens is just a bench stash in deeper leagues, but he should be monitored on Sunday in case he's able to break off a few long runs.

From RotoBaller

San Francisco 49ers kicker Jake Moody's 2024 season should have fantasy managers looking elsewhere to fill the position on their rosters to start the season this weekend. Moody converted 24 of his 34 field goal attempts last year, giving him the second-worst conversion rate (70.6%) among kickers with at least 20 tries in 2024. Moody did put on a good show in the preseason, concentrated in the 49ers meeting with the Raiders, when he went 5-for-6, including a 59-yarder as time expired. Moody is a volatile option at an already volatile position and should be avoided until he can provide more stable results.

From RotoBaller

The San Francisco 49ers promoted wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling to the active roster ahead of their season opener against the Seattle Seahawks. Valdes-Scantling was signed to the team's practice squad on August 28. Last season, the 30-year-old spent six games with the Bills before being released and then signing with the injury-plagued Saints. MVS made waves in his second game with New Orleans, catching three passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. He finished 2024 with a 19-411-4 line. Valdes-Scantling is a depth piece who will be competing for field time with Skyy Moore and not targets with Ricky Pearsall or Jauan Jennings (calf). He can be ignored for fantasy purposes in Week 1.

From RotoBaller