Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Tutu Atwell enters the season listed third on the depth chart, which likely leaves him off the fantasy radar for the time being. Although this week's matchup against the Houston Texans is enticing for receivers specifically, Atwell's volume will likely be impacted by the presence of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, two star pass-catchers who could each command at least 10 targets. Atwell figures to be the primary deep threat option in Los Angeles, which means that he will have some big plays and touchdowns, but he'll also have his fair share of dud games. As long as he's in the No. 3 role, it will be too difficult to predict when those boom or bust games will happen. For now, he can be left on waivers in most leagues.

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Los Angeles Rams running back Blake Corum should be avoided in most fantasy leagues ahead of his Week 1 matchup against the Houston Texans. While Corum projects to open the year as the direct backup to Kyren Williams, he's more of a handcuff at this time and is unlikely to surpass more than five or six carries. With lower volume, Corum should be left on the bench (or waivers in leagues with smaller rosters). That's especially true this week against the Texans, who allowed the sixth-fewest rushing touchdowns and fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024.

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Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins is scheduled to meet with the NFL this week regarding his ongoing domestic battery case, according to PFT's Mike Florio. Judkins recently signed his rookie contract and is expected to join the team this week, but he still faces potential league discipline. The timing, length, or likelihood of a suspension remains uncertain, but Judkins could miss more time beyond Week 1. If he is suspended, Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson are poised to absorb the bulk of the workload in Cleveland's backfield. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor this situation closely, as Judkins' availability will directly impact running back target shares and value for Ford and Sampson. While the holdout has ended, Judkins' status remains a significant question mark for the beginning of the 2025 season.

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Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki finished the 2024 campaign with 65 catches (83 targets) for 665 yards. He also had two touchdowns, although they both came during the Week 7 matchup with the Browns. Gesicki and quarterback Joe Burrow built a strong rapport, resulting in the 29-year-old agreeing to a three-year, $25.5 million contract in March to remain in Cincinnati. The Bengals brought in Noah Fant this offseason. However, Gesicki is projected to lead the position in targets. That's not saying he will receive consistent attention from Burrow throughout the season, especially with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown in the mix. Still, the Bengals explosive offense makes Gesicki a starting option in two-tight end setups versus Cleveland.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine agreed to a two-year deal in March, marking his third stint with the team. He spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, where he accounted for only two touchdowns. It's safe to say Perine was most productive during his previous tenure with the Bengals. However, Chase Brown is the undisputed No. 1 option on the depth chart, and he isn't projected to leave many snaps for Perine or rookie Tahj Brooks. Fantasy managers can expect the 29-year-old to get the bulk of his opportunities as a pass-catcher out of the backfield. He may also get a few carries alongside Brooks. With that said, Perine likely won't get enough work to make him a viable fantasy option versus the Cleveland Browns, so managers should keep him out of the lineup.

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The Miami Dolphins elevated running back Jeff Wilson Jr. from the practice squad ahead of Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. Wilson Jr. was initially signed to the practice squad after Jaylen Wright (knee) underwent a small procedure on his knee. He is expected to serve as the RB3 behind starter De'Von Achane and rookie Ollie Gordon II. With depth thin in the Dolphins' backfield and lingering questions about Achane's calf, Wilson is primarily a depth piece for Week 1. While unstartable in fantasy this week, Wilson Jr. is likely to see some touches in the offense, making him a player to watch if injuries persist.

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Denver Broncos kicker Wil Lutz enters his ninth NFL season as the Broncos prepare to face the Tennessee Titans. Lutz has spent eight of his nine seasons under head coach Sean Payton and is coming off his best campaign since 2018, making 91.2% of his field goals and finishing as K8 in 2024. Week 1 presents a favorable matchup, with the Broncos heavily favored (-9) over the Titans. Lutz thrived in winning games last season, averaging 10.6 fantasy points per contest when Denver came out on top. RotoBaller currently ranks Lutz as K10 for Week 1, making him a strong start in fantasy this week, especially in games where Denver is projected to dominate.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andrei Iosivas finished last season with 36 catches for 479 yards and six touchdowns, all a career-high. He combined for three touchdowns in Weeks 2 and 3, although he would add just three more throughout the remainder of the 2024 campaign. Granted, he was able to take advantage of extra work, considering Tee Higgins was limited to only 12 contests. Higgins and Ja'Marr Chase are both healthy for the Week 1 showdown with the Cleveland Browns, meaning Iosivas is expected to have trouble being involved at a level that justifies his presence in any fantasy lineup. That's not to say he won't sneak in a touchdown grab (he's been known to do that every so often). However, he's not a trustworthy starting fantasy option. That's not going to change unless Higgins or Chase goes down with an injury.

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Miami Dolphins kicker Riley Patterson was elevated from the practice squad ahead of Week 1 against the Indianapolis Colts. With Jason Sanders (hip) on injured reserve, Patterson is set to handle kicking duties for the early part of the season. In his four-year career, Patterson has made 63 of 74 field-goal attempts and will be playing for his sixth NFL team in five seasons. The Dolphins vs Colts matchup is projected to score the sixth-most points (46) in Week 1, giving Patterson a potential opportunity for fantasy production. That said, Patterson is currently ranked K23 in Week 1 by RotoBaller, making him a high-risk fantasy option. He's best used as a streaming kicker or a short-term fill-in until Sanders returns.

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Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai (hamstring) is trending toward being available for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Courtney Cronin. Monangai has been limited in practice after injuring his hamstring before the final preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. With Roschon Johnson sidelined in practice due to a foot injury, the Bears' backfield depth behind starter D'Andre Swift is thin. Monangai enters Week 1 as the RB3 on the depth chart, behind Swift and Johnson, meaning he could see meaningful snaps if Johnson is inactive. Minnesota's defense is formidable against the run, allowing the second-fewest rushing yards in 2024. While Monangai is not a startable fantasy option in Week 1, he should receive some touches, which is key for the seventh-round rookie that's trying to carve out a bigger role.

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin enters his second NFL season with a chance to carve out a bigger role against the Tennessee Titans. The 2024 fourth-round pick struggled in his rookie year, finishing with 28 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns, ranking WR97 in half-PPR formats. Much of that underperformance came with former college teammate Bo Nix under center. This offseason, the Broncos cleared the path for Franklin to earn meaningful snaps by trading De'Vaughn Vele and letting Lil'Jordan Humphrey walk in free agency. The second-year receiver enters Week 1 as the WR3 on Denver's depth chart and should see more opportunities in the passing game. Still, Franklin faces a tough matchup. The Titans allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, limiting upside for any emerging Broncos pass-catcher besides Courtland Sutton. For now, Franklin remains a waiver-wire stash until he proves he can produce consistently at the next level.

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Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant enters Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans as a deep sleeper to monitor. The third-round pick brings size and physicality to the Broncos' offense and profiles as a future red-zone threat alongside Courtland Sutton. Long term, his role should grow, but in the short term, his path to playing time is blocked by Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and fellow rookie Troy Franklin. Even if Bryant sees the field, this isn't the week to roll the dice. The Titans' defense allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, making Denver's passing attack a tough bet. For now, Bryant belongs on the waiver wire watchlist rather than in fantasy lineups.

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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson listed linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) as doubtful for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Edwards popped up on the injury report Thursday and missed the entire week of practice, putting him on track to miss his first game since 2020. The veteran linebacker has been a stabilizing force in the middle of Chicago's defense and finished 2024 as PFF's fifth-best linebacker in run defense. With Edwards listed as doubtful, fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite is expected to step into the rotation. His inexperience could open the door for the Vikings' backfield. Both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason get a subtle boost in fantasy value, particularly in the run game, against a Bears defense missing its top run-stopping linebacker. - Nathan Harvey

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. enters his third season when the Broncos host the Tennessee Titans. Mims showed real growth in 2024, posting 545 yards and six touchdowns, both were sizable jumps from his rookie campaign. Part of the reason why Mims' numbers were too low for fantasy was due to his low snap count, playing just 27% of the offensive snaps in 2024. However, the Broncos gave him a full run with the first-team offense in their preseason finale against the Saints and then traded away last year's WR2, De'Vaughn Vele. The role is there for Mims, but fantasy managers shouldn't rush him into Week 1 lineups. Tennessee allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers last year, making this a brutal opening matchup. For now, Mims belongs on the bench, but his snap share and usage this week will be critical indicators of whether he can become a breakout flex option moving forward.

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The Cleveland Browns have been granted a two-game roster exemption for rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who officially signed his rookie deal on Saturday after a lengthy contractual process. Judkins remains under NFL investigation for domestic violence and battery allegations stemming from the summer, and a suspension is still possible. The exemption allows the Browns to keep him on the roster without cutting another player, though he is ineligible to play in games until the team ends the exemption. He can practice with the team during this period. Judkins is not expected to suit up in Week 1, but finally having him under contract and back with the organization provides a boost to his long-term fantasy outlook. Once active, Judkins could carve out a meaningful role in Cleveland's backfield, with Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson returning to their reserve roles.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy is undergoing an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of his shoulder injury. Head coach Andy Reid offered no update following the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury occurred on the first drive, when Worthy collided with Travis Kelce on a crossing route and left the field in visible pain. A trainer appeared to pop his shoulder back into place on the sideline, but Worthy still went to the locker room and did not return. The timing is tough for Kansas City, who are already without Rashee Rice. If Worthy misses time, Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster would see expanded opportunities, while Patrick Mahomes could face a slight dip in fantasy upside without his explosive rookie playmaker stretching the field.

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The New York Giants are showing strong confidence in rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, naming him the primary backup behind Russell Wilson. According to Albert Breer, the team feels comfortable putting Dart into live game action already, an impressive endorsement for the rookie. Dianna Russini of The Athletic added that head coach Brian Daboll even threw Dart into practice reps this week specifically to test how he'd handle pressure situations. Dart rewarded that trust with an excellent preseason, posting 424 passing yards, four touchdowns, and no turnovers. His rise to QB2 is notable, especially with former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston still on the roster. While Dart isn't on the fantasy radar for Week 1, his talent and quick ascension make him a potential waiver-wire sleeper if Wilson were to struggle or miss time.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier remains one of the top running back handcuffs in the league, but doesn't garner enough touches to make him startable in season-long fantasy most weeks. The BYU product was awarded double-digit carries just five times last season, and is a relative non-factor in the passing game, with Bijan Robinson handling the bulk of both the running and receiving touches for the Falcons. Sunday's matchup with Tampa Bay pits Atlanta against a defense that is much more stout against the run than the pass, further dampening the 25-year-old's prospects for fantasy. Allgeier should be considered a low-end Flex play as an RB5.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving heads into 2025 with a chip on his shoulder and breakout potential. The former fourth-round pick says he still draws motivation from his draft-day slide: "I kept that anger and used it as motivation. I was pissed. I was waiting for three days, so just being there and seeing everybody get drafted, it lit a fire in me." That fire fueled an electric finish to his rookie year. From Week 13 on (excluding the Raiders game he exited early), Irving averaged 20 attempts for 123.3 scrimmage yards and scored five touchdowns in eight games, scoring 17.6 half-PPR fantasy points during that span. Now entering his second season, Irving is being hyped as a prime breakout candidate in 2025. With clear RB1 usage and the Buccaneers' offense leaning on his explosiveness, he'll look to pick up right where he left off when Tampa Bay opens against the Atlanta Falcons.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor is expected to settle back into his WR3 role in 2025. Nailor flashed last year with career-best numbers, 28 receptions, 414 yards, and six touchdowns. With Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games, there was speculation that Nailor might see an expanded role. Instead, Minnesota traded for veteran Adam Thielen, who remains a trusted target and is expected to step in as the WR2 behind Justin Jefferson in Addison's absence. That leaves Nailor as a complementary piece rather than a fantasy-relevant option in Week 1. Facing a Chicago Bears defense that allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, Nailor should be left on the waiver wire this week.

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