September 11, 2025
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Ricky Pearsall is set to see an elevated workload in Sunday's meeting with the New Orleans Saints due to a myriad of injuries his team has faced. The 49ers won their opening matchup against the Seattle Seahawks, but it didn't come without some collateral damage. Tight end
George Kittle (hamstring) landed on IR with a hamstring injury, while fellow wideout
Jauan Jennings (shoulder) picked up a shoulder issue of his own. Jennings isn't a lock to play in Week 2, leaving Pearsall and running back
Christian McCaffrey as the 49ers' top options against New Orleans. Unfortunately, quarterback
Brock Purdy (shoulder, toe) isn't likely to start either, meaning Pearsall could -- and will probably -- be catching passes from former New England Patriot
Mac Jones. The University of Florida product's target quality gets a downgrade if that's the case, but hopefully, his volume will help mitigate that.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 11, 2025
Dallas Cowboys running back
Javonte Williams was far and away his team's No. 1 option out of the backfield during their Week 1 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. It was unclear exactly how Dallas' running back touch distribution would shake out leading up to the campaign, but Williams was the unquestioned RB1 in the season opener. The former North Carolina Tar Heel out-carried teammate
Miles Sanders 15-4, and out-snapped him by a hefty 47-11 margin. Sanders did break off a chunk gain, but Williams was able to punch two in across the goal line and didn't cough up a fumble like his counterpart. With rookie
Jaydon Blue a healthy inactive, Williams is poised to lead this backfield for the foreseeable future. He's a decent low-end RB2/flex option.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 11, 2025
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver
Chris Godwin (ankle) will return to the practice field for the first time on Thursday in a limited fashion. NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported the news. Godwin is still working back from a dislocated ankle he sustained in late October of last season, aiming for a return in Week 5 when he's eligible to be reinstated off the PUP List. He'll still have some hurdles to clear, but this is a step in the right direction. Tampa Bay figures to ease the Penn State product back into a normal workload after a severe injury, and they may be even less inclined to rush the veteran with rookie teammate
Emeka Egbuka filling in admirably early on in his career. As of now, he's on pace to return at his target date.
--Alex CiullaSource: Ian Rapoport
September 11, 2025
Chicago Bears wide receiver
Olamide Zaccheaus was a surprise contributor in Monday night's loss to the Minnesota Vikings. Zaccheaus was Chicago's second-leading receiver regarding receptions (four), yards (42), and targets (seven), but played far fewer snaps (30) than fellow wideouts
DJ Moore (56) and
Rome Odunze (63). The Bears' ground attack couldn't get much going against Minnesota's defense, but quarterback
Caleb Williams' 35 passes aren't an outlandish total he's incapable of repeating. Zaccheaus' production on a weekly basis could be spotty, but Chicago doesn't exactly have a solidified third option in the passing game. The 28-year-old currently sports a top 25 targets per route run total (0.27) in the league.
--Alex CiullaSource: ESPN
September 11, 2025
Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver
Elic Ayomanor is emerging as the clear-cut WR2 in the offense. While his Week 1 box score was modest, with only two catches for 13 yards against the Denver Broncos, the usage tells a different story. Ayomanor drew seven targets, far outpacing veteran
Tyler Lockett (1) and fellow rookie
Chimere Dike (1). Even with the Titans leaning heavily on 12 personnel, Ayomanor was on the field for 79% of the offensive snaps. That kind of snap share for a rookie in his first NFL game is highly encouraging. With quarterback
Cam Ward expected to settle in and gain confidence as the season progresses, Ayomanor profiles as a strong buy-low candidate in fantasy. The Titans face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 2, a defense that dominated Houston in their opener, so Ayomanor isn't a recommended fantasy start just yet. However, if his role as WR2 continues, a breakout game feels inevitable.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 11, 2025
Atlanta Falcons quarterback
Michael Penix Jr. is shaping up as an early breakout candidate. Despite missing wide receiver
Darnell Mooney (shoulder) in Week 1, the rookie delivered an impressive performance, completing 27 of 42 passes for 298 yards and a touchdown, while adding 21 rushing yards and another score on the ground. Penix's passing production was solid, but it was his mobility that should really excite fantasy managers. His ability to extend plays and contribute as a runner adds a valuable floor to his weekly outlook. In Week 2, Penix gets a primetime stage on Sunday Night Football against the Minnesota Vikings, which is a rematch of the 2023 National Championship with
J.J. McCarthy. The Vikings just allowed the ninth-most fantasy points to quarterbacks in Week 1 and entered the game shorthanded on defense. With both
Drake London (shoulder) and Mooney practicing ahead of the matchup, Penix should have his full complement of weapons and projects as a potential starter in most fantasy formats.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 11, 2025
Washington Commanders running back
Chris Rodriguez Jr. served as a healthy inactive in the season opener against the Giants. Rodriguez emerged in training camp as well as preseason, and he was in the mix for touches in the backfield headed into Week 1 after the
Brian Robinson Jr. trade. However, Washington ultimately opted to keep three running backs active on gameday and roll with the duo of rookie
Jacory Croskey-Merritt and veteran
Austin Ekeler to handle the bulk of the snaps, with
Jeremy McNichols mixing in and contributing on special teams. It could have been just a Week 1 situation where they wanted a sixth wide receiver active with
Noah Brown still limited, and it looks different in future weeks. It is possible that Rodriguez is made active for Washington's marquee matchup in Green Bay, but they have also been consistent in their praise for Croskey-Merritt, and the belief is that he will eventually be their lead back. Rodriguez will remain in a depth role for now, but he will be a name to watch if injuries start to hit.
--Kyle McCarthySource: RotoBaller
September 11, 2025
Atlanta Falcons wide receiver
Ray-Ray McCloud III was quietly phased out of the offense in Week 1. Despite
Darnell Mooney (shoulder) being a surprise inactive, McCloud caught just three of five targets for 51 yards in the Falcons' season-opening loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. McCloud logged 72% of the snaps, which was a noticeable dip from his 86% snap share in 2024. He operated as the WR3 behind
Drake London and second-year receiver
Casey Washington, signaling a reduced role in the passing attack. With Mooney expected back soon, McCloud's usage could shrink even further. From a fantasy perspective, McCloud doesn't warrant a roster spot, even in deeper formats. Unless he delivers a surprise spike in production, he should remain on the free-agent market.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 11, 2025
Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver
Tre Tucker looks like a focal point in the team's passing attack. The third-year wideout caught two of three targets for 54 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders' 20-13 win over the New England Patriots. Just as important, Tucker played 90% of the offensive snaps, ranking 18th among all wide receivers in Week 1. Tucker's blazing speed has never been in question, but inconsistency and poor quarterback play held him back early in his career. Now paired with
Geno Smith, the chemistry between the two was evident in both training camp and game action. In Week 2, Tucker draws a favorable Monday Night Football matchup against the Los Angeles Chargers, who allowed the fifth-most receiving yards to wide receivers in Week 1. While he's not a must-start just yet, Tucker is a name fantasy managers should keep a close eye on in free agency. If his usage continues, he could quickly turn into one of the top waiver adds of September.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 11, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Tyquan Thornton found his way to Kansas City thanks to a surprising advocate, former Patriots head coach Bill Belichick. Belichick personally recommended Thornton to Andy Reid, telling him, "He's really got great potential." After three underwhelming seasons in New England, Thornton was released following the 2024 season. The Chiefs took a chance on him, and he immediately made an impact in Week 1, catching two passes for 41 yards against the Los Angeles Chargers. More importantly, Thornton played 72% of the offensive snaps, which is a clear sign that Kansas City wants him involved. With
Xavier Worthy and
Rashee Rice both sidelined, Thornton could see an expanded role in this week's Super Bowl rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles. While it's tough to trust him in starting fantasy lineups just yet, Thornton is firmly on the waiver-wire watchlist. If his usage grows in Week 2, he could emerge as a valuable piece in a depleted Chiefs receiver room.
--Nathan HarveySource: Marleah Campbell - KCTV5
September 11, 2025
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers turned back the clock in Week 1, completing 22 of 30 passes for 244 yards and four touchdowns in the Steelers' 34-32 win over the New York Jets. The 42-year-old quarterback completed passes to seven different receivers in Week 1 and looked fantastic in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's scheme. Rodgers faces the Seattle Seahawks in Week 2, which should be an electric atmosphere in Acrisure Stadium. The Seahawks allowed the 13th fewest fantasy points in 2024 and forced two interceptions off 49ers quarterback
Brock Purdy. While the early excitement surrounding Rodgers and the Steelers' offense is evident, Rodgers should be on fantasy benches this week.
--Nathan HarveySource: Pro Football Reference
September 11, 2025
Cleveland Browns wide receiver
Cedric Tillman has low-end starter/flex potential that could be worth a waiver-wire add in deeper PPR formats, especially. The third-year receiver had a nice Week 1 in which he tied for a team-best eight targets with five catches and a touchdown, but his role on the offense is still likely to be secondary over the course of the season. Cleveland's top receiver is still
Jerry Jeudy, and the Browns are likely to be near the top of the league in time spent with multiple tight ends on the field due to
David Njoku and breakout rookie
Harold Fannin Jr. Further, rookie running back
Dylan Sampson also had eight targets in Week 1, and Cleveland will be adding running back
Quinshon Judkins into the fold at some point, too. Tillman certainly has shown potential, but Cleveland, per usual, is a volatile and unpredictable situation.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 11, 2025
Fantasy managers who selected Las Vegas Raiders tight end
Brock Bowers (knee) in their drafts this year may want to consider the waiver-wire potential of Raiders tight end
Michael Mayer, who figures to be the beneficiary if Bowers is unable to play Monday night against the Los Angeles Chargers. The third-year pro had a nice showing in Week 1, catching all four of his targets for 38 yards after Bowers exited the game. Bowers told reporters that he wasn't overly concerned about the injury, although the Raiders' final injury report will not be released until Saturday, and there is a possibility he won't be ruled out until Monday, after most games have been played. In the event Bowers is looking unlikely to play, there will be a rush to add Mayer, who has been a capable receiving option in his own right.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 11, 2025
Long a productive fantasy wide receiver, Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver
Keenan Allen is once again showing he can be a starting option in his first year back with L.A. After a big Week 1 that included 10 targets and a touchdown catch, the veteran naturally saw a big uptick in waiver-wire adds and managers inserting him into starting lineups, and for good reason. At age 33, Allen fell in drafts following a chaotic season with a Chicago Bears team that started a rookie quarterback and fired its coach mid-season. Now with an organization with stability at coach and quarterback, Allen has consistent WR3/flex potential. It's clear that Chargers quarterback
Justin Herbert trusts him, and after Week 1, it's also clear there's more than a little left in the tank.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
September 11, 2025
New England Patriots wide receiver
Kayshon Boutte (shoulder) remains an intriguing waiver-wire option despite the injury as his team is set to take on the Miami Dolphins in Week 2. The talent has always been visible for the LSU product, but the third-year pro appears to be developing a real chemistry with New England quarterback
Drake Maye. Boutte finished the 2024 season with 16 catches for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the final three games, and started 2025 with a 103-yard showing. The Pats brought in
Stefon Diggs and still roster
DeMario Douglas, both of whom are factors, though Boutte is showing legitimate fantasy potential. His shoulder ailment is worth watching in Week 2, but he's shown some season-long potential that could strengthen a manager's bench.
--Nick PiotrowiczSource: RotoBaller
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