Tackling fantasy football sleepers right after a draft is an odd task. Most managers (justifiably) want to start their main players out of the gate, with matchups frequently not mattering in terms of favoring certain names to play.
However, when you move outside of the core pieces of your fantasy team, Week 1 offers an opportunity to make decisive calls about who to start and who to sit.
These Week 1 fantasy sleepers likely have been drafted in your league -- or the quarterbacks, tight ends, and defensive teams are widely available due to streaming strategies or the position's draft value being minimized.
With this in mind, scroll down for The Sporting News staff's recommendations for Week 1 sleepers for fantasy football lineups.
LINEUP TIPS: Fantasy Week 1 Start/Sit
Fantasy QB Sleepers Week 1
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers
The Jaguars draw a favorable Panthers defense at home to open up the exciting offensive era of Liam Coen. The Panthers also can put some points against the Jaguars' defense to make this a sneaky high-scoring game. - Vinnie Iyer
Drake Maye, New England Patriots vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Maye's rushing threat from last year is still prominent and makes him exciting every week. What is expected to be a much-improved Patriots offense will provide more opportunities for Maye to score points. In Week 1, Maye takes on a poor Raiders defense that should allow him a solid fantasy performance. - Griffin Missant
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
The torn ligament in his non-throwing hand is concerning, but Love is over lower-body injuries he played through much of last year. Even with the injury-riddled receiving corps headlined by Jayden Reed (leg), Love still has plenty of targets -- including exciting rookie Matthew Golden and breakout TE Tucker Kraft. The Pack will throw often to keep up with Detroit, whose own defense is undergoing a transition. - Tim Heaney
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Fantasy RB Sleepers Week 1
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Seahawks are expected to be a run-heavy offense under Klint Kubiak to set up Sam Darnold for initial passing success and Charbonnet should get a much bigger chance to produce playing off Kenneth Walker. The 49ers' defense will be improved overall with Robert Saleh, but there's still some weakness vs. the run which can be exploit between the tackles. - Vinnie Iyer
Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers
Etienne is the starting RB for the Jags and is not being treated as such. In Week 1, the Jags take on the Panthers, who were the worst team at stopping the run in 2024. It's supposed to be a game riddled with thunderstorms, expect Etienne to get a ton of touches. - Griffin Missant
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
Warren appears set to stand out as the leader of this backfield, with rookie Kaleb Johnson (likely ceremonially) listed third. Warren should have little trouble carving up the Jets' weak run defense with his ability to produce explosive plays, even in part-time work. - Tim Heaney
DAILY FANTASY VALUE PICKS: NFL DFS Week 1 Sleepers
Fantasy WR Sleepers Week 1
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears vs. Minnesota Vikings
Odunze has been buzzing ahead of Year 2 with his potential big versatile role in the passing game under Ben Johnson. The transition from DJ Moore to be the No. 1 will happen because of his slot potential, and the Bears should be eager to get one of their best young weapons going with the rookies still needing some time for real impact. - Vinnie Iyer
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
There has been no player this offseason I'm more excited about than Pearsall. He is the WR1 in this offense, and until he gets treated as such, he'll continue to be a sleeper. - Griffin Missant
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals
Focus up, half- and non-PPR players: Shaheed's downfield prowess was faded in many fantasy drafts due to the Saints' weak QB situation, but the speedster should benefit from a heavy passing script. If you're dealing with a WR/flex injury, dart throws at deep threats often work out. - Tim Heaney
BEST PICKUPS: Fantasy Week 1 waiver wire
Fantasy TE Sleepers Week 1
Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The more mention of this consistent fantasy bust at the position can make his former managers still cringe. Still, he destroyed the Buccaneers in two matchups last season and should get more involved early with Michael Penix Jr. taking over the passing game. The Bucs remain rather weak in inside coverage. - Vinnie Iyer
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
This is more so a gut play, which sometimes is all Fantasy Football is about. However, the last time Otton played the Falcons, he caught nine passes for 81 yards and two touchdowns. - Griffin Missant
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots vs. Las Vegas Raiders
How long did you wait to address TE in your draft? You may be in luck to pick up a cheap tuddy from a Drake Maye red-zone favorite against one of the worst pass-coverage units in the game. - Tim Heaney
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Fantasy Team Defense Sleepers Week 1
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
The Saints have the worst QB situation in the NFL with Spencer Rattler starting and Tyler Shough behind him. The Cardinals' defensive playmakers will be very active as the favorite with Jonathan Gannon working to pressure Rattler into mistakes. - Vinnie Iyer
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
The Arizona Cardinals are one of my favorite defenses coming into 2025. They used the draft, as well as free agency, to improve their overall unit. In week one, they get to face the Saints' disastrous quarterback room. - Griffin Missant
Washington Commanders vs. New York Giants
The true definition of a matchup play: Von Miller and Bobby Wagner anchor an otherwise flawed defense, and it'll be tough to stop Malik Nabers, but the Commanders should be able to force a few sacks on and turnovers from Russell Wilson at home. - Tim Heaney
D/ST PLAYS: Fantasy defense Week 1 rankings