Welcome to Week 1 and another season of fantasy football starts and sits from The Sporting News.
"The Decider" is your one-stop shop for fantasy start/sit lineup advice in 2025 -- a unique mashup of rankings and matchup breakdowns to help you make those tough decisions on whom to play and not to play:
- There are several high-drafted fantasy players who should be in lineups every week when they're active. Those are the "regular starts."
- For those borderline options with favorable matchups, they are "stronger starts," while the recommended sits are "weaker starts."
- We're also basing our advice on 12-team, half-point PPR to split the difference between shallow and deep leagues and full-PPR and standard formats.
Going beyond the redraft league starts and sits, "The Decider" also includes some DFS picks for different styles of games on DraftKings and FanDuel.
Keep scrolling for tips on how to put the best fantasy football lineup on "the field" for your league opener.
READ: Fantasy football weekly rankings
Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Quarterbacks
Must-start Week 1 QBs
- Josh Allen, Bills (vs. BAL)
- Lamar Jackson, Ravens (at BUF)
- Jayden Daniels, Commanders (vs. NYG)
- Jalen Hurts, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Joe Burrow, Bengals (at CLE)
- Baker Mayfield, Buccaneers (at ATL)
- Patrick Mahomes, Chiefs (at LAC)
Strong Week 1 QB starts
8. Bo Nix, Broncos (vs. TEN): Nix gets a good jumpstart to his second year against a transitional team at home.
9. Brock Purdy, 49ers (at SEA): Purdy still has plenty of weapons to attack their defense in what should be a comfortable San Francisco victory.
10. Drake Maye, Patriots (vs. LV): Maye gets a great spot, too, for his first game under Josh McDaniels against an opponent with tendencies his OC knows well.
11. Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars (vs. CAR): He also gets a favorable spot in his new offense under Liam Coen at home.
12. Kyler Murray, Cardinals (at NO): He can compile well on the road with a good matchup for his running and his top receivers.
13. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons (vs. TB): Penix can channel some of his late 2024 sizzle in what could be a high-scoring game.
14. Bryce Young, Panthers (vs. JAX): With Lawrence being effective against a shaky defense, it would lead Young to have favorable volume on the other side.
DFS QB Week 1 pick
Trevor Lawrence, Jaguars ($5,300 on DraftKings, $7,000 on FanDuel): Lawrence is facing a make-or-break year overall, but for this game, he's a well-priced value on both formats in either cash or tournaments.
"I think Liam Coen is going to do wonders for his career." 😬
Can Trevor Lawrence take the next leap and be a @YahooFantasy league-winner? 👀 pic.twitter.com/QKBIxeUDlX
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) August 26, 2025
Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Quarterbacks
Weaker Week 1 QB plays
15. Caleb Williams, Bears (at MIN): Williams overall can have a top-10 breakout at the position, but the Vikngs' defense on the road can lead to underwhelming.
16. Justin Fields, Jets (vs. PIT): Fields can run for a good baseline of points against the Steelers, but this feels like an ugly low-scoring game.
17. Jared Goff, Lions (at GB): Goff faces a tough spot in the new offense on the road outdoors in the elements, to say it will be only modest numbers.
18. Justin Herbert, Chargers (vs. KC): Herbert has some good long-term promise, but he faces a tough environment in Brazil vs. this defense.
19. Jordan Love, Packers (vs. DET): Love has been feeling like a middle pick outside of the top 12, and the revamped Lions defense won't help early.
20. Dak Prescott, Cowboys (at PHI): The Eagles' pass defense can cause some major issues, starting with pressure up front.
21. C.J. Stroud, Texans (at LAR): The Texans' offensive line also will have trouble keeping Rams out of his face.
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Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Running backs
Must-start Week 1 RBs
- Bijan Robinson, Falcons (vs. TB)
- Saquon Barkley, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions (at GB)
- Bucky Irving, Buccaneers (at ATL)
- Derrick Henry, Ravens (at BUF)
- Christian McCaffrey, 49ers (at SEA)
- Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at NE)
- Jonathan Taylor, Colts (vs. MiA)
- Chase Brown, Bengals (at CLE)
- De'Von Achane, Dolphins (at IND)
- Josh Jacobs, Packers (vs DET)
- Kyren Williams, Rams (vs. HOU)
- Chuba Hubbard, Panthers (at JAX)
- James Conner, Cardinals (at NO)
- Alvin Kamara, Saints (vs. ARI)
- Kenneth Walker III, Seahawks (vs. SF)
- James Cook, Bills (vs. BAL)
- Omarion Hampton, Chargers (vs. KC)
- Aaron Jones, Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Tony Pollard, Titans (at DEN)
- David Montgomery, Lions (at GB)
- D'Andre Swift, Bears (at MIN)
- Breece Hall, Jets (vs. PIT)
Strong Week 1 RB starts
24. RJ Harvey, Broncos (vs. TEN): Roll with the rookie because the matchup is so good at home with Denver as heavy favorites.
25. TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (vs. LV): He's the choice rookie to play here, too, because of the matchup setting up New England to support Maye well with the run and his outlet receiving.
26. Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants (at WAS): He has the job of key touches early over Cam Skattebo and others, and the Commanders are better built vs. the pass.
27. Travis Etienne Jr., Jaguars (vs. CAR): The Panthers' run defense is weak enough to trust him even in a potential split role.
28. Austin Ekeler, Commanders (vs. NYG): He needs to lead their backfield and compile as a runner and receiver with 10-plus touches.
29. Zach Charbonnet, Seahawks (vs. SF): Don't be surprised when Charbonnet earns some key interchangeable touches with Walker.
30. Tank Bigsby, Jaguars (vs. CAR): You can take a shot FLEXing him with Jacksonville having a bit of a balanced, explosive debut at home.
DFS RB Week 1 Picks
Chase Brown, Bengals (at CLE $6,600 on DraftKings, $6,900 on FanDuel): Brown can burst out of the gate as their unquestioned feature back with a rout of the Browns.
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (at NE, $6,400 on DraftKings, $7,000 on FanDuel): Jeanty won't be priced this low often so get him while he's a high-volume play against a non-scary Patriots defense on the road.
Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Running backs
Weaker RB Week 1 plays
31. Kaleb Johnson, Steelers (at NYJ): See how it plays out with his touches vs. Jaylen Warren before wanting to play him in a tougher road matchup.
32. Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs (at LAC): This backfield is so rushing dependent for production, and the Chargers can compress on the Chiefs.
33. Jaylen Warren, Steelers (at NYJ): If you can't feel great about Johnson, you can't go to Warren, either.
34. Nick Chubb, Texans (at LAR): Take a shot if desperate, but you can't complain when this becomes an ugly committee minus Joe Mixon.
35. Jerome Ford, Browns (vs. CIN): In theory, he's a volume-based play, but it's hard to trust much running in the Cleveland offense.
36. Javonte Williams, Cowboys (at PHI): The Eagles should contain him as Dallas' best option as they pull away at some point in the opener.
37. Rhamondre Stevenson, Patriots (vs. LV): Go against the conventional wisdom and feel better about the upside of the rookie Henderson.
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Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Wide receivers
Must-start Week 1 WRs
- Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals (at CLE)
- Justin Jefferson, Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Nico Collins, Texans (at LAR)
- Malik Nabers, Giants (at WAS)
- Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars (vs. CAR)
- Puka Nacua, Rams (vs. HOU)
- A.J. Brown, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions (at GB)
- Tee Higgins, Bengals (at CLE)
- Mike Evans, Buccaneers (vs. ATL)
- CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys (at PHI)
- Drake London, Falcons (vs. TB)
- Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (at NO)
- Ladd McConkey, Chargers (vs. KC)
- Davante Adams, Rams (vs. HOU)
- Tyreek Hill, Dolphins (at IND)
- Jaxson Smith-Njigba, Seahawks (vs. SF)
- Garrett Wilson, Jets (vs. PIT)
- Terry McLaurin, Commanders (vs. NYG)
- Courtland Sutton, Broncos (vs. TEN)
- Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers (at JAX)
- DeVonta Smith, Eagles (vs. DAL)
- DJ Moore, Bears (at MIN)
- DK Metcalf, Steelers (vs. NYJ)
- Jameson Williams, Lions (at GB)
- Xavier Worthy, Chiefs (at LAC)
Strong WR Week 1 starts
27. Jerry Jeudy, Browns (vs. CIN): He'll be very busy in a favorable passing matchup with David Njoku.
28. George Pickens, Cowboys (at PHI): The Eagles are great in coverage inside but with Dallas' volume likely will give a few chunks to the new big-play threat.
29. Travis Hunter, Jaguars (vs. CAR): The Panthers' coverage matchup is just too good to keep the rookie out of the lineup.
30. Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins (at IND): The team did add Darren Waller, but expect Waddle to be busy in the short area for Tua Tagovailoa.
31. Rome Odunze, Bears (at MIN): Odunze is worth a shot on the fast track of the Vikings' home with the downfield matchup.
32. Stefon Diggs, Patriots (vs. LV): Diggs can have a decent debut given all the Raiders' issues in coverage.
33. Ricky Pearsall, 49ers (at SEA): Pearsall will be busy right away as San Francisco's second-year new go-to wideout.
32. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (at ATL): He will step into a favorable good vo;ume No. 2 role playing off Evans in a great matchup.
DFS WR Week 1 picks
Marvin Harrison Jr., Cardinals (at NO, $5,500 on DraftKings, $6,400 on FanDuel): Harrison has a good way to get back on track after his rookie disappointment vs. this secondary for Murray. 5-80-1 seems reasonable as a floor.
Tee Higgins, Bengals (at CLE, $6,400 on DraftKings, $7,100 on FanDuel): Higgins can pick up where he left off as an elite weekly scoring just behind Chase. He'll see favorable coverage to exploit with the Browns focused on slowing down chase.
Travis Hunter, Jaguars (vs. MIN, $5,000 on DraftKings, $5,700 on FanDuel): The Jaguars were excited about trading for the draft pick to land him and should get some early big-play chances to help rev up the team.
Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Wide receivers
Weaker Week 1 WR plays
33. Zay Flowers, Ravens (at BUF): You might be stuck starting him but this secondary can keep him from blooming vs. the Bills.
34. Calvin Ridley, Titans (at DEN): He can be certain to see too much of Patrick Surtain.
35. Jakobi Meyers, Raiders (at NE): This feels like a lot of Bowers and Jeanty and not too much else.
34. Chris Olave, Saints (vs. ARI): You might need to play him out of necessity but it's preferable to avoid this passing game.
35. Cooper Kupp, Seahawks (vs. SF): The old Kupp is different from the younger Kupp and this is a reach early.
36. Deebo Samuel, Commanders (vs.NYG): Wait to see how much he's involved behind McLaurin before committing if you can.
37. Michael Pittman Jr., Colts (vs. MIA): The shakeup with Daniel Jones starting and Tyler Warren in the mix make it hard to trust him or any Colts widoeut.
38. Christian Kirk, Texans (at LAR): The Rams will contain the Texans' passing game in general with their pressure and coverage.
2025 DRAFT SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | Value Picks | Deep Sleepers | 1 From Each Team
Fantasy Football Week 1 Start 'Em: Tight ends
Must-start Week 1 TEs
- Brock Bowers, Raiders (at NE)
- George Kittle, 49ers (at SEA)
- Trey McBride, Cardinals (at NO)
- Sam LaPorta, Lions (at GB)
- David Njoku, Browns (vs. CIN)
- Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. MIA)
- T.J. Hockenson, Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Mark Andrews, Ravens (at BUF)
- Evan Engram, Broncos (vs. TEN)
Stronger Week 1 TE starts
10. Travis Kelce, Chiefs (vs. LAC): He'a had big success vs. them at times, balanced out by being contained by Derwin James and others. He's a little lower, but still playable.
11. Dallas Goedert, Eagles (vs. DAL): Goedert can get involved here through the red zone with the Cowboys' back seven issues.
12. Kyle Pitts, Falcons (vs. TB): Pitts is playable when he seed the Buccanners, whom he ripped for two big games last season.
13. Hunter Henry, Patriots (vs. LV): He has a good chance to score and do a little more for Maye against their coverage.
14. Brenton Strange, Jaguars (vs. CAR): Here's an aggressive recommendation in relation to consensus but this is playing off the Jaguars' vibe in a smash spot.
DFS TE Week 1 pick
Tyler Warren, Colts (vs. MIA $4,400 on DraftKings, $5,100 on FanDuel): Enjoy this incredible rookie discount for someone who will see plenty of balls with a chance to stretch the field well and score for Jones in what should be a special debut at home.
Fantasy Football Week 1 Sit 'Em: Tight ends
Weaker TE Week 1 starts
15. Jake Ferguson, Cowboys (at PHI): He didn't do much at all in the two matchups against the Eagles' Vic Fangio defense last season.
16. Zach Ertz, Commanders (at NYG): The Giants are rather stingy against the tight end, and he might not get the volume to overcome.
17. Tucker Kraft, Packers (vs. DET): The Lions can contain him with their safety and linebacker coverage.
18. Dalton Kincaid, Bills (vs. BAL): He didn't do all that much with decent targets against them last season.
19. Colston Loveland, Bears (vs. MIN): Go full speed ahead on fellow rookie Warren; see how it plays out with Loveland's role before trusting him as a starter.
EXPLOIT LEAGUE APPS: Yahoo, ESPN rankings can reveal sleepers, busts
Fantasy Football Week 1: Defense/special teams best starts
- Broncos (vs. TEN)
- Steelers (at NYJ)
- Eagles (vs. DAL)
- Cardinals (at NO)
- Vikings (vs. CHI)
- Commanders (vs. NYG)
- Rams (vs. HOU)
- 49ers (at SEA)
- Jets (vs. PIT)
- Texans (at LAR)
- Chiefs (at LAC)
- Chargers (vs. KC)
DFS Week 1 D/ST pick
Rams (vs. HOU, $3,400 on DraftKings, $3,700 on FanDuel): The Rams' young defense can attack a shaky offensive line and the pressure on Stroud can lead to some back-end big plays.
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