Heading into Week One, we really do not know who will be successful throughout the season. It is all projections, and sometimes after week one, everything, and I mean everything, will change. Here is a look at some players you should buy and sell after a big Memorial Day weekend of drafting. Three players to buy, and three players to sell.
Week 1 Buys
Buy Tetairoa McMillan
Tetairoa McMillan was drafted out of Arizona State by the depleted Carolina Panthers. The Panthers made an effort to grab him with a top-10 pick, showcasing their belief in a resurgent sophomore year for Bryce Young. This is an exciting addition, especially with the departure of Adam Thielen. I think McMillan is poised to shine in year 1.
Marvin Harrison Jr. was a massive bust (considering his fantasy draft capital – borderline 1st round pick) in 2024, but I project that McMillan will shine. His QB showed his ability to move the ball downfield last season with a complement of less-than-stellar talent. McMillan is easily the best weapon that Young has had to this point, and I think he will be fed. Obviously, the hype is high, but his draft capital is very reasonable. I think you should buy him at cost and make sure to secure him. He will have growing pains throughout the year, but I project he will have more of a Malik Nabers type rookie year than a Marvin Harrison Jr. rookie year. This is the cheapest he will be.
Confidence in the Buy: 6/10
Buy Matthew Golden
The Green Bay Packers are beefing up their squad with the amount of talent they have acquired this offseason. They just recently acquired Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys. He is their pride and joy on the defensive side of the ball. They hope that Matthew Golden is a game-changer for them through the air on the offensive side of the ball. Golden is extremely talented, and he showcased that in the preseason. The Packers have not had an alpha in their receiver core since the departure of Davante Adams. I think that he will be the next Alpha in Green Bay.
I project Matthew Golden to be a future star in the NFL. This time next year, he will be drafted in the same regard as Tee Higgins. Tee Higgins would be a near first-round pick if he could stay healthy. I would be aggressive, as I project him to be a more valuable fantasy asset than Garrett Wilson by year’s end. I would trade assets like Jordan Addison and Isiah Pacheco to acquire Golden. The only issue I foresee for Golden is Jordan Love’s inconsistency in finding a consistent groove in the passing game.
Confidence in the Buy: 5/10
Buy RJ Harvey
I am going to just come right out of the gate and say it. This is my flag plant player this season. Sean Payton has proved that he only utilizes players he believes in and drafts. RJ Harvey delivers on this criterion. The Broncos also signed veteran J.K. Dobbins, but I am not sold on him being the main back just yet. Harvey is an explosive player with a ton of upside. He is a compact back at only 5’8”, but his consistent athleticism will allow him to bounce off of contact and into the hole. Sean Payton will prove this draft pick to be a good one.
His fantasy draft stock was the highest out of any of these players mentioned to buy, with an ADP of 60. I would buy him NOW and sell players like Zay Flowers, DJ Moore, and Courtland Sutton. Running backs I would sell would be James Conner and Alvin Kamara. I believe in this 100% and would feel great about it. I project him to be a backend RB 1 or high-end RB2 from weeks 8 to the end of the season. He could absolutely be a league winner for you in 2025.
Confidence in the Buy: 10/10
Week 1 Sells
Sell Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor has been one of my most drafted players of the last two seasons. If you are like me, you know how great it can be, but you also know how bad it could be with the injuries. He is turning into Kenneth Walker III right in front of our eyes. Valuable players, with injury concerns. I think that an argument for Taylor is that if you get his handcuff (DJ Giddens), it can be a very successful pairing, but the Indianapolis Colts’ offense this season is extremely concerning with Daniel Jones as the starting quarterback. Even if Anthony Richardson takes the nod, it will be difficult to project an improvement from last year. Taylor has been solid, but at the same time disappointing, in recent seasons.
I would sell him for packages like RJ Harvey plus Jaylen Waddle. Target the Steelers’ backfield plus DK Metcalf if you believe in that offense. I would target players like Calvin Ridley/Tetairoa McMillan, plus the Steelers’ backfield. I’m not usually for losing the best player in the deal, but Taylor can bring you back a HAUL, and this is possible. He is not a must sell, and I am not sure I would sell him just yet, but if you can get a haul back, I would consider it before week 1.
Confidence in Sell: 3/10
Sell David Montgomery
David Montgomery has been the Knuckles” half of the Detroit Lions 1-2 Punch, “Sonic and Knuckles.” The Lions extended Montgomery last season, but I worry about his usage with the emergence of Jahmyr Gibbs being a bona fide RB1 last season and the departure of Ben Johnson as the offensive coordinator. This is concerning, as at times, new coaches go with the best and most talented player within a new system.
I project his redzone usage to decrease, meaning his absurd touchdown count of 25 in 28 career games with the Lions to decrease. I would trade Montgomery for players like Tetairoa McMillan, Sam LaPorta, and Emeka Egbuka. These players, I feel, have a higher ceiling than Montgomery for 2025.
Confidence in the Sell: 5/10
Sell James Conner
James Conner has been a fantastic floor player since he entered play with the Arizona Cardinals. A reliable back with peak weeks that could bring you over the edge, but he is entering his age-30 season and has a lot of tread on the tires. He also has a young back in Trey Benson waiting in the wings. This just comes down to me believing in the younger back. Benson is more explosive at this point with much less tread on the tires.
With Conner being drafted higher than Benson in drafts by almost 80 spots, this could be a slam dunk swap while you acquire a back like Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Waddle. This may be a tough trade to pull off, but you could look for players in the ADP range like 60-90. Rashee Rice (With the 6-game suspension) + Kaleb Johnson come to mind.
Confidence in the Sell: 8/10
