Week 1 of the NFL is in the books, the takes could not be hotter, and the panic noise could not be louder. This is the time of year that all of us fantasy managers look forward to, but hate at the same time if they are on the wrong end of a Week 1 disaster. Here are some headlines to keep in mind when managers are scrambling to improve their fantasy teams for Week 2.
Mahomes Set for a Rebound Year
Patrick Mahomes posted 26.0+ fantasy points in Week 1 of the 2025 season. That ranked him as the #2 QB for the week. After a subpar fantasy season in 2024, it looks like Mahomes is back in business, but what does this mean for his 2025 fantasy value?
Patrick Mahomes compiled 24 completions on 39 attempts for 258 yards and 1 passing touchdown, and 6 attempts for 57 yards and 1 rushing touchdown.
Week 1 reflects Mahomes’s ability to add value on the ground; his 57 rushing yards and rushing touchdown were crucial. In big moments of a game, Mahomes always seems to rely on his legs, and it was no different in this international contest. That Week 1 surge represents roughly a 30% increase over his season-long average, a notable spike. I would expect Mahomes to continue using his legs as an asset to keep plays alive.
His passing yards-per-attempt in Week 1 were a modest 6.6, yet he overcame that with the rushing score and avoiding turnovers, leading to a very nice fantasy scoring week for Pat Mahomes. The Xavier Worthy injury isn’t ideal for the Fantasy value of Mahomes, but I still see him being a great option as he will now lean on the likes of Hollywood Brown, Juju and Travis Kelce. Expect all of these names to see a spike in fantasy value if Mahomes is to continue this blazing pace he set in Week 1.
Aaron Rodgers; Blast from the Past
Rodgers threw for 244 yards and 4 passing touchdowns, with zero interceptions, earning a stellar 136.7 passer rating. He earned 25.7 fantasy points in standard scoring formats, ranking 5th among QBs in Week 1.
Making us relive his MVP days and giving Steelers fans a refreshing way to enjoy a football game. It has been half a decade since a Steelers QB has thrown for 4 TDs, and the city is buzzing.
If Pittsburgh leans on passing in close games or Rodgers keeps his accuracy and decision-making sharp, he could produce QB1-like upside occasionally. Rodgers reminded the league—and fantasy managers—that he’s still got it. That Week 1 showing was vintage, a reminder that experience and precision matter. If the Steelers’ offense sustains a competitive pace and avoids injury pitfalls, Rodgers could be a weekly value swing—solid QB2 with occasional QB1 sparks.
That said, projections before the game largely underestimated him, implying Week 1 was an outlier. If you’re managing fantasy lineups, he’s worth consideration in superflex or tight QB settings, but still risky as a weekly starter in 1-QB leagues. For this reason I say watch Rodgers with a close eye if you are a QB needy fantasy team, but do not run and blow all of your FAAB on a 41 year old Rodgers after 1 game, not to mention a game where the Steelers O-line showed some obvious shortcomings.
Etienne to be Used Again!!
Travis Etienne Usage
Rushing: 16 carries for 143 yards
Receiving: 3 catches for 13 yards
Fantasy Points (Standard/PPR): approximately 18.6 points. (Doubled from his 2024 Avg.)
Jaguars fans rejoice as they finally have a Head Coach who can use their RB. This is very promising for Jaguars fans. But what does this usage mean for fantasy managers, and how should they deploy Etienne on a week-to-week basis? Ceiling RB2/Flex with big-play potential, especially in PPR. Floor Low-mid RB2 if volume shrinks or if efficiency remains poor. Best Formats are PPR or multi-RB leagues where catch upside rewards are high and Etienne can take advantage. Key Variables for Etienne Touch volume, offense efficiency, committee balance, offensive line/coaching usage.
The role for Etienne will only get bigger now that the Jaguars have traded Tank Bigsby to the Philadelphia Eagles. This is great news for anyone who invested a draft pick in Etienne, as during the height of draft season he was seen as a highly volatile RB. HC Liam Coen has used pass-catching RBs to great success in the past, and I believe that Etienne will thrive more than he has in his career with Liam Coen as his HC. I think the usage and the trade, cement Travis Etienne as a top end RB 2, with weekly breakout potential in PPR formats. For his draft cost in 2025, he is about to make a lot of fantasy managers very happy.
Wide Open Fields
Fields completed 16-of-22 passes (72.7%) for 218 yards, 1 passing touchdown, and 0 interceptions, earning a 119.1 passer rating. He also added 12 carries for 48 rushing yards and scored 2 rushing touchdowns. This allowed Fields to tie the highest scoring QB in Week 1.
What It Means for the Rest of 2025
Fields proved he can handle a full workload in New York’s offense. Getting nearly 30 fantasy points in Week 1 puts him on the QB1 radar, especially in 2QB/Superflex formats.
His rushing ability continues to be a fantasy catalyst—two rushing TDs and nearly 50 yards on the ground reinforce his value as a dual-threat QB .
Compared to his conservative 6.9 YPA and low passing volume in 2024, his 9.9 YPA this week signals a more aggressive and effective aerial attack .
The Jets orchestrated a balanced attack that maximized Fields’ skillset—it’s a promising foundation. While the offense showed chemistry, sustaining those numbers will require consistent execution and playcalling.
Fields flashed legitimate QB1 upside—particularly attractive in formats that reward rushing stats.
If you’re in a league that emphasizes rushing upside (2QB/Superflex), Fields is worth rostering and monitoring closely. In traditional 1QB formats, he’s a high-upside spot start QB, rather than a must-start every week.
As Week 2 of the fantasy football season approaches, it’s important to remember that early-season struggles don’t define your team’s long-term success. Fantasy football is a marathon, not a sprint, and overreacting to one or two bad performances can often do more harm than good. Trust the research and preparation you put in during the offseason—your draft strategy, player evaluations, and depth-building were all designed with the full season in mind. Stay patient, stay informed, and make smart, measured decisions. The fantasy landscape changes quickly, and those who keep a level head are the ones who come out on top by the end of the year.
