Fantasy football managers know that every lineup decision can make or break a week, and choosing the right players to start or sit is where championships are won. With the 2025 NFL season underway, matchups, stats, and trends are more important than ever. Each week, we’ll break down the top fantasy football start ’em, sit ’em picks at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, tight end, defense, and kicker to help you set the best possible lineup. From favorable matchups and scoring trends to players you should avoid in tough spots, my weekly guide is built to give you an edge.
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Quarterbacks to Start
Justin Fields NYJ
Fantasy football managers who trusted Justin Fields in Week 1 were rewarded with a monster performance. Fields finished as the QB2, putting up over 30 fantasy points with 218 passing yards, a touchdown through the air, and two more scores on the ground. His dual-threat ability was on full display with 12 carries for 48 rushing yards, giving him a safe floor and high ceiling. This week, Fields draws a Buffalo defense that just gave up 238 rushing yards to the Ravens and struggled to contain Lamar Jackson’s mobility. With the Jets likely playing from behind, Fields should have plenty of opportunities to pile up stats as both a passer and a runner. He’s a strong fantasy football start in all formats for Week 2.
Justin Herbert LAC
Justin Herbert reminded fantasy football players why he’s a weekly QB1 option by lighting up Kansas City’s defense in Week 1. Throwing for 318 yards and three touchdowns, Herbert finished inside the top five at the position. The Chargers’ revamped receiving corps with Keenan Allen, Ladd McConkey, and Quentin Johnston looked explosive, giving Herbert multiple reliable weapons. Now he gets a juicy matchup against the Raiders, who just allowed Drake Maye to throw for 287 yards in sloppy conditions. Herbert has a proven track record of success in Las Vegas, including a 346-yard, two-touchdown outing in his last visit. With volume, efficiency, and weapons all lining up, Herbert is a must-start fantasy football quarterback for Week 2.
Drake Maye NE
Drake Maye’s 2025 debut didn’t deliver huge fantasy football numbers, but the underlying usage is encouraging. He threw 46 passes in a rain-soaked game, finishing with 287 yards and a touchdown, while also flashing some mobility. The matchup gets much better this week against a Dolphins secondary that allowed Daniel Jones to torch them for 272 yards and 31.5 fantasy points. Miami generated one of the league’s lowest pressure rates in Week 1, meaning Maye should have more time to operate from the pocket. With New England trusting him to air it out and facing a vulnerable defense, Maye profiles as one of the top streaming starts in fantasy football for Week 2.
Quarterbacks to Sit
Patrick Mahomes KC
Patrick Mahomes is usually an automatic fantasy football start, but Week 2 sets up as a tough spot. He managed 26 fantasy points in Week 1 but needed his legs to get there, and the Chiefs’ receiving corps looks shaky without Rashee Rice (suspension) and Xavier Worthy (shoulder). Philadelphia’s defense just shut down Dak Prescott to the tune of 7.8 fantasy points and allowed the fewest quarterback fantasy points in the league last season. When Mahomes last faced the Eagles, he was sacked six times and turned the ball over multiple times in a lopsided loss. Given his lack of weapons and the matchup against a tough pass rush, Mahomes is best treated as a sit in 1QB fantasy football leagues this week.
Trevor Lawrence JAC
On paper, Trevor Lawrence’s Week 2 matchup with Cincinnati looks like a potential shootout, but fantasy football managers should be cautious. In Week 1, Lawrence completed just 24-of-38 passes for 178 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, despite facing minimal pressure. He struggled with accuracy, missing open receivers from clean pockets, which is a red flag heading into a tougher matchup. The Bengals pressured quarterbacks at an above-average rate in Week 1 and just held Joe Flacco to negative EPA per dropback. While the game script may boost his attempts, Lawrence hasn’t shown the efficiency needed to trust him as a fantasy starter. He’s better left on your bench in Week 2 unless you’re desperate.
CJ Stroud HOU
C.J. Stroud looked more like the 2024 version of himself in Week 1 than fantasy football managers had hoped. He threw for just 188 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while facing pressure on over 40 percent of his dropbacks. Unfortunately, things may not get better in Week 2, as Tampa Bay generated an even higher pressure rate than the Rams, and they blitz less often, meaning they can still drop into coverage effectively. Houston’s offensive line continues to be a major liability, limiting Stroud’s time to throw and suppressing his fantasy ceiling. While the Buccaneers’ secondary isn’t elite, their front seven poses too much of a problem. Until the Texans’ protection improves, Stroud is a fantasy football sit in Week 2.
Running Backs to Start
Travis Etienne JAC
Travis Etienne reminded fantasy football managers of his big-play upside in Week 1 with 143 rushing yards on just 16 carries, highlighted by a 71-yard burst. He added three catches for 13 yards, finishing with 18.6 PPR points and accounting for 41% of Jacksonville’s total offense. The Jaguars’ decision to trade Tank Bigsby signals confidence that Etienne will remain the centerpiece of this backfield. In Week 2, he draws a Bengals defense that just allowed more than 25 fantasy points to Cleveland’s running backs, including the third-most receptions to the position. With explosive ability and a growing workload, Etienne is a must-start RB2 in all fantasy football leagues.
TreVeyon Henderson NE
Rookie TreVeyon Henderson didn’t see a heavy rushing workload in his debut, but he flashed efficiency with 27 rushing yards on five carries (5.4 YPC) and added six catches for 24 yards. While Rhamondre Stevenson remains in the mix, Henderson’s six targets show the Patriots want him involved in the passing game. That usage makes him especially valuable in PPR formats. This week, he faces a Dolphins defense that just gave up 156 rushing yards and two touchdowns to the Colts backfield. With his big-play potential and growing role, Henderson is a strong RB2 fantasy football start in Week 2 and could be on the verge of a breakout game.
JK Dobbins DEN
J.K. Dobbins looked sharp in Week 1, handling 18 touches for 68 yards and a touchdown while playing 53% of Denver’s snaps. He dominated red zone opportunities with all three of the Broncos’ carries inside the 20, signaling clear trust from the coaching staff. His efficiency metrics were strong as well, forcing missed tackles on nearly 20% of his carries and averaging 2.63 yards after contact. This week’s matchup is enticing: Indianapolis allowed the highest yards after contact per attempt and the sixth-highest rushing success rate in Week 1. With early-down and goal-line work secured, Dobbins is a solid fantasy football start in Week 2 as a borderline RB2.
Running backs to Sit
Isiah Pacheco KC
Isiah Pacheco’s Week 1 usage was concerning for fantasy football managers. He played under half the snaps (48%) and saw just seven touches, with Kareem Hunt and rookie Brashard Smith cutting into his short-yardage and passing-down work. The matchup in Week 2 is brutal: Philadelphia allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to running backs last season, and despite Javonte Williams’ solid performance, he was inefficient. With a three-way split looming and a tough defensive front on deck, Pacheco is better off on your bench in fantasy football this week unless you’re desperate in deeper leagues.
Aaron Jones MIN
Aaron Jones salvaged his fantasy football day in Week 1 with a touchdown, but the underlying usage points to risk. He handled only 11 touches compared to Jordan Mason’s 16 and played less than half the snaps (47%). Jones also saw zero red zone carries, with Mason handling all of that valuable work. In Week 2, he faces a Falcons defense that ranked top-10 in stuff rate and missed tackle percentage in Week 1, making rushing lanes hard to find. While Atlanta did allow receptions to backs last year, Jones will need passing volume to deliver fantasy value. Given the timeshare, he’s a risky sit candidate in Week 2 outside of deeper PPR formats.
Nick Chubb HOU
Nick Chubb may be Houston’s lead back, but his Week 1 usage showed why he’s a fantasy football sit in many leagues. He handled 14 carries for 60 yards but was a complete non-factor in the passing game, failing to record a single reception. Without touchdowns or explosive runs, his fantasy floor is very low. This week’s matchup is tough: Tampa Bay just bottled up Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier on the ground, allowing just 48 rushing yards on 22 carries. Chubb’s one-dimensional role makes him touchdown-dependent, and behind Houston’s shaky offensive line, that’s a gamble. He’s best left on your bench in Week 2, especially in PPR leagues.
Wide Receivers to Start
Emeka Egbuka TB
Egbuka wasted no time making an impact in Week 1, finding the end zone twice while racking up 23.6 fantasy points. He played 93% of the snaps, operated heavily from the slot, and was clearly Tampa Bay’s WR2 behind Mike Evans. That role should be highly valuable in this offense, especially with Houston struggling against slot receivers, as they allowed the most yards to the position in Week 1. Even against talented corners like Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter, the matchup sets up well for Egbuka to produce again. He should remain in starting lineups as a high-upside WR2.
Travis Hunter JAC
The biggest question of the offseason was whether Hunter would truly be a full-time receiver, and Week 1 answered it: he logged a 75.8% route share and a hefty 25.8% target share. While the production was modest (6 catches, 33 yards), his 28% first-read share is no joke. It shows Jacksonville plans to feed him this year. Hunter’s slot-heavy role should set him up well against a Cincinnati defense that gave up the sixth-most fantasy points to slot receivers in Week 1. His two-way workload could slightly cap his ceiling, but his floor looks safe given the volume. With the Jaguars likely playing catch-up against the Bengals, Hunter profiles as a strong WR3/Flex play this week with breakout potential.
Ricky Pearsall SF
With Brock Purdy sidelined and George Kittle banged up, Pearsall should remain a focal point of San Francisco’s passing game. He caught 4 of 7 targets for 108 yards in Week 1, and his track record shows that whenever he gets at least six targets, he produces double-digit PPR points. The advanced stats back up the week 1 performance as well: 20% target share, 54.3% air-yard share, and 3.28 yards per route run in Week 1. Pearsall should again see steady volume, especially if Jauan Jennings is limited. The Saints allowed the ninth-most PPR points per target to perimeter WRs in Week 1, so the matchup is favorable. Pearsall is a strong WR2 play with upside this week, even with Mac Jones at QB.
Wide Receivers to Sit
Michael Pittman Jr. IND
Pittman looked sharp in Week 1, scoring 20 points against Miami, but a matchup with Patrick Surtain II puts him on the sit list. Surtain shadowed Calvin Ridley on over 80% of his snaps in Week 1 and didn’t allow a single catch in coverage. Denver also limited Tennessee’s wideouts to just 48 yards combined while sacking Cam Ward six times. This is not a defense to test, and Pittman is almost certain to be blanketed. While he is likely in for a bounce-back season this year, this is a week to pivot to safer options.
Jaylen Waddle MIA
Waddle’s usage in Week 1 was highly concerning, as he saw just a 16.7% target share and was mostly limited to short-area dump-offs (1.3 aDOT). With Tyreek Hill dominating the passing game targets, Waddle continues to be left as an afterthought in the Miami offense. It is becoming almost impossible to trust him based on his usage. Add in a lingering shoulder injury, and he’s simply too risky to trust as more than a low-ceiling Flex option. He’s topped 60 receiving yards only twice in his last 15 games and has just six touchdowns in his last 30. Until his role expands, Waddle should remain on the bench.
Cooper Kupp SEA
Kupp followed the production towards the end of 2024 with a rough opening performance against the 49ers. He posted just 15 yards on three targets despite playing 84% of the snaps. His advanced numbers included a 13% target share, 10.7% air-yard share, and a dismal 9.5% route win rate. At 32, he no longer looks like a reliable fantasy option, especially in a Seattle passing attack that is now centered on Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Sam Darnold also struggled in Week 1, which further limits the upside of this passing game. Kupp is unstartable until proven otherwise and may even be droppable.
Tight Ends to Start
Juwan Johnson NO
Johnson exploded in Week 1, leading all tight ends in targets (11) and finishing as the TE1 in fantasy. His chemistry with Spencer Rattler looks real. Dating back to last season, Rattler has thrown him at least seven targets in each of his three starts. The usage was elite: a 79.6% route share, 23.9% target share, and a 28% first-read rate, all while drawing two red-zone looks in Week 1. That type of volume cannot be ignored at such a thin position. The 49ers are a tough matchup, but Johnson’s role makes him a strong streaming option with a solid floor.
David Njoku CLE
Njoku was quiet in Week 1 while Harold Fannin Jr. stole the spotlight, but the underlying usage was still solid. He played nearly 80% of routes, and his past success against Baltimore suggests a rebound is possible. He went 5-for-61-and-a-score against them last season. The Ravens struggled against tight ends in 2024, allowing top-12 fantasy production to the position. Njoku’s red-zone presence and steady role in Cleveland’s passing game give him bounce-back potential. This is a good spot to plug him back into lineups as a mid-tier TE1.
Hunter Henry NE
Henry remains one of the steadiest tight end options thanks to his connection with rookie quarterback Drake Maye. He saw eight targets in Week 1, turning them into four catches for 66 yards, and continues to dominate red-zone opportunities in this offense. In fact, Henry’s red-zone target share is double that of any other Patriot, giving him strong touchdown equity every week. The Dolphins just gave up a top-three tight end performance to Tyler Warren, which bodes well for Henry. He’s not flashy, but his chemistry with Maye makes him a safe TE1 play.
Tight Ends to Sit
Dalton Kincaid BUF
Kincaid’s Week 1 stat line (4-48-1) looks great in the box score, but the underlying metrics tell a different story. He played fewer snaps than Dawson Knox, had just an 8.7% target share, and ranked fifth in Buffalo’s target pecking order. His touchdown salvaged his fantasy day, but that level of efficiency is not sustainable without stronger usage. Kincaid is shaping up as a touchdown-dependent play, which is a risky bet against tougher defenses. There are safer options this week at tight end.
Harold Fannin Jr. CLE
Fannin flashed in Week 1 with nine targets, seven catches, and 63 yards, but fantasy managers should pump the brakes. He ran routes on just 60% of dropbacks and posted an unsustainably high 31% target per route run rate, which screams regression. Cleveland also leaned on heavy two-tight end sets, limiting his overall snap share behind Njoku. The Ravens are a much tougher matchup than Cincinnati, so expecting a repeat of his debut would be overly optimistic. He’s an exciting stash, but not yet a safe start.
Colston Loveland CHI
The rookie tight end may have long-term upside, but his Week 1 usage shows he’s not ready for fantasy lineups. Loveland played just 56% of the snaps, well behind Cole Kmet’s 91%, and saw only two targets. Detroit’s defense is also a poor matchup, as they’ve allowed just four tight end touchdowns dating back to last year. Until Loveland earns a bigger role, he’s best left on the bench. Dynasty managers can hold, but redraft players should avoid starting him for now.
DEF to Start
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals underwhelmed with just five fantasy points in Week 1, but the process was right, and they’re worth rolling out again. Carolina’s offense coughed up three turnovers last week and allowed Jacksonville to finish as a top-five defense. Bryce Young continues to struggle with ball security and reads against NFL defenses. That’s a matchup fantasy managers should target until he proves otherwise. Arizona’s pass rush and opportunistic secondary give them a path to a strong finish at home.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams impressed in Week 1 with three sacks, two takeaways, and just nine points allowed against Houston. They pressured the quarterback on 41% of dropbacks and finished with a sack on nine percent, both top-11 marks in the league. Now they face rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who was sacked six times in his debut against Denver. Rookie mistakes plus defensive pressure is a recipe for fantasy success. Available on waivers in many leagues, the Rams are a prime streaming option this week.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco held Seattle in check last week, producing 11 fantasy points and looking like a reliable unit once again. Now they get a favorable matchup against New Orleans, an offense that has scored 13 or fewer points in five of Spencer Rattler’s eight career games. Arizona’s defense struggled against the Saints in Week 1, but still managed to put up a double-digit fantasy score. The 49ers have a much stronger roster and should be able to capitalize. Pencil them in as a top-10 option this week.
DEF to Sit
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City must be avoided this week against the Eagles’ high-powered offense. Philadelphia shredded Dallas’ defense in Week 1, holding them to just a single fantasy point, and Jalen Hurts’ group rarely allows sacks or turnovers. The Chiefs themselves struggled in Week 1, getting tormented by an improved Chargers offense. While their defense has been strong in the past, this is a matchup that tilts heavily toward the offense. Keep Kansas City on your bench in Week 2.
New York Jets
The Jets’ defense has plenty of talent, but the matchup against Buffalo makes them a sit this week. Josh Allen and the Bills looked dominant in their opener, dropping 34 points on a tough Ravens defense that finished with -3 fantasy points. That’s the type of ceiling-crushing offense fantasy managers want no part of. While New York’s defense may keep the game competitive, the fantasy scoring outlook is grim. High-scoring environments sink defenses, and that’s likely the case here.
Kickers to Start
Cameron Dicker LAC
Dicker put up nine fantasy points in Week 1 and is set up for even more success against the Raiders. Dating back to last season, only two teams have allowed more points to kickers. In two games against Las Vegas last year, he combined for 24 points, showing this matchup can deliver. With a high projected point total and a divisional rivalry, he carries top-five kicker upside. Fantasy managers can confidently start him.
Chad Ryland ARI
Ryland scored 10 fantasy points in Week 1 and draws another great matchup in Week 2 against Carolina. The Panthers have been the most generous defense to opposing kickers dating back to last season, giving up nearly 11 points per game. Ryland has posted double digits in five of his last seven contests, making him one of the most consistent options at the position. With Arizona’s offense moving the ball effectively but still prone to stalling in the red zone, Ryland has a strong chance to deliver again.
Kickers to Sit
Younghoe Koo ATL
Koo managed eight fantasy points in Week 1 but missed a crucial late field goal, and his ceiling remains capped. He hasn’t scored more than nine fantasy points in any of his last nine games. The matchup also works against him, as Minnesota has allowed the fewest points to kickers since the start of last season. Playing indoors usually boosts kickers, but this isn’t the week to take that gamble. Koo should remain on fantasy benches until his role improves.
Harrison Butker KC
Butker scored 10 fantasy points in Week 1, but consistency has been an issue for him. He has only three double-digit games in his last six games dating back to last year. Now he faces an Eagles defense that is great at limiting kicker production, holding opponents to seven or fewer fantasy points in 10 of their last 18 regular-season games. In what could be a touchdown-heavy affair, Butker’s opportunities may be limited. He’s best avoided in Week 2.
