Fantasy Football Start/Sits - NFL Week 1 2025 (QB, RB, WR, TE)
- Noah Drouin
- Sep 4, 2025
- 9 min read
We are so back. The 2025 NFL season is upon us and we here at 4QWI are back for our third season of weekly start/sits to get your fantasy football teams right as we begin the long road of football ahead. Using data, gut feelings and ethereal projections, we will provide you the tools needed to get that juicy dub week after week with 100% accuracy. We will, of course, omit matchup-proof choices such as Saquon Barkley and Lamar Jackson.
Also, if you're jonesing for some additional preseason NFL content, we have a slew of 2025 NFL season preview podcasts all up on our YouTube channel, compiled into one convenient playlist, including tier lists and heated discussions.
With that, let's waste no further time and get into Week 1.
Quarterbacks: @spechty49
Start: Kyler Murray @ New Orleans Saints (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
I’m high on the Cardinals this year. A decent team on paper already and had a good draft. If not the best tight end in football Trey McBride is the 2nd, a talented MHJ who underperformed last season who I expect to be a better this year, and Murray’s duel threat capabilities all should mean a good year for Murray. I would put him in the top 10 fantasy QBs this year. The cardinals have an insanely easy schedule starting with one of the worst teams in the NFL week one. I expect this game against the Saints to be the start of a good season for Murray and company.
Start: BO NIX THE TRUTH @ Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 9/7 @ 4:05 PM EST)
Listen this is the guy. With new RBs in town, a great coach who has built a great roster since Russell Wilson’s departure, and probably the best defense in the league. All this with a solid crew of pass catchers including Sutton who maintained a WR13 or so ranking last season, Marvin Mims who adds decent depth, and Evan Engram. Most importantly the Broncos have a top 3 if not top 2 O-Line. Would probably be 1 if the Eagles didn’t exist. I expect Bo Nix to smack the rebuilding Titans.
Sit: Cam Ward vs. Denver Broncos (Sunday, 9/7 @ 4:05 PM EST)
Cam Ward is good. So good that he dragged that sorry ass Miami team almost to the playoffs in college. All of his pass catchers from college got cut from their 53 man rosters. So he really dragged that team. I think he will be very good. But against a well coached well oiled few question marks machine like Denver? I think the best defense in the league will sadly put Cam in a box.
Sit: CJ Stroud @ Los Angeles Rams (Sunday. 9/7 @ 4:25 PM EST)
Running Backs: @jv1210
Start: TreVeyon Henderson vs. Las Vegas Raiders (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
The hype coming into the 2025 season surrounding TreVeyon Henderson is real. With a fantasy average draft pick of roughly 46, many people paid a high cost to roster the rookie out of Ohio State, who fell to the Patriots at pick 38. Henderson is an explosive, home-run-hitting running back, averaging 7.1 yards per carry in his senior year at Ohio State, capping off his college career with an average of 6.4 yards per carry.
With the limited playing time Henderson saw in the pre-season, he was impressive, carrying the ball 5 times for 38 yards and a touchdown. Most notably, we saw the home-run potential in Henderson when he returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown. New England lines up against the Raiders for their season debut, the Raiders overall were a middle of the pack team against the rush last season, allowing 116.9 rushing yards per game. I expect new head coach Mike Vrabel to try and take some of the pressure off Drake Maye, leading to a favorable game script for Henderson. If you drafted Henderson, start him.
Start: RJ Harvey vs. Tennessee Titans (Sunday, 9/7 @ 4:05 PM EST)
I’m feeling good about the RB rookie class. Harvey will be making his NFL debut against the Tennessee Titans, who were less than great against the run last year, surrendering 133.9 rushing yards per game and 21 total rushing touchdowns, both in the bottom third of the league.
RJ Harvey was drafted 60th overall by the Broncos out of UCF. Harvey lit up the Big 12 scoreboard in 2024, finding the endzone 25 times and getting involved in the passing game. Last season Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin saw a total of 97 targets in the passing game, a sign that Harvey should see consistent work in the Broncos passing game. With Harvey consistently getting off the board in the 6th or 7th round, it’s worth giving him a start, especially in a favorable matchup against the Titans.
Sit: Breece Hall vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
After an extremely disappointing 2024 season for both Breece Hall and the New York Jets, many questions remain surrounding expectations for the 2025 season. The Jets O-line is beat up with Alijah Vera-Tucker out to start the season. Trade rumors are flying around and Breece Hall did not get a contract extension, leading to questions surrounding how unhappy Hall is with the Jets. There is a potential for Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis to steal some reps from Hall in Week 1 while the Jets figure out their RB situation.
The Jets also matchup against the Steelers who I expect to focus heavily on the Jets running game, putting the pressure on Justin Fields to win the game as a passer. All of these combined leaves to a messy situation where I would not trust starting Breece Hall.
Sit: Javonte Williams @ Philadelphia Eagles (TNF, 9/4 @ 8:20 PM EST)
Another messy backfield with perhaps the most difficult week one matchup. Javonte Williams will get the start for the Cowboys, but it is likely that the Cowboys will want to see what Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue are capable of. Touches being split amongst three running backs is never a great situation. Couple that with the Cowboys' matchup against the Eagles, who allowed the second fewest rushing TDs and 10th least rushing yards per game, and this is an obvious sit for Javonte Williams.
Wide Receivers: @BreTT_Shevlin
Start: Emeka Egbuka @ Atlanta Falcons (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Egbuka is likely to play a pretty significant role in his NFL debut, especially with Chris Godwin still recovering from a dislocated ankle that prematurely ended his 2024 season and Jalen McMillan sidelined with a neck injury. Stepping in as the WR2 on an offense that had high marks from a season ago bodes well for Egbuka’s long term success.
A road matchup vs. the Atlanta Falcons who’s pass defense has always been suspect should present a decent opportunity for Egbuka to prove why he was deserving of a first round selection.
Start: Hollywood Brown vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday 9/5 @ 8:00 PM EST)
A career that has been plagued by injuries Hollywood Brown looks to get off to a good start in 2025 as the Chiefs take on the Chargers in week 1. Shoulder surgery derailed his start in KC last year, but Hollywood is entering this season healthy and ready to contribute. Due to the Rashee Rice suspension for the first six games, Hollywood should be able to capitalize on an increased target share by Patrick Mahomes.
The Chargers defense is about middle of the pack according to most metrics, but I anticipate a shootout of sorts in Sau Paulo, Brazil from Justin Herbert and Patrick Mahomes. Start the Kansas City pass catchers with confidence this week
Sneaky Start: Hunter Renfrow @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
I know what you’re probably thinking “Hunter Renfrow is back in the NFL?” That’s because he had to put his career on pause after battling a severe case of ulcerative colitis. Now that he’s back in the NFL, I love the situation for him in Carolina as he can now operate in the slot as the WR3 for Carolina after trading Adam Thielen and placing Jalen Coker on IR.
The expectations are high for Bryce Young this season after a strong second half to finish last year. I expect him to start right where he left off against a very poor Jaguars defense. The Jaguars gave up the most passing yards in the NFL last season and although it looked like they addressed that in Travis Hunter, the expectation is he’s going to play primarily on offense and less on defense. With that being the case Hunter Renfrow is poised for a big game in his return and I think he could be a sneaky start at flex if you’re feeling daring.
Sit: George Pickens @ Philadelphia Eagles (TNF, 9/4 @ 8:20 PM EST)
Pickens switches teams here in 2025 going from the WR1 in Pittsburgh to the WR2 in Dallas. Although I am high on his season outlook I don’t like the matchup here in week 1 for Pickens. The Eagles have an excellent secondary and I expect big second year jumps from the likes of Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean.
Last season Philadelphia gave up 3,266 yards to opposing wide receivers which ranked 2nd best in the NFL only behind the Tennessee Titans. With this being the kickoff to the 2025 NFL regular season and it being a home game for the defending champs, I expect it to be tough sledding for Dallas in this game. Until we see how this offense shakes out with a lot of personnel changes and a new offensive coordinator, I would urge you to be cautious in starting anyone in Dallas aside from Ceedee Lamb and Brandon Aubrey.
Sit: Khalil Shakir vs. Baltimore Ravens (SNF, 9/7 @ 8:20 PM EST)
In what should be the game of the week, Shakir and the Bills host the Baltimore Ravens on SNF. Last year Josh Allen heavily relied on Shakir as a safety valve in the passing game, but he enters this season having been battling a high ankle sprain since August 1st. Buffalo is hopeful they can get a big second year jump from Keon Coleman who had his struggles in his rookie campaign. The Bills also went out and signed a flurry of veterans in free agency such as Elijah Moore, Joshua Palmer and bringing back Gabe Davis. This group in general is just uninspiring and I would advise for a wait and see approach before
starting any of the Buffalo pass catchers.
In contrast to the Bills offseason the Baltimore Ravens made significant strides to an already deep cornerback group by signing Jaire Alexander from Green Bay. With a tough matchup and much uncertainty fade Khalil Shakir this week.
Tight Ends: @Endydoe
Start: Travis Kelce vs. Los Angeles Chargers (Sao Paulo, Brazil, Friday 9/5 @ 8:00 PM EST)
Calling this my first gut-feeling prediction right off the bat, but I think the newly engaged Kelce is primed for a serviceable first outing of the season despite the tough matchup he and the Chiefs face overseas against the division rival Chargers. With Rashee Rice out for the first third of the season, Kelce will have to pick some additional slack that Xavier Worthy cannot on his own, and Hollywood Brown remains a question mark (though my boy Brett did just reccomend giving him a start this week). The Chargers are a stingy defense, but the Chiefs are going to surely come out strong in their first game since the Super Bowl defeat.
Start: Tyler Warren vs. Miami Dolphins (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Last season's rookie class bred some instant fantasy studs such as Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas Jr and Brock Bowers to name just a few, and because of that it feels like 2025's incoming class has higher-than-normal expectations. For Tyler Warren's part, the 14th overall pick this year comes into a Colts team where their QB situation may be the second worst only to the Browns. In his last season with Penn State, he posted 104/1233/8; the 104 receptions being tied for the second most in NCAAF. With Warren's high draft pedigree and Daniel Jones throwing the ball Week 1, I think Warren will be a fun start with PPR upside.
Start: Brenton Strange vs. Carolina Panthers (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Oh what the heck, give me another start for this position. Tight Ends join maybe just D/ST as the only positions in fantasy football that may necessitate a streaming option in Week 1. Strange is a solid choice if you need someone to throw in. The third-year Strange comes enters 2025 back with the Jaguars with a renewed sense of optimism with Liam Coen entering as HC and of course Travis Hunter. Strange could see some increased usage in this new-look Jacksonville squad, and, owing to the "streaming option" tag, will face the Panthers who allowed the second most fantasy points to Tight Ends, including the most tuddies to the position in 2024 (11).
Sit: Kyle Pitts Sr. vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Sunday, 9/7 @ 1:00 PM EST)
Hey. I know you took the bait. That doesn't mean you need to start him. After his (only) 1,000 yard rookie season in 2021, Kyle Pitts is now entering his fifth season in the league. And with that, it seems as though he just will not live up to being picked fourth overall in his draft class. He has a decent first week matchup in divisional rival Tampa Bay, who allowed the 9th fantasy points to Tight Ends last year. However, he exists within a run-first offense with a truly unknown variable at the Quarterback position in Michael Penix. Perhaps this is the year Pitts will ascend but I'm not willing to start him this week if I have him in fantasy (I don't).
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