Weekend Wonderings: Week 01 (2025)

1. I wonder if it would be wise to avoid all Jets fantasy players if possible this week.  Going into the season, I already had reservations regarding the passing game—Justin Fields (QB) has a career average of 155.6 passing yards per game. This week, he is also facing the very team he played for last season.  I would think that Pittsburgh’s coaching staff would be able to exploit Fields’s shortcomings.  This also means that I have concerns regarding Garrett Wilson (WR) and his ceiling here, not to mention Mason Taylor’s (TE) upside as well.  As for the backfield, it sure does seem like coaching staffs (plural) see Breece Hall (RB) as less of a 3-down back and more of a lead back.  As much as I am a fan of Hall’s, the actions and comments of coaching staffs (again, multiple) as well as the concerns regarding the passing attack make me want to look elsewhere, if possible, for fantasy points. As for Braelon Allen (RB), it looks like he will be involved, and you may have drafted him this season.  I am just not sure how much upside there is here in this backfield.  I can think of other back-up/platoon backs I would roster over him.  And these thoughts were present even before the Jets lost starting OG Alijah Vera-Tucker for the season.

 

2. I am curious to see if Chicago’s offense can actually step forward. I think that is one of the storylines for Week 1.  Does the addition of former Detroit OC Ben Johnson as the new HC as well as the improvement on the offensive line spark this offense and Caleb Williams (QB)? I think there is a sense in the fantasy community that it will, but I need to see it first.  Yes, there are potential fantasy points to be had in this offense, but how much really will depend on the play of Williams. 

 

3. Hypothetical Time: What if Cam Ward (QB-Ten) is actually good?  If he just holds his own against an elite Denver defense this week, I would be looking to buy this offense. What if Joe Flacco (QB-Cle) or Dillon Gabriel (QB-Cle) can pan out this season?  That would boost the values of all the fantasy relevant players on this offense. 

 

4.  To recap TNF and FNF, here are a few quick observations

 

A.  Apparently, Coach Harbaugh realized Justin Herbert (QB) is really good and maybe the offense should pass more.  If this continues, Herbert is a top 8 QB.

B. One day, KC’s offense will actually have a healthy Rashee Rice (WR) and a healthy Xavier Worthy (WR) both starting.  One day.  I am worried that Worthy’s injury is going to keep him out several weeks, and hopefully, no more.

C. Quinton Johnston (WR-LAC) will be a hot waiver wire target.  Just keep in mind he finished 3rd in targets on the team.

D.  Hollywood Brown (WR-KC) had 16 targets of Patrick Mahomes’s 39 attempts.  He still did not reach 100 yards  Be careful here, as even if Worthy misses time, Jalen Royals (WR) was inactive due to tendonitis.  They like Royals in KC, from what I hear.

E. For IDP fantasy managers, the Jack Sanborn (LB-Dal) dream looks dead.  There was much evidence to suggest that he would be the every down LB, but Dallas tricked us, including me.  Feel free to look elsewhere.

Every year, there is a mad rush to the Waiver Wire for players who had surprising performances after Week 01.  I am going to mention a few players here that should be monitored, and even rostered, if possible.   

 

5. Cedric Tillman (WR-Cle) is one of those players that could benefit from solid QB play.  He was the leading receiver for Cleveland from Weeks 7-9 (over Jerry Jeudy) before suffering a nagging injury that could have affected his performance afterwards.  He averaged 85 yards receiving and scored 3 TDs during that 3-game

 

6. Chris Rodriguez Jr. (RB-Was) is a name to watch here.  I am still buying Croskey-Merritt, but if Rodriguez Jr. does get the goal line work, he would be worth an add as a flex play at times.?

 

7. Marvin Mims Jr. (WR-Den) has locked the #2 WR position, has speed, and even returns kicks (for those who earn fantasy points for return yards).  If Bo Nix (QB) takes another step, so could Mims Jr.

 

8. Isaac TeSlaa (WR-Det) is going to be WR3 for the team.  There are many mouths to feed in this offense.  The logic suggests he simply is not going to get enough looks to be fantasy relevant.  Still, I think there is something there.  I would keep a close eye here.

 

9. For the TE position, Brenton Strange (TE-Jax), Theo Johnson (TE-NYG), and Harold Fannin Jr. are three players I will be observing, and observing closely.

 

10. And finally…, I wonder if you read a book about anti-gravity, would you be able to put it down?