Denver Broncos wide receiver Troy Franklin enters his second NFL season with a chance to carve out a bigger role against the Tennessee Titans. The 2024 fourth-round pick struggled in his rookie year, finishing with 28 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns, ranking WR97 in half-PPR formats. Much of that underperformance came with former college teammate Bo Nix under center. This offseason, the Broncos cleared the path for Franklin to earn meaningful snaps by trading De'Vaughn Vele and letting Lil'Jordan Humphrey walk in free agency. The second-year receiver enters Week 1 as the WR3 on Denver's depth chart and should see more opportunities in the passing game. Still, Franklin faces a tough matchup. The Titans allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, limiting upside for any emerging Broncos pass-catcher besides Courtland Sutton. For now, Franklin remains a waiver-wire stash until he proves he can produce consistently at the next level.

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Denver Broncos rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant enters Week 1 against the Tennessee Titans as a deep sleeper to monitor. The third-round pick brings size and physicality to the Broncos' offense and profiles as a future red-zone threat alongside Courtland Sutton. Long term, his role should grow, but in the short term, his path to playing time is blocked by Sutton, Marvin Mims Jr., and fellow rookie Troy Franklin. Even if Bryant sees the field, this isn't the week to roll the dice. The Titans' defense allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, making Denver's passing attack a tough bet. For now, Bryant belongs on the waiver wire watchlist rather than in fantasy lineups.

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Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson listed linebacker T.J. Edwards (hamstring) as doubtful for Week 1 against the Minnesota Vikings. Edwards popped up on the injury report Thursday and missed the entire week of practice, putting him on track to miss his first game since 2020. The veteran linebacker has been a stabilizing force in the middle of Chicago's defense and finished 2024 as PFF's fifth-best linebacker in run defense. With Edwards listed as doubtful, fourth-round rookie Ruben Hyppolite is expected to step into the rotation. His inexperience could open the door for the Vikings' backfield. Both Aaron Jones and Jordan Mason get a subtle boost in fantasy value, particularly in the run game, against a Bears defense missing its top run-stopping linebacker. - Nathan Harvey

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Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. enters his third season when the Broncos host the Tennessee Titans. Mims showed real growth in 2024, posting 545 yards and six touchdowns, both were sizable jumps from his rookie campaign. Part of the reason why Mims' numbers were too low for fantasy was due to his low snap count, playing just 27% of the offensive snaps in 2024. However, the Broncos gave him a full run with the first-team offense in their preseason finale against the Saints and then traded away last year's WR2, De'Vaughn Vele. The role is there for Mims, but fantasy managers shouldn't rush him into Week 1 lineups. Tennessee allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to wide receivers last year, making this a brutal opening matchup. For now, Mims belongs on the bench, but his snap share and usage this week will be critical indicators of whether he can become a breakout flex option moving forward.

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The Cleveland Browns have been granted a two-game roster exemption for rookie running back Quinshon Judkins, who officially signed his rookie deal on Saturday after a lengthy contractual process. Judkins remains under NFL investigation for domestic violence and battery allegations stemming from the summer, and a suspension is still possible. The exemption allows the Browns to keep him on the roster without cutting another player, though he is ineligible to play in games until the team ends the exemption. He can practice with the team during this period. Judkins is not expected to suit up in Week 1, but finally having him under contract and back with the organization provides a boost to his long-term fantasy outlook. Once active, Judkins could carve out a meaningful role in Cleveland's backfield, with Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson returning to their reserve roles.

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Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy is undergoing an MRI on Saturday to determine the severity of his shoulder injury. Head coach Andy Reid offered no update following the Chiefs' 27-21 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The injury occurred on the first drive, when Worthy collided with Travis Kelce on a crossing route and left the field in visible pain. A trainer appeared to pop his shoulder back into place on the sideline, but Worthy still went to the locker room and did not return. The timing is tough for Kansas City, who are already without Rashee Rice. If Worthy misses time, Marquise Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster would see expanded opportunities, while Patrick Mahomes could face a slight dip in fantasy upside without his explosive rookie playmaker stretching the field.

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The New York Giants are showing strong confidence in rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, naming him the primary backup behind Russell Wilson. According to Albert Breer, the team feels comfortable putting Dart into live game action already, an impressive endorsement for the rookie. Dianna Russini of The Athletic added that head coach Brian Daboll even threw Dart into practice reps this week specifically to test how he'd handle pressure situations. Dart rewarded that trust with an excellent preseason, posting 424 passing yards, four touchdowns, and no turnovers. His rise to QB2 is notable, especially with former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston still on the roster. While Dart isn't on the fantasy radar for Week 1, his talent and quick ascension make him a potential waiver-wire sleeper if Wilson were to struggle or miss time.

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Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier remains one of the top running back handcuffs in the league, but doesn't garner enough touches to make him startable in season-long fantasy most weeks. The BYU product was awarded double-digit carries just five times last season, and is a relative non-factor in the passing game, with Bijan Robinson handling the bulk of both the running and receiving touches for the Falcons. Sunday's matchup with Tampa Bay pits Atlanta against a defense that is much more stout against the run than the pass, further dampening the 25-year-old's prospects for fantasy. Allgeier should be considered a low-end Flex play as an RB5.

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving heads into 2025 with a chip on his shoulder and breakout potential. The former fourth-round pick says he still draws motivation from his draft-day slide: "I kept that anger and used it as motivation. I was pissed. I was waiting for three days, so just being there and seeing everybody get drafted, it lit a fire in me." That fire fueled an electric finish to his rookie year. From Week 13 on (excluding the Raiders game he exited early), Irving averaged 20 attempts for 123.3 scrimmage yards and scored five touchdowns in eight games, scoring 17.6 half-PPR fantasy points during that span. Now entering his second season, Irving is being hyped as a prime breakout candidate in 2025. With clear RB1 usage and the Buccaneers' offense leaning on his explosiveness, he'll look to pick up right where he left off when Tampa Bay opens against the Atlanta Falcons.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor is expected to settle back into his WR3 role in 2025. Nailor flashed last year with career-best numbers, 28 receptions, 414 yards, and six touchdowns. With Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games, there was speculation that Nailor might see an expanded role. Instead, Minnesota traded for veteran Adam Thielen, who remains a trusted target and is expected to step in as the WR2 behind Justin Jefferson in Addison's absence. That leaves Nailor as a complementary piece rather than a fantasy-relevant option in Week 1. Facing a Chicago Bears defense that allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, Nailor should be left on the waiver wire this week.

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New York Jets placekicker Nick Folk is set for an unfavorable matchup this Sunday when his team squares off against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. Folk appeared in 14 games for the Titans last season, boasting an excellent 95.5% (21-of-22) rate on field goal tries and knocking through all 25 of his extra-point attempts. The 40-year-old was a perfect 6-for-6 on tries of 50+ yards in 2024 and should be a reliable asset for the Jets this year. However, New York could have a difficult time moving the ball against the Steelers in Week 1. Furthermore, Pittsburgh allowed the second-fewest fantasy points per game to kickers last season, and their matchup features the lowest opening-week combined point total in five years (38.5). Folk clocks in as RotoBaller's K31 to kick off 2025.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Tahj Brooks was selected in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft after a lengthy collegiate career at Texas Tech. While he didn't do much in his two preseason contests, he reportedly looked good throughout training camp. With that in mind, Chase Brown is the undisputed No. 1 option out of the backfield. Samaje Perine is back in the mix after signing a two-year deal in the offseason. That leaves little room for Brooks, who will likely get the residual scraps left over by Brown and Perine in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns. That arrangement will likely extend moving forward. Unfortunately, that won't him a viable option in any format on Sunday and beyond, so he shouldn't be starting in any fantasy lineup.

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New York Jets running back Isaiah Davis will operate as the team's third option this Sunday when his team lines up against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers. The South Dakota State product recently dealt with an ankle injury, but avoided the Jets' injury report this week as the organization gears up for their home opener. Before injuring his ankle, Davis briefly appeared with the starting offense during New York's first preseason contest with the Packers before finishing out the game. Head coach Aaron Glenn has noted on numerous occasions that Davis, along with backfield mates Braelon Allen and Breece Hall, will all be used in some fashion of a committee. How that shakes out remains to be seen, but Hall and Allen figure to handle most of the work while Davis spells them both. The 21-year-old doesn't forecast to have standalone value, but this backfield is worth monitoring - at least in the early going - until the roles are more defined. He's RotoBaller's RB79 in PPR formats ahead of Week 1.

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The Houston Texans' backfield is in flux, with Nick Chubb and Dameon Pierce taking "all the reps" with the first-team offense in practice. They're filling in for starter Joe Mixon, who remains on the NFI list without a clear timetable for return. Chubb looks like the early favorite for lead-back duties, as he handled every touch alongside C.J. Stroud and the starters in Houston's second preseason game against Carolina. Still, Pierce is expected to carve out a meaningful role as he enters the final year of his rookie contract. The situation is a setback for rookie Woody Marks, currently buried as the RB4 on the depth chart. Until Mixon's status clears up, it's tough to trust any Texans running back in fantasy lineups. However, the Week 1 matchup against the Rams will give managers the first real look at how Houston intends to split carries and could quickly shift fantasy value in this backfield.

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase is coming off a dominant year. Without question, the 25-year-old was a problem for opposing defenses throughout the entire 2024 campaign. In 17 regular-season contests, he amassed 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns off 127 catches, all the most in the National Football League. Chase's 295 yards after contact and 787 yards after catch were also appreciated by fantasy managers. Unfortunately, the Bengals weren't able to sneak into the playoffs, although Chase, Joe Burrow, and the rest of the offense weren't to blame. Instead, the Bengals defense had trouble keeping teams off the scoreboard. With a new season on the horizon, the 25-year-old will look for a strong start to the season in the Week 1 AFC North showdown with the Browns. He combined for only 11 catches in two meetings with Cleveland in 2024. However, Chase at least made up for it somewhat by scoring a touchdown in each of those contests. With that in mind, his ceiling is higher than anyone else's at the position, so he should be included in every fantasy lineup. Of course, that's a no-brainer.

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New Orleans Saints rookie quarterback Tyler Shough missed out on the starting job to second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler. Shough saw plenty of preseason action, going 36-for-54 for 333 yards with one touchdown and one interception over three games, while adding three carries for 23 yards, one touchdown, and one fumble. The 26-year-old will need to wait for his opportunity, which could come sooner rather than later given Rattler's likely short leash. He isn't worth rostering now but is worth monitoring for future fantasy relevance.

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New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard can't be trusted in fantasy for this week's home tilt with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Lazard enters his third season with the Jets, a member of the team by way of longtime ex-teammate Aaron Rodgers. He was productive early in 2024, but fell victim to a chest injury and struggled to produce after the team acquired star wide receiver Davante Adams at the halfway point. Adams is gone, but Lazard still occupies the WR3 role on the team behind Garrett Wilson and first-year Jet Josh Reynolds. Furthermore, New York's projected propensity to run the ball could leave targets outside of Wilson sparse, and running back Breece Hall is a threat through the air, too. The former Green Bay Packer's standing in the pecking order - and an overall smaller passing pie - leave him on the outside looking in regarding the Jets' passing attack for now. He's RotoBaller's PPR WR114 for his outing with the Steelers.

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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Adam Thielen spent part of the offseason training with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, logging 6-8 throwing sessions together before his late-August trade back to Minnesota for a fifth-round pick. The 35-year-old veteran is eager to contribute, saying he's "excited to be a part of (McCarthy's) journey." With Jordan Addison suspended to start the season, Thielen is projected to open as the WR2 in Week 1 against the division-rival Chicago Bears on Monday Night Football. It's not the friendliest matchup, as Chicago allowed the fewest fantasy points to wide receivers in 2024, but Thielen's expanded role and early chemistry with McCarthy give him a path to targets.

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Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown had a slow start to the 2024 campaign, at least in the first three games. However, after establishing himself as the clear No. 1 option on the depth chart, there was no looking back. He would go on to finish the year by finding the end zone 11 times while barely missing the 1,000-yard rushing mark. The Bengals will begin the year with a Week 1 matchup versus the Cleveland Browns. Brown didn't play his best in two meetings with the Browns in 2024, combining for 33 carries for 135 yards and only 27 yards off five grabs. To be fair, he had trouble from a consistency standpoint against all of the teams in the AFC North. Although that makes him a risker DFS option, he's still a must-start in season-long fantasy setups.

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New York Jets wide receiver Josh Reynolds is slated to make his Jets debut this Sunday when they take on the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium. Reynolds will play for his third team in three seasons after a brief stint with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024, operating as the Jets' de facto WR2 behind incumbent starter Garrett Wilson. The 30-year-old doesn't offer much in terms of YAC and isn't a burner, but he's likely due for a solid share of targets. However, New York figures to establish the run and play sound defense under head coach Aaron Glenn, leaving Reynolds' prospective figure of looks uncertain. He's a reliable wide receiver, though, and his only real threat to targets outside of Wilson are running back Breece Hall and rookie tight end Mason Taylor. The veteran is nothing more than a DFS dart-throw for now, landing as RotoBaller's PPR WR80 ahead of Week 1.

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