Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford is listed as the starting running back on the team's depth chart heading into Cleveland's Week 1 matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals. Fourth-round rookie Dylan Sampson is listed as the RB2 and will reportedly work as a change-of-pace back behind Ford early in the season. Second-round rookie Quinshon Judkins should factor into the backfield mix in Cleveland at some point this season, but remains unsigned for the time being after a domestic violence incident in July. Ford has a chance to outperform his draft-day cost until Judkins is signed and fully integrated into the offense. The 25-year-old Ford profiles as an RB3/flex option in Week 1.

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Vic Tafur and Matt Barrows of The Athletic write that "it sure seemed like the hype and jump to No. 1 receiver status was premature" for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. With 49ers wideout Jauan Jennings (calf) returning to practice on Monday, Tafur and Barrows write that "Jennings' return allows the 49ers to not put too much on Pearsall's plate after all." A first-round pick in 2024, Pearsall's rookie season was delayed by a gunshot wound he suffered in the offseason. He returned in Week 7 and recorded 31 receptions for 400 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games. Pearsall has been one of the big risers in fantasy drafts in recent weeks and could be a value as a WR3/flex, but it appears at least two of the team's beat writers feel expectations for the 24-year-old need to be reined in.

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Buffalo Bills wide receiver Khalil Shakir (ankle) missed most of training camp and the preseason after suffering a high ankle sprain on August 1. However, Joe Buscaglia of The Athletic writes that it would "not at all be a surprise if (Shakir) were to step back into his immediate full role of getting 70-plus percent of offensive snaps" in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens. The 25-year-old averaged 6.7 targets per game in 2024 and finished the year with 76 catches for 821 yards and four touchdowns in 15 games. If he is indeed without limitation in Week 1, Shakir and second-year wideout Keon Coleman are likely to be the top targets for Bills quarterback Josh Allen. Shakir profiles as a high-floor WR4 in fantasy who lacks explosive upside but should see steady volume working out of the slot in Buffalo.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens has been "energized" by playing in a different offensive scheme this year, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. Additionally, Machota writes that the 24-year-old is "being showcased in different routes and concepts" than he was with the Pittsburgh Steelers, where Pickens spent the first three seasons of his career. Pickens is known as a ball-winning outside receiver, and he led the NFL in yards per reception (18.1) back in 2023. However, it sounds as though Dallas could be looking to vary Pickens' route tree in 2025, which could help him see more target volume (career 6.1 targets per game). He enters the year as the clear number two option in the Cowboys' passing game behind star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb. Pickens profiles as a low-end WR2/high-end WR3 in fantasy.

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Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Jaydon Blue makes his NFL debut on Thursday Night Football against the Philadelphia Eagles. The 2025 fifth-round pick suffered a low-ankle sprain in the preseason finale against Atlanta, but practiced in full this week and is off the injury report. Blue opens the year as the RB3 in Dallas, sitting behind Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders on the depth chart. That leaves him without a clear fantasy role heading into Week 1. Even if the Cowboys mix him in for a handful of touches, the matchup is as bad as it gets. Philadelphia allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs in 2024. For now, Blue is more of a deep stash in dynasty and very deep leagues, while redraft managers should keep him on their bench until his workload becomes more defined.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams makes his Cowboys debut in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles, but fantasy managers should temper expectations. Williams signed a one-year deal with Dallas and is listed atop the depth chart ahead of Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue. While the role is encouraging, the matchup is not. Philadelphia allowed the fewest fantasy points to running backs last year and projects to force the Cowboys into a pass-heavy game script. Williams profiles as an RB4 this week, better suited for benches than starting lineups outside of deeper leagues.

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Dallas Cowboys running back Miles Sanders is set to make his debut in Week 1 against the Philadelphia Eagles. After a disappointing 2024 campaign in Carolina, where he lost the starting job to Chuba Hubbard, Sanders is looking for a fresh start in Dallas. In Cowboys camp, Sanders has been splitting first-team reps with Javonte Williams, though Williams is expected to open the season as the starter. With Sanders expected to be the team's RB2, it makes it very difficult to trust starting him in fantasy lineups this week. Sanders also faces the league's toughest defense vs running backs in 2024, making his path to fantasy production nearly impossible in Week 1.

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Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut has been listed as the team's RB2 to start the season. With Tyjae Spears opening the year on injured reserve, the fourth-year back holds the backup role ahead of 2025 sixth-round pick Kalel Mullings. Through his first three seasons, Chestnut has appeared in 26 games, recording just 31 carries for 114 yards, but now steps into an expanded opportunity. Chestnut will serve as the primary backup behind veteran Tony Pollard until Spears returns. While he remains a non-factor for fantasy purposes, especially in a tough Week 1 matchup against the Denver Broncos' defense, this promotion reflects Chestnut's growth within the organization and solidifies his place on the Titans' depth chart.

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The Dallas Cowboys and fullback Hunter Luepke have agreed to a two-year contract extension worth up to $7.5 million, per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo. The deal makes Luepke the second-highest paid fullback in the NFL, joining San Francisco's Kyle Juszczyk, behind Miami Dolphins' Alec Ingold. The third-year pro out of North Dakota State is coming off the best season of his career in 2024, when he tallied 149 yards and a touchdown on 24 touches. Beyond his production, Luepke proved his value as a versatile contributor, excelling as a runner, receiver, and blocker in the Cowboys' offense. With the extension secured, Luepke is expected to remain Dallas's starting fullback as the team prepares for a critical Week 1 divisional matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

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Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (knee) is expected to suit up Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles. The two-time Pro Bowler is coming off a season-ending knee injury in 2024 that required a chondral tissue graft procedure. While Diggs and the team expressed uncertainty about his Week 1 availability during training camp, his return for the season opener is a positive sign. Diggs is likely to see plenty of star wide receiver A.J. Brown, who PFF graded as the NFL's top wide receiver against man coverage in 2024. Brown's physicality and route-running will test Diggs immediately, making this one of the marquee matchups of Week 1 as the Cowboys look to slow down the defending champions.

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Kansas City Chiefs rookie wide receiver Jalen Royals (knee) has been ruled out for Friday's season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. The fourth-round pick has been sidelined for multiple weeks with knee tendinitis and did not travel with the team to Brazil on Wednesday. Royals was expected to provide depth behind third-year starter Rashee Rice, who is suspended for the first six games. With both Royals and Rice unavailable, veteran JuJu Smith-Schuster is positioned to take on a larger role. Smith-Schuster, who rejoined the Chiefs in 2024 after Rice suffered a season-ending LCL injury, has an opportunity to stabilize the passing game early in the year. Royals' next opportunity to make his NFL debut is against the Philadelphia Eagles. - Nathan Harvey

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Baltimore Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (foot) is not expected to suit up for Sunday night's matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Likely suffered a broken bone in his foot during a non-contact drill in late July and underwent surgery shortly after. The initial timeline projected a six-week recovery. Baltimore elected not to place Likely on the PUP list or injured reserve, signaling optimism that he will return early in the season. With Likely sidelined, Mark Andrews should see an uptick in opportunities. In the lone game Likely missed last season, Andrews produced six receptions on seven targets for 68 yards and a touchdown. The Ravens will hope to have Likely back as soon as Week 2, when they host the Cleveland Browns.

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San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Russell Gage Jr. was released from the active roster on Tuesday, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. However, the team plans to sign him to their practice squad, and they will elevate him to the active roster if he's still available on gameday. The 29-year-old is best known for the first few years of his career with the Falcons, but he also scored five touchdowns in 2022 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Gage actually hasn't been targeted since the 2022 season, but San Francisco clearly likes what it sees from the former sixth-round pick. If he does suit up for Sunday's game, he'd be off the fantasy radar.

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Jacksonville Jaguars rookie two-way star Travis Hunter is listed as a starting wide receiver and backup cornerback on the team's initial depth chart. Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. are listed in the first-team offense, along with Dyami Brown. The Colorado product exploded for 96 catches, 1,258 receiving yards, and 15 touchdowns last year, cementing his status as a top prospect. He was ultimately drafted second overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars, who traded up to select him. He was just as dominant on the defensive side of the ball at school, totaling 36 tackles, four interceptions, and 11 passes defended during his final collegiate season. He won the Heisman Trophy and was also named Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. There is still some uncertainty about whether Hunter can stay healthy for a full season while playing on both sides of the ball, but if he can, the sky is the limit. He's a solid low-end WR3 option heading into the 2025 fantasy season.

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The New Orleans Saints have re-signed quarterback Jake Haener to their active roster, according to Ross Jackson of Locked On Saints. The 26-year-old is heading into his third pro season, including his third with the Saints. Haener didn't play as a rookie in 2023, but he took on a bigger role last year and even made one start. He finished the season with a 46.2 percent completion rate, 226 passing yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He can be left on fantasy waivers as long as he remains the Saints' third-string quarterback behind Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler. In fact, Haener will likely be inactive as the emergency third quarterback on gamedays.

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The Denver Broncos hosted free agent running back Deuce Vaughn for a workout on Tuesday, according to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report. The 23-year-old spent each of the last two seasons in a depth role with the Dallas Cowboys. Through 14 career games (zero starts), he has 110 rushing yards and 58 receiving yards. However, he's still searching for his first NFL touchdown. If signed, Vaughn would offer additional running back depth behind J.K. Dobbins, R.J. Harvey, Tyler Badie, and Jaleel McLaughlin. He can be avoided in all fantasy leagues.

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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is set to make his first appearance with his new team this Thursday against the Philadelphia Eagles. Pickens arrived in Dallas after an offseason trade, and he's expected to have a sizable role in an offense that should lean heavily on the passing attack this year. The 24-year-old has eclipsed 800 yards in each of his three pro seasons, and he could soar even higher this year if opposing defenses commit most of their attention to covering CeeDee Lamb. Plus, we expect Dallas to be playing from behind in a potential shootout against the Philadelphia Eagles, which means that Lamb, Pickens, and other Cowboys pass catchers could be peppered with targets. All in all, managers should trust Pickens as a low-end WR3/FLEX option in 12-team leagues this week.

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Free-agent RB Boston Scott (Steelers) worked out for the Indianapolis Colts Tuesday, Sept. 2.

From TheHuddle

Dallas Cowboys kicker Brandon Aubrey should be inserted into fantasy managers' starting lineups despite a difficult matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. Kicking on the road isn't easy, especially when the venue doesn't have a roof. However, Aubrey has repeatedly shown that he can nail long kicks in difficult conditions. Although he went 0-for-1 on field goals in Philadelphia last year, that came during a rough period of time when Dak Prescott was sidelined. He looked better when the Cowboys hosted the Eagles, going 2-for-2 on field goals with a successful 46-yarder. The biggest reason why you should start Aubrey, though, is his track record. He has been either K1 or K2 in each of his two NFL seasons, and Aubrey in an unfavorable venue is still better than many kickers in the serenity of a dome. Philadelphia's defense may limit Dallas' red-zone opportunities, but the Cowboys' kicker should still have several opportunities to add points via field goals. Start him with confidence in Week 1.

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Dallas Cowboys tight end Jake Ferguson has the potential to be a big-time contributor in fantasy football this season, but Week 1 might not be the week to start him. On one hand, there's merit behind the idea that Ferguson could benefit from the Cowboys throwing the football a lot, assuming they fall behind early. However, he still faces an uphill battle to produce against an Eagles defense that shut down the tight end position last year. Through 17 games in 2024, Philadelphia's defense allowed the fewest receiving yards, third-fewest catches, and third-fewest fantasy points to tight ends. Ferguson likely doesn't have the top-tier talent that's required to buck that trend. After all, in his two games against the Eagles last year, he totaled seven catches for a measly 42 yards. Additionally, each of his two fumbles last season came against Philadelphia. He ranks outside the top 12 at his position this week.

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