The first week of the NFL season is always the most chaotic – both on the field and on the fantasy football waiver wire that follows.
We can’t really be sure if what we just witnessed is a fact or fluke until we have more corroborating evidence. For example, is the Detroit Lions offense a shell of its former self without former offensive coordinator Ben Johnson … or is the Green Bay Packers defense really that good?
Additionally, are the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens in trouble on defense … or did they both look bad because they were facing the NFL’s two best quarterbacks?
The best we can do after one week’s worth of games is make educated guesses with the information we have available.
Fantasy football players to add for Week 2
Due to the wide variance in types of leagues and individual team needs, especially this early in the season, no roster rates are included this week. So be sure to check if the players are available in your league. (Suggested bid values based on $100 free agent acquisition budget for the season.)
WR Marquise ‘Hollywood’ Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
With Xavier Worthy’s shoulder injury likely to sideline him for several weeks (and Rashee Rice suspended), Brown steps up as the top receiving option in Kansas City. He had a league-high 16 targets in Week 1, catching 10 for 99 yards. Travis Kelce’s disappointing showing until a late TD catch only boosts Hollywood’s box office score potential. (Suggested FAAB bid: $15)
RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
The second-round pick avoided being charged in an offseason altercation and just signed a contract before the season started. Still subject to an NFL suspension, he will be available to play as early as this week. Jerome Ford’s lackluster showing as the starter opens the door for Judkins and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson (12-29 rushing, 8-64 receiving) to take a larger share of the touches. Judkins was drafted to be the lead back so the ceiling is high. But so is the risk level. (FAAB bid: $12)
WR Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ Justin Herbert finished as the QB5 in Week 1, showing off a surprising affinity for the air. Johnston was the main beneficiary, catching a pair of touchdown passes among his five receptions for 79 yards. Fellow wideout Keenan Allen also had a good game (7-68, TD) so he could be a fallback option, especially if L.A.’s run game doesn’t improve. (FAAB bid: $9)
WR Kayshon Boutte, New England Patriots
An under-the-radar name here with some decent immediate value. Boutte led all Patriots receivers with eight targets on Sunday, catching six for 103 yards. However, like the Chargers, the Pats weren’t able to run the ball very well. So QB Drake Maye ended up throwing 46 passes. Perhaps the best news is that the Miami Dolphins defense is up next. (FAAB bid: $8)
WR Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns
As long as Joe Flacco is the quarterback, the Browns will be a threat in the passing game. Flacco threw the ball 45 times in a one-point loss to the Bengals, with Tillman targeted on eight of those. He caught five for 52 yards and Flacco’s lone TD. There’s still a lot to sort out in the Browns offense, so don’t go overboard just yet. Heck, rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. had seven catches for 63 yards. (FAAB bid: $8)
TE Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints
What a mess Week 1 was for tight ends – with Brock Bowers, George Kittle and Evan Engram all leaving early with injuries. Johnson, meanwhile, was one tight end who flourished. He led the position with 11 targets, and finished with eight catches for 76 yards. The Saints will likely be playing from behind a lot this season, so Johnson could be one of 2025’s early-season breakouts. (FAAB bid: $7)
QB Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Are you a believer yet? The 41-year-old led all quarterbacks in Week 1 with four touchdown passes in his Steelers debut, looking a lot like the four-time MVP that he is. Having a game-breaking target like DK Metcalf certainly helps, but those TD passes (against what was supposed to be a decent New York Jets defense) went to Calvin Austin, Ben Skowronek, Jaylen Warren and Jonnu Smith. Has A-Rod found the Fountain of Ayahuasca? (FAAB bid: $3)
RB Kenneth Gainwell, Pittsburgh Steelers
Several backup running backs saw their stock rise after Week 1. Gainwell is seemingly ahead of rookie Kaleb Johnson on the depth chart (behind starter Jaylen Warren) after getting seven carries and four targets. He didn’t do much with those opportunities (23 total yards) but could be a useful bench option for the time being. (FAAB bid: $3)
RB Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars backfield just got less competitive for snaps with Tank Bigsby traded to Philadelphia. Travis Etienne (156 total yards) was marvelous in the opener so that may have played a role, but Tuten could emerge as a worthwhile backup, given Etienne’s injury history. (FAAB bid: $3)
TE Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers
For those in realllllly deep leagues, Kittle’s hamstring injury will likely keep him out for at least a month, opening the door for Tonges to take over the role. The Niners receiving corps had already been decimated before Kittle went down, and WR Jauan Jennings also left early Sunday with a shoulder injury. Tonges caught three passes for 15 yards, but one of them was the game-winning touchdown. Look for him to be a larger part of the offense in the interim. (FAAB bid: $1)