Top Week 1 Start 'Em, Sit 'Em Matchup Plays and Sleepers for Opening Games

The start of the 2025 NFL season is finally upon us. The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday to kick off the campaign, and 15 other games will soon follow.

For fantasy managers, the arrival of Week 1 signals a focus switch from draft strategy to in-season roster management and matchups. Early season matchups can be difficult to predict, though, since rosters aren't exactly the same as they were a year ago—and some are dramatically different.

You'll find a little help here, with some early start and sit picks based on past performances, projected roles and roster makeup. We'll also dive into a couple of sleeper options for those in larger leagues.

Start: Aaron Jones, RB, Minnesota Vikings

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri, File

Aaron Jones managers may be concerned with the presence of trade acquisition Jordan Mason in the Minnesota Vikings backfield. The former San Francisco 49ers standout is likely to steal a few carries each game away from the 30-year-old Jones.

However, Jones is a strong play in Week 1 for a couple of reasons. For one, the Chicago Bears allowed the seventh-most fantasy points to opposing running backs last season. Their defense may be improved, but they still need to show that on the field.

Secondly, the Vikings are likely to lean fairly heavily on their backfield in the first start of quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Expect Kevin O'Connell to call several screens and easy swing passes to help McCarthy find a rhythm and some confidence.

Lastly, Jones is likely to see far more work in the passing game than Mason, who caught just 11 passes in 12 games last season.

Sit: Javonte Williams

AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill

Starting running backs—even those in unfavorable situations—are worth having on a roster. However, projected Cowboys starter Javonte Williams should be avoided in Week 1.

Dallas is opening on the road against an Eagles team kick-starting its title defense. The Cowboys also have a shaky offensive line, along with backs in Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue who could poach valuable touches from Williams.

Those are significant issues against a Philly defense that allowed the second-fewest fantasy points to opposing RBs last season.

The other potential problem is that Dallas could struggle to keep this one close with Micah Parsons no longer leading the defense. If the Cowboys are forced to abandon the run early, Williams' opportunities will be severely limited.

Start: Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Mike Evans remains a productive receiver for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at age 32, and he's likely to be Baker Mayfield's top target again, at least early in the season. Rookie first-round pick Emeka Egbuka will likely see a growing role, while Chris Godwin (ankle) is expected to return in the coming weeks.

For now, though, Evans is a must-start in favorable matchups, which he should see in Week 1. The absence of Tristan Wirfs (knee) is concerning, and the Atlanta Falcons do have an improved pass rush. However, the Falcons also allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing receivers last season.

In his one game against Atlanta last season, Evan caught five of seven targets for 62 yards and two touchdowns. With Godwin out, he could see an even bigger target share in Week 1.

Godwin saw an average of just under nine targets per game in 2024 before his season-ending ankle injury.

Sit: Keon Coleman, WR, Buffalo Bills

AP Photo/Greg M. Cooper

Buffalo Bills receiver Keon Coleman could see a significant jump in his second pro season. However, he's impossible to trust in a difficult Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens.

Baltimore allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing wide receivers last season. However, it improved late in the year under rookie coordinator Zach Orr, and it added Jaire Alexander, Chidobe Awuzie and Malaki Starks to its secondary this offseason.

The other factor to consider is the presence of offseason addition Joshua Palmer in Buffalo's lineup. He has just as much of a chance to become Josh Allen's go-to perimeter target as Coleman does.

Coleman may reward those who drafted him at some point this season. However, managers should look for a more reliable option in Week 1 than a player who averaged just 2.2 catches, 42.8 yards and 0.3 touchdowns per game last season.

Week 1 Sleepers

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Panthers QB Bryce Young

Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers

Managers usually stick with their biggest stars in Week 1, but some may find themselves streaming lower-tier QBs in 2025. Those managers should consider Bryce Young a strong streaming option for Week 1.

The Carolina Panthers signal-caller took off at the end of last season and has an improved supporting cast. He'll also be up against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2024.

Jerome Ford, RB, Cleveland Browns

The Cleveland Browns may eventually see rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins in the lineup. They may also carve out roles for rookies Dylan Sampson and Raheim Sanders.

For now, though, Jerome Ford remains Cleveland's RB1, and he opens with a matchup against the rival Cincinnati Bengals. While preseason performances must be taken with a grain of salt, Cincy's defense looked no better in August than it did while allowing the 15th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs last season.

Christian Kirk, WR, Houston Texans

Houston Texans rookie receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel have generated plenty of buzz this offseason. However, managers shouldn't sleep on trade acquisition Christian Kirk, who made the roster and appears primed to open the season as the primary slot receiver.

Noel is probably the biggest threat to supplant Kirk in the slot this season, but that shouldn't be a Week 1 concern. Kirk will instead have a chance to shine against a Los Angeles Rams defense that allowed the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing WRs last season.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.