Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings, Matchups, Box Score Projections for Stars We Love

The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys kicked off the 2025 NFL season on Thursday night, and some fantasy managers may already find themselves in a hole.

Fortunately, 15 games remain in Week 1, so there's time to bounce back. For those playing from behind, though, every lineup decision will be critical.

Here, you'll find updated point-per-reception (PPR) rankings for the top remaining plays of Week 1. You'll also find an expanded look at the individual matchups that we love the most.

As a reminder, the Kansas City Chiefs and Los Angeles Chargers will pick up the action on Friday evening. Don't forget to adjust those lineups!

Quarterback

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Panthers QB Bryce Young

1. Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
2. Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
3. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
4. Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
7. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
8. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
9. Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers
10. Drake Maye, New England Patriots

Matchup to Love: Bryce Young at Jacksonville Jaguars

Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young probably isn't QB1 for a large percentage of fantasy squads. However, the third-year signal-caller is a strong streaming option and has a fantastic matchup in Week 1.

Young shined following last year's benching and really took off under Dave Canalas over the final month and a half. Over his last three games, he logged nine combined passing and rushing touchdowns and no turnovers.

This offseason, Carolina added rookie first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan to Young's supporting cast. This week, the Panthers will battle a Jacksonville Jaguars team that surrendered the second-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks in 2024.

Stat Projection: 244 passing yards, 2 TDs, 36 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD

Running Back

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus, File

Ravens RB Derrick Henry

1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
2. Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
3. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
4. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
5. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
8. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
9. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
10. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins

Matchup to Love: Derrick Henry at Buffalo Bills

Bijan Robinson and Christian McCaffrey are probably still the top remaining backs in PPR leagues, but Derrick Henry shouldn't be far behind. The Baltimore Ravens star isn't always as involved in the passing game, but he'll have a chance to rack up yards against the Buffalo Bills.

Buffalo allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs last season. While the Bills did add rookies T.J. Sanders, Landon Jackson and Deone Walker to their defensive front, that's not enough to suddenly give them an elite run defense.

Last year against Buffalo, Henry rushed for 199 yards, added three catches for 10 yards and found the end zone twice. He might not replicate that success this week, but he's still one of the top starts of the opening slate.

Stat Projection: 148 rushing yards, 1 TD, 3 receptions, 20 receiving yards

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.

Bengals WR Ja'Marr Chase

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
4. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
5. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
6. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
7. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
8. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
9. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
10. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks

Matchup to Love: Ja'Marr Chase at Cleveland Browns

Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase and the Cincinnati Bengals don't always fare well against the rival Cleveland Browns on the road. However, Cincinnati should be much more prepared for the season opener after playing its starters in the preseason.

The Browns, meanwhile, have had issues in coverage dating back to last season—a campaign in which they allowed the third-most fantasy points (tied) to opposing receivers. They've also lost starting cornerback Martin Emerson Jr. (Achilles) for the season.

Chase had a modest five receptions for 55 yards the last time he played in Cleveland, but he did find the end zone. Expect better numbers this time around.

Stat Projection: 6 receptions, 89 yards, 2 TDs

Tight End

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki

Browns TE David Njoku

1. Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
2. Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
3. Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
4. David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
5. George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
6. T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
7. Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
8. Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
9. Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Pacers
10. Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Matchup to Love: David Njoku vs. Cincinnati Bengals

We may see a fair bit of back-and-forth in the Bengals-Browns matchup, and that would benefit David Njoku managers. With Joe Flacco back behind center, the Browns are likely to use a pass-first approach anyway, and Njoku is one of Cleveland's few reliable targets.

Two years ago, when Flacco started at the back end of the season, Njoku racked up 81 catches for 882 yards and six touchdowns.

This is also a terrific matchup for Njoku and the Browns. Cincinnati's defense remains suspect and was particularly bad against opposing tight ends in 2024. The Bengals and Panthers tied for the most fantasy points allowed to the position last season.

Stat Projection: 6 receptions, 78 yards

*Fantasy scoring information from Fantasypros.