Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings and Season-Opening Position-by-Position Review

If the first two games of the NFL season are any indication, Week 1 is going to be an unpredictable affair. Of course, that's usually the case in fantasy football, as roles, rosters and game plans are a mystery.

The good news is that managers who have fallen behind early still have 14 games with which to play catch-up.

Here, you'll find a look at the top remaining plays at each key position based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring. You'll also find some sleeper suggestions for players who may still be available on the waiver wire.

The list of injuries this week is on the shorter side, but anyone who forgot to set their lineups for Thursday and Friday may need reinforcements.

Quarterback

AP Photo/Matt Durisko

Joe Flacco

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. Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
7. Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
8. Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars
9. Drake Maye, New England Patriots
10. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Sleeper: Joe Flacco, Cleveland Browns

According to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com, the Browns won't hesitate to turn to rookie Dillon Gabriel of Joe Flacco struggles this season. For at least a week, though, Flacco looms as an enticing sleeper option.

Will the Browns' offense be good in 2025? Probably not, but neither will the Cincinnati Bengals' defense. Cincinnati allowed the fifth-most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks last season, and they did little to improve their defense during the offseason.

Flacco, meanwhile, averaged 323 passing yards and 2.6 touchdowns per game the last time he was Cleveland's starter.

Running Back

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Ollie Gordon II

1. Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
2. Christian Mccaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
3. Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
4. Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
5. Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
6. Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
7. Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
9. Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
10. De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
11. Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
12. James Conner, Arizona Cardinals
13. Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
14. Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks
15. Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers

Sleeper: Ollie Gordon II, Miami Dolphins

Managers may want to lower expectations for Miami Dolphins running back De'Von Achane simply because he's working his way back from a calf injury. Of course, that's the same reason rookie  Ollie Gordon II has legitimate sleeper value.

Gordon performed well in the postseason and appears headed toward a short-yardage role even when Miami's backfield is fully healthy. With Achane ailing and Jaylen Wright sidelined following surgery, it isn't.

This week, Gordon should see multiple opportunities against an Indianapolis Colts defense that surrendered the 12th-most fantasy points to opposing RBs in 2024.

Wide Receiver

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Xavier Legette

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
4. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
5. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
6. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
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
11. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
12. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
13. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
14. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
15. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
16. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
17. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
18. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
19. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
20. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

Sleeper: Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers

Carolina Panthers receiver Xavier Legette underwhelmed as a rookie last season, catching 49 passes for 497 yards and four touchdowns. However, he figures to have a larger role early this season due to Carolina's depth chart.

The Panthers added first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan to their receiving corps this offseason. They also traded away Adam Thielen and placed Jalen Coker on injured reserve.

Legette should be Bryce Young's No. 2 target this week against a Jacksonville Jaguars defense that allowed the ninth-most fantasy points (tied) to opposing receivers last season.

Tight End

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

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

Sleeper: Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

Neither the Jaguars nor the Panthers defense was good in 2024. While both teams made adjustments in the offseason, there's a good chance that Sunday's matchup is a back-and-forth offensive battle.

If so, Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange should be a high-end sleeper play. With Evan Engram now in Denver, Strange is Trevor Lawrence's top target at tight end. The Panthers, meanwhile, struggled mightily against the position a year ago.

Carolina finished the 2024 season tied with Cincinnati for the most fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends.

*Fantasy scoring information from FantasyPros.