15 Fantasy Football Sleepers to Consider Week 1 (2025)

Week 1 is here, and that means it’s time for the annual tradition of second-guessing your lineup decisions before kickoff. Should you trust that shiny sleeper you drafted in the 12th round, or stick with the “safe” option who could quietly torpedo your week? To help separate sneaky starts from sneaky duds, our Featured Pros have weighed in with their picks. Think of it as your fantasy football GPS: They’ll point out the shortcuts, warn you about the potholes and maybe even save you from driving your roster straight off a cliff.

Fantasy Football Week 1 Start/Sit Advice

Week 1 Fantasy Football Sleepers

Which player outside of the top 100 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is a good sleeper start and why do you think he has upside this week?

Xavier Legette (WR – CAR)

“It is Week 1 of the fantasy football season, so don’t try to be cute, or you will start the year on a sour note. That being said, if you are looking for a sleeper to win your week 1 matchup, look no further than Xavier Legette. He is being extremely overlooked due to the drafting of Tetairoa McMillan, but with a matchup against a porous Jacksonville Jaguars defense, he could lead teams to victory. Many owners miss that he had 84 targets last year, which is a telling stat for wide receivers. He is starting the season without his biggest competition, Jalen Coker, and the confidence of Bryce Young. All those factors point to a great start for Xavier Legette and fantasy owners.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)

“Xavier Legette (Flex Rank 117) is a sneaky Week 1 sleeper with a 4-star matchup against Jacksonville’s porous secondary. With Adam Thielen traded back to Minnesota and Jalen Coker on IR, Legette steps into a prime opportunity to command targets in a thin Carolina receiving corps. Bryce Young has shown chemistry with Legette throughout camp, and Jacksonville allowed the most passing yards per game in 2024, making this a soft-landing spot for a breakout. Legette’s blend of size and after-catch ability gives him real upside as a flex play in deeper formats. If you’re looking for a Week 1 dart throw, Legette has a clear path to volume in a favorable matchup and could pop as a great flex play right out of the gate.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)

Adam Thielen (WR – MIN)

“Adam Thielen could have a top-24 finish in Week 1 against the Chicago Bears with Jordan Addison missing the game because of a suspension. Last year, Justin Jefferson struggled in the two matchups against the NFC North rivals, totaling nine receptions on 19 targets for 100 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 25 PPR fantasy points. However, Addison was outstanding, totaling 15 receptions on 18 targets for 225 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 43.5 fantasy points in the two matchups against the Bears, scoring 13.3 or more in both outings. Thielen isn’t a star anymore, but still has plenty of gas left in the tank. Don’t be surprised if J.J. McCarthy leans on the veteran wide receiver with Jefferson shadowed by Jaylon Johnson, resulting in eight or more targets for Thielen.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

Tyler Warren (WR – IND)

“My favorite Week 1 sleeper target is Colt’s rookie tight end, Tyler Warren. The first-round pick was a dominant force at Penn State and faces no significant competition for targets in his rookie season. My theory for a sleeper tight end is to target tight ends who could be second or better on their team in targets. Well, heading into week 1, it’s conceivable that Warren is not only second, but first in targets from Daniel Jones. Warren will see ample volume in Week 1 in a matchup against the Miami Dolphins. Miami isn’t the easiest matchup for a tight end, but this game should be a high-scoring affair that leaves plenty of room for Warren to produce.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

“Tyler Warren. Fantasy manager should stick him in their starting lineups and never look back. The Colts’ first-round draft pick had an incredible final college season at Penn State, catching 104 passes for 1,233 yards and producing 13 touchdowns (eight receiving, three rushing, one throwing). Warren reportedly had a great training camp, and in preseason games, he played almost every snap with the starters. People who didn’t follow Warren’s college career are about to find out what an absolute demon he is after the catch.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL)

“I’m looking at Darnell Mooney as a good sleeper start every week this year, most likely. He finished with just under 1,000 yards last season, and for some reason, no one is talking about him. Mooney combined for 13 catches on 22 targets for 191 yards and three touchdowns against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last year, and I expect him to go off against them this year as well.”
– Trevor Land (FlurrySports)

“This might be a cop out, but if Darnell Mooney is playing Week 1, he needs to be in your lineup. Through 12 weeks last year, Mooney was the WR13 and only 0.7 fantasy points behind Brian Thomas Jr. Now that Michael Penix Jr. is under center, the entire offense gets an upgrade. We know that Penix isn’t afraid to unleash the ball downfield, and Mooney should be the primary beneficiary opposite of London. The Falcons open their season at home against their division rival, the Buccaneers, in what could easily turn into a shootout. This is a matchup you want every piece of, and I’d take advantage of Mooney flying under the radar due to his shoulder injury.”
– Ellis Johnson (FantasyPros)

Tucker Kraft (TE – GB)

“I am all aboard the Tucker Kraft hype train in 2025. The Packers-Lions NFC North faceoff should be one of the most fun tilts of the week. With Jayden Reed hampered, look for Kraft to be targeted early and often as Jordan Love‘s safety blanket. A Top 5 positional finish is well within reach for the third-year tight end.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)

“Tucker Kraft is a good sleeper for Week 1. If you missed out on the big three tight ends, then you are best served to wait for the next tier. Amongst that tier is Kraft, who has tremendous weekly upside after five top-12 finishes in 2024, including consecutive weeks as the TE-1. As the Packers sort out their wide receiver room, give me the rising star tight end.”
– Chew Russell (Going For 2)

Romeo Doubs (WR – GB)

“Romeo Doubs is my favorite sleeper start this week. Last season, he was on pace to lead the team in targets, receptions, and touchdowns. While Matthew Golden is in line to be the WR1, I believe Jordan Love‘s connection with Doubs will remain strong to start the season. Doubs saw 15 targets of 20+ yards but caught only 5 of them. I think we’ll see him haul in a long touchdown in the opener against the Lions.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)

Trey Benson (RB – ARI)

“I am not afraid to fire up Arizona’s “backup” RB, Trey Benson, against the Saints this week. The Cards’ D continues to improve, while the limitations of Kyler Murray have been well documented. In a game Arizona should win comfortably, and also a game that has the 3rd lowest over/under on the week, I like the Cardinals to be up and control the clock throughout the second half. Nothing flashy on offense means plenty of James Conner. But Benson, whom the staff and Conner himself have talked up all offseason, should still get plenty of chances in a script that heavily favors the running game. Benson is a nice flex this week, and I’m betting he’s a priority waiver add in shallower leagues ahead of Week 2.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)

Ollie Gordon (RB – MIA)

“All aboard the Ollie Gordon train headed into 2025. The Dolphins’ backfield has already been hammered with injuries, losing Alexander Mattison for the year in the preseason, Jaylen Wright being week-to-week, and De’Von Achane dealing with a calf problem. This clears the way for the rookie to get potentially double-digit touches in his first NFL game against a Colts team that was dreadful against the run last season. Don’t be shocked if Gordon becomes the biggest waiver wire add of the week headed into Week 2.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“Ollie Gordon could get 0 yards or could get all of the yards, per Mike McDaniel. We have seen Miami run a two-headed backfield before and seen both players do well. Achane is coming off a calf injury, and Gordon could work early and get the goal-line work. Right now, he is 127 in the ECR Flex rankings. Deep play, but could be a home run.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)

DeMario Douglas (WR – NE)

“DeMario Douglas is going to lead the Patriots in receptions this season, and the PPR fun begins against the Raiders on Sunday.”
– Scott Engel (RotoBaller)

“DeMario “Pop” Douglas is a solid sleeper start this week. He draws a favorable matchup against Las Vegas, where he should thrive in the slot with McDaniels running the offense. With Stefon Diggs likely commanding most of the defensive attention, Douglas should see plenty of short-area opportunities. In PPR leagues, I like him as a WR3/Flex play this week in deeper leagues.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)

Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)

“Going back to the, not so much a well, but more of the dripping faucet that is Kyle Pitts. The training camp news has been positive about Pitts’s involvement and connection with Penix. While the last couple of seasons have been disappointing, Tampa Bay is awful against the TE. So bad that both of Pitts’s highest yardage games last year came against the Bucs. If you drafted Pitts, you’re not done yet, and week 1 should be a step in the right direction (even if you want to trade him right after).”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)

“2025 is Kyle Pitts’s year. Beginning the year against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is the perfect way to start his breakout campaign. His second game against the Buccaneers last year saw him catch five passes for 96 yards and two touchdowns. I am buying into the offseason talk from Michael Penix Jr. that Pitts will be heavily involved in the offense, especially with Darnell Mooney injured to start the year. Start Kyle Pitts with confidence this week in a matchup that will once again likely be high scoring.”
– Ryan Prosick (Fantrax)

Cedric Tillman (WR – CLE)

“Just in case you’d forgotten, the Cedric Tillman experience was pretty awesome for a full month in 2024 before a concussion ended his season. Tillman was obviously a beneficiary of Jameis Winston‘s YOLO style last year, but Joe Flacco has been known to have a few Jameisian tendencies, too. It’s not a given that Jerry Jeudy will function as Cleveland’s unrivaled WR1. Tillman’s opening week matchup with Cincinnati is a gift. His name deserves to be in the WR3/flex discussion.”
– Andy Behrens (The Deep Shot)

“Cedric Tillman – Over the past 17 games that Joe Flacco has started, he has accumulated 4735 yards and 31 touchdowns. In Week 1, Flacco and the Browns take on the Bengals, who gave up the 10th most passing yards and 7th most points per game in 2024. Tillman had a three-game stretch last year when he averaged 10.67 targets, seven receptions, 85 yards, and a touchdown. Tillman outperformed Jeudy in each of those contests, but is largely forgotten after missing the final third of the season due to a concussion. He enters Week 1 with an opportunity to remind us of what he’s capable of, and is a great option should you need a deep start.”
– Charlie Sisian (The Fantasy DC)

Keenan Allen (WR – LAC)

“Keenan Allen. The dude just showed up a month ago to the Chargers after being unsigned throughout most of free agency, and was already named as a team captain alternate as he seamlessly picked up the offense. Last season, he averaged 4.7 catches in a broken Bears offense. Averaged over eight catches per game with Justin Herbert in 2023. Only once in 2023 was he held under 3.5 catches (12/13 games played). I expected him to be heavily involved in Week 1 as one of Herbert’s go-to receivers.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Jakobi Meyers (WR – NE)

“Jakobi Meyers is a good sleeper start outside the top 100, because he requested a trade, but at this time it doesn’t seem to be happening, and by admission, he is preparing to play for the Raiders week 1 and on. He also has fallen down draft boards recently and out of most people’s minds as they move on to vague Amari Cooper pick-ups, when Jakobi has been the guy at the WR position for this team for a couple of years now, and he should still be in what should be a very much improved offense.”
– Community Consensus (r/fantasyfootball)

Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI)

“I feel like everyone is sleeping on Dallas Goedert this year. He missed time last year, but he still averaged 10.4 PPR points per game in the 10 games that he played. He was TE10 in that regard. He scored over 9.6 PPG every year of his career except his rookie year, when he scored 5.6 points per game. If I can get 10 PPR points out of my TE, I’m happy. If I can do it with someone ranked way down at 111 overall and TE12 on the week, I’m even happier.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)

Brenton Strange (TE – JAC)

“Brenton Strange sitting at 127 overall just hurts my soul. Here’s a guy who I think is the 2nd target in this offense behind Brian Thomas Jr. and playing in a scheme where the head coach wants to throw it all over the yard. In addition to this, he gets a matchup against the Carolina “defense,” which, while improved, still barely qualifies as an NFL-level defense. Don’t forget – Strange is a guy who played over everyone’s rookie TE darling, Tyler Warren. He’s got the goods.”
– Lou Brunson (Optimus Fantasy Football)