Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Lineup Advice: Week 1 (2025)

The start of the NFL season was an exciting one. Philadelphia and Dallas both kept their foot on the pedal in a first half filled with offense, with the Eagles ultimately winning, as expected. Both defenses stepped up after the rain delay, with the Eagles picking off Dak Prescott to seal the victory. The game was not without some excitement and storylines, mainly Jalen Carter being ejected before the first snap and the Cowboys being exposed on the edge without Micah Parsons. We also saw Jalen Hurts and Javonte Williams score two rushing touchdowns apiece. A.J. Brown was an afterthought on offense while CeeDee Lamb got the love a number one deserves. On the IDP side of things, Jihaad Campbell salvaged a disappointing debut with a forced fumble, Jack Sanborn and Damone Clark both outproduced starter Marist Liufau, and Zack Baun reminded the IDP world that he will be one of the more consistent options this season. Looking ahead to this weekend (and tonight), we will take a look at five players fantasy managers should do their best to plug into their lineups and five others who are better left on benches despite promising upside. Let’s dig in.

Fantasy Football IDP Start/Sit Week 1

Start em

Carson Schwesinger (LB – CLE)
Carson has been thrust into a near everydown role for the Cleveland Browns, both due to talent and unfortunate injury luck in the Browns’ linebacker room. Cleveland has obvious confidence in the rookie as they named him their starting MIKE over Devin Bush, Jerome Baker, and Mohamoud Diabate. Schwesinger projects as an LB2 for Week 1 against the Cincinnati Bengals and should get enough work to push for top-15 numbers. Start Carson wherever possible.

Willie Gay Jr. (LB – MIA)
Willie Gay Jr. impressed enough this offseason to be listed ahead of Tyrel Dodson and K.J. Britt, and likely has a role that will keep him fantasy relevant even outside of the bye weeks. He has disappointed IDP managers before, so expectations should be tempered, but a Week 1 date against Jonathan Taylor and the Indianapolis Colts should help him get off to a strong start for Miami. Tap Gay as an LB4/flex option with LB3 upside.

Jeremy Chinn (S – LV)
Chinn was set to appear in the sit portion of this column, but the most recent Las Vegas Raiders Week 1 depth chart has Chinn listed as a safety again instead of the starting nickel back. Don’t get it wrong, players like Quentin Lake have proved that it is more than possible to achieve DB1 status in the slot, but Chinn’s deployment and alignment on the field with the Raiders will need to be evaluated before being able to trust him as anything more than a DB2. Now back at his traditional safety slot, Chinn should eat in Week 1 against the New England Patriots. The Raiders needed a playmaker at safety, so this is a shrewd move by the coaching staff. Start Chinn with confidence as a top-15 option for Week 1.

Kamren Kinchens (S – LAR)
Kinchens is flying a bit under the radar despite a strong second half to his rookie season. The DB11 from Week 9 to Week 17, Kinchens is an easy DB2 but is available in 99 percent of Yahoo leagues. Kamren should see plenty of work against the Texans’ high-powered offense and should get stops against both the pass and the run. Kinchens has already proven he has DB1 upside. Tap him as a top-25 option for Week 1.

K’Lavon Chaisson (DE/LB – NE)
Granted, this is more of a deep league special, but Chaisson is currently listed as a starting edge alongside Harold Landry. He is listed ahead of Keion White and Afrenee Jennings and should see enough snaps to make an IDP impact. Viewed as a bust before a career revival in Las Vegas, Chaisson could see the highest snap share of his career and will look to build on his semi-impressive five sack season in 2024. New England is a new scheme, but Chaisson has always been more suited for an outside linebacker role as opposed to a traditional defensive end role in a 4-3 defense. Chaisson will be extra motivated this week against Las Vegas, so fire him up where needed as a DL3 option, especially if you are dealing with injuries elsewhere.

Sit em

E.J. Speed (LB – HOU)
Speed was expected to come to Houston to start alongside Azeez Al-Shaair; instead, he is listed as a backup on the team’s Week 1 depth chart behind Azeez and Henry To’oTo’o. To make matters worse, he is listed as Azeez’s backup, not To’oTo’o’s, which makes his path to the starting lineup an even more arduous one. There could be a cannibalizing rotation at one of the linebacker spots, but for now, the 2024 LB7 in fppg has to be relegated to the bench for fantasy purposes. Speed should emerge eventually (we hope), so he is worth a continued stash, but managers will have to find a new LB1 for Week 1 of the 2025 fantasy football season.

Dorian Williams (LB – BUF)
As expected, Dorian Williams failed to beat out Bills staple in the middle, Matt Milano. Williams saw extended run in 2024 due to injuries at the position, but with a healthy Milano and Terell Bernard, Williams is back to a lightly used rotational role. He will not see enough snaps to provide fantasy relevant production and should be on waiver wires in redraft leagues. Look elsewhere for your Week 1 LB3/4.

Ji’Ayir Brown (S – SF)
Brown is listed behind rookie Marcus Sigle on the 49ers depth chart. Brown was a bit of a disappointment in 2024, at least as far as fantasy is concerned, but most had him penned in as a starter. Instead, it appears to be Sigle and free agent addition Jason Pinnock who will get the start at safety against the Seattle Seahawks. Keep Brown rostered for now, where possible, but keep him glued to benches for Week 1.

Chamarri Conner (S/CB – KC)
Conner emerged as an IDP asset last season but appears to have slipped on the depth chart to enter the 2025 season. Conner provided value as a high tackle volume slot for the Chiefs, but with Trent McDuffie moving inside with Kristian Fulton manning the right, Conner is now penciled in as the backup to Jaden Hicks at strong safety. Conner has value as a swing type who can play anywhere in the defensive backfield, but is likely not going to see enough snaps to provide any sort of meaningful fantasy production. Leave him on benches in deeper leagues, while those in shallower formats are advised to move on altogether.

Kyle Dugger (S – NE)
Depth chart shenanigans or not, Kyle Dugger is currently listed as a backup safety for Mike Vrabel’s New England Patriots. Rookie Craig Woodson is listed ahead of him, and IDP managers should be concerned. Dugger has flashed DB1 wares in previous seasons, but with a new regime in town, Dugger could be left wanting for snaps. He is worth a hold where at all possible due to his immense talent and proven IDP track record, but those in a roster crunch should cut ties, possibly for someone like Kamren Kinchens, whom we discussed above.

Raju Byfield is a featured writer for FantasyPros. For more from Raju, check out his profile and follow him @FantasyContext.