Fantasy Football Start/Sit: Christian McCaffrey, Tucker Kraft, Ollie Gordon

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?

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-five 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 TE1. As the Packers sort out their wide receiver room, give me the rising star tight end.”
– Chew Russell (Going For 2)

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 zero yards or he 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. De’Von 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)

Week 1 Fantasy Football Duds

Which player inside the top 40 in the FantasyPros Flex rankings is likely to disappoint fantasy managers this week?

Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)

“Christian McCaffrey is a player that is in the top 40, and actually the top 10, but will likely disappoint fantasy managers this week, with what should be an “ease back in” game on an offense that has lost a lot of its explosiveness over the last 150 days with injuries and departures. It will be interesting to see how many people buy into, without question, McCaffrey becoming a 75% snap share workhorse in his first game back in a long while, paired with his past reinjury history.”
– Community Consensus (r/fantasyfootball)