Fantasy Football Week 1 Rankings, Grades & Start/Sit Advice (2025)

Welcome to Week 1, and welcome to Quick Grades, your weekly companion for start/sit clarity. We’ve combined consensus rankings and projections with The Primer’s matchup analysis to assign letter grades for every fantasy-relevant player, then added concise notes to illuminate the reasoning. Treat the grade as your default stance and the note as your context check.

Let’s make your weekly lineup calls easy. In general, A means start with confidence, C is matchup-dependent, and F is a bench. Scroll for every position’s call, plus key notes that explain the “why” behind the grade. Prefer a curated view of only your roster? Sync your team for a personalized My Primer experience.

• Fantasy Football Waiver Wire Pickups
• Weekly Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football Start/Sit Advice
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

Week 1 Quarterback Start/Sit Grades

Drake Maye (QB)

Drake Maye did the best he could last year with a pitiful supporting cast. His offensive line was patchwork at best, and arguably, his top two pass catchers were Hunter Henry and DeMario Douglas. Despite all of this, in the nine games Maye played at least 90% of the snaps, he averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game, which would have placed him as the QB11 last year. In those contests, he averaged. 36.8 rushing yards per game, which would have ranked fifth among quarterbacks last season. Overall, among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, Maye ranked 27th in yards per attempt, 17th in CPOE, 11th in highly accurate throw rate, 18th in hero throw rate, and had the 13th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. Maye could surprise in Week 1 with a soft opening matchup against the Raiders. The Raiders have overhauled their secondary, but that doesn’t mean it’ll be good in 2025. Eric Stokes and Kyu Kelly as their perimeter corners are suspect at best. The Raiders also had the 12th-lowest pressure rate last year. While the return of Maxx Crosby will help in that department, the rest of their defensive line is mediocre. Maye should have time in the pocket if his rebuilt offensive line can prove competent. Last year, the Raiders allowed the 14th-most passing yards per game, the fifth-most passing touchdowns, and the eighth-highest CPOE. All of these figures could be even worse in 2025.

Geno Smith (QB)

Geno Smith was the QB15 in fantasy points per game on the strength of operating in an offense that ranked fourth in passing attempts. I don’t know if he’ll be afforded anywhere near that amount of volume with the Raiders, but Smith also checked more than a few boxes for strong quarterback play last season. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 13th in yards per attempt, fourth in CPOE, and tenth in highly accurate throw rate. The wheels came off for Smith when he was pressured, and that happened often in 2024 as he faced the sixth-most pressures in the NFL. Last year, when pressured, Smith ranked 35th in passer rating with the fourth-highest turnover-worthy throw rate while sitting at 17th in adjusted completion rate. When Smith passed from a clean pocket, he ranked 13th in passer rating, had the 23rd-lowest turnover-worthy throw rate, and was second in adjusted completion rate. The move from Seattle to Las Vegas could benefit Smith’s pressure sensitivity greatly, as the Raiders were 14th in pass blocking grade last season (Seattle 19th). The Patriots will have an improved pass rush this season. The question is how much. Last year, New England had the fourth-lowest pressure rate. The additions of Harold Landry, Robert Spillane, and K’Lavon Chaisson will help the team improve upon last year’s mark. Smith should still have time in the pocket to operate this week, though. Last season, New England also ranked 15th in yards per attempt while giving up the third-highest CPOE and seventh-highest passer rating. The addition of Carlton Davis to run opposite Christian Gonzalez will have something to say about that in 2025, but until we see them perform this should be considered only a middle-of-the-road matchup until we have seen the on field product perform.

Joe Flacco (QB)

The last time that we saw Joe Flacco as the starter for the Cleveland Browns (Weeks 13-17 in 2023), he was the QB2 in fantasy points per game. In that season, among 48 qualifying passers, he was seventh in yards per attempt, first in passing yards per game, and third in aDOT and depth throw rate. It wasn’t all glitz and glam for Flacco, though, as his accuracy metrics were absolutely horrendous. Among that same sample of passers, he was 42nd in CPOE, 28th in highly accurate throw rate, and 39th in catchable target rate. He also finished with the 14th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate. I think we’ll see a similar version of Flacco in 2025 from an inaccuracy standpoint. We’ll see if the fantasy production is there, but I have my questions. Flacco has a solid matchup on paper against the Bengals in Week 1, but there are some concerns. With Trey Hendrickson good to go, the pass rush should be decent. Quietly, last year, Cincy ranked 12th in pressure rate and fourth in quarterback knockdown rate. Adding Shemar Stewart to that pass rush equation could yield some nice results. The secondary is a concern, though, as Cincy (Weeks 10-18 last year) did allow the 12th-highest yards per attempt and second-most passing touchdowns. Flacco is a decent QB2 with upside this week.

Bryce Young (QB)

The light finally came on for Bryce Young down the stretch last year. In Weeks 12-18, he was the QB8 in fantasy points per game, averaging 25.4 rushing yards per game, which would have ranked 12th-best overall last year. During that stretch, among 34 qualifying quarterbacks, Young ranked eighth in CPOE, 12th in highly accurate throw rate, and second in hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). He was aggressively pushing the ball downfield with the fifth-highest deep throw rate in the NFL behind only Josh Allen, Anthony Richardson, Lamar Jackson, and Jordan Love. Young should get off to a good start this week. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Jacksonville allowed the fourth-highest yards per attempt and second-most passing yards per game. They added Jourdan Lewis and Eric Murray this offseason, but this is still likely a plus matchup for Young. Last season, Jacksonville also had the third-lowest pressure rate, so Young should have time in the pocket to pick apart this defense.

Trevor Lawrence (QB)

Trevor Lawrence had another disappointing season in 2024 that was ultimately cut short by injury. He was knocked out of Week 9 with a shoulder issue, only to return for Week 13 and leave the game with a concussion. He didn’t play another snap in 2024. In Weeks 1-9, Lawrence was the QB15 in fantasy points per game. Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 17th in yards per attempt, 34th in CPOE, 16th in hero throw rate, and 19th in highly accurate throw rate. The injuries took a toll not only on his passing numbers but also on his rushing production. In the three previous seasons, Lawrence ranked eighth, tenth, and ninth in rushing yards among quarterbacks. Last year, he had only 11.9 rushing yards per game, which was 33rd among quarterbacks. Lawrence might have a stiffer test in Week 1 than many are expecting. Last year, in Weeks 9-16, with Jaycee Horn still active, the Panthers held opposing passers to the fourth-fewest yards per attempt and the 13th-lowest passer rating and CPOE. This defense has only improved this offseason with the additions of Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, Patrick Jones II, Princely Umanmielen, Tre’von Moehrig, and Mike Jackson. They finished last in the NFL in pressure rate last year, despite ranking eighth in blitz rate. I’ll be lower than consensus on Lawrence in Week 1.

Week 1 Wide Receiver Start/Sit Grades

Travis Hunter (WR)

I think we’ll see Travis Hunter in Week 1 play as a full-time or near full-time player on offense at wide receiver, but we have no concrete intel providing us with the insight to exactly how it plays out. Hunter’s snap share will be a mystery until we all see him unveiled in Week 1 and the rest of the season. When he’s on the field with the offense, he should be Brian Thomas Jr.‘s running mate. Hunter ran 63% of his routes in the preseason from the slot, which is what I was expecting before seeing it in his limited preseason action (only seven routes). It was encouraging as he was extremely efficient from the slot in his final collegiate season. Last year, among all FBS wide receivers with at least eight slot targets, Hunter ranked fourth in slot yards per route run. Overall, in his final collegiate season, he ranked 38th in yards per route run and sixth in receiving grade. Hunter will match up with Chau Smith-Wade, who allowed the second-lowest passer rating and the 14th-fewest yards per snap (among 42 qualifying slot corners) last year. In Weeks 7-16, Smith-Wade made six starts. During that stretch, Carolina held slot receivers to the 13th-fewest fantasy points per game. Hunter is a risky start in Week 1.

Tyreek Hill (WR)

Last year, with Tua Tagovailoa under center (Weeks 8-16), Tyreek Hill was the WR24 in fantasy points per game while ranking 36th in yards per route run, 34th in target share, and 33rd in receiving yards per game. Overall, last year, he was 28th in separation and 48th in route win rate. Hill enters Week 1 dealing with an oblique injury, but he’s supposed to be a full go and suit up. With Lou Anarumo taking over the Colts’ defensive playcalling this year, I expect that we’ll still see a ton of single high usage. Last year, Indy was 11th in single high rate (56.2%). In two of Anarumo’s final three seasons with Cincy, he utilized single high between 53.9-59.8% of snaps. Last year, with Tagovailoa under center, Hill remained excellent against single high with a 34% target per route run rate, 2.72 yards per route run, and 0.168 first downs per route run. Hill could turn back the clock to begin the season with a big game, lining up against Charvarius Ward (2024: 60.8% catch rate and 119.1 passer rating) and Xavien Howard (2023: 62% catch rate and 86.7 passer rating) all day.

Jaylen Waddle (WR)

Jaylen Waddle‘s 2024 season was a huge disappointment, but he’s primed for a bounce-back season. The talent is still there. Last year, in the 14 games he played, at least 70% of the snaps, his numbers don’t look amazing, but they were solid as he had a 16.3% target share, 1.79 yards per route run, 53.1 receiving yards per game, and 0.092 first downs per route run. Let’s examine the numbers he accrued with Tua Tagovailoa under center and Waddle as a full-time player. We get a clearer picture of Waddle’s talent through the context-distorting muck. In that sample of games, Waddle had 2.14 yards per route run, 64.6 receiving yards per game, and 0.114 first downs per route run. With Lou Anarumo taking over the Colts’ defensive playcalling this year, I expect that we’ll still see a ton of single high usage. Last year, Indy was 11th in single high rate (56.2%). In two of Anarumo’s final three seasons with Cincy, he utilized single high between 53.9-59.8% of snaps. Last year, with Tagovailoa under center and Waddle as a full-time player, he was solid with 2.02 yards per route run and 0.126 first downs per route run, but he had only a 16% target per route run and 15.3% first-read share. Hopefully, that comes up because Waddle could do damage in Week 1 against the Colts’ secondary if he gets the target volume, lining up against Charvarius Ward (2024: 60.8% catch rate and 119.1 passer rating) and Xavien Howard (2023: 62% catch rate and 86.7 passer rating) all day.

Josh Downs (WR)

Downs displayed real growth in year two, finishing as the WR28 in fantasy points per game, but it still doesn’t tell the entire story of his 2024 season. That end-of-season finish doesn’t fully illustrate Downs’ upside. In the games that Joe Flacco played at least 80% of the snaps last year, we got a glimpse of it. In those games with Flacco, Downs had a 25.7% target share, 2.38 yards per route run, 66.4 receiving yards per game, a 32.4% first-read share, 0.144 first downs per route run, and 15.5 PPR points per game. If he had kept that pace up in those categories, among wide receivers with at least 50 targets last year, he would have ranked ninth, 15th, 20th, ninth, and fourth as the WR21 in fantasy points per game. Downs should get off to a fast start in Week 1. Last year, Miami ranked sixth in two high rate (52.7%). Last year, against two high, Downs had a 32% target per route run rate, 1.98 yards per route run, and 0.097 first downs per route run. He’ll line up against rookie nickel corner (converted safety) Jason Marshall Jr. (in his final collegiate season: 52.6% catch rate and 119.0 passer rating allowed) all day.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR)

Last year, Michael Pittman dealt with back issues and underwhelming quarterback play, which tanked his season as the WR44 in fantasy points per game. Last season, among 85 qualifying receivers, Pittman’s market share metrics were perfectly fine, with a 22.6% target share (27th) and 26.6% first-read share (32nd), but his efficiency tanked with 1.82 yards per route run (48th) and 0.079 first downs per route run (53rd, per Fantasy Points Data). His deeper per-route metrics also told a grim tale that should be expected considering his back ailment. Among 112 qualifying receivers, he was 61st in separation and 74th in route win rate after ranking 30th and 33rd in those categories the year prior. Pittman should be a far more effective player this season. Last year, Miami ranked sixth in two high rate (52.7%). Last year, against two high, Pittman had a 24% target per route run rate and 1.76 yards per route run. He should see a healthy target volume this week behind Josh Downs with easy corner matchups on the perimeter against Rasul Douglas (2024: 72.6% catch rate and 116.9 passer rating allowed) and Storm Duck (2024: 71.9% catch rate and 104.2 passer rating allowed).

D.K. Metcalf (WR)

Last year was the first time D.K. Metcalf didn’t finish as a top 24 wide receiver in fantasy points per game (WR30). Metcalf dealt with shoulder and knee injuries last year, which could also be contributing to his fall off. His per-route metrics don’t paint a rosier picture, as he was 78th in separation, 89th in route win rate, and 64th in first downs per route run. Yes, he did rank 36th in target share, 35th in yards per route run, and 20th in receiving yards per game, so it’s not all doom and gloom surrounding Metcalf. I’m worried about how this will all work with Aaron Rodgers and Arthur Smith this season, as we’ve seen Smith ruin wide receivers not named A.J. Brown for the past few seasons. If Aaron Glenn deploys his defense in a similar fashion as last year, Metcalf should see a ton of man coverage in Week 1. Last year, Detroit led the NFL in man coverage rate (45%). For all of the meh numbers from Metcalf last year, he was still strong against man coverage with a 27% target per route run rate, 2.17 yards per route run, and 0.084 first downs per route run. Metcalf will have his issues with Sauce Gardner (2024: 53.2% catch rate and 79.3 passer rating allowed) this week, but he should be able to pick on Brandon Stephens (2024: 67.9% catch rate and 110.8 passer rating allowed).

Garrett Wilson (WR)

While I know Wilson’s 2024 season didn’t turn out the way many had hoped, it was still quite strong. He finally broke into the WR2 ranks as the WR18 in fantasy points per game while setting career highs in receptions (101), receiving yards (1,104), and receiving touchdowns (seven). He ranked tenth in target share, 22nd in receiving yards per game, and 29th in first downs per route run. Aaron Rodgers‘ rollercoaster quarterback play impacted his efficiency metrics. Wilson was also 29th in separation and 35th in route win rate. This season, he won’t have Davante Adams to deal with as he steps forward as the unquestioned WR1 for the team. Last year, Pittsburgh ranked first in single high rate (66.4%). I don’t see their usage of single high declining this year. Last season, against single high, Wilson had a 28% target per route run rate, 2.03 yards per route run, and 0.115 first downs per route run, which were all solid to fantastic marks. Wilson’s biggest hurdle, outside of Justin Fields‘ quarterback play, in Week 1 will be dealing with Joey Porter Jr., Darius Slay, and Jalen Ramsey. Wilson will need all the volume he can get to outkick the horrible matchup.

Week 1 Running Back Start/Sit Grades

Kaleb Johnson (RB)

Kaleb Johnson will take on the heavy lifting on early downs for Pittsburgh this season. No, I don’t care about where he is on the current unofficial depth chart. He was solid this preseason. Among 60 qualifying backs, he ranked 17th in yards after contact per attempt and tenth in elusive rating. Last year, not only did he rank fifth in breakaway percentage, but he was also eighth in yards after contact per attempt and 14th in elusive rating. We’ll have to see what his workload looks like out of the gate, but I wouldn’t be shocked by 12-15 opportunities this week. The matchup isn’t great, so keep your expectations in check. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, the Jets allowed the lowest explosive run rate, the sixth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the 14th-fewest rushing yards per game. Johnson likely needs to punch in a short touchdown to pay off in Week 1.

Jaylen Warren (RB)

Jaylen Warren will work in tandem this season with Kaleb Johnson. He should take on more of the passing down work while contributing on early downs. Last year, Warren was the RB29 as he dealt with a hamstring and a knee issue. In Weeks 8-18, Warren averaged 9.6 touches and 66.2 total yards while ranking 15th in missed tackles forced per attempt and third in yards after contact per attempt (among 52 qualifying backs). During that stretch, Warren was the RB36 in fantasy points per game. He’s a dicey flex for Week 1. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, the Jets allowed the lowest explosive run rate, the sixth-lowest missed tackle rate, and the 14th-fewest rushing yards per game.

Braelon Allen (RB)

Braelon Allen will likely split the early down work with Breece Hall this season. Last year, Allen averaged 6.5 touches and 28.3 total yards in backup duty. Among 70 qualifying backs, he ranked 51st in missed tackle rate and 35th in yards after contact per attempt. With a rough matchup on the ground in Week 1, Allen is a touchdown-dependent flex that is best left on the bench. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Pittsburgh allowed the 11th-lowest explosive run rate, the tenth-fewest rushing yards per game, and the 13th-lowest yards after contact per attempt.

Jerome Ford (RB)

With Quinshon Judkins still unsigned and not part of the backfield equation, Jerome Ford is penciled in as the leader of the ground game out of the gate. Last year, when he was active with Nick Chubb in the lineup, he averaged 8.2 touches and 47.7 total yards as the RB39 in fantasy points per game. Ford remained explosive last year. Among 46 qualifying backs, he ranked eighth in explosive run rate and yards after contact per attempt while finishing 18th in missed tackles forced per attempt. The Browns have been hesitant to load Ford up with volume in recent seasons, despite his per-touch efficiency screaming that he deserves more volume. We’ll see him work in tandem with Dylan Sampson, but their division of labor is still up for debate. Ford is a decent flex play in deeper leagues with a nice matchup. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Cincy allowed the tenth-highest explosive run rate and the 13th-highest missed tackle rate while also ranking 15th in rushing yards per game allowed.

Dylan Sampson (RB)

Dylan Sampson will pair with Jerome Ford to lead the backfield to open the season. In 2023, Sampson ranked sixth in receiving grade and 14th in yards per route run (per PFF), so there are some reasons to be encouraged with his profile if he does take over the passing down duties for the Browns in a committee backfield approach with Ford. His early down metrics are what give me pause. IN his final two collegiate seasons, Sampson ranked 51st and 77th in yards after contact per attempt and 31st and 50th in elusive rating. With no way to accurately project his workload in Week 1, he’s a deep league dart throw flex only. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Cincy allowed the tenth-highest explosive run rate and the 13th-highest missed tackle rate while also ranking 15th in rushing yards per game allowed. They were stout against receiving backs, allowing the seventh-fewest receiving yards per game and receiving touchdowns per game to the position.

Tank Bigsby (RB)

Bigsby had an awesome sophomore season for Jacksonville, especially considering how his rookie season unfolded. He finished as the RB40 in fantasy points per game, with eight weeks as the RB36 or higher in weekly fantasy scoring. Bigsby wasn’t involved in the passing game, having only 12 targets last year. We’ll see if that changes this season, as Bigsby was catching passes in the preseason in limited action. Among 46 qualifying backs, he ranked 21st in explosive run rate and second-best in yards after contact per attempt. Bigsby will be locked into a committee, and it remains to be seen how work will be divided up this season. He could take on more of the early down lifting with Travis Etienne playing on passing downs, or they could rotate drives while Bhayshul Tuten siphons off some snaps and opportunities. Bigsby has a nice on-paper matchup in Week 1, but appearances could be deceiving. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Carolina fielded a legendarily bad run defense, giving up the most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest explosive run rate, and the eighth-highest missed tackle rate. Carolina invested significant resources into their defensive line with the signings of Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, and Patrick Jones II, which will upgrade this unit along with the return of a healthy Derrick Brown. This is better viewed as an above-average matchup that could easily be a bad matchup for rushers this season.

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB)

Travis Etienne had an incredibly disappointing season last year as the RB37 in fantasy points per game. He dealt with a shoulder issue (Week 4) and hamstring problems (Week 6). In Weeks 1-3, he averaged 15 touches and 67.4 total yards. In Weeks 10-18, after he was over the hamstring woes, he averaged 14 touches and 57.6 total yards. His per-touch efficiency in the 11 games that he was at his healthiest last year was putrid. Etienne had an 8% missed tackle rate and only 2.30 yards after contact per attempt. Those are backup-level worthy tackle-breaking numbers. Etienne will be locked into a committee, and it remains to be seen how work will be divided up this season. He could take on more of the passing downs with Tank Bigsby playing on rushing downs, or they could rotate drives while Bhayshul Tuten siphons off some snaps and opportunities. Etienne has a nice on-paper matchup in Week 1, but appearances could be deceiving. Last year, in Weeks 10-18, Carolina fielded a legendarily bad run defense, giving up the most rushing yards per game, the fourth-highest explosive run rate, and the eighth-highest missed tackle rate. Carolina invested significant resources into their defensive line with the signings of Bobby Brown III, Tershawn Wharton, and Patrick Jones II, which will upgrade this unit along with the return of a healthy Derrick Brown. This is better viewed as an above-average matchup that could easily be a bad matchup for rushers this season.

Week 1 Tight End Start/Sit Grades

Brenton Strange (TE)

Brenton Strange enters the 2025 season as the team’s undisputed starter after Evan Engram‘s departure. Last year, Strange had seven games in which he played at least 60% of the snaps, where he averaged 9.2 fantasy points per game. In those games, he also saw a 14.8% target share with a 17.3% first-read share while producing 1.39 yards per route run, 36.1 receiving yards per game, and 0.071 first downs per route run. Those are pretty much TE2-worthy numbers across the board outside of the first-read share, which will decline some with Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown in town. Strange is a viable tight end option for deeper leagues or if you punted the position in a draft. Last year, Carolina was crushed by the position. They allowed the fifth-highest yards per reception and the most receiving touchdowns per game to tight ends.

David Njoku (TE)

Last year, David Njoku finished as the TE4 in fantasy points per game, easily the best per-game production of his career. Last season, among 47 qualifying tight ends, Njoku commanded a ton of volume, ranking fifth in target share (21%), seventh in receiving yards per game (45.9), and sixth in first-read share (21.7%), but he wasn’t efficient with his volume, ranking 32nd in first downs per route run and yards per route run. Njoku should get off to a nice start this season, though, against the Bengals. Last year, in his two meetings against this defense, he averaged nine grabs and 71 receiving yards as the TE1 and TE5 in weekly scoring. The Bengals were unable to stop tight ends last year, allowing the second-most receiving yards per game and the most fantasy points per game to the position.

Tyler Warren (TE)

Tyler Warren‘s talent is undeniable, but his target volume in this offense weekly behind Josh Downs and Michael Pittman, along with quarterback play concerns, have clouded his outlook for 2025. During his final collegiate season, Warren ranked in the top three among tight ends in yards per route run, receiving grade, missed tackles forced, and yards after the catch. Warren could start the season off right with a TE1 finish out of the gate against a Miami secondary that allowed the 12th-most receiving yards and fantasy points per game to tight ends last year. Daniel Jones should look to feed easy catch and run targets to Warren against a defense that allowed the tenth-most missed tackles last year.

Zach Ertz (TE)

Zach Ertz had a very “Ertzian” season in 2024, where volume and a perfect set of circumstances helped carry him to a TE10 in fantasy points per game finish. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, Ertz ranked 12th in target share (16.8%), 17th in receiving yards per game (38.5), 27th in yards per route run (1.45), 14th in first read share (17.2%), and 20th in first downs per route run. Ertz will have streaming-worthy matchups this season, but don’t look his way this week. Last year, the Giants allowed the fourth-fewest receiving yards to tight ends and the third-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game.

Theo Johnson (TE)

Last year, before Theo Johnson was lost for the remainder of the season with a foot injury, he was the TE33 in fantasy points per game. He drew a 9.9% target share, averaging 27.6 receiving yards per game with 1.0 yards per route run and only 0.048 first downs per route run. Johnson is just a run-of-the-mill TE2 this week. Last year, Washington allowed the 12th-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends while also ranking 15th in yards per reception given up to the position.

Evan Engram (TE)

Last year, Evan Engram ranked 20th in yards per route run, but his target-drawing ability was just fine, ranking fifth in targets per route run and third in target share. He was also dealing with shoulder and hamstring issues. Those were his first injuries to deal with during a season since 2021. In Engram’s two previous seasons, he ranked 13th and 14th in yards per route run and second and 12th in target share. Also, in 2023-2024, Engram excelled in one of the hallmark metrics that I look at when evaluating talent and upside at the tight end position: yards per route run versus man coverage. In those seasons, Engram ranked fourth and eighth in this metric. Engram still has massive upside in this offense, but his preseason usage is concerning. In the third week of preseason action, he had only a 64% route per dropback rate. If that holds all season, it’ll cap his upside in fantasy. I’m unsure that it will. Engram has a tough matchup for Week 1 against a defense that gave up the ninth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Chig Okonkwo (TE)

Last year, in Weeks 15-17, Chig Okonkwo finally started to hit his stride in the Tennessee offense with a 72.8% route per dropback rate, a 24.3% target share, 2.19 yards per route run, and a 33.3% first-read share. He had weekly scoring finishes as the TE6, TE2, and TE17 while drawing only one red zone target. He might have plenty of streamable weeks this season once bye weeks hit, but it won’t be to open the season. Last year, Denver allowed the fifth-fewest schedule-adjusted fantasy points per game to tight ends.

Week 1 Defense / Special Teams Start/Sit Grades

Week 1 Kicker Start/Sit Grades