Week 1 brings the joy of the NFL season and our fantasy football season. However, a good fantasy manager knows they can constantly tweak their lineups with fantasy streamers even before the season starts to optimize their teams and take an early victory.
These players below are the best options to elevate your lineup at each position. Here are this week’s top options if you are streaming a quarterback, tight end, kicker, or defense. As always, all players are rostered in 50% or fewer Yahoo! leagues.
Bryce Young, QB, Carolina Panthers (at JAX)
26% Rostered
Bryce Young ended last season on a strong note to solidify that he was the future of the Panthers. Carolina repaid him by bringing in WR Tetairoa McMillian through the draft to add another talented weapon for Young in 2025.
We should see more of the high completion rate that Young brought to the last three games last year, when he completed 64.8% of his passes for over 600 yards and a perfect TD/INT of 7/0.
Although the weather could be rainy, Young is battling in a game against another potent offense. Vegas agrees this will be a shootout with the game’s over/under line at 47.5, tied for the second-highest in Week One.
Joe Flacco, QB, Cleveland Browns (vs. CIN)
4% Rostered
Another high-scoring Vegas line (47.5) predicts veteran Joe Flacco can thrive in a matchup against one of the worst defenses in the NFL, the Cincinnati Bengals. Over his last five years in stints with the Jets, Browns, and Colts, Flacco has averaged 260-plus passing yards with 36 touchdowns and 21 interceptions.
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The Bengals’ defense allowed the fourth-most passing touchdowns last season, and despite an NFL draft focused on defense, they are not fully equipped to stop many offenses this season.
Daniel Jones, QB, Indianapolis Colts (vs. MIA)
5% Rostered
If you are desperate, you can find a cheap version of a “Konami Code” quarterback in Daniel Jones. The Dolphins’ defense was strong against quarterbacks across the board, but this is the first time in history that Jones has had this slew of talent around him.
Combine that talent with the opportunity to make rushing plays to add to his total, and Jones could be worth the pickup for Week One.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CAR)
21% Rostered
We mentioned the Panthers-Jaguars game earlier, as it has the potential for a shootout, which brings us to the tight end. Liam Coen, the new coach of Jacksonville, helped raise the stock of Cade Otton in Tampa Bay, and he can do the same here with Brenton Strange.
Trevor Lawrence (2) to Brenton Strange (1)
Jacksonville Jaguars
6 yards
pic.twitter.com/UO9Objn7G0— NFL Touchdown Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) September 24, 2024
In the games TE Evan Engram missed last year, Strange averaged 3.6 receptions and 34 yards. This matchup can become the battle of the offense, and Strange faces the team that allowed the most receiving touchdowns and the second-highest fantasy points per game to the tight end position last season.
Cade Otton, TE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (at ATL)
8% Rostered
Cade Otton is dealing with an injury, so this one could be risky, but with WR Chris Godwin missing the game, QB Baker Mayfield needs someone other than WR Mike Evans to trust. Yes, WR Emeka Egbuka will step up, but he is still a rookie, and they tend to start slow more often than not.
This leaves Otton as a reliable option for Mayfield. When Evans and Godwin suffered injuries, Otton stepped up with 39 targets, 30 receptions, 293 yards, and three touchdowns.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, TE, Carolina Panthers (vs JAX)
2% Rostered
Like Strange, Ja’Tavion Sanders will be involved in this potential shootout. He even has an open lane for more of the target share with popular second-year player Jalen Coker heading to the IR.
Camp news has been positive around this second-year tight end, and when it comes to this position, we are hoping for the player to fall into the end zone, and that’s a higher chance here with the Jaguars allowing the third most touchdowns to the tight end position.
Harold Fannin Jr, TE, Cleveland Browns (vs. CIN)
1% Rostered
We have spoken at length about the Bengals’ weak defense — they struggled immensely against tight ends, and they allow the second-most touchdowns to the position. They also allowed the position with the third-most yards and most receptions.
KEEP READING: 2025 Fantasy Football Tight End Rankings — Where Should You Draft Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, or George Kittle?
Harold Fannin has sat with the starters during preseason games, and we can expect this extremely athletic tight end to have some time to carve up the Bengals’ offense.
He reminds me of Mark Andrews before his breakout, and if you were the lucky ones to see through the woods, then you were rewarded. Don’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers before it’s too late.
Cam Little, K, Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. CAR)
33% Rostered
Cam Little enters the 2025 fantasy football season as one of the most intriguing young kickers in the league. Known for his incredible leg strength, Little quickly made headlines in the offseason by drilling a jaw-dropping 70-yard field goal during the very first preseason game, showcasing just how much range he brings to Jacksonville.
With a fully healthy QB Trevor Lawrence returning to lead the offense and the addition of offensive mastermind Liam Coen as play-caller, the Jaguars are expected to move the ball effectively and create plenty of scoring opportunities. That combination of offensive firepower and Little’s elite accuracy makes him a potential top-tier fantasy kicker right out of the gate.
CAM LITTLE KICKED A 70-YARD FIELD GOAL
It would have broken the NFL record by 4 yards
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/SLreVtB8xl
— ESPN (@espn) August 10, 2025
However, fantasy managers should closely monitor weather conditions, as his Week One matchup could be impacted by wind, which may limit long-range attempts. Even so, Little’s upside makes him a high-upside addition for anyone looking for a reliable kicker with game-changing potential.
Daniel Carlson, K, Las Vegas Raiders (vs. NE)
11% Rostered
When it comes to kickers, I only look for a few things. Have they been consistently good? Daniel Carlson fits that mold. Is his offense strong enough to get down the field, but could sputter in the red zone? The Raiders have a new quarterback, offensive coordinator, coach, and even a rookie quarterback, who may need some time to gel. Is the weather good? It seems fine, so sign me for Daniel Carlson in Week One.
Carlson has been a rock for the kicker position in his career, ranking fourth all-time with an 87.5 field-goal percentage. Last year, he was led by a weak offensive squad. This year, with new coach Pete Carroll, new quarterback Geno Smith, and rookie sensation Asthon Jeanty, we should see Carlson hop right back into the top five of fantasy football kickers.
Will Reichard, K, Minnesota Vikings (at CHI)
6% Rostered
Will Reichard averaged 9.7 fantasy points per game, ranking fifth last year for kickers with over 10 starts. They face a strong defense in the Chicago Bears that could halt the young J.J. McCarthy on multiple drives. Reichard dealt with a quadriceps injury last year, and upon his return, he struggled.
However, with a whole offseason to heal and recover, Reichard has a fantastic opportunity ahead with a revamped Vikings offense to put more points on the board in 2025.
Green Bay Packers DEF (vs. DET)
46% Rostered
We all know the big trade that happened in Green Bay, where the Packers traded for Micah Parsons. Although the Lions’ offense is a juggernaut in 2024, they enter the season with issues at the interior of their offensive line due to retirements and free agency.
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The Packers’ new piece can wreak havoc from Week 1 and turn the Packers’ defense into one of the best in the NFL.
Last year, under Jeff Hafley, they ranked in the top 10 in most categories, including points allowed, yards surrendered, and takeaways. We should expect more of the same, plus some with the booster pack that is Parsons.
Arizona Cardinals DEF (at NO)
36% Rostered
My favorite selection for all my fantasy teams this year — if you are in a league with me, they won’t be available, but for the majority of the league, you can jump on this train early and not have to leave the station again for defense.
The Cardinals’ defense starts Week One against the Spencer Rattler-led New Orleans Saints, who are expected to be one of the weakest offenses in the league this year. With their line issues, we can utilize my favorite rule of fantasy for defense: pressures + sacks = turnovers.
San Francisco 49ers DEF (at SEA)
32% Rostered
We can copy and paste the above rule into this matchup against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks’ offensive line is a weak point, and if you pressure Sam Darnold, that’s when he starts to see ghosts and struggle.
This defense is a dominant unit ready to shine once again. They have made some significant additions this offseason, including former coveted defensive end Bryce Huff, Jordan Elliot, and C.J. West.
One of the most important additions to this team is Robert Saleh as the defensive coordinator. When he was formerly with the 49ers, his defense was highly touted and a formidable opponent to face on a weekly basis. We should expect pressure consistently against Sam Darnold to throw him off his rhythm with WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
