Week 1 is here, and fantasy football managers face their first big lineup calls. Start/sit choices can swing matchups before the season really gets rolling.
From breakout rookies to proven veterans in tough spots, every decision matters.
Let’s break down the top Start ’Em and Sit ’Em picks for Week 1.
Start ‘Em Picks for Week 1
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers (at JAX)
Tetairoa McMillan immediately steps in as the Carolina Panthers’ WR1, even as a rookie in his first professional regular-season game. Jacksonville’s secondary was among the worst in football in 2024, allowing explosive plays and ranking in the bottom five in points allowed to wide receivers.
The rookie brings size and contested-catch ability that Jacksonville’s corners can’t match. The Jags struggled specifically with physical outside receivers, making McMillan’s skill set a perfect fit for exploitation. Carolina will need to keep pace with Jacksonville’s offense, leading to pass-heavy scripts and plenty of opportunities.
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QB Bryce Young showed strong chemistry with McMillan during the preseason, particularly in red zone situations where McMillan’s 6’4″ frame becomes a massive advantage. The Panthers lack proven depth at receiver, meaning volume should flow naturally toward their most talented players.
McMillan offers legitimate breakout potential in Week 1. Expect six-to-eight targets, multiple red zone looks, and the kind of ceiling game that makes rookie receivers fantasy legends. He’s a strong WR2 play with WR1 upside.
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers (at SEA)
The San Francisco 49ers’ Week 1 receiving corps looks much different this year. Deebo Samuel Sr. is in Washington, Brandon Aiyuk is on the PUP list, and we have no idea when Jauan Jennings will return to the field.
TE George Kittle is still Brock Purdy’s main guy, but Ricky Pearsall is the current WR1.
Brock Purdy and Ricky Pearsall in an early rhythm
Watch on @NFLNetwork
Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/zHvpDMNbi5— NFL (@NFL) August 16, 2025
Seattle’s secondary was vulnerable to receivers working intermediate routes, allowing over 33 fantasy points per game to the position.
Pearsall’s route-running precision fits perfectly with Purdy’s quick-release style. The Seahawks struggle most with motion and pre-snap movement, exactly what San Francisco does best with their receivers. Expect Pearsall to see designed touches, comeback routes, and opportunities after the catch where his athleticism creates extra yardage.
The 49ers will likely control this game, but Seattle’s offense is competent enough to keep San Francisco throwing throughout. Pearsall’s role has expanded significantly with Aiyuk unavailable, and HC Kyle Shanahan’s system has historically produced breakout performances from players far less talented than Pearsall.
This is a high-ceiling WR3/flex play in a system that maximizes talent. Pearsall should threaten five-to-seven targets with multiple explosive-play opportunities.
Sit ‘Em Picks for Week 1
Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks (vs. SF)
Heading into Week 1, Cooper Kupp still has the potential to surprise people. He might be done — I think he’s done — but we won’t know for sure until we see him play. As the owner of the greatest fantasy receiver season of all time in 2021, Kupp still carries that pedigree with managers hoping he can recapture some past glory.
Kupp returns from injury but faces a brutal matchup against San Francisco’s secondary. The 49ers allowed just 31 fantasy points per game to wide receivers in 2024, the seventh-fewest in the league. They possess the athletic corners and scheme complexity to limit underneath routes where Kupp operates most effectively.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba is the clear WR1 and top target-earner for the Seahawks. Perhaps Kupp will push “JSN” outside, but the third-year man is a far superior slot option at this point in their respective careers.
San Francisco will try to control this game defensively, limiting Seattle’s offensive possessions and forcing the Seahawks into difficult down-and-distance situations. Kupp’s effectiveness depends on volume and rhythm, both of which will be limited by the 49ers’ approach.
This is a matchup-based fade for a player whose ceiling is significantly capped by the opponent. Kupp displayed an incredibly low floor last season and is the type of player who could be on waivers by midseason. Find receiver options facing weaker secondaries.
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts (vs. MIA)
Josh Downs is a talented player, but his offensive environment makes him very susceptible to being impacted by his quarterback and the matchup.
Miami’s secondary was much improved after its midseason turnaround in 2024, particularly in limiting slot receivers and underneath routes. The Dolphins’ defensive scheme focuses on taking away short completions and forcing offenses into longer-developing plays. In 2024, they allowed the fourth-fewest fantasy points per game to wide receivers.
Can someone please save Josh Downs from wasting his career with the Indianapolis Colts
Would be a household name with good QB play pic.twitter.com/K7L1S1GNn3
— Lukas Klotz (@1ukasklotz) August 31, 2025
The Colts’ quarterback situation remains a problem. While Daniel Jones is better for his pass-catchers than Anthony Richardson Sr. would be, he’s not exactly a starting-caliber passer.
This should be a game where the Colts lean on RB Jonathan Taylor, feeding him 20-plus carries in an effort to control the game and limit the potential for an explosive Dolphins offense to force them into a negative game script.
While the Colts ran 11-personnel 70% of the time last season, that still presents 30% of the snaps where Downs won’t be on the field. Plus, it’s not as if the Colts are going to throw the ball out of three receiver sets every time.
This is a clear fade spot for a receiver whose role and matchup both present significant challenges. Downs offers a limited ceiling in a game where the Colts may struggle to sustain drives through the air. Wait for more favorable matchups and clearer usage patterns.
