You know, pretty much anybody can start the fantasy football season by starting their highest-ranking players at every position.
But you CAN be somebody who thinks outside the box. Takes a chance. Uses their giant brain to start a D-lister capable of being an A-list star for Week 1.
Someone like Joe Flacco.
Cleveland’s 40-year-old quarterback could really be forty-something on Sunday. He was great leading the Browns to a surprise playoff berth two years ago, and he could look great, at least for one week, against Cincinnati’s notoriously bad defense.
Here are some other unheralded players who could get off to great starts:
Jerome Ford (Browns RB) — Thanks to weak competition and Quinshon Judkins’ legal troubles, Ford is atop the Cleveland depth chart and liable to have a great game against the Bengals. And he’ll be No. 1 at least until Judkins’ lawyers negotiate his availability.
Cleveland Browns running back Jerome Ford (34) runs after a catch during a pre-season NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Javonte Williams (Cowboys RB) — The depth chart leader in Dallas is likely to get their goal-line opportunities Thursday night in Philadelphia, assuming there are some. This former Bronco will get more chances than rookie Jaydon Blue, though the latter is better long term.
Denver Broncos’ Javonte Williams runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Emeka Egbuka (Buccaneers WR) — Chris Godwin’s injury gives this former Buckeye an opportunity to feast when future hall of famer Mike Evans is double-covered. Atlanta’s defense will not be an impediment to Egbuka having a strong debut.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (9) signals during a pre-season NFL football game, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Jerry Jeudy (Browns WR) — Speaking of Flacco, Jeudy is No. 1 among Cleveland receivers who genuflected when the Browns chose their only legitimate QB option to start. Jeudy will post fine numbers until an overmatched rookie takes Old Joe’s place.
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Jerry Jeudy (3) carries in the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins in Cleveland, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)
Matthew Golden (Packers WR) — Someone is going to be No. 1 option for Green Bay in their NFC North shootout against the Lions at Lambeau. We think this former Texas standout will quickly become a favorite of QB Jordan Love.
Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden (22) catches the ball in front of Seattle Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28) during a preseason NFL football game Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps
Sitting stars
New Orleans will struggle all season. So will RB Alvin Kamara, starting Week 1 against Arizona. … Chargers RB Omarion Hampton will have a strong rookie campaign, but he won’t do much against the Chiefs in Brazil on Friday night. … Another rookie to forget for this week: Jacksonville WR Travis Hunter. … Washington QB Jayden Daniels will have difficulty against the Giants’ strong defensive front. … And speaking of quarterbacks: Don’t make yours Aaron Rodgers, trying to impress his old team in the Steelers-Jets yawner.
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs with the ball during an NFL football game against the New York Giants Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)
Matchup game
The Vikings’ Jordan Mason, our pick to be their No.1 RB by season’s end, will get off to a strong start in Chicago. … Same goes for New England rookie RB TreVeyon Henderson. … Receivers we expect to shine in Week 1 include Arizona’s Marvin Harrison Jr. against New Orleans, the ‘Niners’ Ricky Pearsall against Seattle and the Colts’ Michael Pittman and Josh Downs vs. the weak Miami secondary.
Minnesota Vikings running back Jordan Mason (27) runs the ball while being tackled by Houston Texans cornerback Jaylin Smith during the first half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn)
Injury watch
Justin Jefferson’s hammy will make its 2025 debut Monday night, and Vikings fans should not be expecting an all-world opener. … Miami RB De’Von Achane is expected to start, but he could be ceding a lot of playing time to rookie Ollie Gordon. … Notables ruled out include Houston RB Joe Mixon, Tampa WR Chris Godwin and San Fran wideout Brandon Aiyuk. … Those of questionable status include Chargers RB Najee Harris, Seattle RB Kenneth Walker III, Baltimore tight end Isaiah Likely and a slew of receivers: the Giants’ Malik Nabers, the Dolphins’ Tyreek Hill, the Niners’ Jauan Jennings, Buffalo’s Khalil Shakir and Carolina rookie Tetairoa McMillan.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson (18) before a preseason NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Aug. 22, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Stew Milne)
Deepest sleeper
His friends call him Bill, but Washington rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt is set to take the field for his first NFL team after playing for three teams in college (Alabama State, New Mexico, Arizona). Because of the late-August trade of Brian Robinson Jr., there’s a fighting chance JCM (as he may soon be known) will be the goal-line running option for the Commanders.
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (32) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Monday, Aug. 18, 2025, in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.)
The Thursday/Friday picks
Cowboys at Eagles (-6½)
Pick: Eagles by 11
Chiefs at Chargers (+2½)
Pick: Chiefs by 3
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) jumps over the line for a touchdown during an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.
Related Articles
The Loop: Nipsey Russell’s 2025 NFL Preview
The Loop 2025 Fantasy Football Preview: Our Favorites
The Loop 2025 Fantasy Football Preview: Our Non-favorites
The Loop 2025 Fantasy Football Preview: The Rookies
Leave a Reply