Vikings fans might remember Daniel Jones. He spent the tail end of last season holding a clipboard on the Minnesota sideline. And he helped the New York Giants knock the Vikings out of the 2022 playoffs.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) scores a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
The modestly talented quarterback burst onto the scene in Week 1 in Indianapolis’ blowout win over Miami. Led the Colts to a score on EVERY drive of the game. And now he’s among the leaders of fantasy free-agent prospects.
He’s not the only fast-rising QB. Atlanta’s Michael Penix Jr. and the Jets’ Justin Fields each ran for two touchdowns in Week 1, and they lead offenses that look to be better than expected.
Here are other interesting players available to pick up in most leagues.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (Commanders RB): Our Deepest Sleeper of last week had 83 yards on only 10 carries with one TD against the Giants. Didn’t take him long to claim the No. 1 job in Washington.
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during an NFL football game against the New York Giants, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Landover. (AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
Travis Etienne (Jaguars RB): Turns out the Jacksonville running back shuffle also settled quickly as the former Clemson standout had 16 carries for 143 yards and one TD.
Travis Etienne Jr. #1 of the Jacksonville Jaguars carries the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the game at EverBank Stadium on Sept. 07, 2025 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)
Javonte Williams (Cowboys RB): Got off to a great start with two early TD runs in the opener in Philly. And the Dallas offense looked pretty good against the defending Super Bowl champs.
Dallas Cowboys running back Javonte Williams (33) is upended by Philadelphia Eagles cornerback Cooper DeJean (33) as Williams runs the ball in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Marquise Brown (Chiefs WR): Suddenly, it appears Hollywood will be Patrick Mahomes’ top target for at least the next month. He led the shorthanded Chiefs receivers with 10 catches and 99 yards against the Chargers.
Los Angeles Chargers defensive back Elijah Molden (2) tackles Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Marquise Hollywood Brown (5) in an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Quentin Johnston and Keenan Allen (Chargers WR): You be happy to grab either of these fellows who had Week 1 TDs. Johnston had five catches for 79 yards, Allen seven for 68.
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnston (1) catches a touchdown pass against the Kansas City Chiefs in an NFL football game, Friday, Sept. 5, 2025, in São Paulo, Brazil. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Sitting stars
Don’t trust Seattle RB Kenneth Walker against Pittsburgh, mostly because he’s losing ground in the backfield to teammate Zach Charbonnet. … Same deal in Cleveland, as Jerome Ford has already been eclipsed by Dylan Sampson. … Tennessee RB Tony Pollard is hindered by a weak offensive line and won’t do much against the Rams. … Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will have as little success against Philly as he did in Super Bowl LIX. … And until Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa shows any signs of competence, leave WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle on your bench.
San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dee Winters (53) tackles Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Matchup game
Green Bay’s Josh Jacobs will extend his touchdown streak to 10 games on Thursday night against the Commanders. … Denver rookie RB R.J. Harvey had one nice long run in the opener and will gain more ground against the Colts. … Cincinnati’s weak pass defense will spark the official coming out party for Jacksonville WR Travis Hunter. … Rams receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams can have big games against Tennessee. … And two other wideouts we like this week are Tampa Bay rookie Emeka Egbuka and the Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr.
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs (8) during an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025, in Green Bay, Wis. (AP Photo/Mike Roemer)
Injury watch
The big Week 1 loss was 49ers tight end George Kittle, who it is said will miss “a few weeks” because of a bad hamstring. … The Chiefs will likely be without WR Xavier Worthy after he dislocated his shoulder in a collision with teammate Travis Kelce. … Las Vegas tight end Brock Bowers insists he’s going to play this week despite leaving the opener with a knee injury. … Others listed as questionable include ‘Niners WR Jauan Jennings and Falcons wideout Drake London.
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs down the field during an NFL football game against the Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2025 in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ben VanHouten)
Deepest sleeper
One of the few bright spots for Cleveland last week was Harold Fannin Jr. He tied the NFL record for rookie tight ends by making seven catches in his debut. He led the Browns with nine targets and tallied 63 yards against Cincinnati. Maybe it’s not that surprising considering he had 117 receptions in his senior season at Bowling Green.
Harold Fannin Jr. #44 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball against Jordan Battle #27 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the first quarter during the game at Huntington Bank Field on Sept. 07, 2025 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
The Thursday pick
Commanders at Packers (-3½)
Pick: Packers by 7
Micah Parsons #1 of the Green Bay Packers sacks Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions at Lambeau Field on Sept. 07, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
You can hear Kevin Cusick on Thursdays 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 Fantasy Football Report Week 1: Last-minute moves
The Loop NFL Picks: Week 1
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
Leave a Reply