Fantasy Football Today — Week 1 Rankings & Tiers

Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: Jamie Eisenberg, Dave Richard, Heath Cummings
Guest Analyst: Robert Turbin

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off the 2025 NFL season with an in-depth discussion of Week 1 fantasy football rankings. The crew covers all the key positions — quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, and tight ends — sharing consensus rankings, debating tough calls, and delivering their favorite starts, sits, and sleeper picks. The episode features robust debate, actionable advice for league managers, and some classic rapport between analysts, setting a fun, informative tone for Fantasy Football Today listeners as the season gets underway.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Quarterback Rankings & Debates

(00:43 - 13:44)

Top Consensus QBs

• The crew’s top five QBs (Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Jaden Daniels, Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts) are no surprise, with Patrick Mahomes rounding out the top six.
• Jamie on Mahomes: “You’re starting Mahomes...But I hope to see him come out and have a big game so that we can justify he was a steal potentially in round four.” [05:37]

Key Matchup Disagreements

• Dak Prescott (v. Eagles):
  • Dave is “the high guy” on Dak (QB7), expecting a decent but not spectacular game.
  • Heath is wary due to the tough Eagles D (“I’m terrified.”) [02:00]
• Sleeper QBs:
  • Drake May (Jamie), Trevor Lawrence (Dave), Jordan Love (Heath).
  • Heath on Love: “He’s QB12 for me, someone you can start definitely over Goff and Dak.” [06:45]

Toughest QBs to Rank

• Brock Purdy — Dave & Heath express hesitation, citing concerns about Seattle’s defense and Purdy’s protection.
• Caleb Williams — Heath: “Caleb Williams could be one of the breakout quarterbacks of this year and it could start Week 1, but also there’s plenty of reason to have concern.” [04:50]
• Patrick Mahomes — Jamie: “I hope to see him come out and have a big game.” [05:37]

Quarterbacks to Sit

• Justin Fields (v. Steelers): Dave: “It’s just a brutal matchup...The Steelers have done a great job against rushing quarterbacks over the years and it makes me very nervous.” [09:15]
• Jared Goff: Jamie highlights Goff’s poor track record at Lambeau Field.
• Brock Purdy: If Juwan Jennings gets a full practice, Heath may move him into the Top 15. [09:55]

Sleepers

• Bryce Young, JJ McCarthy, Joe Flacco discussed as deep-league/streaming options.
  • Jamie on Flacco: “The matchup is as good as you could possibly find...he could get you off to a very good start.” [12:17]

2. Running Back Rankings & Rookies

(14:17 - 29:01)

Top Options & Injury Notes

• Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson headline the ranks.
• Devon Achane — Heath: “I’ll be fully confident as long as that limit is removed before Friday...if you have both Saquon and Devon Han, you just start both.” [14:45]

Rookie RBs Spotlight

• Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson, Omarion Hampton, RJ Harvey — focus on immediate roles and long-term upside.
  • Robert Turbin: “Ashton Genty is going to get a lot of action right away...TreVeyon Henderson...his opportunities will continue to grow. Maybe not so much right away, but I think he'll still be impactful in the Patriots offense.” [16:14]
  • On Omarion Hampton: “I like Amari Hampton a lot more than Najee Harris in Week One.” [18:13]
  • On RJ Harvey: “I think this is going to be J.K. Dobbins’ backfield until otherwise.” [19:11]
  • Heath: “I don't think J.K. Dobbins is going to have many 20 touch games. I don't think RJ Harvey is going to have any 20 touch games as long as Dobbins is healthy.” [19:44]

Toughest RBs to Rank

• Ismarion Hampton (Heath), Travis Etienne (Dave), Tony Pollard (Jamie)
  • Robert Turbin: “Super difficult to rank where Travis Etienne kind of fits in...Jaguars are going to ride the hot hand.” [20:36]
  • Dave: “It makes it easy to draft him if you’re doing it in the middle rounds...But we’re past that point now.” [21:08]

Start/Sit Debates

• Tony Pollard (v. Broncos):

  • Heath: “I don't care if you're facing the 85 Bears. If you're going to get 24 touches in an NFL football game, I'm going to start you and hope you fall into some production.” [22:12]
  • Dave: “This narrative screams trouble for the Tennessee Titans in every way, shape and form...I’m nervous.” [25:40]
  • Robert: “Tony Pollard is going to get plenty of opportunity...They're going to find ways to get him the ball in multiple spots.” [22:56]

• Jalen Warren/Aaron Jones:

  • Robert: “Aaron Jones has shown over his entire career he can be a number one...I’m much more comfortable with Aaron Jones as my starter this week as opposed to Jalen Warren.” [23:42]
  • Dave: “Breadcrumbs were out all training camp...Mike Tomlin came out and said he’s our featured guy...I feel pretty good about Jalen Warren getting a lot of work.” [24:21]
  • Jamie: “Aaron Jones in Week 1 must start running back...Love the setup for him taking on this Bears defense.” [24:50]

• Breece Hall:

  • Jamie: “Steelers matchup, not good. Losing Elijah Vera-Tucker, not good. We could see Braylon Allen and Isaiah Davis working in.”
  • Robert: “If I’ve got, you know, Breece Hall on my roster, I’m likely not starting him because I need to see first if I’ve got depth.” [26:40]

RB Sleepers

• Dylan Sampson, Jordan Mason, Ollie Gordon
  • Robert: “I like Sampson. He did some good things in the preseason...The Browns can have a lot of success against the Bengals run defense.” [27:52]

3. Wide Receiver Rankings: Upside, Matchups, and Cautions

(29:35 - 37:14)

Top 12 and Key Names

• Little debate on the top 12.
• Mike Evans jumps into the Top 10 due to a favorable matchup vs. Atlanta and the absence of Chris Godwin/Jalen McMillan.
• Middle-tier tough calls include Ricky Pearsall (Dave), Travis Hunter (Heath), Zay Flowers (Jamie).

Sleepers & Breakouts

• Heath on Travis Hunter: “If he’s a full-time wide receiver this year, he has top 12 upside.” [30:09]

• Tezroa McMillan vs. Travis Hunter — Dave believes McMillan will shine (“he can beat any type of coverage...he can make some big plays”). [31:00]

WRs to Start

• Dave: Tezroa McMillan
• Heath: Deebo Samuel
• Jamie: Jerry Jeudy (“All the confidence in the world because Joe Flacco is the QB...Judy last year was unbelievable when it wasn’t DeShaun Watson.”) [32:06]

WRs to Sit

• Garrett Wilson (Jamie), DK Metcalf (Dave), Calvin Ridley (Heath)
  • Heath on Ridley: “He was WR31 for me when I woke up this morning, and I woke up with a panic that’s too high. Awful matchup.” [32:56]
  • Dave on Metcalf: “This feels like a low scoring game...very tough against a Jets defense that will probably play more man coverage.” [33:27]

Sleeper WRs

• Cooper Kupp (Heath): “People remember he’s had monster Week Ones. He’s healthy, so expect 8–9+ targets.”
• Rashid Shaheed (Dave): “Saints will have to throw a lot; I think Shaheed can beat Arizona’s secondary for a big play.” [35:41]
• Demario Douglas (Jamie): “Slot receiver for Josh McDaniels and Drake May...could be a high volume target-getter in Week 1.” [36:30]

4. Tight End Rankings & Start/Sit Calls

(37:36 - 42:38)

Top Tier

• Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, George Kittle locked in; consensus feel-good picks for Week 1.
• Travis Kelce (consensus #4) — Jamie admits nerves due to matchup with Chargers and Derwin James.
  • Dave: “I still think target and volume numbers are going to be good for him...That’s 12 PPR points, what he averaged last year. Figures what he should do this week.” [38:35]

Toughest TEs to Rank

• Tyler Warren (Rookie, Colts):

  • Heath: “I think he can be great. I have a hard time trusting it Week 1 with Daniel Jones.” [39:12]
  • Dave: “Daniel Jones is going to want to get the ball out fast. I think the Colts want to get Tyler Warren involved.” (Dave is bullish on Warren as a start.)

• Kyle Pitts: Both Jamie & Dave find him difficult to trust, but recognize big upside if Darnell Mooney is inactive or limited.

Sits

• Colston Loveland, Dalton Kincaid, Tucker Kraft — All rookie/second-year tight ends with uncertain snap shares or tough matchups.

TE Sleepers

• Chig Okonkwo (Heath): “Broncos saw the 5th most TE targets last year...Okonkwo looks like he’ll play a higher snap share.” [41:45]
• Hunter Henry (Dave): “May be a best buddy for Drake May over the year, but against the Raiders and those linebackers—I think he’s a focal point.” [41:55]
• Brenton Strange (Jamie): Facing a Carolina D that struggles vs TEs; could benefit from Trevor Lawrence hype and favorable matchup.

5. Lightning Round: Mailbag Q&A

(43:11 - 46:45)

• Sit One (Pollard, Warren, Egbuka):
  • Consensus leans to sitting Pollard due to tough matchup, but Jamie would also consider sitting Egbuka in half-PPR.
• Trade Advice:
  • Would you deal Dak Prescott and Jameson Williams for Joe Burrow?
    • Jamie and Heath: Yes
    • Dave: No; prefers to keep Williams’ upside [44:08]
• Historical Fantasy Memories:
  • Jamie: “My very first pick was Chris Carter in 1997.”
  • Dave: “My first pick was Barry Sanders in 1997.”
  • Heath: “… I was in high school in 1997. I’m not as old as you guys.” [44:28]
• Flex Decisions:
  • General consensus: prioritize WRs (Tedroa McMillan, Xavier Worthy) over risky RBs like James Cook in tough matchups.

Notable Quotes & Moments

Heath Cummings (on Travis Hunter, 30:09):

“If he’s a full-time wide receiver this year, he has top 12 upside.”

Dave Richard (on Jalen Warren, 24:21):

“Mike Tomlin came out and said he’s our featured guy… I feel pretty good about Jalen Warren getting a lot of work, kind of in that same vein that we were talking about with Tony Pollard.”

Robert Turbin (on TreVeyon Henderson, 16:14):

“His opportunities will continue to grow. Maybe not so much right away, but I think he'll still be impactful in the Patriots offense.”

Jamie Eisenberg (on Joe Flacco, 12:17):

“The matchup is as good as you could possibly find...he could get you off to a very good start if you're desperate.”

Dave Richard (on DK Metcalf, 33:27):

“I think the matchup is going to be very tough against a Jets defense that will probably play more man coverage now… Gardner will probably be on DK Metcalf’s hip for the entire game.”

Timestamps for Crucial Segments

• QB Consensus Rankings & Top Debates: 00:43–06:21
• QB Starts, Sits, and Sleepers: 06:21–13:44
• Running Backs Focus (with Robert Turbin): 14:17–29:01
• Wide Receivers Start/Sit & Sleepers: 29:35–37:14
• Tight Ends Rankings & Advice: 37:36–42:38
• Mailbag, Listener Q&A: 43:11–46:45

Summary Table: Analyst Picks (Week 1)

| Position | Start/Sleepers | Sit/Avoid | Toughest to Rank | |----------|----------------|-------------------------|-----------------------------| | QB | Drake May, Trevor Lawrence, Jordan Love, Bryce Young, JJ McCarthy, Joe Flacco | Justin Fields, Jared Goff, Brock Purdy | Purdy, Caleb Williams, Mahomes | | RB | Tony Pollard (Heath), Jalen Warren (Dave), Aaron Jones (Jamie), Dylan Sampson (Heath) | RJ Harvey, Breece Hall, Tony Pollard (Dave) | Etienne (Dave), Hampton (Heath), Pollard (Jamie) | | WR | Tezroa McMillan, Deebo Samuel, Jerry Jeudy, Travis Hunter, Cooper Kupp, Rasheed Shaheed, Demario Douglas | Garrett Wilson, DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley | Hunter (Heath), Pearsall (Dave), Zay Flowers (Jamie) | | TE | Tyler Warren, Chig Okonkwo, Hunter Henry, Brenton Strange | Colston Loveland, Dalton Kincaid, Tucker Kraft | Warren (Heath), Pitts (Jamie/Dave) |

Actionable Takeaways

• Roster Flexibility: Target upside players at every position, especially QBs and WRs with new weapons or in new schemes.
• Volume is King: Even in tough matchups, favor players guaranteed a high volume of touches (e.g., Tony Pollard, Aaron Jones).
• Monitor Rookie Roles: Several rookie RBs and TEs could explode, but may take a few weeks to ramp up.
• Watch for Injury Updates: Final lineup decisions for players like Devon Achane and Juwan Jennings could swing rankings.
• Don’t Fear Benching Names: DK Metcalf, Calvin Ridley, Garrett Wilson—all may warrant a seat in Week 1 if your roster allows.

For complete rankings and start/sit lists, visit CBSSports.com, and join the FFT crew every week for more winning fantasy insight!