FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: The Primer: Must-Starts for Week 1 (Ep. 1688)
Date: September 5, 2025
Hosts: Seth Wilcock & Derek Brown (“DBro”)

Overview

This episode kicks off the 2025 NFL regular season with in-depth analysis of must-start fantasy football players for Week 1. Host Seth Wilcock and “The Primer” author Derek Brown break down their top waiver-wire QBs, high-upside running backs, sneaky wide receivers, and a dark horse tight end. The discussion is loaded with matchup analysis, data-driven insights, and a few bold predictions for fantasy managers looking for a Week 1 edge.

The Primer: Purpose & Format

• Derek Brown explains the Primer:
  • “This is me walking through every single game trying to give you every statistical nugget, match up, all parts and pieces of what I think is important… leaving no rock or… stone unturned for trying to help people with lineups.” [01:45]
  • The full Primer is available weekly at fantasypros.com and gets updated every Thursday morning.
  • Elite, obvious plays (e.g., CeeDee Lamb, Derrick Henry) are condensed to save readers’ time; focus is on less-obvious start/sit decisions.

Key Discussion Points

Quarterbacks

Jared Goff (Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers)

• Why Goff is a Must-Start:
  • Packers’ secondary is depleted; major question marks at cornerback.
  • Historical performance: Packers allowed “13th highest success rate per drop back and 9th highest CPOE to quarterbacks” in Weeks 10–18 last year. [05:01]
  • Offensive line should provide a clean pocket; Goff’s splits are strong when protected.
  • High game total; ranked as QB8 by Derek (vs. ECR QB17).
• Memorable Quote:
  • “Nah, dude, I think Jared Goff is going to light them up as long as the offensive line could keep him clean.” — Derek Brown [05:01]

Who Should Play Goff Over:

• Derek recommends Goff over riskier QBs like Dak Prescott, Brock Purdy, or Bo Nix if you waited on the position. [06:39]

Running Backs

RJ Harvey (Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans)

• Why RJ Harvey:
  • Ranked RB27 in ECR—DBro wants Harvey in RB2 conversations.
  • Titans’ run D gave up “second most rushing yards per game, seventh highest yards after contact per attempt” (Weeks 10–18 last season).
  • Titans allowed “81.1% catch rate to running backs and quietly the most receiving touchdowns… to opposing RBs.” [07:13]
  • Harvey will see passing-game usage as well as carries.
• Workload Expectation:
  • “It’s probably 60/40 in the favor of Harvey.”
  • J.K. Dobbins may steal early downs or pass-pro snaps, but Harvey has the main role. [08:45]
• Quote:
  • “Ranking him as an RB3 is way too low. I can’t even wrap my head around that right now.” — Derek Brown [07:13]

Jordan Mason (Minnesota Vikings vs. Chicago Bears)

• Why Jordan Mason:
  • Deep league/zero-RB-friendly play, possible goal-line back.
  • Positive game script likely: “If Minnesota is just beating the brakes off the Bears…Mason’s the guy that’s going to get these totes and it’s a wonderful matchup.” [09:57]
  • Bears allowed 5th most rushing yards/game, 9th highest explosive run rate down the stretch last season.
• Comparisons:
  • Would start Mason over Travis Etienne (vs. CAR), Nick Chubb (vs. Rams), Jerome Ford (vs. Bengals). [12:10–12:19]
• Quote:
  • “If they do that, Mason’s going to have a good day.” — Derek Brown [09:57]

Wide Receivers

Keenan Allen (Los Angeles Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs)

• Reason for Slotting in Keenan Allen (WR61 ECR):
  • Chiefs play heavy two-high safety; Allen excels vs. this shell.
  • KC gave up “most fantasy points per game and 11th highest PPR points per target to opposing slot receivers last year.” [17:19]
  • “You don’t bring a guy like Keenan Allen back into this offense and expect him to play 80% outside. We know he’s going to get slot reps.” — Derek Brown [17:54]
• Outcome:
  • “I will not be surprised…if Keenan Allen out targets Lad McConkey this week.” [18:08]
• Great PPR flex play for Week 1.

Olamide Zaccheaus (Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings) – Deep Sleeper

• Why Zaccheaus:
  • Set for full-time slot role as Luther Burden develops.
  • End of 2024: 20% target share, 68 yards/game as a full-timer; WR6, WR13, WR62 (Weeks 16–18).
  • Vikings led NFL in two-high shells last year; Zaccheaus posted a “28% target per route run rate” vs. two-high. [18:56]
  • Minnesota allowed the “fifth most fantasy points per game and third most receiving yards per game to slot wide receivers.” [19:44]
  • CB matchup vs. Tavierre Thomas is very favorable.
• Quote:
  • “If Zaki[ae]us is the full time slot receiver, every data point I can find…says this dude is headed for a really strong outing in week one.” [20:49]
• Lines/Props Recommendation:
  • Over 20.5 receiving yards, over 2.5 receptions, +450 anytime TD at time of recording. [22:15]

Tight Ends

Brenton Strange (Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Carolina Panthers)

• Streaming Play:
  • Carolina allowed “fifth highest yards per reception to tight ends and the most receiving touchdowns per game” in 2024. [23:25]
  • Jacksonville’s #3 target is up for grabs; could funnel to Strange.
  • Not a top-10 play, but a waiver-wire streaming candidate for desperate teams.
• Quote:
  • “If you’re playing the streaming game, he needs to be in the conversation.” — Derek Brown [23:25]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On the Primer:

  • “Look, there’s 30,000 words in this thing. I’m going through every single thing leaving no rock or…stone unturned for trying to help people with lineups.” — Derek Brown [01:45]

• On draft season bias:

  • “We are into the regular season now. So we need to change and not listen to our priors.” — Derek Brown (on Goff) [04:06]

• On taking shots with deep plays:

  • “This is the shout out to everybody that’s dealing with, you know, two flex leagues, deeper leagues, 14 teamers…” — Derek Brown (on Zaccheaus) [18:43]

• On sleeper prop bets:

  • “Those are kind of my favorite degen player props. It just takes one or two receptions, they get over that yardage mark and it’s a guy most people aren’t betting on. So I like that.” — Seth Wilcock [23:08]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:45] – What is the Primer & how to use it
• [04:06] – Must-Start QB: Jared Goff
• [07:13] – RB Must-Start: RJ Harvey
• [09:57] – Deep RB Play: Jordan Mason
• [16:19] – WR Flex Play: Keenan Allen
• [18:43] – Super Deep WR Sleeper: Olamide Zaccheaus
• [23:25] – Deep TE Streamer: Brenton Strange

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Don’t cling to draft-season biases—lean into actual matchups and depth chart opportunities.
• Week 1 is ripe for exploiting uncertain backfields and targeting defenses with lingering weaknesses from last season.
• Use data-driven reasoning and consider deep-league options if you’re streaming or facing injury woes.
• The Primer at FantasyPros.com is a comprehensive resource that goes far beyond big-name players.

Hosts’ Final Note:

• Comment your must-start for Week 1, and make sure you’re subscribed for the best fantasy football analysis all season.
• “For Derrick Brown, I’m Seth Wilcock. Good luck in week one. Take care y’all.” [25:25]

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