FantasyPros Fantasy Football Podcast

Episode: Week 1 Fantasy Football Quarterback and Tight End Rankings & Tiers: Studs, Sleepers, & Must-Starts (Ep. 1686)
Date: September 4, 2025
Hosts: Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice ("Fitzy"), Andrew Erickson

Episode Overview

In this episode, Chris Welsh, Pat Fitzmaurice, and Andrew Erickson break down their Week 1 quarterback and tight end rankings and tiers, spotlighting studs, sleepers, and must-starts. The discussion hones in on key ranking decisions, the volatility at quarterback for opening week, streaming options, matchup-based analysis, and deeper cuts for fantasy managers looking for an early edge.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Quarterback Volatility in Week 1

• Chris Welsh kicks off with the unpredictability at QB:

  • "We're talking about a position where a guy you might have taken 10th overall at that position and not considering starting... Dak Prescott. Spoiler alert. He is not in the top 12 this week due to his matchup." ([00:35])

• Pat Fitzmaurice explains the matchup-driven nature of QB value:

  • "Probably the most matchup sensitive position there is, more so than running back and wide receiver..." ([01:41])
  • Emphasizes streaming QBs with good matchups as a viable weekly strategy.

Consideration for Drafting Based on Early Season Matchups

• Andrew Erickson advises using early weeks as a tiebreaker in QB selection:
  • "If you don't feel comfortable Dak Prescott at the Eagles in Week 1, then don't draft him as your late round quarterback...find tiebreakers. I think week one is a good way to do that." ([03:07])

2. Week 1 Top 12 QB Rankings Breakdown ([04:16])

• Rankings List:

  1. Lamar Jackson
  2. Josh Allen
  3. Jalen Hurts
  4. Jaden Daniels
  5. Joe Burrow
  6. Baker Mayfield
  7. Patrick Mahomes
  8. Kyler Murray
  9. Bo Nix
  10. Trevor Lawrence
  11. Drake Maye
  12. Brock Purdy

• Context: Several unconventional names crack the top 12, notably rookie Bo Nix and Baker Mayfield, with some familiar faces (e.g., Dak Prescott) notably outside the top tier.

3. Trevor Lawrence: Streaming Appeal or Set & Forget?

• Fitzy’s Take:

  • Complete buy on Lawrence for Week 1 (ranked QB9 by Fitzy).
  • "I like the matchup at home against the Carolina Panthers. Panthers gave up the third most fantasy points to quarterbacks last year, 20.7 per game." ([05:51])

• Erickson's Take:

  • More cautious, with Lawrence at QB15.
  • "He's still a waiver wire quarterback stream, but he's the top guy...I'm just a little bit hesitant to buy into the Liam Cohen, Trevor Lawrence experience hitting in week one." ([06:44])

4. The Drake Maye Debate

• Drake Maye's QB1 Status:
  • Both agree he’s inside the QB1 conversation (top 12), with Fitzy having him just behind Trevor Lawrence.
  • "Play him with confidence. I think he's going to run. I'm excited about the running upside for Drake Maye. I think he could give us 800 plus rushing yards this year." – Pat Fitzmaurice ([07:58])

5. Biggest QB Ranking Disparities: Jordan Love

• Erickson (QB8):
  • "I just like the matchup against the Detroit Lions...receivers are a little bit banged up, but the two guys...Matthew Golden and Tucker Kraft...I think they're going to be firing on all cylinders." ([09:13])
• Fitzy (QB17):
  • "The Packers wide receiver situation is so up in the air...Lions are stingy against tight ends...the secondary is excellent. Love didn't play especially well in his two starts against the Lions last season." ([09:53])

6. QBs Outside the Top 12 to Consider

• Fitzy:
  • Justin Herbert vs. the Chiefs
    • "In nine career starts against Kansas City, Herbert has averaged 266 passing yards and two touchdown passes per game." ([13:51])
• Erickson:
  • Jordan Love (detailed above)
  • Jared Goff as a fallback option
    • "This Packers-Lions game has a pretty high game total. There can be points." ([14:24])

7. Top 12 Tight End Rankings & Insights ([14:52])

• Rankings List:
  1. Brock Bowers
  2. Trey McBride
  3. George Kittle
  4. Sam LaPorta
  5. Travis Kelce
  6. TJ Hockenson
  7. David Njoku
  8. Mark Andrews
  9. Evan Engram
  10. Tucker Kraft
  11. Tyler Warren
  12. Jake Ferguson

8. Tight End Deep Dives

David Njoku:

• Both experts much higher than consensus (TE4 for them, TE7 in ECR):
  • "He destroyed the Bengals last season when he played them...led all tight ends in end zone targets per game." – Erickson ([15:51])
  • "Tight ends collectively against the Bengals last year were like peak Rob Gronkowski." – Fitzy ([16:53])

Mark Andrews:

• Fitzy (TE7), Erickson (TE10):
  • "I think the time to feel good about him is early in the season because Isaiah Likely is not expected to play in week one." – Fitzy ([17:54])
  • "Probably where my ranking is wrong...This is prime time for Mark Andrews." – Erickson ([18:27])

Deep or Sleeper TEs:

• Fitzy:
  • "Brenton Strange for the Jaguars. Now the starting tight end...with a plus matchup against the Panthers, who gave up the second most fantasy points to tight ends last season." ([20:01])
• Erickson:
  • "Drake Maye's red zone target Hunter Henry against the Las Vegas Raiders. I think Henry's gonna have a big red zone role." ([20:19])
  • Notes that landing a touchdown can rocket lower-tier TEs into weekly TE1 range.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Week 1 volatility:

  • "If you like all the quarterbacks then find tiebreakers. I think week one is a good way to do that." – Andrew Erickson ([03:07])

• On Jordan Love:

  • "That’s your guy?" – Chris Welsh ([14:15])
  • "So I like Jordan Love a lot in this matchup." – Andrew Erickson ([09:13])
  • "Love didn’t play especially well in his two starts against the Lions last season." – Pat Fitzmaurice ([09:53])

• On tight end scoring:

  • "Tight ends collectively against the Bengals last year were like peak Rob Gronkowski, we’ll take that." – Pat Fitzmaurice ([16:53])

• On Mark Andrews' outlook:

  • "I think the time to feel good about him is early in the season because Isaiah Likely is not expected to play in week one." – Pat Fitzmaurice ([17:54])
  • "Probably where my ranking is wrong...this is prime time for Mark Andrews." – Andrew Erickson ([18:27])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:35] Opening overview; volatility at QB, Dak/Prescott concerns
• [01:41] Pat on QB matchup sensitivity & streaming strategy
• [03:07] Andrew on using Week 1 matchups as draft tiebreakers
• [04:16] Top 12 QB rankings reveal
• [05:51] Trevor Lawrence: Analytics & streaming discussion
• [07:27] Drake Maye QB1 debate
• [09:13] Jordan Love clash: Erickson vs. Fitzy
• [13:51] QBs outside top 12: Herbert & Goff
• [14:52] Top 12 TE rankings and Njoku hype
• [15:51] Erickson on Njoku's potential for a smash week
• [16:53] Bengals as a dream matchup for TEs (Fitzy)
• [17:54] Pat & Erickson breakdown Mark Andrews' Week 1 prospects
• [20:01] Deep TE picks: Brenton Strange & Hunter Henry

Tone and Style

Casual, expert, and debate-driven, with plenty of direct advice, playful banter, and evidence-based takes. The hosts mix stats with conviction, bringing both authority and entertainment.

Takeaways for Fantasy Managers

• Be prepared for Week 1 volatility, especially at QB; don’t force your draft pick into your lineup if the matchup is tough
• Streaming can be an effective QB and TE strategy, especially leveraging favorable matchups
• Don’t be afraid to target high-upside young QBs (Drake Maye) and tight ends (Brenton Strange, Hunter Henry) as streamers
• David Njoku is a premium TE start in Week 1, as is Mark Andrews, despite any preseason hesitation
• Review the FantasyPros rankings leading up to kickoff and utilize their live streams for last-minute advice

For detailed rankings and weekly updates, visit fantasypros.com/rankings.