Week 1 is finally here, which means it is time to make some predictions that might look crazy now but could have fantasy managers thinking otherwise come Week 2
Every fantasy football season starts with players we believe will break out, players we think will disappoint, and players we simply aren’t sure what to think of at all. Here are my three bold takes for week 1 of the fantasy football season.
What!? Your fantasy football league wasn’t hosted on Fantrax last season!? Once you see how Fantrax stacks up to the competition, we think you’ll be singing a different tune this season.
Bold Predictions for NFL Week 1
1. Tyler Shough Finishes as a Top-5 Fantasy QB
Yes, I’m going there!
The Saints open the season on the road against the Lions, and while Detroit isn’t necessarily a matchup fantasy managers are going to target, this game has lots of potential to turn into a shootout. New Orleans should be playing with tempo in Kellen Moore’s offense, and Shough has already shown that he can produce fantasy points with both his arm and his legs.
Shough finished his rookie season on FIRE, averaging 20 fantasy points per game over his final five games. His rushing ability gives him another way to fantasy success, and having an entire offseason in Moore’s offense should only help him take another step forward
I’m expecting Shough to come out aggressive, pile up passing yards, add some production on the ground and find the end zone multiple times.
2. Javonte Williams Scores Three Touchdowns
Javonte Williams is going to have a monster Week 1.
Williams and the Cowboys open against the Giants in a Sunday Night Football matchup that has plenty of fantasy appeal. New York’s run defense was TERRIBLE last season, allowing 145.3 rushing yards per game, which ranked 31st in the NFL. The Giants also allowed 19 different players to score a rushing touchdown against them last season.
That is exactly the type of matchup where I want to bet on a running back getting heavy volume.
Williams also showed last season that he can produce against this defense. In his second-best fantasy performance of 2025, he faced the Giants and finished with 25 PPR points, rushing for 97 yards and a touchdown while adding six receptions for 33 yards.
The projections aren’t expecting anything close to three touchdowns, but that’s what makes this a bold take.
I think Dallas establishes the run, Williams gets the goal-line opportunities, and he finds the end zone multiple times to start the year.
3. Mark Andrews Scores 15+ PPR Points
Mark Andrews’ 2025 season was not what fantasy managers expected to say the least.
But I’m betting on a bounce-back!!
Andrews opens the season against the Colts, who allowed 247.9 passing yards per game last season, the 30th-ranked pass defense in the NFL.
The matchup gives Andrews a GREAT chance to start the year on the right track, and the Ravens have plenty of reasons to get their veteran tight end involved. Andrews doesn’t need 10 catches to hit 15 PPR points. A handful of receptions combined with decent yardage and a touchdown could get him there quickly.
I’m expecting the Ravens to make a point of getting Andrews involved early after paying him a three-year extension.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 1 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
Final Thoughts
Three players. Three bold predictions.
Tyler Shough — Top-5 QB
Javonte Williams — 3 TDs
Mark Andrews — 15+ PPR points
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