Scott Engel is in his 14th year as the official Fantasy Football writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. He is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. Scott is a four-time FSWA award winner and a 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy football analysis and weekly fantasy football rankings at RotoBaller.com and on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.
A full slate of NFL games will signal the authentic start of the 2025 fantasy football season on Sunday. Two games will have been played before the early kickoffs, but fantasy players should not assume any final matchup results before the full Sunday schedule is played out. Early leads built on Thursday and Friday can easily melt away on a Sunday.
When a new fantasy football season begins, you will already know who the proven and established performers are. In close decisions, lean to the player who is more established as a general rule. Of course, nothing in fantasy sports is absolute, so there will be exceptions, such as one of the rookie wide receivers mentioned in this week's article.
As always, we feature our best recommended players to go with when faced with tight lineup calls. Of course, whether to start the players highlighted here depends on who else you have as an alternative choice. Don't sit must-start players for a flex type listed below. Analysis is mainly for PPR scoring formats but can apply to all scoring systems.
NFL Week 1: Running Backs To Start
START James Conner: The Cardinals get a favorable Week 1 matchup against the New Orleans Saints. Conner should be heavily utilized regardless of the game script. If the game is close at points, Conner will be a crux of the Arizona offense. If the Cardinals roll up the points in an easy win, their lead RB should see some TD opportunities and running lanes opening up. Conner is just one of three NFL RBs with 1,000-plus scrimmage yards and eight-plus scrimmage TDs in each of past four seasons.
START Chuba Hubbard: Carolina's No. 1 RB has progressed from battling foer playing time in recent seasons, to becoming the unchallenged lead runner for the Panthers. Bryce Young played well down the stretch last season and the Panthers offense is expected to improve from the outset this season. Last season, Hubbard set career highs in scrimmage yards (1,366), rushing yards (1,195) and rushing TDs (10) last season.
START Jaylen Warren: Pittsburgh's lead ball carrier was undervalued a bit in 2025 fantasy football drafts, as I was able to land him in the sixth round range in more than one league. Warren is versatile and adds some spark to the Steelers offense, which is needed to support Aaron Rodgers. Warren can roll up a good amount of combined yardage from scrimmage and will also be a legitimate threat to get into the end zone.
START Dylan Sampson: The Cleveland rookie should play a significant role in the backfield in the season opener. The Browns take on the Bengals in another "Battle of Ohio" to start the new campaign. Sampson should at least share carries, and it will be important for Cleveland to run the ball effectively. The Browns will want to ease pressure on Joe Flacco and control the clock as much as possible. Sampson is a deeper and viable flex play.
NFL Week 1: Wide Receivers To Start
START Emeka Egbuka: Tampa Bay selected Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, at 19th overall. Because of key injuries on the Tampa Bay depth chart, he should be a primary target for Baker Mayfield right away. If you are facing a close lineup call involving Egbuka, go with him because of potential volume and upside in an expanded offensive role.
START Jakobi Meyers: Geno Smith takes over as the starting quarterback for the Raiders, and the former Seahawk should add some new life to a previously unimpressive passing game. Meyers is his new top WR, and is also facing his former team, the Patriots, in the season opener. Meyers finished with 87 catches for a career-high 1,027 yards last year and starts out on a path to possibly bettering those numbers in 2025 this week.
START Cooper Kupp: It's going to be an exciting Seahawks debut at home for the pride of Yakima. Kupp is healthy to start the season, and catching a TD pass in his first game at Lumen Field would be poetic. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the upgraded running game will command much attention from the San Francisco defense. Kupp will reward those who drafted him as a fantasy WR4 with a quality Week 1 outing. Consider starting him at a flex spot.
START Marvin Mims Jr.: He is past a preseason thigh injury, and Mims may be a free agent in some leagues. Add him now before he becomes a hot fantasy football waiver wire pickup for Week 2. Mims is ticketed to emerge as the No. 2 WR for Denver opposite Courtland Sutton. Look for him to make a splash in the opener vs. Tennessee as a potential breakout season begins.
NFL Week 1: Quarterbacks To Start
START Jared Goff: Sunday's matchup between the Lions and Packers promises to be one of the more exciting games of Week 1. Goff is under some pressure to perform after Detroit lost its offensive coordinator and two of their top linemen during the offseason. Yet he still has a deep array of playmakers to work with, and I believe he will respond well in what could be one of the higher-scoring games of Week 1.
START Drake Maye: It seemed that fantasy players aren't quite sold on Maye just yet as a fantasy QB. I saw him taken in the 10th to 12th round of many recent drafts. In his second pro season, the New England QB appears ready to rise. He showed improved chemistry with his pass-catchers in the preseason, and expect him to perform well in Week 1 vs. the Raiders. Those who waited until the double figure rounds to draft Maye will be pleased with the Week 1 results.
NFL Week 1: Tight Ends To Start
START Tucker Kraft: Jordan Love has moved past a preseason thumb injury and will be ready to start the season opener against Detroit. Kraft may become an even more frequent target for Love this season, and if Packers-Lions is indeed a high-scoring game, Kraft will have a strong chance of getting in the end zone. He caught a career-best 50 passes last season, and his seven TD catches ranked fourth among TEs in 2024.
START Evan Engram: He might have to share some reps at TE for Denver, but Engram is going to get a healthy amount of targets right from the beginning with the Broncos. Working in a Sean Payton orchestrated offense could lead to Engram providing some nice fantasy weeks in 2025. Expect a quality debut with the Broncos this week.
Check out photos of the Seahawks 53-man active roster heading into the 2025 season.
This is a 2025 photo of DeMarcus Lawrence of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence (0)
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1)
Seahawks cornerback Derion Kendrick (1).
This is a 2025 photo of Drew Lock of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Drew Lock (2)
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Emmanwori of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Nick Emmanwori (3)
This is a 2025 photo of Michael Dickson of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks punter Michael Dickson (4)
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5).
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers (5)
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Milroe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Jalen Milroe (6)
This is a 2025 photo of Uchenna Nwosu of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (7)
This is a 2025 photo of Coby Bryant of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Coby Bryant (8)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9)
This is a 2025 photo of Cooper Kupp of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cooper Kupp (10)
This is a 2025 photo of Jaxon Smith-Njigba of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11)
This is a 2025 photo of Ernest Jones IV of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Ernest Jones IV (13)
This is a 2025 photo of Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14)
This is a 2025 photo of Tory Horton of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15)
This is a 2025 photo of Elijah Arroyo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Elijah Arroyo (18)
This is a 2025 photo of Jake Bobo of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19)
This is a 2025 photo of Julian Love of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20)
This is a 2025 photo of Devon Witherspoon of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21)
This is a 2025 photo of Zach Charbonnet of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26)
This is a 2025 photo of Riq Woolen of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27)
This is a 2025 photo of Nehemiah Pritchett of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (28)
This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jobe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks cornerback Josh Jobe (29)
This is a 2025 photo of George Holani of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks running back George Holani (36)
This is a 2025 photo of Brady Russell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Brady Russell (38)
This is a 2025 photo of Ty Okada of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks safety Ty Okada (39)
This is a 2025 photo of Robbie Ouzts of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks fullback Robbie Ouzts (40)
This is a 2025 photo of Chris Stoll of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks long snapper Chris Stoll (41)
This is a 2025 photo of Drake Thomas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Drake Thomas (42)
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44)
Seahawks linebacker Chazz Surratt (44).
This is a 2025 photo of Tyrice Knight of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48)
This is a 2025 photo of Jared Ivey of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Jared Ivey (51)
This is a 2025 photo of Boye Mafe of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Boye Mafe (53)
This is a 2025 photo of Olu Oluwatimi of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Olu Oluwatimi (55)
This is a 2025 photo of Connor O'Toole of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Connor O'Toole (57)
This is a 2025 photo of Derick Hall of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58)
This is a 2025 photo of Jalen Sundell of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks center Jalen Sundell (61)
This is a 2025 photo of Charles Cross of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Charles Cross (67)
This is a 2025 photo of Abraham Lucas of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Abraham Lucas (72)
This is a 2025 photo of Josh Jones of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tackle Josh Jones (74)
This is a 2025 photo of Anthony Bradford of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Anthony Bradford (75)
This is a 2025 photo of Grey Zabel of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Grey Zabel (76)
This is a 2025 photo of Bryce Cabeldue of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks guard Bryce Cabeldue (77)
This is a 2025 photo of Mason Richman of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks offensive lineman Mason Richman (78)
This is a 2025 photo of Eric Saubert of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end Eric Saubert (81)
This is a 2025 photo of Cody White of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82)
This is a 2025 photo of Dareke Young of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83)
This is a 2025 photo of AJ Barner of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88)
This is a 2025 photo of Nick Kallerup of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Signed tight end Nick Kallerup (89) on May 2, 2025.
This is a 2024 photo of Jarran Reed of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed (90)
This is a 2025 photo of Byron Murphy II of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91)
This is a 2025 photo of Mike Morris of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seattle Seahawks active roster as of June 9, 2025 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Mike Morris (94)
This is a 2024 photo of Leonard Williams of the Seattle Seahawks NFL football team. This image reflects the Seahawks active roster as of June 10, 2024 when this image was taken. (AP Photo)
Seahawks defensive end Leonard Williams (99)
