Roses are red, Cowboys fans are feeling Blue, and this fantasy football season, I hope Ashton Jeanty comes through. My name is Ellis Johnson, and this is your weekly Smash Starts article.
Each week, I will be selecting players from all positions who are primed for big fantasy performances. I will select players from a wide range of values based on matchup, usage, and upside. From waiver tight ends to star running backs, I’ll have you on your toes each week. Thank you for viewing my work, and without further ado, here are your Smash Starts for Week 1 (I’ve been itching to say that for months).
Fantasy Football Smash Starts: Week 1
Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI)
I expect this will be one of the least surprising selections all season. However, season opener, against their division rivals, and no Micah Parsons?! You couldn’t write a better script for Barkley to start the season.
Coming off one of the best seasons in NFL history, Barkley enters his second year on the Eagles with little to no change in scenery. This team always does an incredible job at paying, drafting, and retaining talent. There’s a reason they have the third-best odds for the Super Bowl entering this season.
Last season, the Cowboys were abysmal on defense. On the season, they allowed over 137 rushing yards per game, which was the fourth most in the league. In their defense (pun intended), they were missing a lot of players due to injury. However, a week before their season opener, they traded away Micah Parsons. Although more of a pass rusher, his presence is enough to scare most offenses. As a result, this may be a long day for the Cowboys and Saquon Barkley should continue right where he left off.
James Conner (RB – ARI)
Another offseason has come and gone, during which Conner has been undervalued. Despite coming off arguably his best season of his career, Conner’s average draft position (ADP) closed at RB19. For those who took the shot on the 30-year-old workhorse, you should be rewarded in Week 1.
The Cardinals open their season against a miserable Saints team in New Orleans. For a team that is relying on the question marks of Kyler Murray, this is a perfect matchup to start the season with confidence. As a whole, the Saints are projected to have the second-worst defense (per Bleacher Report).
Highlighted by big names Cameron Jordan and Demario Davis, this defense may have been sufficient in 2020. However, these pieces are much older now, and the offense will not be putting them in positive situations.
Currently, the Cardinals are 6.5-point favourites and should manage to lead for most of the game. Considering Arizona averaged the seventh most rushing yards per game, and the Saints allowed the third most rushing yards against in 2024, Conner should feast. I have him as a top-12 back to open the season.
Brenton Strange (TE – JAX)
The Panthers playing the Jaguars in Week 1 has not been a great matchup in the past. In fact, if this were a few years ago, Amazon would have pushed to get this matchup on Thursday Night Football. I’m joking, but for the first time in a long time, this matchup has a lot of optimism for fantasy managers.
Both the Panthers and the Jaguars have many issues on their defenses. Despite having a few star players, their overall ability is well below league average. That’s what makes this matchup perfect for fantasy. If you are questioning starting any of Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette, Chuba Hubbard, Travis Hunter, Bryce Young, or Trevor Lawrence, don’t. All of these names should be in your lineup in Week 1. As a result, I wanted to select one of the lesser-known names on these teams to highlight.
Strange is a second-year TE out of Penn State, who has replaced Evan Engram in this offense. Selected in the second round, Strange possesses the athletic measurables to be a breakout TE this season. As a rookie, he flashed his physical play ability and was able to gain chemistry with Lawrence. We have already seen flashes of this during the preseason, and in this matchup, everyone should feast.
There is a world where Hunter plays more defense than we expect (they’ll likely need the help), giving a boost to Strange’s potential target share. Even if Hunter focuses on offense, Strange is a Modus Super Series (a professional dart league) level of dart throw in Week 1.
Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)
There’s something about Sutton that isn’t very exciting. Despite finishing as the WR13 last season, he has become one of those players who consistently outproduce their perceived value.
This offseason, he signed a four-year extension that averages 23-million per year. Considering he is entering this season at the age of 29, this clearly indicates the team’s commitment and belief in the player. We also saw Sutton get peppered with targets in camp and preseason. Although this team added some talented receiving threats in Pat Bryant, Evan Engram, and RJ Harvey, they are all well behind Sutton’s role as the alpha.
To open the season, the Broncos face the Titans at Mile High Stadium. If you are a Titans fan, this might be one of the worst matchups you could have hoped for. As for the Broncos, this is a perfect game to start the season hot. Outside of Jeffery Simmons, this defense lacks pass-rushing talent. Last season, they also surrendered the most points per game in the AFC at 27.7 points. Unless the Broncos take control and run the ball excessively (which could happen), Sutton will be able to outmatch any corner on this defense. I’d start Sutton confidently as a top 20 receiver this week.
Drake Maye (QB – NE)
One of the offseason’s hottest breakout candidates is primed to start the season on fire. All offseason Maye has been hyped for his rushing ability and attachment to Josh McDaniels’ offensive scheme. Often compared to Cam Newton being a fantasy force for the Patriots, Maye is expected to be a better and more rounded version in 2025.
The Patriots open the season against a feisty Raiders team that also had a very exciting offseason. Unfortunately, all the excitement was concentrated on the offensive side, signing Geno Smith, and drafting Ashton Jeanty, Jack Bech, and Dont’e Thornton. On defense, this team tried to bolster their roster outside of star pass rusher Maxx Crosby. Most notably, the return of Christian Wilkins and the signing of Jeremy Chinn could make this matchup less enticing. However, there are plenty of other holes, so I’m going to need to see come together before I believe it. I think the Raiders will have their hands full trying to stop Maye’s dual-threat ability. I’d start Maye as a top 12 QB to kick off the season.
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