Christian McCaffrey calf concerns loom as weekend injury updates roll in. Kyle Shanahan downplays the issue, but calf history keeps fantasy managers cautious, nudging projections toward a smaller CMC workload if he’s limited. Expect SF to lean on George Kittle and Deebo Samuel, with a possible backfill in the run game if McCaffrey sits. Jerome Ford could seize Week 1 Browns work, while Amari Cooper’s retirement adds a big-picture shift for Cleveland’s targets. Mooney and Collins are day-to-day for Houston and Chicago, respectively, keeping Week 1 depth uncertain.

Nico Collins rises as Houston’s alpha, with 18.9 fantasy points per game when on 60%+ of snaps, and a pass-happy outlook this year could push him into elite WR territory if health cooperates.

Burrow is forecast for a huge season in Cincinnati, aided by Higgins and Chase drawing heavy coverage while the offense leans into red-zone scoring. London and Kirk provide Falcons and Texans playmaking, and Stroud’s rookie ceiling adds multi-team upside to fantasy. A ladder-style angle on the Texans’ attack rounds out a high-upside roadmap for several breakout targets.

The Houston Texans are gearing up for a pivotal 2025 season, centered around quarterback CJ Stroud, who hopes to bounce back from a disappointing sophomore slump. With a revamped offensive line and a new wide receiver corps, including Christian Kirk and rookies Jaden Higgins and Tank Dell, the Texans aim to improve their offensive potency. Stroud's performance will be crucial as he navigates changes in the offensive scheme while dealing with the expectations of being a top-12 quarterback in fantasy rankings.

Nico Collins emerges as the primary receiving target, having shown flashes of brilliance last season, averaging 18 points per game before injuries. The Texans' running game will also be under scrutiny, particularly Joe Mixon, who had an inconsistent year. Despite averaging solid points in the first half of the season, he faltered towards the end, leaving questions about his durability and production moving forward. The Texans' fantasy landscape is rife with potential but fraught with uncertainty.