Travis Hunter is slated as Jacksonville’s starting receiver heading into Week 1, with the team signaling him as a primary target in a pass-heavy setup alongside Brian Thomas Jr. His college production—96 catches and 15 TDs—suggests upside even as WR3 in 12-team leagues, and the Week 1 matchup against Carolina is a favorable stage with Trevor Lawrence orchestrating the offense. Hunter’s injury status isn’t expected to limit him, further boosting his immediate fantasy appeal.

Hunter’s transition to the NFL as a top WR option follows the Jaguars’ aggressive draft move and a depth chart that supports his offensive role. With Thomas Jr. drawing attention and the Panthers’ defense as Week 1 opponent, Hunter projects for solid targets and red-zone opportunities, making him a strong Week 1 start with meaningful long-term upside in this evolving offense.

Hunter Renfrow returns to the Carolina Panthers and is slated to slot in as the primary short-area target for the first four games as Jalen Coker recovers from a quad injury. The move comes after a summer cut and a late signing, with Renfrow’s prior Pro Bowl form and recent health rebound giving the Panthers an experienced, reliable presence in the WR mix. Carolina also sent Adam Thielen to Minnesota, opening up targets and reshaping a WR corps led by Renfrow’s veteran savvy.

Trevor Lawrence lands Week 1 as a top waiver target against Carolina, with Jacksonville’s surrounding talent and a favorable Panthers defense raising his fantasy ceiling. Michael Penix Jr. enters Week 1 in Atlanta ready to push the pace, pairing with Drake London and Bijan Robinson plus a healthy Darnell Mooney, creating a high-upside shootout scenario. Geno Smith and Joe Flacco offer intriguing two-QB formats—Smith in a Las Vegas offense with better weapons, Flacco in a Cleveland matchup that could push points early.

Houston’s bold 2025 forecast centers on a breakout year for C.J. Stroud, boosted by Nick Caley’s offensive system and a steadier line. Expect Stroud to push for a top-tier fantasy season with 28 TDs and 10 INT as protections are more adjustable at the line. Nico Collins stays healthy and becomes Stroud’s number-one target, likely posting around 90 catches for 1,300+ yards and 10 TDs.

Defensively, Will Anderson Jr. climbs into Defensive Player of the Year discussions with a 13.5-sack season and multiple forced fumbles, while Derek Stingley Jr. remains an elite playmaker. Houston’s defense aims for a franchise sack record, with a softened run game and an OL that improves enough to keep Stroud clean. Two home playoff games are in reach, but a tough divisional-round clash with Buffalo caps the season.

Dallas’s grip on being America’s Team is fraying as the Cowboys balk at moving Micah Parsons, mirroring Houston’s Deshaun Watson saga from years past. The piece argues Dallas let March slip by, failing to craft a true Watson-style auction and potentially undervaluing Parsons’ prime. It compares Jerry Jones’s hands-on management to Nick Caserio’s handling in Houston, where a four-team bid drove up price. It also notes the broader risk to Dallas’s strategic vision and roster decisions, with implications for cap, drafts, and fantasy value.