The 2025 season is upon us. Are you ready? Hopefully, you’re in for a winning campaign. But those of us who play Dynasty know it’s a 365-day-a-year endeavor. So, this is the time to make pickups and stashes that could pay off this season. Week 1 is in the books. Below are some players worth seeking out moving forward. All roster percentages courtesy of the NFL.
Quarterbacks
Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: 0.5
About: Didn’t believe Jones would be good with the Colts? Don’t worry, you’re not alone. But Jones got the nod from the team, and also got a vote of confidence that he’d have a long leash. He responded on Sunday by leading the team to a big win, throwing a touchdown pass and running for two more. He should be on a roster.
Mac Jones, San Francisco 49ers
Roster Percentage: 0.1
About: Brock Purdy is banged up, and his status for Week 2 is in question. If he can’t go, I kind of like Mac Jones. The 49ers are on the road against the Saints. I think Jones could be a nice fill-in if called upon; he’s worth keeping on the roster.
Running Backs
Miles Sanders, Dallas Cowboys
Roster Percentage: 0.4
About: Sanders was a mixed bag in Week 1. He had a huge, 50-yard run. He also had a fumble that killed a drive. But he was one of only two backs active in the game. Jaydon Blue is hurt or ineffective, or both. He was a Week 1 inactive. Javonte Williams is the lead in the backfield, but Sanders showed he could make the most of limited touches.
Raheim Sanders, Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: 0.1
About: The Browns signed Quinshon Judkins on Saturday, but it will be a few weeks before he gets up to speed, and he could still be in line for a suspension. Rookie Dylan Sampson looked good, but Sanders also got three carries, including a touchdown. With Jerome Ford looking semi-cooked, Sanders is worth a stash.
Wide Receivers
KaVontae Turpin, Dallas Cowboys
Roster Percentage: 1.2
About: Turpin has long been a talented returner, but Week 1 showed he’s a player the Cowboys plan to use more on offense. He had a couple of receptions and a couple of carries, which didn’t light the world on fire. But there is a path to touches, making him an interesting stash.
Jahan Dotson, Philadelphia Eagles
Roster Percentage: 0.6
About: Dotson was acquired just before the 2024 season. He was a non-factor for the Eagles. Then, in Week 1, he looked like possibly their best receiver. He caught three passes for 59 yards, including a 51-yard bomb. I don’t know if it continues. I don’t feel good about him. I still think he should be rostered.
Quentin Johnston, Los Angeles Chargers
Roster Percentage: 1.3
About: You might have given up on Johnston after two uneven years. Given that the Chargers selected receivers in the draft and brought back former players, it is also suggested that Johnston’s tenure was over. And yet, in Week 1, he looked like an integral part of the offense and an improved player. He caught five passes for 79 yards and two touchdowns on seven targets. He should be rostered.
Calvin Austin III, Pittsburgh Steelers
Roster Percentage: 0.5
About: Austin is one of the better options among the Steelers’ receivers. He proved that in Week 1, catching four passes for 70 yards and a touchdown on six targets, second most on the team. He should be rostered.
Juju Smith-Schuster, Kansas City Chiefs
Roster Percentage: 0.8
About: I understand; I don’t feel good about it either. But with Rashee Rice suspended and Xavier Worthy battling a separated shoulder, the Chiefs need receivers. Hollywood Brown is already widely rostered, so Juju is the smart pick-up.
Olamide Zaccheaus, Chicago Bears
Roster Percentage: 0.2
About: I mentioned in pre-season that it seemed like Zaccheaus had a role. We saw that again in Week 1, as he appears to be locked in as the WR3. He caught four passes for 42 yards on seven targets. He’s worth a pickup.
Tight Ends
Noah Fant, Cincinnati Bengals
Roster Percentage: 0.6
About: Fant has had a strange off-season. His pickup by the Bengals was a head-scratcher, and it’s hard to feel like he’s going to get consistent volume. But he had a team-high five targets, catching four passes and a touchdown Sunday. He should be rostered.
Harold Fannin, Jr., Cleveland Browns
Roster Percentage: .3
About: With David Njoku on the roster and the quarterback situation a mess, it makes sense that most people weren’t expecting a lot from Fannin. But in Week 1, he saw nine targets and caught seven passes. It’s a good sign about the youth movement for the Browns. He should be rostered.
Michael Mayer, Las Vegas Raiders
Roster Percentage: 0.3
About: The good news is that Mayer had four receptions in Week 1. The better news is that if you roster him, Brock Bowers banged up his knee. Will Bowers miss time? That’s unclear. The team downplayed the injury. But as a hedge, Mayer is worth a stash.
Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers
Roster Percentage: 0
About: And why would anyone roster a third-string tight end for the 49ers? And yet, when George Kittle went out with a hamstring injury Sunday, Tonges got some run—and caught a touchdown—for a team that’s thin in the pass-catching department. That makes him worth at least a deep league stash.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
