Tell your friends (just not your leaguemates until next week)
by Carly Manger
HELLO EVERYONE, and welcome back for another year of Unpacking the NFL. If you are new here, I will be posting a stat/takeaway every Monday, unpacking different players and situations around the league.
This article was inspired by JJ Zachariason‘s Monday Dumps, so shout out to him and make sure to check him out!
Stats provided by Fantasy Points. All scoring is half point per reception (Half-PPR) format with four-point passing TD.
Let’s dive in!
Unpacking the NFL Week 1: The Stats You Need Now
Jets’ Backfield
Many were worried about Breece Hall heading into Week 1. Those fears should be assuaged somewhat as he was the clear No. 1 in the Jets’ backfield on Sunday. He had 19 carries for 107 yards (5.63 yards per carry (YPC)). Hall also had two receptions on four targets for 38 yards. Braelon Allen was far less efficient, seeing only six carries for nine yards (1.50 YPC). Allen did out-snap Hall in the red zone four to two, though.
Steelers’ Backfield
Another backfield fantasy managers were concerned about heading into the season was the Steelers. Jaylen Warren was the focus, but Kenneth Gainwell is clearly also a factor (Lou called it). Warren saw 11 carries for 37 yards (3.36 YPC), while Gainwell saw seven carries for 19 yards (2.71 YPC). Both backs were involved in the receiving game as well. Warren caught both of his targets for 22 yards and a TD, while Gainwell caught three of four for only four yards.
Whether or not Kaleb Johnson will get more involved remains to be seen. His debut was rough. He had one carry for negative two yards. Oof.
#Steelers Week 1 RB usage
– Kenneth Gainwell: 52% snaps, seven carries, 15 routes, four targets (23 yds)
– Jaylen Warren: 46% snaps, 11 carries, 10 routes, two targets (59 yds, TD)
– Kaleb Johnson: 4% snaps, one carry, one route (negative 2 yds)— Michael F. Florio (@michaelfflorio.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Raiders’ Pass Catchers
Before injuring his knee in Week 1, Brock Bowers was every bit as amazing as last year. He caught five of his eight targets for 103 yards. This amounted to a 23.5% team target share. Alongside Bowers, Jakobi Meyers was the clear WR1 for the Raiders. He caught eight of his 10 targets for 97 yards (29.4% team target share). Bowers and Meyers likely would have seen a more even split if Bowers hadn’t gotten injured. We will keep an eye on this injury moving forward.
Jacksonville WRs
Brian Thomas managers take a deep breath. It is not as bad as it seems. Thomas saw seven targets; however, he unfortunately only caught one of them for 11 yards. His seven targets amounted to a 22.6% team target share. His fantasy day was saved by his one rushing attempt, which resulted in a TD. Rookie Travis Hunter caught six of his eight targets for only 33 yards (25.8% team target share). This passing offense will continue to suffer until Trevor Lawrence can complete more than 19 passes for 178 yards.
The Saints Aren’t The Worst Team in Football
Shockingly, the Saints were not as awful as everyone anticipated. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they aren’t good, but they aren’t the worst either. Spencer Rattler held his own, completing 27 of his 46 pass attempts for 214 yards. Chris Olave remains the No. 1 receiver in this offense, having seen 13 targets (28.3% team target share). Juwan Johnson seems to be the No. 2 on the Saints, catching eight of his 11 targets for 76 yards (23.9% team target share). If you punted on TE or are a Kittle or Bowers manager, Johnson might be worth adding.
Arthur Smith Loves Jonnu
After his amazing 2024 season in Miami, Jonnu Smith took his talents to Pittsburgh this season to be reunited with the man who loves him the most, Arthur Smith. Jonnu caught five of his six targets for 15 yards and a TD (20% team target share). While the TD clearly saved his fantasy day, he will continue to be heavily involved in this offense.
It is also worth noting that Calvin Austin also saw a 20% team target share. He is definitely worth a bench spot in deeper leagues.
BILL BILL BILL
From the bottom of the depth chart to the leader of the pack, Jacory Croskey-Merritt made his mark in Week 1. He led the team in rushing attempts (10) and rushing yards (82) and scored a TD. JCM truthers rejoice. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols were both involved, but they saw only six and four rush attempts, respectively. It appears Bill has made his mark and is here to stay.
It is also worth noting that Ekeler is still the clear pass-catching back. He caught all three of his targets for 31 yards. JCM only saw one target.
TOUCHDOWN
The man they call ‘Bill’, Jacory Croskey-Merritt gets his first ever NFL touchdown!
#RaiseHail
— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Miami Dumpster Fire
Week 1 was ROUGH for the Miami Dolphins, and specifically, Tua Tagovailoa. He only completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 114 yards and one TD. He also threw 2 INTs and fumbled. There were no other major surprises in this offense. Tyreek is still the No. 1 target (19.4% team target share), with Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane behind him (16.1% and 12.9% team target share, respectively).
Jaguars’ RBs
The question of who will lead the Jacksonville backfield was finally answered for us yesterday. Travis Etienne has won the RB1 role and was hyper-efficient. He had 16 carries for 143 yards (8.94 YPC) and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards. Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten should only be rostered in deeper leagues or as backup stashes.
Rookie Splashes
Ashton Jeanty showed up in his NFL debut (although he wasn’t the most efficient). He had 19 of the team’s 24 rushing attempts, but he only converted those into 38 yards (2.00 YPC) and a TD.
Harold Fannin came out with a bang. Njoku managers should be sweating. The rookie caught seven of his nine targets for 63 yards. He had a 20% team target share on the week, making him the No. 1 receiving option in this offense.
Jerome Ford, move over, it is Dylan Sampson season (for now). While Sampson wasn’t very efficient (2.42 YPC), he led the team in carries with 12. It will be interesting to see how this backfield shakes out once fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins is on the field.
I can’t talk about rookies without talking about the ROTW (Rookie of the Week) Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka caught four of his six targets (18.8% team target share) for 67 yards and two TDs. Mike Evans is still the No. 1 target in this offense, target share-wise (25% team target share), but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a shift towards Egbuka being the No. 1 as the season goes on.
EMEKA EGBUKA, WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE
— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Broncos’ Backfield
J.K. Dobbins led the charge with 16 carries for 63 yards and a TD (3.94 YPC). Rookie RJ Harvey had a monster 50-yard run that grabbed everyone’s attention. It is worth noting that besides that one carry, Harvey had five carries for 20 total yards. The rookie is clearly efficient, and this backfield split may shift over time.
Patriots’ RBs
In an overall inefficient backfield, Rhamondre Stevenson is the 1A. He saw seven carries for 15 yards (2.14 YPC) and caught two of his three targets for 12 total yards. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson seems poised to take over as the season goes on. He was far more efficient than Stevenson, gaining 27 yards on his five carries (5.40 YPC) and catching all six of his targets for 24 yards.
Fields of Green
Justin Fields has never been known for his throwing prowess, but he showed up yesterday. He was extremely efficient both through the air and on the ground. He completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 218 yards and a TD, and padded his fantasy numbers with 12 carries for 48 yards and two TDs.
Danny Dimes
Daniel Jones shocked the world yesterday. He is the first QB this century to score on every single possession in a game (yes, you read that right). He is also the only QB in NFL history to have two plus rushing TDs and 250+ yards in their first game with a franchise. Were the Giants the problem? Are the Dolphins really that bad? I guess we will find out soon. As of now, Jones seems startable.
In his first start as the Colts starter, Daniel Jones finishes 22 of 29 for 272 yards with a TD and two rushing TDs… in a blowout win over the Dolphins.
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Cardinals’ Pass Catchers
Trey McBride immediately returned to form in Week 1. He caught six of his nine targets for 61 yards (31% team target share). Marvin Harrison is the only other option worth starting in the Cardinals’ receiving game. He caught five of his six targets for 71 yards and a TD (20.7% team target share).
Seahawks’ Dynamic Duo
Move over, Detroit, there is another team with a dynamic duo at RB. Zach Charbonnet actually led the team in carries (12), but Kenneth Walker was right behind him with 10. Charbonnet had the TD and was more efficient on the ground (3.92 YPC), but Walker saw the RB targets catching all three of his targets.
CMC is Fine
Christian McCaffrey managers can exhale. He is still incredible both on the ground and through the air. He gained 69 yards on his 22 carries and caught nine of his 10 targets for 73 yards. With George Kittle likely sidelined for a few weeks, CMC staying healthy is even more important for the 49ers. Do not panic if you see him resting throughout the week; the veteran clearly doesn’t need all of the practice reps.
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe
Eight different players caught passes for the Packers yesterday, but three are the clear fantasy-relevant options (or at least they were this week). Jayden Reed led the team with a 22.7% team target share, catching three of his five targets for 45 yards and a TD. Both Tucker Kraft and Romeo Doubs saw an 18.2% team target share.
Jumping for Jacobs
Josh Jacobs has now scored a TD in nine consecutive games, setting a Packers franchise record. He had 66 yards on 19 carries (3.47 YPC) and one TD.
Josh Jacobs has scored in 9 consecutive regular-season games
— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Without Mixon
In Joe Mixon‘s absence, Nick Chubb led the Texans’ backfield with 13 carries for 60 yards (4.62 YPC). No other Texans’ RB had more than three carries.
Hey Rookie (QB), Welcome To The NFL
Cam Ward struggled in his first-ever NFL start. He completed 12 of his 28 pass attempts for 112 yards and fumbled the ball once. He did show good potential. Here’s to hoping he can get it together moving forward.
incomplete, but such encouraging process by Cam Ward to work to the Dig against Cover 2 here.
— Nate Tice (@natetice.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Second Year Breakout
Hello Keon Coleman! The second-year WR showed out in a wild game on Sunday night, catching eight of his 11 targets for 112 yards and a TD (24.4% team target share on 96% route participation).
Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer each saw nine targets as well (20% team target share).
Just don’t expect Buffalo to need to throw the ball 46 times every week.
He Is Still The King
Coming into the 2025 season, Derrick Henry had only 20 career fumbles on 2,355 carries. That means he fumbled 0.8% of the time when carrying the ball. Despite his costly fumble late in the game, he is still the King for a reason. He had 169 yards and two TDs on 18 carries, making grown men look like little boys as he plowed through them.
Give Him His Flowers
Zay Flowers showed up in a big way for the Ravens last night, catching seven of his nine targets for 143 yards and a TD. His nine targets amounted to an insane 47.4% team target share. Rashod Bateman was the No. 2 target in this offense, seeing four total targets (21% target share).
MVP
Last night, Josh Allen reminded everyone why he won the MVP in 2024. He led the Bills to a win in one of the most insane games I have ever witnessed. He completed 33 of his 46 pass attempts for 394 yards and two TDs, and carried the ball 14 times for 30 yards and two TDs. MVP.
Josh Allen had 251 pass yards in the 4th quarter, his most in any quarter in his career, per ESPN Research.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week. Tune in next week for another Unpacking the NFL!
Carly Manger isn’t just an analyst with Optimus Fantasy; she’s THE reason we’re able to bring you all of our great content, thanks to her role as Senior Editor.
HELLO EVERYONE, and welcome back for another year of Unpacking the NFL. If you are new here, I will be posting a stat/takeaway every Monday, unpacking different players and situations around the league.
This article was inspired by JJ Zachariason‘s Monday Dumps, so shout out to him and make sure to check him out!
Stats provided by Fantasy Points. All scoring is half point per reception (Half-PPR) format with four-point passing TD.
Let’s dive in!
Unpacking the NFL Week 1: The Stats You Need Now
Jets’ Backfield
Many were worried about Breece Hall heading into Week 1. Those fears should be assuaged somewhat as he was the clear No. 1 in the Jets’ backfield on Sunday. He had 19 carries for 107 yards (5.63 yards per carry (YPC)). Hall also had two receptions on four targets for 38 yards. Braelon Allen was far less efficient, seeing only six carries for nine yards (1.50 YPC). Allen did out-snap Hall in the red zone four to two, though.
Steelers’ Backfield
Another backfield fantasy managers were concerned about heading into the season was the Steelers. Jaylen Warren was the focus, but Kenneth Gainwell is clearly also a factor (Lou called it). Warren saw 11 carries for 37 yards (3.36 YPC), while Gainwell saw seven carries for 19 yards (2.71 YPC). Both backs were involved in the receiving game as well. Warren caught both of his targets for 22 yards and a TD, while Gainwell caught three of four for only four yards.
Whether or not Kaleb Johnson will get more involved remains to be seen. His debut was rough. He had one carry for negative two yards. Oof.
#Steelers Week 1 RB usage
– Kenneth Gainwell: 52% snaps, seven carries, 15 routes, four targets (23 yds)
– Jaylen Warren: 46% snaps, 11 carries, 10 routes, two targets (59 yds, TD)
– Kaleb Johnson: 4% snaps, one carry, one route (negative 2 yds)— Michael F. Florio (@michaelfflorio.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Raiders’ Pass Catchers
Before injuring his knee in Week 1, Brock Bowers was every bit as amazing as last year. He caught five of his eight targets for 103 yards. This amounted to a 23.5% team target share. Alongside Bowers, Jakobi Meyers was the clear WR1 for the Raiders. He caught eight of his 10 targets for 97 yards (29.4% team target share). Bowers and Meyers likely would have seen a more even split if Bowers hadn’t gotten injured. We will keep an eye on this injury moving forward.
Jacksonville WRs
Brian Thomas managers take a deep breath. It is not as bad as it seems. Thomas saw seven targets; however, he unfortunately only caught one of them for 11 yards. His seven targets amounted to a 22.6% team target share. His fantasy day was saved by his one rushing attempt, which resulted in a TD. Rookie Travis Hunter caught six of his eight targets for only 33 yards (25.8% team target share). This passing offense will continue to suffer until Trevor Lawrence can complete more than 19 passes for 178 yards.
The Saints Aren’t The Worst Team in Football
Shockingly, the Saints were not as awful as everyone anticipated. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they aren’t good, but they aren’t the worst either. Spencer Rattler held his own, completing 27 of his 46 pass attempts for 214 yards. Chris Olave remains the No. 1 receiver in this offense, having seen 13 targets (28.3% team target share). Juwan Johnson seems to be the No. 2 on the Saints, catching eight of his 11 targets for 76 yards (23.9% team target share). If you punted on TE or are a Kittle or Bowers manager, Johnson might be worth adding.
Arthur Smith Loves Jonnu
After his amazing 2024 season in Miami, Jonnu Smith took his talents to Pittsburgh this season to be reunited with the man who loves him the most, Arthur Smith. Jonnu caught five of his six targets for 15 yards and a TD (20% team target share). While the TD clearly saved his fantasy day, he will continue to be heavily involved in this offense.
It is also worth noting that Calvin Austin also saw a 20% team target share. He is definitely worth a bench spot in deeper leagues.
BILL BILL BILL
From the bottom of the depth chart to the leader of the pack, Jacory Croskey-Merritt made his mark in Week 1. He led the team in rushing attempts (10) and rushing yards (82) and scored a TD. JCM truthers rejoice. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols were both involved, but they saw only six and four rush attempts, respectively. It appears Bill has made his mark and is here to stay.
It is also worth noting that Ekeler is still the clear pass-catching back. He caught all three of his targets for 31 yards. JCM only saw one target.
TOUCHDOWN
The man they call ‘Bill’, Jacory Croskey-Merritt gets his first ever NFL touchdown!
#RaiseHail
— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Miami Dumpster Fire
Week 1 was ROUGH for the Miami Dolphins, and specifically, Tua Tagovailoa. He only completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 114 yards and one TD. He also threw 2 INTs and fumbled. There were no other major surprises in this offense. Tyreek is still the No. 1 target (19.4% team target share), with Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane behind him (16.1% and 12.9% team target share, respectively).
Jaguars’ RBs
The question of who will lead the Jacksonville backfield was finally answered for us yesterday. Travis Etienne has won the RB1 role and was hyper-efficient. He had 16 carries for 143 yards (8.94 YPC) and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards. Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten should only be rostered in deeper leagues or as backup stashes.
Rookie Splashes
Ashton Jeanty showed up in his NFL debut (although he wasn’t the most efficient). He had 19 of the team’s 24 rushing attempts, but he only converted those into 38 yards (2.00 YPC) and a TD.
Harold Fannin came out with a bang. Njoku managers should be sweating. The rookie caught seven of his nine targets for 63 yards. He had a 20% team target share on the week, making him the No. 1 receiving option in this offense.
Jerome Ford, move over, it is Dylan Sampson season (for now). While Sampson wasn’t very efficient (2.42 YPC), he led the team in carries with 12. It will be interesting to see how this backfield shakes out once fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins is on the field.
I can’t talk about rookies without talking about the ROTW (Rookie of the Week) Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka caught four of his six targets (18.8% team target share) for 67 yards and two TDs. Mike Evans is still the No. 1 target in this offense, target share-wise (25% team target share), but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a shift towards Egbuka being the No. 1 as the season goes on.
EMEKA EGBUKA, WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE
— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Broncos’ Backfield
J.K. Dobbins led the charge with 16 carries for 63 yards and a TD (3.94 YPC). Rookie RJ Harvey had a monster 50-yard run that grabbed everyone’s attention. It is worth noting that besides that one carry, Harvey had five carries for 20 total yards. The rookie is clearly efficient, and this backfield split may shift over time.
Patriots’ RBs
In an overall inefficient backfield, Rhamondre Stevenson is the 1A. He saw seven carries for 15 yards (2.14 YPC) and caught two of his three targets for 12 total yards. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson seems poised to take over as the season goes on. He was far more efficient than Stevenson, gaining 27 yards on his five carries (5.40 YPC) and catching all six of his targets for 24 yards.
Fields of Green
Justin Fields has never been known for his throwing prowess, but he showed up yesterday. He was extremely efficient both through the air and on the ground. He completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 218 yards and a TD, and padded his fantasy numbers with 12 carries for 48 yards and two TDs.
Danny Dimes
Daniel Jones shocked the world yesterday. He is the first QB this century to score on every single possession in a game (yes, you read that right). He is also the only QB in NFL history to have two plus rushing TDs and 250+ yards in their first game with a franchise. Were the Giants the problem? Are the Dolphins really that bad? I guess we will find out soon. As of now, Jones seems startable.
In his first start as the Colts starter, Daniel Jones finishes 22 of 29 for 272 yards with a TD and two rushing TDs… in a blowout win over the Dolphins.
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Cardinals’ Pass Catchers
Trey McBride immediately returned to form in Week 1. He caught six of his nine targets for 61 yards (31% team target share). Marvin Harrison is the only other option worth starting in the Cardinals’ receiving game. He caught five of his six targets for 71 yards and a TD (20.7% team target share).
Seahawks’ Dynamic Duo
Move over, Detroit, there is another team with a dynamic duo at RB. Zach Charbonnet actually led the team in carries (12), but Kenneth Walker was right behind him with 10. Charbonnet had the TD and was more efficient on the ground (3.92 YPC), but Walker saw the RB targets catching all three of his targets.
CMC is Fine
Christian McCaffrey managers can exhale. He is still incredible both on the ground and through the air. He gained 69 yards on his 22 carries and caught nine of his 10 targets for 73 yards. With George Kittle likely sidelined for a few weeks, CMC staying healthy is even more important for the 49ers. Do not panic if you see him resting throughout the week; the veteran clearly doesn’t need all of the practice reps.
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe
Eight different players caught passes for the Packers yesterday, but three are the clear fantasy-relevant options (or at least they were this week). Jayden Reed led the team with a 22.7% team target share, catching three of his five targets for 45 yards and a TD. Both Tucker Kraft and Romeo Doubs saw an 18.2% team target share.
Jumping for Jacobs
Josh Jacobs has now scored a TD in nine consecutive games, setting a Packers franchise record. He had 66 yards on 19 carries (3.47 YPC) and one TD.
Josh Jacobs has scored in 9 consecutive regular-season games
— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Without Mixon
In Joe Mixon‘s absence, Nick Chubb led the Texans’ backfield with 13 carries for 60 yards (4.62 YPC). No other Texans’ RB had more than three carries.
Hey Rookie (QB), Welcome To The NFL
Cam Ward struggled in his first-ever NFL start. He completed 12 of his 28 pass attempts for 112 yards and fumbled the ball once. He did show good potential. Here’s to hoping he can get it together moving forward.
incomplete, but such encouraging process by Cam Ward to work to the Dig against Cover 2 here.
— Nate Tice (@natetice.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Second Year Breakout
Hello Keon Coleman! The second-year WR showed out in a wild game on Sunday night, catching eight of his 11 targets for 112 yards and a TD (24.4% team target share on 96% route participation).
Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer each saw nine targets as well (20% team target share).
Just don’t expect Buffalo to need to throw the ball 46 times every week.
He Is Still The King
Coming into the 2025 season, Derrick Henry had only 20 career fumbles on 2,355 carries. That means he fumbled 0.8% of the time when carrying the ball. Despite his costly fumble late in the game, he is still the King for a reason. He had 169 yards and two TDs on 18 carries, making grown men look like little boys as he plowed through them.
Give Him His Flowers
Zay Flowers showed up in a big way for the Ravens last night, catching seven of his nine targets for 143 yards and a TD. His nine targets amounted to an insane 47.4% team target share. Rashod Bateman was the No. 2 target in this offense, seeing four total targets (21% target share).
MVP
Last night, Josh Allen reminded everyone why he won the MVP in 2024. He led the Bills to a win in one of the most insane games I have ever witnessed. He completed 33 of his 46 pass attempts for 394 yards and two TDs, and carried the ball 14 times for 30 yards and two TDs. MVP.
Josh Allen had 251 pass yards in the 4th quarter, his most in any quarter in his career, per ESPN Research.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week. Tune in next week for another Unpacking the NFL!
Carly Manger isn’t just an analyst with Optimus Fantasy; she’s THE reason we’re able to bring you all of our great content, thanks to her role as Senior Editor.
HELLO EVERYONE, and welcome back for another year of Unpacking the NFL. If you are new here, I will be posting a stat/takeaway every Monday, unpacking different players and situations around the league.
This article was inspired by JJ Zachariason‘s Monday Dumps, so shout out to him and make sure to check him out!
Stats provided by Fantasy Points. All scoring is half point per reception (Half-PPR) format with four-point passing TD.
Let’s dive in!
Unpacking the NFL Week 1: The Stats You Need Now
Jets’ Backfield
Many were worried about Breece Hall heading into Week 1. Those fears should be assuaged somewhat as he was the clear No. 1 in the Jets’ backfield on Sunday. He had 19 carries for 107 yards (5.63 yards per carry (YPC)). Hall also had two receptions on four targets for 38 yards. Braelon Allen was far less efficient, seeing only six carries for nine yards (1.50 YPC). Allen did out-snap Hall in the red zone four to two, though.
Steelers’ Backfield
Another backfield fantasy managers were concerned about heading into the season was the Steelers. Jaylen Warren was the focus, but Kenneth Gainwell is clearly also a factor (Lou called it). Warren saw 11 carries for 37 yards (3.36 YPC), while Gainwell saw seven carries for 19 yards (2.71 YPC). Both backs were involved in the receiving game as well. Warren caught both of his targets for 22 yards and a TD, while Gainwell caught three of four for only four yards.
Whether or not Kaleb Johnson will get more involved remains to be seen. His debut was rough. He had one carry for negative two yards. Oof.
#Steelers Week 1 RB usage
– Kenneth Gainwell: 52% snaps, seven carries, 15 routes, four targets (23 yds)
– Jaylen Warren: 46% snaps, 11 carries, 10 routes, two targets (59 yds, TD)
– Kaleb Johnson: 4% snaps, one carry, one route (negative 2 yds)— Michael F. Florio (@michaelfflorio.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Raiders’ Pass Catchers
Before injuring his knee in Week 1, Brock Bowers was every bit as amazing as last year. He caught five of his eight targets for 103 yards. This amounted to a 23.5% team target share. Alongside Bowers, Jakobi Meyers was the clear WR1 for the Raiders. He caught eight of his 10 targets for 97 yards (29.4% team target share). Bowers and Meyers likely would have seen a more even split if Bowers hadn’t gotten injured. We will keep an eye on this injury moving forward.
Jacksonville WRs
Brian Thomas managers take a deep breath. It is not as bad as it seems. Thomas saw seven targets; however, he unfortunately only caught one of them for 11 yards. His seven targets amounted to a 22.6% team target share. His fantasy day was saved by his one rushing attempt, which resulted in a TD. Rookie Travis Hunter caught six of his eight targets for only 33 yards (25.8% team target share). This passing offense will continue to suffer until Trevor Lawrence can complete more than 19 passes for 178 yards.
The Saints Aren’t The Worst Team in Football
Shockingly, the Saints were not as awful as everyone anticipated. I mean, don’t get me wrong, they aren’t good, but they aren’t the worst either. Spencer Rattler held his own, completing 27 of his 46 pass attempts for 214 yards. Chris Olave remains the No. 1 receiver in this offense, having seen 13 targets (28.3% team target share). Juwan Johnson seems to be the No. 2 on the Saints, catching eight of his 11 targets for 76 yards (23.9% team target share). If you punted on TE or are a Kittle or Bowers manager, Johnson might be worth adding.
Arthur Smith Loves Jonnu
After his amazing 2024 season in Miami, Jonnu Smith took his talents to Pittsburgh this season to be reunited with the man who loves him the most, Arthur Smith. Jonnu caught five of his six targets for 15 yards and a TD (20% team target share). While the TD clearly saved his fantasy day, he will continue to be heavily involved in this offense.
It is also worth noting that Calvin Austin also saw a 20% team target share. He is definitely worth a bench spot in deeper leagues.
BILL BILL BILL
From the bottom of the depth chart to the leader of the pack, Jacory Croskey-Merritt made his mark in Week 1. He led the team in rushing attempts (10) and rushing yards (82) and scored a TD. JCM truthers rejoice. Austin Ekeler and Jeremy McNichols were both involved, but they saw only six and four rush attempts, respectively. It appears Bill has made his mark and is here to stay.
It is also worth noting that Ekeler is still the clear pass-catching back. He caught all three of his targets for 31 yards. JCM only saw one target.
TOUCHDOWN
The man they call ‘Bill’, Jacory Croskey-Merritt gets his first ever NFL touchdown!
#RaiseHail
— Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Miami Dumpster Fire
Week 1 was ROUGH for the Miami Dolphins, and specifically, Tua Tagovailoa. He only completed 14 of his 23 pass attempts for 114 yards and one TD. He also threw 2 INTs and fumbled. There were no other major surprises in this offense. Tyreek is still the No. 1 target (19.4% team target share), with Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane behind him (16.1% and 12.9% team target share, respectively).
Jaguars’ RBs
The question of who will lead the Jacksonville backfield was finally answered for us yesterday. Travis Etienne has won the RB1 role and was hyper-efficient. He had 16 carries for 143 yards (8.94 YPC) and caught all three of his targets for 13 yards. Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten should only be rostered in deeper leagues or as backup stashes.
Rookie Splashes
Ashton Jeanty showed up in his NFL debut (although he wasn’t the most efficient). He had 19 of the team’s 24 rushing attempts, but he only converted those into 38 yards (2.00 YPC) and a TD.
Harold Fannin came out with a bang. Njoku managers should be sweating. The rookie caught seven of his nine targets for 63 yards. He had a 20% team target share on the week, making him the No. 1 receiving option in this offense.
Jerome Ford, move over, it is Dylan Sampson season (for now). While Sampson wasn’t very efficient (2.42 YPC), he led the team in carries with 12. It will be interesting to see how this backfield shakes out once fellow rookie Quinshon Judkins is on the field.
I can’t talk about rookies without talking about the ROTW (Rookie of the Week) Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka caught four of his six targets (18.8% team target share) for 67 yards and two TDs. Mike Evans is still the No. 1 target in this offense, target share-wise (25% team target share), but I wouldn’t be surprised if we saw a shift towards Egbuka being the No. 1 as the season goes on.
EMEKA EGBUKA, WELCOME TO THE LEAGUE
— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Broncos’ Backfield
J.K. Dobbins led the charge with 16 carries for 63 yards and a TD (3.94 YPC). Rookie RJ Harvey had a monster 50-yard run that grabbed everyone’s attention. It is worth noting that besides that one carry, Harvey had five carries for 20 total yards. The rookie is clearly efficient, and this backfield split may shift over time.
Patriots’ RBs
In an overall inefficient backfield, Rhamondre Stevenson is the 1A. He saw seven carries for 15 yards (2.14 YPC) and caught two of his three targets for 12 total yards. Rookie TreVeyon Henderson seems poised to take over as the season goes on. He was far more efficient than Stevenson, gaining 27 yards on his five carries (5.40 YPC) and catching all six of his targets for 24 yards.
Fields of Green
Justin Fields has never been known for his throwing prowess, but he showed up yesterday. He was extremely efficient both through the air and on the ground. He completed 16 of his 22 pass attempts for 218 yards and a TD, and padded his fantasy numbers with 12 carries for 48 yards and two TDs.
Danny Dimes
Daniel Jones shocked the world yesterday. He is the first QB this century to score on every single possession in a game (yes, you read that right). He is also the only QB in NFL history to have two plus rushing TDs and 250+ yards in their first game with a franchise. Were the Giants the problem? Are the Dolphins really that bad? I guess we will find out soon. As of now, Jones seems startable.
In his first start as the Colts starter, Daniel Jones finishes 22 of 29 for 272 yards with a TD and two rushing TDs… in a blowout win over the Dolphins.
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Cardinals’ Pass Catchers
Trey McBride immediately returned to form in Week 1. He caught six of his nine targets for 61 yards (31% team target share). Marvin Harrison is the only other option worth starting in the Cardinals’ receiving game. He caught five of his six targets for 71 yards and a TD (20.7% team target share).
Seahawks’ Dynamic Duo
Move over, Detroit, there is another team with a dynamic duo at RB. Zach Charbonnet actually led the team in carries (12), but Kenneth Walker was right behind him with 10. Charbonnet had the TD and was more efficient on the ground (3.92 YPC), but Walker saw the RB targets catching all three of his targets.
CMC is Fine
Christian McCaffrey managers can exhale. He is still incredible both on the ground and through the air. He gained 69 yards on his 22 carries and caught nine of his 10 targets for 73 yards. With George Kittle likely sidelined for a few weeks, CMC staying healthy is even more important for the 49ers. Do not panic if you see him resting throughout the week; the veteran clearly doesn’t need all of the practice reps.
Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe
Eight different players caught passes for the Packers yesterday, but three are the clear fantasy-relevant options (or at least they were this week). Jayden Reed led the team with a 22.7% team target share, catching three of his five targets for 45 yards and a TD. Both Tucker Kraft and Romeo Doubs saw an 18.2% team target share.
Jumping for Jacobs
Josh Jacobs has now scored a TD in nine consecutive games, setting a Packers franchise record. He had 66 yards on 19 carries (3.47 YPC) and one TD.
Josh Jacobs has scored in 9 consecutive regular-season games
— NFL Daily News (@fantasynflnews.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Without Mixon
In Joe Mixon‘s absence, Nick Chubb led the Texans’ backfield with 13 carries for 60 yards (4.62 YPC). No other Texans’ RB had more than three carries.
Hey Rookie (QB), Welcome To The NFL
Cam Ward struggled in his first-ever NFL start. He completed 12 of his 28 pass attempts for 112 yards and fumbled the ball once. He did show good potential. Here’s to hoping he can get it together moving forward.
incomplete, but such encouraging process by Cam Ward to work to the Dig against Cover 2 here.
— Nate Tice (@natetice.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Second Year Breakout
Hello Keon Coleman! The second-year WR showed out in a wild game on Sunday night, catching eight of his 11 targets for 112 yards and a TD (24.4% team target share on 96% route participation).
Khalil Shakir and Joshua Palmer each saw nine targets as well (20% team target share).
Just don’t expect Buffalo to need to throw the ball 46 times every week.
He Is Still The King
Coming into the 2025 season, Derrick Henry had only 20 career fumbles on 2,355 carries. That means he fumbled 0.8% of the time when carrying the ball. Despite his costly fumble late in the game, he is still the King for a reason. He had 169 yards and two TDs on 18 carries, making grown men look like little boys as he plowed through them.
Give Him His Flowers
Zay Flowers showed up in a big way for the Ravens last night, catching seven of his nine targets for 143 yards and a TD. His nine targets amounted to an insane 47.4% team target share. Rashod Bateman was the No. 2 target in this offense, seeing four total targets (21% target share).
MVP
Last night, Josh Allen reminded everyone why he won the MVP in 2024. He led the Bills to a win in one of the most insane games I have ever witnessed. He completed 33 of his 46 pass attempts for 394 yards and two TDs, and carried the ball 14 times for 30 yards and two TDs. MVP.
Josh Allen had 251 pass yards in the 4th quarter, his most in any quarter in his career, per ESPN Research.
— Alaina Getzenberg (@agetzenberg.bsky.social) September 7, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Well, that’s all I’ve got for this week. Tune in next week for another Unpacking the NFL!
Carly Manger isn’t just an analyst with Optimus Fantasy; she’s THE reason we’re able to bring you all of our great content, thanks to her role as Senior Editor.
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