Week 1 Fantasy Football Quarterback Rankings: Kyler Murray and Brock Purdy Make the Top 10
Morgan gives his week 1 fantasy football rankings for quarterbacks.
This year, I'm going to do a series where I rank fantasy football players by position for each week.
Without further ado, let's dive into the series, looking at the top fantasy quarterbacks for week 1.
Check out week 1 fantasy football projections for quarterbacks on FantasySP as well.
1. Jalen Hurts
Hurts is my top fantasy quarterback for the week as he takes on the Cowboys.
Micah Parsons was just traded away, making a weak defense even weaker. That should help Hurts star in week 1, both as a passer, and of course, as a runner.
2. Josh Allen
Allen has a pretty good matchup as well, taking on the Ravens.
Allen is a guy to trust in all matchups, and he should be an easy start every week. He'll put up good numbers in week 1.
3. Joe Burrow
Burrow has a pretty favorable matchup against the Browns, and I see a monster first week showing for him.
There's not many matchups I don't like Burrow in. He typically starts seasons slow, but I bet he bucks that trend this year.
Jackson has a tougher test against the Bills, but again, I'm not going to knock Jackson down much ever.
He's a dual-threat star, and will deliver good fantasy numbers in week 1.
A clash against the Giants is a so-so matchup for Daniels based on last year's numbers.
With his dual-threat ability, I still really like Daniels in almost every matchup. You drafted him early, so utilize him all year and have faith that he'll deliver in each matchup.
Mayfield has a test against the Falcons, which is favorable based on last year's numbers.
Mayfield was a great fantasy option last season, and I bet he gets off to a stellar start in 2025.
7. Bo Nix
Nix will battle the Titans in week 1, which was a so-so matchup based on last year's numbers.
Nix is a top-end fantasy QB, and was drafted early-ish, so start him confidently this week.
A matchup against the Chargers is a bit tougher test to open the year, but I'm still pretty high on Mahomes this week.
We'll see if he can get off to a good start after a down 2024 season.
9. Kyler Murray
Murray will face off against the Saints in week 1.
While I see New Orleans struggling overall, the defense might be pretty solid. I like Murray still because of his dual-threat ability.
10. Brock Purdy
Purdy rounds out my top 10 - he'll face the Seahawks in the opener.
It's a bit tougher matchup based on last year's numbers, but I see Purdy and the Niners' offense bouncing back in 2025, and it'll start with a good showing in week 1.
11. Jordan Love
Love will take on the Lions in a week 1 NFC North showdown. It's a pretty favorable matchup based on last year's numbers.
If he wasn't battling an injury, I'd have Love somewhere inside my top 10. Don't sleep on him this week.
12. Dak Prescott
He has a tough matchup against the Eagles' defense in week 1, but while playing catch up, I see Prescott delivering decent fantasy results.
It's a bit of a risk playing Prescott, but he was drafted around this spot, so it's fair to rank him near this spot.
13. Drake Maye
I'm high on Maye this season, and I think he looks good against the Raiders in week 1.
As long as this game doesn't get out of hand, Maye should deliver a good fantasy total.
14. Trevor Lawrence
Lawrence is a sneaky good fantasy asset for week 1, when he'll take on the Panthers.
If Lawrence was a bit more consistent in his past, he'd rank a lot higher for week 1. He could be the biggest fantasy QB surprise in week 1.
15. Jared Goff
I really want to put Goff higher for his game against the Packers, but I'm skeptical of how the Lions' offense will look in week 1.
If Micah Parsons plays for GB, it could be a long day for Goff, but I still think he'll do enough for close to average fantasy results.
16. Justin Fields
He has a tough matchup against the Steelers, and I already don't like Fields that much.
Fields is a dual-threat QB though, and his combined numbers still should be good enough for a solid fantasy score.
17. Justin Herbert
Herbert has a slightly-better-than-average test against the Chiefs.
On volume alone, I could see Herbert delivering average fantasy results, so in deeper leagues, he's a solid starting option.
18. Tua Tagovailoa
A clash against the Colts is an above-average matchup based on last year.
Tagovailoa is a bounceback candidate, and could put up monster numbers in week 1 as the team looks to not overuse a banged-up De'Von Achane.
19. C.J. Stroud
Stroud takes on the Rams in week 1, which is a pretty favorable test.
Stroud is looking to bounce back after a tough 2024 season, and he could get off to a good start against a so-so defense.
20. Daniel Jones
A matchup against the Dolphins is tough based on last year's numbers, and Jones isn't that great of an option anyways.
He could put up decent numbers with his dual-threat ability though.
21. Caleb Williams
A clash against the Vikings is a tougher test for Williams, who I'm also not very high on.
He's not a big dual-threat guy either, and I see below-average numbers for Williams to start the season.
22. Matthew Stafford
Houston is a so-so matchup for Stafford in week 1.
I'd have him higher if Stafford hadn't dealt with an injury all preseason. He's a riskier starting option, but there's some decent upside too.
23. Sam Darnold
It's weird putting Darnold so low after a stellar fantasy season in 2024. He's in a worse situation now and has a tough matchup against the Niners to kick off the season.
Darnold could revert right back to his old self, starting in week 1.
24. Joe Flacco
The aging Flacco has a really great matchup in week 1 against the Bengals.
He's definitely capable of finishing higher than 24th, but it's just hard to put him over anyone else. A shootout game could lead to Flacco really delivering a monster fantasy total though.
25. Bryce Young
Young has a super favorable matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville's defense probably has improved since last season, so I still am not super high on Young.
He hasn't been consistent enough in the past to trust in the most favorable matchups either.
26. J.J. McCarthy
I am skeptical on McCarthy going into the season, and the Bears are a tough matchup to start things off.
This really feels like the higher end of a projection for McCarthy, and he could end up finishing way lower.
27. Geno Smith
Smith will take on the Patriots in week 1. It's a tougher matchup on paper.
I'm not that high on Smith, and in this matchup, I'd do my best to avoid him this week.
28. Michael Penix Jr.
Penix has a good matchup against the Buccaneers in week 1.
With only a few starts under his belt, I'm not really feeling Penix in week 1 though. He needs to show me something before I'm all-in on these favorable matchups.
29. Russell Wilson
I think the Giants are going to surprise this season, but a week 1 test against the Commanders is a tough test for Wilson.
He could deliver better numbers if the game is higher scoring, but I'm just not digging Wilson in week 1.
30. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers opens his Steelers' tenure against the Jets, his most recent team.
It's an average-or-worse matchup on paper, and that's why he's ranked so low. He could be a decent option in better matchups moving forward though.
31. Cameron Ward
Ward will make his regular season debut against a tough Broncos' defense.
It's going to be tough sledding for Ward and the Titans' offense. We'll see how the rookie handles things, but this isn't a matchup I'd want to try Ward in.
32. Spencer Rattler
Rattler will start against the Cardinals in week 1. It's an OK fantasy matchup on paper, but I just don't believe in Rattler or the Saints' offense.
Maybe in time he can change my mind, but you can expect whichever Saints' QB starts to rank near here for a while.
