Who Should I Start? Kenneth Walker III or C.J. Stroud

Friday, September 5, 2:17 PM

Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III will open the season as the starter against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker is coming off a season in which he performed as an RB1 when healthy. Walker's targets were way up, which helped provide him with a solid baseline in fantasy. He draws a solid matchup in Week 1 against a 49ers team that allowed the third-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2024. That number figures to improve with Robert Saleh back as the team's defensive coordinator, but Walker should have lanes to run through. The Seahawks' offensive line is improved, and the team's offensive coaching staff changes suggest a serious commitment to the run. Walker may cede some work to backup Zach Charbonnet, who has made huge strides as a player, but Walker's big-play ability should keep him among the league's best options at the position if he can stay healthy. As such, Walker is an RB2 with RB1 upside in Week 1.

Friday, September 5, 9:37 PM

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud opens the season in Los Angeles against the Rams on Sunday afternoon, as he looks to start a bounce-back season. He took a step backwards last season after throwing for 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 15 games as a rookie. He finished with 3,727 passing yards, 20 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions in 17 games last year, while leading the Texans to a second straight AFC South title. He has a new Offensive Coordinator in Nick Caley, and the new system puts more responsibility on the quarterback at the line of scrimmage. Stroud is the QB16 this week against the Rams, who allowed the 11th-most fantasy points to quarterbacks last season. Stroud will be without Christian Kirk (hamstring), so he'll be working with an unproven group of receivers aside from his elite receiver option, Nico Collins. He's a strong QB2 with boom or bust upside in Week 1.