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Jamey Eisenberg’s Week 1 Fantasy Sleepers & DFS Picks: Michael Mayer Primed for Opportunity

Jamey Eisenberg reveals his top Week 1 fantasy sleepers and DFS plays, emphasizing Michael Mayer as a key beneficiary due to Brock Bowers' absence.

CBS Sports·Sep 11, 2026·via CBS Sports

Jamey Eisenberg’s Week 1 Fantasy Sleepers & DFS Picks: Michael Mayer Primed for Opportunity

Brock Bowers (knee) is out for Week 1 against Miami, and he could miss multiple weeks. That should allow Michael Mayer and Tre Tucker to step into prominent roles against the Dolphins, and both should be considered sleepers in the majority of leagues. Mayer has top-10 upside in Week 1, and he should be immediately added in all leagues where available. We don't know how long Bowers will be out, but Mayer is a great replacement option. At the time of publication, he was only rostered in 24 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. Mayer played three games without Bowers in 2025 and averaged 13.9 PPR points over that span and 7.3 targets per game. This week, Mayer is facing a Dolphins defense that was No. 3 in most Fantasy points allowed to tight ends in 2025, and he should see plenty of targets. Tucker has the chance to be a No. 3 Fantasy receiver in Week 1, and he gets a favorable matchup against the Dolphins. Miami allowed six receivers to score at least 12.1 PPR points in the final five games last season, and Tucker will hopefully reach that threshold. He played five games without Bowers in 2025, and Tucker scored at least 11.1 PPR points in two of those outings. Tucker is also worth adding while Bowers is out, and Tucker is rostered in 61 percent of leagues on CBS Sports. It stinks that Bowers is out, and we hope he returns to action soon. But his absence opens the door for Mayer and Tucker to be sleepers in Week 1, and both could be useful Fantasy options until Bowers returns. Now, here are some other sleepers that I like for Week 1.

Week 1 Sleepers

Quarterbacks Running backs Wide receivers Tight ends DFS lineups

Week 1 Preview

Sleepers

Sleeper QBs

Kyler Murray

MIN Minnesota

• #1

Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs GB MIN -1.5 O/U 46.5

OPP VS QB

QB RNK

14th

ROSTERED

83%

2025 Stats

PAYDS

962

RUYDS

173

TD

INT

FPTS/G

17.9

I'm excited to see Murray in his Minnesota debut, and this should be a favorable matchup against the Packers with Micah Parsons (knee) out. Including the Week 15 game against Denver when he was injured, two of four quarterbacks against Green Bay without Parsons each scored at least 25 Fantasy points (Bo Nix and Caleb Williams). The two who didn't reach that total were Tyler Huntley and the combination of J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer. Murray could have some growing pains as he continues to learn Kevin O'Connell's offense, but I'm willing to trust him as a low-end starter in Week 1.

Tyler Shough

NO New Orleans

• #6

Age: 26 • Experience: 2 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ DET DET -7 O/U 49.5

OPP VS QB

QB RNK

17th

ROSTERED

66%

2025 Stats

PAYDS

2384

RUYDS

186

TD

INT

FPTS/G

16.2

Shough took over as the Saints starter in Week 9 last year as a rookie, and he scored at least 20.1 Fantasy points in six of his final eight games while averaging 20.3 points over that span. He should stay hot in Week 1 this year against the Lions, who are without starting safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee). Detroit allowed six of its final nine opposing quarterbacks last season to throw multiple touchdowns, and I like Shough as a low-end No. 1 starter in this matchup on the road.

Malik Willis

MIA Miami

• #2

Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

@ LV LV -3 O/U 40.5

OPP VS QB

QB RNK

18th

ROSTERED

55%

2025 Stats

PAYDS

422

RUYDS

123

TD

INT

FPTS/G

14.3

Willis is making his Miami debut in Week 1 at Las Vegas, and this may be his best chance to win a game all season since many predict the Dolphins to have the worst record in the NFL in 2026. Now, that doesn't mean Willis will be a bad Fantasy quarterback, and he could do well against the Raiders, who tied for third in most rushing touchdowns allowed to quarterbacks last year with six. Six quarterbacks scored at least 3.1 Fantasy points with just their rushing totals alone against Las Vegas, which matters for Willis, who could be among the best running quarterbacks in the NFL. He's worth using as a low-end starter in deeper leagues in this matchup.

Aaron Rodgers

PIT Pittsburgh

• #8

Age: 42 • Experience: 22 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs ATL PIT -6 O/U 41

OPP VS QB

QB RNK

ROSTERED

18%

2025 Stats

PAYDS

3322

RUYDS

TD

INT

FPTS/G

17.2

Fantasy managers likely only drafted Rodgers as a backup in Superflex and two-quarterback leagues, but this might be a week to consider starting him. The Falcons might not get much pressure on him with Jalon Walker (knee) and James Pearce Jr. (suspension) out, and Rodgers might have an opportunity to start his reunion with coach Mike McCarthy on a high note. I'm not expecting a huge game from Rodgers, but he could finish as a top-15 Fantasy quarterback in Week 1. Sleeper RBs

Rico Dowdle

PIT Pittsburgh

• #13

Age: 28 • Experience: 7 yrs.

2025 Stats

RUYDS

1076

REC

REYDS

297

TD

FPTS/G

12.7

We'll hopefully learn more about how the Steelers plan to use Dowdle and Warren this season based on what happens in this game, and I like both as flex options against the Falcons. If we're assigning roles to them, I expect Dowdle to get more carries and work at the goal line, and Warren should be used as a change-of-pace rusher and on passing downs. The Steelers are favored at home in this matchup, so I'll give a slight edge to Dowdle in Week 1. But both should get enough chances to be useful flex options in all formats.

Tony Pollard

TEN Tennessee

• #20

Age: 29 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs NYJ TEN -1.5 O/U 38.5

OPP VS RB

RB RNK

29th

ROSTERED

99%

2025 Stats

RUYDS

1082

REC

REYDS

206

TD

FPTS/G

10.9

Pollard is worth using as a flex option in this matchup with the Jets, and hopefully, he'll pick up where last season ended when he averaged 100 rushing yards per game over his final five outings. He scored at least 11.5 PPR points in three of those games, and the Titans could win this matchup since they're favored at home. Tyjae Spears has flex appeal as well, and the Jets were No. 1 last year in most Fantasy points allowed to opposing running backs. Coming into Week 1, a running back has scored at least 16.7 PPR points against the Jets in six of the past seven games to end 2025.

Jordan Mason

MIN Minnesota

• #27

Age: 27 • Experience: 5 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs GB MIN -1.5 O/U 46.5

OPP VS RB

RB RNK

30th

ROSTERED

96%

2025 Stats

RUYDS

758

REC

REYDS

TD

FPTS/G

8.1

Minnesota's backfield is another one where we don't know what the split will be with Mason and Aaron Jones. I like both of them this week as flex options against the Packers, but I prefer Mason given his expected role. He should lead the Vikings in carries and work at the goal line, and Mason had 22 carries for 136 yards in two games against Green Bay last year. Mason will likely need a touchdown to have a big outing, and he's better in non- and half-PPR formats. Jones can be a flex option in PPR.

Chris Rodriguez Jr.

JAC Jacksonville

• #24

Age: 26 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs CLE JAC -8.5 O/U 40

OPP VS RB

RB RNK

38th

ROSTERED

74%

2025 Stats

RUYDS

500

REC

REYDS

TD

FPTS/G

7.1

I like Bhayshul Tuten more in Week 1 against the Browns, but Rodriguez could be used as a flex in this matchup. The Jaguars are heavy favorites at home, and they should have an opportunity to run the ball with a lead. We don't know how Liam Coen will use his running backs in the first game without Travis Etienne, but Rodriguez could end up with more carries than Tuten. We could also see Rodriguez work at the goal line. Last year in Washington, Rodriguez had seven games with at least 10 carries, and he scored at least 10.1 PPR points in four of them. With enough touches, Rodriguez could be a quality Fantasy play in Week 1. Sleeper WRs

Josh Downs

IND Indianapolis

• #2

Age: 25 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs BAL BAL -3.5 O/U 47.5

OPP VS WR

WR RNK

34th

ROSTERED

79%

2025 Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

566

TD

FPTS/G

8.6

Downs recently dealt with a calf injury in practice, but he's expected to be fine for Week 1 against the Ravens. I'm counting on Downs to be a go-to option for Daniel Jones, and Downs is worth using as a starter in three-receiver leagues. We'll see how the Colts distribute targets for Downs, Alec Pierce and Keenan Allen, but Pierce's playing time could be limited since he missed so much time in training camp due to a foot injury. Ideally, Downs or Tyler Warren will lead Indianapolis in targets in Week 1 -- and potentially all season -- and we can start Downs with confidence on a weekly basis moving forward.

Jalen Coker

CAR Carolina

• #18

Age: 24 • Experience: 3 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs CHI CHI -3 O/U 47

OPP VS WR

WR RNK

41st

ROSTERED

70%

2025 Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

394

TD

FPTS/G

8.2

Coker was hot to close 2025, and I hope he starts off the season playing well against the Bears. In six games from Week 13 through the NFL playoffs, Coker was better than Tetairoa McMillan, and Coker averaged 14.6 PPR points per game and had four outings with at least 14 PPR points. He averaged six targets per game. McMillan, by comparison, averaged 10.1 PPR points per game over that span on 5.5 targets per game. We know both will get plenty of chances in this passing game, and I would start McMillan as a high-end No. 2 Fantasy receiver in all leagues. I like Coker as a high-end No. 3 Fantasy receiver, and he should be one of the best surprises this season in his third year in the NFL.

Jordan Addison

MIN Minnesota

• #3

Age: 24 • Experience: 4 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs GB MIN -1.5 O/U 46.5

OPP VS WR

WR RNK

37th

ROSTERED

91%

2025 Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

610

TD

FPTS/G

9.7

Addison was miserable against Green Bay last season with one catch for 8 yards on four targets in two games, but we know 2025 was a lost year for the Vikings' passing attack because of J.J. McCarthy. Things should improve this season with Kyler Murray at quarterback, and Addison scored at least 18.9 PPR points in three of his first four meetings with the Packers in 2023 and 2024. Micah Parsons (knee) was hurt in Week 15 last year, and Green Bay allowed seven touchdowns to receivers in the final four games of the season. Parsons is out for Week 1, and that should bode well for Addison, Justin Jefferson and potentially Jauan Jennings in this matchup. Addison should be considered a starter in all three-receiver leagues.

DK Metcalf

PIT Pittsburgh

• #4

Age: 28 • Experience: 8 yrs.

Weekly Breakdown

MATCHUP

vs ATL PIT -6 O/U 41

OPP VS WR

WR RNK

27th

ROSTERED

97%

2025 Stats

REC

TAR

REYDS

850

TD

FPTS/G

12.5

I wasn't excited to draft Metcalf this season after the Steelers acquired Michael Pittman, and Metcalf missed most of training camp with an undisclosed injury. He's expected to play in Week 1, and he should take advantage of this Atlanta defense, which is missing key

_Originally reported by [CBS Sports](https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/jamey-eisenbergs-week-1-fantasy-football-sleepers-and-dfs-picks/)._