Here’s what fantasy football experts are saying about Patriots players in Week 1
A matchup against the Raiders could create some intriguing possibilities.
As the Patriots prepare to begin the 2025 season at home against the Raiders on Sunday, fantasy football managers will keep an eye on the matchup through the prism of individual performances on offense.
Specifically, which Patriots players will be relevant for fantasy football?
In recent seasons, this has been a diminished list compared with the Tom Brady era. Aside from isolated stat lines delivered by Drake Maye, Rhamondre Stevenson or Hunter Henry in particular weeks, fantasy football largely skipped past the 2024 Patriots.
But with a (slightly) revamped roster under new head coach Mike Vrabel, will the new season bring a change?
Here’s what experts have been saying about Week 1:
Drake Maye
The 23-year-old Maye showcased his potential as a rookie, both for the actual Patriots and from a fantasy standpoint. He reached at least 17 points in half-ppr leagues six times, but struggled to produce on other occasions.
Looking at Week 1, NFL.com’s Marcas Grant sees Maye as an early “sleeper.”
“The Raiders feel like a good opening test for Maye and the Pats. Las Vegas had a middling pass defense last season, finishing 15th in passing yards allowed. But they did give up a lot of aerial touchdowns (29, tied for fifth-most in the NFL) and did not notch a ton of interceptions (10, tied for 22nd) or sacks (38, tied for 21st),” wrote Grant. “Pete Carroll will aim to improve those defensive numbers, but it might not happen right away. Here’s a chance for the second-year pro to get off to a hot start while also showing there might be more in the New England receiver corps than we anticipated.
Rhamondre Stevenson
While much of the attention (and hype) has gone to his rookie teammate, Stevenson “will likely lead the team in carries,” per The Athletic’s Chad Graff. And while that could change down the road, in Week 1 it’s the 27-year-old Stevenson who seems to be in the driver’s seat.
TreVeyon Henderson
After receiving more attention due to his highlight-worthy performances at training camp and during preseason, Henderson’s stock took a momentary tumble recently when he was listed third on New England’s unofficial depth chart.
While this isn’t seen as a serious statement about Henderson potentially not seeing much of the field, Tyler Sullivan of CBS Sports cautioned against thinking the Ohio State standout will be getting the majority of the carries anytime soon.
“Do we think that Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson will have roles out of the New England backfield that’ll annoy those who want more of Henderson? Yes, at least early in the season,” wrote Sullivan. “Henderson’s play could very well earn him the lion’s share of touches by season’s end, but it could be a bit of a committee out of the gate, which is why we have [the panic meter] at medium.”
Stefon Diggs
Prior to suffering a torn ACL in 2024, Diggs had tallied six straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards receiving. And since he’s been ahead of schedule in his injury rehab, Diggs is ready to go in Week 1, per ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
“Hell no!” Diggs joked when asked if he would be on a “pitch count” against the Raiders. “I don’t make the rules. We’ll see how it goes, but I really hope not.”
His presence could have an impact on the entire offense, especially Maye.
“It’s a security blanket,” Ashton Grant said of Diggs, per Chris Mason of MassLive. “You just have confidence knowing you can get to the ball to someone who is proven in this league. I think Diggs does a good job going out there and proving to Drake every day that he should have confidence in him. I think he’s done that every rep he’s had since he’s been here. So it’s been helpful for the quarterback room.”
Kayshon Boutte
Aside from Diggs, the Patriots have other potentially fantasy-relevant wide receivers. DeMario “Pop” Douglas could be one. Another candidate is Boutte, a 23-year-old third-year player.
“While Stefon Diggs has drawn offseason attention, Kayshon Boutte may be the New England Patriots’ hidden gem at wide receiver for the first few weeks of the season,” argued Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton.
Citing Diggs’s ongoing return from injury — and specific matchup considerations against the Raiders’ cornerbacks — Moton lobbied for Boutte as a possible consideration in fantasy.
“Boutte has upside and an intriguing season-long outlook.”
Hunter Henry
While no one is arguing Henry, New England’s 30-year-old veteran tight end, is primed to challenge Rob Gronkowski’s single-season stats from an earlier era, he’s quietly seen as a decent option in Week 1.
Sports Illustrated’s Michael Fabiano recommended Henry as a tight end to start.
“Fantasy managers in need of a tight end this week should consider Henry,” he wrote. “In games where Drake Maye was the quarterback last year, Henry saw a 19.2% target share and averaged nearly 50 receiving yards per game. He also has a great matchup against a questionable Raiders defense that allowed the third-most fantasy points to tight ends last season, so Henry looks like a nice streamer.”
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