Pollard’s reception was by far the biggest play of the day for a moribund Titans offense. He handled 18 of 20 running backs carries for the Titans, even if it didn’t amount to a whole lot against a stiff Denver front seven. With Tyjae Spears (ankle) sidelined for at least the next three weeks, Pollard should have one of the best workloads of any running back outside the elite tier. Softer matchups should deliver better results for the veteran, who ran a route on 25 of 34 Cam Ward drop backs against the Broncos. Pollard takes on the Rams in Week 2.

Ridley struggled to get open with Patrick Surtain shadowing him for much of the contest. Seeing a team-leading 28 percent target share, Ridley could have salvaged his statistical day on two four quarter targets that he dropped, dooming the Titans’ last-minute comeback attempt against the heavily favored Broncos. Ridley accounted for 25 percent of the Titans’ air yards; Elic Ayomanor led the team with a 48 percent air yards share. Ridley will see far more favorable matchups this season, starting with Week 2 against the Rams. Fantasy managers should stick with Ridley as a flex option despite the rough start to 2025.

Smith-Njigba’s fantasy outpouring was stymied when a 49ers defensive lineman punched the football loose after Smith-Njigba turned upfield on a screen pass. Aside from that blemish on his fantasy record, Smith-Njigba was marvelous. The third-year wide receiver was getting open at will in the center of the field and Sam Darnold continued looking his way from start to finish. Smith-Njigba ended the day with five explosive 15-plus-yard gains. Although he faces the Steelers’ top-tier defense next week, his talent and target volume keep him on the WR1/2 border.

He did this on only 38 snaps after being pulled for a concussion evaluation once — he left with a bloody head — and then being pulled a second time by the independent spotter. NFL players: They aren’t like us! Nacua smashed in a tough matchup and should again be on the WR1 line in Week 2 against the Titans.

On the plus side, Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are already walking in lockstep. The duo connected for an easy 18-yard game on the first play from scrimmage that set the tone for Seattle’s passing offense moving forward. Unfortunately, the game ended on a sour note. 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa drove Seahawks RT Abraham Lucas backward and into Darnold’s throwing arm as he was set to uncork a pass from the 49ers’ nine-yard line. The 49ers recovered and the day was done. Darnold is just a QB2 against the Steelers next week.

The fact that he dominated snaps (53 of 63, by far the most among Texans receivers) and did that little with them tells you something about this new Texans offense. And not something good. This would have been Collins’ lowest target total all year in 2024 if we didn’t count games he was hurt in or left early. It’s usage that we haven’t seen since the middle of 2023. Fantasy managers have little choice but to trust this can get better next week against the Buccaneers, but it’s an ominous beginning for someone who was already stuck being the bright spot in a bad offense last year.

Ward played much better than his stat line would indicate. Titans pass catchers dropped five well-thrown passes from the rookie in his NFL debut, including two late-game drops that spoiled the team’s chance of a last-minute comeback win over the heavily-favored Broncos. Ward threw from a variety of arm angles, and almost connected with downfield threat Elic Ayomanor on a few deep shots in the first half. Ward had plenty of time to operate in the pocket; only five quarterbacks in Week 1 had a higher average time to throw, according to PFF. Ward did not record a rushing attempt. That’s something of a concern for his fantasy prospects. The rookie isn’t a fantasy option for Week 2 against the Rams. Not yet, anyway.

McCaffrey entered Week 1 just three days removed from an in-practice calf tweak. His five first-quarter touches were reasonable, though admittedly a team-high. 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan threw caution to the wind as the game progressed, loading up McCaffrey with 8-9 touches in each of the next three quarters. Both George Kittle (hamstring) and Jauan Jennings (shoulder) were forced from play, helping McCaffrey earn a team-high seven targets in the second half. The veteran running back looked good as a receiver, but was unable to get things going on the ground. He gets a far softer defensive front next week, against the Saints, keeping him firmly locked into the elite RB1 tier.

Williams played on 48 of 60 snaps — about the same 75-80 percent on-field rate as last year — and no matter what Sean McVay says he keeps just playing the hits. The touchdown run was a gritty fourth-and-goal pitch from the one-yard line that Williams managed to turn into a score. There will be better matchups for a running back than this tough Texans defense, and one of them will occur next week when Williams is on the RB1 line against the Titans.