Sit Sam Darnold vs 49ers The 49ers rank #3 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Sam Darnold resurrected his career in Minnesota last season and now heads to the Pacific Northwest to take over as Seattle's starting quarterback. Darnold finished QB9 in fantasy scoring last year, throwing for 4,319 yards, with 35 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He completed a career-high 66.2% of his passes and averaged 7.9 yards per pass attempt. The question is whether Darnold can duplicate his success in what appears to be a lesser offense environment. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell is regarded as a top playcaller, and Darnold won't have Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison to throw to this season. Now, Darnold will be running Klint Kubiak's offense and throwing to Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp. Darnold is still being viewed skeptically by fantasy analysts, who have him ranked outside the top 24 at QB in FantasyPros' Expert Consensus Rankings. Darnold seemed to collapse at the end of the season, completing 53% and averaging 5.1 yards per attempt in a Week 18 loss to the Lions and a playoff loss to the Rams.

Player Expected Output Comp. Att. Comp % Pass Yds Rush Yds TDs INTs 18 28 64.28 222 7 1 1

Sit Bo Nix vs Titans The Titans rank #2 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. I was down on Bo Nix entering last season. Early on, it looked like I was right about my evaluation of him as a prospect. Nix STRUGGLED out of the gate before turning it on in Week 5. Once the candle was lit for Nix, he coffin nailed my evaluation of his upside in the NFL. In Weeks 5-18, Nix was the QB6 in fantasy points per game, ranking 15th in yards per attempt, tenth in CPOE, ninth in highly accurate throw rate, and eighth in fantasy points per dropback (per Fantasy Points Data). I've never been happier being proved wrong. He was nothing short of amazing and placed third in the NFL Rookie of the Year voting. He also provided rushing upside, which I didn't expect in the NFL. Last year, he ranked tenth in carries per game and eighth in rushing yards among quarterbacks. Denver added Pat Bryant, R.J. Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, and Evan Engram to this offense in the offseason. Nix could take another step in 2025 with the added weaponry and be a top-five quarterback.

Player Expected Output Comp. Att. Comp % Pass Yds Rush Yds TDs INTs 18 28 64.28 206 28 1.04 1

Risks...

Lamar Jackson stole the QB1 crown away last year. It was his first time as the QB1 in fantasy points per game since his monstrous 2019 campaign. I know this won't shock anyone, but his rushing production remained stellar as he led all quarterbacks with 915 rushing yards while ranking tenth in rushing touchdowns and fourth in carries per game. Jackson also took more strides as a passer, finishing with a career-high 4,172 passing yards and 41 passing touchdowns. Hopefully, the shade that he received earlier in his career as a passer is dead and buried ten feet deep because he is a stellar thrower of the football. Among 40 qualifying passers last season, Jackson ranked first in yards per attempt, fifth in CPOE, and seventh in hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Jackson could be the QB1 overall again in 2025.

After six topsy-turvy seasons with the Giants and a late-season stint as Sam Darnold's backup in Minnesota last season, Daniel Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal with the Colts, who'll give him a chance to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting job. Jones had a good fantasy season in 2022, finishing QB9 in fantasy scoring that year, largely on the strength of 708 rushing yards and seven TD runs. But Jones was ineffective in 2024, and the Giants benched him after 10 starts. Because of his rushing ability, the 28-yard Jones could have some low-level fantasy value if he's able to beat out Richardson.

Dak Prescott's 2024 season ended prematurely when he tore his hamstring off the bone in the Cowboys' Week 9 loss to the Falcons. Through the first eight weeks of the season, Prescott averaged 16.0 fantasy points per game, ranking QB18 in that category. Prescott had been QB3 in fantasy scoring in 2023, averaging 20.7 fantasy points per game. Although he doesn't run much anymore, Prescott could be a worthy wait-on-QB target in 2025 fantasy drafts since he's likely to come at a discount following an injury-shortened season. Dallas has a strong group of pass catchers with CeeDee Lamb and new acquisition George Pickens, along with TE Jake Ferguson.

Spencer Rattler reportedly saw the majority of the first-team reps at Saints OTAs on Thursday.

Rattler went 10-of-12, which included a nice throw to Juwan Johnson on an over route & hit Chris Olave on a dig. This remains a camp battle to monitor between him and Tyler Shough.

Since the start of the 2022 season, Aaron Rodgers has finished as a top-12 QB in just six games - with only one top-6 finish. A-Rod has surpassed 300 passing yards just twice since Week 14 of the 2021 season. Now entering his age-41 season, Rodgers offers virtually no rushing value to buoy his fantasy floor. Last year with the Jets, Rodgers finished as the QB15 overall and QB18 in points per game (15.1), despite throwing for nearly 3,900 yards and 28 touchdowns. That offense also ranked top 5 in passing volume. It's unlikely Arthur Smith's run-heavy scheme in Pittsburgh comes close to replicating that opportunity. His days of routinely elevating the talent around him are likely over. At this point, Rodgers simply raises the floor of Pittsburgh's offense to keep their playmakers fantasy-relevant. But with a downgrade in weapons and offensive philosophy, Rodgers is merely a streaming option unless he posts an outlier-level touchdown rate. Given the alternatives, it's a win for the Steelers - but expectations should remain tempered for fantasy.

The Giants signed 36-year-old Russell Wilson to a one-year, $21 million deal in March, and he's the favorite to open the season as the Giants' starting QB. But Wilson might not have the job for long. The Giants traded up to take Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart late in the first round of this year's draft, and they also added veteran Jameis Winston in the offseason. Wilson made 11 starts for the Steelers last season and averaged 16.2 fantasy points per start. He'll be drafted as a QB3 in 2025 but might be useful as a spot starter in favorable matchups.

Start Jordan Love vs Lions The Lions rank #31 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Expectations were high for Jordan Love in 2024 after he went nuclear down the stretch in 2023 and bounced the Cowboys from the playoffs with a masterful performance. But Love sprained his MCL in the 2024 season opener against the Eagles and missed two games. Green Bay also became one of the run-heaviest teams in the league. The Packers were one of only three teams to run the ball on more than half of their offensive snaps last year. Love finished with 3,389 passing yards, 25 TD passes and 11 INTs. He averaged 16.3 fantasy points per game, ranking QB17 in that category. Love figures to play much of the 2025 season without Christian Watson, who tore his ACL late last year, but the Packers spent a first-round pick on WR Matthew Golden to give their offense a dose of speed. Love profiles as a high-end to midrange QB2 in fantasy.

Player Expected Output Comp. Att. Comp % Pass Yds Rush Yds TDs INTs 21 33 63.63 299 8 3 0

Start BAKER MAYFIELD vs Falcons The Falcons rank #28 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Baker Mayfield was at the height of his powers in 2024, establishing new career highs in passing yardage (4,500), touchdown passes (41), completion percentage (71.4%), yards per attempt (7.9) and rushing yardage (378). Mayfield tied Joe Burrow for QB3 in both total fantasy scoring and fantasy points per game (22.5) behind only Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. It's probably wise to expect some statistical regression from Mayfield, and it's possible the Buccaneers' offense is less effective this year, with 2024 offensive coordinator Liam Coen having left to take the Jacksonville head coaching job, and the relatively inexperienced Josh Grizzard taking over at OC. But Mayfield has clearly turned a corner in his career, he has a strong offensive line in front of him, and he has a deep, talented group of pass catchers that includes WRs Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan and Emeka Egbuka.

Player Expected Output Comp. Att. Comp % Pass Yds Rush Yds TDs INTs 24 35 68.57 305 17 3 0

Rewards...

Allen posted another elite season as the QB2 in fantasy points per game. He has not finished lower than QB3 in fantasy points per game since 2020, with three seasons as the QB1. The rushing production continues to be a big part of his wizardry, as he had 12 rushing scores while ranking fifth in rushing yards and third in red zone carries per game. Allen remains no slouch as a passer as well, ranking ninth in yards per attempt, seventh in highly accurate throw rate, and first in hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). He is in the running for QB1 overall again this season.

One of the best pure passers in the game, Joe Burrow led the NFL last season in completions (460), passing yardage (4,918) and TD passes (43). Burrow completed 70.6% of his passes, threw only nine interceptions despite a league-high 652 pass attempts, and averaged 289.3 passing yards per game. Burrow finished QB3 in fantasy scoring last year. Could he be an even more valuable fantasy asset in 2025? It's not out of the question. Burrow has arguably the best WR combo in the league with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, and the Bengals' defensive shortcomings could thrust Burrow into plenty of high-scoring shootouts. Burrow doesn't provide much in the way of rushing, but he's such a prolific passer that he's a top-five fantasy quarterback anyway.

Daniels was a league-winning value last year in his rookie season as the QB6 in fantasy points per game. If we remove the two games in which he failed to play more than 50% of the snaps, he averaged 23.7 fantasy points per game and had 0.61 fantasy points per dropback. Those two figures would have ranked second and fourth among quarterbacks last year. In those 15 full games, Daniels averaged 58.2 rushing yards per game, which would have led all quarterbacks last year by 4.4 yards per game. He also wasn't a pushover from the pocket, ranking 14th in yards per attempt, 11th in CPOE, and sixth in catchable target rate (per Fantasy Points Data). Daniels can improve in the passing department, though, which is incredibly scary for anyone not drafting him as he was 24th in highly accurate throw rate and 17th in off-target rate. Daniels has QB1 overall upside this season with a mid QB1 floor.

Jared Goff hit career highs in passing yardage (4,629) and TD passes (37) despite a three-year low in pass attempts (539). Goff was ruthlessly efficient, completing 72.4% of his throws and averaging 8.6 yards per attempt - second-best in the league among qualifying QBs in both categories. That helped Goff finish QB6 in overall fantasy scoring and QB7 in fantasy points per game (19.7). But regression could be coming for Goff. He dramatically outkicked his expected fantasy points per game (16.8), and the departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson could put a dent in Detroit's offensive production. It's best to think of Goff as a midrange QB2 rather than the midrange QB1 he was in 2024.

Michael Penix heads into the 2025 season as the Falcons' unquestioned starting quarterback after sitting behind Kirk Cousins for most of the 2024 season. Penix did make three late-season starts, completing 58% of his throws in those games, averaging 245.7 passing yards per game and 7.4 yards per attempt, with three touchdowns and three interceptions. Penix is a pocket passer who doesn't offer much rushing upside, but he has a powerful and accurate arm. He led FBS in passing yardage in each of his final two college seasons at Washington. Penix has the potential to return a small profit on his low-end QB2 price tag.

After throwing for a league-high 4,624 yards in 2023, Tua Tagovailoa played only 11 games in 2024, missing four games with a concussion early in the season and then sitting out the final two games of the season with a hip injury. Concussions are an ongoing concern for Tua, who sustained a pair of them in 2022 and played only 13 games that year. When healthy, Tua is a capable pocket passer who offers no rushing upside. He completed a league-best 72.9% of his throws last season, though he averaged only 5.7 intended air yards per pass attempt. He's averaged a very respectable 7.6 yards per pass attempt over his career. The Miami offensive line could be problematic in 2025, but Tua has a fine pair of receivers in Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, along with TE Jonnu Smith and RB De'Von Achane. Regard Tua as a risky QB2.

Caleb Williams is a polarizing figure in the fantasy community. Depending on whom you ask, his rookie season was somewhere between alarmingly poor and reasonably decent considering the headwinds into which he was sailing. The Bears' play-calling was questionable under offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and it was hard to see improvement in that department after Waldron was fired in-season. The Bears' offensive line was a sieve, as Williams took a league-high 68 sacks. He finished with 3,541 passing yards, 20 TD passes and six INTs in 17 starts, adding 489 rushing yards but no rushing touchdowns. The Bears have diligently spruced up Williams' ecosystem, hiring highly regarded playcaller Ben Johnson as their head coach, dramatically upgrading the middle of the offensive line in free agency, and adding TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden in the draft. Williams is known for his ability to make plays out of structure, but if he can start making plays *in* structure, he has a chance to take a huge leap forward in his second NFL season.

Bryce Young's second NFL season was a roller-coaster ride, but it ended on a high note. Benched after two poor games to start the season, Young returned as Carolina's starting QB in Week 7 and gradually showed improvement. Over his final three starts of the season, he completed 64.8% of his passes for 612 yards, with seven TDs, zero INTs, and a QB rating of 111.6. Young also has five rushing touchdowns in his final six games. Panthers head coach Dave Canales has a good track record with young quarterbacks, and his continued work with Young could pay off in 2025. Pass-catching weaponry has been an issue for Young, but the Panthers spent the eighth overall pick of the NFL Draft on highly regarded WR Tetairoa McMillan.

Sit Jacory Croskey-Merritt vs Giants OK, so you are proud of yourself for rolling the dice and selecting Croskey-Merritt with a mid-to-late round draft pick in your fantasy draft. Now you want to plug your shiny new toy into your lineup right away. Not so fast my friend! Yes, the seventh-round rookie has been a revelation in training camp and seems poised to become the Commanders' starting RB. Croskey-Merritt, who goes by "Bill," has an unusual college production profile that included stints at Alabama State, New Mexico and Arizona. While the college production was nothing special, Croskey-Merritt's athleticism stood out at his pro day, where he clocked a 4.45 and high-jumped 41.5 inches. After the Brian Robinson Jr trade, the rookie surged in fantasy drafts to the point where he was no longer a smart investment. The truth of the matter is that we really do not know how he will be used -- especially with Ekeler and Chris Rodriguez also likely to see playing time. Our best advice is to be patient, see how things unfold in Week 1 -- and then make smart decisions after we have seen with our own eyes what Bill's usage looks like.

Player Expected Output Att. Yards Rec. Rec. Yards TDs 9 32 1 6 0

Sit Breece Hall vs Steelers The Steelers rank #2 in our Run Defense Power Rankings. Aaron Glenn has stated this offseason that the Jets could operate with more of a committee approach for the backfield for the 2025 season. That's definitely a worry for Hall, but he remains the most talented back in that room. If this is an equal competition for work based on talent alone, Hall should still be the unquestioned lead back in New York. Last year, Hall was the RB17 in fantasy points per game, ranking eighth in snap share, 15th in opportunity share, and tenth in weighted opportunity. Hall produced adequately on a per-touch basis last year, ranking 15th in explosive run rate, 16th in yards after contact per attempt, fifth in receiving yards per game, and 16th in yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Hall should be a solid RB2 this season, even if he is ceding a little more work to Braelon Allen or Isaiah Davis.

Player Expected Output Att. Yards Rec. Rec. Yards TDs 12 32 3 21 0

Sit Javonte Williams vs Eagles The Eagles rank #5 in our Run Defense Power Rankings. Last year, it was tough to watch Javonte Williams. The injuries have seemingly robbed him of his special tackle-breaking sauce. The Broncos kept trotting him out there weekly without a better option to take his place. Williams finished as the RB36 in fantasy points per game. He will be in the conversation, if not the favorite, to be the Cowboys' starting back this season, with only Miles Sanders and Jaydon Blue realistically competing with him for the job. I don't know if Williams has the juice anymore to hold off those players, but he will be given the opportunity to do so. Last year, Williams ranked outside the top 34 backs in explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, and yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Williams makes the most sense with Zero RB builds this season, as he could buy time for a fantasy star to emerge from your bench to take his place in your starting lineup.

Player Expected Output Att. Yards Rec. Rec. Yards TDs 13 39 2 9 0

Risks...

Achane continued his strong RB1 ways last year as the RB6 in fantasy points per game. In his 16 full games played, he averaged 17.3 touches and 92.6 total yards. His otherwordly per-touch efficiency didn't hold up last year, but that doesn't mean he was bad. Among 46 qualifying backs, he was 19th in explosive run rate and missed tackles forced per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). He was a stud in the passing game, sitting at ninth in yards per route run and second in target share and receiving yards per game. I have plenty of questions about the Dolphins for 2025, but Achane isn't one of them. He should continue to post RB1 numbers in 2025.

Well, in 2024, Cook finally answered the question, "What could happen if Cook could score more than two rushing touchdowns in a season?" After back-to-back seasons with only two rushing scores, Buffalo loaded him with the seventh-most carries for a back inside the ten-yard line, and Cook responded with 16 rushing touchdowns (18 total touchdowns) as he finished as the RB11 in fantasy points per game. If Cook's prodigious touchdown scoring doesn't continue in 2025, he could be a letdown. He was the RB26 in expected fantasy points per game last year. The Bills still seemed hesitant to increase his volume, with only 239 touches and four games with at least 20 touches. Now, I will say Buffalo will remain one of the best offenses in the NFL, so Cook could easily post 15-plus scores again in 2025. Last year, among 46 qualifying backs, Cook ranked 20th in explosive run rate, 11th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 24th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). He should be a top-15 back this season with strong RB1 upside again.

The BIG DAWG KEEPS EATING! Some players are just built different. I don't know what else to say in regard to Henry. I don't foresee any slowdown from the Baltimore behemoth. Last year, he nearly rushed for 2,000 yards (1,921) and finished with 18 total touchdowns as the RB4 in fantasy points per game. Among 46 qualifying backs, he ranked third in explosive run rate, eighth in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 13th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Henry is an RB1 until he hangs up the cleats. I won't bet against the king ever again.

The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected RB Kaleb Johnson with the No. 83 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Kaleb Johnson’s 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, plus 28 runs over 15 yards, make him a big-play threat in Pittsburgh, projecting as an RB3 behind Jaylen Warren for fantasy managers. His 224-pound frame and 22 catches add committee value with PPR upside. Johnson’s boom-bust style could carve out a complementary role, offering late-round dynasty appeal. However, it looks like Jaylen Warren will start the season as the starter in Pittsburgh, so don't plug Kaleb Johnson in immediately expecting him to pay dividends against the Jets.

Isiah Pacheco vs Chargers
- Last year was another season dinged by injury for Pacheco. He missed a combined ten games with a rib injury and a broken fibula. The previous season, he was sidelined for three games with a sprained shoulder. Once he returned from injury last year in Week 13, he looked like a shell of himself. We should easily toss those numbers out for Pacheco, as he was clearly not fully healthy, and he failed to play more than 46% of the snaps in any game for the rest of the season (including the playoffs). We got an abbreviated look at their plan for him last year when he opened the season with an 80% snap share and 17 touches (78 total yards). The Chiefs could return to this model with Pacheco being their bell cow, but I doubt that is what happens. The team resigned Kareem Hunt and brought in Elijah Mitchell and Brashard Smith. Each player offers a different skill set and could play a role for the team in 2025. Pacheco could be the lead of a committee approach for the backfield this season. It's tough to consider him as anything more than an RB3 or flex play, but RB2 upside is still here. That said, the Chargers run defense is expected to be pretty good out of the gate, so we think Pacheco isn't a great bet in week 1.

Tony Pollard vs Broncos
-  The Broncos rank #3 in our Run Defense Power Rankings.

Pollard had a strong 2024 season as the Titans' workhorse starter. He ranked ninth in snap share, opportunity, and weighted opportunities. Pollard finished as the RB22 in fantasy points per game while ranking 18th in explosive run rate and sixth in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). The pitiful nature of the Titans' offense last year outside of Pollard crushed his season. He was only 22nd in red zone touches and was the RB15 in expected fantasy points per game. If Cam Ward can elevate this offensive ecosystem and Pollard can retain this awesome role, he could finish as a high-end RB2 this season.

It was another up-and-down (more down) season for Stevenson. He dealt with a foot injury and benchings related to fumble issues. Overall, he finished as the RB27 in fantasy points per game with snooze-worthy per-touch numbers. Among 46 qualifying backs, he ranked 38th in explosive run rate, 30th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 32nd in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). All of these dings led to the team adding to the backfield with their selection of TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson could still retain a goal-line and early down role for the Pats, but his ceiling is capped, and Henderson could be leading this backfield in snaps and touches quickly in 2025. Stevenson is an RB3/flex.

Start JAMES CONNER vs Saints The Saints rank #30 in our Run Defense Power Rankings. Last year was the first season for Conner since 2021 that he'd played more than 13 games. He finished as the RB15 in fantasy points per game, racking up 283 touches and 1508 total yards (nine scores). Conner didn't look like he was slowing down at all, so I don't see him relinquishing his workhorse in 2025. Assuming he can remain healthy again this season, Conner is set to smash. Last year, he was second in missed tackles forced per attempt, 11th in yards after contact per attempt, and sixth in explosive run rate (per Fantasy Points Data). He also retained his passing game excellence, sitting sixth in yards per route run and seventh in receiving yards per game. Conner could be a wonderful value in fantasy football again in 2025.

Player Expected Output Att. Yards Rec. Rec. Yards TDs 17 82 3 19 1

Start Chuba Hubbard vs Jaguars The Jaguars rank #28 in our Run Defense Power Rankings. Hubbard blew away everyone's expectations last year as the RB13 in fantasy points per game. He was the Panther's everydown workhorse and is primed to roll back into that job this year. Last season, he ranked third in snap share, fourth in opportunity share, 12th in weighted opportunities, and 14th in red zone touches. If Carolina's offense can improve in 2025, the red zone numbers should climb. In 2024, Carolina ranked 24th in yards per play and 21st in red zone scoring attempts per game. The addition of Tetairoa McMillan, the continued development of Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, and the ascension of Bryce Young should improve those numbers. Hubbard has the talent and projected workload to crack the top ten backs in 2025. Last year, he ranked 11th in explosive run rate and seventh in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data).

Player Expected Output Att. Yards Rec. Rec. Yards TDs 19 90 2 16 1

Start AARON JONES SR. vs Bears The Bears rank #29 in our Run Defense Power Rankings. Jones is coming off a season where he played 17 games for only the second time in his career. He amassed a career-high 306 touches with 1,546 total yards and an RB20 finish in fantasy points per game. Minnesota added Jordan Mason this offseason to take some of the load off Jones as Ty Chandler wasn't up to the task as Jones' running mate. Jones wasn't nearly as efficient as previous seasons, but he was still effective, ranking 17th in yards after contact per attempt, 11th in receiving yards per game, and 18th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Jones should retain his lead-back status in Minnesota for 2025 and be a low-end RB2 again.

Player Expected Output Att. Yards Rec. Rec. Yards TDs 14 79 3 23 1

Rewards...

Last year, Barkley finished the season as the RB1 in fantasy points per game, finishing with 378 touches, 2,283 total yards, and 15 total touchdowns. This season, we have to have the volume conversation and the worries about that for Barkley's outlook for 2025. It's a similar conversation that we had with Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs before him. Is it a concern? Yep. Is it so damning that it should Barkley outside the top 3-5 running backs in preseason rankings? No. My bigger worry is Barkley's quietly meh tackle-breaking metrics last year. Among 46 qualifying backs, he had the fourth-best explosive run rate, but he was also only 28th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 35th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). The big thing that helped Barkley was Philly's awesome offensive line. Among those 46 backs, Barkley had the highest yards before contact per attempt (3.55). Barkley was chewing up almost four yards per carry before he faced the opposition. That helped him a ton, but it will likely help him again in 2025, as Philly will once again have one of the league's best offensive lines. Barkley remains a top 5 back in 2025 despite some of my concerns.

Etienne had an incredibly disappointing season last year as the RB37 in fantasy points per game. He dealt with a shoulder issue (Week 4) and hamstring problems (Week 6). In Weeks 1-3, he averaged 15 touches and 67.4 total yards. In Weeks 10-18, after he was over the hamstring woes, he averaged 14 touches and 57.6 total yards. His per-touch efficiency in the 11 games that he was at his healthiest last year was putrid. Etienne had an 8% missed tackle rate and only 2.30 yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Those are back up level worthy tackle-breaking numbers. Etienne now finds himself in a battle for playing time in 2025 with Tank Bigsby and Bhayshul Tuten, with a new regime calling the shots. Etienne is a shakey RB3/flex.

McCaffrey's 2024 season was derailed by bilateral Achilles tendonitis. Yes, I know it crushed many fantasy teams. Yes, I know that if you drafted him last year, you're probably saying, "hell no...I won't be walking down that road again." I'll get this out of the way quickly. I'm back in. George Kittle had similar issues with his Achilles, but after he received stem cell infusions, it hasn't remained a problem. McCaffrey had a similar treatment last year and enters this season fully healthy from all reports. In the small sample we got from McCaffrey last year, his numbers remained strong. In the three full games he played, he averaged 18.6 touches and 93.7 total yards, all while playing 81-94% of the snaps. McCaffrey's 22% missed tackle forced rate and his 1.80 yards per route run were strong (per Fantasy Points Data). Among those two statistical categories, McCaffrey ranked eighth-best (70 qualifying backs) and sixth-best (53 qualifying backs). McCaffrey has at least one more big season left. I'll be investing heavily in him for 2025.

Robinson crushed last year as the RB3 in fantasy points per game. It was a tale of two halves. Atlanta began the season goofing around with his usage before they righted the ship. In Weeks 1-5, Robinson was the RB24 in fantasy points per game, averaging 17 touches and 87.2 total yards. In Weeks 6-18, he was the RB1 in fantasy points per game with 23.4 touches and 120.9 total yards per game. After Week 5, he saw his route share and target share jump from 54.5% to 60.4% and 10.7% to 13.4% (per Fantasy Points Data). If that usage continues in 2025, Robinson could be the RB1 overall this season. He posted strong tackle-breaking numbers last year, ranking 12th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 22nd in yards after contact per attempt. If Michael Penix can take this offense to another level, Robinson could be the Fantasy MVP this season.

Sit COOPER KUPP vs 49ers The 49ers rank #3 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Cooper Kupp's homecoming to Seattle comes with more nostalgia than fantasy upside. The 32-year-old signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seahawks after being released by the Rams, who opted to pay Davante Adams rather than keep Kupp around. Injuries have derailed his career since 2022 - including an ankle issue that limited him to 12 games in 2024 - and he averaged just 2.5 catches and 36 yards per game over his final seven contests last season. While Kupp helps fill the veteran void in a post-DK Metcalf/Tyler Lockett Seahawks WR room, he's unlikely to thrive in Klint Kubiak's run-heavy offense led by Sam Darnold.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 4 41 0

Sit Terry McLaurin vs Giants Terry McLaurin enjoyed a career-best season in 2024, finishing as the WR6 overall with 82 catches, 1,110 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He thrived with Jayden Daniels under center, finishing as a top-24 WR in 69% of games - tied for third among all wideouts. However, McLaurin's breakout was driven by elite touchdown efficiency, as he nearly doubled his expected TD output per PFF. Despite the strong production, he posted just a 21% target share (37th) and ranked outside the top-30 in targets per game. With Deebo Samuel added and Zach Ertz still lingering, TMC might not be a target monster in 2025. If his TD rate regresses, McLaurin could be overvalued at his draft cost. Being that he was a "hold in" this training camp, it is not out of the question that he starts slow in week 1.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 5 58 0

Sit DK Metcalf vs Jets The Jets rank #5 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Last year was the first time D.K. Metcalf hasn't finished as a top 24 wide receiver in fantasy points per game (WR30). Metcalf dealt with shoulder and knee injuries last year, which could also be contributing to his fall off. His per-route metrics don't paint a rosier picture, as he was 78th in separation, 89th in route win rate, and 64th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Yes, he did rank 36th in target share, 35th in yards per route run, and 20th in receiving yards per game, so it's not all doom and gloom surrounding Metcalf. There are reasons to believe in a bounceback here. He'll be the unquestioned top option in the Pittsburgh passing attack, which should help his weekly volume floor and ceiling. Aaron Rodgers isn't returning to his former glory, but if he can be serviceable, Metcalf should pay off as a volume-fueled WR2/3.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 4 46 0

Sit Chris Olave vs Cardinals Chris Olave enters 2025 with more red flags than breakout buzz. Now 25, he's coming off an injury-riddled 2024 season in which he played just six full games and averaged a disappointing 10 fantasy points per game (WR40). While still efficient on a per-route basis (2.15 YPRR), Olave was out-targeted and out-produced by Rashid Shaheed, who doubled him in air yards and posted more top-12 weekly finishes. Olave has struggled to deliver high-end fantasy weeks throughout his career and now faces even murkier outlooks with shaky QB play likely incoming in New Orleans.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 4 42 0

Sit Michael Pittman Jr. vs Dolphins Michael Pittman Jr. was one of 2024's biggest fantasy letdowns, finishing as the WR43 overall and WR52 in points per game. Despite a team-high 23% target share with Anthony Richardson under center, Pittman's fantasy ceiling was capped by a low-scoring offense and poor red-zone efficiency - just 3 touchdowns on 12 red-zone targets, and none from Richardson. Injuries didn't help either, as Pittman played through a fractured back for much of the season. Heading into 2025, Pittman enters as the Colts' WR1, although it's a much tougher bet with Josh Downs continuing to emerge. Accompanied by a deep Colts pass-catching room and lingering questions at QB between Daniel Jones/ Richardson, suggest Pittman's draft price requires a steep discount to be worth targeting. However, the emergence of Josh Downs and the addition of TE Tyler Warren means that Pittman is likely to see fewer targets which means his upside is capped.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 4 48 0

Risks...

Start Tee Higgins vs Browns Tee Higgins is staying in Cincinnati - and that's a win for his fantasy value. When healthy in 2024, he averaged 15.5 points per game (WR3 behind only Ja'Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson) and had one of the highest WR1 finish rates in the league. Still, drafters shouldn't overreact to that efficiency. As long as Chase is active, Higgins' realistic outlook remains that of a high-end WR2 - a role he's consistently filled throughout his career. He's failed to finish as a WR2 just once in four seasons, though injuries have limited him to 12 games in each of the last two years. There's massive upside if Chase ever misses time again, but Higgins' true value comes with steady WR2 production with high-end WR1 insurance baked in.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 6 87 1

Start Jerry Jeudy vs Bengals Jerry Jeudy FINALLY had the breakout season that we have all been waiting for. Last year, he finished as the WR21 in fantasy points per game while securing 90 of his 144 targets with 1,229 receiving yards. Among 85 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 14th in receiving yards per game, 33rd in target share, and 45th in yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). The rollercoaster he endured with quarterback play did impact those numbers. In Weeks 8-18, with anyone outside of Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball, he ranked 15th in target share, 20th in yards per route run and first downs per route run, and second in receiving yards per game behind only Ja'Marr Chase (among 95 qualifying wide receivers). The uneasy quarterback situation in Cleveland is pushing Jeudy down draft boards, but the talent and volume are there for Jeudy to crush expectations again in 2025.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 7 87 1

Start Drake London vs Buccaneers The Buccaneers rank #29 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Last year, London finally had the TRUE breakout season that I've been forecasting for him, as he finally got to experience at least average starting quarterback play for much of the season. London finished as the WR13 in fantasy points per game while ranking third in targets (157) and securing 100 receptions. Last year, he ranked fifth in target share, 11th in receiving yards per game, and 12th in yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). With Michael Penix under center in 2025, London could ascend even further up the fantasy wideout ladder. His splits with Kirk Cousins and Penix were eye-popping. Yes, I know it was only a three-game sample with Penix, but it would still be impressive if London could venture even into the general neighborhood of these numbers across a full season. With Cousins, London had a 24.6% target share with 65.6 receiving yards per game and 2.24 yards per route run. Those are solid numbers, but they aren't top-three wideout numbers like he posted with Penix. With Penix chucking him the rock, London saw his target share soar to 39% with 117.3 receiving yards per game and 3.74 yards per route run. If London can continue even a watered-down version of those numbers for the entirety of 2025, he could be contending for WR1 overall when it's all said and done. London is a high floor and ceiling pick for 2025.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 7 98 1

Start Rome Odunze vs Vikings The Vikings rank #30 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Rome Odunze is primed for a Year 2 breakout after a rookie campaign marred by poor offensive structure and an overlooked early-season MCL injury. The former top-10 pick was the WR66 in points per game as the WR49 overall. Despite operating in a dysfunctional offense, Odunze ranked 10th in end-zone targets (14) and led the Bears in high-value targets (air yards/red-zone targets) over the second half of the season - but caught just 3 of those end-zone looks, a number likely to regress positively. With veteran Keenan Allen/offensive coordinator Shane Waldron gone, and the Bears improving their offensive environment under Ben Johnson, Odunze has a path to becoming Caleb Williams' go-to weapon. If he sees more slot usage in 2025, watch out - the Bears' future WR1 could skyrocket in both fantasy value and production. We see him playing more of the Amon-Ra St. Brown role in Ben Johnson's offense in Chicago.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 5 66 1

Start Ricky Pearsall vs Seahawks If I were to tell you that there's a wide receiver entering his second season in one of the best offenses in the NFL, that's a former first-round NFL draft pick who flashed in the final weeks of his rookie season, that's dirt cheap in fantasy football drafts...you'd tell me I was insane. Well, I present to you Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall's rookie season was derailed early by camp injuries and then off-the-field circumstances that were out of his control. All of these factors delayed Pearsall flashing his immense talent, but eventually, the cream rose to the top. In the final two weeks of the regular season, Pearsall finished as the WR7 and WR14 in weekly scoring while seeing a 21.7% target share and 30.4% first-read share and producing 2.84 yards per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Brandon Aiyuk is coming off a torn ACL in 2025, and Deebo Samuel is gone. If Pearsall can establish himself as the 1B in this passing attack behind George Kittle, he'll crush his ADP and help plenty of Fantasy GMs to titles in 2025.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 6 89 1

Rewards...

Sit Jake Ferguson vs Eagles The Eagles rank #1 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. After being the TE8 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring in 2023, Jake Ferguson finished TE30 in 2024, with 59 catches for 494 yards and zero touchdowns in 14 games. Ferguson missed action with a knee injury and a concussion. A hamstring injury that wiped out half of QB Dak Prescott's season didn't help Ferguson's cause either. Solid 2023 numbers suggest that a bounceback is possible, but targets could be sparse for Ferguson now that the Cowboys have added WR George Pickens to complement target-hogging WR CeeDee Lamb.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 3 34 0

Sit DALLAS GOEDERT vs Cowboys He is currently listed as Questionable on the injury report, and may wind up being a dreaded GTD (Game Time Decision). Dallas Goedert missed seven games with hamstring and knee injuries last season. Injuries now seem to be part of the bargain when you draft Goedert, who's missed 22 games over the last five years and hasn't played a full season since he was a rookie in 2018. But Goedert is still reasonably productive when healthy. He had 42-496-2 in 10 regular-season games last year, then had 17-215-1 in the Eagles four-game postseason run to a championship. Goedert's troubling injury history and the run-heaviness of the Philadelphia offense are drawbacks, but Goedert still profiles as at least a high-end TE2.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 3 37 0

Sit David Njoku vs Bengals Following the best season if his career in 2023, David Njoku missed six games in 2024 with ankle hamstring and knee injuries, and his efficiency plummeted. Njoku finished with 64-505-5 in 11 games last season. He averaged a career-low 7.9 yards per catch and only 5.2 yards per target. But with the right quarterback, Njoku can be a fantasy force. In games he played with QB Jameis Winston last year, Njoku averaged 10.3 targets a game and scored five TDs over a seven-game stretch. He was TE4 in PPR fantasy points per game (16.4) over that period. The Browns' QB situation looks messy for 2025, but one of the candidates to make starts at quarterback is Joe Flacco, who really clicked with Njoku when they played together in Cleveland in 2023. When Flacco made five late-season starts for the Browns that year, Njoku had 30-390-4 and was TE2 in PPR fantasy points per game (18.2) over that span. Njoku could be a value in 2025 fantasy drafts entering his age-29 season, but his fortunes are tied to the Cleveland quarterbacks, which isn't exactly reassuring.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 4 43 0

Risks...

Evan Engram could SMASH his ADP this year as Sean Payton's Joker. Everyone will point to last year as a reason to have worries about Engram, who ranked 20th in yards per route run, but his target-drawing ability was just fine, ranking fifth in targets per route run and third in target share. He was also dealing with shoulder and hamstring issues. Those were his first injuries to deal with during a season since 2021. In Engram's two previous seasons, he ranked 13th and 14th in yards per route run and second and 12th in target share (per Fantasy Points Data). Also, in 2023-2024, Engram excelled in one of the hallmark metrics that I look at when evaluating talent and upside at the tight end position: yards per route run versus man coverage. In those seasons, Engram ranked fourth and eighth in this metric. Engram's best competition for targets is Courtland Sutton. Engram could lead Denver in targets this season. If that happens, he'll likely be knocking on the door of the top 3-5 tight ends in 2025.

With the Steelers having little proven talent at wide receiver beyond new acquisition D.K. Metcalf, TE Pat Freiermuth could see a good number of targets in 2025. Freiermuth had 65 catches for 653 yards and seven touchdowns last year, finishing TE10 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring. Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is a former TE coach who likes to keep his tight ends prominently involved. The problem is that Smith like to use multiple tight ends, so Freiermuth might not have the TE targets to himself, especially after the team added Jonnu Smith. Regard Freiermuth as midrange TE2 with low-end TE1 upside if Jonnu Smith is out of the picture with an injury.

Mike Gesicki vs Browns
- Big Mike is currently listed as Questionable on the injury report, and may wind up being a dreaded GTD (Game Time Decision). Gesicki is the top pass-catching tight end in arguably the NFL's best passing attack. You'd think that role would mean more, but Gesicki was TE14 in fantasy scoring last year after catching 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns. With the dynamic WR duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins vacuuming up targets, Gesicki averaged a modest 4.9 targets per game. It's worth noting that Gesicki's productivity increased over the five games Higgins missed last season. Gesicki averaged 5.2 catches and 62.4 yards in those games, and he scored both of his touchdowns when Higgins was out. Gesicki has a high-end TE2 ceiling when Chase and Higgins are both healthy, but if either of them were to miss time in 2025, Gesicki's value could spike.

Sam LaPorta vs Packers
- After a sensational rookie year in which he finished with 86-889-10 and was the TE1 in fantasy scoring, Sam LaPorta had a slight dip in production in 2024, with 60-726-7. LaPorta actually improved year over year in yards per catch (12.1) and yards per target (8.7) last season, but after averaging 7.1 targets per game in 2023, he averaged only 5.2 targets per game in 2024. The emergence of WR Jameson Williams for the Lions could keep LaPorta's target volume from returning to 2023 levels, and the departure of playcaller Ben Johnson for the Bears' head coaching job is a concern. Still, the 24-year-old LaPorta is an attractive TE target in 2025 fantasy drafts. As for week 1, he's not the best daily fantasy play as we prefer a wait and see approach with the new OC and with Gibbs perhaps running more pass routes this year too.

Isaiah Likely vs Bills
- Isaiah Likely's path to fantasy relevance has been blocked by fellow Ravens TE Mark Andrews for most of Likely's three NFL seasons. But Likely has had his moments, particularly when Andrews has been sidelined. In the nine games Andrews has missed over the last three years, Likely has averaged 3.4 catches, 50.3 yards and 0.7 touchdowns. Prorated, that would work out to 58 catches, 855 yards and 11 touchdowns over a full season. Likely and Andrews are both in the final years of their contracts with the Ravens. Likely has intriguing upside, but we might not get to see it until he and Andrews have been decoupled. Additionally, Likely has been dealing with a foot injury this training camp, so don't plan on him starting 2025 like he did in 2024.

Colston Loveland vs Vikings
- The Vikings rank #30 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings, making this a promising play, but we might suggest a wait and see approach with the rookie TE. Most people expected Penn State's Tyler Warren to be the first tight end selected in this year's draft, but the Bears took Loveland 10th overall, while Warren went 14th to the Colts The 21-year-old Loveland is a talented young prospect who joins a Chicago offense that appears to be on the rise. Loveland will be playing for new Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who helped coax a TE1 overall finish out of rookie TE Sam LaPorta in Detroit in 2023. But Loveland faces stiff target competition in his rookie year, since the Bears have D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and Luther Burden at wide receiver, plus veteran TE Cole Kmet. For now, Loveland is a more appealing asset in dynasty leagues than in redraft leagues, since it seems unlikely he'll make a major impact in his first NFL season.

Cade Otton vs Falcons
-  The Falcons rank #28 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. He is currently listed as Questionable on the injury report, and may wind up being a dreaded GTD (Game Time Decision). When Buccaneers WRs Mike Evans and Chris Godwin sustained injuries in a Week 7 loss to the Ravens last year, TE Cade Otton stepped up in a big way, catching 30-of-39 targets for 293 yards and three touchdowns over a four game stretch that began with that game against Baltimore. But in Otton's other 10 games, he had 29 catches for 307 yards and one touchdown. Evans and Godwin are healthy going into the 2025 season, WR Jalen McMillan will look to build on the promise of a solid rookie year, and the Buccaneers spent a first-round pick on Emeka Egbuka. That would seem to leave little opportunity for the 26-year-old Otton to make much of a fantasy impact this year.

Start MARK ANDREWS vs Bills After getting off to an alarmingly slow start last year, Mark Andrews went on a touchdown spree that reaffirmed his status as a valuable fantasy tight end. Five games into the 2024 season, Andrews had 10 catches for 120 yards and zero TDs. He was TE32 in PPR fantasy points per game over that stretch. From Week 6 through the end of the regular season, Andrews scored 11 touchdowns in 12 games and averaged 3.8 catches and 46.1 yards per contest. Andrews turns 30 the day before the Ravens' 2025 season opener, and his 2024 downturn in target volume and yardage suggests that his days as an elite fantasy tight end may be over. But Andrews has been a reliable TD scorer and remains an important cog in the Baltimore offense. Consider him a midrange TE1 for fantasy.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 4 44 1

Start Dalton Kincaid vs Ravens A lot of people were expecting big things from Dalton Kincaid in 2024 after his promising rookie season. But Kincaid failed to build on his 2023 numbers and experienced slippage in a number of areas. He went from 42.1 receiving yards per game as a rookie to 34.5 yards per game last year. His catch rate fell from 80.2% to 58.7%. His yards per target slipped from 7.4 to 6.0. Some of this could be related to a nagging knee injury he played through last season. On the bright side, Kincaid is a talented former first round pick with a good athletic profile. Josh Allen is one of the NFL's best quarterbacks, but the Bills don't have an abundance of firepower at wide receiver. It's possible Dalton delivers a breakout season in 2025 and establishes himself as an upper-echelon tight end. Don't be surprised if this sleeper TE pays dividends in week 1.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 4 42 1

Start Tucker Kraft vs Lions The Lions rank #31 in our Pass Defense Power Rankings. Tucker Kraft turned in a solid season in 2024, finishing with 50 catches for 707 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished TE9 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring, TE12 in fantasy points per game. The 24-year-old Kraft seems to be on an upward trajectory, and it helps his cause that the Packers don't have a proven target hog at wide receiver. Kraft averaged 10.1 yards per target -- an impressive number, but one that suggests some regression is in order. But if the Packers are less run-heavy in 2025, Kraft should see more than the 4.1 targets per game he averaged last season and be a bit of a sleeper TE play.

Player Expected Output Receptions Rec. Yards TDs 5 56 1

Rewards...

Brock Bowers had a legendary rookie season. He finished as the TE3 in fantasy points per game. He logged the most receptions, receiving yards, PPR fantasy points per game, and targets for a rookie tight end EVER! Insane, insane production. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, he remained stellar, ranking second in target share (23.6%), third in receiving yards per game (70.2), fifth in yards per route run (2.11), and sixth in first downs per route run (0.108, per Fantasy Points Data). With more target competition added in the offseason with the additions of Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton, we'll see if Bowers can reproduce this type of season in year two, but I won't be betting against him with improved quarterback play with Geno Smith now under center. Bowers is worth paying up for in drafts as a difference-making option at a onesie position.

Sit JAKE ELLIOTT vs Cowboys Jake Elliott made only 1 FG of 50 or more yards last season on SEVEN attempts. Those numbers left a lot on the table for the Eagles and proved to put him a risky tier of kickers to start this fantasy season.

Player Expected Output FGM FGA XPM 1 2 3

Sit YOUNGHOE KOO vs Buccaneers If you're banking on Younghoe Koo returning to elite fantasy relevance, consider tempering those hopes. While Koo's past top-5 finish and the Falcons' dome-heavy schedule hint at upside, most experts view him as a streaming option rather than a start-and-forget kicker. He simply hasn't posted consistent fantasy production the last two years, and the consensus is he's best left for waiver wire use-unless your primary kicker is injured or has a bye.

Player Expected Output FGM FGA XPM 1 2 3

Risks...

Start KA'IMI FAIRBAIRN vs Rams Ka'imi Fairbairn nailed 13/16 kicks from 50+ yards last year and is a nice sleeper option at kicker. Keep in mind he tied for third with 42 FG attempts last season as well.

Player Expected Output FGM FGA XPM 3 3 2

Start Cam Little vs Panthers Rookie kickers rarely generate much buzz, but Cam Little's consistency last year caught analysts' eye. While he finished just 27th among fantasy kickers due to limited field goal tries, his stellar accuracy (93.1%) and an expected offensive uptick in Jacksonville with new OC Liam Coen have many projecting a leap into reliable starter territory-potentially top-12 this season. Add to that a 70 yard FG in preseason and the potential is there for Cam Little to have a breakout fantasy kicker season.

Player Expected Output FGM FGA XPM 3 3 2

Rewards...

Sit Buffalo Bills vs Ravens The Bills, who were the DST8 in fantasy points per game last year, should be solid this season. Last year, they were tenth in pressure rate but only 18th in sacks, so they should see some positive regression in this department. Buffalo also ranked third in turnovers. However, this matchup against an elite Ravens offense is not the place to get started for them.

Player Expected Output Sacks Interceptions Fumble Recoveries 1 0 0

Sit Dallas Cowboys vs Eagles The Cowboys, led by arguably the best pass rusher in football in Micah Parson, took a major step back in their first season without defensive coordinator Dan Quinn at the helm. They finished with just the 19th-most Fantasy points per game and injuries to playmakers like Trevon Diggs limited their Fantasy upside. The Cowboys traded Parsons to the Packers for two first-round picks and defensive tackle Kenny Clark. The ongoing saga this summer between Parsons and the Cowboys finally has reached its conclusion, with the pass rusher agreeing to a four-year, $188 million extension to take his talents to Green Bay. The Parsons-less Cowboys draw a tough inaugural match-up against the defending world champs.

Player Expected Output Sacks Interceptions Fumble Recoveries 1 0 0

Risks...

Start Denver Broncos vs Titans Denver was the DST1 in fantasy points per game last year, and I don't see any reason why they can't repeat that in 2025. Last year, they ranked second in pressure rate and seventh in blitz rate, so sacks should be arriving in bunches again (they led the NFL in sacks last year). Denver will arguably field the best cornerback room in the NFL in 2025.

Player Expected Output Sacks Interceptions Fumble Recoveries 3 1 1

Start Arizona Cardinals vs Saints The No.1 DST target that you have no excuse for missing out on in 2025. Arizona opens the schedule against the Saints, followed by Panthers, 49ers, Seahawks, Titans, Colts and Packers from Weeks 1-7. The team improved the defense by selecting exclusively defensive players in this year's draft, and they should get major contributions from guys like second-year player Darius Robinson and free agent acquisition Josh Sweat. Arizona has been one of the most injured defenses over the last two seasons.

Player Expected Output Sacks Interceptions Fumble Recoveries 3 1 1

Rewards...