Football

Must have fantasy options 2025

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WR

Nico Collins, Houston Texans, ADP 14

If injuries weren’t a factor over his first four NFL seasons, Nico Collins could be talked about in the conversation for the #1 overall pick heading into the 2025 campaign. Collins averaged 17.6 fantasy points per game last season while having to share targets with Stephon Diggs and Tank Dell.  Diggs is in New England and Dell will likely not play this season. That leaves a hole in the Texans depth chart that will be filled by more Nico. 

Collins has a proven connection with CJ Stroud and with Bobby Slowak out as offensive coordinator, we can hope that opens up more downfield action for the Texans offense.  This is the year of Nico and I want to be a part of that.

Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers ADP 135

The retirement of Mike Williams opens up opportunities for 2nd round pick Tre Harris in 2025.  Justin Herbert had limited options outside of 2024 breakout star Ladd McConkey.  Josh Palmer is gone and Quentin Johnson and Jalen Reagor do not excite anyone.  Harris is 6ft 3inches, which makes him an ideal red zone threat and downfield option.  The Chargers are a run first team but Harris is the type of player that has the ability to break a game open.  

Even with the signing of Keenan Allen, I still see Tre Harris as the breakout player of the WR core in Los Angeles, he will begin the season as a WR3 but will finish as the #1 option.

RB

De’Von Achane, Miami Dolphins, ADP 15

Achane’s fantasy value has been linked to the health of Tua Tagovailoa.  When Tua plays, Achane is an undisputable RB1.  With Tagovailoa in the lineup Achane was on pace for 1,800 yards, 104 catches, and 17 touchdowns in 2024  

Heading into 2025 Tua is healthy and Achane projects to have a huge season. The Dolphins will need to lean on his running and pass catching skills as a somewhat baffling decline for Tyreek Hill had the offense searching for answers last year.  Raheem Mostert is no longer in town and the backfield behind Achane is questionable at best.  By the end of the season we could be talking about the 2026 #1 overall fantasy player.

RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos, ADP 52

I was patient in 2024 hoping to see the progression of Javonte Williams in the Sean Payton offense.  I was very much wrong.  Sometimes the player just doesn’t work in the system.  This will not be the case for RJ Harvey in 2025.  

Harvey was a workhorse back at Central Florida, in his final season he 6.8 yards per carry with an astounding 22 touchdowns.  His ability to catch the ball showed as well, amassing 22 catches and 3 touchdowns through the air.  Sean Payton’s offense historically leans on backs that are able to catch the ball as well as run and Harvey gives him that option.  The addition of JK Dobbins to the backfield will likely scare off some fantasy owners, which may allow you to grab Harvey later than he should be available. 

TE

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys ADP 123

In 2023 Jake Ferguson was a top-ten fantasy tightend recording 71 catches and 5 touchdowns.  2024 was set to be a breakout season for the third year player, as he was set to take over the rains as the #1 tightend in Dallas.  Injuries forced him to miss a few games, but the biggest determining factor was the injury to Dak Prescott.  Ferguson ended the 2024 campaign with zero touchdowns but with the addition of George Pickens the middle will be wide open for Ferguson in 2025.  The return of Dak Prescott will also factor into the red zone production for Ferguson.  He is currently projecting to be in the late rounds, he could be a steal for someone that waited for a high upside tightend.

NFL Division Picks – 2023

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I am a day late on these picks but Thursday’ game confirmed my thoughts on a few spots. Below are the each divisions

NFC West- San Francisco 49ers 

Trey Lance is going to make the difference.  The 49ers and Rams are pretty even if you spread out the overall talent. The biggest difference for Los Angeles is consistency at QB and ofcourse Aaron Donald.  

Lance is a dynamic athlete that is going to challenge opposing defeneses.  Donald will not have a stagnant Jimmy G in the pocket, it will be a bigger challenge for the all-time great.  The Rams will be in the playoffs but it is concerning that your QB had offseason surgery on his throwing arm.  I am going to give the Niners the edge, not by much.  Lance could struggle to start the season but his talent is limitless.

NFC South- Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tom Brady’s return locked up the division for the Bucs. Even at his senior age Brady can manage an offense loaded with weapons.  The NFC South will have an improved Carolina team with hopefully a healthy Baker Mayfield and a Saints team with a healthy Jamies Winston, but both of those QB’s are unproven in the big moment. 

The Bucs can rely on their run game with Leonard Fournette and rookie Rashaad White.  Give Brady a solid run game and he will be able to pick apart one on ones all over the field.  Tampa also has the best defense in the conference.  

NFC North- Green Bay Packers

The Packers don’t really care who takes the field with Aaron Rodgers.  Put out whomever you want and he will find a way to make them great.  This has been the game plan for the last few years in Green Bay.  Somehow a team that traded away arguably the best receiver in the NFL is a considerable favorite to not only take their division but many see them as a threat to win the NFC. 

There are questions on the offensive line, questions about receivers, questions about Rodgers hair length.  Lots of questions but the only answer needed is Aaron Rodgers is so much better than every other QB in this division.  The defense is legit and they have a two man running attack that will cause teams problems.  Vikings should make it interesting, the Lions are better but in the end Rodgers will lead the Packers to the NFC North title. 

NFC East- Dallas Cowboys

The Eagles made the sexy moves in the offseason, adding WR AJ Brown and CB James Bradberry.  Philly made the statement that they are going to rely on Jalen Hurts to run their revamped offense.  If Hurts can take the next step with his accuracy to go along with his dynamic running ability then the Eagles may have something. 

Philly will be fun on the offensive end but the problems will still be there on defense.  Against quality QB’s they will continue to stuggle.  Dak Prescott is healthy and still has elite level weapons. The x-factor could be the continued use of Tony Pollard in the short pass game, his ability to create will help while the Cowboys figure out their offensive line questions. The Dallas defense has more playmakers that can make a difference. They win the division but it will be down to the last game per usual.

AFC South- Indianapolis Colts

Matt Ryan is super exciting, but adding an MVP QB that seems like he still has the ability to make plays is always a good thing.  Ryan’s biggest attribute will be his leadership.  Compared to Carson Wentz it’s pretty much as solid an upgrade as you can get.

The Jags will be better in 2022 but the only real competition comes from Derrick Henry and the guys that play with him (Titans).  Tennessee lost a big part of their defense when Harold Landry went down with an ACL injury.  Tennessee will have to lean on the run game and hope the defense can hold up.  This is Jonathon Taylor’s division and he will own it. 

AFC West- Los Angeles Chargers

Easily the most competitive division in football. The Broncos added Russell Wilson, the Raiders added Davante Adams, the Chargers and Chiefs have two QB’s competing for the MVP. 

The Chargers will return their entire offense that was tops in the league last season.  Austin Ekeler will be joined by promising rookie Isiah Spiller, while Joshua Palmer is considered a potential breakout candidate.  Oh, they also added a solid TE in former Ram Gerald Everett.  The Chargers also addressed a huge problem from last season, adding Sebastian Joesph-Day and Austin Johnson to slow down opposing run games.  They also added Khalil Mack, he and Joey Bosa will make things fun for Patrick Mahomes.  The Chargers will be a problem on both sides of the football. 

AFC North- Baltimor Ravens

If DeShaun Watson was playing before week 11 the Browns would have a shot at this division. Since he is not this is a two team race between the Ravens and the Bengals.  Cincy has another year of progression for Joe Burrow will make the Bengals offense something fun to watch all season.  They should put up a great fight against the Ravens, but Balitmore has a better coach and better defense.  Lamar Jackson still lacks the weapongs Burrow has but there is enough there for the Ravens to put up plenty of points.  

Don’t sleep on Rashad Bateman and rookie tightend Isiah Likely.  They can both be huge for the Ravens in 2022.  I think Jackson puts up MVP numbers, and the Ravens take the division by one game. 

AFC East- Buffalo Bills

Maybe the Dolphins test the Bills? Ha, no Bills win this division without a challenge if Josh Allen is healthy.  He is too good and the pass rush is ferocious. 

Titans offense is the best in the league.

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Are Titans the best offense in the league?

The Titans are 5-0.  Along with the Steelers and the Seahawks they are the only teams in the league with a still undefeated mark.  They have built their team around an offense that has been impossible to stop. Despite not featuring the premier names in the league they have built an offense that has a bit of old school in it while constantly evolving into the trends of the league. 

Tennessee features an offense that can do anything it wants to move the ball.  Ryan Tannahill has broken away from the cesspool that was Adam Gase to finally meet the expectations of a former first round draft pick. Ryan Tannahill since being named starter in 2019 (Week 7) has led the league in touchdown passes (40), and yards per attempt (8.6 YPA). He has the 4th highest QBR of the season (83.3), that puts him in front of Russell Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Kyer Murray.  His ability to throw on the move and develop with the young receivers has made him an unstoppable force in a league that is seeing a boom in athletic quarterback play.  He has made stars of players that most teams had overlooked, AJ Brown and Jonnu Smith have emerged in this dynamic offense because Tannahill has led them to this point.  His trust in his receiving core allows him to make plays that we had not seen early in his career.  Looking at the highlights from Sunday’s victory over the Texans shows a couple of plays that utilizes his mobility (watch 2:19) and his trust of second year star AJ Brown (watch at 13:14). 

Highlights from Texans/Titans:

The Titans offense is built around the bell cow Derrick Henry.  Everyone knows he is going to get the ball but stopping him is another story.  His bruising runs punish opposing defenses to the point where they are forced to sell out to stopping him.  He currently leads the league in rushing yards by 100 more yards than the next ranked player.  He is as dominant as any player we have ever seen in the league.  The Titans added another weapon in the backfield, Jeremy McNichols, the 2017 fifth round pick out of Boise State brings a different tempo to the field when he is in the game.  He has a lot of Dion Lewis/James White in him.  He is a perfect fit to change the pace up when Henry gets a breather.  

The Titans offense is a throwback, built around the run to open up the pass.They have been able to run this efficient offesne despite being held backby multiple Covid-19 issues.  Wide receivers Adam Humphries and Corey Davis have missed time but they will all be healthy soon and this offense will continue to thrive. They are backed up by a coach that has all the confidence in his team that will allow them to go out and take chances.  The Titans are no longer a run first team that can’t be successful without Derrick Henry.  This is a team that can match up with the powerful offesnes of the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers. The Titans are a real threat in the AFC, this offense is going to be tough to stop.

Five Backup Rb’s that could be Fantasy Relevant

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Ito Smith, Atlanta Falcons

Ito Smith had a nice 2018 season, filling for the injured Devonta Freeman.  Smith was still forced to play second fiddle to Tevin Coleman but was able to average 3.5 yards per carry and add four touchdowns, doing so with just 90 carries on the season. 

With Coleman now in San Francisco Smith should be secured as he #2 behind Devonta Freeman.  The Falcons defense was an atrocity last season.  Constantly playing from behind forced Atlanta to abandon the run game.  Assuming they don’t have the same injury trouble of the defense Atlanta should have a chance to be a good team next season.  Which means they will commit to the run more.  Freeman, the usually durable and versitale back will give up some carries to Smith to avoid injury.  I like Smith’s chances to be a late round selection especially for Freeman handcuffs.

Carlos Hyde, Kansas City Chiefs

The great mystery of Carlos Hyde will continue in Kansas City.  Is Carlos Hyde a legit option as a RB1.  He will split time in KC to start the season behind last season’s end of the year darling Damien Williams.  Williams has never seen more then 13 carries in a game or more then 50 carries in a season. 

Chief running backs are always a target for me in any format as Andy Reid loves to punch it in on the goal line.  The arm of Patrick Mahomes also opens up the middle of the field and the check downs. Hyde has the talent to be a top back if Damien Williams can’t be consistent.

Darrell Henderson, Los Angeles Rams

This one is simple, there is word out that Todd Gurley may not be 100% going into the season. Henderson was a college star at Memphis rushing for 1,909 yards and 22 touchdowns in his final season.  Henderson’s transition to the NFL should be seamless in the Los Angeles system. Last season we saw how CJ Anderson got off his coach and was able to make an impact for the Rams. 

Todd Gurley is the obvious #1 back but if anything happens to Gurley, Henderson will be a steal for anyone that takes him. 

Chase Edmonds, Arizona Cardinals

Once upon a time there was a future star named David Johnson.  Johnson had a tough season; injuries and a rather odd game plan slowed the offense and the fantasy scoring in check.  Edmonds stepped in for the injured Johnson and showed that he can be productive.  With Kliff Kingsbury at the helm everyone on the field becomes fantasy relevant.  Edmonds is a handcuff to start the season but can quickly become a featured back as the season progresses.

David Montgomery, Chicago Bears

The Bears shocked many by moving workhorse back Jordan Howard in the offseason.  Presumably opening it up for their spread offseason and a large amount of Tarick Cohen.  While Cohen will be a must in a PPR format, a sleeper will be 3rdround draft picks out of Iowa State David Montgomery.  

It’s hard to believe that the Bears will just feature Cohen as a solo back. Mike Davis was signed in the offseason to be a bruiser back, but he has been around the block and not found his niche in the NFL and there is no reason to think he will in this system. Look at Montgomery late in case you are not a believer in Cohen.