Wed Jul 3 10:36am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Hurts was first quarterback picked
RealTime Fantasy Sports is proud to present you the results of our “Champions Draft." The draft this season once again consists of the top rated fantasy players on our site. We invited players rated near the top of our Top Fantasy Players report. So this is the best of the best on our site.
In this column, we'll give you a round-by-round look at the draft. Each round includes some notes on that round, talking about what just went down. Hopefully, this gives you some insight into the draft and helps prepare you for all your drafts this coming year.
Before we get to that, here is a quick overview of the league format. We used the same rules as we do for the "All-Pro" fantasy leagues on our site. So you can view the entire set of rules on our main page for that game. But here is a brief look. Each team starts a quarterback, two running backs, two receivers, a tight end, a defensive/special teams, a kicker and a flex player (RB, WR or TE). Scoring is pretty standard. Touchdowns are worth six except for passing touchdowns, which are worth four. And it is a points per reception league, giving every player a point per reception. Defenses get points for sacks, interceptions and fumble recoveries. The rules are pretty standard with how many leagues operate these days.
ROUND 1
1. Ballers - Christian McCaffrey RB, SF
2. Birds - CeeDee Lamb WR, DAL
3. CRUNCHY - Bijan Robinson RB, ATL
4. Super Paurs - Breece Hall RB, NYJ
5. Wreckingcrew - Tyreek Hill WR, MIA
6. PaurPlay - Justin Jefferson WR, MIN
7. Crusty GON Pod - Amon-Ra St. Brown WR, DET
8. Bubbles Army - Ja'Marr Chase WR, CIN
9. HORNS - Jahmyr Gibbs RB, DET
10. Goodfellas - Puka Nacua WR, LAR
11. Suncoast - A.J. Brown WR, PHI
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Saquon Barkley RB, PHI
NOTES: The first round was pretty chalk, going very similar to the current ADP. These savvy owners didn’t take many chances with the first round. There were five running backs and seven receivers picked in Round 1. It was not a surprise to see no tight ends or quarterbacks picked in the first round. The only mild surprise was seeing Jonathan Taylor failed to get picked this round. He normally goes at the end of the first round, but didn’t in this one.
ROUND 2
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jonathan Taylor RB, IND
2. Suncoast - Garrett Wilson WR, NYJ
3. Goodfellas - Sam LaPorta TE, DET
4. HORNS - Travis Etienne RB, JAX
5. Bubbles Army - Davante Adams WR, LV
6. Crusty GON Pod - Chris Olave WR, NO
7. PaurPlay - Josh Jacobs RB, GB
8. Wreckingcrew - Kyren Williams RB, LAR
9. Super Paurs - Devon Achane RB, MIA
10. CRUNCHY - Derrick Henry RB, BAL
11. Birds - Isiah Pacheco RB, KC
12. Ballers - Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, ARI
NOTES: Sam LaPorta was the first tight end picked, getting taken by Suncoast this round. He went a tad sooner, having an ADP of 24.99 but he wasn’t going to last to Suncoast when he picked again, so he had to pull the trigger now if he wanted him on his roster. . . . This was a running back heavy round, seeing seven go off the board. This is normally a trend in many drafts with a lot of owners going receiver in the first round. . . .Isiah Pacheco might have been the only surprise running back of this round. The Birds selected him with the 11th pick. This wasn’t too far off his ADP, though, normally going pick 26.62. . . . .Marvin Harrison continues to be the first rookie picked on draft day. The Ballers picked him with the last pick, making him the 24th pick overall.
ROUND 3
1. Ballers - Drake London WR, ATL
2. Birds - Michael Pittman Jr. WR, IND
3. CRUNCHY - Nico Collins WR, HOU
4. Super Paurs - Deebo Samuel WR, SF
5. Wreckingcrew - James Cook RB, BUF
6. PaurPlay - Travis Kelce TE, KC
7. Crusty GON Pod - Rhamondre Stevenson RB, NE
8. Bubbles Army - Rachaad White RB, TB
9. HORNS - Stefon Diggs WR, HOU
10. Goodfellas - Joe Mixon RB, HOU
11. Suncoast - Mike Evans WR, TB
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aiyuk WR, SF
NOTES: This round was a little more receiver heavy once again, having seven go off the board. This seems to be a trend in a lot of drafts, having owners get two receivers and a running back after three rounds. . . . .Travis Kelce is the second tight end picked, which is a little unusual for him, but definitely a trend. Kelce has an ADP of 30.8, going after LaPorta in most drafts. Paur Play is hoping he has at least one more big season in him. . . . .It is always interesting seeing how owners value the two top receivers for the Texans. Nico Collins went before Stefon Diggs in this draft. Collins was picked third this round by CRUNCHY while the HORNS picked Diggs with the ninth pick.
ROUND 4
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Jaylen Waddle WR, MIA
2. Suncoast - Jalen Hurts QB, PHI
3. Goodfellas - D.J. Moore WR, CHI
4. HORNS - DeVonta Smith WR, PHI
5. Bubbles Army - Josh Allen QB, BUF
6. Crusty GON Pod - D'Andre Swift RB, CHI
7. PaurPlay - Patrick Mahomes QB, KC
8. Wreckingcrew - D.K. Metcalf WR, SEA
9. Super Paurs - Amari Cooper WR, CLE
10. CRUNCHY - Kenneth Walker III RB, SEA
11. Birds - Lamar Jackson QB, BAL
12. Ballers - Trey McBride TE, ARI
NOTES: This was a quarterback heavy round, seeing four go off the board. Jalen Hurts was the first quarterback selected, getting picked by Suncoast. He went ahead of Josh Allen, who normally is the first quarterback picked in drafts. . . . .Trey McBride was the third tight end picked, going to the Ballers with the last pick in this round. McBride is flying up draft boards this year after this strong finish last season. He has an ADP of 48.2, so this spot for him is not out of the norm. . . .There was just two running backs picked this round after seeing at least four picked each of the first three rounds. D’Andre Swift and Kenneth Walker were the backs picked this round.
ROUND 5
1. Ballers - Zay Flowers WR, BAL
2. Birds - Mark Andrews TE, BAL
3. CRUNCHY - Aaron Jones RB, MIN
4. Super Paurs - Cooper Kupp WR, LAR
5. Wreckingcrew - C.J. Stroud QB, HOU
6. PaurPlay - Alvin Kamara RB, NO
7. Crusty GON Pod - Kyle Pitts TE, ATL
8. Bubbles Army - Dalton Kincaid TE, BUF
9. HORNS - Anthony Richardson QB, IND
10. Goodfellas - James Conner RB, ARI
11. Suncoast - David Montgomery RB, DET
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - George Kittle TE, SF
NOTES: David Montgomery was one of the top league winners last year but falls to the fifth round of this draft, going to Suncoast with the 11th pick. Fantasy owners have concerns for a repeat season from Montgomery, having an ADP of 68.9. This could end up being a make or break pick for the defending champ. . . . .Cooper Kupp is another polarizing figure this season. He was a very early pick last year, but goes to the Super Paurs with the fifth pick in Round 5. He has taken quite the fall in drafts, having an ADP of 46.5. . . .There were four tight ends pick this round. Dalton Kincaid is the biggest mover from last year. The Horns picked him with the eighth pick. Kincaid is normally the fifth tight end off the board, so Horns might have gotten a little value with him being the seventh tight end selected with this pick.
ROUND 6
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Malik Nabers WR, NYG
2. Suncoast - Najee Harris RB, PIT
3. Goodfellas - Jaylen Warren RB, PIT
4. HORNS - Zack Moss RB, CIN
5. Bubbles Army - Christian Kirk WR, JAX
6. Crusty GON Pod - George Pickens WR, PIT
7. PaurPlay - Calvin Ridley WR, TEN
8. Wreckingcrew - Jordan Love QB, GB
9. Super Paurs - Zamir White RB, LV
10. CRUNCHY - Tee Higgins WR, CIN
11. Birds - Jayden Reed WR, GB
12. Ballers - Tony Pollard RB, TEN
NOTES: The one pick that stands out in this round was the Birds taking Jayden Reed with the 11th pick. He has an ADP of 86.9, so they might have went a little early on Reed. He certainly has potential after scoring eight touchdowns his rookie season, but the Birds might have been able to get him a few rounds later. . . .The quarterback position slowed down a little this round with Jordan Love the only quarterback selected. He goes with the eight pick to Wreckingcrew. Love was fifth overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year, so getting him after the elite guys are gone could turn out to be good value for Wreckingcrew. . . . .Some running backs that could be splitting work this year flew off the board. Najee Harris, Jaylen Warren, Zack Moss, Zamir White and Tony Pollard were all picked. They all have some question marks about playing time but if one emerges, they could be great value in Round 6.
ROUND 7
1. Ballers - Terry McLaurin WR, WAS
2. Birds - Jonathon Brooks RB, CAR
3. CRUNCHY - Rashee Rice WR, KC
4. Super Paurs - Joe Burrow QB, CIN
5. Wreckingcrew - Evan Engram TE, JAX
6. PaurPlay - Diontae Johnson WR, CAR
7. Crusty GON Pod - Keenan Allen WR, CHI
8. Bubbles Army - Austin Ekeler RB, WAS
9. HORNS - Chris Godwin WR, TB
10. Goodfellas - Tank Dell WR, HOU
11. Suncoast - Javonte Williams RB, DEN
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Raheem Mostert RB, MIA
NOTES: Our first rookie running back was picked this round, seeing the Birds take Jonathan Brooks with the second pick. Brooks could start the year slow, recovering from his knee injury, but could be a huge factor down the stretch for the Birds. Brooks went around 10 spots later than normal, having an ADP of 64.3. . . .Rashee Rice is a player facing a possible multi-game suspension. If not for that, he would be going much higher. Instead, he falls to CRUNCHY with the third pick this round. Rice has an ADP of 81.6, so he goes about where he normally does in drafts. If he can end up avoiding a suspension, this pick will be a huge steal for CRUNCHY. . . .Raheem Mostert is another intriguing player to watch in drafts. He was a league winner for many last year but is not getting drafted like that. AlwaysBetOnBlack gets him with the last pick this round. Mostert has an ADP of 84.8, so most drafters are not betting on a repeat of his huge season.
ROUND 8
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brian Robinson Jr. RB, WAS
2. Suncoast - Marquise Brown WR, KC
3. Goodfellas - Dak Prescott QB, DAL
4. HORNS - Nick Chubb RB, CLE
5. Bubbles Army - Devin Singletary RB, NYG
6. Crusty GON Pod - Tyjae Spears RB, TEN
7. PaurPlay - J.K. Dobbins RB, LAC
8. Wreckingcrew - Blake Corum RB, LAR
9. Super Paurs - David Njoku TE, CLE
10. CRUNCHY - Jake Ferguson TE, DAL
11. Birds - Christian Watson WR, GB
12. Ballers - Trey Benson RB, ARI
NOTES: Nick Chubb is returning from another major injury and lasts until the fourth pick of Round 8. He has big question marks, but the Horns could take a chance on him with three quality backs already on his roster. . . .The Ballers took a chance on rookie Trey Benson in Round 8. After taking Christian McCaffrey with the first pick, the Ballers filled up other positions on his roster before taking chances on running backs later in the draft. . . . .There were seven total running backs picked this round. Many owners are hoping to find that great mid-round value, looking for the Raheem Mostert of this season.
ROUND 9
1. Ballers - Zach Charbonnet RB, SEA
2. Birds - Ezekiel Elliott RB, DAL
3. CRUNCHY - Kyler Murray QB, ARI
4. Super Paurs - Ty Chandler RB, MIN
5. Wreckingcrew - DeAndre Hopkins WR, TEN
6. PaurPlay - Chase Brown RB, CIN
7. Crusty GON Pod - Caleb Williams QB, CHI
8. Bubbles Army - Jordan Addison WR, MIN
9. HORNS - T.J. Hockenson TE, MIN
10. Goodfellas - Gus Edwards RB, LAC
11. Suncoast - Courtland Sutton WR, DEN
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Trevor Lawrence QB, JAX
NOTES: Three quarterbacks go this round, giving every team at least one quarterback except one. Ballers is the only team that doesn’t have a quarterbacks after nine rounds. The three quarterbacks picked this round were Kyler Murray, rookie Caleb Williams and Trevor Lawrence. . . .Teams continues to load up on mid-round running backs with five getting of the 12 picks being running backs. None of these backs are sure things but both Ezekiel Elliott and Gus Edwards have some touchdown potential on their teams. . . .DeAndre Hopkins is not getting drafted as he was in the past. He goes with the fifth pick to Wreckingcrew. This spot is even later than normal for Hopkins, who has an ADP of 79.6.
ROUND 10
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Xavier Worthy WR, KC
2. Suncoast - Dallas Goedert TE, PHI
3. Goodfellas - Ladd McConkey WR, LAC
4. HORNS - Keon Coleman WR, BUF
5. Bubbles Army - Jaxon Smith-Njigba WR, SEA
6. Crusty GON Pod - Jerome Ford RB, CLE
7. PaurPlay - Jameson Williams WR, DET
8. Wreckingcrew - Rico Dowdle RB, DAL
9. Super Paurs - Mike Williams WR, NYJ
10. CRUNCHY - Brian Thomas Jr. WR, JAX
11. Birds - Curtis Samuel WR, BUF
12. Ballers - Brock Purdy QB, SF
NOTES: Round 10 is the round of the rookie. There were four rookie receivers picked this round, including Xavier Worthy, Ladd McConkey, Keon Coleman and Brian Thomas. These are four receivers that all have the chance to emerge as top playmakers in their respective offenses. . . . .Ballers is the last team to take a quarterback, picking Brock Purdy with the last pick in Round 10. Purdy was seventh overall in fantasy quarterback scoring last year. . . . Suncoast was the last team to select a tight end, taking Dallas Goedert with the second pick. Goedert can be erratic but has a high weekly ceiling in his offense.
ROUND 11
1. Ballers - Kendre Miller RB, NO
2. Birds - Josh Downs WR, IND
3. CRUNCHY - Rome Odunze WR, CHI
4. Super Paurs - Gabriel Davis WR, JAX
5. Wreckingcrew - Brandin Cooks WR, DAL
6. PaurPlay - Jahan Dotson WR, WAS
7. Crusty GON Pod - Cole Kmet TE, CHI
8. Bubbles Army - Brock Bowers TE, LV
9. HORNS - Jerry Jeudy WR, CLE
10. Goodfellas - Jayden Daniels QB, WAS
11. Suncoast - Tyler Lockett WR, SEA
12. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Brandon Aubrey K, DAL
NOTES: We had our first team take a second quarterback. Goodfellas took rookie Jayden Daniels with the 10th pick. They picked Dak Prescott two rounds earlier, giving him what could be a potent one-two punch at quarterback. . . .Our first kicker was picked. Brandon Aubrey was taken with the last pick this round by AlwaysBetOnBlack. It is a tad earlier than normal for our first kicker. Aubrey has an ADP of 133.1. . . .The top tight end in this year’s draft, Brock Bowers, was picked by Bubbles Army with the eighth pick. Bubbles is hoping Bowers is the Sam LaPorta of this year’s rookie class.
ROUND 12
1. AlwaysBetOnBlack - Dallas Cowboys Def/ST, DAL
2. Suncoast - Jakobi Meyers WR, LV
3. Goodfellas - Kimani Vidal RB, LAC
4. HORNS - Khalil Shakir WR, BUF
5. Bubbles Army - MarShawn Lloyd RB, GB
6. Crusty GON Pod - Antonio Gibson RB, NE
7. PaurPlay - Justin Herbert QB, LAC
8. Wreckingcrew - Pat Freiermuth TE, PIT
9. Super Paurs - Jared Goff QB, DET
10. CRUNCHY - Kirk Cousins QB, ATL
11. Birds - Tua Tagovailoa QB, MIA
12. Ballers - Chuba Hubbard RB, CAR
NOTES: AlwaysBetOnBlack took the first kicker and followed that by picking the first defense. The Cowboys defense is the first off the board, giving AlwaysBetOnBlack both the Cowboys kicker and defense. . . . .There were a couple rookie running backs picked this round. Kimani Vidal and MarShawn Lloyd don’t have a clear path to playing time with their respective teams but have some potential if given the opportunities. . . .Four teams took backup quarterbacks this round. It is interesting to see Justin Herbert fall so far, but he has question marks because of a new offense and lack of playmakers in the passing game.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
RTSports Super Bowl Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars have requested to interview James Gladstone for their vacant general manager position. Gladstone is currently the director of scouting with the Los Angeles Rams. He has been with the team for nearly a decade and has been the director of scouting for a handful of years with the Rams. The Jags recently moved on from former GM Trent Baalke, so this search could take some time. They've already hired their new head coach in Liam Coen. The Jags are also reportedly interested in interviewing Josh Williams who is the director of football operations with the San Francisco 49ers. That being said, this could come down to a two-horse race after Buccaneers assistant GM Mike Greenberg pulled his name from consideration. Both Gladstone and Williams have plenty of experience and appear to be solid candidates.
From RotoBaller
New England Patriots quarterback Joe Milton III made a good enough impression in his NFL debut in the Week 18 victory against the Buffalo Bills backups that he could become a trade chip this offseason. "I thought the Patriots would hold off on entertaining a trade of Joe Milton, who was drafted in the sixth round (193rd overall) last year, for at least another season, but there's increasing belief around the NFL that the Patriots are at least contemplating a trade of Milton this offseason," Boston Sports Journal's Greg Bedard wrote. This year's QB draft class is considered weak, and the Pats could fetch up to a third-round pick for Milton this year if QB-needy teams don't feel like taking their chances on QB prospects like Riley Leonard, Dillon Gabriel or Jaxson Dart. If New England doesn't shop Milton before the draft in April, they could revisit and look to trade him this summer.
From RotoBaller
The Cincinnati Bengals announced on Tuesday that they signed free-agent wide receiver Mitchell Tinsley to a Reserve/Futures deal. Tinsley will not count on the team's active list until after the Super Bowl on Monday, Feb. 10. The 25-year-old went undrafted out of college in 2023 but eventually latched on with the Washington Commanders. He was active for two games with the Commanders in 2023 but wasn't targeted at all. Tinsley spent all of the 2024 campaign on the team's practice squad. He will now head to the AFC and continue his development with the Bengals all offseason up through training camp. If Tinsley sticks around beyond camp, he'll likely open the regular season this fall on Cincy's practice squad. Tinsley played collegiately at Hutchinson Community College, Western Kentucky and Penn State.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that the Los Angeles Rams are willing to eat some of veteran wide receiver Cooper Kupp's $7.5 million signing bonus for the 2025 season to facilitate a trade this offseason. It's no secret that the Rams were shopping Kupp at last year's trade deadline. Although they ended up keeping him around, Kupp went public on Monday that the Rams want to trade him this offseason. At this point, it would be a surprise if the 31-year-old was in L.A. next season. The former third-rounder in 2017 out of Eastern Washington had the receiving Triple Crown in 2021 but hasn't played more than 12 games in a season since due to injuries and is on the wrong side of 30. Kupp could still be productive in a new uniform in 2025, depending on where he ends up, but for fantasy purposes, managers need to weigh his injury risk heavily when considering him in drafts this fall.
From RotoBaller
According to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN, linebacker Ernest Jones IV and the Seahawks have mutual interest in a reunion. The 25-year-old was traded to Seattle during the 2024 season. He opened the campaign with Tennessee and tallied 44 tackles before moving to the northwest. Over his 10 games with Seattle, Jones totaled 94 tackles (48 solo) with 46 assists. He added 0.5 sacks, with two deflections and one interception. He played the first three seasons of his career with the Los Angeles Rams. During the 2023 season, the former third-round pick tallied a career-high 145 tackles (74 solo) with 4.5 sacks and six pass deflections. If he does return to Seattle, fantasy managers should continue to expect Jones to have a starting role in their defense.
From RotoBaller
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the New York Giants may view defensive tackle Rakeem Nunez-Roches as a cap casualty during the offseason. Nunez-Roches inked a three-year, $12 million deal with the Giants before the 2023 season but has not performed up to his contract. Duggan noted that the 31-year-old was "overexposed after being elevated to the No. 2 defensive tackle spot next to Dexter Lawrence this season." In 2024, Nunez-Roches tallied 52 tackles (14 solo) with 38 assists. He added two sacks, which tied a previous career-high he set during the 2022 season. If the team were to part ways with Nunez-Roches before the 2025 season, Elijah Chatman could have an increased role next season, as he was typically deployed as a rotational piece on the defensive line in 2024.
From RotoBaller
According to Omar Kelly of the Miami Herald, the Miami Dolphins have shown interest in drafting a quarterback in the upcoming NFL Draft. Kelly noted that the team had had discussions with Alabama's Jalen Milroe and Oregon's Dillon Gabriel at the Senior Bowl about potentially being the team's backup quarterback behind Tua Tagovailoa. Kelly noted that Ole Miss' Jaxon Dart did not say if the Dolphins contacted him. While Tagovailoa is still viewed as the franchise quarterback, he has missed time throughout his career and his injuries impacted Miami's playoff push in 2024. This season, Tagovailoa suffered another concussion during Week 2 and missed the following four games. Then, later in the season, he suffered a hip injury, which kept him sidelined during the final two games. However, he was effective when he was on the field, averaging 260.6 yards per game with 19 TDs. Fantasy managers in dynasty formats should continue to monitor this situation, as the Dolphins may be willing to spend a Day 2 pick on a quarterback to sit behind Tagovailoa.
From RotoBaller
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, New York Giants linebacker Micah McFadden could be given a contract extension during the offseason. The 2022 fifth-round pick out of Indiana has been a productive player in the New York defense over the past two seasons. Duggan noted that general manager Joe Schoen may "try to get ahead of the curve" and extend the linebacker before his rookie contract expires. After tallying just 59 tackles during his rookie season, McFadden has logged at least 100 tackles in each of the past two seasons. This season, the 25-year-old tallied a career-best 107 tackles (60 solo) with 47 assists, one deflection, and three sacks. He also forced a fumble. He missed the final two games of the season due to a neck injury but was still able to enjoy an impressive season. Fantasy managers should expect McFadden to remain a key contributor to the New York defense in 2025.
From RotoBaller
According to Dan Duggan of The Athletic, the New York Giants are expected to pick up the fifth-year option on linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux. Duggan noted that while Thibodeaux has shown flashes of elite upside, he has not made the impact the team had hoped, given that he was selected with the fifth-overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. As a result, Duggan expects the team to pick up his option instead of discussing a long-term contract. After tallying just four sacks with 48 tackles in his rookie season, Thibodeaux enjoyed a massive sophomore season where he tallied 11.5 sacks. In that season, he totaled 50 tackles and three forced fumbles. However, in 2024, Thibodeaux took a step back as he logged just 5.5 sacks with 28 tackles. Fantasy managers should expect Thibodeaux to have a starting role in the New York defense next season.
From RotoBaller
According to Josh Kendall of The Athletic, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (shoulder) dealt with a shoulder injury during the back half of the 2024 season, which hindered his play. Cousins said that he suffered this injury following their Week 10 contest against the New Orleans Saints. The veteran said he "Got hit pretty good in my right shoulder and elbow, and from there, it was kind of something I was working through." Then, over the final three weeks, the team opted to bench Cousins in favor of rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. Before this injury, Cousins performed quite well, averaging 263.4 passing yards per game with a 17:8 TD:INT ratio. However, over his final four contests, the 36-year-old averaged just 218.5 passing yards per game and threw just one score with eight interceptions. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his status throughout the offseason as the team may look to find a trade partner, as Penix is viewed as their franchise option.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons QB Kirk Cousins (shoulder) recently told Good Morning Football: Overtime that he 'got hit pretty good' in his right shoulder and elbow in Week 10 against the New Orleans Saints and 'never could get it really to where I wanted it.'
Fantasy Spin: For what it is worth, Cousins was pleased with how his Achilles healed. The box scores back up what Cousins is saying, as he entered Week 10 with a 17:7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Over his final five starts (beginning with the loss in New Orleans), it was 1:9. Cousins will almost certainly not be on the roster next season, but the combination of knocking off the rust from his Achilles rehab combined with the ill-timed shoulder/elbow injury may have been the root cause of his disappointing season in Atlanta. Fantasy managers should not be surprised if Cousins rebounds a bit with a new team in 2025.
From TheHuddle
Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack has announced he will play at least one more season after retirement rumors following the 2024 campaign, but the former fifth overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason. However, Daniel Popper of The Athletic believes the Chargers are "in the driver's seat" to keep Mack in the organization as he tests free agency. The 33-year-old collected 17 sacks in 2023 before a six-sack season in 2024, but he is still a disruptive player, and the organization might not be far away from Super Bowl contention after making the playoff in the first year with head coach Jim Harbaugh at the helm. Contending teams will likely be interested in Mack's services, but it sounds like L.A. will be among the potential suitors.
From RotoBaller
According to NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay, Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson could be in contention to be selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. "He's going early," McShay said. "Like he might go first-round early." The 22-year-old spent four seasons in Columbus and rushed for 3,761 yards (6.4) YPC and 42 touchdowns along with 77 receptions for 853 yards and receiving touchdowns in 47 career games. Henderson flashed in four College Football Playoff games, racking up 414 total yards on just 44 touches. He is already viewed as one of the top running backs in the upcoming rookie class, but Round 1 or early Round 2 draft capital could cause him to shoot up rookie draft and 2025 fantasy football redraft draft boards.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins doesn't know where he'll play next season. Dynasty Analysis: Cousins is now saying a shoulder injury affected his play in Atlanta before he was replaced by Michael Penix Jr last season. Regardless, that move has been made permanent and his future is now cloudy. It seems very likely he's moved in the off-season to a team not in position to get one of the NFL Draft's top-tier signal callers. Cousins still has some upside, but he also seems like a player who needs a pretty strong supporting cast to be successful at this point in his career. Regardless, he looks like a QB2 moving forward in dynasty leagues and no longer a weekly starter.
Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid confirmed on Tuesday, Feb. 4, that he will not retire after Super Bowl LIX and will return to coach the team for a 13th season in 2025.
From TheHuddle
Former longtime Buffalo Bills S Micah Hyde announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday, Feb. 4.
From TheHuddle
Dynasty | The Rams are reportedly planning on trading wide receiver Cooper Kupp. Dynasty Analysis: Kupp wants to stay, but the Rams are ready to move on. Kupp struggled with injuries again last year en route to 67 catches for 710 yards and six touchdowns, ceding WR1 duties to Puka Nacua in the process. Now 31, those nagging injuries may have caught up to him. Now three years removed from his last 1,000 yard season (a 1,947 yard monster in 2021), Kupp will look to join a contender with the Ravens, Commanders and Chiefs all being mentioned already. We'll see where he lands, but Kupp's days as a true WR1 are likely over.
Dynasty | Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce isn't considering retirement quite yet. Dynasty Analysis: Kelce went as far as to say he wouldn't consider retiring even if the Chiefs win their third Super Bowl in a row this weekend. Now 35, he may well go down as the greatest tight end in league history in the end, but that end isn't now. Dynasty managers should be excited to hear the news and while his 97/823/3 line isn't what they've come to expect, Kelce should still be a solid low-end TE1 next season.
Long-time NFL kicker Mason Crosby officially announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday after a 17-year career. During Crosby's lengthy NFL career (all but one season with the Green Bay Packers), he was a Super Bowl champion, the Packers' all-time leading scorer and finished 11th all time in points in NFL history. The 40-year-old was originally a sixth-round selection by Green Bay in the 2007 NFL draft out of the University of Colorado. Despite his lengthy career, Crosby was never selected to a Pro Bowl or as an All-Pro. He finishes his career with an 81.3 success rate (400-for-492 on field goals) while making 97.2 percent of his 760 career extra-point attempts. Crosby went 44-for-80 on field goals of 50-plus yards in his career. He did not kick at all in 2024 and only played in three games in his final season in 2023 with the New York Giants.
From RotoBaller
After Atlanta Falcons veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins was benched in Week 16 in favor of rookie Michael Penix Jr., the 36-year-old signal-caller said his future in Atlanta is still unsettled. "I definitely feel like I have a lot of good football left in me," Cousins said of his Falcons future. "Time will tell. It's still kind of uncertain. We'll get to March and know a lot more. But I think the focus for me really is getting healthy. That's really my focus is I gotta get healthy." Cousins tore his right Achilles in 2023 and missed half the season in his final year with the Minnesota Vikings before signing a four-year, $180 million deal with Atlanta. He was up and down in his first year in Atlanta but struggled with mobility and accuracy before being benched after a five-game stretch in which he threw one TD and nine interceptions. The way his deal is structured makes it almost impossible for the Falcons to trade him before June 1.
From RotoBaller