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.
ESPN's Dan Graziano suggests that the Tennessee Titans, who hold the first overall pick in this year's NFL draft, could draft a quarterback and also sign a bridge QB in free agency, similar to what the Atlanta Falcons did in 2024 when they signed Kirk Cousins and drafted Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. The best bridge-QB options this offseason figure to be Sam Darnold, Cousins, Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers. The salary cap number for a rookie QB selected first overall won't be much more than $7 million in 2025, and none of the free-agent QB options are likely to command $100 million in guaranteed money that Cousins received from the Falcons last offseason. One thing is pretty much guaranteed: the Titans will add at least one QB after a very disappointing 2024 campaign from Will Levis in which he was benched in favor of Mason Rudolph.
From RotoBaller
The Pittsburgh Steelers made All-Pro pass-rusher T.J. Watt the highest-paid defensive player in the league before the 2021 season at around $28 million per year, and ESPN's Dan Graziano suggests the best way for the Steelers to knock down Watt's team-high $30.4 million salary cap number in 2025 is to give him an extension as he heads into the final year of his previous extension. A new extension could be much trickier to navigate, though, and could drag well into the offseason. Watt is 30 years old now and will be in a market in which both Myles Garrett and Micah Parsons will be looking to set the edge-rusher market. Even though Watt had 11.5 sacks (down from 19 in 2023), he was still plenty disruptive with 61 tackles (40 solo), 19 tackles for loss, 27 QB hits, four pass breakups and a league-high six forced fumbles in 17 regular-season starts. He's injury-prone, but you know you're getting a beast in IDP leagues when he's healthy.
From RotoBaller
If the Cleveland Browns soften their stance and decide to trade All-Pro pass-rusher Myles Garrett this offseason, they would have to wait until after June 1 to make it work from a salary cap perspective. Trading Garrett before June 1 would result in a dead-money hit of more than $36 million, which is way higher than the roughly $19.7 million that he'd count against the 2025 cap if he was on their roster. The problem with having to wait to trade Garrett until after June 1 is that the Browns couldn't get draft picks for this year in return for him. It's probably why the Browns held firm on their stance of not wanting to trade Garrett, even after he publicly requested a trade in the week before the Super Bowl in early February. If the Browns look to trade the disgruntled star pass-rusher after June 1, it's possible they could receive two first-round selections for the 2026 draft.
From RotoBaller
LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell has been the player most linked to the New England Patriots heading into this year's NFL draft, writes The Athletic's Chad Graff. If Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter is off the board by the time the Patriots pick at No. 4 overall, Graff says that it would come down to Campbell or Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham for him. Graham could be rated higher, but Campbell fills more of an immediate need to New England on their offensive line. The final decision could come down to how the Pats address their O-line in free agency. Another factor could come down to Campbell's less-than-ideal arm length, which could mean he's destined to play guard at the next level and mean he'd be more of a reach at fourth overall. The biggest knock against Graham is that this year's defensive tackle class is very deep.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Chad Graff is guessing that the New England Patriots will aggressively pursue a trade for a wide receiver this offseason. The Cincinnati Bengals are expected to use the franchise tag on Tee Higgins, who would have been the top free-agent wideout available. Graff also guesses that New England would prefer to use the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft to select an offensive or defensive lineman. With the Bengals trying to keep Higgins, the top names at the WR position will be Chris Godwin, Amari Cooper and Stefon Diggs (knee). In terms of a potential trade, the Patriots could target the New Orleans Saints' Chris Olave, the Seattle Seahawks' DK Metcalf or the Los Angeles Rams' Cooper Kupp. Graff thinks the Patriots could trade for Kupp, sign Godwin and draft a rookie receiver in the third round to add to a WR room that includes DeMario Douglas, Ja'Lynn Polk and Kayson Boutte.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Penn State defensive end Abdul Carter (shoulder), who could be the No. 1 overall pick in his year's draft, will not work out at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week because he isn't fully recovered from the shoulder injury that he suffered against Boise State, according to his agents Drew Rosenhaus and Robert Bailey. The young pass-rusher played through his shoulder injury in the semifinal game against Notre Dame and was only recently cleared to resume training. Carter will do physical exams and interviews at the combine but won't do on-field workouts until his Pro Day at Penn State on March 28. While Carter could be in play for the No. 1 overall pick, it's still more likely that either Miami quarterback Cam Ward or Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders go No. 1 to the Tennessee Titans in April.
From RotoBaller
The Las Vegas Raiders re-signed safety Isaiah Pola-Mao to a two-year contract extension worth up to $8.45 million on Monday, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Pola-Mao was a restricted free agent and the nephew of Hall of Fame defensive back Troy Polamalu. The 25-year-old former undrafted free agent out of USC eventually latched on with the Raiders and made his NFL debut back in 2022. He started the final 1 games for the Raiders in 2024 and was named the AFC Defensive Player of the Week in Week 16. In 17 total games played (14 starts), Pola-Mao broke out to the tune of 89 tackles (57 solo), one sack, five pass breakups and two forced fumbles. Pola-Mao will now stick around in Vegas for another two seasons and should play a key role again in their secondary in 2025. He had only 40 combined tackles and two sacks in 27 games (no starts) in his first two seasons with the Raiders.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys impending free-agent quarterback Trey Lance is expected to move on in free agency this offseason, as chief executive officer Stephen Jones said that Lance is "probably going to be looking for something different." The Cowboys acquired Lance from the San Francisco 49ers before the start of the 2023 season, but he didn't play at all that year and appeared in just four games (one start) in 2024 as the third-stringer, throwing for 266 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Backup Cooper Rush is also headed toward free agency, but the Cowboys would probably prefer to draft a new QB to groom as Dak Prescott's (hamstring) backup than re-sign Lance. The 24-year-old former third overall pick by the Niners in 2021 was injured in his rookie season and hasn't really ever gotten the chance to live up to his high expectations. He'll be looking for backup work on the open market in March.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reports that the Cleveland Browns are releasing veteran safety Juan Thornhill, according to sources. After meeting in recent days, both sides agreed that the best decision was to release Thornhill so that he'll have a few weeks of a head start on free agency this offseason. The 29-year-old had one year and $7 million left on his deal with Cleveland. He will be designated as a post-June 1 cut and will save the Browns $3.2 million on the 2025 salary cap. It's not a surprising move, as Thornhill only played in 11 games in each of his two seasons after signing a three-year, $21 million deal before the 2023 campaign. He had become a rotational player late last season and accumulated 103 tackles (72 solo), no interceptions and four pass breakups in 22 starts for the Browns in his two seasons. Thornhill spent his first four years with the Chiefs after they took him in the second round in 2019.
From RotoBaller
The Athletic's Mike DeFabo thinks the Pittsburgh Steelers might want to consider trading safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who hasn't played at a Pro Bowl level in two years. Even if the Steelers were to trade the big-money star, they'd still have the NFL's most expensive defense. Pittsburgh is set to have the most expensive defense in the league in 2025 for the fourth straight season with $163.8 million in salary cap hits, according to Over The Cap. That number is $27 million more than the second-highest spender on defense, the Tennessee Titans. If Fitzpatrick were traded, the Steelers would save $15.5 million of his $24.4 million salary cap hit this year, which would help them address an undermanned offense. The former 11th overall pick bounced back in 2024 and made the Pro Bowl for the fifth time in his career by recording 96 tackles (62 solo), one interception and a forced fumble in 17 regular-season starts.
From RotoBaller
The Athltic's Mike DeFabo writes that Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens, who is heading into the final deal of his rookie contract in 2025, could "hold in" at training camp this summer to force the Steelers to either trade him or give him guaranteed money early. DeFabo thinks that it's unlikely the Steelers will give Pickens a contract extension this summer after head coach Mike Tomlin said the 23-year-old wideout needed to "grow up" after a win over the division-rival Cincinnati Bengals. Pickens showed up late on Christmas Day against the Kansas City Chiefs and got into a shouting match with a fan in the regular-season finale. Pickens has shown plenty of talent as a pass-catcher, but his immaturity could get him run out of town. His 2025 fantasy value will depend largely on who the Steelers choose to be their starting quarterback.
From RotoBaller
The Houston Chronicle's Jonathan M. Alexander doesn't think the Houston Texans will make a big push to try and re-sign impending free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs (knee) this offseason. General manager Nick Caserio has made it sound like the door is open for Diggs to return in 2025, but Alexander thinks Diggs would have to give the Texans a hometown discount for a reunion to happen, even with fellow wideout Tank Dell (knee) potentially missing all of the 2025 season. Diggs is now 31 years old and is rehabbing a torn ACL that he suffered in late October, so it will be interesting to see what his free-agent market will look like. Because he might not be ready for Week 1, it could drive his price down, potentially creating an opportunity for the Texans to land him on the cheap. If Diggs were to return, he'd be the clear No. 2 to Nico Collins.
From RotoBaller
FOX Sports' Peter Schrager reports that there is no bad blood between the Los Angeles Rams and quarterback Matthew Stafford, but Stafford is merely looking to get paid what he thinks he's worth. It's purely a money issue, and Stafford wants to get paid more than $50 million per year. The Rams recently gave Stafford permission to talk with teams potentially interested in trading for him about how much they'd be willing to pay him, and Schrager says some teams would be willing to give Stafford more than what the Rams are currently willing to pay him. The question now becomes what those teams would be willing to give up to acquire Stafford from the Rams, and whether Stafford would actually want to play for those teams. Schrager mentions the Steelers, Giants and Raiders as potential trade suitors for Stafford. Stafford is 37, but he was one pass away from playing the NFC Championship this past season.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Wide receiver Stefon Diggs is not expected back with the Texans. Dynasty Analysis: Diggs was supposed to make a big impact with the Texans this season but tore his ACL instead, ending his season way too early. He ended the season with 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns, putting his long and short-term future in doubt as a player in doubt as he's now 31 years old. It seems he'll be looking for a new team as a first-time free agent but the market for players of his age coming off ACL injuries is typically pretty tepid. Diggs' dynasty value is starting to fall pretty dramatically.
Dynasty | Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders is skipping the workout portion at the NFL Scouting Combine, Dynasty Analysis: No surprise here, really. Sanders is protecting his own interests and his Father is pulling some pretty tight strings as well. In some ways, Sanders controls his own destiny as he's one of very few players who doesn't necessarily need the NFL paycheck to lose leverage. In the end, he's likely going to be a top-five pick, but that team is also going to need some assurance that he's willing to play for them as well. Regardless, he looks like a solid first round rookie pick this Spring.
Dynasty | Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty won't do on-field workouts at the NFL Scouting Combine. Dynasty Analysis: A sure-fire first round draft pick, Jeanty really has little to gain and more to lose should he not perform as well as expected. Instead, he'll work out at his Pro Day and hope to solidify his draft stock. He's been a popular mock draft target of the Broncos and Cowboys, though anything can (and likely will) happen there. Jeanty projects as a solid rookie draft pick, perhaps even the 1.01 in traditional formats this Spring.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty will only participate in medical evaluations and team interviews at the 2025 NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis this week, according to his agent. Jeanty will do on-field drill during Boise State's Pro Day. Not unlike some of this year's top prospects, the 21-year-old will not work out in front of NFL scouts this week in Indy, but it shouldn't negatively affect his draft stock at all as the likely top RB off the board this year. In his final year with the Broncos in 2024, Jeanty was extremely productive, carrying the ball 374 times for 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns, adding an FBS-best 5.25 yards after contact. He also had 23 receptions for 138 yards and another score through the air. Fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues may want to be worried about the massive volume he had in college, but he should immediately be a starting back in the NFL in his rookie season.
From RotoBaller
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports that University of Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders will not throw at this week's NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis and will instead focus on his interviews with teams. Sanders will then throw at his Pro Day with four draftable Colorado wide receivers. Sanders and Miami QB Cam Ward are the favorites to go No. 1 overall in April's NFL draft to the Tennessee Titans, if they stay in the top spot. In his two seasons with the Buffaloes with his dad coaching him, Sanders threw for 7,364 yards, 64 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. Although his father was one of the most athletic cornerbacks in NFL history, the 23-year-old Sanders is seen as more of a pocket passer, which could limit his fantasy upside at the next level.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers informed veteran linebacker Shaq Thompson that they will not attempt to re-sign him in free agency this offseason. Thompson, 30, has been with the team since they drafted him 25th overall in 2015 out of the University of Washington, but he has been able to play in only six games the last two years because of injuries. His 752 tackles rank fourth in franchise history, behind only Thomas Davis, Luke Kuechly and Mike Minter. Thompson had a career-high 135 tackles in 2022 but broke his ankle in Week 2 of the 2023 season and then tore his Achilles in Week 4 of 2024. He was named a captain for the Panthers in five of his seasons and recorded 470 solo tackles, 12 sacks, 54 tackles for loss, 32 QB hits, three interceptions, 26 pass breakups, four forced fumbles and four fumbles recoveries (one returned for a TD) in his 123 games (112 starts).
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons DT David Onyemata is more likely to be a salary cap casualty this offseason than DT Grady Jarrett, according to Josh Kendall of The Athletic.
From TheHuddle