The 2024 NFL season was fairly eventful, stuffed with surprises, each constructive and damaging. Fantasy soccer managers should now determine what to consider and what to not consider transferring ahead. Maybe we can assist. If any of those ideas come true for the 2025 season, effectively, do not be shocked!
NOTE: All references to fantasy factors are for PPR scoring.
Do not be shocked if any of these items occur in 2025 …
Caleb Williams turns into the primary Bears QB to move for 4,000 yards
It is onerous to consider that Erik Kramer boasts the franchise mark with 3,838 passing yards in 1995. The proficient Williams will break it this season. The dysfunctional Bears gave their younger QB playmakers final season, however a shaky offensive line and mind-boggling playcalling/teaching principally torpedoed his rookie marketing campaign. Williams stays a future star and is a borderline QB1 for fantasy.
Drake Maye outscores Caleb Williams
Then once more, if we like Williams, then we actually like Maye. It is all in regards to the operating means right here. Maye didn’t get a lot assist throughout his rookie marketing campaign, however he nonetheless averaged higher than 32 dashing yards per his 13 video games. That quantity ought to rise, and the addition of WR Stefon Diggs saves the passing recreation. A brand new teaching employees and upgraded offensive line determine to make issues simpler in 12 months 2.
Kyler Murray returns to top-5 QB standing
Murray rushed for 819 yards and 11 TDs in 2020 (his second NFL season), however he hasn’t approached these numbers since. His 4.6 dashing makes an attempt per recreation final season had been a profession low. Murray claims his 2023 season-ending knee damage hampered him in 2024, and that is plausible. Murray will run extra this season. The passing numbers are already there, so let’s be optimistic that he actually runs like he used to.
Justin Fields leads the Jets in dashing
This will appear a bit wild, however just one present Jet has eclipsed 1,000 dashing yards … and it is Fields! He rushed for 1,143 yards in 2022. RB Breece Corridor hasn’t finished it in his three NFL seasons, and he could discover it tougher with a operating QB (although he’ll catch many passes). Fields was the No. 6 fantasy QB scorer in his magical season, although his Bears completed 3-14. These Jets are higher, and Fields is an effective match — in the event that they let him run (which they need to).
C.J. Stroud passes for 4,500 yards
Superior as a rookie however operating for his proverbial life in his second season, Stroud is much better than he confirmed in 2024, and WR Nico Collins is a star. Stroud was sacked 52 occasions, second solely to Caleb Williams. A sturdier offensive line ought to allow Stroud to look far more like he did in his first season, making him price securing as a starter in deeper fantasy codecs.
Sam Darnold falls to QB3 fantasy standing in Seattle
Give Darnold credit score for resurrecting his profession, however he left the proper state of affairs in Minnesota, with a coach and offense enjoying to his strengths, and elite WR choices reminiscent of Justin Jefferson. Do not draft final season’s stats. This isn’t Baker Mayfield, Half II. The journeyman Darnold will not revisit his 2024 statistics with a Seahawks group that options the operating recreation.
Daniel Jones begins extra Colts video games than Anthony Richardson Sr.
Actually, how far more convincing do you want that Richardson isn’t the reply in Indianapolis? He missed half the video games as a result of damage throughout his first two seasons, and he wasn’t precisely a sophisticated passer when he performed. There may be little query the tantalizing Richardson can run, however he cannot keep on the sphere. Jones is not precisely superior or sturdy, both, so it is a mess you need to keep away from.
Saquon Barkley falls exterior the highest 5 RB scorers
What an incredible first season in Philadelphia for Barkley, with 2,005 dashing yards, 22.2 fantasy factors per recreation and a Tremendous Bowl championship. Watch out right here, although. Of the eight prior operating backs to hurry for two,000 yards, Chris Johnson is the one one to complete among the many prime 5 PPR RBs the following season. None reached 1,500 dashing yards. A number of missed a number of video games. Barkley entered 2024 with a observe report for accidents, then he carried the heaviest quantity of his profession (378 touches) into February. The Eagles will likely be extra cautious in 12 months 2.
Derrick Henry rushes for two,000 yards — once more
Henry was overshadowed by Barkley, however he was additionally a stellar match together with his new group, dashing for 1,921 yards. There are variations right here. Henry, although older than Barkley, is thought for consistency and sturdiness, save for a half-season in 2021. Henry performs little function within the passing recreation. His quantity is extra repeatable. Do not essentially choose Henry over Barkley, nevertheless it is not outrageous to contemplate it.
Christian McCaffrey allows you to down — once more
A wholesome McCaffrey is a superb participant, as most lately seen in 2023, however the 49ers — and fantasy managers — merely can’t depend on his attendance. The 49ers should monitor his workload and hope for one of the best. This can be a unhealthy mixture for somebody more likely to be an early-round draft choose. Maybe McCaffrey, 29, returns to a excessive degree of efficiency and carries the 49ers and your fantasy group, however he is been a top-10 RB in solely two of the previous 5 seasons.
Two Seahawks RBs end among the many prime 20 scorers
Nothing in opposition to Kenneth Walker III, a confirmed standout who added extra receiving work throughout an injury-plagued 2024 season, however Zach Charbonnet can do these issues, too. New offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak could copy the Lions’ technique of utilizing two operating backs in tandem, maybe lowering Walker’s quantity to maintain him wholesome. Every RB can and will thrive, however Charbonnet can be the higher draft-day worth.
Chase Brown delivers RB1 numbers
Brown proved he might deal with a serious workload, averaging higher than 23 touches per recreation over the ultimate eight video games, when he was among the many prime 5 fantasy operating backs. And there may be little purpose to anticipate the Bengals to pressure him again right into a timeshare. Solely 4 operating backs caught extra passes, and Brown did most of that injury from November on. He will likely be a draft-day discount.
Tyreek Hill returns to top-3 WR manufacturing
One disappointing, injury-plagued season and now Hill falls out of everybody’s prime 10. It simply appears too handy an excuse. Hill caught 119 passes in every of his first two Dolphins seasons, reaching 170 targets with QB Tua Tagovailoa. He’s recovered from offseason wrist surgical procedure, he and his offensive-minded head coach are motivated to show skeptics unsuitable, and we have already seen how Hill can carry fantasy managers.
Deebo Samuel Sr. is a bust in Washington
Samuel enters his seventh NFL season with a brand new franchise and might be a bit overrated by fantasy managers. Samuel has completed among the many prime 25 fantasy WRs in two of his six seasons, buoyed by dashing manufacturing he could discover difficult to duplicate with the Commanders. This group has a operating QB, a stable RB timeshare, and an elite WR already in place.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is a secure WR2 possibility
Harrison’s rookie season was statistically disappointing, as he did not strategy 1,000 receiving yards, however his utilization ought to solely rise in 12 months 2. The Cardinals want Harrison to common much better than 2.6 yards after the catch, among the many lowest figures within the league, and there may be ample purpose to anticipate enchancment. Harrison is not Malik Nabers or Brian Thomas Jr. (higher rookie producers from the 2024 draft), however give him time.
Rome Odunze turns into an WR2 possibility, too
Chicago’s offense goes to enhance, and Odunze, a top-10 choose within the 2024 draft (5 spots after Harrison), has a lot to realize statistically. As famous with Caleb Williams, the whole lot has modified with the Bears, and with WR Keenan Allen (and his 121 targets) gone, Odunze will see extra possibilities downfield and within the crimson zone. Count on 75 catches and 1,000 receiving yards, at the very least.
Lions TE Sam LaPorta outscores WR Jameson Williams
LaPorta starred in his rookie season, however he spent the primary half of 12 months 2 combating for targets, principally with the rising deep menace Williams, whereas doubtless coping with ankle and hamstring accidents. LaPorta had a giant second half, incomes six or extra targets in every recreation after Week 10. These are two vastly completely different playmakers. Williams averaged 17.3 yards per catch, practically doubling LaPorta’s common, however the tight finish is extra dependable and extra of a crimson zone goal.
Trey McBride scores 10 touchdowns
McBride would have completed his third NFL season as fantasy’s prime tight finish if he had a bit extra luck close to the objective line. He sailed previous 100 receptions and 1,000 receiving yards, however he did not rating his first TD till Week 17. Then he scored once more within the season finale. McBride noticed ample crimson zone targets, and his finest fantasy season awaits.
T.J. Hockenson returns to top-5 TE standing
Hockenson was all the time more likely to disappoint keen fantasy managers in 2024 as he fought again from a severe knee damage late the prior season. Frankly, we must always ignore Hockenson’s 2024 numbers and bear in mind his affect in 2022 and 2023. Don’t be concerned about new QB J.J. McCarthy. A wholesome Hockenson will simply eclipse 100 targets.
