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E.J. Speed 2025 Fantasy Football Outlook: Change in Scheme is Worrisome
The Indianapolis Colts routinely produce linebackers who finish top ten in fantasy scoring, regardless of pedigree or name value. One of those 'backers (Zaire Franklin) is still there, another's career was over the second Indy cut him (Shaq Leonard), while another has maintained his LB2 production outside of Indy's favorable scheme (Bobby Okereke). Thus, the range of possible outcomes is wide for stud tacklers who leave the Colts. Unfortunately, Speed's age (29), lack of resume, and unfavorable landing spot mean the odds are stacked against him in Houston. Remember that Speed barely saw the field until his age 27 season, and now he joins a DeMeco Ryans scheme that didn't even make a fantasy star out of the best true linebacker in the NFL (Fred Warner). While Speed has been fantasy's LB9 overall over his past 27 games, his contract with Houston (one year for $5 million) wasn't significant, suggesting there was little competition for his services. Worse, the Texans' lack of financial commitment to Speed means they have little incentive to force him ahead of Azeez Al-Shaair, Christian Harris, or Henry To'oTo'o on the depth chart unless he earns it... which he may not.
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