6 Fantasy Football Breakout Candidates to Draft: John's Must-Have Sleepers (2025)

With only a couple of weeks left until the start of the NFL and fantasy football season, the preseason sleepers and breakout candidates are different from what they were two months ago. When the summer started and player analysis really kicked into high gear, that meant players labeled as breakout candidates at that time had […]

Fantasy Football Breakout Tight Ends: Florio's Middle-Round and Later-Round Picks

I have said it in each part of this series: breakouts win championships. It is why you should be targeting high upside places in your drafts. If you want breakout quarterbacks, running backs, or wide receivers, I've got you covered. A breakout, though, is different at different positions, especially at tight end. Sure, everyone would […]

Should I Draft Woody Marks, Tahj Brooks, or DJ Giddens? Fantasy Football Outlooks for Rookie RBs

With fantasy football season just around the corner, the hype around first-year players is at an all-time high. While star rookie names like Ashton Jeanty, Travis Hunter, Omarion Hampton, and Emeka Egbuka grab most of the headlines, later-round NFL Draft picks and handcuff running backs can also be key to fantasy success. We're going to […]

Running Back Fantasy Football Sleepers for ZeroRB Builds: 5 Later-Round Draft Values (2025)

Some drafters might be fading the ZeroRB approach because running backs were profitable in the early rounds over the past two seasons. With the juicy 2025 rookie class, many receivers and running backs landed in friendly spots, making them earlier picks in drafts. The basis for the ZeroRB draft strategy came from Shawn Siegele and […]

Adam Koffler's 5 Fantasy Football Deep Sleepers: Later-Round Breakout Candidates to Draft

In fantasy football, there are sleepers, and then there are deep sleepers. These guys typically come off the board in the later rounds of your drafts. This is where you can have a serious edge over your league mates. Hit on a couple of these guys and you'll be golden (hint, hint) this season. The five […]

IDP Fantasy Football Breakouts, Sleepers, and Busts (2025)

We are so close to real football that you can smell it. That means peak fantasy draft time is upon us. Data shows that a vast number of fantasy leagues wait to select their teams until the final two weeks before kickoff. That means the next two weeks will be busy, and those in IDP […]

Running Back Fantasy Football League-Winners: 5 Must-Have RBs for PPR Leagues (2025)

If you're lucky enough to have a top-4 pick in your 2025 Fantasy Football draft, congratulations. You're in a prime position to secure a top-tier player like Ja'Marr Chase or one of the elite running backs: Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, or Saquon Barkley. These three are the cream of the crop, and any of them […]

Fantasy Football Draft Avoids: Big-Name Players With Bust Potential (2025)

"Hey, I recognize that name. He's been a fantasy football stalwart forever!" *Click* Please don't say those words to yourself on draft day. A big name doesn't always equal big performances. Avoid these big-name players, at least at cost, and you'll enjoy a successful fantasy football season. Here's why I'm fading Breece Hall, Joe Mixon, […]

Best Early-Season D/ST Matchups - Fantasy Football Strength of Schedule Analysis (2025)

The summer has flown by once again, and the 2025 NFL season is upon us. For some, all drafts are complete, and we anxiously await the opening kickoff. For many others, there are some last remaining drafts between now and the start of the season. We are on the brink of the annual transition from […]

11 Fantasy Football Later-Round Lotto Tickets: Nick Mariano's Favorite 2025 Draft Sleepers

We love to nail those early draft picks to set the tone for success, but there's nothing like turning those last couple of picks into a league-winner. The zero-to-hero dynamic is too alluring. And there's no point in clogging the end of our bench with a plodder who is just going to trickle in 4-7 […]

Fantasy Football League Winners: Dark-Horse Overall QB1 Contenders

Obviously, guys like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jayden Daniels have shown us what they can do in the NFL -- put up huge numbers both as passers and rushers. They're on the short list of quarterbacks who could reasonably finish as the overall QB1 this season. But everyone knows that, so all three of […]

'My Guys' For 2025 Fantasy Football Drafts - RotoBaller Staff's Favorite Picks

The preseason has concluded, and fantasy football drafts are officially underway. Sure, we've all been hammering Best Ball drafts for months, but our home league drafts are coming into focus. It is time to finalize your prep and get those draft boards ready. Often, fantasy managers identify which players to target and avoid at their […]

Cam Caminiti Strikes Out Nine in Latest Start

Atlanta Braves pitching prospect Cam Caminiti was excellent again on Wednesday, making his longest start of the year at Single-A Augusta. The Braves' top prospect allowed one earned run on four hits and two walks while striking out nine batters in six innings of work for the GreenJackets. The 2024 first-rounder is now the owner of a 2.32 ERA, […]

Jakob Wright Activated From Injured List on Thursday

Los Angeles Dodgers pitching prospect Jakob Wright (undisclosed) was activated off the seven-day injured list on Thursday. It's not clear what was ailing the Dodgers' 29th-ranked prospect, but he hasn't pitched since June 15. The 2024 fourth-rounder looked good in his limited play this season, posting a 1.10 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 18 strikeouts in […]

Week 1 Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings (2025) - Jake Bates, Matt Gay, Brandon Aubrey, Cameron Dicker, Wil Lutz, Younghoe Koo, Cam Little, more

Whether you're excited to navigate the kicker position every week or not, they can and often do make the difference between winning and losing fantasy football matchups. If you're looking for the top available option right away, we have you covered with our fantasy football kicker rankings for Week 1. Use these rankings to find the […]

Ollie Gordon II to See Added Volume

Miami Dolphins rookie running back Ollie Gordon II is expected to open the season as the RB2 behind De'Von Achane (calf) with Jaylen Wright (leg) likely sidelined for the first few weeks. Achane is trending toward playing Week 1, but Gordon should see rotational snaps and remains a valuable handcuff in case of setbacks. He'll […]

Coleman Crow Likely Done for the Year

Milwaukee Brewers pitching prospect Coleman Crow (forearm) will likely miss the rest of the 2025 season with a flexor strain. The Brewers' 25th-ranked prospect hadn't pitched since July 9, and was dealing with a hip injury at that time as well. The 24-year-old was the team's Minor League Pitcher of the Month in June, which […]

Andre Pallante to Remain in Rotation and Start on Sunday

St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said that right-hander Andre Pallante, who has gone 1-8 with an 8.27 ERA in his last nine starts, will start in Sunday's series finale against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds. MLB.com's John Denton explains that Pallante's underlying metrics show that his stuff is similar to what he had last yeaer, […]

Quinshon Judkins Not Considering Return to College

Cleveland Browns rookie running back Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned but is not considering a return to college, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com. Earlier in the week, NBC's Mike Florio reported that the former Ohio State standout could begin to pursue a return to college, but Cabot's recent report suggests the running back is […]

Emmanuel Rodriguez Begins Rehab Assignment

Minnesota Twins outfield prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez (oblique) began a rehab assignment at Single-A Fort Myers on Wednesday. The Twins' fourth-ranked prospect has been out since suffering the injury back on July 12. It is the second time this season that the 22-year-old has had to complete a rehab assignment, having been limited to 43 games […]

DeVonta Smith Returns to Practice

The Philadelphia Eagles received a boost Thursday as wide receiver DeVonta Smith (groin) returned to practice alongside A.J. Brown. His presence is a positive sign for the offense heading into their Week 1 Thursday night clash with the Cowboys. Smith is coming off what many considered a "down" 2024 season, tallying 68 catches for 833 […]

Nolan Arenado Returning to St. Louis to Have Shoulder Examined

St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado (shoulder), who has been rehabbing in Jupiter, Fla., will return to St. Louis in the coming days to have his right shoulder examined by team doctors, according to manager Oliver Marmol. After that, a determination will be made about a minor-league rehab assignment and a possible return to […]

Jayden Daniels' Chemistry With Terry McLaurin Remains

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels expressed confidence in his continued chemistry with star wideout Terry McLaurin, noting, "It never leaves." McLaurin, who returned to practice this week, is coming off a 2024 season with 82 catches, 1,096 yards, and a career-high 13 touchdowns. His steady presence makes him Daniels' clear top target heading into 2025. […]

Payton Tolle Could Make Debut on Friday

Boston Red Sox pitching prospect Payton Tolle could be in line to make his major-league debut on Friday in a home matchup against the Pirates. With Dustin May being pushed back to Saturday, the Sox will need a pitcher for Friday, and manager Alex Cora has indicated that "everybody is in the mix" in regards […]

Top 400: Half-PPR Fantasy Football Rankings for Drafts (QB, RB, WR, TE, DST, K)

Tis the season to dominate fantasy football drafts, and if that's your goal, you have come to the right place. Below, you will see our updated top 400 half-PPR fantasy football rankings for drafts and all positions and recent key fantasy football news. In the rankings below, check out where key fantasy assets for preseason […]

Joey Ortiz on Track to Return Next Week

Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Joey Ortiz (hamstring) said on Thursday morning that he's running at around 100 percent and is on track to return for the series against the Texas Rangers that starts on Monday, Sept. 1, after a minimum stay on the 10-day injured list. It's possible that Ortiz does not have to go on […]

Harrison Smith Unavailable for Practice

Minnesota Vikings safety Harrison Smith (undisclosed) has been out of practice since August 11, and his status remains uncertain as Week 1 approaches. While the team doesn't expect Smith to miss significant time, his absence is worth monitoring given his role as a six-time Pro Bowler and defensive leader. If Smith were sidelined for the […]

Lance McCullers Jr. Moving to Bullpen for the "Short Term"

Houston Astros right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. is available out of the bullpen, according to manager Joe Espada. The skipper characterized the decision to move McCullers from the starting rotation to the bullpen as a "short-term" move and hopes it will get him going. He will be an option to start Monday's series opener against the […]

Marvin Mims Jr. Expected to Return Monday

Denver Broncos wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. (groin) is expected to be back at practice Monday, head coach Sean Payton confirmed. Entering his third season, Mims produced 503 yards and six touchdowns on 39 receptions last year, and his role could expand as quarterback Bo Nix develops in year two. Mims is trending upward on […]