Harold Fannin Jr. Starts the Year as a Solid Sleeper Target
Harold Fannin Jr. has played his way into a significant role with the team after a productive training camp and preseason. Quarterback Joe Flacco praised his rookie tight end by saying, "he's going to be...an important piece for us." Fannin worked out of the slot this preseason and played alongside veteran tight end David Njoku, which should make both solid fantasy names to watch coming into the season. The Browns drafted Fannin Jr. in the third round out of Bowling Green, after he racked up 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns in 13 games last year. Fannin Jr. is the TE30 in the RotoBaller rankings since his role is still uncertain, but he brings enough upside to target late in the draft or off the waiver wire if you need tight-end depth in deep leagues. He would also be a priority pick-up if Njoku deals with any injury issues like he did last year.Source: Daniel Oyefusi
Cleveland Brows tight end Zach Charbonnet Could Have Larger Role in Seattle
Zach Charbonnet had a great training camp, according to The Athletic's Jeff Howe, and he could have a larger role in the team's offense after Kenneth Walker III missed significant time while dealing with a foot injury. With Klint Kubiak in place as the team's new offensive coordinator, the team will likely have a renewed focus on the run game, and Charbonnet and Walker could both be solid fantasy options at times this season. Last year, Charbonnet had 569 rushing yards on 135 carries while adding 42 catches for 340 receiving yards, all new career highs in his second season out of UCLA. He also found the end zone nine times. Charbonnet is the RB32 in the RotoBaller rankings and is a very solid RB3 with RB2 upside if he does indeed seize a larger role in Seattle's backfield after his strong camp.Source: Jeff Howe
Seattle Seahawks running back Kyle Pitts Sr. Could Be a Midseason Trade Candidate
Kyle
Pitts
Sr.
could
be
on
the
move
this
year,
according
to
the
latest
report
from
The
Athletic's
Jeff
Howe.
Howe
reported
that
if
the
Falcons
struggle
early
in
the
seasonread more...
Atlanta
Falcons
tight
end
Rome Odunze Taking on Leadership Role, Growing in Ben Johnson's Offense
Rome Odunze has "taken on more of a natural leadership role, which has impressed those in every corner of (the team's) building," according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Howe writes that Odunze is "growing in new coach Ben Johnson's system on and off the field." The 2024 first-rounder is expected to make a leap from his rookie-season production, when he posted 54 catches for 734 yards and three touchdowns in 17 games. Odunze enters 2025 as the WR2 in Chicago behind D.J. Moore, but he has the talent to work his way into being the favorite target of quarterback Caleb Williams over the course of the season. The 23-year-old profiles as a WR3/flex option in fantasy with significant upside if he can hit on his full potential and the Bears' offense as a whole improves in Johnson's first year at the helm.Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
Chicago Bears wide receiver Commanders "Blown Away" by Deebo Samuel Sr.'s Level of Commitment
Deebo Samuel Sr.'s "commitment to recapturing as much of his prime as possible," according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Samuel Sr. has reportedly shed weight over the offseason after being acquired by Washington from the San Francisco 49ers. The 29-year-old is coming off an underwhelming season, recording 806 yards from scrimmage and four touchdowns on 93 total touches across 15 games for San Francisco. Recapturing his peak form from 2021, when he recorded 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns, may be a stretch, but Samuel Sr. could conceivably bounce back to somewhere in between his best season and his most recent one. He's the clear WR2 behind Terry McLaurin in Washington, and he may get multiple touches per game as a rusher as well. Samuel Sr. could easily end up being undervalued as a low-end WR3/high-end WR4 in fantasy drafts.Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
The Washington Commanders have been "blown away" by wide receiver Bo Nix "Capable of Raising His Game"
Bo Nix and "believe he's capable of raising his game," per Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Nix outperformed expectations as a rookie in 2024, throwing for 3,775 yards and 29 touchdowns in 17 games. He also showed an ability to make plays with his legs, rushing for 430 yards and four scores on 92 attempts. Nix finished the season on a tear, throwing for 19 touchdowns and completing 70.3% of his passes over his final eight regular-season games. He'll be expected to be more consistent from start to finish in his second season under center for the Broncos. Nix profiles as a low-end fantasy QB1 who is helped by his dual-threat ability and the significant talent around him in Denver.Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
League evaluators see "a lot of room for improvement" in Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Lawrence Will Have More Control Over Jaguars Offense in 2025?
Trevor Lawrence is expected to make more pre-snap reads in new head coach and play caller Liam Coen's offense, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Howe writes that Lawrence will be sent to the line with two play calls "90% of the time," and that a "trusted QB expert believed Lawrence could turn it on in the second half of the season when he becomes more comfortable." As the offensive coordinator for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024, Coen engineered the best season of quarterback Baker Mayfield's career. A similar breakout could be possible for Lawrence, who is coming off an injury-shortened campaign that saw him average the lowest amount of passing yards per game of his career. The 25-year-old profiles as a mid-tier fantasy QB2 with upside.Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Kayshon Boutte a Breakout Candidate in New England?
Kayshon Boutte should not be overlooked coming off a "stunning" offseason turnaround, according to Jeff Howe of The Athletic. Boutte is in the mix with veteran Mack Hollins and rookie Kyle Williams for the WR3 job in New England alongside Stefon Diggs and DeMario Douglas. In 15 games for the Patriots last season, Boutte recorded 43 catches for 589 yards and three touchdowns. A sixth-round pick in 2023, Boutte is still just 23 years old and showed significant improvement between his rookie and sophomore seasons. If he can take another leap forward, there's a pathway for him to significant playing time in New England. Boutte should not be drafted in redraft fantasy leagues, but he's a name to monitor as a potential early-season waiver-wire candidate.Source: The Athletic - Jeff Howe
New England Patriots wide receiver Teams "Aren't Tripping Over Themselves" to Trade for Anthony Richardson Sr.
Anthony
Richardson
Sr.
The
Colts
have
already
gone
on
record
by
statingread more...
According
to
Jeff
Howe
of
The
Athletic,
teams
around
the
National
Football
League
"aren't
tripping
over
themselves"
to
trade
for
Indianapolis
Colts
quarterback
Texans Pleased with New Squad "Charged" with Protecting C.J. Stroud
C.J.
Stroud."
Houston
traded
left
tackle
Laremy
Tunsil
to
the
Washington
Commanders
duringread more...
According
to
Jeff
Howe
of
The
Athletic,
the
Houston
Texans
have
been
"encouraged
with
the
new
group
that
is
charged
with
protecting
quarterback
Bengals Feel Joe Burrow Just had "the Best Training Camp of his Career"
Joe
Burrow
"just
enjoyed
the
best
training
camp
of
his
career,"
according
to
Jeff
Howe
of
the
Athletic.
The
28-year-old
is
coming
off
a
stellar
2024
campaign,
amassing
career-highs
inread more...
The
Cincinnati
Bengals
believe
that
quarterback
Jaydon Blue Listed as No. 3 Back on Latest Unofficial Depth Chart
Jaydon Blue (ankle) is listed behind Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders on the team's most recent unofficial depth chart. The rookie is currently battling an ankle injury, and his availability for the opener versus the Eagles is up in the air. However, even if Blue is cleared for the Thursday night NFC East showdown, he isn't expected to see enough snaps to be relevant from a fantasy standpoint. The 21-year-old, who was the No. 149 overall pick in April's NFL Draft, appears to be in line to get more work at some point during the 2025 campaign, giving him value as a viable stash option for managers. Blue might see action sooner if Williams or Sanders struggle or go down with an injury in the near future. For now, managers should at least consider him questionable for Week 1, although his status against Philly won't matter much either way.Source: Adam Schefter
Dallas Cowboys running back Beaux Collins Could Develop Into Key Contributor
Beaux Collins has the potential to go from undrafted free agent to impact player, Bucky Brooks of NFL.com observes. The former Clemson and Notre Dame wideout made the Giants' 53-man roster after a "spectacular" showing in offseason workouts and training camp. While Collins only caught one pass during the preseason, he made it count on an 80-yard hookup with current starting quarterback Russell Wilson. Malik Nabers, Wan'Dale Robinson, and Darius Slayton are locked in as the Giants' top three receivers, but Jalin Hyatt and Gunner Olszewski haven't offered much production. That could open the door for Collins to emerge as the team's fourth WR sometime during his rookie season.Source: Bucky Brooks - NFL.com
New York Giants wide receiver Bucs Could Go With Committee Approach at Tight End
Cade
Otton
(leg,
hamstring)
is
dealing
with
leg
and
hamstring
injuries
that
could
prevent
him
from
playing
in
the
team's
season
opener
against
the
Atlanta
Falcons
on
Sept.
7.
If
Otton
isread more...
Tampa
Bay
Buccaneers
tight
end
Rachaad White Expected to Play in Week 1
Rachaad White (groin) returned to practice last week and is expected to be ready for the team's Sept. 7 season opener against the division-rival Atlanta Falcons, according to Matt Matera of Pewter Report. White dealt with a groin injury earlier this month and missed the Buccaneers' final two preseason games. Thanks to the emergence of Bucky Irving last year, White is heading into this season in a backup role. With Irving as the starter and Sean Tucker expected to receive an increase in touches, White could see diminished opportunities this year. However, having hauled in 50-plus catches in all three seasons of his career, he should still have a role in the Bucs' passing game.Source: Matt Matera - Pewter Report
Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back