July 14, 2025
Washington Commanders receiver
Luke McCaffrey impressed during the team's offseason practices and should have a more meaningful role in 2025, according to Mike Jones of The Athletic. Jones writes that McCaffrey "demonstrated an improved understanding of the playbook and improved confidence." A third-round selection in the 2024 NFL draft, McCaffrey logged just 18 catches for 168 yards and zero touchdowns as a rookie. The Commanders have
Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel entrenched atop their depth chart at wide receiver, but there could be playing time available via the WR3 role. Veterans
Noah Brown and
Michael Gallup, as well as fourth-round rookie
Jaylin Lane, are among the names McCaffrey will have to beat out for the job. He'll need to earn consistent playing time to become fantasy-relevant, but it appears as though McCaffrey will have that opportunity.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Mike Jones
July 14, 2025
New York Jets running back
Braelon Allen will "have plenty of opportunities in 2025 to make his mark and prove he can be the long-term starter with (current starter Breece) Hall in the last year of his contract," according to Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic. Rosenblatt notes that Jets' first-year head coach Aaron Glenn and play caller Tanner Engstrand would like to emulate the two-back model that was so successful in their last stop with the Detroit Lions. Allen was the clear RB2 behind
Breece Hall last season, earning 92 carries for 334 yards and two touchdowns in 17 games played. A more even timeshare with Hall would be a highly fantasy-relevant development in the Jets backfield. That's especially true if Allen, as the larger back, gets more of the team's work around the goal line.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Zack Rosenblatt
July 14, 2025
The Los Angeles Chargers have placed wide receiver
Mike Williams (undisclosed) on the Physically Unable to Perform list, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. Los Angeles will start training camp later this week. The 30-year-old missed mandatory minicamp with an undisclosed injury, but Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh believed the veteran would be available for the start of activities in July. It's worth noting that Schefter reports a player can be transferred off the PUP at any time during the offseason, and it's mainly used as a roster management tool at this point in the year. It's at least mildly concerning that the nature of the injury is unknown, although Harbaugh doesn't seem to be too concerned about it. Williams disappointed last year in his first season back from an ACL tear with the Steelers, but he'll get a chance to redeem himself in his second stint with LA. Barring health, that is.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
July 14, 2025
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the New York Jets and wide receiver
Garrett Wilson reached an agreement on a four-year, $130 million contract, including $90 million guaranteed. Per Schefter, this marks the first time in NFL history that a wide receiver will average over $31 million per year after only three seasons in the league. Despite sharing the field with former superstar teammate
Davante Adams in 2024 and dealing with less-than-ideal quarterback play in the two years prior, Wilson has eclipsed 1,000 yards receiving and 80 receptions in each of his first three campaigns. He'll head into 2025 as the team's undisputed No. 1 pass-catching option, but will again face the difficulty of developing rapport with a new quarterback in
Justin Fields. While the quality of his targets is currently unknown, the Ohio State alum's talent and usage should provide WR1 upside.
--Alex CiullaSource: Adam Schefter
July 14, 2025
Chicago Bears rookie tight end
Colston Loveland (shoulder), who hosted his first football camp for kids last week, remained a limited participant as he's still recovering from offseason AC-joint surgery. "It's been good," Loveland told Aaron McMann of MLive.com. "There haven't really been live bullets flying yet. We'll really know in camp once I get out there, doing a lot more stuff." Expectations are high in 2025 for the Bears, and that goes for the former Michigan Wolverine, too, despite his status as a rookie. It sounds like his shoulder has responded well, but he hasn't exactly been aggressive in his testing of it. The Bears boast an array of talented weaponry to deploy for second-year signal-caller
Caleb Williams, and upgraded their coaching staff with the offensive-minded Ben Johnson. Loveland's impact could be spotty due to the excess of mouths to feed, but he has the talent to be a standout early on if he can adapt quickly to the league.
--Alex CiullaSource: Josh Alper
July 14, 2025
ESPN.com's Rich Cimini reports that new New York Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks has challenged defensive back Sauce Gardner to bring his game to a new level this offseason. "I know I'm not perfect, but the fact that he's trying to get perfection out of me is what I need," said Gardner. "I've had a lot of success, early success in the league...the last thing I need is a new regime to come in here and just allow me to be complacent." The fourth-year pro took the league by storm in his rookie season and followed it up with another exceptional campaign. However, 2024 saw Gardner rank 47 out of 52 qualified corners in EPA per target as the nearest defender, and he's recorded a lone interception in his last 31 appearances. It seems he's responded well to the challenge and is an excellent bounce-back candidate ahead of 2025.
--Alex CiullaSource: Rich Cimini
July 14, 2025
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver
Xavier Worthy alluded to Kay Adams during an appearance on FanDuel TV's "Up and Adams" that the team may return to their once-signature explosive play style. "Coach Reid told us during OTAs Phase 1, 'When you come back, get your hamstrings ready,'" said the former Texas Longhorn. Once a high-flying offensive juggernaut, Kansas City has shifted to a more clock-control, defensive-oriented style of play. However, Worthy flashed his prowess as a deep threat during the team's playoff run, and an improved offensive line could push the Chiefs back to favor stretching the field more in 2025. He'll have third-year running mate,
Rashee Rice, and veteran tight end
Travis Kelce to contend with for targets, although it isn't a foregone conclusion that Rice and Worthy won't be a boon for each other as they operate in different roles. The 22-year-old garners some of the highest upside of the mid-round fantasy wideouts.
--Alex CiullaSource: Nick Shook
July 14, 2025
Despite an eye-raising off-the-field incident this offseason, New England Patriots wide receiver
Stefon Diggs (knee) impressed the team at minicamp and gave the impression he might be ahead of schedule in his rehab from an ACL tear suffered last year. The Athletic's Chad Graff writes that Diggs will likely open training camp this month working on the side until he's fully cleared from his injury. It always seemed likeliest that Diggs would open the regular season on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would mean he'd miss the first four games, but that all depends on how quickly he can get onto the field in a full capacity. He's on the wrong side of 30 with his prime behind him, and with Diggs' availability for Week 1 in question, fantasy managers have every right to be thinking about avoiding him entirely in drafts. It's not like Diggs was particularly explosive before his knee injury, either.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Chad Graff
July 14, 2025
The Athletic's Joseph Person writes that Carolina Panthers second-year wide receiver
Xavier Legette should see improved production in 2025 as quarterback
Bryce Young develops and rookie first-round receiver
Tetairoa McMillan draws coverage his way. Legette had 49 catches for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts) after going 32nd overall in last year's draft out of South Carolina. It was a disappointment for the 24-year-old, but as Person points out, Legette didn't become a full-time starter in college until his fifth season. His eight drops put him among the leaders in that category. the 6-foot-3, 227-pounder has a big, chiseled frame and could make strides this year as long as Young continues to improve as well. There will be plenty of competition for targets in Carolina, though, so RotoBaller has Legette ranked as the No. 64 wideout.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joseph Person
July 14, 2025
As long as he stays healthy, Buffalo Bills safety Cole Bishop is a pretty good bet to be a Week 1 starter in 2025, according to The Athletic's Joe Buscaglia. The 22-year-old former second-rounder (60th overall) in 2024 out of Utah was one of the main reasons why the Bills didn't address the safety position in this year's NFL draft. Bishop began his rookie season in Buffalo slow due to inconsistent performances and injuries, but he was able to hit his stride late in the year and even made spot starts in the regular season and playoffs. He finished his first regular season with 40 tackles (25 solo), two pass breakups and a forced fumble in 16 games (four starts) for the Bills. Buscaglia writes that Bishop looked more comfortable within the defensive scheme this offseason and has drawn very positive reviews from the coaching staff.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Joe Buscaglia
July 14, 2025
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec writes that the Baltimore Ravens think second-year cornerback Nate Wiggins has star potential. The 21-year-old former 30th overall pick last year out of Clemson got better as the season advanced last year, and quarterbacks had just a 66.7 QB rating when targeting the young defensive back in 2024. He allowed only 31 receptions on 62 passes thrown his way while playing 68 percent of the team's defensive snaps. Wiggins has put on 10 pounds of muscle and has a much better understanding of the Ravens' defensive plan going into Year 2, which could be the recipe for a strong sophomore season. He finished his rookie season with 33 tackles (25 solo), an interception returned for a touchdown, 13 pass breakups and a forced fumble in 15 games (six starts).
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Jeff Zrebiec
July 14, 2025
Per NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, more details have emerged involving Cleveland Browns rookie running back
Quinshon Judkins' recent arrest for domestic battery over the weekend via the arrest report. Judkins' accuser told police that he punched her with a closed fist in the chin/lip area and also hit her in the left arm and thigh while they were in a car leaving the airport on July 7. In addition to this disturbing news involving the 21-year-old second-round pick back in April out of Ohio State, Judkins remains unsigned by the Browns. Not only will he potentially miss valuable development time during training camp this summer, but he could be facing a suspension in his first NFL season in 2025. If Judkins is suspended for any length of time, it will make both
Jerome Ford and fellow rookie
Dylan Sampson even more valuable for fantasy purposes.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
July 14, 2025
Linebacker Kaden Elliss has kind of flown under the radar among the Atlanta Falcons' defensive additions this offseason, but The Athletic's Josh Kendall believes that Elliss could end up being the team's most impactful pass-rusher this year. The 30-year-old veteran has 16 sacks in the last three seasons and leads the league in pressure percentage in that span. Despite the fact that the Falcons have also added outside linebackers Leonard Floyd, Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr., defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has promised to keep deploying Elliss as a pass-rusher at inside linebacker. Kendall thinks that Elliss could rack up double-digit sacks in 2025 for the first time in his career -- his career-high of seven came in 2022 with the New Orleans Saints. Last year, Elliss had a career-best 151 tackles (85 solo), five sacks, eight tackles for loss, 16 QB hits and his first career interception.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Josh Kendall
July 14, 2025
The Athletic's Doug Haller writes that Arizona Cardinals defensive tackle Darius Robinson is healthy and positioned to make his mark in his second NFL season in 2025. The Cardinals took Robinson 27th overall in 2024 out of Missouri, but he injured his calf in training camp and spent the rest of his rookie campaign trying to play catch-up. As a result, the 23-year-old interior defensive lineman failed to make much of an impact, recording just 10 tackles (four solo) and one sack in six games played in the desert. With Robinson healthy going into this year, though, the Cardinals' defensive line could be much improved after the drafted pass-rusher Walter Nolen in the first round in April and also signed veterans Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson in free agency. Robinson will surely play a much bigger part for Arizona's D-line in 2025.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Doug Haller
July 14, 2025
Despite just requesting a new contract or a trade, San Francisco 49ers wide receiver
Jauan Jennings (calf) is expected to be present when the team's veterans report for training camp next Tuesday, according to The Athletic's Matt Barrows. However, it doesn't necessarily mean that Jennings' situation will be smooth and tidy after that. After signing a two-year, $15.4 million deal last year as a restricted free agent, the 28-year-old wideout broke out in 2024 to the tune of 975 receiving yards and six touchdowns on 77 receptions (all career-highs) in 15 games (10 starts). He missed some spring workouts with a minor calf injury, but he's expected to be fully healthy for the start of the 2025 regular season. With
Deebo Samuel Sr. now out of town and
Brandon Aiyuk (knee) potentially missing around half the season, Jennings is a prime WR3/flex target that should see an expanded role once again.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Matt Barrows
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