Intriguing new coaches. Extremely-hyped rookies. Carryover accidents. Even two guys awaiting jail sentences.
As NFL coaching camps opened this week, there have been extra query marks than within the Riddler’s wardrobe.
Reply these questions accurately earlier than your fantasy draft and also you’ll be off and operating like Saquon Barkley this season:
Are we being buffaloed?
Let’s be trustworthy: We’ve all checked to see if the Browns’ preseason opener in opposition to the Panthers is on our cable service. It’s completely, positively must-see TV, and we don’t even know but if Shedeur Sanders will probably be suiting up.
The present shade of Brown is so drab, would you be stunned if Sanders began the real-deal opener in opposition to the Bengals? Given Cincinnati’s lack of protection and the Browns’ surprisingly sufficient receiving corps … heck, the man did throw for 510 yards and 4 touchdowns in his Colorado debut two years in the past.
If not Sanders, then who?
Nearly certainly there gained’t be a Jayden Daniels among the many 2025 rookie quarterbacks, however is it asking an excessive amount of for an additional Caleb Williams or Bo Nix? First, somebody’s going to need to get the identical alternative, which—given the truth that we’re speaking in regards to the Titans (Cam Ward), Giants (Jaxson Dart), Saints (Tyler Slough) and Browns (Dillon Gabriel)—is distinctly attainable.
Control Dart. Any quarterback with Malik Nabers on the opposite finish has an opportunity to succeed. And any quarterback with solely Russell Wilson in entrance of him has an opportunity to win the job.
Will we be hailing King Tuten?
Oct 17, 2024; Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Hokies operating again Bhayshul Tuten (33) runs the ball in opposition to Boston Faculty Eagles cornerback Bryquice Brown (19) through the second quarter at Lane Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Peter Casey-Imagn Photographs There has by no means been a season by which so many rookie operating backs have been drafted with immediacy in thoughts. Two are anticipated to start out (Ashton Jeanty, RJ Harvey), and not less than six others—Omarion Hampton, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, Kaleb Johnson, Bhayshul Tuten and Cam Skattebo—open camp with a puncher’s likelihood.
New Jacksonville coach Liam Coen squeezed gold out of mediocre backs in Tampa. Now he’ll be tasked with doing the identical with incumbents Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby … except Tuten goes full Bucky Irving within the preseason. Fantasy eyes will probably be on him.
How’s Tua trying?
Sep 12, 2024; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) walks off the sector with coaching workers after an obvious damage through the second half in opposition to the Buffalo Payments at Onerous Rock Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Photographs Keep in mind when the Dolphins have been purported to be the Lions final season? With the sensible Mike McDaniel calling the pictures, fantasy house owners couldn’t snatch up Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle and De’Von Achane quick sufficient. Then down went Tua, and with him went all teal-tinted fantasy hopes.
Hill, Waddle and particularly Achane are all being drafted as fantasy starters once more this season. It could be clever to ensure Tua is ready to jog out for the opening-day coin toss earlier than risking the double whammy.
The place did the 49ers go?
Dec 30, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) through the sport in opposition to the Detroit Lions at Levi’s Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Photographs If Kyle Shanahan is a quarterback whisperer, then Christian McCaffrey is a operating again mom. Lately, when McCaffrey has shouted in ache—which has been typically—a brand new fantasy star has been born within the 49ers’ run-friendly system.
Now the query is: Can Elijah Mitchell unseat Isiah Pacheco in Kansas Metropolis? And may Jordan Mason bump Aaron Jones out of the way in which in Minnesota? A misstep for both of the oft-injured starters might put Mitchell or Mason again in one other dream fantasy state of affairs. And don’t overlook Isaac Guerendo. He’ll be the man given the pink carpet to fantasy stardom in San Francisco if McCaffrey, coming off Achilles and PCL accidents, is seen in road garments this preseason.
Is there nonetheless fame of their sport?
You by no means know when your time is up, however it’s doubtless very near the witching hour for McCaffrey, Aaron Rodgers, Russell Wilson, Alvin Kamara, DK Metcalf, Cooper Kupp and DeAndre Hopkins. Subsequent cease: the Fantasy Corridor of Fame.
However all wish to give it not less than another go, and a wholesome preseason—particularly for McCaffrey, Kamara and Metcalf—might be a purchase signal at a reduction fee in your fantasy draft. They may not play a lot within the non-counting video games, so make sure to tune in early.
How swiftly can Ben Johnson repair the Bears?
Dec 22, 2024; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson earlier than a sport in opposition to the Chicago Bears at Soldier Discipline. Necessary Credit score: Daniel Bartel-Imagn Photographs A lot of the discuss in Chicago is about how Johnson, the mastermind behind Detroit’s pinball season a 12 months in the past, is strictly what Caleb Williams wants. The issue is: Caleb Williams isn’t precisely what Johnson wants.
Johnson’s Lions received extra out of their operating backs than another group a 12 months in the past. In the meantime, the Bears received about as little as any group from theirs. There as soon as was a time when D’Andre Swift put up large numbers alongside Johnson in Detroit. Reunions will be enjoyable, however Swift has to win the job first.
What’s of their future?
Only a few groups locked their gates on the opening day of camp with “No Emptiness” indicators. The checklist of lacking gamers was spectacular—and doubtlessly troublesome come draft time.
What are we to do about Brandon Aiyuk (injured), Christian Watson (injured), Rashee Rice (potential suspension), Jordan Addison (potential suspension) and Terry McLaurin (holdout)? All are more likely to play—and play nicely—this season. However when, and for the way lengthy? Maintain your ears open.
Are tight ends not anti-heroes?
Jan 26, 2025; Kansas Metropolis, MO, USA; Kansas Metropolis Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce (87) reacts on stage after the AFC Championship sport in opposition to the Buffalo Payments at GEHA Discipline at Arrowhead Stadium. Necessary Credit score: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Photographs We’d have seen the final of Travis Kelce’s dominance, however he’s began a revolution. NFL tight ends are so productive lately, early fantasy drafts have featured fights over Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and Sam LaPorta—within the second spherical, for crying out loud.
Each season, increasingly good ones emerge. This 12 months, three rookies have been drafted to shine straight away: Colston Loveland (Bears), Tyler Warren (Colts) and Mason Taylor (Jets). Right here’s the way you’ll know if Warren would be the cream of the brand new crop: if Anthony Richardson suffers his inevitable damage through the preseason. Historically expert Daniel Jones could make Warren fantasy-worthy—and vice versa.
Which kicker jobs are up for grabs?
It doesn’t matter. The great ones have jobs, and that’s all fantasy house owners have to care about.
Besides that we misplaced an incredible one when Justin Tucker massaged his means out of the league, forcing fantasy’s kicking manufacturing unit to churn out a brand new star. Tyler Loop seems to be in line to debut with a bullet, however they stated that about Joshua Karty final 12 months and it didn’t work out that means.
Seeing is believing: If Loop splits the uprights together with his first preseason discipline objective try, place him prominently in your draft checklist.
