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Eric Moody
Gamers change groups, groups modify schemes, some schemes simply make for a greater match. Change is inevitable. And in fantasy soccer, change can present a possibility for managers to achieve an edge.
We see vital motion every offseason, with some groups shedding a good portion of their manufacturing, whether or not attributable to free company, commerce or retirement. And people vacated carries within the run sport or targets within the cross sport open the door for somebody to fill the void.
As a fantasy supervisor, figuring out groups which have vital holes to fill, in addition to the gamers who may step up and replenish that output, is a worthy endeavor.
Simply final season, we noticed the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers deal with deficiencies at extensive receiver within the draft, including Brian Thomas Jr. and Ladd McConkey, respectively. Thomas completed his rookie season because the WR4 in fantasy and McConkey completed WR12.
The Philadelphia Eagles made the numerous transfer to fill their hole in operating again manufacturing by inking Saquon Barkley as a free agent. It is secure to say that labored out nicely for the Eagles and fantasy managers who chosen Barkley in drafts.
Alternative knocks for a number of gamers heading into the 2025 NFL season, so let’s take a deeper dive and determine eight who stand out as you put together in your fantasy drafts.
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Large receivers
Jeudy lastly delivered for managers in his fifth season (and first with the Browns), posting profession highs in targets (145), receptions (90) and receiving yards (1,229). He completed as fantasy soccer’s WR13 and, if not for poor quarterback play from Deshaun Watson, may have had an excellent higher season. Following Watson’s season-ending damage in Week 7, Jeudy was Cleveland’s clear No. 1 receiver over the staff’s closing 10 video games, accumulating 103 targets over that span. And regardless of the presence of Cedric Tillman and offseason addition Diontae Johnson, Jeudy ought to stay the highest goal in 2025 for a Browns staff that has a league-high 241 total vacated targets. Jeudy is projected for 141 targets however presently is simply the WR33 in our draft tendencies. Regardless of uncertainty as soon as once more at quarterback and an getting older offensive line that had its share of struggles final season, Jeudy is value contemplating as a WR3 or WR4 based mostly heading in the right direction quantity alone.
DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
With George Pickens gone, Metcalf steps in because the clear No. 1 receiver for QB Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers, who’re tied for the league’s fourth-most vacated targets (214). Metcalf completed as simply the WR32 final season with Seattle, however he was off to a scorching begin — rating within the high 5 in targets and receiving yards by way of the primary seven weeks — earlier than a knee damage suffered in Week 7 slowed him. Upon his return, Jaxon Smith-Njigba had taken over because the Seahawks’ high wideout.
Metcalf has 4 top-25 fantasy seasons in his six-year profession on his résumé and leads the NFL in finish zone targets since getting into the league, but he is being drafted outdoors the highest 20 at his place (WR22). Arthur Smith’s system may restrict total passing quantity, however Metcalf’s red-zone utilization ought to rebound from a career-low 9 targets in that space final 12 months. Metcalf has the talent set, alternative and quarterback improve to ship high-end WR2 manufacturing at a WR3 worth. He may simply outperform his ADP and is considered one of my favourite mid-round targets in 2025 fantasy drafts.
Odunze isn’t solely a price at his present draft place (WR32), he additionally has breakout potential following the Bears’ offseason overhaul on offense. Effectivity would be the key. Odunze was considered one of 34 extensive receivers to see 100 or extra targets final season. He managed solely 54 receptions in 2024 however posted simply 10 fewer receiving yards (734) — on 19 much less targets and 16 fewer receptions — than veteran teammate Keenan Allen (744). Allen, second in targets for the Bears final season with 119, is now not on the roster, making a void that Odunze is the favourite to fill.
As a rookie, Ozunze ranked eleventh within the NFL with 13 red-zone targets, greater than fellow first-year wideouts Brian Thomas Jr. (12) and Malik Nabers (11), A.J. Brown (11), CeeDee Lamb (10) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (10), to call just a few. Solely three of these targets changed into touchdowns, but it surely appears honest to count on optimistic regression in that space.
Now in a Ben Johnson offense with Caleb Williams getting into his second season, and a plethora of targets out there, Odunze has the profile of a second-year breakout with true WR2 upside.
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Meyers is likely one of the most underrated extensive receivers in fantasy heading into 2025. The Raiders have the seventh-most vacated targets (177) and, regardless of inconsistent quarterback play, Meyers has quietly posted 4 straight seasons with a minimum of 800 receiving yards (two in New England and the final two seasons in Las Vegas). In 2024, he set profession highs in receptions (87), receiving yards (1,027) and targets (129) with only one drop. Following the commerce of Davante Adams previous to Week 7, Meyers posted a 23.8% goal share (18th amongst WRs) and averaged 75.4 receiving yards per sport (twelfth amongst WRs) the remainder of the way in which, ending because the WR20 over that span.
With Geno Smith now underneath heart in Vegas, Meyers ought to see extra correct deep and red-zone targets. Although tight finish Brock Bowers is the Raiders’ high possibility within the passing sport, Meyers is projected for the second-most targets and will probably be a fixture on the sphere. Even when the Raiders run extra with highly-touted rookie Ashton Jeanty, Meyers’ quantity and consistency make him a flex with upside and even perhaps a robust WR3. At the moment going because the WR44 in fantasy drafts, he is a transparent worth and belongs on fantasy managers’ watch lists.
Operating backs
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Boasting a uncommon size-speed mixture, Hampton is likely one of the most enjoyable operating again prospects from the 2025 draft class. In three seasons at North Carolina, he racked up 3,565 speeding yards and 36 touchdowns, together with back-to-back seasons with 1,500+ yards and 15 touchdowns. Chosen twenty second total by the Chargers, Hampton steps right into a run-heavy Greg Roman offense behind a top-tier offensive line anchored by Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Hampton ought to see the vast majority of backfield touches, even with Najee Harris within the combine. Whereas Harris will stay concerned, his one-year contract and declining effectivity recommend he’ll be extra of a complementary piece.
Hampton is projected for over 250 touches in a backfield that has 339 vacated touches from final season, the second-highest quantity within the league. He is firmly within the RB2 dialog and has RB1 upside in a much-improved Los Angeles offense. An ideal match for Roman’s north-south run sport, Hampton must also see ample crimson zone possibilities. He is presently RB18 in our draft tendencies, and the hype is justified. Managers ought to really feel assured touchdown Hampton as their RB2 or, at worst, a high-upside flex.
Drafted sixtieth total by the Broncos, Harvey landed in the most effective environments for operating again manufacturing. Head coach Sean Payton’s offense has lengthy emphasised operating again involvement within the passing sport. Broncos backs have a league-high 226 receptions over the previous two seasons, and Harvey is projected to steer the backfield in touches whereas taking up as Denver’s main receiving again. Harvey has a smaller body at 5-foot-8, 205 kilos, however he ran a 4.40 40-yard sprint on the mix (fourth amongst RBs) and was second in his draft class in runs of 10+ yards in 2024.
The Broncos backfield is extensive open following the departure of Javonte Williams, who accounted for 285 routes run final season, greater than twice that of another Denver operating again. J.Okay. Dobbins is more likely to share early-down work, however Harvey ought to see loads of passing-down alternatives. And with the Broncos having the fifth-most vacated touches amongst NFL backfields, even in a two-man committee, Harvey would see sufficient quantity to be a high-end flex with RB2 upside.
Harvey additionally advantages from operating behind one of many league’s greatest offensive traces. Denver returns all 5 starters from an elite unit in 2025. Quinn Meinerz is arguably the league’s greatest proper guard, and tackles Garett Bolles and Mike McGlinchey have been glorious cross protectors final season. If the Broncos offense takes a step ahead with Bo Nix and the road stays dominant, Harvey may exceed expectations in Payton’s RB-friendly scheme.
Kaleb Johnson and Jaylen Warren, Steelers
The Steelers’ run sport is one you will wish to keep watch over when piecing collectively your fantasy rosters for 2025. With Aaron Rodgers bringing stability to the quarterback place and a younger offensive line poised to enhance following a trial-by-fire 2024, Pittsburgh’s offense as a complete may take a significant step ahead. Johnson, chosen within the third spherical of April’s draft, and Warren needs to be main beneficiaries following the departure of Najee Harris to the Chargers.
The Steelers have probably the most vacated speeding makes an attempt (376) in addition to runs contained in the opponent’s 10-yard line (41). In addition they aren’t shy about involving their backs as receivers out of the backfield. Warren ranks high 10 in receptions by operating backs over the past two seasons and is the favourite to retain third-down duties in 2025. He is environment friendly, explosive and has the boldness of the Steelers’ mind belief in essential conditions and the two-minute drill. Johnson may deal with extra of the early-down work, however each RBs have paths to fantasy relevance in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith’s scheme.
Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Rico Dowdle had a ton of success within the Cowboys backfield in 2024, showing in 16 video games and rating within the high 15 amongst operating backs in speeding makes an attempt, speeding yards, receptions and whole yards. However Dowdle signed with the Carolina Panthers within the offseason, giving Williams the chance to inherit a superb chunk of that quantity, because the Cowboys have probably the most out there year-over-year alternatives (speeding makes an attempt+targets) in your entire league. That’s encouraging for Williams’ prospects, even when we acknowledge that the Cowboys’ offensive line nonetheless has points with consistency that should be addressed.
Williams is probably the most confirmed early-down again in Dallas and one of the best receiving possibility of a bunch that features Miles Sanders and rookie Jaydon Blue. He did lose touches down the stretch with the Broncos final season and can probably kind some form of a committee alongside Sanders and Blue, however there’s upside if he turns into the go-to possibility on passing downs. Williams profiles greatest as a mid-to-late spherical flex with upside, however there’s alternative to be seized.
