Draft expertise, not alternatives.
It is a mantra we regularly repeat on these fantasy soccer pages, as gamers with the best uncooked capacity usually coax their groups to reward them with expanded alternatives — usually shortly. These swift risers can play important roles in deciding championships because of their excessive statistical ceilings and low acquisition prices.
Cincinnati Bengals working again Chase Brown is among the greatest examples in current reminiscence. Mired in a timeshare with free agent signee Zack Moss following Joe Mixon‘s departure, Brown was a Twelfth-round choose (and the thirty fourth working again off the board) in ESPN leagues on common final season. His explosive capacity quickly earned him the lion’s share of the speeding chores, and after Moss was misplaced for the season to harm in Week 8, Brown averaged 20.6 fantasy factors per sport the remainder of the way in which to complete tenth in scoring amongst working backs for the 12 months.
For these formulating late-round draft methods or early-season watch lists, together with a handful of candidates with traits just like Brown’s can show sensible.
This is not to counsel that all such gamers are assured to grab greater roles or understand their ceilings. Baltimore Ravens tight finish Isaiah Possible was one other widespread candidate, however so far he has loved solely eight profession video games the place he has been in a position to step outdoors Mark Andrews‘ shadow. To be honest, Possible has averaged 12.9 factors in these video games, however issues have not appeared to alter for him so far as his position coming into 2025.
That is the explanation for recommending solely a handful of those picks. The participant must ultimately seize a outstanding place to make a high-level influence, and a few, sadly, by no means catch that break.
Matt Bowen and Tristan H. Cockcroft chosen their favourite candidates to transform their intriguing talent units into outstanding roles — primarily a “Who’s 2025’s Chase Brown?” checklist. None of those names is thought to be a top-100 fantasy participant, however every has a ceiling that would make a distinction in your league.
One other participant who might have graced a potential 2024 checklist, Benson began his rookie 12 months slowly earlier than approaching in Weeks 9-15, averaging 5.4 yards per carry with a 19% explosive play fee (positive aspects of 10-plus yards). Starter James Conner stayed unexpectedly wholesome, nonetheless, and Benson was misplaced to an ankle harm earlier than Conner’s personal season resulted in Week 17. That stated, Benson’s elite velocity — he had a 4.39 40-yard sprint time on the 2024 NFL mix, and 13 of his 23 touchdowns for Florida State went for a minimum of 15 yards — underscores his upside. Conner, in the meantime, is now 30 years outdated and has averaged 3.3 video games missed throughout his seven seasons as an NFL starter. — Cockcroft
His rookie season was virtually solely forgettable, a priority exacerbated by the staff’s fourth-round number of Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter, however let’s not neglect Corum’s exceptional faculty résumé and the optimism Sean McVay and his teaching workers have had with him. It is smart for the staff so as to add working again depth, however Corum’s upside stays immense — he set Michigan’s file for speeding touchdowns (58), was a Heisman finalist and Nationwide Championship Offensive MVP — and virtually assuredly will preserve him within the main backup position to Kyren Williams. Corum is one among this season’s most important insurance-policy working backs. — Cockcroft
Davis’ Week 6 tape versus the Jets final season confirmed flashes of what he might be in a lead position. He had 152 complete yards on 23 touches in that matchup (18.2 fantasy factors). His capacity to press the road of scrimmage and burst to sunlight was on show. He will get north-south in a rush. Davis had 55 yards receiving on three grabs in that sport. He had six video games of double-digit fantasy manufacturing final season enjoying behind James Cook dinner and must be seen as a prime insurance coverage again. If Cook dinner misses time, Davis will soar into the RB2 combine given his traits as a runner in an explosive Payments system. — Bowen
Higgins is very large, standing 6-foot-4 with an 80-inch wingspan, and he has the power to dominate opposing cornerbacks. With Iowa State final season, Higgins completed fourth within the FBS in receiving first downs (64) and sixth in contested catches (20), and he was significantly productive going deep (4.5 yards per route, six TDs). Higgins ought to shortly push Christian Kirk for work on the perimeter, however even when used solely as a outstanding participant in three-receiver units he might grow to be one of many season’s most worthwhile rookie picks in fantasy. — Cockcroft
McCloud’s 62 receptions, 86 targets and 686 yards receiving final season had been profession highs, and the Falcons’ scheme is a match for his catch-and-run expertise. Nearly 50% of McCloud’s receiving yards got here after the catch, and he was used as a movement/motion participant from each inside and outdoors alignments. Sure, he would wish both Drake London or Darnell Mooney to overlook sport time to see a rise in complete quantity. However with second-year quarterback Michael Penix Jr. main the offense, McCloud makes my checklist as a possible fantasy riser if he can transfer into the No. 2 position sooner or later this season. — Bowen
It took him a 12 months and a half, however Mims gave the impression to be coming into his personal down the stretch in 2024, averaging 5.3 touches and 15.5 fantasy factors throughout the ultimate eight weeks. Due to the blazing velocity he exhibited at Oklahoma and the 2023 NFL mix, he paced all receivers with 50-plus targets in yards after the catch per reception (12.1) and was fifth in yards per route (2.8). Courtland Sutton‘s $92 million extension cements his standing because the Broncos’ No. 1 receiver, but when Mims can elevate himself from a crowded area of potential No. 2 choices, he’ll soar statistically. — Cockcroft
A linear route runner with vertical juice and explosive-play capacity, Pierce averaged 22.3 yards per reception and 21.6 air yards per goal final season, each tops within the league. Plus, Pierce had three video games of a minimum of 21 fantasy factors final season. Nevertheless, because the No. 3 receiver in Indianapolis behind Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, with Adonai Mitchell within the combine as properly, Pierce totaled solely 37 receptions final season (on 68 targets). An harm to both of the Colts’ prime two targets would open the door for Pierce to see a bump in weekly quantity, and I consider his route tree would broaden. Certain, the QB play in Indianapolis wants to enhance, however Pierce has the profile of a WR3 in fantasy lineups — if the alternatives come up. — Bowen
Sinnott had a really quiet rookie season in Washington enjoying behind veteran Zach Ertz, catching solely 5 passes for 28 yards and a landing. And with the staff re-signing Ertz this offseason, Sinnott will stay additional down the depth chart to start out the 2025 season. However I nonetheless see a whole lot of upside right here, given his traits and faculty tape. Sinnott had 80 receptions and 10 touchdowns over his ultimate two seasons at Kansas State. He is a rugged and bodily mover after the catch, plus he can work the center of the sector in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. My recommendation? Maintain Sinnott’s identify on the fantasy radar as soon as the season begins, as a result of his total play demeanor suits the league, and Ertz will flip 35 years outdated this November. — Bowen
It is powerful to belief any Browns receiver contemplating their uncertainty at quarterback, however Tillman is among the sport’s extra promising younger abilities who merely wants an opportunity to let his talent set shine. If not for the concussion he suffered in Week 12 final season, he might need already arrived on the scene, as he averaged 6.0 receptions and 18.6 fantasy factors between Weeks 7 and 11, flashing his deep-ball expertise with 4 catches and two touchdowns on throws 20-plus yards downfield. — Cockcroft
Wright had solely 71 touches as a rookie and he nonetheless must lock down that No. 2 position behind De’Von Achane this summer season with each Alexander Mattison and rookie Ollie Gordon II additionally competing for enjoying time within the Miami backfield. Taking a look at Mike McDaniel’s closely schemed offense, nonetheless, Wright might probably be deployed as a flexible playmaker. A straight-line burner with 4.38 velocity, 11.8% of Wright’s 68 speeding makes an attempt final season went for 10 or extra yards, and he might be arrange on backfield releases and fly sweeps. Let’s examine if Wright wins that backup position this month, as a result of he can be an harm away from the highest spot in Miami. — Bowen
