Welcome to the latest edition of AMA Recap! We'll be summarizing our bi-weekly Discord AMAs, leading up to the 2025 NFL season. This week, Footballguys Dynasty Analyst Corey Spala talks Aaron Rodgers, the offensive line in Las Vegas, rookie upside, and consolidation trades!
Rodgers Retirement Home?
hanford_halo: Aaron Rodgers turns forty-two midway through the 2025 season. Are you getting shares of Will Howard to be safe?
Corey: The probability game leaves Will Howard with an outside chance of relevance. He is a sixth-round pick and will be provided the opportunity to develop and hopefully be a capable backup for his career. Mason Rudolph returns to familiarity with Pittsburgh and should be the next man up if Aaron Rodgers misses time. I have zero Howard, but that's just due to me looking at other guys with a higher probability of hitting (doesn't mean they will). I'll take a shot at a late-round running back or athletic, developmental tight end instead of a sixth-round quarterback.
The Las Vegas Line
Kirk M: What is the offensive line like for the Las Vegas Raiders? I want to know what the blocking will be like for Jeanty.
Corey: Footballguys currently has Las Vegas ranked as the 21st offensive line for run blocking and last for pass blocking. Looking further at their offensive line, they do have young talent. Jackson Powers-Johnson (2024, 44th overall) at center, DJ Glaze (2024, 77th) at right tackle, Dylan Parham (2022, 90th) at left guard. The two 2024 selections flashed their rookie seasons, while Parham is going into his fourth year. He ranked 18th among guards in run blocking last season.
Their star, Kolton Miller, is a better pass blocker, but he ranked 30th overall in run blocking among tackles. Not too shabby. Las Vegas signed veteran Alex Cappa to be their right guard. There could definitely be an upgrade here. They drafted Caleb Rogers (guard) and Charles Grant (OT) in the 2025 draft class at 98 and 99 overall.
While the Raiders currently rank low for their run blocking grade, given the youth and a questionable veteran, those young pieces are still promising. It seems they have trust in their unit heading into 2025. Ashton Jeanty will get the volume, and that is the first step for fantasy success.
Rookie Upside
toxic303: I am in the rookie draft. I am looking at selecting Colston Loveland or Matthew Golden. Which has more upside?
Corey: I am rocking with Colston Loveland for the upside. Looking at Matthew Golden's analytical profile, there is more to be desired. It is hard to ignore that first-round draft capital, though. I am not concerned about a "crowded receiver room", as an alpha will command an alpha target share. I just do not think Golden is an alpha or capable of being a team's number one receiver. I would rather take Loveland given his receiving ability, athletic ability, YAC ability, and a new head coach with a perceived brilliant offensive mind -- and given the scarcity of the position. Admittedly, it does take a lot for a tight end to hit. I am trusting the process and rolling the dice on Loveland over Golden.
Parting Ways with Big Pieces
the3hamburglar: In a PPR league, would you rather trade De'Von Achane or James Cook and Ray Davis to upgrade from Jerry Jeudy to Marvin Harrison Jr. and the 1.04?
Corey: With the recent developments in Miami, I'd much rather part with Cook and Davis than Achane. While Darren Waller doesn't move the needle too much in dynasty, Miami's confidence in the weapons they have in place bodes well for Achane. Hopefully, Cook + Jeudy + Davis is enough of a package to land you Harrison and the 1.04. If not, sending Achane and Jeudy is the heavier side, but still one I am willing to part with for Harrison and the 2025 1.04 pick.
If you'd like to join the conversation for our bi-weekly Discord AMAs, you can JOIN HERE. We have a great lineup of Footballguys analysts in the coming weeks, including Hutchinson Brown, Dave Kluge, and Bob Harris!
