Daily Email Updates

🏆 Will Christian McCaffrey Rebound in 2025?
OVER 1 YEAR AGO • 10 MIN READ

🏆 Will Christian McCaffrey Rebound in 2025?

profile

We Help You Win More At Fantasy Football

We help you win more at Fantasy Football. Join 700,000+ others who are dominating their fantasy football leagues on our 100% FREE Daily Update newsletter

06/24/26

Howdy Reader,​

Welcome In. We're rolling toward the big games Sunday and in the meantime we have the goods you need.

We've got the wide receiver edition of our "Lessons Learned", plus DFS goodness and then our Bob Harris dives into what we think the future holds for Christian McCaffrey.

Plus Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes you need.

Let's Go.

J

PS. I've long said there's not a smarter group of Fantasy GMs on the planet than our Footballguys Premium Subscribers.

We'd like to hear from you about your experience with our in-season tools and features. We'll put your insights to work as we improve our offerings for the 2025 season.

And as a thank you, we'll randomly pick three people who complete the survey and give them a 2025 Footballguys Hall Of Fame Subscription. We'll reach out to the winners on Feb 3rd.

​Click here to take our survey. It's quick, super-easy, and greatly valued.
​

What's New At Footballguys

​

2024 Lessons Learned: Your 2025 Wide Receiver Strategy

By Rachel Tootsiepop - Exclusive to Footballguys

The following feature is a free preview of our content. If you like it, click here to sign up for access to our Footballguys Premium Subscriptions, and you'll get all of our content. We're so sure you'll love it that we have an industry-leading 30-day MoneyBack Guarantee, so there's zero risk.

RELATED: See lessons learned at all other positions:​
​Quarterbacks | Running Backs | Wide Receivers | Tight Ends​

In this week's roundtable series, I asked our Footballguys staff to discuss their fantasy New Year's resolutions for each position and their overall takeaways for approaching drafting in 2025.

Yesterday, we talked about the running back position. In today's article, we share insights on the wide receiver position.

Lessons Learned at the Wide Receiver Position

Underwhelming Year for Wide Receivers

Jason Wood: After years of fantasy leagues trending toward prioritizing receivers above all else, 2024 was a year where that strategy likely let you down. Most of the top receivers failed to deliver on their preseason ADPs due to a combination of underperformance and missed games. It was the missed games that proved most damaging; in many ways, the receiver position felt more like the running back position this year.

If you examine the top 24 receivers on a per-game basis, very few played a full slate of games. Chris Godwin was WR2 on a per-game basis but only played seven games. Tee Higgins was WR3 but missed six games. Other notable names—Puka Nacua (11 games), Malik Nabers (14), Nico Collins (11), Mike Evans (13), Davante Adams (13), A.J. Brown (13), Rashee Rice (4), DeVonta Smith (13), Stefon Diggs (8), Jordan Addison (14), Cooper Kupp (12), and Adam Thielen (9)—all missed significant time.

My New Year's resolution is to buy the dip. Next year's ADP will almost certainly skew toward running backs, thanks to their resurgence in 2024. This presents a prime opportunity to target two elite receivers within the first three rounds—a strategy that will almost certainly be a plus-EV decision.

Will Grant: Wide Receiver was the let-down position of 2024 in many cases. Top picks like Tyreek Hill, Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Chris Olave did not perform well enough to justify the high draft picks it took to get them. While CeeDee Lamb finished eighth in fantasy scoring, I doubt many fantasy owners were happy spending their 1st round draft picks to get him. As Jason pointed out, a big part of this was due to injury, either to the receiver or the quarterback throwing it at them.

But other top choices played out as expected. Ja'Marr Chase's holdout didn't stop him from dominating the field, scoring almost 100 more fantasy points than #2 wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown. Justin Jefferson and Drake London also had top-five finishes, and rookies Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers, and Ladd McConkey provided excellent value in their first year.

My New Year's resolution is to be open to taking a wide receiver or two in the top three rounds but be mindful of their situations. Jaxon Smith-Njigba finished in the top 10 because of an injury to DK Metcalf. Jerry Jeudy was okay at the start of the season but came on when Amari Cooper was traded to Buffalo. Courtland Sutton provided considerable value with Bo Nix under center, and Jameson Williams finally emerged as a solid wide receiver for the Lions. For the 2025 season, wide receiver will be the position I sprinkle in here or there and look for the value as it comes to me rather than go big in the early rounds.

Andy Hicks: This year, we saw Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase return to the elite level, Amon-Ra St. Brown and CeeDee Lamb remained there, while Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers, Drake London, Terry McLaurin, Garrett Wilson, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba reached that level for the first time. That means, as Jason explained, a lot of expected success for wide receivers failed to materialize. Injury, age, and other circumstances saw a lot of disappointment.

CONTINUED...

1. PHI: Dallas Goedert a no-go again on Thursday?

Source: Inside the Birds - Andrew DiCecco

Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert (ankle) was at practice on Thursday, Jan. 23, but stood off to the side while the team stretched, according to Andrew DiCecco of Inside The Birds.

Our view: Let's keep an eye on this situation. The Eagles could use a guy like Goedert out there to take the pressure of QB Jalen Hurts. Washington can get middle pressure on a quarterback, and having Goedert out there would give Hurts a relief-valve target in the NFC Championship Game. Let's see if he can at least be limited on Friday.

Back to Top

2. WAS: Zach Ertz back on the field

Source: Commanders.com

Washington Commanders TE Zach Ertz (rib) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 23.

Our view: Good news for the Commanders here. Ertz is a security blanket target for QB Jayden Daniels. When the team needs to move the chains, Ertz is the type of guy Daniels is going to be looking for.

Back to Top

3. KC: Patrick Mahomes fully practices

Source: Chiefs.com

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes (ankle) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 23.

Our view: Mahomes is ready for the challenge in another AFC Championship Game. We'll see if the Chiefs offense has to light up the scoreboard against a Bills offense that can outscore anyone. Mahomes will be motivated to get to his third Super Bowl in a row.

Back to Top

4. DAL: Brian Schottenheimer wraps up long second interview

Source: ESPN.com - Todd Archer

Updating a previous report, Dallas Cowboys offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer completed the second day of his two-day second interview for the head-coaching vacancy with the Cowboys on Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Our view: Schottenheimer has never been a head coach in the NFL, but it now seems like he's the favorite to land the job. He's been average or below average as an OC during a few stops in the NFL (Rams 2012-2014), (Seahawks 2018-2020), (Jaguars 2021). With the Cowboys under former HC Mike McCarthy, Schottenheimer did not call plays so he'd get to do that if he gets the job.

Back to Top

📺 11 Dynasty Sleepers To Target Before the NFL Draft

The Dynasty Fantasy Football offseason is full swing! Join Sigmund Bloom and Cecil Lammey as they look at the biggest dynasty sleepers to target before the NFL Draft!

​

5. BUF: Dalton Kincaid fully practices

Source: BuffaloBills.com

Buffalo Bills TE Dalton Kincaid (knee) fully participated in practice Thursday, Jan. 23.

Our view: Kincaid is good to go for the AFC Championship Game against the Chiefs. The Bills don't have to beat you through the air to win, but they can at the drop of a hat. Kincaid is a field-flipper for the team if they need to light it up with the passing game.

Back to Top

6. WAS: Olamide Zaccheaus remains limited

Source: Commanders.com

Washington Commanders WR Olamide Zaccheaus (hip) was limited during practice Thursday, Jan. 23.

Our view: Let's see what Zaccheaus can do on Friday. Hip injuries are painful to deal with, but we expect Zaccheaus to go on Sunday against the Eagles.

Back to Top

7. BUF: Amari Cooper not worried about workload

Source: Syracuse.com - Matt Parrino

Buffalo Bills WR Amari Cooper said that he is not bothered by his reduced workload in the offense recently and that winning is more important to him.

Our view: Cooper is with the Bills to chase a ring. The team doesn't need to live through the air, but QB Josh Allen can light you up at any time. If and when that needs to happen, Cooper is going to get the ball more often.

Back to Top

8. CLE: Kevin Stefanski taking back play-calling duties

Source: ESPN.com - Daniel Oyefusi

Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski announced his intention to reassume play-calling duties next season after relinquishing them to former offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey halfway through the 2024 season.

Our view: Stefanski made the announcement as he introduced Tommy Rees as the team's new offensive coordinator on Thursday, Jan. 23. The Browns are putting the power back in Stefanski's hands, and now we have to see who will be under center. With another Achilles' injury, Deshaun Watson may not be able to play in the 2025 season. The Browns are interested in a quarterback, and they may be considering someone like Cam Ward (Miami) or Shedeur Sanders (Colorado) with the no.2 overall pick.

Back to Top

9. LAR: Matthew Stafford finished year with broken ribs

Source: RamsWire - Cameron DaSilva

Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford (ribs) suffered four cracked ribs during the Week 15 win over the San Francisco 49ers but continued to play through the injury, his wife, Kelly, announced on her podcast. During the Divisional Round loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Stafford aggravated the injury.

Our view: Stafford is one of the toughest quarterbacks in the NFL. He turns 37 years old later this year and may decide to play one more season. Stafford said he will "take some time to think about it" when asked about his playing future.

Back to Top

10. DET: Larry Foote likely to interview for Lions DC job

Source: FOX Sports - Jordan Schultz

Tampa Bay Buccaneers inside linebackers coach Larry Foote is expected to interview with the Detroit Lions regarding their defensive coordinator vacancy, according to sources.

Our view: Foote was a fine inside linebacker during his playing days, and he's been working his way up the coaching ranks ever since. He would bring a blitz-heavy scheme to the Lions defense if he gets the job.

Back to Top

​

That'll do it for today, Folks. Thanks for reading and thanks for being a Footballguy. We'll see you tomorrow with the Update.

Peace,

J

Joe Bryant

Guide
​

Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom, Bob Harris, and Cecil Lammey

​Advertise with us ​and get your brand in front of 700,000+ football fans

You’re subscribed as ​​Reader - Manage Preferences -​ ​Unsubscribe here​

Copyright @ 2026 Sportsguys, LLC. 118 N Peters Road, Suite 208. Knoxville, TN 37922

​

We Help You Win More At Fantasy Football

We help you win more at Fantasy Football. Join 700,000+ others who are dominating their fantasy football leagues on our 100% FREE Daily Update newsletter

Read more from We Help You Win More At Fantasy Football

🏆 Smart Drafters Read Bob Harris First

11 MONTHS AGO • 8 MIN READ

Discover All Posts


Sign Up Here

Past Issues:

June 23rd • Vol. 28, #79 • 🏆 Real Sleepers, Not The Same Recycled Names
June 22nd • Vol. 28, #78 • 🏆 The Cheapest RB1 On The Board Right Now
June 21st • Vol. 28, #77 • 🏆 Gary's Got Four Names Your League Will Draft Too High
June 20th • Vol. 28, #76 • 🏆 Happy Father's Day - Maybe You Call First?
June 19th • Vol. 28, #75 • 🏆 Gary Davenport's 2026 Breakout Bets
June 18th • Vol. 28, #74 • 🏆 This Top Rookie Is A Trap At His ADP
June 17th • Vol. 28, #73 • 🏆 Where Dave Breaks From The Footballguys Dynasty Board
June 16th • Vol. 28, #72 • 🏆 You're Not Drafting Brock Bowers High Enough
June 15th • Vol. 28, #71 • 🏆 The TE Gary Thinks Could Jump To The Top
June 14th • Vol. 28, #70 • 🏆 Our Bounce Back WR
June 13th • Vol. 28, #69 • 🏆 News And Notes From Around The League
June 12th • Vol. 28, #68 • 🏆 These WRs Need A Landing Spot. Where?
June 11th • Vol. 28, #67 • 🏆 Bob Harris' Believe It Or Nots
June 10th • Vol. 28, #66 • 🏆 Believe it or Not? Talk Of Limiting This Star RB...
June 9th • Vol. 28, #65 • 🏆 Saquon Barkley: Do You Still Believe?
June 8th • Vol. 28, #64 • 🏆 Jahmyr Gibbs - Believe It or Not?
June 7th • Vol. 28, #63 • 🏆 Are These Young QBs Being Drafted Too Early?
June 6th • Vol. 28, #62 • 🏆 Cecil Has You Covered This Weekend
June 5th • Vol. 28, #61 • 🏆 CeeDee Lamb Is A 1st Round Target
June 4th • Vol. 28, #60 • 🏆 Mark Andrews At TE16 Is A Gift
June 3rd • Vol. 28, #59 • 🏆 Drake Maye Over Lamar Jackson?
June 2nd • Vol. 28, #58 • 🏆 The NFL's Best Wingman Is Ready to Fly Solo
June 1st • Vol. 28, #57 • 🏆 A.J. Brown Is A Patriot. Myles Garrett Is A Ram.
May 31st • Vol. 28, #56 • 🏆 The Reigning MVP Is A Draft-Day Bargain
May 30th • Vol. 28, #55 • 🏆 Is Kenneth Walker Heading To A Career Year?
May 29th • Vol. 28, #54 • 🏆 Ben Johnson Is Buying Luther Burden Stock
May 28th • Vol. 28, #53 • 🏆 The WR1 Upside Hiding In Round 3
May 27th • Vol. 28, #52 • 🏆 Here's How We See The Josh Jacobs Situation
May 26th • Vol. 28, #51 • 🏆 CeeDee Lamb, Justin Jefferson, or Amon-Ra St. Brown: Pick One
May 25th • Vol. 28, #50 • 🏆 The Top Three WRs Everyone Is Drafting. Are They In the Right Order?
May 24th • Vol. 28, #49 • 🏆 I've Worn This Bracelet for 21 Years
May 23rd • Vol. 28, #48 • 🏆 ADP Is Shifting. Your Rankings Should Too.
May 22nd • Vol. 28, #47 • 🏆 The Most Interesting Stories in Fantasy Football Today
May 21st • Vol. 28, #46 • 🏆 Are We Drafting These Backfields Right?
May 20th • Vol. 28, #45 • 🏆 Jaylen Warren Has a Problem Named Rico Dowdle
May 19th • Vol. 28, #44 • 🏆 What Do Rashee Rice's Latest Issues Mean for You?
May 18th • Vol. 28, #43 • 🏆 Two Backfields, Little Clarity. Bob Has Answers.
May 17th • Vol. 28, #42 • 🏆 Quarterback Competitions, Real and Imagined
May 16th • Vol. 28, #41 • 🏆 We Made You a Schedule Grid. It Prints.
May 15th • Vol. 28, #40 • 🏆 Your 2026 Schedule Cheat Sheet Is Here
May 14th • Vol. 28, #39 • 🏆 Sigmund's RB Tiers Are Out. Here's Who To Target.
May 13th • Vol. 28, #38 • 🏆 Stop Drafting Dynasty WRs Like It's 2024
May 12th • Vol. 28, #37 • 🏆 Bob Harris Has Your Offseason Intel
May 11th • Vol. 28, #36 • 🏆 NFL First-Round Pick. Fantasy Afterthought.
May 10th • Vol. 28, #35 • 🏆 Bob Harris Found The ADP Fallers Worth Chasing
May 9th • Vol. 28, #34 • 🏆 Send This To The Football Mom In Your Life
May 8th • Vol. 28, #33 • 🏆 Gary Davenport's Boldest IDP Calls For 2026
May 7th • Vol. 28, #32 • 🏆 The Mother’s Day Win You Still Have Time For
May 6th • Vol. 28, #31 • 🏆 Bell. Kluge. Sharp Dynasty RB Tiers
May 5th • Vol. 28, #30 • 🏆 Bob Harris Has The News You Need
May 4th • Vol. 28, #29 • 🏆 Your Dynasty Trade Guide Just Updated
May 2nd • Vol. 28, #28 • 🏆 Your Sunday NFL Update
May 1st • Vol. 28, #27 • 🏆 Your IDP Rookie Rankings Are Here
April 30th • Vol. 28, #26 • 🏆 Harris vs. Davenport: 5 Questions. They Have Thoughts.
April 29th • Vol. 28, #25 • 🏆 Our Staff Ran a Dynasty Startup Draft Last Night. Here's Every Pick. Overview
April 28th • Vol. 28, #24 • 🏆 Harris With The News + Bloom's Rookie Board
April 27th • Vol. 28, #23 • 🏆 George Pickens Still Hasn't Signed In Dallas
April 26th • Vol. 28, #22 • 🏆 A Fresh Addition to the Eagles' Target Tree
April 25th • Vol. 28, #21 • 🏆 NFL Draft Is Done. Here's What It Means For You.
April 23rd • Vol. 28, #20 • 🏆 Fantasy Fallout From Round 1 - Let's Break It Down
April 22nd • Vol. 28, #19 • 🏆 Draft Week Discount + The Pre-Draft Bloom 100. On Us
April 19th • Vol. 28, #18 • 🏆 Davante Adams Isn't Done
April 16th • Vol. 28, #17 • 🏆 The News You Need, Pre-Draft Bloom 100, And More!
April 12th • Vol. 28, #16 • 🏆 Three QBs To Draft If You're Moving Off Jalen Hurts
April 9th • Vol. 28, #15 • 🏆 The News You Need, NFL Mock Drafts And More!
April 5th • Vol. 28, #14 • 🏆 Bob Harris: New Possibilities For 3 Running Backs
April 2nd • Vol. 28, #13 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom On Puka Nacua, Jalen Hurts, Kirk Cousins And More
March 29th • Vol. 28, #12 • 🏆 Bob Harris Names His Bounce-Back Superstars
March 26th • Vol. 28, #11 • 🏆 Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Puka Nacua. Ty Simpson. Now What?
March 22nd • Vol. 28, #10 • 🏆 3 Free Agency What-Ifs Bob Harris Is Watching
March 19th • Vol. 28, #9 • 🏆 Sigmund Has The NFL Notes You Need This Week
March 12th • Vol. 28, #8 • 🏆 We tracked every 2026 player move. Here's what you actually need
March 8th • Vol. 28, #7 • 🏆 The Free Agents Bob Harris Is Targeting Right Now
March 5th • Vol. 28, #6 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom With The News You Need + 2026 Rookie Guide Update
March 1st • Vol. 28, #5 • 🏆 The Week Coaches Say More Than They Should
February 26th • Vol. 28, #4 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom Has the News You Need
February 22nd • Vol. 28, #3 • 🏆 The Free-Agent QB We're Watching
February 19th • Vol. 28, #2 • 🏆 Sigmund Bloom Has the News That Matters
February 15th • Vol. 28, #1 • 🏆 A.J. Brown: "Change is not a bad thing"

Sign Up Here