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Welcome In. The dust is still settling from the NFL Draft and we're here for it. These next few weeks will be fun as players (sometimes) quietly get to work.
Sharp players like you know what happens in April and May matters for August. And we've got you covered.
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2025 NFL Draft First-Round IDP Recap – Kyle Bellefeuil guides you through the first-round IDP shifts, helping fantasy managers separate the real moves from the noise.
The fifth running back off the board, RJ Harvey handled 232 carries for 1,577 yards and 22 TDs in 2024, after posting 1,416 yards and 16 scores the year before.
Despite waiting to land him, make no mistake: The Broncos wanted Harvey. They view him as a home run hitter.
As Dave Kluge wrote for the Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide 3.0 (which will be available Wednesday), "Sean Payton offenses have typically featured a thunder-lightning approach. Think of Deuce McAllister and Mark Ingram II as the thunder. Alvin Kamara, Darren Sproles, and Reggie Bush the lightning. Harvey fits the archetype of the latter."
Among the biggest movers this week: Lamar Jackson surged 6 spots, Jayden Daniels climbed 4, and Bo Nix jumped 8. But which of these rising QBs most deserves the boost?
So today, we ask you Footballguys:
🗳️ POLL: Which rising QB most deserves their recent NFFC ADP surge?
When you vote in the Poll below, you'll see the current standings, and we'll post the final results in the next edition of the Daily Update.
🗳️ POLL: Which position are you drafting earlier and loading up on this season?
Denver Broncos RB RJ Harvey 'figures to be the first option in the run game,' in the opinion of ESPN's Jeff Legwold, assuming he displays the same kind of speed he showed at Central Florida. Legwold adds that Harvey should see work on early downs right away and could see an expanded role if he shows consistency as a receiver.
Our view: The fifth running back off the board, Harvey handled 232 carries for 1,577 yards and 22 TDs in 2024 after posting 1,416 yards and 16 scores the year before. He joins Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, Tyler Badie, and Blake Watson at the running back position on the Broncos' roster. The Broncos view Harvey as a home-run hitter. As noted in the 2025 Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide 3.0, "Sean Payton offenses have typically featured a thunder-lightning approach. Think of Deuce McAllister and Mark Ingram II as the thunder. Alvin Kamara, Darren Sproles, and Reggie Bush the lightning. Harvey fits the archetype of the latter." Don't get carried away, though; his initial Footballguy projection is RB34.
Pittsburgh Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson can 'seamlessly' step into the role previously held by current Los Angeles Chargers RB Najee Harris, in the opinion of ESPN's Brooke Pryor, who adds that Johnson's 'physical playing style' is a nice complement to smaller RBs Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell.
Our view: At 6-1 and 224 pounds with a physical playing style, Johnson is a bigger back than Jaylen Warren and Kenneth Gainwell, and he gives the Steelers a well-rounded and balanced running back group. As noted in the Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide, Johnson has similarities to both Derrick Henry and Tyler Allgeier. He's a perfect fit for Arthur Smith's zone running scheme that will let him make reads to get downhill and pick up speed in the second level of the defense. It'll be interesting to see how Johnson's role develops over the coming weeks.
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The NFL draft never disappoints us football lovers, as it brings plenty of excitement, surprises, and great storylines. For this article, we will look at some of the IDP fantasy football ramifications from what occurred in the first round Thursday night. Which players saw a boost in value? Which players potentially took a hit? Let's dive in!
IDP Winners
Travis Hunter (CB/WR-JAX) - The Jacksonville Jaguars pushed their chips in to get the talented Travis Hunter, sending the fifth overall pick, their second-round and fourth-round picks, and their 2026 first-round pick for Cleveland’s second overall pick, along with their fourth and sixth-round picks this year. It was an aggressive move to acquire a player with such alluring potential on both sides of the ball.
The early buzz from Jacksonville head coach Liam Coen is that Hunter will primarily focus on offense first, while also becoming familiar with the Jaguars' defensive scheme. Jacksonville General Manager James Gladstone also praised Hunter’s skills on both sides of the ball. Since this is an IDP article, I won’t delve into why we should be excited about Hunter as a wide receiver, as the great Sigmund Bloom covered that excellently in his article. However, the fact that it seems Hunter will receive some playing time on defense at cornerback presents an opportunity for him to obtain dual eligibility on certain platforms and/or earn points from both sides of the ball in other leagues that allow it. The real winners for the sake of this article might just be us IDP gamers, as this landing spot generates even more excitement for a player with talent we may never see again.
James Pearce Jr. (EDGE-ATL) - After already drafting Jalon Walker at 15th overall to add to their defense, the Falcons aggressively traded up to get James Pearce Jr. as well. Atlanta gave up their second and seventh-round picks this year, along with their 2026 first-round pick, for the Rams' 26th overall pick and third-round pick this year.
Atlanta’s pass rush unit needed significant reinforcements. Pearce has a long, lean build and possesses serious speed and burst off the snap. Given the weak depth chart, Pearce has a strong shot at making a significant impact as a designated pass rusher right away as a rookie. For the long haul, Atlanta’s investment in Pearce gives us optimism that he can develop as a run defender and handle more than just pass rush duties in time.
Shemar Stewart (EDGE-CIN) - With Sam Hubbard retiring and Trey Hendrickson’s troubled contract situation, it’s no surprise Cincinnati hit the edge-rusher pool early in the draft. Shemar Stewart has all the traits you look for: size, speed, length, athleticism, etc. However, he has just four-and-a-half sacks over his three seasons at Texas A&M. While the production may be a projection, he lands in a spot where he should get the opportunity to answer those questions and develop under new defensive coordinator Al Golden. And just maybe he’ll get to learn from 2024 NFL sack leader Trey Hendrickson if the team can mend the situation.
Derrick Harmon (DT-PIT) - The Steelers hit the trenches in the first round, adding the big, versatile Derrick Harmon to their defensive front. Harmon can be shifted along the Steelers' defensive line and is an interior disruptor who generated an FBS-leading 55 pressures among interior defensive linemen, per PFF. And who better to learn from than Cameron Heyward, who continues to dominate at age 35. Harmon is someone to put on your watchlist for your IDP true-position or DT-required rookie drafts.
New Orleans Saints QB Derek Carr (shoulder) said he has undergone an MRI on his injured shoulder and has been in consistent contact with team about the situation.
Our view: Carr's comments came in the context of rebuffing supposed rumors that the injury was fabricated. "I have an MRI report to prove it," Carr said. "The team knows about it. We've been in constant communication. There's nothing wrong. We're figuring it out, and we're going to go forward with that. Is that OK?" The comments are Carr's first since NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reported that the quarterback suffered a shoulder injury that could put his 2025 season in jeopardy. General manager Mickey Loomis said last week that the club was waiting for "clarity" on Carr's shoulder. With Carr's future in question, the Saints drafted 25-year-old quarterback Tyler Shough in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The first round of the draft unfolded ideally for the Colts, who had TE Tyler Warren fall into their lap at No. 14 overall. Warren excelled at Penn State, playing a variety of roles on the team's offense. On Sunday, Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen called Warren "a guy who can do it all."
Our view: The Colts envision Warren as someone they can move all over the formation. "If he's in-line, he can block," Steichen said. "Like I said, he can do it all. You can split him out wide. They threw him middle screens, you know? Just get the ball in his hands however you can." Steichen added that Warren's presence will have a "huge" impact on the quarterback -- no small matter with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones battling for the starting job. In 2024 at Penn State, Warren caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards with eight touchdowns and rushed 26 times for 218 yards with four TDs. Warren has been going as TE7 in pre-NFL Draft best balls. That seems optimistic, but we'll watch to see if Steichen can dial up the usage to meet his expectations.
Free-agent WR Robert Woods (Texans) agreed to terms on a one-year contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers Monday, April 28, worth $2 million, according to a source.
Our view: Woods spent the last two seasons with the Texans and caught 60 passes for 629 yards and a touchdown in 29 regular season games. He also had four catches for 39 yards in the playoffs. DK Metcalf and George Pickens are at the top of the receiver depth chart in Pittsburgh. Calvin Austin, Roman Wilson, Scotty Miller, and Ben Skowronek are also on hand. As Profootballtalk.com noted, we still don't know who their quarterback will be. Still, word from Steelers owner Art Rooney II over the weekend suggested Aaron Rodgers will be making his decision about joining the Steelers sooner rather than later.
Free-agent WR Diontae Johnson (Ravens) agreed to terms with the Cleveland Browns Monday, April 28, according to sources. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.
Our view: The Steelers made Johnson a third-round pick in 2019, and he has 424 receptions for 4,738 yards and 28 touchdowns. He earned Pro Bowls honors in 2021 with his lone 1,000-yard season and a career-high eight touchdowns. But over the past year, Johnson has bounced between four teams. He began last season with the Panthers, who traded him to the Ravens. Baltimore later waived him after a suspension stemming from his refusal to enter a Dec. 1 game against the Eagles. The Texans claimed him on Dec. 23, but released him during the postseason. In total, Johnson appeared for three teams in 2024, recording 33 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns. Although the Browns' depth chart at wide receiver remains thin, expectations for Johnson should be tempered.
Our view: Lockett joins the Titans after spending the past 10 seasons with the Seahawks, where he ranks second in team history in receptions (661), receiving yards (8,594), and receiving touchdowns (61). Lockett, who turns 33 in September, will be part of a revamped receiving corps with the Titans. Over the weekend, the Titans drafted receivers Chimere Dike (Florida) and Elic Ayomanor (Stanford) in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. Back in March, the team signed veteran receiver Van Jefferson in free agency. Those players will join returners Calvin Ridley, Treylon Burks, Mason Kinsey, Bryce Oliver, Jha'Quan Jackson, Colton Dowell, James Proche II, and Tay Martin.
Baltimore Ravens PK Justin Tucker is facing an 'uncertain' future with the Ravens following the selection of PK Tyler Loop in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The team is unaware of the timetable for the investigation of Tucker, who has been accused of sexual misconduct, and has publicly stated they will wait for the investigation to conclude before making a decision. Per ESPN's Jamison Hensley, it's still unclear whether Loop will compete with Tucker for the job, or if the 'expectation' is for Loop to be Baltimore's kicker in 2025.
Our view: Known for one of the strongest legs in this draft, Loop has converted six of nine attempts from 50-plus yards, including making a 62-yarder last season. At the NFL scouting combine, Loop hit 13 of 14 field goal attempts (93.3 percent) and finished by making a 60-yarder. Tucker, 35, is a seven-time Pro Bowl kicker, but he is coming off the worst season of his 13-year career. He missed 10 total kicks last season. Nobody should be drafting Tucker without resolution here.
Chargers wide receiver Quentin Johnson, the team's first-round pick in 2023, will "have to earn his roster spot" in training camp, according to Daniel Popper of The Athletic.
Our view: Popper has rookie Tre Harris starting alongside Mike Williams and Ladd McConkey in three-wide sets, bringing up the possibility of moving rookie KeAndre Lambert-Smith onto the field when they "need more speed." None of this sets up especially well for Johnston, the last pick of the Tom Telesco regime. Johnson struggled with poor route running and repeated drops as a rookie. He improved last year with a 55/711/8 receiving line, but he may be fighting for one of the last spots on the roster this year if everyone makes it through training camp without an injury. Meanwhile, Harris, a second-round pick this year, is a player to watch.
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com reports that the Browns will not exercise their fifth-year option on Kenny Pickett's contract.
Our view: Pickett was a Steelers first-round pick in 2022, and the option went with him when he was traded to the Eagles and the Browns at the end of the 2022 season. As PFT notes, Pickett went into last week set to compete with Joe Flacco for the starting job in Cleveland, but the picture looks quite different this week. The Browns drafted Dillon Gabriel in the third round and then traded up to select Shedeur Sanders after passing on the chance to draft him several times. How those pieces fit will be the object of much attention over the coming months, but the Browns passing on the option is unsurprising regardless of how things shake out. Pickett would be guaranteed $22.117 million under the terms of the option, and that's too high a price, given how things have played out over his first three seasons.
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