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Are you ready for some ridiculously early Fantasy Predictions? We've got you covered as our Gary Davenport dives in.
Plus the News and Notes you need from our Bob Harris.
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J
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Rookie Sleeper Picks, Quarterbacks – Rachel Tootsiepop and the Footballguys Staff spotlight rookie quarterback sleepers who could surprise in 2025 — analyzing each player's situation, opportunity, and potential to emerge.
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: Do you start kickers in your main league?
Ravens released kicker Justin Tucker. After drafting kicker Tyler Loop, the organization continues to insist it is a "football decision."
Our view: The team might insist it's a football decision, but Tucker has been accused of inappropriate behavior by 16 massage therapists from eight different Baltimore spas and wellness centers between 2012 and 2016, covering Tucker's first five seasons in the NFL. Tucker has publicly disputed the allegations twice, calling the accusations "unequivocally false." The NFL has been investigating the matter. Meanwhile, Loop finished his college career with the highest field goal percentage (83.75 percent) in Arizona history, and he made a program-record 62-yard field goal against Houston in 2024. Loop is versatile; he can handle kickoffs and was Arizona's primary punter in 2020.
Pittsburgh Steelers WR George Pickens reportedly 'flirted' with the idea of requesting a trade but has seemingly had a change of heart about remaining with the team, according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler.'Trade talks or any sort of buzz around that has cooled. There was a little bit of smoke out of the draft, but I was told that Pickens, in the end, wants to be in Pittsburgh. Sort of flirted with a trade request, but in the end, loves (head coach) Mike Tomlin, wants to be a part of things,' Fowler said.
Our view: As USA Today suggested, it's startling that Pickens was close to requesting a trade out of Pittsburgh, but there were issues. In his first three years in the league, he had to develop chemistry from scratch with Mitchell Trubisky, Kenny Pickett, Mason Rudolph, Justin Fields, and Russell Wilson -- all to have zero direction at QB heading into 2025. If the news about Pickens' love for Tomlin and the Steelers is to be believed, an extension -- instead of the previously speculated trade -- could be in the works.
Planting Flags: Ridiculously Early Fantasy Predictions for 2025
By Gary Davenport - Exclusive to Footballguys
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It's time to make with some ridiculously early fantasy predictions for the 2025 season. Every one of these calls is guaranteed to be 100 percent accurate--except for the ones that are not.
Jayden Daniels Will Lead All Quarterbacks in Fantasy Points
Daniels was a revelation last season--the 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year threw for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, rushed for almost 900 yards and six more scores, and finished the season fifth in fantasy points among quarterbacks. While speaking to reporters, Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris said that it didn't take long for opponents to figure out that Daniels was a problem.
"When you play him, you realize how unstoppable he is with the four downs and having the ability to always have four downs because he's so special that way," Morris said. "His arm talent, his speed, his decision-making, his toughness, the high-level competitor, he's all of those things. You've got to figure out how to get him on the ground. He's a hard tackle for anybody, so you got to find ways to cut off angles. You've got to study those things. He's certainly somebody that you got to certainly put some effort and concentration into it."
The Commanders went all-in on improving around Daniels in the offseason, swinging a pair of big-time trades for offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. All the ingredients are there for Daniels to have an even better second season, and when the dust settles in the 2025 campaign, it will be Daniels who reigns supreme among quarterbacks.
The 2024 season had to be frustrating for Fields, who was benched after six starts in Pittsburgh for Russell Wilson. Now, however, Fields is in the Big Apple, attempting to make long-suffering Jets fans forget the Aaron Rodgers fiasco. The Jets have left no doubt that Fields is their starter under center, and head coach Aaron Glenn told reporters the offseason focus for Gang Green has been putting Fields in a position to succeed.
Baltimore Ravens WR Zay Flowers (knee) did not need to undergo offseason surgery on his injured knee and is making good progress in his rehab, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
Our view: "He was doing a little dance in the weight room this last week and said he's feeling great," Harbaugh said of Flowers. "His knee's back. He did it with rehab." Flowers was injured in the 2024 regular-season finale, which kept him sidelined for Baltimore's two playoff games. Flowers had a career-high 1,059 receiving yards in his second season and averaged 14.3 yards on 74 catches, becoming the first Raven to make the Pro Bowl at wide receiver. Flowers opens as WR34 on the Footballguys 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Projections.
Houston Texans WR Tank Dell (knee) 'will more than likely miss the 2025 season' while recovering from a knee injury, according to Jonathan Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.
Our view: This is no real surprise given the nature of his knee injury and the timing of his ACL surgery, which took place just two months ago. The timetable for ACL injuries is typically six to 12 months. Dell also dislocated his knee, tore other ligaments, and damaged his meniscus. The Texans signed Christian Kirk as a free agent this offseason and added Iowa State's Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel with the 34th and 79th pick overall, respectively, in the NFL Draft. The Texans currently have 12 receivers on their 90-man roster: Nico Collins, Kirk, Higgins, Noel, Dell, Justin Watson, Xavier Hutchinson, John Metchie III, Jared Wayne, Braxton Berrios, Johnny Johnson III, and Xavier Johnson. But by September, that number should be whittled down to six. Collins is signed through 2026, and Higgins and Noel, who are projected to be contributors sooner rather than later, will play on four-year rookie deals.
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford signed a renegotiated contract that will allow him to earn $44 million in 2025, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport. If Stafford is on the roster at the start of free agency in 2026, he will make another $40 million guaranteed.
Our view: Considering that they don't have an heir apparent on the roster, Stafford seems likely to get every opportunity to earn that money. At this point, there's no reason to believe he can't play at a level similar to what we've seen in the last two years. He's 19-12 as a starter over that span, completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 7,727 yards with 44 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. Stafford gives the Rams a great shot at post-season play, and, as we've noted in the past, fantasy managers with stakes in Puka Nacua, Davante Adams, and Kyren Williams have a better chance of getting the most out of their investments.
Free-agent WR Elijah Moore (Browns) officially signed a one-year contract with the Buffalo Bills on Monday, May 5. Financial terms of the deal were not immediately disclosed.
Our view: Moore also met with the media to discuss why he came to Buffalo. The list of reasons started with the player charged with getting him the ball this fall. Moore said quarterback Josh Allen's presence made it "very, very easy" to decide on the Bills as his next team. Moore also cited his fit with the offense when discussing what appealed to him about the Bills. Moore said he was looking for a club where his "talent isn't really there" and that he found it with the Bills. We'll watch in the coming weeks as the veteran wideout tries to carve out a role in Buffalo.
Free-agent WR Diontae Johnson (Ravens) officially signed an undisclosed contract with the Cleveland Browns on Monday, May 5.
Our view: After playing for three different teams last year, Johnson hopes to find a role in a Cleveland receiving corps led by Jerry Jeudy and featuring DeAndre Carter, Cedric Tillman, Michael Woods II, Jamari Thrash, David Bell, and Kaden Davis. The Browns also have to figure out their starting QB, so any help they get on the outside is a plus.
Cleveland Browns LB Devin Bush was arrested Sunday, May 4, for simple assault and harassment by Bell Acres Police in Pennsylvania.
Our view: In his first season in Cleveland in 2024, Bush started 10 games and totaled 76 tackles, which ranked fourth on the team. In March, the Browns re-signed Bush to a one-year, $3.25 million deal. We'll follow up on this situation as developments warrant.
Detroit Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa, who the team drafted in the third round, is a 'potential sleeper' and 'budding freak athlete,' in the opinion of The Detroit Free Press' Carlos Monarrez, but is also someone that could 'need time to develop.' TeSlaa is capable of lining up in the slot or out wide.
Our view: The good news is the Lions, with Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Jahmyr Gibbs, and TE Sam LaPorta all serving as high-end producers in the passing game, have plenty of room for TeSlaa to grow. But the rookie's size, speed, and ability to play the ball can make him a threat for big plays at any point. As noted in the Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide 3.0, TeSlaa has a "better in best ball" profile. But Dynasty investors should also be plenty interested.
Green Bay Packers WR Savion Williams is being viewed by the team as a 'real receiver' going forward, according to The Green Bay Press-Gazette's Pete Dougherty, though he notes that will come as Williams gains experience as a route runner. Early on, Dougherty believes the team will use Williams on things like jet sweeps and bubble screens, making comparisons to how players like Pittsburgh Steelers RB Cordarrelle Patterson and Washington Commanders WR Deebo Samuel have been utilized.
Our view: As noted in the 2025 Footballguys Rookie Draft Guide Version 3.0, with Williams and Jayden Reed, the Packers have two wide receivers who do their best work on designed touches. If any coach can find a way to work Williams into their offense, it's Matt LaFleur. But it's a crowded field. They also have 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and others (including Christian Watson after he returns from a torn ACL) to rotate in and frustrate fantasy managers. To make matters worse, Williams' best traits came to life in the return game, where Green Bay already has All-Pro returner Keisean Nixon under contract for two more seasons. How they plan to use Williams will be a key storyline throughout training camp and the preseason.
Las Vegas Raiders sixth-round draft choice QB/WR Tommy Mellott is a 'unique guy' who the team views as an 'athlete/receiver,' according to college scouting director Brandon Yeargan.'We view him as a receiver that's going to have a lot of value in the kicking game, potentially as a returner, as a cover player, maybe play some quarterback, too. We're looking (at him) really as an athlete/receiver, but he's a unique guy,' Yeargan said.
Our view: As Review-Journal staffer Vincent Bonsignore noted, Mellott caught the attention of several NFL scouts and coaches with an electrifying pro day at Montana State on April 4. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.39 seconds, posted a 41-inch vertical jump, and recorded a 10-foot, 4-inch broad jump. He threw passes as a quarterback and then caught them as a receiver. Bonsignore reports the Raiders have a broader vision for Mellott, much like the Patriots did with Julian Edelman when they selected him in the seventh round of the 2009 draft. The former Kent State quarterback became an excellent receiver and the MVP of Super Bowl 53. However, Mellot has much to prove before he's viewed as a potential fantasy asset.
Chicago Bears RB Travis Homer is a 'relatively secure' pick to make the 53-man roster, in the opinion of The Chicago Tribune's Brad Biggs, who notes that it is Homer's special teams ability that makes him a safer selection to make the club than fellow backup RBs Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai.
Our view: There are still questions at the position with D'Andre Swift, Roschon Johnson, and seventh-round pick Kyle Monangai, but all three are ahead of Homer in the offensive pecking order. Swift is going at a discount as RB32, with the 100th pick overall in current best-balls, and Johnson is available at the tail end of drafts. Monangai and Homer don't have ADPs.
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