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Howdy Reader,
Hey there. Happy Monday.
We’ve got a fresh week and a full slate of goodness lined up.
Today, we have our first Player Spotlight Series feature for the 2025 season. In each Spotlight, a Footballguys Staffer presents a compelling case, complete with details, regarding our outlook on a key player. We’re opening up this season with Chuba Hubbard — a name you might be overlooking... but probably shouldn’t.
We’re also breaking down the latest Best Ball ADP movement so you know who’s rising, who’s slipping, and where the value really is.
And of course, Cecil Lammey has the News and Notes to keep you sharp.
Let’s ease into the week — Fantasy Style.
J
PS. Don’t miss Interactive Live Trivia this week — we're starting early at 8 PM ET on Monday, May 19!
It's Disney-themed, family-friendly, and packed with chances to win sweet prizes.
Join in and play LIVE on the Footballguys LIVE and Fantasy Cares YouTube Channels!
👉 Play Disney Trivia HERE 👉
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📺 Trivia Night LIVE - The Muppets!
📅 Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 8:00 PM ET on YouTube
It might not be easy being green, but anyone can play our trivia!
Join us this Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 8 PM ET for a whimsical edition of TRIVIA NIGHT LIVE - The Muppets! This will be our summer finale episode featuring special guest Jake Ceily of The Athletic!
We'll reveal the Kahoot! game PIN and QR code live during the stream so you can jump in and compete for Footballguys swag and subscriptions!
And don't forget to subscribe to the Footballguys Live YouTube Channel so you never miss an episode!
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Tell Us About Your Home League
At Footballguys, we know that fantasy football is more than just a game — it’s about the stories, rivalries, and traditions that make your league one-of-a-kind.
We’re collecting stories from our community about home leagues across the globe— and we’d love to hear about yours. Whether it's a 20-year rivalry, a ridiculous draft-day ritual, or the punishment no one wants to earn, we want to know what makes your league special.
Your story might even be featured in an upcoming article, newsletter, or podcast.
Thanks for being part of the Footballguys community!
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What's New At Footballguys
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📣 Voice Of The Footballguy 🎤
📊 POLL RESULTS: In our last issue of the Daily Update, we asked you Footballguys:
Which rookie RB takes control of his backfield first?
And the Footballguy says: I trust TreVeyon Henderson more than the Patriots do.
TODAY: Clayton Gray’s deep dive into how player values are shifting in high-stakes NFFC drafts reveals one clear trend — quarterbacks are climbing.
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.
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| 🗳️ POLL: Can Chuba Hubbard Deliver RB2 Value in 2025 Fantasy Leagues? |
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Carolina Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan has been impressive during offseason workouts and has shown a very good work ethic, according to wide receivers coach Rob Moore. 'He works on his ability to finish, and try and be detailed. It's one of the hardest things for young players to really dial in on the details of every play. He was really dialed in,' Moore said.
Our view: McMillan was arguably the best wide receiver in this draft class, and there's shades of Mike Evans to his game. His size/speed combination is going to help move the chains, and McMillan's consistency should make him a favorite target for QB Bryce Young early and often in 2025.
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The Dallas Cowboys are not expected to make any further moves at running back this offseason, after signing RBs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency and drafting RBs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah.
Our view: Many thought the Cowboys would do more, but all offseason they've insisted they're happy with this group. Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer expressed support for Williams at the owner's meetings (and coaches breakfast) earlier this year. Williams is the season veteran who is sound as a runner, receiver, and in pass protection. However, he's not been the same since injuring his knee with the Broncos a few years ago. Let's see if Williams can win this job in camp, but expect the team to use multiple backs in an RBBC that Fantasy GMs may avoid.
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No Fool’s Gold: The Chuba Hubbard Underdog Story
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.
Chuba Hubbard's 2024 breakout wasn't a fluke. It wasn't merely the product of another player's injury or a short-term opportunity. Hubbard earned his role as the top running back on the Carolina Panthers' depth chart and held it with authority.
His ascent from an under-the-radar contributor to a reliable starter was marked by consistency, vision, and improved decision-making. This article explores how Hubbard rose through the ranks and what his emergence means for fantasy football managers heading into the 2025 season.
Hubbard's First Three Years
The Carolina Panthers drafted Hubbard in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. At that time, the Panthers were running the Christian McCaffrey Show, so a fourth-round pick was fine for depth. McCaffrey was sidelined twice that season: first to a hamstring injury, and then to an ankle sprain. In his rookie year, Hubbard capitalized on that opportunity by producing 612 rushing yards, five rushing touchdowns, and averaging 3.6 yards per carry.
Heading into 2022, Hubbard was again behind McCaffrey on the depth chart and also behind D'Onta Foreman, who was brought in that year. On October 20, 2022, McCaffrey was traded to the San Francisco 49ers, but it was Foreman who reaped the benefit in the running back room. Providing depth behind Foreman, Hubbard had 466 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns while boosting his yards per carry to 4.9.
Starting the 2023 season, Hubbard was again relegated to backup status on the depth chart due to Miles Sanders being brought in. But he didn't stay there. Hubbard surpassed Sanders, producing 902 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, and 3.8 yards per carry on the year.
2024 Season: The Turning Point
Despite passing Sanders on the depth chart in 2023, the Panthers still weren't fully sold on Hubbard as their lead back. In the 2024 NFL Draft, they selected Jonathon Brooks in the second round with the 46th overall pick, a clear signal they viewed Brooks as the future. After a delayed start due to recovery from a college ACL tear, Brooks suffered a heartbreaking re-tear in December, sidelining him for the rest of the season.
Hubbard made the most of his opportunity in 2024, rushing for over 1,195 yards, scoring 10 touchdowns, and averaging 4.8 yards per carry. His fantasy performance exceeded expectations as he finished as the RB15 in point-per-reception (PPR) formats, averaging 16.4 fantasy points per game and delivering eight top-11 weekly finishes. A key performance occurred in Week 10 with the Panthers' overtime victory against the New York Giants in Germany. Hubbard totaled 24.9 PPR points, rushing for 153 yards and a touchdown while adding four receptions for 16 yards. His rushing dominance locked in his status as a dependable fantasy starter and a difference-maker down the stretch.
Let's Talk Fourth-Round Running Backs
Hubbard's breakout 2024 season defied expectations typically placed on fourth-round running backs. Since 2019, several backs have been selected in the fourth round, but very few have gone on to carry a backfield. Notable exceptions from this list include Tony Pollard, Rhamondre Stevenson, and the 2024-drafted Bucky Irving. Outside of these names, most fourth-rounders have served as depth or rotational pieces. How the 2025 class will fare in this discussion remains to be seen. Still, Hubbard's emergence is a reminder that a gold mine can be found on Day 3 of the NFL Draft.
CONTINUED...
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3. NO: New Orleans not considering Aaron Rodgers
Source: The Times-Picayune - Jeff Duncan
Free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers (Jets) has not been considered as a possible option for the New Orleans Saint after QB Derek Carr's retirement.
Our view: When Carr retired, the news machine quickly went to the unsigned Rodgers as an option. That always seemed like media hype more than reality. The Saints seem comfortable with a quarterback group including Spencer Rattler, rookie Tyler Shough, and Jake Haener as starting options. The starting job will be hammered out in training camp and the preseason.
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4. LAR: QB impressed with Davante Adams
Source: RamsWire - Cameron DaSilva
Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford said he has been working out with WR Davante Adams this offseason and that Adams fits right in with the team.
Our view: Adams is a special player, and he can still be a big threat in his age-32 season. Stafford and Adams should be a fantasy force, so Adams still should post WR2 numbers for Fantasy GMs out there.
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5. DET: Ennis Rakestraw Jr. to be used as outside cornerback
Source: Detroit Football Network - Justin Rogers
Detroit Lions CB Ennis Rakestraw Jr. is expected to focus on playing outside cornerback this offseason, according to defensive backs coach Deshea Townsend.
Our view: Rakestraw was a second-round pick of the Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft, and coming out of Missouri he was known as a player who was always around the ball. His rookie season was cut short by a hamstring injury, and he only played 46 snaps on defense in eight games. We'll see if he can stay healthy and impress during the offseason and into the preseason. He's likely to be the backup to DJ Reed at the RCB position.
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6. PIT: Starting slot corner job up for grabs
Source: SteelersWire - Andrew Vasquez
Pittsburgh Steelers CBs Beanie Bishop Jr. and Sebastian Castro are expected to battle for the starting slot cornerback role, according to head coach Mike Tomlin.
Our view: The Steelers signed Castro as a priority free agent after the draft. He brings versatility to the field as he's a hybrid slot CB/safety. Bishop won the starting job at the beginning of the 2024 season but eventually lost playing time to CB Cameron Sutton, who is now a free agent. We'll see this battle shake out in training camp.
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7. JAX: Two competing for buck linebacker role
Source: Jaguars.com - John Oehser
Jacksonville Jaguars LBs Devin Lloyd and Jalen McLeod are expected to compete for the buck linebacker position, according to general manager James Gladstone.
Our view: Lloyd was a first-round pick of the Jaguars in the 2022 NFL Draft, while McLeod was a sixth-round pick for the team in the 2025 NFL Draft. McLeod is an interesting prospect coming out of Auburn, and he plays all over the field with a high level of versatility and violence. The Jaguars did not pick up the fifth-year option for Lloyd, arguably their best linebacker over the past two seasons, so he's set to be a free agent in 2026. This battle will take place in training camp with Lloyd the favorite to land the job.
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8. TEN: Kevin Winston Jr. expected to be ready for camp
Source: 104.5 The Zone - Buck Reising
Tennnessee Titans S Kevin Winston Jr. (knee) is expected to receive medical clearance in order to participate in training camp, according to head coach Brian Callahan.
Our view: The Titans selected Winston in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He's a naturally instinctive player who arrives at the ball-carrier with bad intentions. His tackling ability and diagnostic ability are NFL caliber, but he'll need to improve his coverage concepts to be a reliable pro. Winston is recovering from knee surgery to repair a partially-torn anterior cruciate ligament he suffered last year with Penn State.
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9. DET: Avonte Maddox to be used in reserve role
Source: Detroit Football Network - Justin Rogers
Detroit Lions DB Avonte Maddox is expected to be used as a backup at slot cornerback and safety, according to safeties coach Jim O'Neil.
Our view: No surprise here. Maddox was drafted by the Eagles (fourth round, 2018), and he's been a solid reserve player for them for years. During his time in the NFL, Maddox has started 41-of-81 games and outside of an injury-shortened 2023 he's been a consistent performer.
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That’s a wrap for today, Folks.
While the NBA playoffs are bringing the drama and everyone’s still dissecting the NFL schedule like it’s the Zapruder film, you’re here, staying sharp and ready to dominate your league.
Not going to lie, I love that about you.
Thanks for reading, and thanks for being a Footballguy. We’re proud to be in your corner. And we’ll see you tomorrow with the update.
Peace, Love and Fantasy Football,
J
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Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom, Bob Harris, and Cecil Lammey
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