We’ve now gone through a quarter of the 2025 NFL season, so the fantasy community is naturally panicking on several marquee players.
On this page, we’re going to take a look at five players who were selected in the first seven rounds of drafts, determining at what level you should be panicking.
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Fantasy Football Panic Meter: Week 4
Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)
Ja’Marr Chase has turned in consecutive duds, putting up five catches for 50 yards against the Vikings and hauling in five receptions for 23 yards against the Broncos.
The Bengals’ offense has been an absolute disaster with Jake Browning under center. The earliest that Joe Burrow could return is in December, so this is a really tough spot for fantasy football players.
The best hope we have is that Cincinnati makes a trade for Russell Wilson or Jameis Winston. It’s mind-boggling that they haven’t done so yet because they’re essentially throwing away another year.
No one is going to pay more than 50 cents on the dollar for Chase right now, so there’s no point in selling low. Perhaps things can look better against the Lions in Week 5. Let’s hope for some garbage time production.
Verdict: 8 out of 10 on the Panic Meter
Derrick Henry (RB – BAL)
Derrick Henry started his season with a bang, rushing for 169 yards and two touchdowns. Since then, he’s rushed for 50 yards or fewer in three consecutive games.
With Lamar Jackson now banged up, there is definite concern with Henry moving forward, especially since he’s an aging running back.
We don’t know how long Jackson will be out (if at all), but if he misses time, that would crater Henry’s value. With that said, I’m betting the Ravens will get back on track sooner rather than later.
I’d look to buy low on Henry before he has another spike week.
Verdict: 5 out of 10 on the Panic Meter
Saquon Barkley (RB – PHI)
Saquon Barkley simply does not look the same this year. The Eagles’ superstar running back is averaging only 3.1 yards per carry, not looking nearly as explosive as last season. Perhaps the extremely heavy usage he saw in 2024 is catching up to him.
This entire Eagles offense has looked lethargic, aside from that second-half comeback against the Rams.
It feels like this team is sleepwalking to the playoffs, winning ugly en route to a 4-0 record. I wouldn’t sell low on Barkley, but we need to adjust our expectations. The same ceiling isn’t there this year. Think of him as more of a low-end RB1 than the best back in fantasy football.
Verdict: 6 out of 10 on the Panic Meter
A.J. Brown (WR – PHI)
After bouncing back against the Rams, A.J. Brown turned in another dud against the Buccaneers, catching two of his nine targets for seven yards. The stud wideout has been held to fewer than 30 yards in three out of four games, including two games with fewer than 10 yards.
That’s simply unacceptable usage for a player of this caliber. Expect the Eagles to try to force-feed the ball to their alpha No. 1 WR, especially with him expressing frustration on social media.
With Saquon Barkley not looking as explosive, the Eagles will eventually be forced to air it out more. While Brown looks more like a low-end WR2 until he gets in a rhythm, I’d still look to buy low.
The track record is too strong here.
Verdict: 5 out of 10 on the Panic Meter
Trey McBride (TE – ARI)
Trey McBride is currently averaging 10.9 fantasy points per game in half-PPR formats, which ranks as the fantasy TE5 on the season. While he hasn’t been bad by any means, that’s underwhelming considering the draft capital spent to acquire him.
The good news is that McBride has 35 targets, so the volume has been there. But with cheaper tight ends like Tucker Kraft, Tyler Warren and Jake Ferguson thriving, it makes this type of production harder to deal with.
See if you can flip McBride for a tight end downgrade (like Ferguson) along with a wide receiver or running back. Perhaps you can do something like Ferguson and a slow-starting rookie like TreVeyon Henderson.
Cashing in on an elite tight end looks like a wise move. With that said, if you hold McBride, better days are ahead. Just float his name in trade talks to see what you can get.
Verdict: 5 out of 10 on the Panic Meter
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