Fantasy Football Player Notes
2025 Half PPR Draft Rankings
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49.
Courtland Sutton
WR - (vs . LAC)
Courtland Sutton had a career-high 81 catches on 135 targets last year and amassed 1,081 yards and eight touchdowns, good for a WR13 finish in half-point PPR. That makes Sutton look like a value at his low-end WR2 ADP. It's possible some of the Broncos' new additions (namely TE Evan Engram and rookie WR Pat Bryant) could put a small dent in Sutton's target share, but Sutton looks like a solid buy at his current cost.
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61.
RJ Harvey
RB - (vs . LAC)
Denver was among the more desirable possible landing spots for a rookie running back this year, and Broncos second-rounder R.J. Harvey could have a substantial fantasy impact right away. Harvey is on the smaller side (5-9, 208), but he has outstanding quickness, lateral agility and vision. He's also a capable pass catcher, and running backs in Sean Payton's offense typically catch a lot of passes. Payton likes to use multiple running backs, and the Broncos signed veteran J.K. Dobbins after drafting Harvey. But there's little doubt that Harvey will have a prominent role in what should be a pretty good offense.
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76.
Bo Nix
QB - (vs . LAC)
I was down on Bo Nix entering last season. Early on, it looked like I was right about my evaluation of him as a prospect. Nix STRUGGLED out of the gate before turning it on in Week 5. Once the candle was lit for Nix, he coffin nailed my evaluation of his upside in the NFL. In Weeks 5-18, Nix was the QB6 in fantasy points per game, ranking 15th in yards per attempt, tenth in CPOE, ninth in highly accurate throw rate, and eighth in fantasy points per dropback (per Fantasy Points Data). I've never been happier being proved wrong. He was nothing short of amazing and placed third in the NFL Rookie of the Year voting. He also provided rushing upside, which I didn't expect in the NFL. Last year, he ranked tenth in carries per game and eighth in rushing yards among quarterbacks. Denver added Pat Bryant, R.J. Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, and Evan Engram to this offense in the offseason. Nix could take another step in 2025 with the added weaponry and be a top-five quarterback.
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87.
Evan Engram
TE - (vs . LAC)
Evan Engram could SMASH his ADP this year as Sean Payton's Joker. Everyone will point to last year as a reason to have worries about Engram, who ranked 20th in yards per route run, but his target-drawing ability was just fine, ranking fifth in targets per route run and third in target share. He was also dealing with shoulder and hamstring issues. Those were his first injuries to deal with during a season since 2021. In Engram's two previous seasons, he ranked 13th and 14th in yards per route run and second and 12th in target share (per Fantasy Points Data). Also, in 2023-2024, Engram excelled in one of the hallmark metrics that I look at when evaluating talent and upside at the tight end position: yards per route run versus man coverage. In those seasons, Engram ranked fourth and eighth in this metric. Engram's best competition for targets is Courtland Sutton. Engram could lead Denver in targets this season. If that happens, he'll likely be knocking on the door of the top 3-5 tight ends in 2025.
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137.
J.K. Dobbins
RB - (vs . LAC)
After tearing his Achilles in Week 1 of the 2023 season, J.K. Dobbins made a successful return in 2024, rolling up 905 rushing yards and nine touchdowns for the Chargers in 13 games. Dobbins now joins the Broncos, where he'll be part of Sean Payton's backfield. Payton likes to use multiple running backs, and no doubt rookie R.J. Harvey will be prominently involved. But Dobbins figures to have a role as well, and it's possible he'll be Payton's preferred goal-line back.
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146.
Marvin Mims Jr.
WR - (vs . LAC)
Many will look at Marvin Mims' production down the stretch last year and think, "Oh, my! He broke out. I need to draft him in 2025." The problem with his production during those games is it was fraudulent and not likely to be reproduced. In Weeks 11-18, Mims was the WR23 in fantasy points per game on the strength of six touchdowns (seven games). In those games, he had only a 34.6% route share, a 12.8% target share, a 4.3 aDOT, and a 17.4% first-read share. 58.1% of his targets were designed, and 58% of his target volume was via screens (per Fantasy Points Data). None of this is sustainable long-term, and last year's scorching hot finish to the season was more of a fluke. Avoid Mims in the later rounds of drafts. Pat Bryant could easily earn a full-time starting role this season opposite Courtland Sutton and crush Mims route share.
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172.
Denver Broncos
DST - (vs . LAC)
Denver was the DST1 in fantasy points per game last year, and I don't see any reason why they can't repeat that in 2025. Last year, they ranked second in pressure rate and seventh in blitz rate, so sacks should be arriving in bunches again (they led the NFL in sacks last year). Denver will arguably field the best cornerback room in the NFL in 2025.
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205.
Wil Lutz
K - (vs . LAC)
Will Lutz finished as fantasy's 8th-highest scoring kicker in 2024, averaging 9.4 PPG. It was his best season since 2019. But despite playing in Mile High, Lutz was outside the top-15 in attempts from 50-plus yards. However, he was nearly perfect from 20-49 yards with just one miss (including PATs). Nobody was better from 40-49 yards than Lutz in 2024 (100%).
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223.
Jaleel McLaughlin
RB - (vs . LAC)
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235.
Audric Estime
RB - (vs . LAC)
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238.
Devaughn Vele
WR - (vs . LAC)
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243.
Pat Bryant
WR - (vs . LAC)
The Denver Broncos surprised everyone by selecting Pat Bryant in the third round of the NFL Draft. In the post-draft presser, Sean Payton compared Bryant's game loosely to his former standout receiver, Michael Thomas. While I wasn't head over heels in love with Bryant during the pre-draft process, this comparison and his surprising draft capital do raise the antenna. Bryant quietly checks the analytical boxes that we look for, ranking 18th in yards per route run and seventh in receiving grade in his final collegiate season (per PFF). He's worth tossing a dart at with your final pick in redraft leagues. Denver needs another receiver to step in as an every-down contributor in the offense in 2025, opposite Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram.
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347.
Troy Franklin
WR - (vs . LAC)
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457.
Tyler Badie
RB - (vs . LAC)
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497.
Michael Burton
RB - (vs . LAC)
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505.
Adam Trautman
TE - (vs . LAC)
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569.
Trent Sherfield Sr.
WR - (vs . LAC)
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577.
Nate Adkins
TE - (vs . LAC)
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594.
Jarrett Stidham
QB - (vs . LAC)
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634.
Lucas Krull
TE - (vs . LAC)
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684.
Blake Watson
RB - (vs . LAC)
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694.
Sam Ehlinger
QB - (vs . LAC)
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730.
Caleb Lohner
TE - (vs . LAC)
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