Fantasy Football Player Notes
2025 Half PPR Draft Rankings
|
11.
Nico Collins
WR - (vs . IND)
Nico Collins averaged 2.86 yards per route run in 2024, second among all WRs. He picked up right where he left off in 2023, finishing the season as the WR6 in points per game (14.9). He missed four games with an injury but was very effective on the field as C.J. Stroud's clear No.1 target.
|
|
45.
Joe Mixon
RB - (vs . IND)
Mixon volume-hogged his way to an RB8 finish last year. He's primed to do it again in 2025. Last year, he ranked 14th in snap share, fifth in opportunity share, 17th in weighted opportunity, and sixth in red zone touches. The efficiency aspect hasn't been there, and I doubt that it will change in 2025 with another year of touches hitting the body odometer. Last year, he ranked 22nd in explosive run rate, 38th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 29th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). Woody Marks is Mixon's closest competition in the backfield for volume, which means he'll handle as much as he can this season. Mixon is a solid RB2 with RB1 upside.
|
|
114.
C.J. Stroud
QB - (vs . IND)
Last year was disastrous for Stroud as he tumbled from the QB7 in fantasy points per game to the QB28. Everything that could have gone wrong did. His offensive line imploded. Nico Collins was in and out of the lineup, while Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs were lost to season-ending injuries. Stroud didn't help matters with the fifth-highest time to throw and the 15th-highest pressure-to-sack ratio (per Fantasy Points Data). Stroud will operate behind a retooled offensive line in 2025 that honestly couldn't be worse than what he dealt with last year. The skill player cabinet has been restocked with a nice mix of veterans and youth, with the additions of Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins, Jayllin Noel, Nick Chubb, and Justin Watson. Everything is setting up nicely for Stroud to make a run as a top-12 fantasy quarterback again this season.
|
|
127.
Christian Kirk
WR - (vs . IND)
Christian Kirk joins the Texans after being acquired for a seventh-round pick, stepping into a starting slot role with Tank Dell likely sidelined for much of 2025. While Kirk has shown flashes of high-end WR2 upside in the past, his 2024 campaign was underwhelming before a collarbone injury ended his season early. He finished as the WR58 in points per game and was largely an afterthought in the red zone, with just a 19% target share and 11.8 expected PPG (WR38). Kirk offers real-life value as a reliable slot target and vertical threat alongside Nico Collins, but he'll face pressure from third-round rookie Jaylin Noe. Kirk also hasn't proven durable down the stretch in recent years. Draft cautiously - he's a fine late-round pick for floor, but the ceiling is limited without the TDs.
|
|
182.
Jayden Higgins
WR - (vs . IND)
Jayden Higgins lands in a dream fantasy spot after being selected 34th overall by the Houston Texans. With Tank Dell likely sidelined for much of 2025 and Christian Kirk only under contract for one year, Higgins is positioned to start immediately alongside Nico Collins and Kirk in a high-powered offense led by C.J. Stroud. The former Iowa State standout was PFF's highest-graded WR in 2024, commanding a 33% target share while boasting a top-10 career college dominator rating in the class. With a strong blend of size, speed, and draft capital - and strong connections between the Texans and Iowa State coaching staffs - Higgins profiles as a plug-and-play rookie with significant fantasy appeal.
|
|
189.
Houston Texans
DST - (vs . IND)
|
|
191.
Dalton Schultz
TE - (vs . IND)
In 2024, Dalton Schultz hit five-year lows in targets (85) catches (53), receiving yards (532) and touchdowns (2). The result was a TE22 fantasy finish in half-point PPR scoring even though Schultz played all 17 of the Texans' games. A slight rebound is possible, but it's hard to see much fantasy upside for Schultz as he enters his age-29 season. WR Nico Collins figures to be the Texans' undisputed target leader, and Houston has also added veteran Christian Kirk and promising rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel at receiver. Consider Schultz a midrange TE2 at best.
|
|
192.
Nick Chubb
RB - (vs . IND)
|
|
222.
Ka'imi Fairbairn
K - (vs . IND)
|
|
228.
Jaylin Noel
WR - (vs . IND)
Jaylin Noel is one of the most exciting under-the-radar rookie wideouts in the 2025 class. The 5'10", 194-pound Iowa State product posted a 33% dominator rating in his final season and led the class in receiving yards on throws of 20+ air yards - despite suffering from some of the worst QB play. He's a vertical slot weapon with elite athleticism, punt return ability, and strong production alongside fellow Texans rookie Jayden Higgins.
Houston snagged Noel in the third round (79th overall), and while he may open the season behind Christian Kirk, the opportunity is there. With Kirk's durability in question and Noel's explosive playmaking, don't be shocked if the rookie earns a major role down the stretch. Attached to C.J. Stroud in a high-powered offense, Noel is a sneaky late-round target. |
|
283.
Dameon Pierce
RB - (vs . IND)
|
|
292.
Woody Marks
RB - (vs . IND)
The Texans added Marks to their backfield in the fourth round of the NFL Draft. he looks like a passing down back upgrade over Dare Ogunbowale, who can also take on some early down work to spell Joe Mixon occasionally. I wasn't high on Marks as a prospect. Since 2021, he never finished higher than 102nd in yards after contact per attempt or elusive rating (per PFF). He could siphon off some targets from Mixon, though. He has ranked 26th or higher in receiving grade in three of the last four seasons.
|
|
321.
John Metchie III
WR - (vs . IND)
|
|
342.
Tank Dell
WR - (vs . IND)
|
|
|
422.
Luke Lachey
TE - (vs . IND)
|
|
426.
Cade Stover
TE - (vs . IND)
|
|
461.
Brevin Jordan
TE - (vs . IND)
|
|
486.
Justin Watson
WR - (vs . IND)
|
|
520.
Jakob Johnson
RB - (vs . IND)
|
|
547.
Xavier Hutchinson
WR - (vs . IND)
|
