Fantasy Football Player Notes

No matter how you slice it, Jeanty is a top-five back out the gate. He has a true three-down skillset and should get all the volume that he can handle. He's a tackle-breaking maven. A skill that I have no doubt will translate to the NFL. Across his final two collegiate seasons, Jeanty ranked first and third in yards after contact per attempt and first and second in elusive rating (per PFF). Las Vegas will feature the run prominently, and Jeanty's receiving upside gives him an insane ceiling for 2025. During Chip Kelly's tenure in the NFL, his offenses have never ranked lower than 11th in rushing attempts. Also, during Kelly's four years as an NFL offensive coordinator, in three of those seasons, his backfields had a 16.6-17.7% target share, but he also flooded his Philly backfield with targets in 2015 (28.7%). Jeanty could push for near the top end of that range. In 2023, he ranked first in receiving grade and second in yards per route run. Jeanty is primed for a rookie season that could rival Saquon Barkley's rookie year.

Brock Bowers had a legendary rookie season. He finished as the TE3 in fantasy points per game. He logged the most receptions, receiving yards, PPR fantasy points per game, and targets for a rookie tight end EVER! Insane, insane production. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, he remained stellar, ranking second in target share (23.6%), third in receiving yards per game (70.2), fifth in yards per route run (2.11), and sixth in first downs per route run (0.108, per Fantasy Points Data). With more target competition added in the offseason with the additions of Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton, we'll see if Bowers can reproduce this type of season in year two, but I won't be betting against him with improved quarterback play with Geno Smith now under center. Bowers is worth paying up for in drafts as a difference-making option at a onesie position.

This year, Meyers will reprise his role as Brock Bowers' running mate, leading the Raiders' passing attack. Last year, after the departure of Davante Adams, Meyers was the WR18 in fantasy points per game. During that stretch, among 98 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 19th in target share (23.5%), 13th in receiving yards per game (75.4), 34th in first downs per route run (0.096), and 11th in first-read share (32.6%, per Fantasy Points Data). I'm not expecting Meyers to be a consistent WR2 this season again, but it's not outside of the range of outcomes. He's best viewed as a strong WR3/flex with upside.

The Raiders traded a third-round draft pick for Geno Smith in March and gave him a two-year contract extension worth $85.5 million. Smith will helm an intriguing Raiders offense that will be guided by new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, who likes to run his offense at an uptempo pace. TE Brock Bowers was a revelation as a rookie, WR Jakobi Meyers is a dependable veteran, and the Raiders added RB Ashton Jeanty and WR Jack Bech in the draft. Smith finished QB13 in fantasy scoring last season, averaging 16.5 fantasy points per game. He completed 70.4% of his passes last season for 4,320 yards, with 21 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Smith will be drafted as a low-end QB2 or high-end QB3 but could once again finish as a high-end QB2.

Jack Bech was one of the most efficient receivers in the 2025 class, leading all rookies in expected points added (EPA) per target - a clear sign that good things happened when the ball was in his hands at TCU. The Raiders took notice, selecting him 58th overall and giving him solid Day 2 draft capital that cements his status as a top-tier rookie WR for fantasy. Bech posted a 28% dominator rating in 2024 and impressed at the Senior Bowl, helping shake the "one-year wonder" label that stems more from circumstance than ability - he began his career at LSU competing with Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. With Jakobi Meyers in a contract year and little depth behind him, Bech has a real opportunity to carve out a meaningful role early.

Raheem Mostert lands with the Raiders as Ashton Jeanty's backup. Jeanty should be the team's clear bell-cow, with Mostert only offering some change of pace carrries weekly. Mostert looked like a player on his last NFL legs last season, with only a 14% missed tackle rate and 1.76 yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). He's a deep league/final-round handcuff pick only.