Now that everybody has performed a preseason recreation and we're heading towards the top of coaching camp, it is a good time to ask ESPN NFL Nation reporters questions that fantasy managers wish to know forward of their drafts.
How are place battles shaping up? Which gamers are rising as difference-makers? How are accidents and potential suspensions impacting depth charts?
This is a glance across the NFL with solutions to the largest fantasy questions.
What impression do you anticipate from Michael Penix Jr. this season?
Penix goes to make huge performs. He has particular arm expertise and isn't afraid to indicate it off down the sphere. In abbreviated motion final season, Penix tied with Anthony Richardson Sr. for the league lead (minimal 100 dropbacks) in air yards per completion (8.0). Penix's EPA per dropback (0.11) was tied for ninth within the league with Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow. Nevertheless, he must grasp the quick and intermediate throws, in an effort to keep away from being a feast-or-famine quarterback. Penix's completion proportion above expectation was fifth worst within the NFL (-5.3%). — Mark Raimondi
Will Ray Davis be a bigger issue this season and eat into James Prepare dinner's manufacturing?
Maybe Davis may very well be a bit extra of an element, however it would not be a shock to see an identical break up to final season among the many Payments' three backs. The workforce put Prepare dinner on the sphere for 47.6% of offensive snaps, with Davis getting alternatives (24.3%) and Ty Johnson seeing the sphere usually on third downs (29%). Regardless of Prepare dinner “holding in” for a lot of camp earlier than reaching a contract extension on Wednesday, the Payments didn't present something in observe to point a special method this season. — Alaina Getzenberg
Will any participant step ahead to be the Panthers' WR1?
Sure. First-round decide Tetairoa McMillan has all of the instruments to make a direct impression. The chemistry he and quarterback Bryce Younger had from the get-go confirmed he was an apparent improve from 2024 first-round decide Xavier Legette and able to assume the position of No. 1 instantly. His route operating and talent to regulate to the ball on robust catches is elite. — David Newton
Do you anticipate new head coach Ben Johnson to make two operating backs related in fantasy this season like he did with the Lions?
The Bears' operating again room lacks the explosion and flexibility that Johnson had with Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery in Detroit, so the reply isn't any. D'Andre Swift goals to bounce again from a career-worst 3.8 yards per try in an offense he is conversant in given his overlap with Johnson in Detroit in 2022. That season noticed Swift run the ball 99 occasions for 542 yards and 5 touchdowns and tally 389 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 48 catches (70 targets). That twin utilization is anticipated to proceed for Swift in 2025, and whereas Roschon Johnson and Kyle Monangai are bodily, role-playing backs, projecting the Bears to have two fantasy-relevant backs would not really feel practical proper now. — Courtney Cronin
How do you see the backfield utilization enjoying out this season?
Second-round decide Quinshon Judkins stays unsigned as he continues to deal with a authorized matter, and even when he returns to the Browns in time for the season opener, he may very well be topic to NFL self-discipline and face a multi-game suspension. That would go away Jerome Ford and fourth-round decide Dylan Sampson to separate touches within the backfield till Judkins is eligible to play. — Daniel Oyefusi
Do you anticipate a committee method at operating again?
Brian Schottenheimer stated the Cowboys spent an excessive amount of time speaking a few committee final yr. If Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders or Jaydon Blue proves to be the very best operating again in coaching camp, he would be the starter. Schottenheimer additionally acknowledged the Cowboys will want multiple runner to be a profitable operating workforce. In his time as a playcaller, Schottenheimer has had a predominant runner (Thomas Jones with the Jets, Steven Jackson with the Rams, Chris Carson with the Seahawks) however has additionally had a number of backs play bigger roles simply as many occasions. There can be a combination, however it will not be a 50-50 committee. — Todd Archer
How will the workforce make the most of the backfield duo of RJ Harvey and J.Okay. Dobbins?
Make choices now at your fantasy peril, as a result of the Broncos have not determined but. Head coach Sean Payton has promised to pump up the run recreation this season, and has promised each Harvey and Dobbins will get work in that plan. However for the time being it is nonetheless unclear how these guarantees can be saved. The present state of affairs, no less than the one within the preseason opener, was Harvey within the beginning offense on early downs with Dobbins in for third-down conditions or longer passing downs as a result of he's extra dependable as a route runner out of the backfield and as a cross protector. They're the highest two backs and Dobbins was certainly signed in June due to his reliability as a third-down protector and receiver. That stated, the Broncos have but to make the decision about which could have extra carries. — Jeff Legwold
Will anybody emerge because the clear go-to receiver?
Now that they lastly have a first-round receiver, maybe they lastly have an opportunity to see a WR1 emerge for the primary time since Davante Adams left city. Thus far, Matthew Golden seems to be the half. Quarterback Jordan Love has heaped reward on Golden all coaching camp, and it is easy to see why. Golden catches the ball cleanly and has gotten open all around the subject. That stated, Jayden Reed, their main receiver every of the previous two seasons, ought to get loads of alternatives as properly. — Rob Demovsky
How a lot concern is there about Joe Mixon with the ability to present his regular manufacturing?
There's a little little bit of concern as a result of Mixon hasn't practiced in any respect in coaching camp, OTAs or minicamp. Give it some thought like this: Mixon hasn't taken a handoff from quarterback C.J. Stroud in a reliable observe or recreation setting since Jan. 18, when the Texans misplaced to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs within the divisional spherical of the playoffs. As Mixon sits on the non-football harm listing, the hope is he can get off of it earlier than the beginning of the common season so he can get some observe reps previous to Week 1. — DJ Bien-Aime
Which participant is almost certainly to emerge because the No. 1 operating again?
Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby alternated in that position final season and that has continued all through camp — and nearly definitely will prolong into the primary a part of the common season. Etienne is a greater receiver than Bigsby, so he has a slight benefit there, however the Jaguars additionally envision roles for rookies Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen. It might find yourself being the dreaded committee method the place they go together with the recent hand every week. — Michael DiRocco
What are your expectations for Rashee Rice this season?
Many within the Chiefs group imagine Rice may very well be suspended for no less than 4 video games. As soon as Rice returns, although, he needs to be the Chiefs' No. 1 receiver, a task he excelled ultimately season earlier than his season-ending knee harm. In coaching camp, Rice seems to have regained his explosiveness and dynamic means when he has the ball within the open subject. Working routes alongside tight finish Travis Kelce and speedy receiver Xavier Worthy, Rice needs to be focused loads by Patrick Mahomes in opposition to zone protection, completions that ought to permit the receiver to realize a number of yards after the catch. — Nate Taylor
How justified is the thrill about Omarion Hampton in fantasy?
Hampton's potential on this offense depends considerably on Najee Harris' standing. Harris nonetheless hasn't run at observe — no less than with media current — as he recovers from a watch harm he sustained throughout a fireworks mishap on July 4. If Harris is wholesome, these two will doubtless break up carries, and offensive coordinator Greg Roman has proven he'll trip with the recent hand. For that motive, fantasy homeowners ought to proceed cautiously with Hampton, who has a excessive ceiling in an advanced backfield. — Kris Rhim
Do you anticipate Tyreek Hill to bounce again to earlier ranges after a difficult 2024 season?
I do not suppose we'll see Miami force-feed Hill like his first two seasons with the workforce — however that does not imply we cannot see WR1 numbers from him. There are solely three identified receiving threats on this Dolphins offense, and one other in Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who put up huge landing numbers in Tennessee however continues to be integrating into the offense. Miami can be artistic in the way it places the ball in Hill's arms now that he is wholesome, and he nonetheless stays one of many league's premier deep-ball choices. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
What are your expectations for J.J. McCarthy this season?
Given McCarthy's inexperience and the workforce's obvious dedication to the run recreation, the Vikings will nearly definitely have the fewest dropbacks in a season since coach Kevin O'Connell arrived in 2022. McCarthy is more likely to have nearer to three,000 passing yards than 4,000, and nearer to twenty landing passes than 30. That is the kind of offense the Vikings have been organising for the reason that first day of coaching camp. In consequence, they will nearly definitely have probably the most carries by operating backs than they've had beforehand underneath O'Connell. — Kevin Seifert
Which participant do you belief to be a stronger common contributor: TreVeyon Henderson or Stefon Diggs?
Henderson will get the nod as a result of he has youth on his facet and is not coming off a torn ACL. His 100-yard kickoff return firstly of the workforce's preseason opener was a direct assertion of the explosiveness he brings to the offense, and it was additionally notable that his one carry went for 18 yards. Diggs has principally executed his finest work within the purple zone thus far, as Drake Maye has regarded in his path usually in these conditions, so there is no sleeping on him, both. — Mike Reiss
How are the backfield touches trending between Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Cam Skattebo?
It is trending closely in favor of Tracy, partially as a result of Skattebo has missed the previous two weeks with a minor leg harm. Skattebo could also be getting nearer to a return, however the setback put a halt to his cost for important carries early within the season. Tracy has taken first-team reps, nearly solely, this summer season, whereas Skattebo took solely a handful. The rookie did flash a capability to catch the ball out of the backfield and excel in open house. That's what Skattebo's position doubtless can be early within the season, with the carries break up being someplace within the 70-30 vary in favor of Tracy. — Jordan Raanan
Is it true that Braelon Allen is anticipated to realize a bigger share of the backfield this season?
Allen obtained 28% of the running-back carries final season, and that quantity will enhance in 2025. The Jets wish to be a run-oriented offense and, whereas Breece Corridor will doubtless get probably the most touches, the plan is to present Allen a much bigger position. Head coach Aaron Glenn loves his energy and downhill operating model. — Wealthy Cimini
Who's the higher operating again to roster: Kaleb Johnson or Jaylen Warren?
The fact is neither again is a “certain factor” fantasy decide. Warren has extra expertise and explosiveness, however Johnson is constructed like a extra sturdy again. Because the veteran, Warren will doubtless get a heavier workload early and be the starter, however Johnson can be concerned loads if his coaching camp reps are any indication. Warren doubtless has the sting on Johnson as a fantasy prospect, although, due to his pass-catching means. Johnson wasn't requested to do this a lot at Iowa, and whereas the rookie has the flexibility, Warren is extra of a identified commodity in Arthur Smith's offense. — Brooke Pryor
Which participant is almost certainly to start the season because the No. 1 WR choice?
This might change at any second however the reply, for now, is second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall has moved previous the hamstring harm that saved him out within the spring and has begun stringing good practices collectively. Offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak stated by the top of final season Pearsall was the workforce's finest receiver when it got here to beating man protection. He is continued to sharpen his route operating and with most of the different wideouts coping with accidents, together with Jauan Jennings (who can be the reply right here if wholesome), there are many alternatives for Pearsall to construct on his sturdy end to final season early in 2025. — Nick Wagoner
With Chris Godwin on the mend, which participant is almost certainly to earn probably the most targets behind Mike Evans?
Take your decide between second-year standout Jalen McMillan and promising rookie Emeka Egbuka. McMillan completed final season with seven touchdowns within the closing 5 video games of the common season lining up reverse Evans. And Egbuka seems to be each bit the half in observe, lining up on the surface and in Godwin's position. He might find yourself with extra targets simply based mostly on proximity to the quarterback. — Jenna Laine
