I was scouting a spot for my Fantasy league’s 40th annual draft at the spectacular Proving Grounds bar and restaurant in Highlands, N.J., when I met Mark, a young father of two who’s been playing Fantasy Football since the seventh grade. He genuinely appreciates how the game has kept he and his friends connected over the years. Mark’s league has had many names, but currently it’s called Vegas Baby Vegas. Since his wife was present, I didn’t press for details about how they arrived at that title. An Ohio State grad, his team’s name is Duke Sucks. I guess Michigan Sucks was taken.
Here’s a Fantasy Billboard look at Sleepers and Busts for your upcoming draft.
SLEEPERS
QB Dak Prescott — Since 2019, Dak’s had over 4,000 yards and at least 33 combined TDs every odd numbered season. The even years have been disasters, averaging 2,200 yards and just 14 TDs. Well, 2025 is an odd year. Prescott will prosper throwing to WRs CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Currently ranked 15th for QBs, he’s a shoo-in for top 10 Fantasy numbers.
RB Braelon Allen — New Jets coach Aaron Glenn witnessed RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combine for 4,125 yards and 51 TDs on the ground the last two years in Detroit. Glenn will replicate that success with Breece Hall and second year man Braelon Allen. Almost 20 pounds heavier than Hall, Allen will bully defenses up the middle and cut into Hall’s usage. He’ll also get the short yardage TDs. Sharing the load will benefit both backs with fresh legs and less chance for injury. Allen will be a solid RB 2/3.
RB Nick Chubb — The devastating knee injury that took Chubb’s 2023 season away and most of 2024 is behind him. The Texans just lost starter Joe Mixon for the better part of September, opening the door for Chubb to tote the rock behind a strong offensive line. Ignore unnamed sources that said Chubb has been “slow to the hole” in camp. He’s shown great burst, and he’s not even wearing a knee brace. Chubb could come close to his glory days finishing among the top 25 RBs.
WR Stefon Diggs — New England incumbent WRs Demario Douglas and Kayshon Boutte can only be described as lame. Enter Diggs, who signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract to bring the Patriots out of their WR blackhole. Diggs has a pedigree no other wideout on the roster can claim. Will he be a top 20 wideout? Nope. But top 40 is very realistic.
TE Theo Johnson — I love to find a sleeper at TE. Over the years I’ve snagged Jake Ferguson, Darren Waller and Mike Gesicki with great success. For 2025, I like Johnson. Jints QB Russell Wilson made TE Pat Freiermuth a top 10 TE last season in Pittsburgh. I predict the 6-6 giant Giant to be in the top 15.
Others to consider: QB C.J. Stroud, RB Trey Benson, WR Darnell Mooney, TE Evan Engram
BUSTS
QB Brock Purdy — I don’t believe you can win your league with Purdy. He saddled his owners with nine games of one or no TD passes last year. That’s 50% of the season. And don’t forget that the offensive talent has diminished in Frisco. Currently going as the QB8, Purdy is out of my top 15 QBs. Let others draft him while you scoop up Prescott or Bo Nix two rounds later.
RB Javonte Williams — Coming out of North Carolina, I thought Williams would be a star. But he had four years to prove himself in the Mile High city, producing modest stats and a shredded knee before being kicked to the curb by head coach Sean Payton. If you can’t succeed running for Payton, you can’t succeed anywhere. Williams signed with Dallas to play behind their banged-up offensive line. He will be hard-pressed to match last year’s RB30 finish.
WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba — Let’s slow our roll on JSN. Yes, he caught 100 balls last year, but that included games of 19, 39, 31, 9, 32 and 9 yards. Those are not WR1 numbers. With new OC Klint Kubiak, the Seahawks will be a run-first team, causing JSN’s numbers to plummet. A slow season of 80 receptions, 825 yards and five TDs pushes him out of the top 20.
WR Jordan Addison — Facing a three-game suspension to start the year for a DUI and speeding, don’t waste too early a pick on Addison. If he can be had late in Round 12, pull the trigger. Otherwise, pump the brakes on Addison.
TE Kyle Pitts — Pitts looks like a superstar NFL tight end. But looks can be deceiving. Last season Pitts averaged two receptions over the last nine games (with one TD) and got less playing time than his backup Charlie Woerner. Never heard of Woerner? My point exactly.
Others to ignore: QB Jordan Love, RB James Cook, WR DeAndre Hopkins, TE Zach Ertz
Enter the code NEW30 for 30% off the subscription price of FantasyGuru.com, the finest source for Seasonal, DFS and Sports Gaming advice. Bill Reinhard appears weekly on This Week in Pro Football (YouTube), is a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association and a columnist for FantasyGuru.com.
