Coach: Sean McVay 5 PPG
QB: Dak Prescott 27 PPG
Dak Prescott was having a pretty meh season before his hamstring fell off the bone, regressing bigly from a top 5 32 PPG output to a paltry 24 PPG through 7 healthy games. Prescott has now endured two major injuries, the other being a severe ankle dislocation that may have ended what could have been an MVP season. That injury also zapped his notable rushing upside, and he’s never been the same in that regard since 2020. Prescott has elevated his game to prolific heights multiple times in his career. It is disappointing, however, that the Cowboys’ offensive line and weapons have disintegrated into at best a mediocre supporting cast. Perhaps Pickens could take the next step, but he’s always been vastly overrated in Pittsburgh. Prescott has the upside to be a top 5 QB again. Still, with formerly incompetent Brian Schottenheimer taking over as the head coach, the range of outcomes is too great to predict Dak as anything more than a borderline top 10 option.
RB/WR/TE: Jonathan Taylor 26 PPG, Alvin Kamara 24 PPG, Tee Higgins 19 PPG, Deebo Samuel 15 PPG, Zach Ertz 13 PPG 6th men: Taysom Hill 14 PPG (PUP likely), Cade Otton 13 PPG, Alec Pierce 11 PPG, Dalton Schultz 11 PPG, Pat Freiermuth 10 PPG, Darius Slayton 8 PPG, Marquez Valdes-Scantling 7 PPG, Cole Kmet 8 PPG
Quite the up-and-down season for Jonathan Taylor, who started out the gates strong with 4 games over 19 points, only to lose 3 weeks to a high ankle sprain. Inconsistency spelled him a bit, but that was just as much on the QB situation as it was on him. 2024 JT may be most remembered by his egregious goal line fumble against Denver, which would have put them up two scores in the second half. They ended up losing that game, and it effectively ended their season. Thankfully, Taylor’s numbers across the board did not wane, as he still posted a monster 303 carry (5th in the NFL), 1,431-yard (4th), 11 TD (9th) season. His YPC was at an adequate 4.72 and all signs point to him being the centerpiece of the Colts’ offense while they figure out their QB woes. Lock the 26-year-old in for a top 10 season.
Is it nearing the end of the line for the 29-year-old Alvin Kamara? Before his season ended prematurely in week 15 from a groin issue, he was still tearing up the IFL, per usual. He was his typical all-purpose self, compiling 228 carries (17th), 950 rushing yards (19th), 6 rushing TDs (24th), all receiving a league lead 87 targets, 68 receptions (2nd), 543 receiving yards (2nd), and an additional 2 passing scores. The man continues to be a boon for fantasy, and new HC Kellen Moore is expected to run the offense through him again. The Saints may have the worst offense in the league this year, but AK should fire PPR points into the air like an infidel. Sometimes, fantasy football isn’t complicated. Fire him up as a top 16 option and hope whoever is under center doesn’t spontaneously combust.
It was another typical season for Tee Higgins, who missed a chunk of the season due to multiple injuries and typically posted stud-like numbers when he played. Despite missing 5 games, the 6’4” star was the epitome of an excellent secondary option, posting 105 targets (31st), 73 receptions (29th), 911 yards (31st) and 10 TDs. Across an entirely healthy season, that would have been a top 20 RB/WR/TE finish. Higgins hasn’t come close to that type of production before, and 2024 was actually a massive spike in his targets per game. Not much has changed in the Bengals’ offensive arsenal, but the Bengals may be in fewer shootout-type affairs if the defense can be at least competitive. For now, Higgins remains in the championship-team caliber #3 RB/WR/TE production category, but I worry that too many bust weeks could be in store as a #2 WR for our league. DeVonta Smith/Jordan Addison owners know what I’m talking about, as do Tee owners before last year.
What’s left in the tank for Deebo Samuel? Was he cast off at the right time by San Francisco before he falls off a cliff, or can he be a quality receiver for a team that has championship aspirations? He wasn’t startable for much 2024, with 7 games under 11.50 points. He only scored 4 TDs on the year, while tallying a depressing 51 receptions, 670 receiving yards, 42 carries, and 136 rushing yards. The 9ers elected not to run it back, shipping him off for a 5th-round pick to a needy receiver-needy Washington squad. It didn’t appear he had much left last year, so this projection is reliant on opportunity. Keep a close eye on his carry numbers, as the Commanders don’t have a prolific back who dominates touches. If he can earn 4-7 carries a game like he has in San Fran, he should be back-end startable. For Deebo to work, he must be featured on screens and carries. Hopefully, the designed targets come hot and heavy.
Zach Ertz turned back the clock for his first startable fantasy season since 2021. Jayden Daniels proving to be a serviceable QB certainly helped, as did the Commanders having one of the worst skill position groups in the league. That certainly hasn’t changed, but Ertz may struggle to be fed the easy underneath stuff with Deebo Samuel potentially taking some opportunity. Ertz’s 7 TDs might also be hard to replicate, as he has only achieved that mark twice since 2013. Ideally a bye-week guy, Ertz is a barely serviceable asset, but can work if you’re cool with 12 points in a pinch.
PK: N/A 7 PPG
PN: Johnny Hekker 9 PPG
DT: Kobie Turner 18 PPG
We should really take a moment and recognize the greatness that is Kobie Turner’s first two seasons in the NFL. 17 sacks through his first pair of seasons, to go along with over 55 total tackles, is an incredible accomplishment. We can talk about the rest of the Rams’ d-line stepping up as well, but Turner has arguably been the best of the bunch. The last 3rd rounder out of Wake Forest (I’d bet you $10 you didn’t know he played at Wake) has displayed some elite upside, perhaps one we wish Jalen Carter had displayed from an IDP perspective. Combined with his tackle upside, his pressures (22) rank along other DT studs, like Cameron Heyward and the aforementioned Carter. We’ve long been on the hunt for the next great young DT, and at 26, Turner isn’t a spring chicken, but he’s one of the best IDP finds in IFL history.
DE: Alex Highsmith 18 PPG, Tuli Tuipulotu 14 PPG (Joey Bosa 11 PPG)
Alex Highsmith toughed it out through nagging groin and ankle issues, playing in a full nine games. Those games were highly profitable; however, they ranked among the top 10 EDGEs. Highsmith has the immense pleasure of playing opposite All-Pro TJ Watt, who will always command the extra blocker. The 27-year-old out of North Carolina-Charlotte has proven to be a major IDP factor, and he should easily do so again next year, so long as he’s healthy. Highsmith totaled 6 sacks on 20 pressures, along with 45 tackles. He’s one of the most underrated IDP players in the game and is a locked-in top 16 play.
The Joey Bosa-era has ended in Chargerland and in his wake is Tuli Tuipulotu. Even when Bosa was playing, Tuli often outsnapped him and led the EDGE room in snaps, but it was difficult to discern when that would be the case. Tuipulotu finished as a high-end EDGE3 in PPG, along with 8.5 sacks, 42 tackles, and a forced fumble. He tallied 19 pressures on a quality 772 snaps. The expectation would be a dramatic snap increase with Bosa out of town, and that may in fact be the case, but Tuli has already received borderline starter snaps. A progression is underway, but predicting a significant jump is too aggressive for me at this time. For now, he’s a top 20-25 EDGE with upside for more.
LB: Zaire Franklin 22 PPG, Josey Jewell 19 PPG, SirVocea Dennis 13 PPG (Mohamoud Diabate 10 PPG, Derrick Barnes 7 PPG, KJ Britt 7 PPG)
Zaire Franklin has been balling out since he took over for one of the greatest IDP players of our generation, Shaq Leonard. Like Kobie Turner with Aaron Donald, this position has reaped rewards in the eyes of our game, which has now included multiple top 5 finishes for Zaire. Last year’s LB1 was god-like, with 173 total tackles, 5 forced fumbles, 2 INTs, and 3 sacks. That is the total IDP package, ladies, gentlemen, and everyone in between. Only 29, the former 7th-rounder out of Syracuse is locked and loaded for another superstar season. Just hope he doesn’t go supernova when he plays you.
We know who Josey Jewell is at this point—a productive, but injury-prone player. Jewell will man the middle again for a poor Panthers defense and will likely eat up the tackles for a team starving for talent. Despite missing 5 games due to hamstring/groin/concussion issues, he tallied 97 tackles, 1 INTs, 3 sacks, and 7 PDs, finishing as the LB29 in total points. Now 30 and the only reliable LB for the Panthers, he will be a top 16 backer this season, never coming off the field.
SirVocea Dennis, a name a beautiful blend of gumbo would be proud of, couldn’t get off the ground last year. A shoulder issue ended his season in week 4, but he proved to be more than capable in coverage, pointing to many that he could be in line for a breakout if he stays healthy. Before exiting stage left, Dennis was in a 50/50 timeshare with KJ Britt, who was frequently picked on in coverage once Dennis was lost. We don’t know what Dennis’ role will be, and it’s very possible he’s again stuck in a timeshare with incoming veteran Anthony Walker. If that’s the case, it’ll be tough for SirVocea to be IDP relevant and more than a bye-week filler.
CB: DaRon Bland 12 PPG, Marlon Humphrey 12 PPG, Tyrique Stevenson 12 PPG (Martin Emerson 11 PPG, Denzel Ward 11 PPG)
After DaRon Bland broke the pick-6 record with five in 2023, it was downright tragic that we didn’t get an encore performance, as Bland missed most of the season due to injury. He returned in week 12 in time for the fantasy playoffs, averaging a robust 14 PPG despite not catching an INT. His tackle numbers were quite encouraging, as he spotted 41 in just 7 games. He was one of those rare wide boundary corner guys who loves to tackle, but the IDP landscape could shift a bit with new DC Matt Eberflus. Bland is penciled in as the starting nickel for the new scheme, but that isn’t set in stone. For now, I’m betting on Bland continuing his relevancy for our game, but the variance is a bit higher than I’d like.
It was a splendid season of deliciousness for Marlon Humphrey, who delivered another gem of an IDP season. Finishing as the CB5, Humphrey totaled 67 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 6 INTs, 15 PDs, and a tuddy. That’s a quality high-floor player right there, who can provide a big play more weeks than not. The All-Pro slot corner is often in on the action and has been a fixture within the Ravens defense since they took him with the 16th overall pick back in 2017. While Humphrey may struggle to hit those big play marks again, he usually chips in a half dozen big plays minimum. That keeps him as a top 16 corner lock.
Tyrique Stevenson has posted back-to-back quality corner seasons, and he’s been a great asset since the jump. Heading into year three as an outside corner, he’s posted over 78 total tackles and 12 PDs both years in the league. DC Dennis Allen was the best-case scenario for Stevenson to remain IDP-relevant, as there has been a long-standing tradition of quality corner production in New Orleans under his scheme. Keep the good times rolling, Tyrique! And maybe don’t celebrate preemptively before a Hail Mary.
S: Jaquan Brisker 15 PPG, Grant Delpit 14 PPG (Ashtyn Davis 10 PPG, Ronnie Hickman 9 PPG)
Jaquan Brisker’s 2024 was tarnished by a knarly concussion all the way back in week 5. He has suffered a concussion in each of his three NFL seasons, and unfortunately, this is now a significant area to monitor for his career prospects moving forward. Curiously, he’s going to be playing the same way, as he always has, further decreasing my hope we’ll see him play a prolonged career. Brisker is a top 16 safety in the NFL and for the IFL, but hopefully, he can mature enough to protect his body for sustained success.
We’ve finally seen a fully formed Grant Delpit, the studly safety prospect many IDPers were living for coming out of LSU back in 2020. He set a career high in tackles with 111, but could only chip in one big play through 16 games. He unfortunately hasn’t been much in the big play department, but thankfully is a box safety delux for the Browns. While I’m not his biggest fan anymore, Delpit will continue to prove capable, so long as he can continue to stay fit.
Off: Detroit Lions 15 PPG
PPG: 329
W-L: 7-10
X-Factor: How much the injury bug affects him.
Prayers, Cory. Say your prayers!!! It was almost every damn player written about who missed a significant amount of time last year (3 games or more). A consistent theme through much of Cory’s roster was injury bounce-back bets. It’s a risky proposition banking on aging veterans coming off injuries, but oftentimes you can buy them at a discount. It’s hard to bet against Cory, as he has a Super Bowl under his belt and won the East last year with a 12-5 record. However, it’s fair to question his decision-making after building his team around week 14 bye-week stars, JT and Mixon. This year’s offense needs some work, as it falls off a cliff after the top three. To add, his top three RB/WR/TE JT, AK, and Tee, missed time last year. There’s obviously star power, as evidenced by his 329 PPG, but he’s getting docked wins with a lack of meaningful depth. I struggle to see Cory being a player in the championship hunt, especially given the lack of draft capital to pivot into additional reinforcements. 2025 could break his way, but some breakouts from offensive and defensive depth (Otton, Patty Fry, Derrick Barnes, Ashtyn Davis) could go a long way to bumping the win total up.
