Coach: Andy Reid 6 PPG
QB: Bo Nix 28 PPG (Jordan Love 27 PPG)
We saw Bo Nix showcase enough to prove he can lead a team to a Super Bowl. Denver has an elite defense and playcaller, putting Nix in an excellent position to succeed when the environment is right. Nix finished as the QB7 last year, posting stellar health in the regular season. He largely finished as middle of the pack in the NFL across most counting stats, with 231 passing yards per game (13th), 1.47 passing TDs per game (18th), and 21 rushing yards per game (17th). I think this is where he’ll settle into as a fantasy producer. A borderline top 10 QB when things are going right for him and the Broncos. Eventually, we’ll see what his floor is when things… aren’t going so well.
RB/WR/TE: Jahmyr Gibbs 27 PPG, Travis Etienne 20 PPG, Nico Collins 18 PPG, Tucker Kraft 18 PPG, Colston Loveland 17 PPG 6th men: Khalil Shakir 12 PPG, Kayshon Boutte 11 PPG, Mike Gesicki 9 PPG, Jordan James 9 PPG
Jahmyr Gibbs is at the forefront of the sub-200 lb revolution of elite fantasy running backs. (also see James Cook, Kyren, Achane, etc.) For a second straight year, he slayed, averaging 14 attempts per game (17th in the NFL), 72 rushing yards per game (9th), 36 receiving yards per game (3rd), and a quality 1.06 TDs per game (2nd). He also finished 3rd in evaded tackles. Gibbs is often noted as the overall #1 RB/WR/TE with David Montgomery out of Detroit. To get there, he’ll need to bump up his carry total and stave off Isiah Pacheco for opportunity. His efficiency numbers are obviously stellar, and if he can keep that up with 5-6 more carries, he should average over 30 PPG. I’m just not willing to make that bet, but he’s still an excellent and elite pillar of a fantasy squad.
Travis Etienne endured some high-variance seasons, including a 2024 season that left him for dead in some fantasy circles. He bounced back nicely last year, posting a commanding 260-carry, 1,107-yard rushing season, showcasing he still had what it takes to carry a load. The Saints obviously think so, as they signed him to a 4-year $47 million contract through his age 30 season. The Saints are waffling on the prospects of having Alvin Kamara as a part of their offensive plans, but after he took a pay cut, it appears he’ll be set to play a part. As one of the best Saints of all time, I’m hard-pressed to see how AK won’t take a sizeable share of the Saints’ workload, especially in the passing game. That’ll shave off Etienne’s ceiling, but he’ll handle the vast majority of the carries. The range of outcomes here is wide, especially with 2nd-year QB Tyler Shough needing to take a step forward too.
Nico Collins has settled into a quality #3 RB/WR/TE for IFL squads. As a late 3rd-round pick from the 2021 draft, that is an excellent outcome, and his GMs think so too as they’re paying him $29 and $37 million, respectively. Nico Collins finished with 8 targets per game (16th in the NFL among WRs), 4.73 receptions per game (18th), 74 receiving yards (8th), and .4 TDs per game (25th). He’s a quintessential WR1 in a mediocre offense, and he’ll continue to dominate targets unless there is a significant progression with the youngsters behind him.
We were seeing a full-on breakout from Tucker Kraft before an ACL injury ruined his season halfway through the year. He was looking like George Kittle for the Packers as an all-purpose TE who never had to leave the field. We didn’t quite see the target share needed for an elite season (11th in targets among TEs), however, and until we see a 1-2 reception uptick, Kraft will likely be around the TE 5-6 range versus a top-3 ceiling. That didn’t stop him from being incredibly efficient with his looks, and through half the year, Kraft had 4 receptions per game (12th among TEs), 61 receiving yards per game (2nd in the NFL), and finished 1st among TEs with .75 TDs per game. So long as there is limited rust to shake off, he’ll be an excellent must-start option.
After week 7, the Bears put more trust into Colston Loveland, keeping him on the field for the vast majority (2/3rds) of the snaps the rest of the way. He averaged 17 PPG from that point on, including a couple of breakout 30-point games, but there were some sub-10-point games sprinkled in there too. I like Loveland as a prospect, but I think he has more of a Sam LaPorta fringe top 5 ceiling versus a McBride/Bowers target dominator. Especially in Ben Johnson’s offense, which will be spreading the ball around the various playmakers, Loveland profiles as more of the 3rd option in real life versus the 1st or 2nd. That’ll give him some high-variance games, but no one should complain if he can be your elite 4th or 5th starter.
PK: Tyler Loop 9 PPG
PN: Johnny Hekker 10 PPG
DT: Jalen Redmond 15 PPG, Byron Murphy 15 PPG (Nnamdi Madubuike 13 PPG, Moro Ojomo 11 PPG)
The hype was strong in the 2025 preseason for 2nd-year UDFA Jalen Redmond, who has quickly developed into one of the finer interior players across the NFL. While he’s not much of a pressure generator (11 pressures in 17 games), he ate up tackles along the line of scrimmage, finishing with 62 stops. As the DT7 last year, he was one of the best bargain bin finds, and if he can somehow replicate his six sacks again, he’ll be back in the top 10. I expect a small regression as 6 sacks on 11 pressures isn’t sustainable, but DTs often eat up tackles in Brian Flores’ scheme.
After a 0-sack rookie season and some question marks around Murphy’s IDP prowess (how you doin’ Jalen Carter owners?), Murphy delivered a sophomore season to be proud of. He concluded 2025 with 62 tackles and 7 sacks on 21 pressures. He’s developed into a fine run defender, and he’s one of the finest young players in the NFL. As we head into year 3, there might be another gear to his game, but it’ll be tough opportunity-wise given Leonard Williams eats up tackles right next to him too.
DE: Aidan Hutchinson 20 PPG, Montez Sweat 16 PPG (Cameron Jordan 13 PPG)
While it was Myles Garrett who stole the sack record, Aidan Hutchinson only finished 4 pressures behind, 49 to 53. Hutch only totaled 14.5 sacks, but you won’t find many IDP owners complaining, especially after his brutal injury that prematurely ended his 2024. He is the total package and a DPOY candidate. He’s settled in nicely to a 55-tackle, double-digit sack EDGE and will be a top 5 option through his late 20s.
We got some delicious production from Montez Sweat, who has proven to be a top 20 EDGE across the NFL. He posted top 10 IDP production too, with a 53-tackle, 10-sack, and 3 FF campaign. About to be 30, we know this is about his ceiling, and that is perfectly fine as a mid-low end EDGE1. If he says around 27 pressures again, it may point to a small regression, but 10 sacks are in the range of outcomes, as are 6-7.
LB: Jordyn Brooks 19 PPG, Quay Walker 17 PPG, TJ Edwards 16 PPG (Akeem Davis-Gaither 11 PPG)
Jordyn Brooks decided it was time to be an All-Pro in 2025. He led the NFL in combined tackles (183) and contributed 4 big plays. While those stats point towards more of a bad-defense tackle merchant, Brooks was rewarded with a contract extension. The narrative of Brooks teaming up with rookie and fellow Red Raider Jacob Rodriguez is likely too good for the Dolphins to pass up. Not to mention fan favorite Dolphin Zach Thomas also went to Tech and has been mentoring them both. Look for Brooks’ stats to regress slightly due to natural attrition, but he’ll almost certainly finish in the top 16 again.
Ejections and frustrating plays marred Quay Walker’s time in Green Bay, but overall he wasn’t a bad linebacker. The Raiders needed to revitalize the position, and they signed him to a 3-year $40 million contract, giving him top 12 APY at the position. He will certainly be a full-time player, and he’s shown to be a consistent high-end LB2 through his 4 years in the league. He eats up tackles (expect around 140) and contributes 2-4 big plays annually.
It was a brutal 2025 for TJ Edwards, who missed time on 3 separate occasions due to a multitude of leg issues. (glute, hamstring, ankle) In a January playoff game, he then fractured his fibula and has been dealing with a calf ailment to start the preseason. Edwards was not an efficient tackler upon his return either, but started to turn it on to end the year before the fibula. He’s historically been one of the best values at the linebacker position, but he’s a question mark, especially with D’Marco Jackson being paid as a high-end backup. If he can be 100%, slot him back into the top 32.
CB: Daxton Hill 11 PPG, Byron Murphy 11 PPG (Carlton Davis 10 PPG)
Daxton Hill was a quality floor play at corner, posting some of the highest tackle numbers. Hill finished with 88 tackles, 1 INT, and 11 PDs, good for CB15 in 2025. He also has a 100+ tackle season as a safety for the Bengals, so you know this guy isn’t afraid of contact. He makes for a fine option again on a team that loves to get into pass-happy game scripts.
We saw Byron Murphy take a curious step back last year, despite a full-time snap share in Minnesota. Murphy has been a decent IDP corner at times through his 8-year career, and is capable of more than 10 PPG. He still posted a respectable 71 tackles, 2 INTs, and 7 PDs, finishing as the CB32. If he can bump up those PD numbers a bit, he could be back in the top 20.
S: Brian Branch 16 PPG, Derwin James 15 PPG (Emmanuel McNeil-Warren 13 PPG, Andrew Mukuba 12 PPG)
After three incredible seasons, we know that Brian Branch is one of the most exciting safeties in the NFL. He loves to hit people in the mouth with his green mouthpiece sticking out of the side of his helmet. He’s been a top 10 option from the jump, and the Lions utilize him as a hybrid box player deluxe. Branch unfortunately tore his Achilles in Week 14 against the Cowboys and is questionable to start the year. Hopefully he can return to form by the end of the season, and fantasy managers can have him at 100% for a postseason run.
Derwin James has been a pillar of IDP squads for almost a decade, and his S9 finish in 2025 was no different. While he’s been prone to clunkers in recent years, consistency is often the name of the game, and James certainly provides. Curiously, we’ve seen James’ tackles take a tumble below 100 in back-to-back seasons, which is scary if his big plays ever dry up. Keep an eye on his early-season tackle numbers in new DC Chris O’Leary’s scheme. James will mostly be playing in the slot as a hybrid defender, but he’s played all over the place.
Off: Chicago Bears 14 PPG
PPG: 338
W-L: 12-5
X-Factor: Offensive studs’ ceilings.
Craig is back at it again with another excellent squad, and he’s proven himself to be one of the best roster builders year over year in the IFL. Offensively, the squad boasts an excellent group of 5, and the ceiling of guys like Nico, Etienne, Kraft, and Loveland will determine how far this team goes. Defensively, it’s strong, but things could get ugly quick at linebacker if an injury or two occurs. Look for our ol’ Craigg to be playing games again come December.
