Coach: Sean Payton 6 PPG
QB: Caleb Williams 28 PPG
Progress was swift for Caleb Williams under new HC Ben Johnson, leading the Bears to their first playoff win since 2010. (and against the Packers, no less) A significant step forward took place during his sophomore year as well, as Caleb finished the year as the QB8 with a dramatic increase in his passing yards and TDs. Williams was largely slightly above average in most metrics, with 231 passing yards per game (12th in the NFL), 1.59 passing TDs per game (11th), and 22 rushing yards per game (13th). What was not great was his completion percentage (it sat at 58%, 35th among qualified QBs), and he’s made a name for himself as an inconsistent thrower. Williams is one of the friendliest offenses for fantasy success long term, and he’s a worthy starter for any fantasy team.
RB/WR/TE: Amon-Ra St. Brown 21 PPG, Drake London 20 PPG, Chris Olave 17 PPG, Tetairoa McMillan 16 PPG, Wan’Dale Robinson 15 PPG 6th men: Josh Downs 15 PPG, Jakobi Meyers 13 PPG, Jordyn Tyson 13 PPG, Alvin Kamara 12 PPG, Pat Bryant 12 PPG
Amon-Ra St. Brown combines an elite name with elite fantasy production. The Sun God continued to be a top-tier fantasy asset in a post-Ben Johnson era and has yet to turn 27. St. Brown finished 4th in the NFL with 6.88 receptions per game, 5th in the NFL with 82 receiving yards per game, and 3rd in the NFL with .65 TDs per game. That was good for the #17 RB/WR/TE in our scoring, and he’s been around that mark for the past three years. Year 4 is incoming, pending anything unforeseen.
Drake London was off to the races last year, finally showcasing full breakout potential. He was an elite fantasy option in the first half of the year, averaging a robust 22 PPG. Unfortunately, a sprained PCL took him out of the fantasy playoffs, hurting many GMs’ chances. Among WRs, London averaged 9.33 targets (7th), 30% target share (5th), .58 TDs per game (10th), 1.25 red-zone targets (7th), and finished first across the NFL in contested targets with 2.42 per game. That is an alpha profile delux. Of course, there are QB concerns and a new HC in town, Kevin Stefanski. That just adds a touch of uncertainty, but as long as London stays fit, it’ll be the best European city named WR in the league by a considerable margin.
It’s taken a long time, but we finally received a full season that was worthy of Chris Olave’s talents. He’s dealt with difficult offensive conditions and a litany of injury issues, but 2025 showed what his ceiling looks like. Olave finished 5th among WRs in targets per game (9.75), 6th in receptions per game (6.25), 9th in receiving yards per game (72.69), and a competent 9 TDs. Olave signed a long-term deal through his age-30 season with the Saints and has an excellent offensive mind, led by HC Kellen Moore. I’m curious to see what his target share looks like with top-10 WR Jordan Tyson in tow, and whether QB Tyler Shough can provide fantasy value for two wide receivers. So long as Olave stays healthy (big IF), he’ll be back in the top 15 wide receivers again.
We saw a quality season from last year’s 8th overall pick, Tetairoa McMillan, who brought a much-needed injection of talent to the offensively starved Carolina Panthers. Tet was their WR1 from the first snap, registering 88% snap percentage (12th among WRs), catching 4.12 receptions per game (29th among WRs), 59.65 receiving yards per game (21st), and .41 TDs per game (20th). So what is the ceiling here year 2 in this offense? The Panthers have been playing around with him in the slot more often, which should bump up his target share, potentially into Drake London territory (around 10 per game). That would be HUGE for a PPG increase and great for our PPR league. Progression here is likely, but we gotta keep in mind this is a Bryce Young-led offense.
After the Titans signed Wan’Dale to a 4-year $70 million deal, they have to have big plans for the 25-year-old out of Kentucky. After Malik Nabers went down in NYC last year, Robinson was the primary beneficiary, finishing the year with 140 targets, 92 receptions, 1014 yards, and 4 scores. Surprisingly, it was his 2nd straight year with 140 targets, and it was under his now-OC Brian Daboll. While Robinson was signed before they selected Carnell Tate with a top 5 pick, he should be locked into a role in the short and long term. Look for Robinson to be a fringe starter, but will increase in value should Ridley move on or the offense outperform expectations.
PK: Evan McPherson 9 PPG
PN: Tory Taylor 9 PPG
DT: Tommy Togiai 11 PPG (Moro Ojomo 11 PPG)
AS the season wore on, Tommy Togiai made himself known in deep IDP circles. He started the season in week 3, as he was a healthy scratch through the first two games. Due to injuries to Tim Settle and Mario Edwards, Togiai’s snap counts exceeded 50% through weeks 13-20. He was a floor play delux, hitting double digits every week past week 10. Heading into this season, I am skeptical we’ll see anything more than a heavy rotation again among Houston’s interior. Edwards is returning, Logan Hall was added, and Kayden McDonald was selected with a 2nd round pick. He’s on the bye-week borderline and may be left on wait-and-see waivers.
DE: Alex Highsmith 17 PPG, Jaelan Phillips 15 PPG (George Karlaftis 13 PPG)
It’s been a frustrating couple of years for Alex Highsmith, who has barely played half the games in back-to-back seasons. When he was on the field, he was extremely productive for IDP, and it’s clear the Steelers love him as a player. The 29-year-old has proven over his career that he wrangles up the tackles and is capable of double-digit sack seasons. In 12(ish) games, he provided 23 pressures and 9.5 sacks. He’s a top 20 EDGE in real life and is capable of a top 16 season again if he stays healthy.
The roller coaster of life has been rocky for Jaelan Phillips, as his body has betrayed him time and again. Thankfully, for the first time since 2022, he played a full season of games and provided low-end EDGE2 numbers on the Dolphins and Eagles. This catapulted him into signing a massive 4-year, $120 million contract with the Panthers through his age-30 season. The name of the game is stay healthy for Phillips, who is in the Montez Sweat tier of ends. It wasn’t too long ago that folks were projecting a top 5 campaign from him, either.
LB: Foyesade Oluokun 19 PPG, Roquan Smith 18 PPG, Edgerrin Cooper 16 PPG, Alex Singleton 16 PPG
Many of us remember the glory days of Foyesade Oluokun, who posted three straight seasons as the overall LB1. The 2018 6th round pick out of Yale has been the epitome of a tackle eater and is still being paid as such by his IDP managers. Only 30, he should have plenty left in the tank to age gracefully at a consistent LB1 pace. Last year’s LB10 (finishing 11th in total tackles), he’s not quite what he once was, but the floor he provides is something every IDP manager can appreciate. If he’s healthy, he’s as set-and-forget as they come.
Roquan Smith has been a polarizing IDP asset, with his defense noted as overrated in some circles, especially when he was with the Bears. (his run defense was very sus at times) Smith continues to age gracefully in the middle of the Ravens defense and is given every opportunity to eat up tackles, finishing 15th in total stops despite missing 2 ½ games. One item of note was his avoidance of big plays, as he didn’t have a FF, sack or INT in 2025. That is a big concern as an IDP manager, and we haven’t really seen these as a part of his game since 2022. That caps his ceiling, but we can lock him in as a top 16 option.
After an encouraging rookie season, filled with growing pains but visible potential, Edgerrin Cooper modestly progressed. It wasn’t what many IDP owners were hoping for, and instead of a full year 2 breakout, we got low-end LB2 production with 118 tackles and 2 forced fumbles on full-time snaps. That’s fine, but not ideal for a player who is put in a position to see ball and hit ball. A year 3 progression will hopefully take place, and Cooper can put it all together to reach his All-Pro potential.
Alex Singleton keeps chugging along as a viable IDP linebacker. All the way back in 2020, he received an opportunity from an injury-riddled linebacker room in Philadelphia and made the most of it. The UDFA from Montana State has thrived in our game since, sans 2024 when he tore his ACL early in the season. Last year was a regression in terms of solo tackles, taking a tumble from his 100+ solo days of the early 20s. He set a career high with 81 assists, which is curious given the talk of the transition to more assists being given out than solos by stat crews. Entering his age 32-33 season, Singleton’s time may be running out, but he’s still going to be a volume eater, which will keep him well within the range of startability. He’ll finish in the top 32, pending health. Btw, he’s signed through 2027.
CB: Christian Gonzalez 11 PPG, Mansoor Delane 11 PPG (Chris Johnson 10 PPG)
Christian Gonzalez has posted back-to-back startable seasons for a cornerback. Last year, he tallied 69 tackles and 10 PDs in 14 games. Gonzo is not afraid to get in on a run play, even as a boundary corner. As time goes on and his reputation increases, we’ll see if he’s avoided more often. For now, he’s well within the range of starting corners.
Mansoor Delane was selected 9th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs to directly replace Trent McDuffie as their #1 corner. Mansoor was a talented prospect out of LSU and is going to be thrown into the fire right away for the Chiefs and should be a startable asset as a boundary rookie corner. McDuffie, even after he transitioned to the outside spot, still posted startable CB2 numbers.
S: Talanoa Hufanga 15 PPG, Kevin Byard 14 PPG (Andrew Mukuba 12 PPG, Nick Scott 12 PPG)
We finally got another healthy season from the former All-Pro Talanoa Hufanga. The Troy Polamalu disciple joined Denver and balled out, with 106 total tackles, 1 FF, 2 sacks, 11 PDs, good for a S4 finish. That is what we should come to expect from him, so long as he stays on the field. It’ll be the same usage and opportunity, and he’s an elite option once again.
I would be disappointed if I couldn’t write about Kevin Byard, as I’ve done so for almost every single year of the IFL’s existence. (doubt I did during his 2016 rookie season) Byard took his talents to New England to play under his former head coach, Mike Vrabel. He had some great fantasy seasons there, often posting 90-100+ tackle seasons with 4-5 INTs. Only 32, Byard still has play ahead of him and landed in a best case scenario landing spot for fantasy goodness. He’s a safe top 16 option.
Off: Chicago Bears 14 PPG
PPG: 318
W-L: 6-11
X-Factor: Having the injury-prone guys stay off the trainer’s table.
Some owners zig when others zag. That’s the mantra of Nate’s philosophy after trading away RBs Jahmyr Gibbs and Kyren Williams during the 2025 offseason, investing in wide receivers offensively. The team as a whole doesn’t have holes outside of DT, but it lacks star power. There is also a litany of injury-prone players across the roster, which will likely pop up as the marathon of the season wears on. The team can be competitive for a wild card spot, but may be a move or three away from doing so.
