2025 Dynasty Trade Value Charts — Justin Boone's fantasy football rookie rankings
All year long, he'll be updating his dynasty trade value charts in this space, while providing insights when major moves happen.
Advertisement
[Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season]
These charts are based on 12-team PPR leagues and should be used as a guide to compare players and build trade offers. So bookmark this page and check back whenever you're working on your dynasty rosters.
And be sure to follow the links below to see his latest dynasty rankings and values at every position.
Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values (PPR)
QB | RB | WR | TE | Rookies | Draft Picks
Rookies
Dynasty Rankings & Trade Values (PPR)
QB | RB | WR | TE | Rookies | Draft Picks
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: Geno Smith headlines sleeper candidates at the QB position for 2025
Fantasy football managers are smarter than ever, so finding a player who's actually being slept on can be difficult. With that in mind, we're shifting our focus to late-round targets who could drastically outproduce their ADP in 2025. Over the next week, I'll shine the spotlight on my favorite sleeper candidates at every key fantasy position — starting with quarterbacks. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Fantasy Sleepers Quarterbacks Running Backs (Aug. 6) Wide Receivers (Aug. 7) Tight Ends (Aug. 8) Geno Smith, Raiders Smith is an underrated NFL quarterback and unfortunately that perception bleeds over into the fantasy world. It's true that his fantasy stats have taken a step back since his breakout campaign with the Seahawks in 2022, where he finished with the fifth most points at his position and was a top-10 QB in fantasy points per game (18.5). That year, he was eighth in passing yards, fourth in passing touchdowns and first in completion percentage. There's no denying his 2023 season was more of a struggle, but injuries to Seattle's offensive line — including both starting tackles going down in the opener — increased the degree of difficulty. He stumbled to a QB25 result (15.7 fppg). In 2024, Smith's numbers bounced back and he ended the year among the top-five in passing yards and completion percentage. He even graded out as Pro Football Focus' eighth best passer. Fantasy-wise, that made him the QB17 on a per game basis (16.5 fppg). But the 34-year-old posted eight top-12 weekly performances, including six in the first half of the season before Tyler Lockett's performance declined. The Raiders liked what they saw and traded for Smith, believing he can be their solution under center. Now, he's reunited with his coach during that career year — Pete Carroll. They're joined by Chip Kelly, who is bringing his uptempo attack to Vegas, which should keep Smith's arm busy. You could also argue the supporting cast in the desert rivals the talent Smith had in the Pacific Northwest. Brock Bowers, Ashton Jeanty and Jakobi Meyers form the core, which will combine with a group of intriguing young wideouts vying for the No. 2 receiver job. Remember when Jared Goff only had to play outdoors three times last year and it helped him deliver QB8 fantasy production? Well, Smith gets that cheat code this year, with 12 indoor games and just four outside. In addition, he gets the eighth easiest slate in my fantasy strength of schedule matrix. So, while he might be coming off two down years, it's hard to justify Smith going off the board after the top-20 quarterbacks in ADP. He's already proved he can be a low-end fantasy QB1 and at worst his situation in Vegas is setting him up to push for a high-end QB2 output. Anthony Richardson Sr., Colts Things weren't looking good for Richardson following an injury-plagued and inconsistent season, low-lighted by him taking himself out of a game to catch his breath. It seemed to get even worse, when he missed time in OTAs with a shoulder issue. Thankfully, he was a full go for training camp and has earned a good amount of praise from those around the team for his recent performances in practice. As we know, Richardson just needs to get on the field in order to instantly be considered a fantasy starter. The 23-year-old has only played the majority of the Colts' snaps 12 times over the last two seasons, but has eclipsed 20 fantasy points in 50% of those outings. The main reason for that is his rushing production. Even in an up-and-down campaign, Richardson still averaged over 45 rushing yards per contest — which was third-best in 2024, behind only Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. Indy has also assembled a great collection of talent at the skill positions, including Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Adonai Mitchell and first-round rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who apparently has been flashing a real connection with Richardson so far. Despite being locked in a camp battle with Daniel Jones, Richardson is still someone worth taking a chance on as an extreme upside swing in the later rounds. Michael Penix Jr., Falcons Penix is a bit of a forgotten man, overshadowed by the massive fantasy potential of the other five quarterbacks taken in Round 1 of the 2024 NFL Draft. After being forced to wait his turn behind veteran Kirk Cousins last season, Penix finally slid into the starting lineup in Week 16 and showed improvement in each subsequent appearance. He was the QB24 in fppg during that stretch, mostly on the back of a strong Week 18 performance when he threw for 312 yards and two scores, while adding another touchdown on the ground. Rushing production will be limited from a pocket passer like Penix, but he finds himself in the kind of offensive environment where he could thrive. Bijan Robinson is arguably the best all-around running back in the league, Drake London announced his presence as a true No. 1 receiver last year, Darnell Mooney (when healthy) is an above-average second option and tight end Kyle Pitts has clearly formed a bond with Penix, who told reporters KP will be getting targeted often this year. Penix will also benefit from a top-10 offensive line, a solid play-caller in Zac Robinson and the 10th friendliest fantasy schedule among quarterbacks. Though Penix might not have the same fantasy ceiling as some other young QBs due to his lack of rushing stats, he can still far outproduce his current ADP of QB25. Cam Ward, Titans I would normally never put a first-round pick in a sleeper column, but has there ever been a quarterback taken first overall who received less hype than Ward entering their rookie season? Fantasy managers don't seem intrigued at all by the 23-year-old and no one's making the case that he could surprise and be fantasy relevant in Year 1. While that's still a long shot, let me remind everyone what Titans head coach Brian Callahan did when Joe Burrow went down for the last seven weeks of the 2023 season. Over that span, Callahan helped backup Jake Browning turn into a top-seven fantasy QB. Though it helps when you're throwing to the Bengals dynamic duo of Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. To their credit, the Titans have made positive strides to improve their pass-catching corps — bringing in rookies Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike, Xavier Restrepo and maybe they can get something early in the season out out of fading veteran Tyler Lockett. That new group will join star Calvin Ridley and promising tight end Chig Okonkwo. Tennessee also has two backs who are very capable in the passing game in Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears. The Titans have even gone to great lengths to upgrade their offensive line, investing multiple first-round picks and many free-agent dollars in their blocking over the last couple offseasons. Whether that's enough for Ward to find success as a rookie remains to be seen. He does have the confidence and arm talent required to be a franchise quarterback. And while he's not the biggest threat as a runner, his pocket awareness allows him to buy time to make plays. For fantasy, that might max him out as a mid-range QB2. However, that would make him a value where he's going now as the QB23. Fantasy Sleepers Quarterbacks Running Backs (Aug. 6) Wide Receivers (Aug. 7) Tight Ends (Aug. 8)
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Biggest fantasy football ADP risers/fallers for the first week of August 2025
In the modern age, when most fantasy football drafts occur online, we take Average Draft Position (ADP) for granted. It's built into the site itself, providing a roadmap for the entire fantasy community's general consensus and heavily dictating the players most managers draft and when they draft them. However, like rankings, ADP changes over time, and it's important to know why. If a running back is climbing in drafts just before you're on the clock, it helps to understand the reasons ... and maybe to reach an extra round to snag him. If a quarterback is plummeting in ADP, you might want to second-guess taking him "at a value" if there are valid concerns at play. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] How do you navigate these shifting sands? With this column, of course! I'll be highlighting the most notable risers and fallers in Yahoo ADP each week through the month of August to keep you informed. Let's get started! 5 Biggest ADP Risers Honorable Mentions Chris Olave has seen a recent bump amid a healthy training camp and talks of an upcoming contract extension that would make put him among the league's highest-paid receivers. There are obviously injury concerns, but if he manages to stay healthy, Olave would be a highly-targeted, highly-talented steal in the late seventh round. ... Chargers rookie running back Omarion Hampton has seen a steady ADP increase as camp hype, preseason tape and growing fan familiarity continue to widen the gap between him and Najee Harris. Should Hampton win the starting job in Jim Harbaugh's offense — which seems a foregone conclusion — he'll have RB1 upside in the middle of the fourth round. ... Speaking of the fourth round, Davante Adams has been one of my favorite targets in that range this offseason, and ADP is starting to reflect that excitement. Even as he encroaches on the third round, Adams could be a major value as the WR1B and red-zone target for Matthew Stafford (who's been dealing with a back ailment) and Sean McVay. 5. Evan Engram, Denver Broncos, TE (ADP of 84.37 | -4.36 rise from previous week) If you miss (or pass) on one of the three elite tight ends at the top of drafts — Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and George Kittle — I don't think there's a better bang-for-your-buck tight end than Evan Engram. He's now in Denver, with Sean Payton and Bo Nix, and is gaining hype as Payton's "Joker," a versatile role in the head coach's offense reserved for tight ends or running backs who are "rare pass receivers." Coming off two seasons in Jacksonville in which he averaged eight targets and more than six catches per game, Engram fits the bill and figures to be near the top of the Broncos' pecking order, with only Courtland Sutton locked in for significant volume. I'd happily take Engram as the TE4 two or three rounds ahead of his current ADP in the late seventh, and believe he's a dark horse to finish as the TE1 overall. 4. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers, WR (ADP of 110.9 | -4.44) After being sidelined by a hamstring injury in the spring, second-year wideout Ricky Pearsall is starting to garner legitimate buzz. His chemistry with Brock Purdy is reportedly top-notch, and Niners insider Matt Maiocco has said Pearsall looks like the team's best receiver since being cleared off the PUP list. Pearsall had a slow rookie season — missing the first several weeks while recovering from a gunshot wound — but was the team's first-round pick for a reason and flashed at the end of the year. With Deebo Samuel Sr. gone, Brandon Aiyuk recovering from injury and Jauan Jennings mired in contract concerns, Pearsall has a massive opportunity to justify that reasoning, lead the wide receiver room and break out big in an explosive offense. He's an incredible value in the 10th round of 12-team leagues, and even if this ADP climb continues — which it should — he's an excellent WR target in Yahoo drafts. 3. Justin Fields, New York Jets, QB (ADP of 80.7 | -5.52) When the Jets signed Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract back in March, there were immediately mixed reviews. On the one hand, he has a .318 career win percentage and has never crested 3,000 yards or 20 touchdowns as a passer in a season. On the other hand, he's shown slow but steady improvement with the arm — see his 65.8 completion percentage and 5-1 TD-INT ratio in limited action with Pittsburgh last year — and remains perhaps the league's most dynamic QB threat with the legs (alongside Lamar Jackson). The New York front office and head coach Aaron Glenn clearly believe in Fields' upside, and have expressed excitement about him and his improvement this offseason: Their goal is to coach up the "Sam Darnold-Baker Mayfield-Geno Smith" breakout with Fields. If they do, he could skyrocket from low-end QB1 — which is what he's been as a starter, thanks to his rushing floor — to legitimately elite fantasy option. It's not a shock to see his ADP rising through camp, and it will likely bump up even further with the next positive review or highlight clip. 2. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs, WR (ADP of 60.9 | -6.04) To be transparent, the ADP bump for Xavier Worthy is likely entirely reflective of the potential looming suspension for teammate Rashee Rice. Back on July 17, Rice was sentenced to 30 days in prison and a five-year probation period for his involvement in a high-speed car accident in March of 2024, and now faces a multi-game suspension from the NFL sometime soon (speculation has it somewhere in the range of 2-6 games). As a result, Worthy has moved from the middle of the sixth round to the 5-6 turn in Yahoo ADP, and could jump further if and when we get suspension details. While he should see a couple more targets in any game(s) Rice misses, this is one ADP spike I struggle to get behind. The suspension could be inconsequentially short, Worthy is a different receiver whose role may not change much in Rice's absence and my redraft outlook for the 165-pound receiver is lower than consensus. I wasn't excited to draft the speedster before the Rice news, and it's getting progressively harder to do so. 1. Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers, QB (ADP of 81.5 | -11.6) Unlike most of the other names in this piece — whose ADPs are moving based on recent news or camp reports — Brock Purdy is the week's biggest riser for one simple reason: because he deserves it. The Niners quarterback was the QB6 back in 2023, and the QB13 in a down year mired by injured receivers with two missed games in 2024. Perhaps the Pearsall hype is helping quell rumbling concerns about Purdy's wide receiver corps, but keep this in mind: Christian McCaffrey and Kittle are the league's best RB-TE receiving duo, Jennings and Aiyuk should still play for the team this year and even their WR4 and WR5 — Demarcus Robinson and Jacob Cowing — offer veteran reliability and young breakout upside, respectively. Meanwhile, Purdy's still playing for Kyle Shanahan, who elevates every offensive depth chart he touches, and Purdy boasts the second-best passer rating in the league since he entered it in 2022 (behind Lamar Jackson). Don't be surprised if Purdy closes the ADP gap with Baker Mayfield (56.9) and Bo Nix (66.6) in the coming weeks. 5 Biggest ADP Fallers Honorable Mentions Several of the "top" fallers in recent ADP are the direct consequence of injury or suspension, and those are straightforward and less valuable to discuss in detail, so here's a brief summary. Rashee Rice has unsurprisingly tanked in light of his looming suspension (see above), as has Browns rookie RB Quinshon Judkins, who was arrested on a domestic violence and battery charge in July and has yet to sign with the team as a result. Additionally, Joe Mixon (foot) and Chris Godwin (ankle) have recently dropped in ADP due to new or persisting injury concerns (and the presence of talented backups). 5. D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears, RB (ADP of 74.3 | +3.63) Two articles for Yahoo Fantasy, two inclusions of D'Andre Swift. The streak is alive. Swift has been my No. 1 target in fantasy drafts this offseason, and shifting ADP is making it easier by the minute. You can read my full breakdown on why Swift is this year's Chuba Hubbard, but here's the TL;DR: he was last year's fantasy RB19 in a dismal Chicago offense that's set to break out in 2025, and has little to no serious competition behind him. The team's social media is highlighting his pass-catching in training camp, and while hype for seventh-round rookie Kyle Monangai has also started to build, he would merely surpass Roschon Johnson for the bruiser role in Ben Johnson's system, while Swift retained his spot as the "Jahmyr Gibbs" of the offense. It could be concerns over Caleb Williams' command of said offense that has Swift's ADP trending down, but again, things can't really be worse than they were last year. He's being drafted at RB25, which is at or below his absolute floor in my assessment, and the upside for an RB1 season remains intact. 4. Travis Etienne Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars, RB (ADP of 111.8 | +5.11) Unlike with Swift, there's a good reason for Travis Etienne's recent drop in ADP, and it rhymes with Bank Tigsby. Last season, Tank Bigsby outcarried Etienne 168 to 150, outpaced him in yards per carry 4.6 to 3.7 and scored seven rushing touchdowns to Etienne's two. The former RB1 was relegated primarily to receiving work (where he caught 39 balls for 254 yards) ... and it's looking like more of the same (or worse) in 2025. Beat reporter John Shipley has concluded while observing the camp battle(s) that "it looks more and more like this is Bigsby's chance to entrench himself as the No. 1 running back." ESPN insider Dan Graziano has reported that Jacksonville is planning something of a four-man committee involving Bigsby (primary "big back"), Etienne (screen game receiver) and 2025 draft picks Bhayshul Tuten (home run threat) and LeQuint Allen Jr. (third downs). Simply put, Etienne has lost his hold on the RB1 job in Duuuuuval, and is probably still being drafted too high in the 10th round. 3. Jared Goff & Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions, QB (ADP of +5.74) & WR (ADP of 68.4 | +6.4) Goff and Williams are something of a package deal, as both have seen similar drops in ADP and I believe both are suffering the effects of the same cause. Talking heads and fantasy pundits have spent the past several months fawning over former Lions OC Ben Johnson's hiring in Chicago, and how huge it will be for the Bears offense and for Williams. Yet, somehow, there has been very little consideration for what his departure will do to Detroit. Consider this: In his first year with the Lions, before Johnson's promotion to OC, Goff threw for 3,245 yards and 19 touchdowns, finishing as the QB22 in points per game. Then, in the three seasons under Johnson, Goff averaged 4,547 yards and 32 touchdowns per year, finishing as the QB13, QB12 and QB7. The team struggled to find a WR2 for the first couple years, but Williams broke out in 2024 with 1,001 yards and seven TDs. Now, suddenly, the team has been forced to pivot from the league's brightest young offensive mind to ... John Morton, a 55-year-old long-time assistant across a half dozen teams. The bad news: This is almost guaranteed to hurt Goff and the offense as a whole, and the ADP dip is starting to reflect that. The good news: Both Morton and HC Dan Campbell have been raving about Williams all offseason, and Morton's offense might look downfield (towards Williams) more often than Johnson's did. While I'm still out on Goff at value, the ADP drop for Williams might actually be a sneaky window to buy in. 2. Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars, WR (ADP of 75.8 | +7.07) Two-way college superstar Travis Hunter has been easily the biggest enigma of the 2025 NFL Draft, one of the biggest of 2025 fantasy drafts and arguably the biggest in the sport's history. Ever since Jacksonville traded up to take Hunter second overall, new head coach Liam Coen and the entire Jaguars organization have been adamant that he will play on both sides of the ball. The question for fantasy, of course, is how much he'll play at receiver. In a hot-off-the-presses interview, Rich Eisen was able to cajole Coen into verbalizing a number for Hunter's snap share on offenses ... and the words "80%" were uttered. That's a bona fide WR1 number. Brian Thomas Jr. hit 79.4% in his rookie campaign last season. And even if Coen was hyperbolizing a bit to hype up his young star, the intent seems clear. Hunter will play a lot on offense. Perhaps his dip in ADP is due to the narrative around his "goofy" or "childlike" attitude, but that's a foolish reason to avoid him in drafts and everything else out of camp has pointed the arrow upwards. This is a "fall" I can't justify or explain, and I'll be targeting Hunter with gusto as long as it continues. 1. Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers, QB (ADP of 108.3 | +7.77) We conclude the first article in this series with a curious conundrum: Justin Herbert. For much of the offseason, I've viewed Herbert as more or less appropriately priced, hovering around the fringe of QB1 range after finishing as the QB13 in the first year of the Jim Harbaugh-Greg Roman system last season. Now, amid his announcement as No. 56 on the NFL's Top 100 Players of 2025, Herbert is Yahoo's biggest ADP faller outside of injury or suspension. Oddly, this has also occurred as the hype around his receiving corps has started to build, specifically featuring rookie sleeper KeAndre Lambert-Smith and the potential return of free agent (and Herbert-bestie) Keenan Allen. In my estimation, concerns over the coaching staff's "run-first" approach are overblown, and Herbert should be a little better for fantasy in Year 2 of the offense, with an improved pass-catching corps. With this drop in ADP, he's going from a "just fine" pick to a value pick, and is looking like one of the better QB1s you can draft outside QB1 range.
Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Yahoo
Fantasy Football: Jordan Mason or Aaron Jones Sr. — we need clarity on these backfields ASAP
What's up Yahoo Fantasy family! First off, let me just say how grateful I am that you're here reading this. Whether you've been playing for years or just now diving into draft season, thank you. Getting the chance to contribute content on this platform is a full-circle moment for me. My very first fantasy football league was on Yahoo, so to be here now, creating content for one of the most passionate fantasy communities in the world, truly means everything. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] If you've followed my work, you know what I'm about: giving you content that's both actionable and entertaining. I don't separate real football from fantasy football. The best fantasy insight starts with what's actually happening on the field, and that's the lens I'll bring to every article you see from me here on Yahoo. You're going to walk away knowing more, laughing a little, and (most importantly) winning more. First up, let's examine some currently ambiguous backfields across the NFL and see what we can see for fantasy. Dallas Cowboys: Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders, Jaydon Blue Living in Dallas, it's only right I kick this off with the Cowboys — and their backfield is one of the most ambiguous in the NFL. There's never an offseason without drama in Dallas. Since Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard's departures in 2023 and 2024, respectively, fantasy managers have been chasing clarity in a backfield that once anchored championship rosters. Unfortunately, it's been anything but clear, and 2025 doesn't look much different. The Cowboys brought in veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, then used mid-round draft capital on the electric Jaydon Blue out of Texas — who, by the way, clocked over 22 MPH on the ground in college. That kind of burst doesn't exist anywhere else in this RB room, and it won't be long before fans, coaches and fantasy gamers recognize it. Let's first talk about Javonte Williams. He has experience with 606 career carries and 158 receptions — but the big-play juice just isn't there. According to TruMedia, among RBs with at least 130 carries last year, he tied for dead last in 20+ yard runs (1) and ranked fourth-worst in 10+ yard runs (13). He was fifth among RBs in targets, but those opportunities didn't lead to much: he ranked 32nd in first downs per target and had the fourth-worst receiving success rate among RBs with 20+ receptions. Sanders might get early-down work, but the arrow isn't pointing up there either after he stunk it up in 11 games, doing virtually nothing for the Panthers. Blue gives this offense a gear it doesn't currently have. With Dak Prescott leading a pass-heavy attack featuring CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and the newly acquired George Pickens, there's space to exploit — and Blue has the skillset to capitalize. Last season, he was just as electric in the receiving game for the University of Texas; he hauled in 42 passes for 368 yards and six touchdowns. He's already getting first-team reps in camp and has the profile of a player who can force the issue quickly. I always say there's a difference between a running back who can catch the ball and one who can be deployed as a pass-catching weapon. Blue is the latter. If you're looking for the safest bet to get touches early, it might be Williams. But the best bet to matter in fantasy by midseason? That's Blue. Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason The Vikings enter 2025 with the spotlight on second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy and a retooled passing game, but the real value might come from how you navigate the backfield split between Aaron Jones Sr. and Jordan Mason. This offense was elite last season and just got better. The Vikings retooled their offensive line with Ryan Kelly, Will Fries and first-round pick Donovan Jackson — one of my favorite linemen from the draft. Pair them with Christian Darrisaw and Brian O'Neill, and you're looking at a top-five unit in the league. Jones is coming off a top-10 finish in both rushing attempts and yards, but he's 30 years old, missed six games last year and has some wear showing. Inside the five-yard line in 2024? Thirteen carries for -2 yards. That's not going to cut it. Meanwhile, Mason did nothing but produce when given the chance. He averaged 106 rushing yards per game as a starter — second only to Saquon Barkley. He was 14th in first downs per carry (24.2%) compared to Jones' 19.2%. The advanced metrics back it all up. Mason forced a league-best 37.3% missed tackles, according to Next Gen Stats, and racked up 207 rush yards over expected — seventh-most among qualified backs. TruMedia clocked his adjusted yards after contact per attempt at 4.10, trailing only Barkley, Henry, Bucky Irving and Jahmyr Gibbs. Jones will still get touches, but if you're chasing upside and a potential weekly difference-maker, Mason is the bet to make. This is a backfield where both could have value, but Mason is the one who could smash his ADP. Houston Texans: Joe Mixon, Nick Chubb, Woody Marks Now, let's head to Houston, where the running back room is a puzzle and right now, no piece seems to fit. Joe Mixon is sidelined with no timeline to return. Nick Chubb is trying to work back from multiple injuries and has played in just 10 games over the last two seasons. And while Head Coach DeMeco Ryans is praising Chubb's leadership and preparation, even he admitted that 'it's not always gonna be the same as his early years.' Camp reports haven't helped. The burst just isn't there, and some are already wondering aloud if starting Chubb is a long-term liability. The Texans desperately need someone to step up and take pressure off C.J. Stroud, who's now trying to lead a reworked offense without Laremy Tunsil or Kenyon Green on the offensive line, and with two rookie wideouts expected to play big roles. Enter fourth-round rookie RB Woody Marks. The Texans traded up to draft Marks, and he brings a very specific skill set to the table: he catches passes and creates explosive plays. With over 250 receptions in college, Marks was one of the best pass-catching backs in the entire draft class. He's coming off a breakout year that included 1,000+ rushing yards and has been getting rave reviews in camp for his ability to win in space. Houston didn't draft Marks to replace Mixon — it drafted him as a complement. The problem? Right now, he might be the only healthy and explosive back it has. He's not a between-the-tackles banger, but he doesn't need to be. In an offense that's likely going to struggle up front and lean on short-area efficiency, Marks is built for that role. If Mixon gets healthy, this backfield could settle into a true committee. But, if Mixon stays sidelined and Chubb can't regain form, Marks could find himself in a valuable role early. He's free in Yahoo drafts right now, but that won't last long. Scoop him while you still can. The Final Word Fantasy football is about more than just depth charts — it's about identifying value before your leaguemates do. Blue. Mason. Marks. All three are in ambiguous backfields with wide-open opportunity, and each has a clear path to fantasy relevance — even dominance — this season. The key is timing. These aren't players you'll need to reach for in drafts right now. But they're absolutely players you want exposure to before injuries or preseason hype make them pricier. In a game that rewards early conviction and upside chasing, those are three names I'm targeting everywhere.
