In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter:

Mike Evans vs. Marshon Lattimore. The Bears vs. a 4,000-yard passer. Me vs. Folgers slander. Do you know what they all have in common? They're great battles.

It's the middle of June, and what better way to pass the time until September 4th (the first game of the NFL regular season) than jumping into some Underdog drafts?

ADPs are obviously going to change over the course of the next few months, but drafters are already shaping the fantasy landscape and drawing lines in the sand (or grass, I don't know where you live).

If you haven't had the pleasure of getting into a draft yet, today I wanted to highlight some interesting ADP battles to see what YOU would do if you were on the clock. All ADPs below are currently from Underdog. The only way to get fully prepared for your upcoming drafts is to practice, so let's pretend that the 30-second clock has started and you're on the clock … GO

Chuba Hubbard (RB16) vs. Joe Mixon (RB16)

If we're talking battles, Chuba Hubbard vs. a winning season has to be up there. In his four-year career, he has seen 19 total wins and 49 losses. YIKES. While Joe Mixon had solid fantasy production last season, I find myself drafting Hubbard more often than not. Shoutout Ian Hartitz: Hubbard's average of 79.7 rush yards per game ranked seventh among all running backs. His Utililzation Score of 8.5 was fourth in the league. While the Panthers did bring in Rico Dowdle, I'm still in on the production that Hubbard can give us.

Matthew Golden (WR42) vs. Jayden Reed (WR43)

Depending on the person, the right answer on who to draft here might be neither. I understand some are out on Jordan Love after he finished 2024 as the QB17, but what if I told you the Packers drafted a receiver in the first round for the first time since 2002!! No? Alright. I will say that while I have taken more Golden, the price tag for both players heavily favors the drafter. With Christian Watson probably sidelined for more than half of the upcoming season, don't shy away from these two with WR4 price tags. 

Mark Andrews (TE7) vs. Evan Engram (TE8)

Mark Andrews is higher in our Fantasy Life rankings, and while he didn't start the year hot, he still worked as the TE8 in PPR points per game from Weeks 5-18 (you just had to be patient). Evan Engram is joining an ascending Broncos team with high hopes for Bo Nix in his second season. He'll be 31 in September, and while Denver hasn't managed elite tight end production with Sean Payton, I'm buying into Engram's ADP. Especially since the Broncos didn't add too many other weapons in the passing game.

TRACK ALL ADPs HERE

We’ve Got Your Rankings

If you’re picking in the back half of Round 1, how can you decide between Malik Nabers, Ashton Jeanty, and Brian Thomas Jr.? Is Jayden Daniels in a good spot to go elite QB? As Matthew says, “Faith in 5!” And is Round 2 a good spot to get a Hero RB? The Fantasy Life Rankings Hub is here for you.

PPR, Half-PPR, Best Ball, even Superflex … we’ve got you covered. Yes, even our Standard scoring holdouts get rankings love. Dynasty Bros., you too. Our Fantasy Life experts have crunched the projections and created their rankings, which they update throughout the offseason to give you the most up-to-date ranks for you to peruse and get you ready for the fast-approaching fantasy draft season. And if you want to peek at Week 1, well, just click on that tab. We’re here for all your rankings needs.

2025 Fantasy rankings

Learn From Experience

Pete Overzet has hit a milestone—he’s now surpassed 100 completed best ball drafts (114, actually) for the 2025 season. Sure, he might be a sicko, but if you’re reading this newsletter on Friday, June 20, you probably are, too!

Of course, with 100+ drafts come insights that you pick up on along the way—tips and tricks to put you in a position for success. And no, he isn’t just talking about stacking Week 17 and loading up at wide receiver …

1. Unlock Superteams With Late-Round QB & Late-Round TE
2. Don't Be Afraid Of Ambiguous Backfields
3. Rookies Remain Our Best Shot At Hitting A Home Run
4. Don't Forget About Week 16
5. Let Your Goals (& Bankroll) Dictate Contest Selection

What is it about the late-round QB/TE strategy that’s so attractive? Well, it may be the skeleton key to a massive payday. ⬇️

WHY WEEK 16 IS VALUABLE, TOO

Choose Your Draft Position Wisely

There are a handful of tentpole events for fantasy football leaguemates through the calendar year—your draft (obviously), the fantasy playoffs/championship, punishment fulfillment, and, of course, determining your draft order.

We’ll circle back on the best ideas for choosing your draft order at a later date, but right now, you need to start thinking about where you want to draft from.

Picking from the 1.01 gives you the pick of the litter.

Picking from the Round 1/2 turn gives you two of the top-13 players on the board (roughly).

Picking from the middle gives you consistency throughout the draft, never having to go too long without a selection.

Which range—early, middle, or late—is the best, from a strategic angle?

That remains to be seen, and while there is a level of personal preference involved, Chris Allen makes a compelling case as to why picking from a mid-range position puts managers in the best position to succeed. ⬇️

WHY PICKS 1.05-1.09 ARE THE BEST OPTIONS

Around the Watercooler

The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds.

📺 Are Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle steals this year? At those ADPs …

👀 Getting ahead of the TE position could be key. Deep sleepers to consider in dynasty.

🤔 Who have been the best rookies over the last decade? Put your knowledge to the test.

💪 Is Calvin Ridley underpriced in this Titans offense?

❤️ Who’s going on Love Island?

🚫 Avoid Ashton Jeanty, Justin Herbert, and Drake London? Among 29 others.

🧨 Are these young wideouts ready to boom?

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