In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by New Era:

Yes, some obvious scars still linger about my weathered face and neck from rostering Saquon Barkley on roughly zero of my thousand fantasy teams last year.

But will I learn my lesson from the single greatest whiff in my fantasy career? The answer’s a resounding NO!

Why? The process was good!—he screamed unintelligibly, packing his things into a handkerchief, looking for a dry place to sleep under the nearest overpass.

And to the hindsight-fantasy-gamers chirping that Saquon couldn’t have been more of an obvious smash buy last year AND again this year, hear my counter out before destroying your laptop in disgust. I’m not disagreeing just for the sake of it, I believe drafting him over Ja’Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson is a huge mistake.

For starters, Barkley was already “running back old” heading into 2024—complete with a track record of missing games plus a million miles on his fantasy tires. I also worried about suppressed touchdown equity playing next to a quarterback with 13-plus rushing scores in each of the last three seasons. That part I got right, and it still didn’t matter … I know.

Now Saquon’s coming off 1,000-plus touches over a three-year span entering his age-28 season—and I’m supposed to forget everything I’ve ever learned about natural statistical regression and the NFL age curve? Fat chance …

Barkley posted one of the most magical seasons in history, and we salute him wholeheartedly. That said, believe it or not, those fantasy points do not count for 2025. Do you happen to know the average distance of Barkley’s rushing TDs last season? Well, I’m going to tell you—31 yards! Any self-respecting Dwain McFarland fan will tell you instantly how wonky and unrepeatable that kind of production is.

It can be difficult to separate what we just saw from what will happen next—I get it. But of the 37 RBs with 150-plus touches in 2024, it’s not like Barkley ran away with the top efficiency honors across the board either …

• 0.46 Fantasy Points Per Snap — 6th
• 0.94 Fantasy Points Per Touch — 9th
• 3.17 Yards After Contact Per Rush — 15th
• 48% Rush Success Rate — 10th
• 8.7% Explosive Rush Rate — 14th
• 17.1% Zero/Negative Rush Rate — 18th

Now, mix in a degrading role in the passing game, resulting in lowered targets, receptions, and receiving yards for three years straight. What do you get? No, not Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo. It’s the beginning of my redemption arc for selling an overpriced stock at its absolute peak.

RIP my social media notifications if and when I’m wrong.

HOW DO EARLY 2025 RB RANKINGS LOOK?

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Company On The Way For Christian McCaffrey?

No player burned their fantasy managers more than Christian McCaffrey last season, so some natural pause is expected when looking at whether or not you’d want to draft him again in 2025.

He missed the first eight games of the season, promptly got re-injured upon his Week 13 return, never to be seen again. And now … he might get more competition for carries?

Jordan Mason is in Minnesota, and Elijah Mitchell is in Kansas City, leaving Isaac Guerendo as the primary backup. Even with Guerendo being a second-year player, there’s speculation they could add to the backfield to bolster their insurance behind CMC (or potentially ease off the gas?).

The offseason rumors are spinning as we inch closer to the draft. Let’s break down what deserves your attention. 👀⬇️

WHICH QB WANTS TO RUN MORE IN 2025?

What Would It Take To Trade For the 1.02 In Dynasty?

The 1.02 is the consolation prize of draft picks in dynasty this draft season. Ashton Jeanty going as the 1.01 in dynasty rookie drafts is probably the worst-kept secret anywhere. But if fantasy managers want to go shopping with the second pick for current NFL players instead of speculating on Cam Ward, Tetairoa McMillan, or Omarion Hampton,who should they be asking for?

Sam Wallace ran through several different trade options, focusing primarily on young talent that has either arrived or could be making a splash in 2025. It includes a late-season breakout RB who might be looking to take another step forward, a pair of 2024 first-round WRs who could have expanded roles, and a QB who showed renewed life last season. Check it out here.👇

FROM A BIG SUPER BOWL TO FANTASY PROMINENCE IN 2025?

After you watch a bunch of YouTube videos on how people fold their palms into crosses …

👀 Want a leg up on your leaguemates? This could help.

😴 Question! Question! Are you sleeping on Jared Goff in your draft?

🏰 His nickname is the “Fortress.” Time for fun with QB trivia.

👑 The Top 10 picks in the NFL Draft. Here’s the whole first round.

🌌 ICYMI: The alternate universes for the multi-talented Travis Hunter.

💪 The last line of defense. Ranking the safeties in the NFL Draft.

💡 That 1.02 column we mentioned up top? It has 100+ comments on Reddit with some bonus ideas.

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