Two NFL Training Camp Battles To Monitor
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Hims, we're looking at a pair of camp battles, Week 1 rankings vs ADP, and a spicy prediction out of Detroit.
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Hims:
With Memorial Day in the books, it’s time to lock in. We have essentially three months to get in the best fantasy shape of our lives.
And there’s no rest for the weary on this Tuesday morning, we need to choose some fighters in interesting battles …
Tank Bigsby vs. Travis Etienne vs. Bhayshul Tuten: We covered the Tuten situation the other day, but the Jags backfield remains one of the murkiest in all of fantasy. Jags writer John Shipley put together a comprehensive preview of the contenders the other day and made the case for both Etienne and Bigsby. I still remain most interested in the rookie, but there will likely be a big fantasy winner out of this trio.
Adam Thielen vs. Jalen Coker: The Panthers WR room figures to be much improved this year with the addition of Tetairoa McMillan, but the pecking order battle I’m most interested in is Thielen vs. Coker. Carolina beat Joseph Person said Thielen will get first crack in the slot, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the talented sophomore push him for that role down the stretch.
USA Flag Football vs. the NFL: The owners recently voted to allow their players to participate in the Olympics, but the USA national flag football team doesn’t seem thrilled about it. With all due respect to Darrell Doucette, I don’t think we can have this throwing motion representing our country.
Let us know who you got in these battles …
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We’ve Reached The 100-Day Mark
How early is too early to look at matchups, rankings, and projections for Week 1? We’re probably still a bit far out from really diving deep.
That said, our projections for the 2025 season have been updated based on the NFL Schedule Release, and with 100 days until the official kickoff of the 2025 NFL season, Dwain McFarland has uploaded his way-too-early Week 1 rankings.
They’re far from set in stone—as we have 100 days until kickoff—but there are already some glaring discrepancies in Week 1 rankings versus players’ current ADPs.
These players could be massive values—or landmines—at current ADP based on how far off it is relative to the way-too-early Week 1 rankings …
- Christian McCaffrey is ranked as a top-five overall player for Week 1, yet drafted routinely around the Round 1-2 turn.
- Josh Jacobs’ positional ranking remains consistent (RB9 vs RB10), but he’s ranked nearly a full round higher in the Week 1 rankings than his current ADP.
- Zay Flowers should be a big piece in the Week 1 matchup against Buffalo (WR16), but his season-long prospects may not be as high (WR29).
- Ladd McConkey is being valued much higher as a season-long asset (WR11) than he is for Week 1, specifically (WR15).
The discrepancies aren’t limited to these four players, either. Dive into the way-too-early Week 1 rankings below and compare to current ADP. ⬇️
Two RB1s … From The Same Team?
You read that right. The Sonic and Knuckles duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery are in for a monster 2025, and Ian Hartitz’s latest bold prediction is that both Gibbs and Montgomery turn in top-12 seasons at the RB position.
And why can’t they?
Overall, Gibbs worked as the RB5 in PPR points per game (18.7) in Weeks 1-15 with a healthy Montgomery last season … and THE RB1 (32.6!) in Weeks 16-18 as the team's undisputed lead back.
And Monty? The man has been a model of consistency when it comes to beating his affordable ADP ever since joining the Lions in 2023.
- 2023: RB15 in PPR points per game, RB31 in preseason ADP
- 2024: RB16 in PPR points per game, RB21 in preseason ADP
Plus, he racked up 59 combined carries and targets, 270 total yards, and four TDs in his only two games without Gibbs in 2023—good for PPR RB2 and RB5 finishes.
The big question, though, is how could this type of production from the RBs impact the pass catchers in Detroit? 🤔⬇️
WHERE SHOULD YOU DRAFT AMON-RA ST. BROWN?
Around the Watercooler
The latest NFL news and fantasy football analysis from our merry band of football nerds …
🤷 Aaron Rodgers rules out a team. You would be so lucky, brother…
🥈 Jaxson Dart isn’t breaking the bank … to wear No. 2.
👀 A rookie RB sleeper to keep an eye on. There is room for opportunity here.
🧀 Jordan Love is excited about his new weapon. Seems like a good match.
🌭 Memorial Day has passed, but cooterdoodle has important summer grilling tips.
🔥 Ian drops a hot take on DeVonta Smith.
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