2025 Fantasy Football Rankings
Fantasy football draft season is just around the corner. The first step in securing a championship is accurate and dependable rankings. FullTime Fantasy‘s 2025 Fantasy football rankings and projections are now LIVE! These aren’t just any fantasy football rankings. FullTime Fantasy has won numerous awards, including Jody Smith taking down Fantasy Pros’ Most Accurate Expert award. Our legacy FFToolbox site is your one-stop home for all things fantasy football. This includes rankings customizable for your league settings, which include IDP and kick returners! It also has tons of useful tools like scheduling grid, strength of schedule, outlooks for all 32 teams, and much more! 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings These rankings will be continuously updated. The default scoring is 1QB, full PPR. Quarterbacks The QB position is deep, with 20 or more viable options to choose from. While landing one of the top-tier dual-threat options is a great plan, that depth means it might be wiser to load up on position depth early and land a quality start in the middle-to-late rounds. Running Backs Mark Morrison foretold of everything being cyclical in fantasy football with his 1996 banger Return of the Mack Backs. Running backs dominate the first two rounds of most fantasy drafts, with good reason. Our No. 1 overall player and six of the top-10 are running backs. Wide Receivers Nothing wrong with sticking to the recent trend of attacking elite wideouts early and often. Wide receivers tend to stay healthier, and the recent infusion of talented pass-catchers makes them an inviting target in the early rounds. Tight Ends Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are going to be expensive. We prefer McBride, but generally advocate for loading up on RB and WR early and waiting until the middle rounds to address tight end. GET THE UPDATES! Turn on your email notifications below for Breaking Fantasy news & real-time draft kit updates! Like and share our new Facebook page! Be sure to pay attention to our giveaways for your shot at some sweet prizes!
2025 Committee Backfields
2025 Committee Backfields is a special feature that will be available in the 2025 Football Diehards magazine and was written by guest analyst Andrew Hall. Be sure to grab your copy on newsstands today! 2025 Committee Backfields by Andrew Hall “Change is the only constant.” – Heraclitus If you’ve read anything I’ve written before (and odds are you haven’t), you’d know that I hate making predictions on future events. I get that it’s part of the job as a fantasy analyst, but I think it’s the part of the job that every analyst enjoys the least. Not only are you wrong more often than you’re right, even when you end up being right, people will just tell you that you got lucky. This is why most fantasy analysts are still fantasy analysts and not retired on a beach somewhere sipping Mai-Tais after winning the lottery. All that aside, I do like to look for trends with data and try to use whatever limited information we have available to try to extrapolate what I think might happen next. If something has happened 10 times in the past, there’s a good chance of it happening an 11th time. If it’s only ever happened once, predicting exactly when it will happen a second time will be risky. This is all a long-winded way of saying that I really prefer analyzing situations and using that analysis to make the best guess that I can about what will come next. For me, one of the hardest things to predict is which teams will use a running back by committee (RBBC) each year. Not only is it almost impossible to predict injuries (which can force teams into a situation no one predicted), but there are also so many different variables that change from one season to the next. Teams get new coaches, they change offensive schemes, they add new players, etc. Very little, if anything at all, stays the same year over year. That’s where that phrase from the Greek philosopher Heraclitus comes in. If the only constant is change, then nothing truly stays the same. Our job is to take what data we have and see what we can learn from it. Therefore, the best way for me to predict what will happen with the RBBC landscape in 2025 is to look back at last year and see if I can find anything that might be “sticky” to help inform my opinions. All this data is open to interpretation, but follow along as I walk you through my thought process to try to decipher what 2025 will hold. Looking at the RBBC Landscape in 2024 When evaluating the running back by committee options for last year, I decided to look at three main stats to break things down. The first was that both running backs needed to have at least 110 carries on the season, just under six and a half carries per game. Anything lower and I don’t consider it a true committee, but more of a spot use scenario. The only team that didn’t have a single RB meet this threshold was Cleveland, which had both Jerome Ford and Nick Chubb receive 104 and 102 carries, respectively. Chubb’s injuries really made a large impact on their usage, and the low volume could lead to questionable results, so I excluded them from the study. The remaining list included 41 players who had at least 110 carries. Of those 41 players, 21 were the only players on their team to make the list. This means that they didn’t classify as a committee as they were the dominant back on their team. The remaining 20 players played for one of 10 teams, all of which were true committees for these purposes. Once we had the list, I wanted to look at the total snap share each of these backs got for the year. The lowest snap share at RB that any of the 20 backs got was 24%. This means that each RB listed was used about a quarter of the time, minimum, making them a part of a true committee. I think we’re on to something here. Last, I made sure that the players who got the carries did something with them, so I looked at fantasy points per game for each back on the list. I used PPR scoring, and of the 10 committees I identified, all 20 RBs had 5.8 PPR points per game or more on average. This isn’t a lot of points, but that kind of output could be flex-worthy in some weeks. So, with all that, here’s how things broke down for the 10 committee backfields from last year. Tier 1 No surprise, but the Detroit Lions had the best-rated RBBC last year. They deployed Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to the tune of 250 and 185 attempts, respectively. Gibbs finished as the RB1 in PPR scoring while Montgomery finished as RB18. No other tandem had both players finish in the top 20 in scoring. Both Gibbs and Montgomery averaged over 15 PPG in PPR scoring, making them reliable starters week in and week out. If you had either of these players on your roster, you were probably happy with their output. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a dynamic duo of Bucky Irving and Rachaad White run their committee in 2024. Irving got 207 carries to White’s 144, but White saw a higher snap percentage than Irving. This would lead us to believe that White was in the lineup more, but Irving was more likely to get the ball when he was in the lineup. The two averaged 14.4 and 12.5 PPR points per game, finishing as RB13 and RB22, respectively. For all the trash talk about White in fantasy circles, he was still a solid RB2 most weeks. Granted, Irving was better, but White was not terrible if you started him. Lastly, the Seattle Seahawks utilized Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III as their committee at running back.
Running Back Regression After Leading the NFL in Rushing
Running Back Regression After Leading the NFL in Rushing Leading the NFL in rushing is a career highlight for most running backs. It also leads to banner fantasy football totals. However, most RBs see a precipitous decline in production the season after topping the league in rushing yards. This running back regression after leading the NFL in rushing has happened in 22 of the past 25 seasons and paints a worrisome fantasy outlook for the league’s reigning rushing king. Many different factors can lead to a sudden dropoff. As my friend Gary Davenport first divulged in his Curse of 370 and revisited for 2025, heavy usage is a key contributor to predicting running back regression. Other variables like coaching changes, strength of schedule, supporting cast, and age also play a role. Before I take a deep dive back through the past 25 seasons, let’s recap all the running backs that have led the NFL in rushing this century and find some key takeaways. NFL Rushing Leaders 2000-2025 Over the past 25 seasons, 20 different running backs led the NFL in rushing yards. Only LaDainian Tomlinson, Adrian Peterson, Ezekiel Elliott, and Derrick Henry have done it more than once. You could also doff your proverbial cap to Edgerrin James, who ascended the leaderboard in 1999, becoming the first player since Eric Dickerson (1983-1984) to lead the league in his first two pro campaigns. In all, league-leading backs averaged 340 carries for 1,716 rushing yards (4.98 yards per carry) and scored 15.7 total touchdowns. That averaged out to just under 349 fantasy points (PPR), or 21.9 points per game. The splits were 15 rushing champs from the AFC, while 10 represented the NFC. The NFC East produced five, while the NFC South is the only division that has not had an NFL rushing champ in the last 25 years, nor has there ever been one from that division. The Saints’ George Rogers led the league with 1,674 yards back in 1981, but New Orleans was then part of the NFC West. Leading the league in rushing is more than an individual honor. Coaching, schemes, quarterbacking, and the offensive line all play a pivotal role. There are also numerous other elements that play a role in a team’s ability to manufacture a rushing leader. Contributing Factors for Success Health One of the most important factors for posting big numbers is staying healthy. From 2000-2015, no running back who led the league in rushing missed a single game. Even the backs who missed one were rested by their team in the season finale. Derrick Henry is the only running back in the last 25 years to lead the league in rushing but miss a game due to injury. Henry missed Week 16 of the 2019 season with a hamstring injury and returned to action in the season finale to rush for a season-high 211 yards to top the league. Every other running back in the past 25 seasons to lead the league in rushing has stayed healthy for every game or sat out the regular-season finale to rest for the playoffs. Winning Team Speaking of playoffs, teams that produced the leading rusher averaged 9.96 wins versus 6.2 losses, making the postseason in 18 of the 25 seasons (72%). However, only three of those teams made the Super Bowl, and the only squad to win is the reigning champions, the 2024 Philadelphia Eagles. Having a winning record also leads to more friendly game scripts for the rushing attack. Teams nursing second-half leads tend to rely on their lead backs to grind down the clock. Age The wear and tear that NFL running backs accumulate takes a toll. 20 of the 25 (80%) rushing leaders were under 28 entering the season in which they finished first. Looking at the averages, RBs had a mean age of 25.4 in those seasons. They also averaged 4.6 years of experience. Only two backs (Curtis Martin in 2004, Adrian Peterson in 2015) were older than 28. No rusher who was 29 when the season started has led the NFL in rushing since Barry Sanders did it back in 1997. NFL RUSHING LEADER AGE DISTRIBUTION AGE OCCURANCES RATE 21-23 6 24% 24-26 10 40% 27-28 7 28% 29+ 2 8% Skill Set & Fantasy Production Volume is king in fantasy, and rushers who accumulate enough touches to post elite numbers are typically three-down workhorses. 24 of the 25 RBs posted top-5 fantasy finishes. The only back who did not, Adrian Peterson in 2008, caught only 21 passes for 125 yards in 16 games. In the other 24 seasons tracked, running backs averaged 44 receptions annually. Derrick Henry is an outlier, but part of the formula for RB success in today’s high-octane NFL is to stay on the field on passing downs. However, the inability to do just that, stay on the field, is one of the main reasons we see noteworthy running back regression the year after they lead the league in rushing yards. Immediate Regression in the Next Season While winning a rushing crown is a notable accomplishment for a pro running back, there is usually a staggering dropoff in play the following season. 88% have seen an immediate dip in effectiveness, and it is usually a significant decline. Only three running backs since the 2000 season have posted better fantasy numbers the year after they led the NFL in rushing yards. As for the other 22, they averaged a 36.8% decline in fantasy points the following season. Notable Declines Running backs have always been a hot commodity on draft day. Particularly three-down workhorse backs coming off a rushing crown who finished the previous campaign at an average rank of RB 2.76. But fantasy draft history is loaded with first-round RB busts who stumbled after they broke out the previous season. Running Backs who led the league in rushing in 2000-2024 finished as the RB 2.7 in PPR leagues, but plummeted to an average of RB22.3 the following season.
High-Stakes Fantasy Football Strategy
High-Stakes Fantasy Football Strategy: Building a Champion By Adam Krautwurst Fantasy football in 2025 is a different beast than it was four to five years ago. The explosion of dual-threat quarterbacks, evolving backfield committees, and the increasing unpredictability of weekly
High-Stakes Fantasy Football Strategy: Building a Champion
By Adam Krautwurst
Fantasy football in 2025 is a different beast than it was four to five years ago. The explosion of dual-threat quarterbacks, evolving backfield committees, and the increasing unpredictability of weekly usage make high-stakes fantasy formats—where entry fees can top four or even five figures—a razor’s edge game of risk management, foresight, and cold-blooded decision-making. High-Stakes Fantasy Football Strategy covers it all.
If you’re reading this, you’re not here for fluff. You’re playing to win. You’re not satisfied with “making the playoffs”—you want the trophy, the cash, and the clout. Whether you’re in FFWC or private high-stakes leagues, this deep-dive strategy guide will help you prepare for the chaos ahead.
1. Master the 2025 Draft Landscape: Know the Shifts
Quarterback Chaos and the Tier Cliff
We’re firmly in the golden age of elite fantasy QBs. Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson have company now. Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow (when healthy) could be season-defining picks. But here’s the key in high-stakes: you must draft with tier cliffs in mind.
Elite QBs aren’t just luxuries—they’re weekly matchup-proof war machines. In 6-point TD leagues, grabbing one early is not just viable—it’s often necessary. In traditional formats, the decision is trickier.
Strategy Tip:
If you want an elite QB, you have to be ready to pounce by the end of Round 4. If not, just wait and take the value that falls in the middle rounds.
2. RB Strategy in the Age of the Split Backfield
Zero RB truthers had a tough year in 2024 with the lack of injuries to older running backs like Joe Mixon, Alvin Kamara, and James Conner.. Handcuffs like Trey Benson and Blake Corum rarely saw the field. Committees aren’t inherently bad. They make your job harder.
2025 Trends:
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“Wide Zone” Offenses are spreading, emphasizing speed backs and unpredictability.
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Rookie RBs like Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson are walking into opportunity-rich systems.
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Contracts and Usage: Veteran bell-cows are nearly extinct—except for a few like Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley.
Strategy Tip:
Anchor or Hero RB is viable again—but only if you nail it. Draft a stud in Round 1 (McCaffrey, Bijan, Saquan), then hammer WRs while loading up on RBs from ambiguous situations in Rounds 7–11 (think D’Andre Swift, Brian Robinson, Jaylen Warren). Monitor OL upgrades closely—bad lines destroy upside.
3. Wide Receiver Depth Wins Leagues
The WR pool is deeper than ever, but high-stakes leagues reward top-end scorers more than mid-tier consistency. Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, Puka Nacua, and Amon-Ra St. Brown are not luxuries in high-stakes—they’re your weekly WR1 floor.
Why Stud WRs Matter More Than Ever:
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Rule changes and softer defensive coverage favor wide receivers.
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Elite wideouts are…
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FFWC Starter League Draft Review
While NFL training camps still haven’t opened, fantasy football draft season is already underway at the Fantasy Football World Championship. Some of the best and brightest in the FFWC world joined an early Starter League. This FFWC Starter League Draft Review recaps the draft. FFWC Full Season Starter Leagues FFWC Starter Leagues are a great way to start off your 2025 draft season. Starter leagues are full-season leagues where you set a lineup each week, with FAAB and FCFS roster management. They are a great way to introduce new players to the wonderful world of high-stakes, competitive prize league fantasy football. They have a $50 entry, with $500 in prizes per league and a grand prize of over $1500! These are 18-round drafts that use PPR scoring. Starting lineups include 1 QB – 2 RB – 3 WR – 1 TE – 1 FLEX (RB-WR-TE) – 1 DST (No kickers). No trades are allowed. Here are the results from a recent Starter League draft. Roster Construction With full PPR scoring and the ability to start three running backs or four wide receivers, quarterbacks plummeted down the draft board. In an era of Superflex roster construction, this seems unusual. However, it is the right approach in this format. 13 of the first 20 picks were wide receivers. The first signal caller, Josh Allen, wasn’t taken until the first pick of Round 6. With the QB position being so deep, waiting on quarterback, and attacking the needed positional depth was the strategy du jour. In fact, two teams had yet to take a starting quarterback in the first 12 rounds! This shows how deep the position is this season, and is a fascinating example of just how much draft strategy can change from league to league. Draft Bargains James Conner (5.10) – Conner’s FFWC ADP is 54.8 as RB19. Los Lobos got a nice bargain with Conner falling a few spots, but all the way down to RB25 looks tremendous. Conner has finished as RB15, RB13, and RB9 in PPR points per game in his last three seasons. Calvin Ridley (7.09) – With abysmal quarterback play last year, Ridley still drew 120 targets and finished as the WR27 in full-point PPR leagues. Ridley has posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and Cam Ward is substantially better than any QB the Titans had in 2024. He’s a top-25 wideout on my board. Jakobi Meyers (8.03) – Three years in a row, Meyers has been a top-30 fantasy wideout in PPR points per game. He ranked 20th last year, and that was sharing targets with Brock Bowers. The Raiders have a huge upgrade at quarterback with Geno Smith, and the addition of RB Ashton Jeanty should also help the passing attack. Snagging Meyers as the 43rd wideout is a strong +EV move. Team 1 late-round WR – I love that Mad Dads didn’t waste a draft pick on a kicker or defense. Smart move in a league that has waivers open before Week 1. I love three of his final four picks: Xavier Legette, Devaughn Vele, and Amari Cooper. These are potential depth pieces, making them excellent late-round dart throws. Questionable Selections Chris Godwin WR22– I rostered Godwin everywhere last year, so I know he’s a stud. But his current FFWC ADP is WR30. It’s a risk/reward pick, and I’m a fan of Godwin. But it feel like Godwin could have waited another round-especially if there was no plan to stack with Baker Mayfield. Mike Evans WR17 – There’s nothing wrong with Evans at WR17. That is his current FFWC ADP. However, Terry McLaurin’s is WR16 and would have been a sweet stack with Respected Money’s QB, Jayden Daniels. I’m sure he didn’t know Daniels would last until Round 6, which is understandable. Brian Robinson RB22 – I don’t get this one at all. Robinson’s FFWC ADP is 83.7 as RB30. He ranked 30th with 11.7 PPR points per game last season. I would have taken each of the next five running backs selected before Robinson, who went three full rounds earlier than his ADP suggests. Joe Burrow QB4 – This is not a bad pick at all, I just wanted to point out that Lucky Mike savagely prevented Mad Dads from stacking Burrow with the overall 1.01, Ja’Marr Chase. All part of the fun, but that must’ve hurt. Speaking of hurt, Jalen Hurts wasn’t a bad consolation prize two spots later. Jordan Love QB14 – Nothing wrong with the value here, just don’t like the idea of clogging up the roster with three good signal-callers in a league without trades. I do like the addition of Kareem Hunt two rounds later. Cedric Tillman WR49 – Tillman’s current ADP is 165.1 as WR67. Nice late-round target, but not in Round 9. Top Contenders Team 1 – Aside from the Burrow snipe, Mad Dads compiled a nice roster, with plenty of late-round values. RB depth is light, but he did a good job attacking depth in Rounds 11-14. Team 4- I love this team’s start, with two quality backs and three solid wideouts right out of the gate. Pirate Munkees punted tight end and still managed to land two decent options. He was also the last team to target QB, but still got a quality tandem in Drake Maye and C.J. Stroud Team 8 – Any FFWC veteran knows Respected Money is going to be a force. Even with Mike Evans over Terry McLaurin, this team’s first dozen picks were solid. Additionally, we know this team will be well managed all year long, making them a force to e reckoned with. Team 10 – Los Lobos picked Godwin a little early, but made up for it with excellent value recognition. They have quality depth, but can we talk about Kyle Pitts SZN yet? Team 12 – Always Smooth is a formidable opponent. This draft shows that. He got Christian McCaffrey in Round 2, then was able to handcuff him with Isaac Guerendo in Round 12. He
The Data-Driven Edge
The Data-Driven Edge The Data-Driven Edge: Using Vegas Betting Markets to Help You Dominate In Fantasy Football by Frank Taddeo Incorporating player proposition betting markets into my yearly projections has played an integral role in becoming the No. 1-ranked high-stakes
The Data-Driven Edge
The Data-Driven Edge: Using Vegas Betting Markets to Help You Dominate In Fantasy Football
by Frank Taddeo
Incorporating player proposition betting markets into my yearly projections has played an integral role in becoming the No. 1-ranked high-stakes season-long fantasy football player in Las Vegas. My draft model, which came into existence while working for one of the most prominent Vegas sportsbooks back in 2010, enables me to possess a data-driven edge when making key informed decisions. The player proposition betting markets reflect expert analysis, statistical models, and market trends on player performance expectations.Â
Vegas Markets Can Provide An Unbiased Edge…
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IDP Fantasy Strategy Guide
IDP Fantasy Strategy Guide – So You Think You’re Ready to Try IDP?by: Greg “Mean Machine” Blaszczynski When I started playing fantasy football in 1991, I did not have all the choices players have today. There was no Superflex, tight-tnd premium, or daily fantasy. Many people would say that it must have been boring, but the new generation will never know the “fun” of scouring the USA Today on Monday for all the stats or putting in your line-up over the phone with the first letter of the player’s first name and last three letters of their last name. “For Jamal Lewis…..press 1”. While fantasy football has exploded in popularity over the past 25 years, only a small group of us have enjoyed using defensive players to win us championships. People have always been excited about watching a five-touchdown explosion from Patrick Mahomes or Joe Burrow, or a long bomb to Justin Jefferson or Ja’Marr Chase, or a rumbling touchdown run that includes a textbook stiff arm or a hurdle over a ducking cornerback from Derrick Henry or Saquan Barkley. But they don’t realize the joy….and more importantly, the points, from a 15-plus tackle game from Roquan Smith or Fred Warner, or a three-sack effort from Maxx Crosby or Myles Garrett, or even another interception from Trevon Diggs or Jessie Bates. Leagues that use Individual Defensive Players are referred to as “IDP”, and I believe this represents the next level of fantasy football. IDP expands the type and number of statistics, introduces a whole group of additional players, and allows you to search for sleepers on the other side of the ball. Players begin to understand the importance of tackles, sacks, interceptions, forced fumbles, fumble recoveries, and, of course, when someone takes an interception or a fumble “TO THE HOUSE!” Embracing Change So why should you want to play IDP? In addition to helping you learn additional players, defensive schemes, and the differences between defensive coordinators, IDP offers the ability to offset some of your offensive weaknesses after you lose two wide receivers to injury in the first three games of the season. It can also help you survive the week where your opponent’s flex has a three-TD game or when your stud decides this is the week where he only has three catches for 45 yards and no touchdowns. IDP gives you more players to root for, which comes into play when you are a Carolina Panthers fan like me. The other thing I have experienced is that, for the most part, defensive players seem to get hurt less often than offensive players, so you are not constantly trying to fill a hole because your player is out for the week. Finally, you can be successful against those IDP players who still focus mainly on offense by being the manager who drafts the first linebacker in the 5th round rather than their second running back or third wide receiver. By playing in multiple IDP leagues for more than 25 years, I have only missed the playoffs a handful of times, and in all but three years, have had a top-3 scoring defense. That is how you make money! IDP Draft Prep So, what should you know when preparing for your IDP draft? First, and most importantly, IT IS ALL ABOUT TACKLES!!! I can’t say that enough. As a result, you should be focused on linebackers and safeties. A good tackling linebacker can be a consistent scorer for multiple years. Ray Lewis never had a season where he averaged less than 7.3 tackles per game, while Zach Thomas’s lowest season was 8.3 tackles per game. When I am preparing for a draft, I will be very disappointed if I don’t have at least two of my top 10 ranked linebackers and one of my top 5 defensive backs (all of whom will play safety).  Consistency Matters Second, you need to understand that compared to tackles, sacks, and interceptions have substantially more variance and usually come in waves. With sacks, while there are a handful of guys who you can count on for double-digit sacks (Watt/Parsons/Garrett), you will also see a guy like Josh Hines-Allen, who has averaged 8.5 sacks per year over the past five years, but here are his stats: 2020 – 2.5, 2021 – 7.5, 2022 – 7, 2023 – 17.5, and 2024 – 8. You also occasionally have the “flash in the pan” players like Romao Okwara, who had 10 sacks for the Lions in 2020, but since then, has had only five total and is no longer in the league. This is generally why, if I don’t get one of the top 5-6 defensive linemen, I will pick them much later in the draft. Interceptions are even worse. There has not been a repeat leader in interceptions over the past 10 years, and the high over that time has ranged from six in 2019 and 2022 to 11 by Trevon Diggs in 2021. It should be noted that Diggs only had three interceptions in both 2020 and 2022. Schemes Matter Third, you should always pay attention to the defensive schemes that each team primarily plays. 4-3 defenses can make an absolute star of a middle linebacker. In a 4-3 defense, middle linebackers have gap responsibility and benefit from two defensive tackles taking on blocks, thereby freeing up the linebacker to make the tackle. In addition, 4-3 linebackers are generally lighter and faster, with the ability to go sideline to sideline to make the play. Finally, while 4-3 linebackers are not asked to blitz as much as their 3-4 counterparts. When they do blitz, they often are untouched, or just have to take on a surprised running back. It should be noted that the top 3 linebacker tackle leaders came from predominantly 4-3 defenses. That being said, there are a lot of great tackling 3-4 linebackers, including Roquan Smith, Kaden Ellis, and Zach Baun. Roster Considerations In addition to knowing the defensive schemes, you should also
George Pickens Trade Rumors
George Pickens Trade Rumors: Could the Steelers’ Wideout Land with the Dallas Cowboys? The NFL offseason is no stranger to blockbuster trade rumors, and one of the hottest names circulating in recent weeks is Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver George Pickens. With the Dallas Cowboys reportedly in the market for a dynamic playmaker to complement star CeeDee Lamb, Pickens’ name has been frequently linked to America’s Team. As the 2025 NFL season approaches, the buzz around a potential Pickens-to-Dallas trade has fans and analysts alike speculating about the feasibility, implications, and drama surrounding such a move. The Origin of the Rumors Trade rumors involving George Pickens began to gain traction ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft, fueled by the Steelers’ acquisition of veteran wide receiver DK Metcalf from the Seattle Seahawks in a high-profile trade. Pittsburgh sent a second-round pick to Seattle and subsequently signed Metcalf to a five-year, $150 million extension, signaling their commitment to him as the centerpiece of their receiving corps. This move sparked speculation that Pickens, a 2022 second-round pick entering the final year of his rookie contract, could be deemed expendable. The Cowboys, coming off a disappointing 7-10 season in 2024 that snapped a streak of three consecutive playoff appearances, have been vocal about their need to bolster their receiving corps. Despite drafting CeeDee Lamb, one of the league’s premier wideouts, Dallas failed to add significant depth during the 2025 draft, with undrafted free agent Treshon Holden being their only notable addition. This has left the Cowboys searching for a high-caliber No. 2 receiver to pair with Lamb and support quarterback Dak Prescott under new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Reports from multiple outlets, including ESPN and The Athletic, confirmed that Dallas inquired about Pickens during the draft, with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones reportedly stirring the pot during a pre-draft press conference by hinting at potential roster moves. The rumors gained further momentum when Lamb posted a cryptic message on social media, which some interpreted as a nod to Pickens potentially joining the Cowboys. Why Pickens Makes Sense for Dallas At 24 years old, George Pickens is a tantalizing talent with the potential to transform Dallas’ offense. In three seasons with the Steelers, he has recorded 174 receptions for 2,841 yards and 12 touchdowns across 48 regular-season games, showcasing his ability to stretch the field and make highlight-reel catches. His 2023 campaign, where he posted 1,140 yards, demonstrated his capability as a No. 1 receiver, though his role in Pittsburgh has been complicated by inconsistent quarterback play and the arrival of Metcalf. For the Cowboys, Pickens would represent an immediate upgrade over their current options. Playing alongside Lamb, who commands significant defensive attention, Pickens could exploit single coverage and softer matchups, potentially elevating his production in Dallas’ pass-heavy offense led by Prescott, a three-time Pro Bowler. Additionally, Pickens’ $6.75 million rookie contract for 2025 makes him an affordable short-term addition, though his impending free agency and likely demand for a lucrative extension could complicate long-term planning. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay has been among those advocating for the trade, noting that Dallas is “desperate for an upgrade in the receivers room” and that Pickens could be the key to returning the Cowboys to playoff contention. Kay argues that the Steelers’ financial commitment to Metcalf and Pickens’ reported frustration with his reduced role make Dallas a “logical spot” for the young receiver. The Case Against the Trade Despite the appeal, there are significant red flags surrounding a potential Pickens trade. The most prominent concern is his off-field behavior and locker room presence. Pickens has been fined 10 times by the NFL in three seasons for various infractions, including taunting, an obscene gesture, and writing “OPEN (EXPLETIVE) ALWAYS” on his eye black during a 2024 game against the Cowboys. His emotional outbursts and reported friction with the Steelers’ coaching staff, including an incident where he arrived late to a Christmas Day game, have raised questions about his maturity. Adding a player with Pickens’ reputation could be risky for a Cowboys team navigating a high-pressure environment. Heavy.com’s analysis urged Dallas to avoid the trade, labeling Pickens a “diva” whose behavioral issues outweigh his on-field contributions. The Cowboys’ front office, known for its reluctance to invest heavily in players with character concerns, may hesitate to part with significant draft capital for a player who could disrupt team chemistry. Steelers On the Steelers’ side, parting with Pickens is not a straightforward decision. While Metcalf’s arrival has shifted the pecking order, Pittsburgh values Pickens’ talent and sees him as a complement to Metcalf, particularly with the potential addition of a high-profile quarterback like Aaron Rodgers in 2025. Steelers GM Omar Khan and head coach Mike Tomlin have publicly expressed their desire to keep Pickens, with Khan stating, “We’re glad we have George and DK here. I think they’re gonna be exciting for everyone to watch.” Moreover, the Steelers are unlikely to trade Pickens without substantial compensation. Reports suggest Pittsburgh would demand at least a second-round pick, similar to what they received for Chase Claypool in 2022, and possibly more given Pickens’ higher upside. For Dallas, surrendering a high draft pick for a player with one year left on his deal and a history of disciplinary issues may not align with their long-term strategy. The Latest Developments As of May 7, 2025, the Pickens trade rumors have taken a dramatic turn. ESPN’s Adam Schefter and NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that the Steelers and Cowboys are working to finalize a trade that would send Pickens to Dallas in exchange for a third-round pick and a late-round pick swap, with the deal expected to be official soon. This development suggests that Pittsburgh’s stance may have softened, possibly due to ongoing tensions with Pickens or a strategic shift toward building draft capital for a quarterback-heavy 2026 NFL Draft. However, conflicting reports have muddied the waters. Steelers insider Gerry Dulac previously downplayed the rumors, stating there were “no negotiations” with Dallas and that trade talks were overstated.
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2025 Kentucky Derby Preview: Top Contenders Emerge from Key Prep Races
Horse racing fans are buzzing with excitement as the 2025 Kentucky Derby nears. Saturday’s key prep races delivered vital insights. For example, the Santa Anita Derby, Wood Memorial, and Arkansas Derby showcased this year’s top contenders. In fact, Journalism, Rodriguez, and Sandman emerged as frontrunners for the Run for the Roses. The “Greatest Two Minutes in Sports” at Churchill Downs is less than a month away. So, whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a casual fan, here’s what you need to know about the Kentucky Derby 2025 contenders. They’re set to shine on May 3. Journalism Shines in Santa Anita Derby Journalism claimed a commanding victory in the Santa Anita Derby. As a result, he’s poised to be the morning-line favorite for the Kentucky Derby. This son of Curlin earned 75 qualifying points with the win. He now has 122.5 points, trailing only Sandman on the leaderboard. Meanwhile, trainer Michael McCarthy’s colt boasts a four-race win streak (4-0-1 in five starts). Additionally, Caesars Sportsbook shortened Journalism to a +350 favorite in Kentucky Derby Future wagering. Check out the buzz on X: Santa Anita Derby Recap. Frankie Taddeo’s Hot Streak Continues Frankie Taddeo, FullTime Fantasy’s horse racing guru, cashed big on the 2025 Wood Memorial. He nailed the exacta at 27/1 and the trifecta at 200/1. For instance, Taddeo has picked 7 of the last 13 Kentucky Derby winners. His 2023 success with Mage included a 115-1 exacta and a 982-1 trifecta. Therefore, this Vegas insider is a must-follow for Derby bettors. What’s his next goal? Taddeo aims to crush it again on the first weekend in May. Bob Baffert’s Shrewd Moves Pay Off Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert made two smart moves with Rodriguez. First, he shipped the colt from California to Aqueduct. Then, he removed the blinkers. Consequently, Rodriguez triumphed gate-to-wire in the Wood Memorial. This win earned him 100 qualifying points, securing 121.25 total Derby points—third on the leaderboard. The son of Authentic (2-2-1 in five starts) showed a front-running style. Notably, this style has proven successful in recent Derbies. See the replay here: Wood Memorial Highlights. Top 2025 Kentucky Derby Contenders to Watch Sandman: Sandman leads with 129 points after winning the Arkansas Derby. This son of Tapit has improved his Equibase Speed Figures in his last five starts, peaking at 104. However, trainer Mark Casse’s colt has a deep-closing style. This approach might face trouble in traffic. Arkansas Derby Recap. Tappan Street: Brad Cox’s colt dazzled in the Florida Derby. He beat Sovereignty with a career-best 96 Equibase Speed Figure. Yet, the son of Into Mischief (2-1-0 in three starts) lacks experience. This could be a hurdle in Louisville. Grande: Grande impressed despite a wide trip in the Wood Memorial. He earned 50 points as the runner-up for Mike Repole and Todd Pletcher. Thus, the son of Curlin could be a sleeper if he gets a good draw. Get Ready for the Run for the Roses The Kentucky Derby is later today, and an epic showdown awaits. GET THE PICKS!! Dive into the action with trusted insights. Start planning your bets for the race of the year at Churchill Downs. Want exclusive tips from experts like Frankie Taddeo? Sign up for a FullTime Fantasy membership today and use promo code DERBY20 to get 20% off your first year! Join Now and Save 20%! Also, follow us for more Kentucky Derby updates and expert betting tips!