In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Mike's Hard Lemonade:

Look, the Super Bowl is cool and all, but here at Fantasy Life we already have one eye on the 2025 season.

Our guy Thor Nystrom just wrapped up a week of wall-to-wall coverage at the Senior Bowl and Matthew Freedman just published the latest version of his 2025 NFL Mock Draft.

My wheels are already turning as far as fantasy implications. Here are a few thoughts from Freedman’s mock …

And Here Is The Next Fantasy Football Generation

(1) Cam Ward QB > TEN

This selection would immediately resuscitate Calvin Ridley’s fantasy value. They’d also be wise to do what the Bears did last year and acquire another pass catcher in either FA, the draft, or (ideally) both.

(2) Travis Hunter WR > CLE

Hunter might break fantasy discourse this offseason. How much offense vs. defense he’ll play will be a hotly debated topic as his fantasy value will have a ridiculously wide range of outcomes. FWIW, his ADP has already jumped multiple rounds in early Underdog drafts.

(3) Shedeur Sanders QB > NYG

I’m sure Sanders is fine, but his best trait is that he’s not Daniel Jones. Malik Nabers already broke out in year one, but this could send us to the moon.

(6) Jalen Milroe QB > LV

I’m not sure I love this for Brock Bowers since Milroe's game will involve lots of running and pushing the ball down the field, but maybe I’m overthinking it?

(8) Tetairoa McMillan WR > CAR

This gets me very excited. Bryce Young turned the corner at the end of last year and is missing a true No. 1. This entire offense would immediately become a sleeper breakout candidate with McMillan in the fold.

Read on for more mock draft madness …


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Will The Raiders Draft Jalen Milroe?

There may be one NFL game left, that spectacle happening down in cooterdoodle’s backyard in New Orleans, but here at Fantasy Life, we’ve been full steam ahead on the NFL Draft for quite some time. Matthew Freedman has provided excellent content throughout this draft cycle, dropping regular mock drafts as more information about players and teams’ needs get unearthed.

His latest mock draft features three quarterbacks going high in the first round, with surprising landing spots for wide receivers and tight ends later in the round. Check out where he has players landing for either your favorite team or potentially open opportunities for Fantasy Football success.

THE COLTS GOT AN OFFENSIVE WEAPON IN THE FIRST ROUND


Rebuild Starts With QB and Coach Pete

Brock Bowers had a historic season for any rookie pass catcher, especially for a tight end. He shattered the record for first-year players at his position with 1,194 receiving yards and 112 receptions, the latter mark setting the standard for all rookies. Yet, he was the lone bright spot in a 4-13 season that resulted in new HC Pete Carroll taking over and potentially a new QB pitching balls to Bowers. Ian Hartitz broke down where it went wrong for the Raiders, and looked ahead to their biggest needs.

Team Need No. 1: Quarterback

There were 37 QBs who took at least 500 dropbacks over the past two seasons … and the Raiders currently employ three of the bottom-10 signal-callers in EPA per dropback. Not great!

Ultimately, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to determine that Gardner Minshew, Aidan O'Connell, or Desmond Ridder are the answers here. Maybe they look to trade up in the draft to secure one of Shedeur Sanders or Cam Ward. Perhaps a veteran like Russell Wilson or Sam Darnold is the move. WHAT IF TOM F*CKING BRADY COMES OUT OF RETIREMENT?!

Sorry, got excited there for a second, but yeah—the Raiders will continue to be the punch line of the AFC West for as long as they remain the only team without anything resembling a long-term plan at the QB position. 

WHERE ELSE DO THE RAIDERS NEED HELP?

 

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

⭐️ What was our early mock fantasy draft missing? Rookies. Find out where Ashton Jeanty could be calling home.

👏 Jack Bech walk-off tribute to his fallen brother Tiger. Touching Senior Bowl ending.

🦜 The top 2 rookie QBs talking trash. Let’s go.

🏀 DK Metcalf hooping … and breaking ankles.

🤔 The next Tank Dell? Thor is on the case.

👀 QB to RB with pass-catching chops. RJ Harvey is an underrated talent.

⚖️ An update on the Justin Tucker allegations. Not good.