In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by Bud Light:

What a difference a day makes! In just a single 24-hour span, the Bears went out and addressed one of the NFL’s most glaring offseason issues—for any team. Just how bad were Chicago’s protection issues in 2024? To say they turned an industry-wide summertime preseason darling into a roaring dumpster fire may be an understatement. 

Hold The Line

Despite spending the first overall pick on Caleb Williams for a much-needed answer at quarterback, apparently no one in the Bears’ front office thought about protecting this poor guy. The former Trojan took a lead-leading 68 sacks on a 10.8% sack rate, second only to the Titans’ Will Levis—not exactly the company we’re looking to keep under center.

For the low, low price of a 2025 sixth and 2026 fourth-round pick, the Bears bolster the trenches with not one, but two former All-Pros in Jonah Jackson (Rams) and Joe Thuney (Chiefs). My immediate reaction is exactly what you might think—it’s wheels up for Caleb in fantasy. Granted, most QBs perform significantly worse under pressure, but Chicago did such a poor job that you have to think solidifying the O-line will yield immediate dividends.

For reference, just how stark was the difference in Caleb’s production under pressure versus not?

Pressured ➡️ Not Pressured (per TruMedia)

  • EPA/Dropback: -0.48 ➡️ +0.18
  • Completion Rate: 44.1% ➡️ 68.8%
  • Passer Rating: 65.9 ➡️ 95.4
  • Yards Per Attempt: 5.4 ➡️ 6.6
  • TD/INT: 1.8 ➡️ 6.5

❤️ Heart-Shaped Lockett: After 10 memorable seasons in the Pacific Northwest, the Seattle Seahawks decided to part ways with veteran WR Tyler Lockett. After logging 700+ snaps for the seventh straight season, Lockett posted his lowest output in catches (49), receiving yards (600), TD (2), target/route (13.6%), yards/route (1.10), and air yards/game (46.0) in that timeframe. The precipitous dropoff in production no longer justified the cost—it’s a cold world.
 

🤯 On top of that, DK Metcalf has requested a trade. Looks like he wants to win, and doesn’t appear to have confidence that’s going to be happening anytime soon in Seattle. There will be no speculation on if Metcalf would move up or down rankings until we know he’s actually been traded and where he’s been traded. But it would be huge to move a two-time Pro Bowler still in his prime at age 27.

🚀 As far as fantasy impact, I’m crossing Lockett off future draft lists altogether while simultaneously pushing Jaxon Smith-Ngjiba (currently WR16, ADP 35) up at least a round if he could be the only game in town in the Seahawks’ WR room. That could go higher up if I want to make sure I come down with JSN as often as possible for a real shot at first-round return in 2025. 

ICYMI: WHERE SHOULD TRAVIS HUNTER PLAY, CB OR WR? BOTH? 

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Presented by New Era

Ushering In A New Era Of NFL Stars

Fresh off of more boots-on-the-ground coverage, Thor Nystrom had the privilege of covering the NFL Scouting Combine from all angles at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Based on what he saw throughout the weekend, he came away with a handful of risers and fallers, leading to the question—Just how different is the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft shaping up to look now compared to before the combine?

Thor’s updated Round 1 Mock Draft 👇

POST-COMBINE MOCK DRAFT

Rookie Super Model: Get Your Running Backs Here

Remember two years ago, all the NFL Draft hype surrounding Bijan Robinson, and to a lesser extent Jahmyr Gibbs? They happened to deliver on that promise, both finishing in the top 3 among running backs in fantasy points last season. What if there might be a prospect with an even better pedigree who is leading a loaded 2025 NFL Draft class? Well, in Dwain McFarland’s latest review of the Rookie Super Model, the running back position gets an in-depth look and we get to see how Ashton Jeanty measures up with the running backs from the past.

What could that say about his future potential? ⬇️

JEANTY, HAMPTON, HENDERSON … SO MANY ROOKIE RBs!

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

🔮 Want some free agency predictions? Kendall has you covered.

🤔 Najee Harris = David Montgomery? Some team may see it.

🏴‍☠️ Could the Bucs be getting the band back together with Chris Godwin?

💣 Justin Fields could be staying in Pittsburgh. More deep shots to George Pickens, please.

🚀 Another WR coming off injury is hitting the open market. Wheels up, BTJ!

💰 Great at chasing down QBs, Maxx Crosby sacks himself a new deal.

🏈“I like scoring touchdowns.” Teams looking to draft Will Campbell, take note.

Top Free Agent WRs And Their Fantasy Outlook

The leadup to the NFL free agency period is filled with anticipation and intrigue, but that’s gone quickly because once the floodgates open to legal tampering at noon ET on March 10, players seem to be signing almost as quickly as trades on the New York Stock Exchange floor. Or at a gathering of fantasy football managers after a couple cold ones.

Ian Hartitz broke down five of the highest-profile wideouts heading onto the open market, and even took a stab at possible landing spots. Just wait until you see where he’s placing Davante Adams. 👇🏼

KEENAN ALLEN GOING BACK TO CALI?