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

On Valentine’s Day, of all days, the Dolphins released Raheem Mostert. And with that, the offseason is over. We’re in Speculation Season. Get excited!

I’m the Larry King of Fantasy Sports

Back in the 90s, Larry King had a column in USA Today where he’d skip around from topic to topic like a madman. He used a lot of ellipses (aka “…”) as he spilled his thoughts onto the page …

 


You’re getting that today! Off we go …

Remember last summer, when Brandon Aiyuk requested a trade and we spent a week with no other news or rumors—just overly speculating on his best landing spots, imagining Aiyuk in a Steelers uniform, hurriedly adjusting Russell Wilson and Josh Fields’ values? Mostert’s release made me think of that. He went from 1,012 rushing yards and 18 TDs in 2023 all the way down to 278 and 2 last year. He’s 33 but maybe the right fit gets him at least back up to “bye-week flex option” or “great best ball gamble.” …

There is no Valentine’s Day special better than Harley Quinn’s A Very Problematic Valentine’s Day Special on Max. There isn’t enough space here to properly describe it … DO NOT watch it with your kids.

I’m in a 24-team fantasy baseball dynasty league where keepers were due at midnight. It’s an auction format and I’ve been in a rebuild for 5-6 years, so I try to generally keep everyone and not lose several hours on a random Saturday afternoon waiting for 23 other teams to nominate players until I can spend my $6 on a bench bat … but I blew it up yesterday afternoon and released all my platoon bench bats, which I will regret next weekend. But I do have one name on the roster who nobody is on yet: Tigers IF prospect (he’s 26 but whatever) Andrew Navigato. Power upside, speed, and a high OBP. That’s the formula for a surprise sleeper ...

You didn’t ask, but I also have high hopes for Mariners SP Brandyn Garcia and the Yankees’ Cam Schlittler …

We’ve put this link in the last four newsletters, but I have re-read Gene Clemons’ Shedeur Sanders vs. Cam Ward piece maybe eight times since we pubbed it. He’s a coach and has a way of cutting through the groupthink with his writing …

I say this as someone who really loved Nirvana as a crigney teenager—I think we can stop with the “reunions” now. At least until they can perfect the hologram of Kurt Cobain ...

I cannot wait to see where Daniel Jones ends up next season … And a “likely to move on” Zach Wilson. This “former NY QB emerging from a disastrous situation” theme is very real. There’s a three-year(ish) window there for all these top picks who get out and right their way somewhere else.

If you’re Travis Kelce, do you retire? I feel like he could have a decent acting career (maybe a few Marvel roles?), and can call games for Amazon with his brother. Maybe he even does a wrestling stint with Jason as the new Killer Bees or something? Marry his girlfriend, get that People magazine “exclusive photos” money. You have rings, you’re getting in the HOF. I’d be gone …

And with that, your Larry King homage has come to an end. Let’s move on to ADP!

OUR 2025 FANTASY FOOTBALL DRAFT KIT IS LIVE


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The NFL season has wrapped up, and for some, it's celebration—while for others, it was a tough ride. No matter how your team finished, Mike’s Hard Lemonade is here to remind you: Hard Days Deserve a Hard Lemonade.

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Let’s Take a Look at Some Mid-February Fantasy Football ADPs …

Before the 2024 regular season ended, people started drafting 2025 teams.

Some might call that insanity, but at the very least it is a reality.

Fortunately, Pete Overzet exists to fan the flames of sicko fantasy culture, which is a year-round enterprise at this point. Here’s his take on Brian Thomas Jr. Click through after for nine more players with interesting draft positioning, including Ashton Jeanty!

Brian Thomas Jr. (ADP: 10.5; WR7)

Look, I love BrIan Thomas Jr. He was an absolute monster down the stretch last year and a clear fantasy MVP. Buuuuuut, I do worry that this price is a smidge too frothy—I can't take him over Malik Nabers, Brock Bowers, or a few of the RBs behind him—considering the amount of new variables that will be in the Jacksonville mix when the 2025 season starts.

For starters, BTJ benefited from a massive target void in the back half of the season with both Evan Engram and Christian Kirk out of the lineup (btw, both Engram and Kirk are phenomenal values in the Big Board right now).

He also racked up most of his production with a backup QB (Mac Jones), who was willing to pepper him with targets thanks to no other viable weapons on the field.

Toss in a new OC, and there are a lot of new wrinkles in play when forecasting BTJ's 2025 season. 

And while I do think BTJ has the talent to be an alpha, there is some Christian Watson-esque downside risk not being baked into his current ADP. 

PETE DIVES INTO THE BEST BALL ADPs THAT MAKE YOU GO HMMM


The Bengals are 19-1 to Win the Super Bowl — Here’s What They Need to Get There …

The Bengals may have missed the playoffs at 9-8, but they were at least entertaining in the process of scoring 472 points on the season (sixth in the NFL). Unfortunately, they also gave up 434 points (tied for sixth in the NFL). So what should they do to assure that they don’t waste the prime years of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase? Ian Hartitz has a thorough breakdown of their team needs.

Team Need No. 1: Pass Catcher

This could be solved in a hurry should the Bengals simply decide to re-sign Tee Higgins and/or Mike Gesicki, who averaged his most receiving yards per game (39.1) since 2021 while working as the team's de facto big slot receiver. Throw in the aforementioned disappointment of Burton, and it's clear more help is needed than just Ja'Marr Chase.

Ideally the team at least: 1.) Makes Chase the league's richest WR, and 2.) Locks down Higgins for a long, long time. Hell, the duo combined for 27 receiving TDs last season—seven more than the next-most productive duo in the league!

Obviously Mr. Triple Crown was the star of the show, but make no mistake about it: Higgins would be THE No. 1 WR on plenty of teams around the NFL. WRs measuring 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds with Higgins' blend of contested-catch goodness and YAC beastliness simply don't fall off trees.

HOW ABOUT SOME HELP ON THE DEFENSE IN CINCY?


Only a few hours until the G League “Up Next” game … get clicking now!

🙏 The Seahawks could use help up front to unlock those offensive weapons.

🏄🏽‍♂️ It’s been almost seven years since we learned Raheem Mostert was once offered a surfing scholarship.

😷 This last-place punishment has a different smell to it.

😢 Ian sharing what we’re all feeling with no football this weekend.

✅ If you aren’t into card collecting, you’re missing a wild controversy in the “breaker” space.

🏀 ICYMI: Olympic high jumper Shelby McEwen did a windmill dunk … in the celebrity game.

🍑 Speaking of which … the most bizarre celebrity game ever played was on the show Atlanta, right? The best? MTV’s Rock N’ Jock B’Ball Jam?

📺 Watch our new Kendall & Amanda show and help us figure out a name for it pleaseeee.

🫤 All cooterdoodle has to say to new Saints HC Kellen Moore: I’m sorry.

🤯 Would Matthew really give up being a Parrot Head for Jayden Daniels?