Purdue has 14 alumni on NFL rosters for the 2025 season, led by George Karlaftis in Kansas City. Aidan O’Connell and Raheem Mostert link up for the Raiders, while Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Marcus Mbow may pair again with the Giants. Charlie Jones, Payne Durham, Derrick Barnes, Sanoussi Kane, Rondale Moore, David Bell, Cory Trice Jr., Jalen Graham, and Reese Taylor are scattered across the league, offering depth and late-round fantasy/IDP upside across Bengals, Buccaneers, Lions, Ravens, Vikings, Browns, Steelers, 49ers, Giants, and Broncos.

The Purdue pipeline continues to influence dynasty and streamer decisions, with injury notes, camp chatter, and depth-chart shifts shaping how owners value Purdue-affiliated players in the weeks ahead. Stakeholders should monitor IR statuses for O’Connell, backfield splits in Vegas, and Giants’ backfield competition as the season unfolds.

The Buccaneers may face Week 1 without Tristan Wirfs, Chris Godwin, and possibly Cade Otton. Otton’s new leg issue adds uncertainty beyond the hamstring injury that already jeopardizes his status. If Otton sits, Payne Durham would absorb the majority of Otton’s reps and Devin Culp could be a receiving threat in 2TE sets, keeping Tampa Bay’s offense functional but thinner at tight end.

fantasy managers should monitor practice updates as Bowles noted the timeline remains unclear. Durham would be the primary value play at tight end, with Culp offering deeper upside if he earns a larger role. This alignment could shift target shares and game plan in Bowles’ offense against Atlanta.

The upcoming Sunday Night Football matchup features the NFC South champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers facing off against the wild-card Washington Commanders, led by promising rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. With the playoffs underway, this analysis highlights the top DFS lineup picks for the showdown.

Jayden Daniels stands out as the prime MVP/Captain choice, having averaged 26.3 PPR points across the season. Despite a minor leg injury, Daniels is poised for a big game against a Buccaneers defense that has struggled against quarterbacks. Bucky Irving and Baker Mayfield are also strong captain candidates, with Irving showing an impressive surge in production in recent weeks and Mayfield enjoying a career year.

Terry McLaurin, another key player, has consistently performed, making him a must-play flex option. Likewise, rookie Jalen McMillan and Olamide Zaccheaus present significant upside. The analysis emphasizes budget options like Dyami Brown and Payne Durham, who could surprise in this high-scoring potential matchup.

Baker Mayfield's impressive performance for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers has etched his name into franchise history, becoming only the second quarterback to throw for over 40 touchdowns in a season, joining Tom Brady. During a game against the New Orleans Saints, Mayfield connected with tight end Payne Durham for a three-yard touchdown, bringing his season total to 40 passing touchdowns.

This achievement is notable as Mayfield now stands at 43 total touchdowns, after starting the game with three rushing touchdowns, just behind Brady's Buccaneers record of 45. Brady, who was observing the game from the booth, previously accomplished this feat twice during his tenure with the Bucs, throwing 40 touchdowns in the 2020 season and 43 in 2021.

Mayfield's journey to this moment was rocky, as he faced challenges with the Carolina Panthers and briefly with the Los Angeles Rams before finding his footing in Tampa. His resurgence marks a significant turnaround for the quarterback, who was at risk of being a backup after his struggles in prior seasons.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing potential depth issues at the tight end position ahead of a crucial game this Sunday. Tight end Cade Otton has been nursing a knee injury since Week 15, and his replacement, Payne Durham, has now been listed with a quadriceps issue. This development raises concerns about the team's tight end depth as both players could be sidelined.

If neither Otton nor Durham is able to play, rookie Devin Culp would likely step into a significant role, having recorded his first two NFL catches in Week 17. Additionally, Ko Kieft, primarily a special teams player, may also see more action. The injury report also notes cornerback Jamel Dean as a non-participant due to a knee issue, while Antoine Winfield Jr.'s return from his own knee injury sustained in Week 13 appears unlikely.