McCaffrey vs. Henry: ceiling vs. floor. McCaffrey carries top-5 upside when healthy, but Achilles and knee issues temper durability and raise risk in RB4-RB6. Henry delivers elite volume and a strong floor, scarcely slowed by age and injuries, even at 31.

In this ADP crossroads, Henry feels safer; McCaffrey offers a league-winning ceiling. Use mock drafts to map risk tolerance and tailor rosters for any format from PPR to standard.

Denver retains the top spot in USA TODAY’s 2025 fantasy D/ST rankings thanks to a wrench-tight combination of sacks, turnovers, and a schedule starting favorable and finishing strong. Houston’s defence is a poised challenger, with an aggressive scheme under DeMeco Ryans that could pressure rookie quarterbacks. Philly, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Buffalo sit in a tightly grouped tier, each with proven playmakers and the fantasy playoff leverage teams crave. Seattle, the Jets, and Green Bay offer upside in value-driven starts and opportunistic turns, but come with schedule-driven risk that savvy managers must navigate.

AFC North depth is thinner than it looks. Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson remains a true fantasy ceiling, while Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow still leads a dynamic offense, even as the interior line brings uncertainty. Pittsburgh bets on Aaron Rodgers to spark a passing attack, and Cleveland’s QB situation is unsettled with Flacco back and rookies in the mix. The division’s order projects Ravens, Bengals, Steelers, Browns.

Fantasy takeaways: Lamar’s rushing floor stays elite; Burrow’s ceiling hinges on a healthier line; Rodgers could lift Steelers options if he stays efficient; Garrett anchors Cleveland’s defense and could drive big sack totals. The slate remains maniacally competitive but riskier than it looked a year ago.