Oregon’s fast start in the Big Ten has set a high bar for season No. 2, with Dan Lanning preaching relentless improvement and a “double down” mindset as the Ducks reload after losing a dozen NFL-bound seniors. Dante Moore steps in, replacing Dillon Gabriel as the likely starter, while a slate of newcomers—led by Isaiah World and Makhi Hughes—help retool the offense. The receiver room faces questions after Evan Stewart’s knee injury and Jurrion Dickey’s preseason suspension, but Oregon’s ceiling remains championship-oriented. The schedule features a marquee early test at Penn State and a home clash with Oregon State, all while the program leans into its established process and standards.

Last year’s perfect 13-0 mark and Big Ten title show what the Ducks can achieve when everything clicks. This season tests depth and development as the roster rebuilds, yet Lanning’s insistence on continuing the process—pushing for conference titles and beyond—frames every game. Oregon opens ranked No. 7 and eyes a repeat of peak form, aware that the league’s balance has shifted with wholesale player movement and program evolution.

Baltimore opens 2025 as the AFC North favorite for a third straight title, with Cincinnati as the next rung and Pittsburgh and Cleveland on the chase. ESPN Bet’s season-long odds give the Ravens high hopes to return to the postseason, while burrow-led Cincinnati aims to sustain a top-scoring offense despite OL concerns. The Steelers, boosted by Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh, are built for a playoff push, but Cleveland faces a tougher path with quarterback instability in a brutal division.

Among the bets, Bengals over 9.5 wins stands out thanks to Joe Burrow and a potent aerial attack, while a Bengals under 9.5 wins appeals if the line holds against a tougher schedule and possible regression in the run game. Browns under 4.5 wins relies on qb uncertainty and aging O-line. MVP odds tilt toward Lamar Jackson, with Burrow close behind; Chase eyes Offensive Player of the Year, and Garrett eyes Defensive Player of the Year.

Dion Dawkins’ praise of Austin Booker at Bears practice highlighted a rare mentor-mentee moment in the NFL. Booker, a second-year edge rusher, has shown flash in the preseason with sacks and tackles for loss, and Dawkins urged him to lean into his physical gifts to become the spark for Chicago’s D-line. The joint practice with the Bills, captured by Hard Knocks, underscored the camaraderie and the Bears’ hopeful path for Booker’s development.

Booker’s preseason dominance—three sacks, three TFL, and a forced fumble in their opener against Miami—stoked buzz that he could push for a meaningful role this season if he keeps growing and stays healthy. Dawkins’ willingness to mentor a younger player adds an important layer to Chicago’s defensive narrative and fantasy intrigue surrounding Bears edge depth.

Fantasy drafts hinge on late‑round launches from players who can flip a season. This piece maps one sleeper from every NFL team for 2025, focusing on no‑name backs and No.3 receivers who could become league‑winners in a crunch. From Trey Benson in Arizona to Jacory Croskey‑Merritt in Washington, each pick is rooted in depth‑chart opportunity, scheme usage, and staying power down the stretch. The aim is straightforward: identify players who can punch above their ADP and swing playoff races in Weeks 14+.

Key clusters emerge: Arizona’s Benson offers breakaway speed behind Conner; Baltimore’s Bateman has route discipline and red‑zone savvy; Los Angeles Rams’ Atwell could seize a bigger third option role if injuries strike. Across the league, sleepers come from every pocket of depth: slot burners, speed threats, and backs who can vulture goal‑line touches. The strategy here is clear—target these value bets in later rounds, monitor camp buzz, and chase players with clear paths to meaningful snaps as the season unfolds.

In practice, the list nudges fantasy managers toward ballots of upside: backs who can handle 3–4 week workloads, receivers who can unlock big plays with even modest targets, and offenses that can sustain multiple contributors. If you’re sitting in rounds 10–14, these sleepers become your runway to top‑tier value. It’s not about drafting a star, but about harvesting leverage from the depth chart and turning it into points when it matters most.