Dallas Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer is raising the bar on physicality, preaching an ass-kicker mindset for the next two padded practices as they prepare for the season opener. The vibe is intense from the get-go: fighters in practice, pad level under scrutiny, and a clear message that every rep matters. The club showed flashes of a hard-nosed identity during camp, but it was tested in joint sessions with the Rams and in a rocky preseason loss to the Ravens, signaling a need to sharpen tackling and consistency.

Two themes drive the fantasy lens: first, the Cowboys want a more aggressive, physically dominant culture that could shift snap counts and drive success in gritty games. Second, the competition for roster spots has heightened the urgency, with early returns suggesting some surprise players could surface as Schottenheimer’s program takes hold. Expect more forceful run fits and tighter coverage, which could elevate short-area targets and defensive opportunism in the early slate.

In short, Dallas is chasing a tougher, more physical identity that, if sustained, could elevate fantasy relevance for tight ends and defensive-scheme players while pressuring the offense to punch through with better pad level and tackling—especially as they head toward Philadelphia.

Six late-round lottery tickets headline Thunder Dan Paylo's 2025 fantasy football sleepers, with clear paths to breakout if things break right in the offense. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Woody Marks, Dont'e Thornton Jr., Elijah Arroyo, Adonai Mitchell, and Isaac TeSlaa are highlighted as high-upside targets you can realistically snag in the final rounds for upside rather than roster fill.

Strategy centers on exploiting depth-chart openings: Croskey-Merritt could gain touches if Washington moves on from Brian Robinson Jr.; Marks steps in as a potential early-down/backup weapon for Houston; Thornton Jr. profiles as a big-field WR who could emerge as Raiders’ WR2; Arroyo offers big-play upside at tight end with Noah Fant gone; Mitchell and TeSlaa carry upside as late-round bets in Indy and Detroit, respectively, if their quarterbacks improve or injuries create opportunities.

The piece stresses the draft’s middle rounds as the frontier, where knowing top handcuffs and rookie depth charts matters. Autodraft aside, these sleepers form a cohesive late-round group that could anchor fantasy rosters in weeks to come, especially in best-ball and superflex formats, where volatility can translate to weekly rewards.

Tampa Bay is rooted as the season’s big story in Connor Orr’s projection, pegged for a memorable 12-5 run that lands the Buccaneers as the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The forecast emphasizes a sneaky-deep roster capable of pulling off marquee wins against legit contenders—Philadelphia, Detroit, and Buffalo—while noting a late-season stretch against weaker opponents that could fuel consistency down the stretch. The NFC South looks thin beyond TB, with Atlanta at 9-9 and Carolina at 6-11, sealing a divisional playoff drought for the other teams. For fantasy managers, Tampa Bay’s position hints at a stable, high-floor offense with potential playoff-growth momentum, even as intra-division dynamics tilt expectations elsewhere. The broader takeaway: TB’s path to fantasy relevance is tied to depth across the lineup and timely performances against strong foes, rather than relying on a single star-making run.

The piece also sketches a ripple effect across the conference: Buffalo, Philadelphia, and Detroit are highlighted as standout programs TB can’t simply run through, making Week-to-week scouting and matchup play crucial as the season unfolds. With the rest of the NFC South underwhelming by Orr’s lens, the Bucs’ path to the postseason is framed as a win-now, balance-of-roster affair, rather than a pure miracle month. Fantasy implications center on identifying value across TB’s backfield and receiving corps as the offense spreads opportunities, while monitoring late-season opponents who could shape the playoff push.

The narrative style remains grounded in roster depth, schedule shape, and a belief in Tampa Bay’s ability to win big games away from the expected, rather than relying on a single superstar to carry the load. For fantasy players, this means potential late-season leverage from TB’s depth pieces and a cautious eye on enemies TB might exploit in pivotal divisional showdowns. The result is a cautiously optimistic blueprint for a season-long run with meaningful fantasy upside and strategic rostering decisions that hinge on timing and opponent fit.

Nick Mariano’s updated 2025 RB projections lay out a bold, fantasy-ready roadmap for drafts. Bijan Robinson sits atop the chart with 329.6 projected fantasy points, a clear beacon for early picks, followed by Christian McCaffrey and Saquon Barkley in strong PPR value ranges. Jahmyr Gibbs and Kyren Williams anchor a deep second tier, while James Cook carries TD-regression risk in Buffalo and faces a ceiling built around Buffalo’s evolving offense. Bhayshul Tuten is highlighted as a rookie in Jacksonville who could press for a starting role in Coen’s system, with RJ Harvey in Denver offering early-round upside behind a solid run block. The piece stresses ongoing updates through preseason and weekly notes, plus a rankings portal and a must-have app for real-time injury and news alerts. A broad injury slate and roster chatter could reshuffle value at several spots as camps unfold.

Beyond the top names, the projections expand into a long tail of backs—Tank Bigsby, TreVeyon Henderson, Omarion Hampton, RJ Harvey, and more—providing a granular view of weekly workloads, pass-catching roles, and goal-line opportunities. The article emphasizes that depth, at both the RB1 and flex levels, will matter as defenses tighten in the regular season. It also threads in links to PPR and standard rankings, dynasty considerations, and rookie rankings, framing 2025 as a year where roster-building and matchups win fantasy championships.

Quinn Ewers will be the talk of fantasy circles after a Barstool Gruden post praised his poise and resilience. Gruden’s endorsement adds a high-profile vote of confidence for a rookie quarterback who guided a late Miami rally against Detroit, helping secure a 21-17 lead with a 15-yard strike to Theo Wease Jr.

That connection, set against a backdrop of offseason chatter about Ewers’ readiness, marks a notable moment for the Dolphins’ passing game and a potential uptick in early-season pass volume. Fantasy managers should watch how this evolves and whether the coaching staff leans into Ewers as a Week 1 option.

For dynasty and deeper redraft leagues, the clip signals upside worth monitoring. If Ewers maintains decisiveness and command, supporting cast members could see increased target shares, especially in two-QB or superflex formats.

Overall, Gruden’s praise, Ewers’ composure, and the Wease TD together create a narrative that could influence early-season value and market dynamics around the Dolphins’ aerial attack.