David Mulugheta’s ascent in NFL contract talks is reshaping how star players and their teams approach extensions. The Cowboys’ public friction with Dallas’s franchise owner over Micah Parsons’ extension underscored Mulugheta’s leverage in the negotiation room. Parsons publicly backed Mulugheta, praising his negotiation acumen and signaling trust in a process that could lead to monster deals for non-quarterbacks who change the market. Mulugheta’s clients, including Jordan Love, CJ Stroud, and Deshaun Watson, show the breadth of his influence across top offenses and cap strategies, even as Jerry Jones framed the agent as an obstacle who needed to be managed. This isn’t just a personnel story—it's a blueprint for how premier players and fantasy rosters might be affected by bigger guarantees, incentives, and structural terms in the years ahead.

From a fantasy perspective, Mulugheta’s heavy-hitting client list and his historical milestone—over $1 billion in negotiated contracts in a single year—signal the likelihood of front-loaded guarantees and performance-based incentives in future deals. If extensions tilt toward larger guarantees or unusual clauses, the team’s short-term cap moves and long-term flexibility could influence depth charts, roster construction, and usage. For managers, this means staying cognizant of potential holdouts, early-restructured deals, or incentive-driven contracts that could affect players’ workloads and opportunity for fantasy production. The narrative around Parsons and Mulugheta emphasizes that major contract talk is not just about money; it’s about how terms shape on-field opportunities and fantasy upside for the players Mulugheta represents.

Houston took a hard look at its offense vs Detroit in a brisk joint practice, with C.J. Stroud under early pressure from a Lions front that kept him on his toes. The Texans’ o-line settled in after halftime, giving Stroud time to dial up throws to Nico Collins and the emerging Jaylin Noel, while Aidan Hutchinson battled Aireontae Ersery in a back-and-forth rep sequence. Houston’s defense forced two strip-sacks and Will Anderson Jr. flashed as a game-wrecker, underscoring growth but signaling Detroit’s ceiling is high.

Across the field, Detroit’s receivers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams earned their keep, carving through the Texans’ secondary for red-zone scores, even as Stingley Jr. held firm at times. Calen Bullock snagged an interception that killed a potential TD to St. Brown, sparking a reminder that Houston’s back-end is improving. The two-minute drills ended without the finishing kick, leaving positive marks for Stroud and Collins and a note that Houston remains a tough, improving challenger in the 2025 fantasy landscape.

AFC South 2025 is a run-your-edges division reset, with Houston emerging as the lone steadying force. C.J. Stroud has cemented himself as a top-10 quarterback and DeMeco Ryans has Houston playing playoff-caliber football, making the Texans the only predictable anchor in a chaotic mix. Houston’s 11-win pace and 5-1 intra-division mark last season temper the rest of the division’s chaos, yet the +110 odds still imply risk from a reshuffled quartet.

Five quarterbacks are flagged as mispriced in 2025 fantasy drafts, offering clear edges if snagged at the right spots. Justin Fields carries immense rushing upside, especially if the Jets weaponize his legs, but his injury history demands a high-floor backup for hedging. C.J. Stroud’s value hinges on adding a rushing element and leveraging Houston’s receiving group, widening his ceiling from the middle tier. Trevor Lawrence sits at a bargain ADP around QB20; stabilized offense and strong pass-catchers could lift him into top-15 with steady play. Geno Smith remains a late-round floor with upside, thanks to pass-heavy scripts and top-tier weapons. Keeping tabs on real-time ADP shifts via RotoWire and anchoring each pick to preseason depth charts is the edge that turns mispriced opportunities into wins.

Sleeper season is here. The All-Sleeper Team highlights late-round values who could carry fantasy rosters into the playoffs, with double-digit-round ADPs driving upside bets. In a year when development and health matter most, post-hype signals and coaching changes shape a breakout slate—from C.J. Stroud’s rebound arc in Houston to rookie backs and Colts pass-catchers stepping into larger roles. The piece centers on players whose potential is real but not yet priced into draft boards, offering savvy managers four reliable paths to upside from late rounds.

Key risers include Stroud, whose floor benefits from an upgraded Texans offense and a more secure supporting cast (Kirk, rookies in the pipeline) after a rough 2024. Cam Skattebo and Braelon Allen present compelling rookie-year handcuff/upside scenarios in Giants and Jets environs. Josh Downs and Marvin Mims Jr. sit in prime spots to take bigger targets in Indy and Denver, while Tyler Warren could emerge as a weapon in Indy. Javonte Williams and Jaydon Blue provide flexible Jets-Cowboys depth with legitimate league-winning upside in the middle rounds.

Ultimately the list is about players in the double-digit rounds offering a plausible path to top-12 production. It emphasizes environment, health, and opportunity, not just talent. If Stroud can reclaim rookie form, or Downs paves the way for a career year with Jones, these sleepers could shift the middle rounds from dart throws to playoff anchors.