Qwiket Logo
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts
Josh Downs
Josh Downs
Josh Downs
Josh Downs
NFL
NHL
MLB
NBA
NFL:
Arizona Cardinals
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Buffalo Bills
Carolina Panthers
Chicago Bears
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Dallas Cowboys
Denver Broncos
Detroit Lions
Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans
Indianapolis Colts
Jacksonville Jaguars
Kansas City Chiefs
Las Vegas Raiders
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Rams
Miami Dolphins
Minnesota Vikings
New England Patriots
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants
New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers
Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco 49ers
Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tennessee Titans
Washington Commanders
Qwiket Logo
IN-FOCUS
✕
Go To Full NFL Digest
August 19, 2025
Fantasy football rankings 2025: Sleepers, busts, breakouts by NFL model that predicted Stroud's slump - CBSSports.com
@cbssports
CBSSports
Fantasy football rankings 2025: Sleepers, busts, breakouts by NFL model that predicted Stroud's slump - CBSSports.com

Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh is not just a headline-grab; it could reshape 2025 fantasy value by lifting the Steelers’ backfield options and opening up attacking avenues for the pass game. Warren and the rookie Kaleb Johnson may benefit most as Rodgers’ play-action and timing throws could keep defenses honest and create clearer lanes for a veteran in Warren or a dynamic rookie in Johnson. Rodgers’ history with top-scoring backs—Jones in Green Bay and others—gives Warren a plausible path to bigger yardage and improved fantasy receipts, especially with Najee Harris now elsewhere.

SportsLine’s model adds a broader flavor: Waddle and Downs surface as sleepers and breakouts, with Bateman cast as a bust candidate in 2025. The piece highlights a Colts connection between Richardson and Downs, plus a potential Waddle rebound aided by Jonnu Smith’s departure to the Steelers, which could free targets. It’s a reminder that the 2025 rankings and cheat sheets are driven by a model that has historically nailed sleepers and breakouts, and that fantasy managers should lean on those simulated projections when mapping draft strategies across PPR and non-PPR formats.

In short, Rodgers to Pittsburgh isn’t just about pass-catchers; it could unlock a more balanced offense where Warren or Kaleb Johnson emerge as reliable 2025 fantasy contributors. The piece also stresses using robust rankings and rich cheat sheets to navigate the evolving landscape, with sleeper value anchoring many early-round decisions and bust risk shaping later pivots.

Which Steelers back should fantasy managers target most in 2025 after Rodgers’s arrival: Jaylen Warren or Kaleb Johnson?Which 2025 sleeper has the best probability of finishing as a top-15 WR: Josh Downs or Jaylen Waddle?What is the best way to approach 2025 fantasy drafts with SportsLine’s model showing sleepers like Waddle and Downs, plus busts like Bateman?Given Rodgers’ track record with backs and the Steelers’ backfield prospects, how should you structure your 2025 draft strategy in PPR leagues?
Mentions:
@Aaron Rodgers | Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL
@Aaron Rodgers | Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL
@Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | NFL
@Christian McCaffrey | San Francisco 49ers | NFL
@Daniel Jones | New York Giants | NFL
@Daniel Jones | New York Giants | NFL
@DK Metcalf | Seattle Seahawks | NFL
@DK Metcalf | Seattle Seahawks | NFL
@Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle Seahawks | NFL
@Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Seattle Seahawks | NFL
@Jonnu Smith | Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL
@Jonnu Smith | Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL
@Josh Downs | Indianapolis Colts | NFL
@Josh Downs | Indianapolis Colts | NFL
@Kaleb Johnson | Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL
@Kaleb Johnson | Pittsburgh Steelers | NFL
@Najee Harris | Los Angeles Chargers | NFL
@Najee Harris | Los Angeles Chargers | NFL

https://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/football/news/fa..

Indianapolis Colts:
Eric Johnson II (0)
Josh Tupou (1)
Khalil Herbert (11)
Joe Bachie (7)
Anthony Richardson (1755)
Tyler Goodson (64)
Jonathan Taylor (1)
Josh Downs (471)
Ashton Dulin (36)
Anthony Gould (23)
Adonai Mitchell (1)
Alec Pierce (285)
Michael Pittman Jr. (1)
Mo Alie-Cox (1)
Will Mallory (12)
Drew Ogletree (20)
Danny Pinter (1)
Tanor Bortolini (56)
Quenton Nelson (83)
Josh Sills (0)
Dalton Tucker (13)
Blake Freeland (3)
Matt Goncalves (42)
Bernhard Raimann (66)
Braden Smith (79)
Genard Avery (7)
Isaiah Land (4)
Laiatu Latu (146)
Kwity Paye (1)
Adetomiwa Adebawore (6)
DeForest Buckner (233)
Raekwon Davis (27)
Grover Stewart (89)
Liam Anderson (3)
Zaire Franklin (115)
Cameron McGrone (7)
Segun Olubi (7)
Jaylon Jones (68)
Chris Lammons (23)
David Long Jr. (4)
Kenny Moore II (1)
Samuel Womack III (1)
Nick Cross (1)
Ronnie Harrison Jr. (2)
Rodney Thomas II (1)
Rigoberto Sanchez (10)
Luke Rhodes (4)
Juwann Winfree (1)
Jelani Woods (1)
Ryan Coll (0)
Wesley French (1)
Samson Ebukam (41)
Tyquan Lewis (38)
Jaylon Carlies (61)
JuJu Brents (62)
Trevor Denbow (15)
Daniel Scott (8)
Jason Bean (3)
Salvon Ahmed (6)
D.J. Montgomery (0)
Laquon Treadwell (3)
Sean McKeon (0)
Mason Brooks (0)
Titus Leo (4)
Austin Ajiake (2)
Alex Johnson (4)
Marcel Dabo (2)
Shane Steichen (389)
Spencer Shrader (48)
Daniel Jones (1)
Camryn Bynum (17)
Tre Herndon (0)
Luke Tenuta (1)
Neville Gallimore (9)
Charvarius Ward (1)
Derek Rivers (0)
Trysten Hill (0)
Mark Glowinski (8)
Durell Nchami (0)
Pheldarius Payne (0)
Riley Leonard (24)
Ulysses Bentley IV (1)
DJ Giddens (1)
Tyler Warren (1)
Jalen Travis (6)
JT Tuimoloau (2)
Tim Smith (10)
Solomon DeShields (4)
Justin Walley (37)
Hunter Wohler (14)
Maddux Trujillo (6)
Ajou Ajou (0)
Tyler Kahmann (0)
Coleman Owen (0)
Landon Parker (1)
Blayne Taylor (0)
Maximilian Mang (0)
Marshall Foerner (3)
Jack Wilson (0)
Desmond Little (1)
Devonta Davis (4)
Jacob Phillips (0)
Johnathan Edwards (5)
Trey Washington (1)
Ladarius Tennison (0)
Mose Vavao (1)
Duke Shelley (0)