Kyle Shanahan remains non-committal about the final preseason QB plan for the 49ers, citing two more practices before deciding who starts against the Chargers. With Mac Jones sidelined, San Francisco added Nate Sudfeld, and Brock Purdy’s status is still up in the air for the finale. If Purdy doesn’t start, Sudfeld or Carter Bradley would handle early snaps, Bradley serving as the third QB. The setup points to a measured, injury-averse approach that could limit starter exposure.

For fantasy audiences, the key is the variability in the QB depth chart. Purdy could see limited action, elevating Sudfeld’s early-game value or Bradley’s late-game involvement. Shanahan’s decision week adds a layer of risk to Week 1 projections, as the 49ers weigh rest versus competition in a game that doubles as a depth-chart audition in advance of the regular season.

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.

Calvin Ridley presents the clearest WR1 upside among Ridley, Moore, and Meyers in 2025, thanks to a quarterback upgrade in Tennessee and minimal target competition. D.J. Moore remains a high-floor option in Chicago, but the crowded Bears’ pass game introduces more risk and a potentially lower ceiling. Jakobi Meyers of Las Vegas enters the season with solid baseline production, yet the Raiders’ passing game is likely to be more balanced, capping upside. The piece argues Ridley in mid-rounds is the best-value pick of the trio, with Moore and Meyers offering steadier floors but thinner ceilings given surrounding talent and coaching changes.

Ward’s arrival in Tennessee elevates Ridley’s outlook, while Chicago’s new staff could reshape Moore’s role, and Las Vegas’ offense under Chip Kelly/Carroll could dampen Meyers’ ceiling behind Brock Bowers and a stronger run game. In short, Ridley is the bet for value and potential WR1 upside, Moore is a safer WR2 with some fade risk, and Meyers is a solid WR3/flex option with a more modest ceiling in 2025.

Las Vegas history at quarterback has been a rollercoaster for two decades, capped by JaMarcus Russell’s bust and Derek Carr’s steady-but-not-championship run. The move to Geno Smith aims to stabilize the present, but aging arms mean the Raiders must plan for a future pivot. The whispers point to Anthony Richardson as a long-term fix, with the Raiders potentially acquiring him to learn behind a veteran signal-caller and grow into a franchise QB.

Richardson’s fanfare is undeniable: elite traits and ceiling, yet a need for development. Indianapolis could be open to moving him if the price fits, especially as Pete Carroll’s admiration and Richardson’s Florida pedigree complicate the market. Aidan O’Connell could be part of a Colts-return package, giving Oakland a future asset, while a Daniel Jones-led Colts scenario remains a provocative what-if. In fantasy terms, this mix reshapes late-round QB upside and rookie exposure timelines.

For fantasy rosters, the immediate bet is on Geno Smith stabilizing a high-floor offense this year, while Richardson’s value hinges on a landing spot that lets him sit and develop. If the Raiders land Richardson, dynasty and taxi-squad plans should shift toward handcuffing him to a veteran with a clear path to playing time. O’Connell’s trade chatter adds a touch of upside risk to Raiders depth, but also potential draft capital gospel for long-term viability.

Six offenses are pegged as potential busts this fantasy season in a brand-new Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, with the discussion centering on ADP versus Wisdom of Crowd projections and what that means for the top fantasy names on those teams. The Raiders, Cardinals, Vikings, Falcons, Seahawks, Dolphins, and Jets loom as high-draft risks, while the conversation zeroes in on the plausible paths these units could take to underperform and how that shapes decisions for Week 1 and beyond. The chat keeps a critical eye on efficiency, pace, and matchup turbulence that could mute expected ceilings for star skill players.

Raiders, Cardinals, and the Vikings plus Falcons come into focus as the clearest risk clusters, where coaching decisions, quarterback health, or architectural shifts could curb big-play upside. Seattle and Miami are questioned for tempo and play-calling, while the Jets are scrutinized for how quickly their upgraded offense might gel. Fantasy managers are reminded not to chase ADP blindly and to consider safer pivots and smarter rostering moves as the season unfolds.