PFF's 2021 NFL re-draft reshuffles the board: Christian Darrisaw lands with Carolina at pick 8, leaving Minnesota to pivot and snap up Kyle Pitts at 14. Pitts still posts 1.22 PFF WAR across four seasons, ranking 10th among tight ends, a reminder that even high expectations aren’t foolproof in a stacked class. The Vikings’ tackle need opens the door for Pitts’ Day 1 fit, and Minnesota’s TE picture shifts as Irv Smith Jr. endures injury trouble and Chris Herndon’s role fades. A Penix-led Panthers era looms in this hypothetical, with Cousins steering the Minnesota offense from Day 1 and Pitts providing a dynamic mismatch throughout.

2025 fantasy football draft outlooks center on a handful of tight ends who should anchor rosters and a few upside bets for late-round value. Kraft in Green Bay projects as a multi‑role option in a system that could lean on two‑TE sets; Engram lands in Denver with a cleaner intermediate target profile; Kincaid is a bounce-back candidate after a knee‑knit 2024. The elite trio—Kittle, Kelce, and Hockenson—remain the benchmark at the position, while McBride and Njoku offer strong mid‑tier appeal in solid offenses. Goedert provides a safe TE1 floor, and the tool’s rankings bracket a crowded but dynamic TE landscape for 2025.

RotoBaller's 2025 fantasy football Tight End Premium rankings sharpen the edge for TE-leaning rosters in redraft leagues, where receptions and yardage carry extra clout. Brock Bowers sits among the elite, with Sam LaPorta and Kyle Pitts rising on workload and target share. Veterans like Darren Waller and T.J. Hockenson anchor the middle, while Elijah Arroyo and Mason Taylor highlight rookie upside in the TE premium landscape. The update emphasizes that depth at the position remains thin, so early TE premium builds and late-round sleepers will shape many fantasy rosters this season.

The Minnesota Vikings handed the offense to JJ McCarthy and his first real NFL showcase in practice vs. New England provided a strong signal-to-signal for fantasy managers. McCarthy went 14-of-16 in 11-on-11 work, throwing five touchdowns in tight red-zone and full-field periods, per Boston Herald's Andrew Callahan. The Patriots’ first-team defense limited big mistakes but McCarthy delivered on-time dimes, flashing poise beyond his years. The session came as Justin Jefferson was sidelined with a hamstring issue, yet McCarthy found rhythm with TJ Hockenson and Jordan Addison, and even mixed in early chemistry with Addison as the rookie connected for multiple scores.

Helping the rookie’s case was the surrounding cast: Hockenson and Addison provided reliable targets, while Christian Barmore, Milton Williams, Keion White, and Christian Gonzalez provided a stiff test for Minnesota’s offense. Minnesota's plan to rest McCarthy this weekend aligns with Week 1’s anticipated clash with the Chicago Bears, giving the young passer time to build timing with Addison, Hockenson, and Jefferson’s return. The overall takeaway: McCarthy’s message to the doubters is clear—poise, command, and a path to meaningful fantasy upside as the Vikings’ offense evolves around him. Thursday’s practice wasn’t just a win for a day; it was a blueprint for Minnesota’s envisioned future.

J.J. McCarthy handled his first extended look against a top first-team defense with a blend of pace, poise and moments of pressure. He opened with a rough patch in one-on-ones but settled into seven-on-seven rhythm, finishing a two-minute drive with a throw to Addison and a scramble that kept the Vikings’ march alive. Coach Kevin O’Connell praised McCarthy’s composure and leadership as a checkpoint in camp, signaling elevated expectations for his development and fantasy upside.

Drake Maye flashed the touch and accuracy that made him a high pick, threading quick-hitting passes and keeping plays alive against the Viking rush. He connected repeatedly with Stefon Diggs and TreVeyon Henderson, illustrating a capable Patriots attack that benefited from Garrett Bradbury’s presence at center and the guidance of Josh McDaniels. The day also highlighted veteran defenses’ adjustments and how rookie and veteran weapons might shape Week 1 expectations for both sides.

Addison and Maye linked on multiple angles, while Maye’s pocket mobility and quick decision-making underscored the Patriots’ upside this season. For fantasy managers, the mix of McCarthy’s development plus Maye’s flair and the surrounding supporting cast provides a clearer read on target distribution, offense cadence, and potential two-quarterback stack opportunities with a condensed early slate.