The Minnesota Vikings’ 2025 outlook hinges on J.J. McCarthy’s first crack at the starting job and how a depleted pass-catching corps can support him. Jefferson’s hamstring, Addison’s three-game absence, and Nailor’s hand injury thrust Minnesota into trade talks for veteran help, with five names circulating the rumor mill. Alec Pierce could give the Vikings a true vertical threat, Jauan Jennings would add versatility and blocking, Adam Thielen brings veteran reliability, Donovan Peoples-Jones offers a solid floor, and Skyy Moore provides gadget upside. Minnesota’s front office is weighing immediate help against long-term fit, knowing the question isn’t just about a rookie quarterback but who lines up around him.

Fantasy managers should monitor how these options align with McCarthy’s early learning curve. Pierce’s speed, Jennings’ multi-use profile, Thielen’s route craft in a likely No. 3 role, Peoples-Jones’ 2022-like volume upside, and Moore’s return potential all carry distinct floor-ceiling blends. If Minnesota can flip one of these veterans in time to stabilize McCarthy’s first weeks, the Vikings’ pass game could still support a competitive early-season floor, especially in deeper leagues where depth at wideout matters more than ever.

Three Colts starters—Kenny Moore II, Alec Pierce, and Bernhard Raimann—returned to practice as Indianapolis wrapped another training camp session, each nursing an earlier issue (knee, groin, and ankle respectively). Their returns come amid a summer that has seen several teammates hit IR or miss time, including Hunter Wohler, Blake Freeland, and Jacob Phillips. Braden Smith exited the latest preseason game with a groin concern, while JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, Nick Cross, and Josh Downs have dealt with hamstring or hip issues. Timelines remain unclear for several others, keeping depth pieces in flux as camp continues.

For fantasy managers, Pierce’s quick return could stabilize the Colts’ passing game early in camp, Raimann’s health matters for pass protection and run blocking, and Moore’s presence bolsters a secondary that will be tested by a challenging schedule. The IR replacements—plus the uncertain statuses of Smith, Brents, and Downs—could open short-term targets and snap splits for younger players and veterans stepping into expanded roles as August progresses.

Colts in 2024 delivered an 8-9 record, a shade off playoff contention, but the passing game has real juice. The offense features a crowded, talented group: Downs, Pittman Jr., Pierce, Adonai Mitchell, Tyler Warren, with Bernhard Raimann anchoring the line and DeForest Buckner tightening the interior. The quarterback question remains unsettled as Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones compete, offering a tantalizing upside if the Colts iron out accuracy, timing, and pocket mechanics. Warren’s arrival plus a heavy 11 personnel approach could push Warren and Downs into regular fantasy relevance, while Downs’ slot-centric role keeps him as a flexible debt-piece or streaming option if the QB situation stabilizes.

Richardson sits at a crossroads in his third season: elite rush potential but the lowest qualified completion rate among passers with 150+ dropbacks. His big-time throw rate is high, yet turnover-worthy plays and a subpar 50.6% completion mark keep fantasy projections cautious. If Jones wins the job, Downs could see improved distribution, while Warren should carve out a meaningful receiving role early in Steichen’s system. Raimann and Buckner anchor a solid foundation up front, with Pittman and Pierce providing steady targets and upside, and the rookie Warren offering a tangible overhang to the Colts’ aerial attack.

Landon Dickerson's torn meniscus leaves the Eagles with a quick-acting plan for 2025 up front. Elevating Kenyon Green from depth to starter is the most likely move as Philly tests its interior, while a veteran upgrade is on the table if a deal with Brandon Scherff or a Cole Strange trade becomes viable. The options threaten to reshape Hurts’ pocket time and the run game, with fantasy implications centered on how quickly the line stabilizes and which guard pairs with Mike Onwenu or Green.

Green’s internal development offers a cost-efficient bridge, Scherff’s pedigree could deliver immediate protection and push the run game forward, and Strange represents a swing move that could widen the Eagles’ flexibility. The shift in interior protection will influence Hurts’ decision-making, the timing of key plays, and overall fantasy upside for Eagles skill-position players entering 2025.

Late-round fantasy gold is on the radar as a slate of sleepers targets value in 2025 drafts. Braelon Allen could seize a bigger Jets role on early downs and near the goal line, challenging Breece Hall for touches after strong rushing grades and efficiency metrics. J.J. McCarthy lands in a hyper-supportive Vikings offense, making him a plausible late-round QB gamble behind one of the league’s top pass-catching groups. Receivers Josh Downs and Emeka Egbuka loom in Indianapolis and Tampa Bay, respectively, with Downs showing high per-play involvement and Egbuka’s path clearing if top targets are limited. Brenton Strange emerges in Jacksonville as a TE1 option, while Sam Darnold’s recent surge under Kevin O’Connell’s system highlights a theoretical late-round QB floor. The piece also flags Alec Pierce and Tyler Warren as potential Colts components to steal spots late in drafts. Overall, the theme is clear: value opportunities in double-digit rounds hinge on path to volume, efficiency, and offensive context, not just name recognition.