Injury-driven depth picks fuel this year’s late-round RB stash. Eight backs across multiple backfields offer true contingency upside in deep leagues, with Keaton Mitchell leading the tier as a potential Ravens fill-in if J.K. Dobbins misses time. The crew also includes Tahj Brooks, Bhayshul Tuten, Kyle Monangai, Jaydon Blue, Devin Neal, and Jordan James, each positioned behind established starters yet with clear paths to meaningful work should opportunities open. Expect waivers and late-draft targets to prize these players for possible burst weeks in 2025.

Mitchell’s speed and rookie efficiency foreshadow a high-ceiling role if volume rises; Brooks and Tuten carry breakout potential in Cincinnati and Jacksonville, respectively, while Monangai, Blue, Neal, and James offer clean depth-chart fits with upside in positive-game-script systems. Injuries to starters are the common catalyst, but even in non-injury weeks these backs can produce in limited touches via breakaway plays, goal-line chances, or as receiving options. The piece stresses that league rankings and late-round values remain fluid, making these players prime waiver-wire adds as the season unfolds.

The NFC South is shaping up as a tight, win-total driven race, with Tampa Bay favored to claim a fifth straight division title. They sit atop the odds with the highest projected win total in the division (9.5), signaling a built-in margin for error as they chase another playoff run. The Atlanta Falcons sit close in the betting lanes, facing an 8-win pace suggested by their 7.5 over/under, while Carolina eyes a similar target around 6.5 wins after a disappointing 2024 season. New Orleans sits as the long shot in the mix, pegged at 4.5 wins, a daunting hurdle given the rest of the division’s trajectory. The discussion includes notable upgrades in Atlanta, especially with Bijan Robinson and Michael Penix Jr. threading the offense, and Bryce Young’s hoped-for leap in Carolina under a system designed to maximize his quick processing and mobility. The Jets pop up as a contrasting benchmark in the wider league chatter, underscoring how fragile the South’s balance may be in 2025. Bettors’ favorite bets center on Falcons and Panthers staying over their set marks, while Saints must thread a difficult path to meaningful wins in a crowded NFL landscape.

Arizona’s No. 17 has a storied, quirky history. As the 2025 season opener against the Saints approaches, the Cardinals’ No. 17 has bridged eras—from Herm Schneidman and a 1940s lineup to Jim Hart’s Ring of Honor-era dominance and into Zay Jones’s current run since 2024. The piece walks through every player who wore the number for the Cardinals, spotlighting the position-shifted legacy and the fan intrigue around who might become the modern peak of No. 17, a debate tied to Hart’s legend.

The countdown nods to 17 days until kickoff and ties the legacy to today, noting Zay Jones’s hold on the number for a second straight year and the upcoming duel with New Orleans. It closes by teasing Cardinals coverage via Cards Wire’s Jess Root and Rise Up, See Red podcasts, inviting fans to listen for more context and analysis around a jersey with a surprisingly rich historical footprint.

Two sleepers per offensive position anchor a bold, value-first view for 2025 fantasy football. Brock Purdy is highlighted as a QB10 ADP with a path to top-5 fantasy upside if the San Francisco offense stays healthy and the line improves. Michael Penix Jr. lands as a high-upside QB in Atlanta’s system, backed by an improved OL and dynamic pass-catching options. Alvin Kamara appears as a rebound RB despite age and roster concerns, while Tony Pollard is the Titans’ clear focal point, poised for substantial volume. At WR, Rome Odunze is a breakout candidate in Chicago, with Wan’Dale Robinson serving as a reliable target volume engine for the Giants. On tight ends, Tucker Kraft and Ja'Tavion Sanders offer intriguing late-round value with potential early roles due to a WR-injury-heavy start. Ja'Marcus Ingram and Bijan Robinson are also touched on as complementary pieces to round out rosters. This piece keeps players grounded in 2025 ADP reality while highlighting upside paths for savvy fantasy managers.

A smart, brand-new fantasy digest for a ten-team, PPR league runs with a WR-first tilt from pick six. The strategy leans into two strong starting wideouts, rides the WR depth at picks 6–15, and treats the middle rounds as a corridor to lock in high-floor skill players. The article flags Brian Thomas Jr. as a standout sleeper in Round 2 and highlights Puka Nacua as the top WR option from Round 1, with Nacua posting elite target metrics and yards-per-route numbers that set a high-water mark for rookie receivers.

Beyond the wideouts, the draft plan pivots to a tight end early in Round 3 (George Kittle), then back to running back with Kenneth Walker III in Round 4. Patrick Mahomes is pegged as a value quarterback in Round 5 for 10-team leagues, while R.J. Harvey and Travis Hunter are cited as big upside picks in the later rounds. Slot-driven flow and the Saints’ offensive restructure are underscored as key drivers for Brian Thomas Jr.’s fantasy ceiling, with the piece cautioning about Olave’s concussion risk but noting his slot-ready role provides steady upside in the Saints’ revamped scheme.