NFL players whose stocks soared and then fell

We've reached the end of the line. Most fantasy football leagues have crowned champions, and now it's time to bask in the success (or soak in the failure) for all of us.

In retrospect, the 2024 NFL season was a great one for rookie players, especially those at skill positions. If there's a general theme this year, it's that talented young players can develop without a long learning curve. Fantasy managers who have rolled the dice to select this year's top rookies have often seen good returns on their investments.

Here are the players whose fantasy value has increased or decreased the most based on their performance this season:

Fantasy Football Players to Buy in 2025

QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commander: Rookie quarterbacks rarely find immediate success in the NFL, but Daniels was an interesting exception. He was equally effective with his legs (setting a franchise rushing record for a QB) as he was with his arm (69% completion percentage, 25 TDs). As a top-five QB this season, he will likely be selected higher in next year's draft.

RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Irving, an unknown fourth-round rookie, took over the leadback role from veteran Rachaad White and topped 1,000 yards in Week 17. In his best game of the season overall, he ran for 113 yards and caught four more passes for 77. . Not bad considering his preseason ADP is 161 (RB 53).

RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: Brown's receiving ability in the NFL's best passing offense puts him in the top 10 among fantasy backs. He ranks fourth with 54 catches and will easily surpass 1,000 rushing yards in the season finale. Zack Moss is just a distant memory.

WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: The 23rd overall pick in a draft filled with top wideouts, Thomas outscored all of his Class of 2024 peers by catching 10 TD passes and ranking fourth in PPR fantasy points through 17 weeks.

TE Brock Bowers (Las Vegas Raiders): Despite the Raiders' terrible quarterback issues throughout the season, there doesn't seem to be a difference in Bowers' production. The rookie from Georgia is poised to take the top spot among tight ends, leading the league in both receptions (108) and yardage (1,144).

Fantasy Football Players for Sale in 2025

QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons: Aside from his 509-yard, 4-TD effort in Week 5, Cousins has been a huge free agent bust. He lost his starting job after going four games without a touchdown pass, and will likely be on the market again this offseason as the Falcons turn to 2024 draftee Michael Penix Jr.

RB Christian McCaffrey (San Francisco 49ers): The consensus No. 1 overall fantasy pick “if healthy” came with a dangerous warning. Turns out he didn't until week 10. And by then, many fantasy managers' seasons had already sunk. Due to a season-ending knee sprain, his entire season consisted of four starts and zero touchdowns.

WR Chris Olave (New Orleans Saints): Olave only played half a season due to multiple concussions, but wasn't very efficient when he was on the field. He topped 100 receiving yards only once and finished with one touchdown catch.

WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts: High expectations for Pittman (ADP: 30) did not materialize as second-year QB Anthony Richardson struggled with injuries and inconsistency. It doesn't bode well that his best games seemed to be under center with backup Joe Flacco.

TE Sam Laporta (Detroit Lions): After a stellar rookie season, LaPorta became nothing more than an afterthought in the Lions' high-powered offense. He's only had one game with six or more catches or 70 receiving yards, and that came in Week 15, after his fantasy managers' season was already over.

2024-12-30 23:41:48

NFL players whose stocks soared and then fell