Roschon Johnson
2024 PPG: 5.5
ADP: RB58
2025 Outlook: Roschon Johnson enters the 2025 season as one of the most intriguing late-round fantasy sleepers, currently going off the board around pick 183 as RB58. That draft position doesn’t reflect the upside he offers under new head coach and play-caller Ben Johnson, who brings a proven track record of maximizing two-back systems. In Detroit, Johnson turned Jamaal Williams and David Montgomery into touchdown machines while also unleashing D’Andre Swift and Jahmyr Gibbs in more dynamic roles. With a revamped offensive line and a system that has consistently supported productive backfields, Johnson is positioned for a role increase, especially in short-yardage and red-zone situations.
Running back production under Ben Johnson each year
2022: Jamaal Williams 13.3 PPG, 17 touchdowns; D’Andre Swift 13.7 PPG, 8 touchdowns
2023: David Montgomery 14.8 PPG, 14 touchdowns; Jahmyr Gibbs 16.1 PPG, 11 touchdowns
2024: David Montgomery 15.8 PPG, 12 touchdowns; Jahmyr Gibbs 21.3 PPG, 20 touchdowns
Despite limited touches in 2024, Roschon was highly efficient, boasting a 56.4% rushing success rate and scoring six touchdowns on just 55 carries. He also converted over 61% of his attempts inside the 5-yard line, showcasing elite goal-line ability. With D’Andre Swift likely to lead the backfield in touches, Johnson could still carve out a valuable role as the power complement, and his value could skyrocket if Swift misses time. He offers minimal draft-day risk with the potential to become a weekly fantasy starter. Given Ben Johnson’s history of elevating both RB1s and complementary backs into fantasy relevance, Roschon could be this year’s late-round gem who wins leagues.
J.J. McCarthy (QB, Minnesota Vikings)
2024 PPG: Missed all of 2024 due to injury
ADP: QB19
2025 Outlook: J.J. McCarthy enters 2025 in an ideal situation with the Minnesota Vikings, whose pass-heavy offense under Kevin O’Connell produced a QB9 finish for Sam Darnold in 2024. McCarthy’s college performance at Michigan,72% completion rate, 63.4% under pressure, and top-12 FBS rankings in multiple passing metrics, demonstrates his accuracy and poise. The Vikings’ skill players, including Justin Jefferson and T.J. Hockenson, combined with an improved offensive line, provide McCarthy with elite weapons to exploit defenses. His 237 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his final college season add a dual-threat element to his fantasy appeal.
O’Connell’s track record of elevating quarterbacks, with Vikings QBs averaging at least eight games of 23+ fantasy points over the past three seasons, bodes well for McCarthy’s breakout potential. Despite missing 2024 due to a torn meniscus, KOC will get him right and make him a high-upside QB1. Fantasy managers should consider McCarthy a late-round pick with the potential to deliver top-12 QB production in 2025.
Trey Benson (RB, Arizona Cardinals)
2024 PPG: 3.6
ADP: RB47
2025 Outlook: Trey Benson enters his second year with the Arizona Cardinals as a high-upside backup behind James Conner, who, at 30 years old, has a history of injury concerns. As a third-round pick in 2024, Benson showcased his talent in limited action, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and displaying elite athleticism with a 4.39-second 40-yard dash (97th percentile). The Cardinals’ offense faces the third-easiest schedule for running backs in 2025, setting the stage for Benson to capitalize on any opportunities. Head coach Jonathan Gannon mentioned he was impressed with Benson this offseason and potentially sees two starting running backs in Arizona.
His size (6’0”, 216 pounds) and speed make him a three-down back prototype, and his Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ranks 47th among running backs since 1987, highlighting his elite physical tools. If Conner misses time, Benson could seize the lead role in a run-heavy offense, potentially delivering RB2 production or better. Fantasy managers should target him in the late rounds as a high-upside pick with the potential to become a more consistent option if the Cardinals deploy a timeshare in the backfield.
Drake Maye (QB, New England Patriots)
2024 PPG: 13.6
ADP: QB17
2025 Outlook: Drake Maye’s rookie season showcased his dual-threat ability, averaging 18.7 fantasy points per game in nine starts where he played at least 90% of snaps, a pace that would rank him as QB11. Maye’s an incredibly good runner, finishing with 421 yards, 7.8 yards per carry, and a 10.79% scramble rate (second among QBs), which outpaced Josh Allen last year. The Patriots’ 2025 offense is significantly upgraded with additions like Stefon Diggs, running back TreVeyon Henderson, and a revamped offensive line providing Maye with better weapons and protection. This improved ecosystem should enhance his passing efficiency and overall production.
Maye’s 617-yard rushing pace over a full season highlights his fantasy upside, especially in leagues that reward mobile quarterbacks. Despite finishing as QB24 in 2024, his performance in limited starts suggests he’s undervalued outside the top-12 QBs in drafts. The Patriots’ commitment to building around him, combined with his elite rushing upside, should make fantasy managers target Maye as a high-upside mid-to-late round pick with significant breakout potential in 2025.
Brenton Strange (TE, Jacksonville Jaguars)
2024 PPG: 5.4
ADP: TE21
2025 Outlook: Brenton Strange enters the 2025 season as the clear starting tight end for the Jacksonville Jaguars following the departure of Evan Engram to Denver. A 2023 second-round pick, Strange showed promising flashes during his rookie campaign, especially when filling in for the injured Engram. In eight games without Engram, Strange caught 29 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns, highlighted by an eye-catching 11-catch, 73-yard outing on 12 targets in Week 14. Despite only running routes on 45.4% of team dropbacks, Strange still saw a strong 19.3% target rate and nearly matched Engram’s efficiency with a 1.50 yards per route run (YPRR) compared to Engram’s 1.51.
With 2024 now behind him, Strange steps into a prime position for a breakout. He logged top-10 tight end production in four of the seven games where he played 65% or more of the snaps, signaling real upside when given volume. The Jaguars didn’t add major competition at tight end in free agency or the draft, and Strange is highly regarded internally by the front office. He’ll now be working under new offensive coordinator Liam Coen, who ranked top 10 in passing volume last year with Tampa Bay. With a defense expected to struggle, a quality quarterback, and over seven targets per game vacated by Engram, Strange is set up to be a sneaky value at tight end in 2025 fantasy leagues.
Jaylen Wright (RB, Miami Dolphins)
2024 PPG: 1.8
ADP: RB53
2025 Outlook: Jaylen Wright didn’t live up to the lofty fantasy expectations many had for him as a rookie, finishing as the RB90 and averaging just 1.7 half-point PPR points per game. He topped 3.3 fantasy points only once all season, leaving managers disappointed. However, there’s reason for optimism heading into 2025. With the departures of Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson, Wright now steps into a much clearer role as the No. 2 back behind De’Von Achane. And with Achane’s extensive injury history, including foot, shoulder, knee, ankle, and concussion issues, Wright is in a strong position to see an increased workload should his teammate miss time.
Despite limited touches in his rookie campaign, Wright showed real promise when given opportunities. He ranked 13th among 61 qualified running backs in explosive run rate (5.9%) and reminded scouts of Jamaal Charles with his 4.38 speed and open-field burst. Wright has legit NFL size and game-breaking ability, making him a perfect fit for Mike McDaniel’s speed-focused offense. If Tua Tagovailoa remains healthy, Wright should benefit from more consistent offensive rhythm, much like the Mostert-Achane tandem thrived in 2023. The Dolphins trading up to select Wright in the fourth round of the 2024 NFL Draft signals their investment in his future. Heading into 2025, Wright profiles as a high-upside fantasy sleeper with a real shot at carving out a meaningful role in one of the league’s most explosive offenses.
Marvin Mims (WR, Denver Broncos)
2024 PPG: 7.6
ADP: WR54
2025 Outlook: Marvin Mims enters his third NFL season with a clear opportunity to carve out a consistent role in Sean Payton’s offense. While his rookie year showed flashes of his deep-threat potential, his involvement remained limited until late in his second season. After a slow start in 2024, averaging just 25% of routes and 1.9 targets per game through the first 10 weeks, Mims saw a significant uptick in involvement down the stretch. From Week 11 through the team’s lone playoff game, he averaged 3.9 targets per game and played 41% of routes, peaking with a 70% route share in the postseason. Most notably, his target rate surged to an elite 28.5%, signaling a shift in how the Broncos intend to use him.
That second-half breakout was fueled by Mims’ transformation into more than just a vertical threat. Rather than relying solely on deep shots, Payton began using Mims in the short game, reducing his average depth of target from 13.9 to 4.8 yards. This change unlocked his elite yards-after-catch ability; he led all wide receivers with 12.3 YAC per reception and ranked second in screen targets (27). He became a go-to option on screens and quick passes, catching 88% of his receptions within 10 yards of the line of scrimmage. Mims’ efficiency (2.57 yards per route run, WR4 overall) and dynamic playmaking give him a unique role in the Broncos’ receiving corps. If he maintains his usage and continues to evolve, Mims could emerge as a consistent and valuable fantasy contributor in 2025.
