Lineup Prep: Week 18
Wed Jan 1 10:18pm ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Darnold is playing great football
Instead of giving my usual random thoughts for the week, I thought it would be a lot more helpful to talk about playoff scenarios. There are not many leagues still playing Week 18 but some do for whatever reason. And it isn’t easy to navigate this last week. But we are here to help. Below is a look at all the playoff scenarios for both conferences. This should help figure out fantasy lineups for Week 18. There are going to be a lot of teams resting players this week.
The Chiefs are the No. 1 overall season for the AFC and have nothing to play for this week. They are going to rest many of their starters and have already named Carson Wentz the starting quarterback for this week. It will be hard to trust any of the usual fantasy players on the team.
Buffalo is similar to the Chiefs and is playing for nothing, having the No. 2 seed. The Bills have already said they will play a mix of starters and subs for this game. So it will once again be hard to play any of the Bills usual starters in your fantasy lineups this week.
The Ravens have clinched a playoff spot but are playing for the division title. This is an important game for the Ravens. If they win, they get to host a playoff game. If they lose, they have to go on the rod and play the Texans on wild-card weekend. I would expect the Ravens to go with their regulars and try to win this game.
Houston is like two other AFC teams and playing for nothing this week. They have won their division and are the No. 4 seed. They can’t move up or down based on what happens this weekend. The Texans might use their starters some this week after a terrible showing last week, but we would not expect them to play very long. It will be a risk to use any Texans in your lineup.
Pittsburgh is in the playoffs but has a chance to move up and win the division. The Steelers need to win against the Bengals and have the Ravens lose their game to the Browns to win the AFC North. We would expect the Steelers to go all out to win this game, meaning the starters should play.
The Chargers have clinched a playoff spot and will either be the No. 5 or 6 seed. And with either the five or six seed, Los Angeles will have to play a road game in their playoff opener. So this game doesn’t mean a whole lot to the Chargers. It is looking like they will rest many of their key players in this one. We would proceed with caution if you want to use any of these players in your fantasy lineup.
The Broncos, Dolphins and Bengals are all looking for that last playoff spot in the AFC. There is only one spot up for grabs with these three teams in the mix. They will do all they can to win and earn that playoff spot.
Over in the NFC, the top seed is still not set. The Lions and Vikings play each other for the right to be the No. 1 overall seed. This is a huge game that will have both teams using all their starters for the game. The team that loses moves all the way down to the No. 5 seed.
The Eagles are the No. 2 seed and set in that spot. They can’t move up or down. Philadelphia has already stated they are going to be resting starters in their game. So that means Saquon Barkley likely isn’t going to get his chance to break the single-season rushing record. It is a risk to use any Eagles starters in Week 18.
The Rams are in the playoffs but not quite set in their seeding. They will be the No. 3 seed with a win or a Bucs loss. And the Rams could fall to the No. 4 seed if they lose and the Bucs win their game. Los Angeles does have some stuff on the line this week, but are leaning towards resting their starters. It doesn’t seem being the three or four seed is as important as being healthy for their playoff opener. Unless something changes, using any Rams starter in your fantasy lineup is a big risk.
Washington is another team that has clinched a playoff spot. The Commanders are going to be either the No. 6 or 7 seed. While it isn’t a huge difference to be the sixth or seventh seed, it is looking like the Commanders are going to play their starters this week. Washington would rather be the higher seed and is looking to win this last game.
The Packers are in the exact same boat as Washington. Green Bay will either be the No. 6 or 7 seed. But with the team struggling their last game, the Packers have already decided to play their starters this week. Green Bay doesn’t want to end their regular season on a down note and will go all-in to win Week 18.
The Bucs and Falcons are looking to secure that last playoff spot. Both teams need wins this last week. They will not be resting starters and going with their usual top players to win their games. You can play their players with confidence.
News and Notes: The Cowboys released running back Ezekiel Elliott on Tuesday. He apparently asked for his release, hoping to possibly catch on with a playoff team.
HOT PLAYS
Sam Darnold, QB, Vikings. Darnold is up to sixth overall in fantasy quarterback scoring. He has two straight three-touchdown games and reached that mark three of four games. He has 300-yard games three of six games. He is playing as well as any fantasy quarterback in the game right now. Darnold is setup for another big showing this week against a reeling Lions pass defense. Detroit is all beat up with injuries in the secondary and has allowed at least 323-passing yards three straight games. Detroit allows the eighth most fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Bucky Irving, RB, Bucs. Irving didn’t find the end zone last week but had 190 total yards on 24 touches. He has 100-yard rushing games two of three and three of five games. Irving has emerged as one of the top fantasy backs in the game his rookie season. He is setup for a strong game in the finally, playing a Saints team he scored 18.5 fantasy points against in Week 6. The Saints allow the seventh most fantasy points to running backs and are 30th overall against the run, allowing 139.1-rushing yards per game.
Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders. McLaurin had his worst game of the season last week, catching just a pass for five yards on seven targets. It was a game to forget for him, but we look for the Commanders to make it a point to get the ball to him early and often in Week 17. He gets a Cowboys team that allows the seventh most fantasy points to receivers and allowed 267-passing yards to the Commanders in Week 12. McLaurin had five receptions for 102 yards and a touchdown in that Week 12 game against the Cowboys.
Jerry Jeudy, WR, Browns. Jeudy remains one of the few bright spots for the Browns. He is 11th overall in fantasy receiver scoring and has double-digit receptions two of three games. He was targeted a season-high 18 times last week. You could see the Browns getting behind in their game this week against the Ravens, having to throw often. And Baltimore struggles against the pass, allowing the third most fantasy points to receivers. Jeudy is a must start in this one.
Pat Freiermuth, TE, Steelers. Freiermuth didn’t score a touchdown last week but had double-digit fantasy points for the fourth time in five games. He had seven receptions for 60 yards on eight targets. He has really become a dependable fantasy tight end down the home stretch of the fantasy season. Look for another solid game this week against the Bengals, a team that allows the most fantasy points to tight ends. Freiermuth had six receptions for 68 yards and a touchdown against the Bengals in Week 13.
COLD PLAYS
Aaron Rodgers, QB, Jets. The Rodgers signing in New York continues to look like a disaster for the Jets. He started to show some signs of fantasy life a few weeks back but has struggled once again the last two games. He has fewer than 17 fantasy points two straight. And he had his worst game of the season last week, scoring just 3.6 fantasy points. We don’t see it getting any better for Rodgers the last game of the season against the Dolphins. Miami allows the fewest fantasy points to quarterbacks.
Jerome Ford, RB, Browns. Ford ran six times for just 22 yards last week and suffered an ankle injury in the game. He was cleared to return but the Browns didn’t use him. This is a concern for Ford. You just don’t know how much he will be used the last week of the season. Plus, Ford gets a really tough matchup against a good Ravens run defense. Baltimore allows the sixth fewest fantasy points to running backs and ranks first overall against the run.
Marvin Harrison, WR, Cardinals. Harrison finally got some looks like week, having 10 targets, his third-highest total of the season. He had six receptions for 96 yards. It was encouraging to see Harrison more involved in the passing game. We just still have a hard time trusting him. Harrison has fewer than 50 yards three of four games. Plus, he plays the 49ers, a team that allows the fifth fewest fantasy points to receivers.
Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers. McConkey had a huge game last week, catching eight passes for 94 yards and two touchdowns on 10 targets. He was great once again for the Chargers. The Chargers have clinched a playoff spot, though, and don’t have much on the line this week. McConkey has been beat up in recent weeks, so it would not surprise to see them limit his playing time this last week. McConkey also gets a Raiders team that is good against the pass, allowing the fourth fewest fantasy points to receivers.
Dalton Schultz, TE, Texans. There was thought that Schultz would be a lot more involved in the offense with Tank Dell out. That really hasn’t been the case, though. He has fewer than 25 yards two of three and hasn’t topped 50 yards in any three of those games. Schultz is a tough player to trust for fantasy teams. And he gets a tough matchup to end his season, playing a Titans team that is good at stopping the tight end. Tennessee allows the third most fantasy points to tight ends.
SLEEPERS
Joe Flacco, QB, Colts. Flacco is likely to get another start the last week of the season for the Colts. He scored 21.6 fantasy points last week, throwing for 330 yards and two touchdowns. He has two games with 20-plus fantasy points this season. He also has 270-plus passing yards three times this season. He is always capable of the big game, so he has some value against the Jaguars this week. Jacksonville allows the second most fantasy points to quarterbacks and is dead last against the pass. Flacco had his best game of the season against the Jaguars in Week 5, scoring 31.15 fantasy points.
Antonio Gibson, RB, Patriots. The Patriots are sending a message to Rhamondre Stevenson, concerned about his fumbling issues. Gibson played more snaps than Stevenson for the first time all season last week, playing 55 percent of the time compared to 45 percent for Steveson. Gibson has double-digit carries two straight games and has some real potential this week in an expanded role against the Bills. Buffalo allows the third most fantasy points to running backs.
Rashod Bateman, WR, Ravens. Bateman is a little bit of a touchdown-dependent player but is finding the end zone fairly regularly of late. He has scores two of three games. He is always a threat to make a big play in this offense. Bateman is worth a look in Week 17, especially with some fantasy teams looking for options because of players getting rested. Plus, the Browns allow the sixth most fantasy points to receivers.
Kyle Pitts, TE, Falcons. Pitts has been a disappointment once again this season. He did score a touchdown last week, though, and has four receptions two of three games. He remains capable of the big game because of his skill set. He gets the Panthers this week, a team that struggles to stop the tight end. Carolina allows the second most fantasy points to tight ends. And in Week 6 against the Panthers, Pitts had three receptions for 70 yards on five targets.
Kenneth Gainwell, RB, Eagles. It looks like the Eagles are going to rest their starters this week. Saquon Barkley might play a few snaps but not likely enough to break the rushing record, giving Gainwell more chances. You could also see the Eagles getting up big in this game, leading to Gainwell getting more running plays late. And if that happens, Gainwell can post some good numbers against a Giants team that allows the fourth most fantasy points to running backs.
High/Low Scoring Games
Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.
High Scoring Games: Ravens/Steelers, Panthers/Falcons, Jaguars/Colts, Commanders/Cowboys, 49ers/Cardinals, Vikings/Lions.
Low Scoring Games: Bills/Patriots, Texans/Titans, Chargers/Raiders, Dolphins/Jets.
Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at jeff@rtsports.com. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.
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The Paur Report
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton said that new tight end Evan Engram fits the Joker role well. "I'm excited," Payton said. "The vision is pretty clear. Obviously we feel like he's someone who can run, gives us a passing threat on third down and in the red zone. He's got good body control and I think he's really good when he gets the ball in his hands. His run-after-catch numbers, statistically-wise, have been good." The 30-year-old former 23rd overall pick by the New York Giants in 2017 out of Mississippi had a career year in Jacksonville with 114 catches, 963 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. He played in only nine games in 2024, though before needing surgery to fix a torn labrum in his left shoulder. However, as a likely high-volume target for quarterback Bo Nix, Engram will have clear bounce-back potential in fantasy and will be a nice low-end TE1 target with upside.
From RotoBaller
Chicago Bears new head coach Ben Johnson said the team plans to go "back to the basics" with quarterback Caleb Williams heading into his second year as a pro after a disappointing rookie campaign after he was the No. 1 overall pick in last year's draft. "It's the fundamentals of the quarterback position: What's our footwork going to look like under center? From the shotgun? What are we calling the formations? What's the defensive identification going to look like? So that we're all speaking the same language," Johnson said. The 23-year-old will take more snaps under center during offseason workouts to gauge his comfort level. Chicago ran 70.8% of their plays from shotgun in 2024 (tied for 16th-most), but the Lions lined up in shotgun less than any other team under Johnson. Williams took a league-high 68 sacks last year, so using more play-action should help better protect him. On paper, the addition of Johnson should be excellent news for Williams' development.
From RotoBaller
Indianapolis Colts quarterbacks Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will split first-team repetitions in practices as soon as the team begins offseason workouts on April 21, according to head coach Shane Steichen. The Colts don't plan to ease the two QBs into the competition for the starting job. Steichen said "it's going to come down to who's the most consistent, who's the most productive, will be the starter." The Colts still hope that Richardson, the former fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, will develop into the long-term franchise starting signal-caller. But the 22-year-old has been way too inconsistent as a passer in his first two NFL seasons and has missed 17 of a possible 34 games due to four separate injuries. He completed just 47.7% of his passes in 2024, but his dynamic abilities as a runner make continue to give him high-end QB1 upside if he can ever put it all together and stay healthy.
From RotoBaller
When asked if the Washington Commanders have a desire to give wide receiver Terry McLaurin a new deal before the 2025 season, general manager Adam Peters said they've had talks with McLaurin's agent, and they've been positive so far. "We want to make Terry a Commander for a long time," Peters said. McLaurin was a Pro Bowler for the second time in 2024 and posted his fifth straight 1,000-yard campaign by catching 82 of his 117 targets for 1,096 yards and a career-high 13 touchdowns in 17 regular-season starts with impressive rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. The 29-year-old has one year left on the three-year, $68.2 million extension he signed in 2022. The addition of wideout Deebo Samuel Sr. shouldn't really affect Scary Terry's overall volume, although fantasy managers should expect TD regression. Still, with McLaurin paired with the upside of Daniels, he should be a popular WR2 target this fall.
From RotoBaller
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (knee), who missed all but the opening month of 2024 after having knee surgery for a torn LCL, is expected to be ready for training camp in July, according to head coach Andy Reid. "He's on track to be ready," Reid said. "We'll see. He's working his tail off right now, I know." Before suffering his season-ending knee injury in Week 4, Rice was leading the league in catches through three weeks and was second in receiving yards as quarterback Patrick Mahomes' favorite target. While Rice should continue to be a bit part of KC's passing attack in 2025 if healthy, he'll also be sharing targets with both Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy. The 24-year-old former second-rounder is a physical freak, though, and excels at generating yards after the catch in one of the best offenses in the league. As long as his knee injury doesn't cause him to lose a step, he'll have WR1 upside in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said it was miraculous that running back Keaton Mitchell (knee) even returned to the field last year from a knee injury that cut short his rookie year in 2023. "I'm almost certain he's going to be on a whole other level coming back this spring," Harbaugh said. The 23-year-old missed the first nine games of the 2024 season and ended up seeing action in only five games, carrying the ball 15 times for 30 yards and catching his only target for 28 yards. Mitchell's path to fantasy relevance in his third year in 2025 will be difficult as long as both Derrick Henry and Justice Hill are healthy, but the upside is evident after a rookie season that saw him average 8.4 yards per carry on 47 rushing attempts before his knee injury. It remains to be seen if he'll be as explosive coming off his serious knee injury, but he could be a nice buy-low target in dynasty/keeper leagues.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets new head coach Aaron Glenn called wide receiver Garrett Wilson a "dynamic player" and said the team is going to look to get him the ball "as much as possible." That was expected to be the case as soon as the Jets decided to move on from quarterback Aaron Rodgers and receiver Davante Adams. Wilson was still a top-12 fantasy receiver in half-PPR scoring last year despite Adams taking away valuable targets, but the 24-year-old's upside will be even higher as the unquestioned WR1 for new Jets quarterback Justin Fields, especially if they are force-feeding him targets. Fields has plenty left to prove as a passer, but it will be a bonus that Wilson and Fields already have plenty of chemistry from their days playing together in college at Ohio State. The volume should be there, but efficiency will be a question mark for Wilson, who should be considered a legitimate WR1 in fantasy.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh said that he'd like the team to extend running back Derrick Henry, who is heading into the last year of his current deal in 2025. It comes after Henry signed a two-year, $16 million deal last offseason and said in February that he'd like to finish his career in Baltimore. It makes sense for both sides after King Henry didn't show any signs of slowing down in 2024 with 1,921 rushing yards and a league-high 16 rushing touchdowns on 325 carries while adding 19 receptions for 193 yards and two touchdowns through the air in 17 regular-season starts. It was good enough to make him the RB3 in half-PPR scoring, behind only Jahmyr Gibbs and Saquon Barkley. Father Time is undefeated, but Henry is a different beast and pairs extremely well with quarterback Lamar Jackson's rushing ability. Henry is still much more attractive in standard-scoring fantasy leagues, but either way, he's a high-end RB1.
From RotoBaller
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan said that running back Christian McCaffrey (knee) is "healthy and doing great" this offseason. Despite playing in just four games in 2024 due to Achilles and knee injuries, McCaffrey said back in January that he was close to 100 percent and probably would have played if the team had advanced to the playoffs. The 28-year-old do-it-all back averaged a mediocre 4.0 yards per carry on his 50 rushing attempts in 2024. Jordan Mason was traded to the Minnesota Vikings this offseason, and although CMC is still the team's unquestioned lead back when healthy, it's possible that Isaac Guerendo could see more complementary work in the backfield in 2025. McCaffrey surely won't be the No. 1 overall fantasy pick this fall after being the biggest bust in 2024, but although there's plenty of injury risk, the upside will still make him hard to pass up as a high-end RB1.
From RotoBaller
At the Annual League Meeting on Tuesday, Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales compared wide receiver Xavier Legette to Pittsburgh Steelers wideout DK Metcalf. The Panthers reportedly checked in on Metcalf before the Seahawks traded him to Pittsburgh, but Carolina's head coach touted one of his own when asked about him. "I think we got that guy," Canales said, "I think it's Xavier." The 24-year-old flashed in 2024 but was mostly underwhelming and struggled with drops (eight on 81 targets). However, Canales believes we could see big things from Legette with an entire offseason under his belt. He also noted the second-year wideout's work ethic. "You can't get him out of the building. He's there early and late...he's doing all the right things, and with the hard work, it will pay off." The South Carolina native has a bit to go before he's fantasy-relevant, but the vote of confidence from his head coach is encouraging. He sits favorably on the team's depth chart for now, but that could change later this month after the draft.
From RotoBaller
The New York Giants have re-signed linebacker Ty Summers to an undisclosed contract. Summers spent 2024 with the Giants -- his third team -- appearing in 16 games for the squad. Though the TCU product was mainly a special-teamer (61.4% of the team's snaps), he garnered two starts at the end of the year and produced an 11-tackle effort. He's likely to serve as a depth/special teams asset for New York again in 2025. However, he was productive from Week 16 to Week 18 when he saw the field on defense (22 tackles), and it wouldn't be surprising to see him push for more playing time this upcoming season. Summers started just one game in his career otherwise -- in 2020 with Green Bay.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have reached a one-year agreement with former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Sam Ehlinger. FOX Sports NFL Insider Jordan Schultz reported the news, though the contract details have not been reported. Ehlinger had multiple offers, per Schultz, but chose the Broncos because he saw the best fit with head coach Sean Payton. The Texas product was a sixth-round pick for Indianapolis in 2021 and made just three starts over his four seasons with the team. In four appearances -- all in 2022 -- Ehlinger has 573 yards and a 3:3 TD:INT ratio with a 63.3% completion rate. He'll compete with incumbent backup Jarrett Stidham for the second-string quarterback role behind second-year sensation Bo Nix.
From RotoBaller
ESPN's Adam Schefter reports that the Arizona Cardinals are signing veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell to a one-year, $5.5 million deal. The 38-year-old returns to the team that selected him in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Campbell bounced around the league after departing from the Cardinals following the 2016 season, including stints in Jacksonville, Baltimore, Atlanta, and finally Miami in 2024. Even at 38, the Denver native played nearly 58% of the team's defensive snaps, collecting 52 tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble in 17 appearances. Arizona has beefed up its defensive line in free agency, with Campbell joining Josh Sweat as pass-rushing reinforcement.
From RotoBaller
Detroit Lions defensive tackle Alim McNeill (knee) is expected to miss training camp and could miss the start of the regular season, according to head coach Dan Campbell. McNeill suffered a torn ACL in Week 14 of last season and sounds likely to end up on the Physically Unable To Perform (PUP) to begin the 2025 campaign. McNeill is one of the better interior defensive linemen in the NFL and has compiled 137 tackles (66 solo), 11.5 sacks, three pass deflections, and 24.5 run stuffs in 61 career games since being selected in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of NC State. While it's not ideal for the 24-year-old to miss time early in the season, getting him back later in the year for another potential playoff run is the focus of the organization.
From RotoBaller
Washington Commanders offensive tackle Brandon Coleman is moving to the right side of the line after starting at left tackle in his rookie season in 2024, according to head coach Dan Quinn. The franchise traded for Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil this offseason, and Coleman is expected to provide depth or competition behind starting right tackle Andrew Wylie. Coleman was a third-round selection out of TCU in the 2024 NFL Draft and played in 16 games (12 starts) a season ago. While this move doesn't directly affect fantasy football, a stronger offensive line and versatile depth at tackle can only help the prospects of Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler, and Brian Robinson Jr.
From RotoBaller
The Carolina Panthers are re-signing running back Raheem Blackshear to a one-year deal, according to NFL.com. After going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, Blackshear spent the 2022 preseason with the Buffalo Bills before landing with the Panthers, where he has been ever since. In his three-year NFL career, the 26-year-old has totaled 52 carries for 203 yards and three touchdowns on the ground and 16 receptions for 138 yards through the air in 41 games. With Chuba Hubbard, Rico Dowdle, and potentially Jonathon Brooks (knee) in the Carolina backfield next season, it would be a surprise if Blackshear ends up on the fantasy football radar.
From RotoBaller
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins is not expected to participate in the team's voluntary offseason training program, according to head coach Raheem Morris. Cousins is just over a year removed from signing a four-year, $180 million contract ($100 million guaranteed) but was benched after throwing 18 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 14 games last season for first-round rookie Michael Penix Jr. The team has stated they are comfortable keeping Cousins on the roster as a backup, but he could still be cut or traded at some point before the 2025 regular season.
From RotoBaller
Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has been negotiating directly with All-Pro pass-rusher Micah Parsons on a long-term contract extension and is offering him a contract that would make him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the NFL, according to DLLS Sports' Clarence Hill. The Cowboys have conducted all negotiations without Parsons' agent, David Mulugheta, and haven't talked with him since the scouting combine in late February. Parsons will not sign a new deal without his agent's approval, so this could be a sticking point in negotiations. The 25-year-old former 12th overall pick in 2021 out of Penn State has made the Pro Bowl in all four of his NFL seasons and has been a first-team All-Pro twice, having recorded a whopping 52.5 sacks in 63 regular-season games. Regardless of his contract situation, Parsons is an elite pass-rusher in IDP fantasy leagues.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Rams general manager Les Snead said he expects center Coleman Shelton, who was re-signed to a two-year deal in free agency this spring, to start again in 2025. Shelton started for the Rams in parts of the 2022 season and for all of 2023 before spending last year with the Chicago Bears. Due to injuries in 2024, rookie sixth-rounder Beaux Limmer ended up starting at center. While Limmer held his own in a starting role last year, the Rams wanted to upgrade at the position and improve the communication along the offensive line. The Rams will continue to develop Limmer in 2025, and he could also be used at guard. The 29-year-old Shelton also started all 17 regular-season games while with the Bears in 2024. It's good news for quarterback Matthew Stafford and the rest of the Rams offense.
From RotoBaller
Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said that he's optimistic that wide receiver Chris Godwin (ankle) will be ready to play in Week 1 of the 2025 regular season. "I'm hoping he's on the field Week 1. I'll have more to know about that after [this] month goes on - see how he feels when he gets running and practicing and everything else," Bowles said. Despite suffering a dislocated left ankle in Week 7 of 2024 that sidelined him for the rest of the season, the Bucs re-signed Godwin this offseason to a three-year contract. The 29-year-old pass-catcher will continue to form an excellent one-two punch with veteran Mike Evans when he's healthy, but there will be plenty of skepticism about his fantasy value until we see him get back on the field this offseason. The good news is he was averaging a career-high 19.7 PPR fantasy points per game last year before his injury.
From RotoBaller
