Fast Finishers
Wed Jan 29 8:53am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Young has big finish to season
We like to do this article after every season, looking at the fantasy players that produced big late in the season. Is this a sign of things to come for these fantasy players? Or do we think these players have little shot to keep producing at such a high clip? It is always a good idea to examine these players to try to figure out if their stats are fact or fiction.
So here are some of the top finishers this season and our thoughts on their fantasy value going forward.
Bryce Young, QB, Panthers. Young had quite the turnaround to his season. He was benched, returned to the starting lineup and played as well as any quarterback late in the year. If you can believe this, Young was second overall in fantasy quarterback scoring his last three games. He had 28-plus fantasy points two of three games and scored a season-best 38.95 fantasy points in Week 18. Young just looked like a different quarterback late in the year, playing with confidence and making big play after big play. If the Panthers can get him some more talent to work with offensively, you have to like his chances to have the breakout season in year three. Things are trending up for Young.
Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts. The Colts leaned heavily on Taylor late in the season, changing the offensive philosophy with their quarterbacks struggling with turnovers. Instead, Taylor had 29-plus carries each of his last three games. He was second overall in fantasy running back scoring those three games. Taylor was just 13th overall for the entire season but carried fantasy teams to championships during the playoffs. It would not surprise to see the Colts really lean on Taylor again next season but from the get-go. It is likely Anthony Richardson gets one last chance to start for the Colts, so look for the team to try to limit the chances for him to make mistakes.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, 49ers. Pearsall had all sorts of injury problems his rookie season but was healthy late in the year and played a big role in the offense with the 49ers having injury problems offensively. Pearsall had 18-plus fantasy points each of his last two games. It is not certain where Pearsall will be on the depth chart next year but it sure looks like he will be a big part of this high-powered offense going forward. The 49ers didn’t use a high draft pick on him to sit him on their bench. He is going to be an intriguing late-round fantasy pick.
Tyjae Spears, RB, Titans. Spears had an injury-plagued season but was healthy late in the season and even got some starts with Tony Pollard out. Spears had 21-plus fantasy points two of his last three games. He shows his potential in an expanded role offensively. We aren’t sure if this is going to be a trend, though. Spears is likely to split the work again next season but if Pollard is gone for some reason, his stock would go up in a hurry. But for now, expect Spears to platoon once again.
Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals. Higgins was the top-ranked fantasy receiver his last three games. He had 19-plus fantasy points three of his last four, including a 41.1 fantasy point performance in Week 17. Higgins is a free agent this offseason, so his landing spot will obviously make a big impact on his fantasy value. But if he lands in the right situation, Higgins could be setup for a career season. He has never been that clear top option in the passing game with Ja’Marr Chase around. That might change for him going forward, though. Higgins could be an elite fantasy receiver.
Justin Herbert, QB, Chargers. The Chargers were more of a run-first team much of the year but let Herbert air it out a lot more late in the year. He was fourth in fantasy quarterback scoring his last three games and had 26-plus fantasy points three of his last four games. He produced more like you are used to when it comes to his fantasy production. Is this going to be a trend for next season? We still aren’t so sure with Jim Harbaugh still running the show. The Chargers are going to run the ball. It would not surprise to see Herbert hit and miss once again despite his big numbers late in the year.
Marvin Mims, WR, Broncos. There was a lot of high hope for Mims this season but he got off to an awful start, getting dropped in most fantasy leagues. He was a lot more involved in the offense the second half of the season, though, producing his best numbers late. He had multiple touchdown games each of his last two, topping 22 fantasy points each of those games. The Broncos could make him a bigger part of the offense from day one next season. It would not surprise, considering his big plays made late in the season. The only thing to keep an eye on is the Broncos offseason moves. If they don’t bring in much more, Mims could have a breakout 2025.
Jalen McMillan, WR, Bucs. McMillan was a nonfactor much of his rookie season but became a big part of the Bucs passing game from week 14 on. He had 16-plus fantasy points five straight games to end his season. He found the end zone each of those five games and had five receptions four straight games. McMillan was 11th overall in fantasy scoring the last three games. McMillan could be the No. 2 or 3 receiver in the Bucs high-powered offense from day one next year. His huge finish showed his potential in an expanded role. He should just keep getting better with more seasoning.
Jonnu Smith, TE, Dolphins. Smith had a career season but it was really from about Week 11 forward. He had 19-plus fantasy points five of his last eight games. He was a huge part of the Dolphins passing attack. He had double-digit targets four of seven games. The Dolphins clearly like what he brings to the offense and should be a top option for their passing game once again next year. He might even improve on his already big numbers from this past season. Smith seems to finally be living up to his potential.
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
Dynasty | The Vikings drafted Maryland receiver Tai Felton with the final pick of the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Felton was the final pick of the third round, landing with the Minnesota Vikings in the process. He's a thin receiver and a bit of a product of his environment, but he could also be a late bloomer. After being taken on the second day, his stock seems to be on the rise and he should make for a solid mid-round rookie flier as a result.
Dynasty | Texas wide receiver Isaiah Bond was not taken on day two of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: This isn't exactly shocking considering the fact Bond is under investigation for misconduct. Still, it's notable as his talent is clearly better than that of a third day pick. We'll see what happens tomorrow, but he's looking like a late round flier in rookie drafts at best right now.
Dynasty | Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders was not taken on day two of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: This is now truly shocking. Sanders was once the favorite to go at #1 overall and he's currently sitting on the board after 102 other players have been taken. Even worse, teams like New Orleans (Tyler Shough), Cleveland (Dillon Gabriel) and Seattle (Jalen Milroe) all took quarterbacks tonight and none of them decided Sanders was worth their selection. The freefall is one unlike we've seen in some time and it's going to take some time to sort out exactly what happened here. Sanders' rookie draft stock is bordering on zero at this point.
The Minnesota Vikings have selected Maryland wide receiver Tai Felton with the 102nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. This selection represented the final pick of the third round and officially marked the end of Day 2. Felton developed into a talented draft prospect over four seasons at Maryland, culminating with a senior campaign in which he caught 96 passes for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns. Minnesota already has Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison leading its wide receiver room, so Felton will merely offer valuable depth. He's a solid developmental piece who could ultimately compete with Jalen Nailor and Rondale Moore for the No. 3 receiver role.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Denver Broncos drafted Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant in the third round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: This was about a round or two earlier than expected, so Bryant is likely going to move up into the late third round of rookie drafts as a result. He's a great goal line player and solid athlete, but he's going to need to refine his skills to be more than just a specialist for the Broncos.
Dynasty | The Houston Texans drafted Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel in the third round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: It's a very interesting pick as the Texans also took his teammate, Jayden Higgins in the second round. Noel will likely play the slot but it's hard to see immediate production with Higgins, Nico Collins and a soon-to-return Tank Dell in the mix. This has the looks of a pick that's better in reality than fantasy and Noel's draft stock is going to fall a touch after the draft now.
Dynasty | The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Most connected him to Pittsburgh but most also didn't believe he'd make it all the way to the 83rd pick in the NFL Draft. This is a great spot for Johnson, who should form a nice duo with Jaylen Warren next year and slide right into the void left by the departed Najee Harris. Johnson was in our top ten pre-draft and while that may be tough to hold on to, it's still right in the range where he's likely going to be taken based on this landing spot as he really is a prototypical Steeler player with his toughness, grit and motor.
Dynasty | The Pittsburgh Steelers drafted Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: It was nearly impossible to think Pittsburgh was going to go through the draft's first two days without addressing both quarterback and running back. Well, quarterback hasn't been in the cards thus far but Johnson will help fill the void left by Najee Harris' departure. It's a big blow to the dynasty prospects of Warren in theory, but few really felt like he was going to be given the backfield all to himself anyway. He'll remain in the RB3 mix now as part of a likely committee for the Steelers.
Dynasty | The Seattle Seahawks drafted Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: It's an intriguing landing spot to say the least. He'll have little chance to challenge the incumbent (and highly paid) Sam Darnold for meaningful snaps next season, but Darnold also has an out in his contract that could make his time in Seattle short. The Seahawks will likely take a year to see if Milroe really does have the ability to refine his passing. If he can, he can be the next Jalen Hurts. If he can't, he's going to have a short career. He'll be a fun late round pick in rookie drafts because of his rushing ability alone.
Dynasty | The Cleveland Browns drafted Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Gabriel landed in a dream scenario being drafted by the Browns in the third round. He'll compete with Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco early in his career and while the chance of him starting in week one are remote, the chances of him playing at some point this year seem strong. He's going to move up the draft board after being the fifth quarterback taken with real draft capital being used on him as well.
The Arizona Cardinals have selected Michigan defensive back Will Johnson with the 47th overall pick during Friday's draft. Wow, well this could end up being a steal for the Cardinals as Johnson fell in the draft likely due to injury concerns. Johnson was viewed as a Day 1 prospect, but being limited to seven games last season probably hurt his draft stock. When healthy, Johnson has proven to be an elite zone coverage defensive back with good size and length. He finished his college career with 57 tackles, nine interceptions, and three returned touchdowns. Johnson should be a Day 1 starter and an immediate impact player on defense in Arizona.
From RotoBaller
The Seattle Seahawks have selected Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe with the 92nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Milroe is the only FBS player with 30 plus passing touchdowns and 30 plus rushing touchdowns from 2023-2024. He threw for 5,678 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions while rushing for 1,257 yards and 32 touchdowns over the last two seasons. The 22-year-old has a cannon for an arm and is an exceptional athlete, but he needs to improve his accuracy as a passer. He will start off the 2025 season as the third-string quarterback behind Sam Darnold and Drew Lock. Milroe is ranked 38th overall as a rookie but is more of a dynasty stash for now as a backup for Seattle.
From RotoBaller
The Packers added another top receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft by selecting Savion Williams in the third round with the 87th overall pick after taking Matthew Golden in Round 1. Williams is a versatile playmaker who had a receiving, rushing, and passing touchdown last year with TCU. He is a solid receiver but also starred as the team's wildcat quarterback at times last year. He ran for six touchdowns and caught six more scores. He lined up in the backfield, out wide, and in the slot. The Packers could utilize him all over the formation in a role similar to Deebo Samuel Sr. or Cordarrelle Patterson. He'll be an interesting name to track in camp and preseason to see how the Packers incorporate his skill set into their growing offense.
From RotoBaller
The Cleveland Browns have selected Oregon quarterback Dillon Gabriel with the 94th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Browns have been linked to various members of the quarterback class for quite a while, and now, they finally pull the trigger in the back half of the third round. Gabriel is the fifth signal-caller off the board, joining Cam Ward, Jaxson Dart, Tyler Shough, and Jalen Milroe. Interestingly, Shedeur Sanders, who was once mentioned as a candidate for Cleveland at No. 2 overall, remains available as many quarterback-needy teams opt for different players. Gabriel played six seasons of college football, with stops at UCF, Oklahoma, and Oregon. Replacing Bo Nix with the Ducks in 2024, Gabriel completed 326 of his 447 pass attempts for 3,857 yards, 30 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He also showcased his mobility with 149 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns. Gabriel will likely compete with Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco while the Browns wait for Deshaun Watson (Achilles) to get healthy.
From RotoBaller
The Steelers used the 83rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft to add Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round. He had a solid year with the Hawkeyes despite their struggles on offense, totaling 1,537 rushing yards and 21 rushing touchdowns on 240 attempts and adding 188 more yards and two touchdowns on 22 receptions out of the backfield. Johnson was a consensus All-American and a finalist for the Doak Walker Award as the top running back in the nation. This year, he'll team up with Jaylen Warren, who signed his restricted free agent tender, and Kenneth Gainwell to make up the primary options in the Steelers' backfield after the departure of Najee Harris to the Chargers. Johnson could replace Harris as the team's short-yardage, bigger back in the rotation.
From RotoBaller
The Denver Broncos have selected Illinois wide receiver Pat Bryant with the 74th overall pick in the NFL Draft. He was projected to go on Day 3 but was taken by Denver in Round 3 on Friday. The 6-foot-2 wide receiver has strong hands and is a big, possessive wideout who is a reliable blocker. Bryant tied for the Big Ten lead with 10 receiving touchdowns and racked up 54 catches for 984 receiving yards for Illinois last season. He will compete with Marvin Mims, Devaughn Vele, and Troy Franklin to start opposite Denver's No.1 wideout, Courtland Sutton. Bryant is ranked as RotoBaller's 67th overall rookie. He could provide some fantasy value as a late-round flyer in redraft leagues in 2025 if he can secure the Broncos' No. 2 wide receiver role.
From RotoBaller
The Houston Texans have selected Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel with the 79th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texans ultimately decided to double up on Cyclone wide receivers after taking Noel's teammate, Jayden Higgins, in the second round. Although most people did not expect the Texans to draft two wide receivers on Day 2, the decision makes sense. Houston lost Stefon Diggs during free agency, and Tank Dell (knee) likely won't be ready for Week 1 as he recovers from a brutal ACL tear. Noel and Higgins will team up alongside Nico Collins and offseason addition Christian Kirk, providing major reinforcements to support C.J. Stroud in the passing game.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | The Raiders drafted TCU receiver Jack Bech in the second round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Bech landed in a great spot, being taken by the Raiders in the second round. With little other than All-World tight end Brock Bowers to catch passes, Bech could find playing time early in his career. It's fair to wonder if his lack of speed will truly pull him down, but Bech has been productive and looks like a player with some toughness. This landing spot should keep him around the third round of rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Denver Broncos drafted running back RJ Harvey in the second round of the NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: We said all along in the pre-draft process that the landing spot for Harvey would be huge for his perceived dynasty rookie value and that's exactly what unfolded. Harvey is going to immediately push for real playing time with the likes of Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin, becoming the favorite to be the lead back in the process. Harvey has a lot to prove but he's a massive boom or bust prospect who is likely going to move up into the second round or even the late first for courageous managers in upcoming rookie drafts.
Dynasty | The Cleveland Browns selected Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Dynasty Analysis: Fannin represents perhaps the biggest "boom or bust" player at tight end and perhaps even any position in the draft. After all, this is a player who set FBS records with 117 catches and 1,555 yards but also did it playing against sub-par competition. The Browns will likely find some creative ways to deploy him with David Njoku and Fannin makes for a fun pick with upside in the middle rounds of rookie drafts.
