Lineup Prep: Super Bowl
Wed Feb 5 9:59am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer
Hard to bet against Mahomes
It is hard to believe but here we are in the last week of the season. Time sure does fly, right? Super Bowl Sunday is one of the greatest days of the year but also a sad one, seeing the football season come to an end for another year. The good news is it seems the offseason is shorter and shorter every year, so don’t get too down after the game this weekend. Football will be back before you know it. Enjoy the game, though.
Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .
I think the Super Bowl is going to be a great one. These teams are pretty evenly matched in my view but I just think the Chiefs get it done once again. They just find ways to win and Patrick Mahomes is that “X” factor in my view. Mahomes makes big play after big play in the playoffs and I expect more of the same this weekend. I can see Mahomes running more than normal - much like he has all these playoffs. He makes the big play for his team when needed. I think the Chiefs do enough to win the game, coming out on top 28-24.
I can see why the Rams are planning to trade Cooper Kupp. He is not getting any younger and hasn’t produced quite the same in recent years. Injuries are always a concern for Kupp. I still think he has a few good years left, though, and could be a big fantasy factor once again, depending on his landing spot. I would love to see him land in Buffalo, making him Josh Allen’s top target in the passing game. That seems like a great fit for Kupp. We’ll see.
The draft should be interesting this year. There isn’t quite the quarterback class of last year, but plenty of needy teams for a franchise quarterback. This could drive up the price of some players that shouldn’t be drafted so high. Now the running back class is stacked in my view with a lot of top options. You could see running backs taken sooner than in recent seasons and make an immediate impact in fantasy circles. The receiver class is a little top heavy in my view and drops off in a hurry from the top options. Last season was stacked with a host of elite options but that isn’t nearly the case this year. It should be another fun draft. I know I’m looking forward to seeing it all shake out.
It would be nice if the NFL was more like the NBA, seeing some real movement in the trade market. This just doesn’t happen in the NFL. It sure is exciting when elite players are dealt, though. I would love it if the NFL trade deadline had more movement. It just doesn’t happen and I don’t see that changing. I think the best chance of blockbuster trades come around the NFL draft. Hopefully, that is the case this year.
One of the most interesting players in free agency this year is Sam Darnold. I’m really anxious to see where he lands and the deal he gets. He had a breakout season but fizzled down the stretch, leading to more question marks about him as a top NFL starter. If he moves to a team with fewer weapons than the Vikings, can he still be that elite starter? That is the big question. It will be fascinating to see what teams view him as this offseason.
Lastly, have a great Super Bowl Sunday. This is the last Lineup Prep until before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. It has been a great year and I appreciate everyone reading during the season. We have the best users on RTSports and I’m blessed to be part of this community.
HOT PLAYS
Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. Mahomes might have been a little quiet during the regular season for his standards but is showing up in the playoffs once again. He had his highest scoring fantasy game of the season against the Bills, scoring 33.55 fantasy points. Mahomes had three total touchdowns and threw for 245 yards. He just comes up big in the big game, so look for more of the same this week for Mahomes.
DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles. Smith has been pretty quiet in the playoffs, having four receptions for 66 yards in two games on eight targets. He has been the third option most weeks in the passing game of late. That could change this week, though, playing a Chiefs team he has historically produced some huge games. For his career, Smith has at least 99 yards all three of his games against the Chiefs. He has two 100-yard games of those three. Don’t get too worried about his down production of late. Smith can get it going this week.
COLD PLAYS
Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs. Hunt seems to have moved ahead of Isiah Pacheco for now, playing 58 percent of the snaps last week compared to 29 percent for Pacheco in their last game. He is the fantasy back to use in the Kansas City offense for now. But even with that said, he isn't a top fantasy play. His touchdowns are the only thing driving up his fantasy value. If you take away his scores each of the last two games, his numbers are very mediocre. He has 25 carries for 110 yards and just two catchers for eight yards. We aren’t sure he finds the end zone this week against the Eagles, a team that allowed the second fewest fantasy points to running backs. This makes Hunt an iffy fantasy play.
DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Chiefs. Hopkins has just a catch for 11 yards on three targets in the Chiefs two playoff games. He is a hard player to trust right now. Hopkins has not topped 50 yards in a game since Week 13. It could be more of the same this week for Hopkins. He gets an Eagles team that allowed the eighth fewest fantasy points to receivers and was first overall against the pass during the regular season.
SLEEPERS
JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Chiefs. There always seems to be a receiver that surprises in the Super Bowl. We think it might be Smith-Schuster this year. He played 58 percent of the snaps his last game, which was the third most for any receiver. He was on the field a lot and had two catches for 60 yards. If he can get that much playing time again this week, look for him to make a big play or two for the Chiefs.
Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles. Goedert has at least four receptions four straight games. He had seven receptions for 85 yards on eight targets and two rushes for 13 yards his last game against the Commanders. Goedert is getting his weekly chances since returning from injury in Week 18. We look for more of the same this week against the Chiefs, a team that allowed the sixth most fantasy points to tight ends this season.
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: Eagles/Chiefs.
Low Scoring Games: None.
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
According to SNY's Connor Hughes, the current sentiment shared by most right now is that the Los Angeles Rams won't trade veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford this offseason. The permission that the Rams granted Stafford to talk with other teams is likely nothing more than a means to figure out his value. Hughes believes that eventually, the Rams and Stafford will agree to a new deal, and that common sense will ultimately prevail that Stafford's best chance to win another Super Bowl will be in L.A. However, it's not going to stop teams like the New York Giants or possibly the Las Vegas Raiders --teams that are desperate at the QB position -- from making a big push to try and pry Stafford away from the Rams. The 37-year-old two-time Pro Bowler threw for 3,762 yards, 20 TDs and eight interceptions in 16 regular-season games in his fourth year in L.A. in 2024 but was playing at a high level late in the year and nearly led the Rams to the NFC Championship.
From RotoBaller
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers will be released in two weeks and will then be free to sign with any team for the first time in his 20-year career. Rodgers, who turns 42 this December, wants to play for a contending team, but he could have trouble finding a good team that actually wants him after he failed to lead the Jets to the playoffs in 2024. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florida reports there was some chatter at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that the future Hall of Famer has reached out to the New York Giants. It's unclear if the Giants, who are also rumored to be interested in trading for Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford, would be interested in Rodgers, even if he'll be on the cheap side as a free agent. If Rodgers is actually interested in the G-Men, it would suggest that he's not generating much interest from other contending teams that are in the market for a signal-caller this offseason.
From RotoBaller
The Green Bay Packers have had trade conversations involving Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander and are willing to trade him this offseason, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. The 2018 first-round pick out of Louisville has spent his entire professional career with Green Bay, racking up 287 tackles (240 solo), 12 interceptions, 70 passes defended, three forced fumbles, and 1.5 sacks in 78 career games. However, Alexander has played in just 14 of 34 possible regular-season games over the last two seasons. The 28-year-old could be headed toward a steep decline in play, so he should not be too expensive to trade for. Still, a contending team with a significant need at cornerback could be interested in taking the flyer on the two-time All-Pro selection.
From RotoBaller
The Los Angeles Rams allowed quarterback Matthew Stafford to explore his market value over the last few weeks, and the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Giants are two teams with noted significant interest in trading for the veteran signal-caller. Based on the interest around the league, teams are expecting the Rams to drive up the asking price for Stafford if they decide to move him, according to NFL insider Dianna Russini. Stafford is entering his age-37 season in 2025, but the former No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft is still one of the top quarterbacks in the NFC and could get a middling team over the hump in 2025 and beyond. While it's still unknown if Los Angeles is truly willing to deal him, the chances he is traded have seemingly increased incrementally over the last week. However, it sounds like the Rams will need a significant haul of value to move off the Super Bowl-winning franchise quarterback.
From RotoBaller
Dynasty | Multiple reports indicate Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams would prefer to play together again somewhere next season. Dynasty Analysis: The Jets have already moved on from Rodgers and it seems they're ready to do the same with Adams, despite him being much more productive. The most recent report ties Rodgers and Adams together with the Rams in a post-Matt Stafford scenario. It's all just talk at this time, but it does seem like the fate of these two may really be tied together, despite Rodgers having little-to-no leverage left based on his value. As for Adams, he should be a viable WR2 next year as his WR1 days could be over.
The Tennessee Titans are permitting outside linebacker Harold Landry to seek a trade, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter. The 28-year-old has two years remaining on his current deal with Tennessee, but there are no more guarantees on his contract. Since being selected in the second round of the 2018 NFL Draft, Landry has racked up 397 tackles, (251 solo), 50.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, two interceptions, and 12 pass deflections. The former Boston College Eagle appears to be on his way out of Tennessee after appearing in 98 regular-season games for the organization. The Titans hold the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and could look to replace Landry with Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter. Contending teams should have interest in trading for Landry, who has at least nine sacks in each of the last three seasons.
From RotoBaller
Penn State tight end Tyler Warren will not participate in the on-field drills at the 2025 NFL Combine. The 22-year-old is widely considered the top tight end prospect in April's draft and is likely to be a first-round pick. Warren finished seventh in the 2024 Heisman Trophy voting after posting 104 receptions for 1,233 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns, 218 rushing yards, and four rushing touchdowns. Warren is just the latest top prospect to opt out of the workout portion of the NFL Combine, but he will take part in the interview process and has already received an invitation to the 2025 NFL Draft in Green Bay.
From RotoBaller
Tennessee Titans head coach Brian Callahan said that he's happy with running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears but wouldn't rule out the team adding to the position this offseason to give them something different. In his first year in Tennessee, Pollard was the clear lead back for the Titans, carrying the ball 260 times for a career-high 1,079 rushing yards and five touchdowns while adding 41 catches for 238 yards on 57 targets in 16 games. Meanwhile, Spears finished with only 312 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 84 carries, adding 30 catches (35 targets) for 224 yards and another TD through the air in 12 games. Pollard should remain in the lead-back role for Tennessee in 2025, but depending on if/when the Titans add another RB, it could make the distribution of touches a little more uncertain. Fantasy-wise, a lot will also depend on who the Titans are starting under center at QB.
From RotoBaller
New Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi told reporters at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that he has received calls about the availability of the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 draft. While the Titans will listen, it's too early in the process for Borgonzi to be making any decisions. If Tennessee holds onto the top pick, it's not out of the question that they would consider taking Colorado wide receiver/defensive back Travis Hunter, who Borgonzi called a "generational talent." Former second-rounder Will Levis was benched in 2024, so QB is certainly a position of need at No. 1 overall as well if the Titans don't trade out of the No. 1 overall pick this year. Borgonzi also said, "We could sign a quarterback in free agency and also draft a quarterback as well." The bottom line is the Titans have a number of different avenues they could employ, and trading the first pick remains in play.
From RotoBaller
Dr. Neal Elattrache wrote in a letter sent to all 32 NFL teams on Tuesday that he expects Michigan tight end and projected first-round pick Colston Loveland (shoulder) to be ready to take part in minicamp and to be fully cleared for training camp this summer despite having surgery on his right shoulder last month. Loveland played through an AC joint dislocation with the Wolverines last year and finished with 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns in his final year at college. Despite the fact that the 20-year-old won't take part in the Combine this week and is unlikely to do a Pro Day workout, he still has the talent to be selected in the first round in April's NFL draft. For fantasy purposes, although Loveland could eventually develop into a nice pass-catching tight end, nobody will be expecting him to be the next Brock Bowers or Sam LaPorta in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni confirmed on Tuesday that new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo will call plays in 2025. "I think what you guys don't see is the collaboration like one guy wears the crown of the offensive coordinator and that guy gets all the blame, that guy gets all the credit. That's not the way football works. It's just not in any sense of the fashion. Kevin's been there I can't tell how much him and Kellen were talking throughout the game, how much him and Brian were talking throughout the game, how much him and Shane were talking throughout the game," Sirianni said. Patullo, who was promoted from the role of passing-game coordinator/associate head coach, will have big shoes to fill after Kellen Moore left to become the Saints' head coach. The 43-year-old previously worked under Sirianni with the Colts as a receivers coach and pass-game specialist from 2018-20.
From RotoBaller
Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel said on Tuesday at the NFL Combine that former New Orleans Saints offensive tackle Terron Armstead is still contemplating retirement this offseason, but the Dolphins are currently operating as if he won't be around in 2025. With Armstead leaning toward hanging up his cleats, he's expected to agree to a restructured deal that would lower his base salary from $13.3 million to the veteran's minimum. The Saints' former third-round selection in 2013 out of Arkansas-Pine Bluff is a five-time Pro Bowler, but he's never played in a full season in his 12 years in the NFL and will turn 34 years old this summer. Armstead limped his way to start 15 games in Miami in 2024, which was the most games he played in a season since 2019 with the Saints. With Armstead likely retiring, the Dolphins will make offensive line a priority this offseason.
From RotoBaller
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Joe Hortiz said he feels it's realistic to keep linebacker Joey Bosa at his $36.4 million salary cap number in 2025. "I know he wants to retire a charger. .. I'd love for him to retire a Charger. I love Joey -- the teammate, the competitor," Hortiz said. Bosa is scheduled to make $25.36 million this year, with nearly half of it coming in the form of a $12.36 million roster bonus due in March. None of the 29-year-old's 2025 money is guaranteed, but if they do want to bring him back, they will have to decide on that before his roster bonus is due. Many folks think that the Chargers would be better off cutting Bosa, who had only five sacks in 14 games in 2024, but he could be a priority to retain since fellow pass-rusher Khalil Mack will be an unrestricted free agent and can't be franchise-tagged. Bosa, who is as injury-prone as ever, no longer appears to be a dominant pass-rusher in the NFL.
From RotoBaller
Philadelphia Eagles general manager Howie Roseman said at the NFL Combine on Tuesday that the team will make a "concerted effort" to re-sign impending free-agent linebacker Zack Baun this offseason. "We didn't do any deals during the season, which probably could have prevented some of these problems, but we just didn't feel like the timing was right," Roseman said. Baun, a former third-rounder by the New Orleans Saints in 2020 out of Wisconsin, came out of nowhere to have a monster season for the Super Bowl-champion Eagles in his first year in Philadelphia. The 28-year-old made the Pro Bowl and was named a first-team All-Pro by recording 151 tackles (93 solo), 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, five QB hits, an interception, five forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 16 regular-season starts. The Eagles have plenty of other priorities this offseason, so seeing Baun walk in free agency would not be a surprise.
From RotoBaller
Las Vegas Raiders minority owner Tom Brady has been in contact with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford's camp about the possibility of coming to Vegas, multiple NFL sources told the Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore. The Rams have already given Stafford permission to speak with other teams to gauge his market outside of L.A. The 37-year-old signal-caller has two years left on his deal with the Rams, but he's seeking an extension because he has minimal guaranteed money left on his deal and wants to be paid in line with some of the top QBs in the league. If the Raiders are willing to give Stafford over $50 million for a couple more years, it just might lure him away from the Rams, although it wouldn't necessarily make him any more appealing from a fantasy perspective as a QB2 near the end of his career.
From RotoBaller
New Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek said on Tuesday at the NFL Combine that the team wants to keep All-Pro pass-rusher Maxx Crosby in town long term. The 27-year-old four-time Pro Bowler is entering the final two seasons of a four-year, $94 million deal but has run out of guaranteed money on his contract. His $22.2 million salary in 2025 and $18.8 million salary in 2026 are not guaranteed, and a new deal would likely make him one of the league's highest-paid pass-rushers. The Las Vegas Review-Journal's Vincent Bonsignore writes that it would be surprising if a new deal between the Raiders and Crosby isn't struck before the start of the 2025 season this fall. Crosby played in a career-low 12 games in 2024 due to injury and had 7.5 sacks, but he's been a Pro Bowler each of the last four years and is one of the best pass-rushers in the NFL when healthy.
From RotoBaller
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell said that quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) has his sights set on being ready for the start of the team's offseason program in April. The head coach said that McCarthy's rehab from season-ending knee surgery in 2024 continues to go well. The 22-year-old first-rounder (10th overall) tore the meniscus in his right knee in the preseason and had to miss all of his first year in the NFL. Meanwhile, Sam Darnold had a career year for the Vikings. Darnold will be an unrestricted free agent in March, but it will be telling whether the Vikings let him walk, place the franchise tag on him or sign him to a multi-year extension. Minnesota still believes in McCarthy as their QB of the future, but depending on how they deal with the Darnold situation, he could be in for another "redshirt" year in 2025.
From RotoBaller
Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan said on Tuesday at the NFL Combine that the team will tender an offer to impending restricted free-agent running back Jaylen Warren. The second-round tender will be worth $5.2 million, while an original-round tender for Warren would be for $3.19 million. If the Steelers give him the original-round tender and he signs with another team, they wouldn't receive draft-pick compensation because he wasn't drafted in 2022. Meanwhile, Najee Harris will be an unrestricted free agent after the Steelers declined his fifth-year option. The 26-year-old Warren's fantasy value in 2025 will all depend on if he stays in Pittsburgh and also whether Harris is re-signed. Warren looked ready to break out after going for 784 rushing yards in 2023, but he took a step back in 2024 with 120 carries, 511 yards and just one rushing score in 15 regular-season games.
From RotoBaller
Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said on Tuesday at the NFL Combine that he has met with kicker Justin Tucker and that the Ravens will allow the NFL to conduct its investigation before making any decisions. "The allegations are serious, concerning. The amount of allegations are serious and concerning. I think we're fortunate that the league is doing an investigation. We'll wait as patiently as we can for as much information as we can and we'll make our decisions based on that," DeCosta said. Sixteen women have alleged sexual misconduct at massage parlors against the 35-year-old Tucker, and the Ravens have said in the past that they have a "zero-tolerance" policy against sexual misconduct. Not only could Tucker be facing a lengthy suspension from the NFL in 2025, but the Ravens could outright release him, especially after he had the worst season of his career in 2024.
From RotoBaller
The Charlotte Observer's Xavier Legette (foot) avoided wrist surgery but did have foot surgery this offseason, according to general manager Dan Morgan. Legette played through a foot injury in his first year in the NFL in 2024, which likely played a part in his disappointing showing. After the Panthers selected him 32nd overall out of South Carolina, the 24-year-old struggled to get on the same page with second-year quarterback and caught only 49 of his 84 targets for 497 yards and four touchdowns in 16 games (13 starts). Legette may be forced to miss organized team activities this spring, but he should be fully recovered from his foot surgery in time for the start of training camp this summer. He'll be looking to make a jump in Year 2 in Carolina, but the likely return of veteran Adam Thielen (he was contemplating retirement) could make things more difficult for the former first-rounder.
From RotoBaller
