2025 First Fantasy Football Thoughts: AFC/NFC East

by Michael Nazarek - 7/17/2025

My First Thoughts series returns this month for 2025! The 4th of July has come and gone and training camps are starting to open. The first cut of our Pre-Season Draft Guide has been released, so the plan for this series is to whip through all 32 teams by the end of the month. As in years past, this series of articles will begin in the East and I'll work my way West. Let's get right to it, there's a lot to discuss...

 

AFC EAST

 

Buffalo Bills: The Bills failed to make it to the Super Bowl again, but the team is still a threat to win it all in 2025. Stud QB Josh Allen remains a top-notch fantasy producer in the league, so there is no issue here, although his WR corps remains in flux. Still, he's talented enough to remain elite via his running game, especially near the goal. In the running game, 4^th-year RB James Cook returns, while 2^nd-year RB Ray Davis and RB Ty Johnson will continue to steal some touches here and there. Of course, the primary threat to scoring chances for Cook always remains Allen. In the passing game, 2^nd-year WR Keon Coleman and slot WR Khalil Shakir return, while the team has added veterans WR Joshua Palmer, WR Elijah Moore, and WR K.J. Hamler to boost the corps. Veteran WR Amari Cooper was not re-signed. Shakir is only an inconsistent WR3 at best in PPR leagues, while Coleman, Palmer, and even Moore have some sleeper value. Unfortunately, Allen has already shown he doesn't need a big producer at wideout to get this team far into the playoffs. At tight end, 3^rd-year TE Dalton Kincaid is coming off a disappointing injury filled season, but returns as the starter, while TE Dawson Knox also returns to siphon off a few targets. At this point, Kincaid is no longer a TE1 for fantasy purposes. At kicker, PK Tyler Bass returns, and is a decent PK1 for fantasy in this fairly potent offense.

 

Miami Dolphins: The Dolphins missed the playoffs in 2024, but feel they can make it in 2025 if their key players remain healthy. QB Tua Tagovailoa was the biggest issue, since he suffered another concussion in week #2 last season, but he's healthy now and determined to stay that way. That said, the Dolphins will only go as far as his health, so if you draft Tua, take him as your backup, and only if your other QB is a healthy and productive QB1 for fantasy. If Tua can stay healthy for the entire season, he is likely a top 10 fantasy QB, but that is a huge IF. In the running game, 3^rd-year RB De'Von Achane will start and returns as a solid RB1 for fantasy when Tua is healthy. Second-year RB Jaylen Wright returns to back him up, but is only a handcuff at best. Veteran RB Alexander Mattison was signed for depth. In the passing game, veteran WR Tyreek Hill and WR Jaylen Waddle remain a solid fantasy duo, but are no longer elite. Hill has lost a step, while Waddle's recent injury history leaves much to be desired. Both could be top 30 fantasy WRs provided Tua remains upright. WR Malik Washington returns, but veteran WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine was signed to fill the WR3 job for the team. He may have some sleeper value, but only when Tua plays. At tight end, veteran WR Jonnu Smith was traded to the Steelers, since the Dolphins did not want to give him a raise after he produced Pro Bowl numbers in 2024. Veteran TE Darren Waller unretired and will try to make the roster. If he does, he would start as the pass-catching TE, but only has minimal value due to his age (33) and his injury history. You can expect most of the passing game to go through Hill and Waddle in 2025 when Tua plays. PK Jason Sanders returns as the kicker, and he's a low-end PK1 for fantasy when Tua is healthy.

 

New England Patriots: The Patriots struggled to win games again in 2024. Second-year QB Drake Maye returns as the clear starter and the team went about upgrading the weapons around him. And while he's a sleeper, his status for fantasy is more of a QB2 than anything else. In the running game, RB Rhamondre Stevenson and RB Antonio Gibson return, but Stevenson's hold on the starting job is less than secure with the drafting of RB TreVeyon Henderson in April. Henderson is a speed back who can handle three-down work. Expect Stevenson to begin the season as the starter, but share quite a bit of the workload with Henderson. By mid-season, Henderson could be starting, so he's the one to target in your fantasy draft. Gibson is the RB3 now and has little fantasy value barring injury. In the passing game, the team signed a recovering WR Stefon Diggs (torn ACL) and drafted rookie WR Kyle Williams in April to add to returning WR Demario Douglas and 2^nd-year WR Ja'Lynn Polk. Douglas has impressed the most this spring, while Diggs may not be ready to play come week #1. WR Mack Hollins was signed for depth, while WR Kayshon Boutte also returns. The best long-term value player is likely Williams, but none of these players rate in the top 40 WRs for fantasy at this time. At tight end, TE Hunter Henry and TE Austin Hooper both return for 2025, but Henry is the one with solid sleeper value, since he will continue to start. Rookie PK Andy Borregales will likely win the kicking job, but is still unlikely to see enough scoring chances for real fantasy consideration.

 

New York Jets: The Jets failed to field a winner again in 2024. QB Aaron Rodgers is OUT, and QB Justin Fields is IN. New HC Aaron Glenn is running the show, so that means younger players will lead the team. As for Fields, when he played last year for the Steelers, he was a lower-end QB1, so that is what Fields should be for the Jets in 2025. In the running game, RB Breece Hall returns, but RB Braelon Allen will share a lot of the workload, making Hall more of a higher-end RB2 for fantasy than a RB1. Allen is his handcuff and has a bit of standalone value for fantasy. In the passing game, WR Garrett Wilson was just extended and returns as the clear WR1 for the team. He is a top 15 fantasy WR with Fields leading the way. The Jets signed WR Josh Reynolds to fill the WR2 role, while WR Allen Lazard fades into the background without Rodgers on the roster. Rookie WR Arian Smith was added for depth, while 2^nd-year WR Malachi Corley might have to impress this summer to make the final roster. At tight end, veteran TE Tyler Conklin is gone, as the team drafted rookie TE Mason Taylor in April. Taylor has some sleeper value this summer, but it may take some time for him to consistently produce. Inexperienced PK Caden Davis will likely get first crack to win the kicking job, but won't see enough scoring chances for real fantasy value even if he locks it down.

 

NFC EAST

 

Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys missed the playoffs last year, mostly due to a serous hamstring injury to QB Dak Prescott. He is now healthy, so the Cowboys should remain competitive in most of their games he plays. With regard to fantasy, Prescott is a high-end QB2 with QB1 upside when he plays. In the running game, RB Ezekiel Elliott and RB Rico Dowdle are gone, as the team signed RB Javonte Williams to start, while rookie RB Jayden Blue sees significant action, likely initially on third downs. Veteran RB Miles Sanders was signed for depth. None of these RBs are top 30 players for fantasy in 2025, but Blue is an intriguing sleeper. In the passing game, WR CeeDee Lamb returns as the team's clear WR1, while WR Brandin Cooks is gone. The Cowboys acquired WR George Pickens from the Steelers to fill the WR2 role. WR Jalen Tolbert will likely fill the WR3 role on the team. WR KaVontae Turpin, WR Jonathan Mingo, WR Ryan Flournoy, and WR Parris Campbell are rostered for depth. Lamb remains an elite WR1 for fantasy, while Pickens is an obvious sleeper for fantasy with Prescott healthy. At tight end, TE Jake Ferguson will start, while TE Luke Schoonmaker returns for depth. Ferguson was stunted for fantasy in 2024 due to a knee injury and Prescott's absence. He becomes an interesting obvious mid-round fantasy sleeper this summer with Prescott healthy. Third-year PK Brandon Aubrey returns as the best kicker in the league. This offense should score a lot of points in 2025!

 

New York Giants: My favorite team continued to crash and burn in spectacular fashion in 2024. HC Brian Daboll gets one more chance to redeem himself this season. Gone is QB Daniel Jones, as the team signed QB Russell Wilson and QB Jameis Winston to lead the team. Wilson will start initially, while the team also drafted QB Jaxson Dart in April for the future. If the team tanks early, we could see Dart start by October! In the running game, 2^nd-year RB Tyrone Tracy took over as the starter in the middle of last season, and returns as the starter to begin this season. RB Devin Singletary returns as the backup, but the team also drafted RB Cam Skattebo in April, and he can play more than just on third downs. In other words, if you draft Tracy, you should also try to take Skattebo too for insurance. As for Tracy, he is a RB3 for fantasy, provided he holds the starting job. In the passing game, 2^nd-year WR Malik Nabers returns as the clear WR1 and elite WR1 for fantasy in 2025. WR Darius Slayton and WR Wan'Dale Robinson return as inconsistent fantasy producers. WR Jalin Hyatt and WR Zach Pascal will provide depth. At tight end, 2^nd-year TE Theo Johnson returns as the starter, while TE Daniel Bellinger will back him up. Johnson has some slight sleeper value, but only in larger 14+ team leagues. PK Graham Gano returns as a quality kicker, but is unlikely to score enough for real fantasy consideration.

 

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles won it all in 2024, handily defeating the Kansas City Chiefs in the Super Bowl. QB Jalen Hurts returns and remains an elite fantasy producer heading into 2025. In the running game, RB Saquon Barkley was everything the Eagles hoped he would be last season and more, finishing as the top RB for fantasy through week #17. He returns as the elite RB and clear workhorse back, while RB Will Shipley takes over as the handcuff backup with RB Kenneth Gainwell gone via free agency. RB A.J. Dillon was signed for depth. In the passing game, veterans WR A.J. Brown and WR DeVonta Smith remain one of the most productive fantasy WR duos, although the Eagles are one of the most run-heavy teams in the NFL. They are both top 25 WRs for fantasy this summer. Veteran WR Jahan Dotson returns as the underwhelming WR3, while WR Terrace Marshall, WR Ainias Smith and WR Johnny Wilson round out the corps. At tight end, TE Dallas Goedert returns again as the starter (with a lower salary), and a high-end TE2 value for fantasy. PK Jake Elliott also returns, as a lower-end PK1 in 2025.

 

Washington Commanders: Washington surprised in 2024 and nearly made the big game. Second-year QB Jayden Daniels blew up as a starter in his rookie season, so he returns as a clear top 5 QB1 for fantasy this summer. In the running game, RB Brian Robinson returns as the starter, while RB Austin Ekeler remains the change-of-pace back and third down specialist. They both have flex value in 12-team leagues this summer. The team also drafted RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt late in April's draft. He's impressed so much, he has a great chance to be the new RB3. If an injury happens to Robinson or Ekeler, he could make a significant impact in 2025. In the passing game, WR Terry McLaurin returns as the WR1 (hopefully with a new deal soon), and is a clear WR2 with WR1 upside for fantasy in 2025 as long as he doesn't hold out into the season. The team traded for WR Deebo Samuel, who is a bit of a gadget player, but should hold down the WR2 job, while WR Noah Brown returns as the WR3. Samuel has always been an up and down fantasy producer, one who tends to get injured easily. Second-year WR Luke McCaffrey returns for depth, along with WR K.J. Osborn and an unretiring WR Michael Gallup. At tight end, veteran TE Zach Ertz was re-signed to start, while 2^nd-year TE Ben Sinnott and TE John Bates will back him up. Ertz was a solid TE1 in 2024, but with Samuel on the team, Ertz is likely to see a reduction in targets, making him more of a mid-range TE2 when Samuel is healthy. Veteran PK Matt Gay was signed to kick in 2025, making him a middle of the road kicker for fantasy, but one with a bit of upside in this potent offense.

 

That's a wrap for the two Eastern divisions. Be sure to join me over the coming days as I offer my First Thoughts on the other six divisions. All comments, complimentary or otherwise, are always welcome via our contact page. Let's talk fantasy football!

 

End.

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