2025 First Fantasy Football Thoughts: AFC/NFC North
by Michael Nazarek - 7/21/2025
It's time to take a closer look at the North Division teams to see how they are shaping up in July. Let’s get right to it…
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens made the playoffs again in 2024, but didn't make the big game. QB Lamar Jackson did everything he could to get them there (again), but he just came up a bit short. With regard to fantasy, Jackson is an elite top 3 QB, mostly due to his running ability, but he is improving as a passer too. In the running game, veteran RB Derrick Henry was all the team could ask for in his first season as a Raven. As a result, he was extended a few seasons and returns as the bull in the backfield for 2025. That keeps him a top 10 fantasy RB, if not top 5. RB Justice Hill returns to back up Henry, as his handcuff, while RB Keaton Mitchell will fill the RB3 role, which will not be much for fantasy. In the passing game, WR Zay Flowers returns as the clear WR1 for the team, and solid WR3 for fantasy. WR Rashod Bateman also returns, as he made more big plays in his career than ever in 2024. Bateman has some value, especially in best-ball leagues. WR Nelson Agholor is gone, as the team signed WR DeAndre Hopkins as the new WR3, but he is older now and will be spotty for fantasy production at best. WR Tylan Wallace and 2nd-year WR Devontez Walker will provide depth. At tight end, TE Mark Andrews returns and remains the primary scoring threat in the passing game. That said, TE Isaiah Likely showed last year that he can produce the big game when called upon. However, Likely will remain inconsistent for fantasy. His presence caps the fantasy ceiling of Andrews for 2025. Veteran PK Justin Tucker was let go after some ugly legal issues cropped up. Rookie PK Tyler Loop will get the first crack to replace him in the lineup. If he can prove himself, he could become a PK1 for fantasy due to the scoring chances he could see.
Cincinnati Bengals:
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