It feels like so long ago that Justin Fields was a fantasy starter. Yet, for the first six games of the 2024 season, Fields was not only fantasy viable, he was a QB1, posting three games of at least 19.4 fantasy points, plus another at 15.9. Fields was benched in favor of Russell Wilson, which, to Mike Tomlin's credit, was the right move. But while starting, Fields held his own. If Sam Darnold can get another shot somewhere, so can Fields. He's only 25 years old.
Blake Corum was one of the most popular handcuffs in 2024 redraft leagues. Fantasy managers were anxiously awaiting the inevitable Kyren Williams injury that would thrust Corum into the lead back role, a job he would never relinquish. The season came and went, and it never materialized. Make no mistake about it, Williams is the RB1 in Los Angeles. Corum is not about to take his job. With that said, what are the odds Williams will make it through another season fully healthy? The exact scenario fantasy managers were hoping would happen in 2024 could very well happen in 2025. The difference is Corum's price has plummeted. He is a classic case of a post-hype sleeper.
Dec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) runs with the ball against Green Bay Packers in the third quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
Could we be experiencing an old running back renaissance? For years, we didn't really have any highly productive running backs age 29 or older. In 2025, we may have Derrick Henry, Aaron Jones, Alvin Kamara, James Conner, and Joe Mixon. Jones is now 30 years old. The end is certainly near. However, he did not show any signs of decline in 2024. Jones averaged 14.3 fantasy points per game and remains on one of the best offenses in football. Yet, his age will push him down draft boards behind several younger, less productive players.
Johnson is still just 28 years old. His skill set is one that should age well. He could easily have another 4-6 quality years left. It's been a while since he was a WR1, averaging 17.2 fantasy points per game in 2021. However, he did have that month-long stretch with Andy Dalton where he posted three games of 19.8+ fantasy points. That talent still exists and Johnson will cost very little to acquire in 2025 dynasty startup drafts, or via trade.
It feels like Jakobi Meyers is perennially undervalued. He'll never have league-winning upside, but it's highly improbable any dynasty sleeper will. Meyers has averaged double-digit fantasy points per game for five consecutive seasons. He's been between 12.9 and 13.6 in each of the past three years. At 28 years old on a bad team with an uncertain QB situation, Meyers is the exact type of player dynasty managers typically eschew. With the majority of his career behind him and lacking the high-end upside of younger, more talented players, Meyers will likely once again slide down draft boards, as dynasty managers chase players with a higher ceiling who are less likely to have any value at all. If you're a contending team, don't overlook Meyers.
