Key Fantasy Football Questions for All NFC Teams Ahead of NFL Training Camp 2025

We are in the thick of it now. In fact, NFL OTA training camps have already started. And, for me, best ball fantasy football drafts have started as well. How else are we going to take advantage of those early ADPs and overreact to every bit of news from practices in short?
In doing these early drafts, I’ve found myself asking questions that could determine our fantasy future. Questions that could create high leverage situations for fantasy that connect us with some sleepers, like Bucky Irving and Chuba Hubbard last year. Uncertainty lowers these guys in the rankings but that doesn’t mean the ceiling isn’t there if things break right.
We’ve already covered the Key Fantasy Football Questions for All AFC Teams Ahead of Training Camp for 2025. Now it’s time to dig into the NFC and see what kind of predictions can be made to generate value. Using our 2025 Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet and hitting on a couple of these situations could be your ticket to millions of dollars in contests like Underdog’s Best Ball Mania VI! So let’s dive in!
NFC East Offseason Training Camp Questions
Dallas Cowboys - Who Will Start At Running Back?
The Dallas Cowboys' offensive line might not be what it once was. But Dak Prescott can run an offense, and they certainly have the weapons to move the football. And that makes the starting running back spot a potentially lucrative one for fantasy football. Incumbent veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders will likely get first crack. But, despite being Day 3 picks, Jayden Blue and Phil Mafah could make some noise and carve out a role. We’ll be watching this battle unfold this summer, leading up to kickoff.
New York Giants - Will We See Jaxson Dart?
The discussion of Cam Skattebo vs. Tyrone Tracy is certainly interesting. But above all else, the starting quarterback spot is crucial. The Giants have some solid weapons - especially breakout star Malik Nabers. Right now, all three of Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart are pretty much free in best ball drafts. Hitting on the right one, especially the one that starts during fantasy playoffs, could pay off in a big way.
Washington Commanders - Can Deebo Samuel Bounce Back?
We love Jayden Daniels. And Terry McLaurin. Those two are dialed in. The Commanders are then betting on Deebo Samuel to bounce back after a trade from the San Francisco 49ers. Maybe he can even sneak into RB coach Anthony Lynn’s running back room to get a few carries. Deebo Samuel has big upside if he hits, but if he doesn’t, there is room for someone else to get targets. Maybe Zach Ertz can repeat last year, where he actually finished as the TE7 in PPR.
Philadelphia Eagles - Who Is The Handcuff For Saquon Barkley?
The Eagles are the Super Bowl champions. And we know who the main characters are. Jalen Hurts, AJ Brown, DeVonta Smith, Dallas Goedert, and, of course, Saquon Barkley. But the departure of Kenneth Gainwell to the Steelers creates some uncertainty as to who the guy would be if Barkley were to go down. Second-year man Will Shipley has a similar skillset to Gainwell. But they also brought in the big bruiser AJ Dillon from Green Bay. Maybe they would just split the work but given the powerful Eagles offense, we’d have to take a stab on the waiver wire at least.
NFC West Offseason Training Camp Questions
Los Angeles Rams - Can Puka Nacua And Davante Adams Both Thrive?
Last year, we thought there was enough to go around for both Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp. And maybe there was, but Kupp reinjured the ankle he previously had surgery on and struggled, especially down the stretch. That being said, both Kupp and Nacua finished with 100 targets each despite only playing 11-12 games. We know Stafford loves Nacua, and Adams has made it clear
Seattle Seahawks - Will Noah Fant Hang On To His Job?
Klint Kubiak’s offense uses a fullback. That, along with the blocking tight end, takes the WR3 off the field for a lot of snaps. That can highly consolidate the targets among the top few pass-catchers, like we have seen with the 49ers, Dolphins, and with Kubiak’s Saints last year. Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp are locked in. Noah Fant is penciled in as the starting tight end as of now, and he does have the kind of athleticism that saw Jonnu Smith have a big year in a similar scheme. But Fant can be cut or traded with $9.5M in savings. If he were gone, rookie Elijah Arroyo could have a path to that work. Whoever gets that starting tight end gig for the Seahawks has a path to upside for fantasy football.
Arizona Cardinals - Can Kyler Murray Take A Step Forward?
This offseason, I sat down and watched every route Marvin Harrison Jr ran. I combed all the stats. I put that info together in this article for anyone interested. The short and sweet is that MHJ was getting open. Kyler Murray just wasn’t getting through his read progressions. There really is no unlocking Marvin Harrison Jr unless Kyler can work with Drew Petzing this offseason to trust the playcalling and read the defenses. If you believe that is possible, both Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr could have big upside.
San Francisco 49ers - Which Wide Receiver Will Be The Odd Man Out?
We know that this offense uses both a fullback and a blocking tight end. They brought Kyle Juzsczsyk back and signed Luke Farrell. George Kittle got an extension, so he’s locked in. That means they will likely only have two full-time wide receivers out there. To start the year, that should be Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall. But we’ll have a problem when Brandon Aiyuk gets back. Someone will have to come out for two WR sets. Maybe they will ease Aiyuk in, and he’ll play a part-time role. Otherwise, one of Jennings or Pearsall will see a decreased role down the stretch - which happens to be the most important time for fantasy football.
NFC North Offseason Training Camp Questions
Green Bay Packers - Who Will Be The Target Leader?
Christian Watson could miss the season, but that doesn’t make the room any less crowded. Incumbents Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, and Tucker Kraft will do battle with newcomers Matthew Golden and Savion Williams to lead this team in targets. Reed has been the top fantasy option, but he’s been deployed as a part-time player, primarily out of the slot. Golden is the first WR the Packers have picked in the first round in a long time, so he absolutely has a shot. And, if the targets are spread evenly, it’s worth considering that Tucker Kraft’s TE eligibility makes his targets more valuable. This offseason could see some heated competition.
Minnesota Vikings - How Many Options Can JJ McCarthy Support?
We are fairly confident that Justin Jefferson will get his targets one way or another. He’s simply too good and, when third and long rolls around, he can make the play even when you know it’s coming. After that, it gets murky. Kevin O’Connell has liked his high-volume attack, but even then, and even with gunslingers like Kirk Cousins, it’s not easy to support three fantasy-relevant pass-catchers all at the same time. Maybe McCarthy will continue those ways, but you
Chicago Bears - Will Ben Johnson Split The Backfield?
With new coach Ben Johnson, there are a LOT of questions to be answered. DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden, Colston Loveland, and Cole Kmet will all be vying for snaps, let alone targets. But the biggest upside proposition comes from the running back room. Many expected them to draft a running back, but they didn’t add one until Kyle Monangai in the 7th round. Many folks (including me) want to see them sign Nick Chubb. But, as of now, it’s looking like D’Andre Swift vs. Roschon Johnson for touches. Johnson used a two-back system in Detroit, which could be good news for Roschon Johnson, but if Swift can corner the market on touches, he could crush at his ADP.
Detroit Lions - Sam LaPorta vs. Jameson Williams
The question for the Lions is fairly similar to the one we face with the Vikings. It’s fairly rare to have three guys on the same team all get 100+ targets. Amon-Ra St. Brown is going to get his. That pits Jameson Williams vs. Sam LaPorta. Last year, neither got 100+, but Jameson Williams came in with 91 and Sam LaPorta finished with 83. Can someone separate themselves to provide big upside? Or will they spread the ball around too thin amongst the pass-catchers and running backs to matter?
NFC South Offseason Training Camp Questions
Carolina Panthers - Who Will Lead This Team In Targets?
Naturally, there is a lot of excitement for Tetairoa McMillan. But rookies don’t always pop right away. And, even if he does, that could still leave room for a second option. Adam Thielen was quietly the WR13 in fantasy after returning from his hamstring injury. Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker could make the year two leap. And tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders is a dark horse with Tommy Tremble expected to start the year on the PUP list.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Does The Offense Change Without Liam Coen?
This team, when healthy, was fantasy football gold under Liam Coen. Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Baker Mayfield. Cade Otton and Jalen McMillan even stepped up when guys got hurt. But there’s a lot of uncertainty with Coen now moving on to coach the Jaguars. Plus, first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka will enter the mix. Will we get the level of fantasy success we saw last year in Tampa?
New Orleans Saints - Can Tyler Shough Support These Assets?
Kellen Moore coming to town is a good thing. And we love guys like Chris Olave, Alvin Kamara, Rasheed Shaheed, and possibly even Juwan Johnson. But none of that matters if Tyler Shough isn’t ready to step up and deliver. Derek Carr has officially retired, and guys like Jake Haener and Spencer Rattler didn’t inspire much confidence. It’s all up to the rookie now.
Atlanta Falcons - Will Michael Penix Prefer Darnell Mooney or Kyle Pitts?
Bijan Robinson will do his thing. And we expect Drake London to lead this team in targets. After that, it gets a little murky. We have a fairly limited sample size from Michael Penix, and that was without him having a full offseason as the starter. Darnell Mooney looked pretty good last year running the deeper routes, but perhaps Pitts can get back to the form we saw in his rookie year when he had 1,000 yards. There’s really not room for both to have upside and if the ball is just spread around, maybe neither will.
Player News
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk reports that the NFLPA is appealing the ruling in regards to a potential collusion case regarding fully-guaranteed contracts.
Per Florio, the NFL and NFLPA agreed to pause everything in the post-ruling process indefinitely, but by choosing to file the appeal of the January 14 hearing, that’s no longer the case. It will now go forward, with a three-member appeals panel considering the ruling.
Rams RB coach Ron Gould told reporters that Kyren Williams has looked “more explosive” during the offseason.
Williams put together a solid season, but his 27 explosive rushes — runs for more than 10 yards — were tied for just 11th in the NFL last year. The 24-year-old has competition in the backfield with Jarquez Hunter and Blake Corum in the fold, but if Williams can show the ability to break off more big carries on top of being one of the best short-yardage backs in the NFL, he should remain the bellcow for the Rams again in 2025.
Parker Gabriel of the Denver Post mentions Marvin Mims as a potential number two wide receiver option behind Courtland Sutton.
Mims has yet to break out in the NFL, but the 23-year-old took a big step forward last season, registering 39 catches on 52 targets for 503 receiving yards with six touchdowns. He has made the Pro Bowl twice as a return man and only played on 27 percent of the Broncos’ offensive snaps last season, so he will need to be given a larger role if he’s truly going to emerge in this offense. He led the team in catches of 40 yards or longer, so he can break a big play when given the chance, but he’ll need to beat out second-year receivers Troy Franklin and Devaughn Vele if he’s going to see an uptick in snap share.
Bijan Robinson said the Falcons have “outlandish goals” for the team’s rushing production in 2025.
Robinson and the Falcons believe they can improve on the ground after finishing 2024 with the league’s tenth most rushing yards and ninth most rushing scores. They were seventh in rush EPA and first in rushing success rate. “If he touched the ball every play and the defense knew, we’d still make big-time plays. He’s that guy,” QB Michael Penix said of Robinson. “He’s the guy that when you go to a Little League game, and there’s that one kid that never gets tackled, that scores every time, that’s him but in the NFL. As many times as we can get the ball in his hands, we’re going to do it.” It’s the latest sign the Falcons will be a run-first team in 2025, as they were in the final month of 2024. That could mean more consistent usage for Tyler Allgeier, though Robinson will remain the workhorse back in Atlanta.
The Tampa Bay Times’ Rick Stroud reports Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs (knee) is likely to miss “at least the first couple games of the regular season.”
The All-Pro tackle underwent knee surgery this week and will miss training camp and the preseason. He could be back sometime in September, though that seems optimistic right now. Bucs coaches said in June that Wirfs sitting out minicamp was strictly precautionary and that he would be ready for training camp. Instead, he will start the season on the PUP list, which will cost him at least four games. It’s an outsized loss for the Bucs offense. Pro Football Focus graded Wirfs as 2024’s top pass blocking offensive lineman. He allowed just one quarterback hit over 16 games. Wirfs’ absence will likely impact Baker Mayfield and the team’s pass catchers.
Philly Voice’s Geoff Mosher believes Eagles RB Will Shipley is the offensive player most “under the microscope.”
Shipley was a fourth-round pick out of Clemson last year and played sparingly out of the RB3 role. Mosher is watching how the 22-year-old will step up to fill the back-up running back role that Kenneth Gainwell - who departed for the Steelers - occupied last season. Gainwell was important in pass protection and a good presence when Saquon Barkley was out on possessions for blitz pickup and pass-catching. Mosher says, “if Shipley can show growth in those areas, he could undertake Gainwell’s role and give the offense even more optionality.” The Eagles added AJ Dillon in the offseason, though Dillon is more of a downhill-runner than a third-down back for the RB2 role. Shipley won’t have much value in redraft leagues, but could find his way to production through filling in an open role in the Eagles backfield.