Unless you’re in a keeper league, most teams are going to be fairly even through the first few rounds, with the players who are going to score the bulk of your points. But what about those under-the-radar guys that could steal you the championship?
Kyler Murray, QB, Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals have a top-2 TE in Trey McBride and a second-year wide receiver with potential to finish top-15 in Marvin Harrison Jr. Kyler Murray had a down year in 2024. Still, he’s not that far removed from finishing as QB 4 in 2020 and in 2021.
KYLER MURRAY 44-YARD HOUSE CALL 💨#LACvsAZ | Exclusively on ESPN+ ➡️ https://t.co/BnBBSPmfGX pic.twitter.com/u1IKNJjV2A
— ESPN (@espn) October 22, 2024
Unfortunately, he missed a combined 15 games over the following two seasons, and there was little consistency within the organization, both in terms of players and coaches. But Murray has put in the work to improve his rapport with MHJ building that connection. The Cardinals will be right in the thick of things in the NFC West, projected for 8.5 wins, and you know he is always going to pick you up some points on the ground.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka lands in a nice spot after being drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round out of Ohio State. He was solid throughout his collegiate career, catching 72% of targets and posting a 2.64 yards per route run.
He should see plenty of work early in the season with WR teammates Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan out for the first several games. Should either miss more time or if an aging Mike Evans catches the injury bug, Egbuka could be a sneaky breakout contender in 2025, especially with Bucs QB Baker Mayfield coming off a career-best season last year.
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Who on earth is healthy in the San Francisco 49ers’ wide receiver room? That’s the real question these days. With WR Brandon Aiyuk injured and out until most likely 6, WR Demarcus Robinson suspended until Week 4, Deebo Samuel having left town for the Washington Commanders this offseason, and WR Jajuan Jennings’ hold-in situation, Pearsall is in a prime situation to see a huge role in this 49ers offense alongside TE George Kittle and RB Christian McCaffrey.
Pearsall came on strong at the end of last year and averaged 18.5 fantasy points per game in the contests he started (keep in mind he had to ramp up in season after a tumultuous offseason).
He put in extra work with Niners QB Brock Purdy this offseason to improve their timing and chemistry, and it should pay dividends this season, which is just one of the reasons he’s moving up draft boards quickly. Expect big things from Pearsall in his sophomore season.
Sam LaPorta, TE, Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions had an incredible 2024 season, thanks largely to their No. 1 scoring offense. LaPorta will continue to get his share of work in their “everybody eats” philosophy. He is also durable, having only missed one game so far in his first two seasons.
SAM LAPORTA UNREAL ONE-HAND SNAG FOR THE TD 🤯
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/bA3WGUZwea
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) January 19, 2025
He started last season slowly, but in the previous 11 games, he saw 6.7 targets per game (21% share) and 13.6 fantasy points per game in his final 11 (including the playoffs). Those numbers were nearly identical to his rookie year and more in line with what we should expect to see again this season.
LaPorta is projected to have 75 catches, 778 yards, and seven more touchdowns, which would see him finish TE4, but he certainly has the potential to crack the top three as he led the league in total fantasy points in his rookie year.
D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears
The Bears bring in division rival Detroit Lions’ OC Ben Johnson as their new head coach, a reunion for former Lion D’Andre Swift, which should provide a decent boost to this Chicago offense. He may not post the flashy stat lines he did three or four years ago, but the volume is there for Swift and looks to be again this season.
Relative to Swift, only two running backs accounted for a higher percentage of their team’s carries in 2024- Derrick Henry and Kyren Williams. And Swift had as many 14-carry, 4+ reception games as this year’s preseason ranked RB1, Bijan Robinson.
ESPN is projecting Swift for 1,038 rushing yards, eight TDs, 37 receptions, 293 receiving yards, and another TD receiving as well. He’s always hovering around RB15 finishes, but if he can creep up closer to 12th, he could be a guy with sneaky championship potential.
