NFL team previews 2025: Predictions, rankings, depth charts

The 2025 NFL season kicks off Thursday night, when the reigning Super Bowl champion Eagles host the Cowboys (8:20 ET, NBC).

Week 1 continues Friday night in Brazil, when the Chiefs face the Chargers in São Paulo (8 ET, YouTube), before Sunday’s slate of 13 games, including the Bills hosting the Ravens on “Sunday Night Football” (8:20 ET, NBC). Opening week wraps up with “Monday Night Football,” as the Vikings visit the Bears (8:20 ET, ESPN and ABC).

To welcome back football, NFL Nation reporters identified strengths and concerns for all 32 teams. Analyst Matt Bowen has a tip for winning your fantasy league; analytics writer Seth Walder makes 32 bold predictions; and ESPN Research provides a QB stat to know for every team heading into the season. In addition, you’ll find the chances for every team to win its division and make the playoffs, projected win totals and strength of schedule. Plus, depth charts, schedules and rosters for every team.

This is everything you need to know for the start of the season, which will conclude Feb. 8 at Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) ranked every team from 1 to 32 based on how it projects the season to play out. The Baltimore Ravens start us off at No. 1:

Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LV | LAC | LAR | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SEA
SF | TB | TEN | WSH

Chances to make the playoffs: 78.6%
Chances to win division: 52.6%
Projected wins: 10.4
Strength of schedule: Ninth hardest
2024 record: 12-5

Biggest strength: Lamar Jackson. The two-time NFL Most Valuable Player is the most explosive playmaker in the league. Last season, he was as dangerous with his arm as his legs, leading the NFL in yards per pass attempt (8.8) and yards per carry (6.6). With Jackson as its starting quarterback, Baltimore has a 70-24 record (.745) and has its sights set on a Super Bowl title. When Jackson has been sidelined over the past six seasons, the Ravens have gone 4-9 (.308). — Jamison Hensley

Biggest concern: Tyler Loop. This has the makings of the most complete team in Jackson’s eight-year run. The biggest change is going from Justin Tucker, the most accurate kicker in NFL history, to Loop, a rookie sixth-round pick. According to Pro Football Reference’s database, of the 128 place-kickers in NFL history who have attempted 20 or more kicks as a rookie, 19 have hit or exceeded an 85% conversion rate. — Hensley

QB stat to know: Jackson enters 2025 looking to build on a career season, setting career-best marks in passing TDs (41) and passing yards (4,172). He can become the first quarterback since Peyton Manning (2003-05) to be named first-team All-Pro in three straight seasons. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: WR Zay Flowers. A high-floor target due to his deployment in the Ravens’ offense, Flowers can win as a route runner or produce as a horizonal stretch option on schemed touches. Flowers averaged 12.2 points per game in 2024, and he had 11 games with double-digit production. With Flowers expected to see another 100 targets this season, he provides solid value at his current ADP. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Running back Keaton Mitchell will have at least four games with 20-plus fantasy points. This is more or less me running back (pun intended) my bold prediction from a year ago, when I was also bullish on Mitchell. Perhaps I was a year too early then. Even with the extra time passed, I have a hard time forgetting Mitchell’s 201 rush yards over expectation on 47 carries in 2023, per NFL Next Gen Stats. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on BAL

Chances to make the playoffs: 76.1%
Chances to win division: 56.0%
Projected wins: 10.3
Strength of schedule: Fourth hardest
2024 record: 14-3

Biggest strength: Exceptional run game. Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley became the all-time leading rusher for a single season (including playoffs) in 2024 while powering the Eagles to their second Super Bowl title. He operates behind one of the best offensive lines in football, which is returning four of five starters (right guard Mekhi Becton signed with the Chargers this offseason and has been replaced by Tyler Steen). Couple that ground attack with receivers A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith and Super Bowl MVP Jalen Hurts, and you have an offense with a very high ceiling. — Tim McManus

Biggest concern: Replacements in the secondary. The Eagles parted with safety C.J. Gardner-Johnson and cornerback Darius Slay this offseason and were unable to clearly identify their replacements this summer. Veteran Adoree’ Jackson seems to have gained an edge on Kelee Ringo but certainly didn’t run away with the job. Perhaps Jakorian Bennett, recently acquired from the Raiders, or rookie Mac McWilliams will claim the spot opposite Quinyon Mitchell at some point. Rookie safety Andrew Mukuba flashed brightly in his preseason debut against the Browns but has also been hampered by injuries, opening the door for third-year player Sydney Brown to try to secure the job, at least temporarily. — McManus

QB stat to know: To fill the role of offensive coordinator after Kellen Moore became the Saints head coach, the Eagles promoted Kevin Patullo, who served as the team’s pass game coordinator each of the past four seasons. Over that span, Hurts ranked fourth in QBR when using motion, behind only Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Brock Purdy. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: Smith. The wide receiver has finished each of the past three seasons as a top-20 WR in PPR scoring. Yes, the offense in Philly is run-heavy with Barkley, and Smith will remain the No. 2 receiver opposite Brown. However, Smith averaged 7.1 targets per game in 2024 while averaging 14.4 PPG, including four games with 22 or more points. He is a fantasy WR3 in an offense that will move the ball and produce touchdowns. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Defensive tackle Moro Ojomo — who has zero career sacks — will record at least 5.0 sacks and finish in the top 10 in pass rush win rate. We saw the success Milton Williams had playing next to Jalen Carter, and there are already positive signs for Ojomo: He posted a 13% pass rush win rate at defensive tackle last season, which would have ranked seventh at the position had he played enough to qualify. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on PHI

Chances to make the playoffs: 74.8%
Chances to win division: 46.8%
Projected wins: 10.3
Strength of schedule: 11th hardest (tie)
2024 record: 15-2

Biggest strength: The Chiefs have Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes, which is still the best coach-quarterback combination in the league. Mahomes was excellent in camp and has worked to improve his deep-ball passing. Reid and Mahomes are capable of adjusting during a game or the middle of the season to always give the Chiefs a chance to win. — Nate Taylor

Biggest concern: The Chiefs plan to protect the blind side of Mahomes with a rookie and a second-year player switching to a new position. Josh Simmons, the first-round pick, hasn’t played a game since October, when he sustained a season-ending torn patella in his last year at Ohio State. Kingsley Suamataia is the new left guard and has played one NFL game at the position. How Simmons and Suamataia perform this season will determine much of the Chiefs’ success on offense. — Taylor

QB stat to know: If Mahomes reaches the AFC Championship Game for an eighth consecutive season, he would match Tom Brady (2011-18) for the longest streak of conference championship starts since the 1970 merger. — ESPN Research

1:09

Why Patrick Mahomes remains a solid fantasy option

Field Yates explains why he has Patrick Mahomes ranked as the No. 8 fantasy QB entering the season.

How to win your fantasy league: RB Isiah Pacheco. A Week 2 fibula fracture derailed Pacheco’s 2024 season, and the injury impacted his numbers when he returned in Weeks 13-18 (5.0 PPG). But if we go back to 2023, Pacheco averaged 15.3 fantasy PPG, scoring nine touchdowns and catching 44 passes. So, bet on a healthy Pacheco — and his urgent running style — to fill that RB2/flex slot in the lineup. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: The Chiefs will have at least 12 plays that go for 40-plus yards in the regular season. Doesn’t sound so bold, does it? But last season, Kansas City recorded four such plays. I’m betting the Chiefs will make a concerted effort to bring the explosive plays back in 2025, particularly via vertical shots to WR Xavier Worthy. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on KC

Chances to make the playoffs: 65.6%
Chances to win division: 38.4%
Projected wins: 9.7
Strength of schedule: Second hardest (tie)
2024 record: 15-2

Biggest strength: Ground attack. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery — aka “Sonic & Knuckles” — could be featured backs for nearly any team in the NFL but have no problems splitting carries in Detroit. New running backs coach Tashard Choice, who coached Gibbs at Georgia Tech, is looking to bring the best out of them. Gibbs and Montgomery have each recorded at least 1,000 scrimmage yards and 10 scrimmage touchdowns in each of the past two seasons, becoming the first running back tandem in NFL history to have two such seasons (at all, not just consecutively), according to ESPN Research. — Eric Woodyard

Biggest concern: Offensive line. After a 15-win season in 2024, Detroit continues to navigate through two key losses on the O-line. The Lions lost four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow to retirement and veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Tennessee Titans this offseason. One of the biggest concerns is whether the offensive production will continue to be among the league’s elite as veteran Graham Glasgow is switching from guard to center and rookie guard Tate Ratledge probably will assume a starting role. — Woodyard

QB stat to know: Though Jared Goff ranks second in the NFL in QBR when he has a clean pocket, he ranks 23rd when he’s under pressure. Goff had the second-largest QBR decline in the league in 2024 when he was pressured compared with when he had a clean pocket, ahead of only Daniel Jones. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: WR Jameson Williams. A dynamic threat with home run skills, Williams had a vertical route rate of 41.1%, while running crossers (or overs) at a rate of 13.3%. And that’s how he can create big plays for this Lions offense. Williams had 16 receptions of 20 or more yards last season, and he averaged 14.4 PPG, buoyed by four games of 22 or more points. With a bump in volume, Williams could jump into the WR2 ranks this season. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Aidan Hutchinson will record at least 100 pass rush wins, something that has happened only twice since the metric was created in 2017 (Micah Parsons in 2023 and Aaron Donald in 2018). I’m getting sucked into a small sample size and ignoring that he’s coming off a season-ending broken leg, but Hutchinson’s 35% pass rush win rate in the five games he played last season put him on pace for the second-highest PRWR in the metric’s history (he also had 7.5 sacks). I think he could be excellent again in 2025. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on DET

Chances to make the playoffs: 81.1%
Chances to win division: 66.5%
Projected wins: 10.6
Strength of schedule: Ninth easiest (tie)
2024 record: 13-4

Biggest strength: Josh Allen. The reigning MVP reinforced last year just how much he is capable of, even without a clear No. 1 receiver, as he broke a variety of franchise and league records. Allen has not missed a game since his rookie season and has accounted for at least 40 touchdowns (passing or rushing) in five straight seasons, the longest streak in NFL history. No other player has done so in four straight seasons. — Alaina Getzenberg

Biggest concern: Will the changes to the defense be enough? The Bills heavily invested in the defensive line, through the draft and free agency, and the health of DE Joey Bosa and some of the young players’ ability to develop will be key. There are also some real unknowns when it comes to the secondary, including the health of CBs Tre’Davious White and Maxwell Hairston. — Getzenberg

QB stat to know: Allen became the franchise’s first NFL MVP since RB Thurman Thomas in 1991 and was rewarded with a six-year extension in March. The deal includes $250 million guaranteed, the largest guaranteed total in a single contract. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: WR Khalil Shakir. He caught 73 passes in 2024 and averaged 12.7 PPG. While he is not a high-volume target in the low red zone (three end zone targets in 2024), the Bills’ route tree maximizes his skill set after the catch. Savvy and tough in space, Shakir averaged 7.9 YAC last season, and he posted 11 games with double-digit production. You can win with that at the WR3 spot in your lineup. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: TE Dalton Kincaid will record at least 900 receiving yards. This is more of a feeling than anything else, but sometimes it takes tight ends a few seasons to really settle in and make an impact. Kincaid was a highly touted prospect who flashed his potential in a 73-reception, 673-yard rookie season in 2023. Plus, there are still questions about other playmakers in Buffalo, so he ought to get his fair share of targets. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on BUF

Chances to make the playoffs: 56.4%
Chances to win division: 29.0%
Projected wins: 9.2
Strength of schedule: Fifth hardest (tie)
2024 record: 11-6

Biggest strength: Experience on offense — finally. That might sound counterintuitive given that this has been the youngest team in the NFL the past two seasons — and likely will have one of the youngest rosters again this year — but the core of this group, including Jordan Love and most of his pass catchers — have grown together. GM Brian Gutekunst’s idea was for the quarterback and his young skill-position players to have time to build chemistry together. Along the way, they picked up some valuable postseason scars that could benefit them in the playoffs the next time around. — Rob Demovsky

Biggest concern: A few days ago, this would’ve been pass rusher, but then Micah Parsons entered the picture. There are still potential issues on defense, especially on the back end. They signed cornerback Nate Hobbs in free agency, and it will be him and Keisean Nixon as the base corners. Neither has ever been a true CB1, and the Packers moved on from theirs when they cut Jaire Alexander in June. Hobbs is recovering from early-August knee surgery. Next up on the depth chart are a former seventh-round pick (Carrington Valentine), a player who spent his first two seasons with the Packers as a receiver and moved to cornerback in June (Bo Melton) and a former practice squad member whose only NFL game experience is seven special teams plays last season (Kamal Hadden). — Demovsky

2 Related

QB stat to know: Since taking over as the starter in 2023, Love ranks in the top seven among 33 qualified quarterbacks in passing touchdowns, yards per dropback and QBR. However, Love ranks 26th among that group in both completion percentage and interceptions. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: WR Matthew Golden. With his 4.29 speed and ball-tracking ability, the rookie first-rounder brings a playmaking skill set to coach Matt LaFleur’s offense. Last season at Texas, Golden led the country with 23 receptions of 20 or more yards, plus he can work the underneath levels of the route tree from multiple alignments. With Christian Watson still recovering from a knee injury, Golden can emerge quickly as a target for Love. Golden projects as an upside WR3. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper will be a first- or second-team All-Pro. Cooper’s numbers were fantastic in a semi-small sample as a rookie last season. His 46% run stop win rate would have led all linebackers, his 0.6 yards per coverage snap allowed was better than average, and he recorded 3.5 sacks. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on GB

Chances to make the playoffs: 56.8%
Chances to win division: 26.5%
Projected wins: 9.2
Strength of schedule: 14th hardest
2024 record: 9-8

Biggest strength: The receiving corps. When a team shells out $276 million on two wide receivers, it had better be a strength. But it’s not just Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins spearheading that group. Andrei Iosivas is a strong No. 3. And the others among that group — Charlie Jones, Jermaine Burton, Mitchell Tinsley — have flashed consistently during training camp and the preseason. — Ben Baby

Biggest concern: Right guard. It’s never a great sign when a starting job isn’t secured by the end of training camp, and Cincinnati still doesn’t have a confirmed starter at right guard. Whether it’s Lucas Patrick or Cody Ford, the starter will need to do his part to keep Joe Burrow upright. Cincinnati ranked last in pass block win rate last season, per NFL Next Gen Stats. — Baby

QB stat to know: Despite Burrow ranking third in the league in QBR (74.7) and having an MVP-caliber season, the Bengals missed the postseason. That is the highest QBR by a quarterback (minimum 10 starts) who didn’t make the playoffs since the metric was introduced in 2006. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: Higgins. In 12 games played last season, Higgins had 10 touchdown receptions and averaged 18.2 PPG. Working opposite Chase in one of the league’s most pass-heavy systems and with Burrow at quarterback, Higgins brings alignments versatility and three-level production in the route tree. He is a high-end WR2 who can post WR1 weeks. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: The Bengals will miss the playoffs — again. I worry about how much Cincinnati relies on four players — Burrow, Chase, Higgins and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson — and fell short with all of them last season. Maybe the Bengals will get some positive defensive regression, but are we sure they’ll match their offensive output from 2024, when Burrow played the best ball of his career? The offensive line is still shaky, too. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on CIN

Chances to make the playoffs: 54.3%
Chances to win division: 28.7%
Projected wins: 9.1
Strength of schedule: Eighth hardest
2024 record: 12-5

Biggest strength: Jayden Daniels. One opposing coach said in the offseason that Daniels “makes a lot of wrongs right” because of his explosive ability with his arm (3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns) and legs (891 yards, six touchdowns). He infuses confidence, making teammates believe they can win any game. Multiple receivers had their best seasons playing with him last season, including Terry McLaurin, who had a career-high 13 touchdown receptions. Tight end Zach Ertz called Daniels the leader of the team and said, “It’s crazy to think he’s only in his second year.” — John Keim

Biggest concern: Offensive chemistry — especially early in the season. The defense, which faces its own questions about how improved it is, looked strong this summer, and though Daniels is the strength, the first-team offense hasn’t worked much together. Two of the top three receivers — McLaurin (recently ended his hold-in) and Noah Brown (knee) — missed all or most of camp. Starting left guard Brandon Coleman missed three weeks, while starting right guard Sam Cosmi is recovering from a torn ACL and his return date remains uncertain. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury called the group “a work in progress.” — Keim

QB stat to know: Daniels excelled under pressure last season — specifically when blitzed — finishing with a 92 QBR versus the blitz in 2024 (including playoffs). That ranked first out of 93 QBs who have had 200-plus dropbacks against a blitz since 2006. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt. With the team trading away Brian Robinson Jr., there is an opportunity here for Croskey-Merritt to establish a role in a backfield share with Austin Ekeler. Croskey-Merritt has flashed during the preseason with his short-area acceleration and decisive running style. With the potential for flex upside in the lineup, I’d take a chance on the rookie in the later rounds. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: The Commanders will finish below .500. Sure, they could continue their ascent. But there are a lot of ways this season could go sideways for the Commanders. The aging defense with a lack of pass rush could fail them, injury or decline could strike McLaurin (their receiving group is weak behind him), or Daniels’ early-down numbers from a season ago (merely average!) could be a better indication of who he is going forward. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on WSH

Chances to make the playoffs: 55.9%
Chances to win division: 24.3%
Projected wins: 9.2
Strength of schedule: 11th hardest (tie)
2024 record: 11-6

Biggest strength: Safety. The Chargers have three starting-caliber safeties in Derwin James Jr., Alohi Gilman and Elijah Molden. Defensive coordinator Jesse Minter likes to keep the three on the field as much as possible. Last season, James played his most snaps at the nickel cornerback position, sparking his return to All-Pro status after a down year in 2023. — Kris Rhim

Biggest concern: Offensive line. The Chargers’ interior line was somewhat of this team’s Achilles heel last season, largely responsible for L.A. not having a dominant rushing offense. Now the Chargers will be without Pro Bowl left tackle Rashawn Slater and are starting the same center (Bradley Bozeman) and left guard (Zion Johnson) pairing from last season. The one positive for L.A. was signing right guard Mekhi Becton, who should be a significant upgrade on the interior at that spot. — Rhim

QB stat to know: Justin Herbert‘s 21,093 passing yards are the most through five seasons in NFL history — but of the 14 active quarterbacks with 20,000-plus passing yards, he is one of three who does not have a playoff win as a starter (Andy Dalton, Jameis Winston). — ESPN Research

0:43

Dopp: Puka Nacua is a clear-cut fantasy WR1

Daniel Dopp explains why Puka Nacua will pick up where he left off last year as a solid fantasy WR1.

How to win your fantasy league: RB Omarion Hampton. He delivers body punches at 6-foot, 221 pounds, and he can get rolling on a downhill track. The lower-body power is there to run through contact and push the pile, and he can cut to daylight when the walls start to close. A capable receiver who produced big plays on screens and swings at North Carolina, Hampton can post RB2 numbers this season as the lead runner in the Chargers offense. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Joe Alt will win Protector of the Year. He is moving into a more high-profile role at left tackle in the wake of Slater’s injury, and he’s coming off a rookie season in which he put up pretty incredible numbers. Alt ranked fourth in pass block win rate (94%) and 15th in run block win rate (78%) among tackles. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on LAC

Chances to make the playoffs: 65.2%
Chances to win division: 39.2%
Projected wins: 9.8
Strength of schedule: Easiest
2024 record: 6-11

Biggest strength: Offensive continuity. Though the Niners have had plenty of changes on the roster, their projected top 11 started at least two games each in 2024 and averaged a total of 11.5 starts last season when San Francisco was fourth in the league in yards per game. Injuries, especially at receiver, bring questions, but the 49ers have a group with experience in coach Kyle Shanahan’s system to again be an offense that, if it can take a step forward in the red zone (57.1%, 14th in 2024), should improve upon its 22.1 points per game from 2024, which also ranked 14th. — Nick Wagoner

Biggest concern: A lack of experience and depth on defense. Coordinator Robert Saleh has building blocks in DE Nick Bosa, LB Fred Warner and CB Deommodore Lenoir, but the rest of the defense is essentially one big question mark. The Niners could end up starting as many as six rookies relatively early in the season on a defense that finished 2024 ranked 29th in points allowed per game (25.6). And if injuries strike again? Well, the Niners have little proven depth behind an already thin group, especially in the secondary. — Wagoner

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QB stat to know: Since Brock Purdy took over as the full-time starter in Week 14 of the 2022 season, he ranks in the top five in passing yards and QBR, and he leads all quarterbacks in yards per attempt. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: WR Ricky Pearsall. He scored 17 points or more in three of his seven games played as a rookie. In Weeks 17 and 18, he had 14 receptions and averaged 23.8 fantasy points. A detailed route runner who can provide a vertical push in one-on-one matchups, Pearsall will also get opportunities on in-breaking concepts in Shanahan’s offense off play-action, which leads to big plays. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Edge rusher Bryce Huff will record at least nine sacks. Maybe this is just stubbornness, but there has to be a real chance that last year’s disappointment in Philadelphia was a one-year blip for Huff that can be overcome by returning to a Robert Saleh-schemed defense. As bad as last season was, it’s not enough to make me forget about the 10.0 sacks or the top-10 pass rush win rate at edge (22%) Huff recorded in 2023. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on SF

Chances to make the playoffs: 53.5%
Chances to win division: 22.1%
Projected wins: 9.1
Strength of schedule: 15th hardest
2024 record: 10-7

Biggest strength: Yeah, it’s preseason and they haven’t played many opposing starters, but the Broncos’ defense has dominated at every turn. After two preseason games, the Broncos were No. 1 in scoring defense, total defense, pass defense and third-down defense while allowing the fewest first downs. It is a deep group up front with a secondary that has a legitimate claim as the league’s best. If the defense carries the preseason momentum to the regular season, the only thing that could stand in the Broncos’ way is injuries. — Jeff Legwold

Biggest concern: The Broncos were among the league leaders in total yards during the preseason, but that has been mostly a product of the second- and third-team offenses. The first-team offense has mostly looked meh in limited snaps. Quarterback Bo Nix is closer to finding a rhythm, and focused game-planning will help, but the Broncos’ offense has had issues manufacturing drives and finding explosive plays against its first-team defense. If that continues against opponents, it might be difficult for coach Sean Payton’s team to have the fast start he desires. — Legwold

QB stat to know: Nix threw for 3,775 yards last season, which was the most among rookies. Nix’s air yards per attempt was 12.9, and his QBR was 81 when targeting Courtland Sutton, but when targeting all others, his air yards per attempt dropped to 5.3 and QBR to 51. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: TE Evan Engram. The Broncos’ system is an upgrade for Engram and so is the quarterback play with Nix. Engram averaged 9.9 PPG with the Jaguars last season (in nine games played), a year removed from his 111 receptions in 2023. Catch-and-run targets will be in play here for Engram and so will the seam-stretching concepts that allow the tight end to attack schemed voids in coverage via Payton’s offense. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Cornerback Riley Moss will record at least five interceptions in a breakout third-year campaign. Playing opposite Pat Surtain II means plenty of balls will be thrown Moss’ direction — which should give him opportunities to make those picks. Plus, I think the Broncos are going to be good this season, so opponents will be trailing (and throwing) more often than not. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on DEN

Chances to make the playoffs: 58.0%
Chances to win division: 30.3%
Projected wins: 9.3
Strength of schedule: 16th easiest
2024 record: 10-7

Biggest strength: Their pass rush. The same group that sacked Vikings quarterback Sam Darnold nine times in their playoff game in January has mostly returned in 2025. Defensive Rookie of the Year Jared Verse led all rookies in pressures during the season but said he came into training camp realizing how much better he could get after rewatching every play from last season. “People are like, ‘Oh, you’re good, you’re good,'” Verse said. “No, I’ve got so much farther to go.” — Sarah Barshop

Biggest concern: Matthew Stafford‘s back. The Rams quarterback, entering his 17th season, is dealing with an aggravated disk in his back and missed nearly the first month of training camp. Though Stafford could still play in the Rams’ season opener against the Texans, there’s a chance this back injury is something the quarterback and the Rams will have to manage all season. — Barshop

QB stat to know: Stafford was productive when he had to leave the pocket last season, throwing eight touchdowns on passes from outside the pocket, tied for second most in the NFL. — ESPN Research

1:16

Why fantasy managers should pick up Baker Mayfield this season

Field Yates discusses why Baker Mayfield is one of the best values outside of the top 5 at QB in fantasy this season.

How to win your fantasy league: Davante Adams. The wide receiver, who averaged 17.2 fantasy PPG across his time with the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets last season, is still one of the best at getting loose versus press-man defense. And Adams can use his coverage awareness to find open grass. That’s key when playing as the X receiver (opposite Puka Nacua), where Adams can win those backside one-on-ones for Stafford. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Nacua will lead the NFL in receiving yards. It’s hard to stress just how efficient Nacua was last season: His 3.7 yards per route run last year are the second most by any receiver in the past decade (behind Tyreek Hill in 2023) — even ahead of Cooper Kupp‘s monstrous 2021 season (3.2). The biggest question in this case might simply be whether Stafford can stay healthy long enough to get his receiver there. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on LAR

Chances to make the playoffs: 43.9%
Chances to win division: 19.0%
Projected wins: 8.6
Strength of schedule: Fifth hardest (tie)
2024 record: 14-3

Biggest strength: The Vikings used the value of quarterback J.J. McCarthy‘s rookie contract to assemble a talented — and expensive — roster around him. Ten of their projected 22 starters have been named to at least one Pro Bowl, three of whom they signed in March: center Ryan Kelly, along with defensive linemen Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave. All told, the Vikings have committed roughly $350 million in cash to their 2025 roster. — Kevin Seifert

Biggest concern: McCarthy is more of an unknown than a concern, but his lack of experience — he became the first quarterback in the modern era to miss his entire rookie season because of injury after being drafted in the first round — is the biggest question on the team. He displayed moxie and precocious leadership skills during training camp but also revealed a level of inaccuracy that the Vikings hope will resolve itself as he settles into the role. — Seifert

QB stat to know: At 22 years old, McCarthy is expected to be the youngest quarterback to start in Week 1 this season. Assuming he starts, McCarthy will be the fourth quarterback over the past 20 seasons to make his first career start on “Monday Night Football” in Week 1 (Darnold with the Jets in 2018, Aaron Rodgers with the Packers in 2008, Philip Rivers with the Chargers in 2006). — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: McCarthy. The quarterback returns after missing his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus. Playing in coach Kevin O’Connell’s QB-friendly offense, McCarthy has a premier No.1 target in Justin Jefferson, while tight end T.J. Hockenson can open up the middle of the field. Plus, McCarthy can create with his legs as a runner. He’s a late-round sleeper in deeper leagues. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Running back Jordan Mason will record at least 1,100 rushing yards. He’ll split work with Aaron Jones Sr., but I expect Mason to lead the team in rush attempts. He recorded 207 rush yards over expectation last season in San Francisco, and I could see the pass-happy Vikings running a little more to support their rookie quarterback. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on MIN

Chances to make the playoffs: 54.3%
Chances to win division: 42.5%
Projected wins: 8.8
Strength of schedule: 14th easiest (tie)
2024 record: 10-7

Biggest strength: The Texans’ strong suit is their edge rushers, led by Pro Bowlers Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. Last season, the duo combined for 23 sacks, and there is no reason to believe they can’t reach 30. That might seem ambitious, but the secondary Houston has will force quarterbacks to hold the ball a tick longer, which should give them time to rack up more sacks. — DJ Bien-Aime

Biggest concern: Most of the starters on the offensive line have struggled throughout their career, or at least recently. Tackle Aireontae Ersery looked promising in camp, though he is a rookie, and T Tytus Howard is proven. But outside of them, the starters could be a few guys who have been castoffs. So how will that come together in a pivotal Year 3 for coach DeMeco Ryans? — Bien-Aime

QB stat to know: C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 times last season, second most in the league and fourth most in franchise history. — ESPN Research

How to win your fantasy league: WR Jayden Higgins. At 6-4 and 212 pounds, Higgins is a natural catcher with his hands and displays the body control to finish plays. Higgins, who had eight red zone touchdown grabs last season at Iowa State, should play a defined role in the Texans’ three-wide receiver sets and could emerge as the No. 2 opposite Nico Collins this season. You can grab Higgins in the later rounds, too. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Cornerback Kamari Lassiter will make the Pro Bowl. Derek Stingley Jr. rightfully earns most of the headlines, but Lassiter had a really nice rookie season during which he allowed 0.9 yards per coverage snap — better than average for an outside corner — per NFL Next Gen Stats. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on HOU

Chances to make the playoffs: 58.9%
Chances to win division: 48.7%
Projected wins: 9.0
Strength of schedule: 14th easiest (tie)
2024 record: 10-7

Biggest strength: The offense. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off back-to-back career-best seasons. He threw 41 touchdowns in 2024, a season in which he didn’t have all of his playmakers. The Bucs’ receiving corps has taken two huge injury hits with Chris Godwin likely not playing until October and Jalen McMillan out until November, so the team will need to lean on Mayfield once again to run the show. — Jenna Laine

Biggest concern: Pressure off the edge. The Bucs defense couldn’t get off the field on third down in their wild-card playoff loss to the Commanders, and they got a lot deeper in their secondary to help address this. But on the edge, though they signed Haason Reddick in free agency, draft pick David Walker suffered a torn ACL, Yaya Diaby is still learning how to finish, and Chris Braswell has yet to really flash going into Year 2. — Laine

QB stat to know: Mayfield was at the forefront of Tampa Bay’s success last season, tying for second in passing touchdowns (41) and ranking third in passing yards (4,500) and completion percentage (71%). He was the only quarterback to rank in the top three in all three of those categories last season. — ESPN Research

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Marvin Harrison Jr. needs to be the alpha in the Cardinals offense

Daniel Dopp discusses why Marvin Harrison Jr. needs more targets to be a viable high-end fantasy option.

How to win your fantasy league: WR Emeka Egbuka. With Godwin (ankle) out for the start of the season and McMillian on IR (neck) for at least the first four games, the door is open for the rookie Egbuka to emerge quickly as a target for Mayfield. A receiver with inside/outside flexibility, Egbuka is a smooth route runner who can get open and be available to the quarterback. Plus, he is competitive after the catch. Put him on your draft board. — Bowen

Bold prediction for 2025: Diaby will record double-digit sacks in a breakout season. Diaby put up a solid 15% pass rush win rate as a sophomore (close to average for an edge rusher) along with 4.5 sacks. In Todd Bowles’ blitz-heavy scheme, his numbers could jump. — Walder

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart | Read more on TB

Chances to make the playoffs: 44.6%
https://wol.com/nfl-team-previews-2025-predictions-rankings-depth-charts/