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ESPN Fantasy
Aug 22, 2025, 02:51 PM ET
Everything that happens in the NFL has some additional context when viewed from a fantasy football perspective. From position battles to injuries and so much more, the news cycle will constantly affect player values in fantasy football.
Our fantasy football buzz file, with contributions from our ESPN fantasy writers and our NFL Nation reporters, aims to provide fantasy managers with the intel they need as news breaks around the NFL.
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Aug. 22: Commanders trade Brian Robinson Jr. to 49ers
Robinson provides depth in San Francisco behind Christian McCaffrey and a clear insurance back option for CMC managers. McCaffrey has averaged 19.8 touches and 21.8 fantasy points per game since arriving in San Francisco. With injuries to Isaac Guerendo and Jordan James, Robinson offers insurance if McCaffrey misses time but is unlikely to significantly cut into McCaffrey’s workload. Robinson is best targeted near the tail end of drafts.
In Washington, the trade opens the door for a running back committee featuring Austin Ekeler, Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chris Rodriguez Jr. Ekeler is expected to handle a few rushing attempts and passing-down duties, while Croskey-Merritt is expected to see early-down work. Rodriguez Jr. will likely handle short-yardage and goal-line carries. Croskey-Merritt has generated significant buzz in camp and could see meaningful touches early, making him my favorite out of this trio to prioritize in drafts.
Overall, Robinson’s departure redistributes fantasy value: San Francisco gains a high-upside backup, while Washington further commits to a shared backfield approach that creates opportunities for fantasy managers to capitalize on.
Aug. 21: What Chris Godwin’s injury status means for your fantasy roster
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced plans to activate receiver Chris Godwin and left tackle Tristan Wirfs from the active/physically unable to perform (PUP) list and have them on their 53-man roster to start the season. This does not mean, however, that either player will be active Week 1, but rather the move allows the team to have the players practice earlier than they would if they began the season on the PUP, which would prevent them from doing so until Week 5.
Godwin is not expected to play until at least October, so what can fantasy managers do in the meantime? Godwin currently carries an “Out” designation within the ESPN fantasy game, making him eligible to be stashed in your IR slot the same way as if he were on the PUP. As long as Godwin maintains an injury designation — Out, Doubtful or Questionable — he can remain on the fantasy IR without needing to be bounced back and forth from your active roster. Once he loses the injury designation ahead of his return, you will be forced to activate him if you attempt to make a roster addition via waiver, free-agent pickup or trade. That means if you draft him now, you could put him on your IR immediately and make your first roster addition right away (subject to your league’s waiver rules).
Godwin is currently WR39 in our wide receiver rankings. He was taken 104th overall (WR47) by Eric Karabell in the ninth round of our most recent 12-team PPR mock draft. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans is ranked as WR19, while rookie Emeka Egbuka, who will ostensibly be Tampa’s WR2 in Week 1, is ranked 46th.
Aug. 19: Colts, Browns settle QB battles and more
Eric Moody: Missed last night’s Monday Night Football game or this morning’s news updates? Here are the notes and takeaways you need to know this morning as you prepare for your fantasy football drafts.
Colts name QB Daniel Jones Week 1 starter
Jones has officially been named the Colts’ Week 1 starter over Anthony Richardson Sr., providing a steadier presence under center. While Jones isn’t fantasy relevant outside of deeper formats, his promotion benefits key players. Jonathan Taylor finished top five among RBs in rushing attempts and rushing yards last season, averaging a robust 4.72 YPC despite missing three games, making him a reliable midrange RB1 in fantasy leagues.
Michael Pittman Jr. finished as the WR41, but he had been a top-20 fantasy receiver in each of the previous three seasons. Rookie TE Tyler Warren handled a 32% target share at Penn State last season, finishing with 104 receptions, 1,233 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns. Jones has historically performed best when targeting the middle of the field, so Warren remains an excellent late-round lottery ticket in fantasy drafts.
Browns name QB Joe Flacco Week 1 starter
Flacco returns as the starter for a second stint after leading the team to a 4-1 stretch in 2023 and earning NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Injuries and lack of reps for Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, and Shedeur Sanders cleared the way for the 17-year vet Flacco to take the first-team reps.
With that said, Flacco isn’t relevant in most fantasy football leagues, but this news does make Jerry Jeudy and David Njoku more appealing. He’s currently the WR29 in our draft trends and one of the few players that late projected to see 140-plus targets. Jeudy is coming off a career year in 2024, finishing as the WR13 in fantasy. In five games with Flacco in 2023, Njoku logged 30 catches for 390 yards and four touchdowns, making him the overall TE1 in that span.
Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt’s fantasy value skyrockets
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who prefers to be called “Bill,” is officially making fantasy managers take notice after an 11-carry, 46-yard, performance in Week 2 of the preseason against the Cincinnati Bengals, showcasing vision, patience, and breakaway speed as seen on a 27-yard touchdown run.
With Brian Robinson Jr. reportedly on the trade block, Croskey-Merritt could quickly ascend to lead early-down back in the Commanders run-heavy offense. Meanwhile, Austin Ekeler remains a key piece, so if Robinson is traded, Croskey-Merritt is firmly on the flex radar with upside in a Commanders offense that finished fifth in total yards and third in rushing attempts per game last season.
Quick Hits
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers placed WR Jalen McMillan on the IR list as he’s expected to miss the start of the 2025 season with a severe neck strain, compounding uncertainty with Chris Godwin (ankle) still on the PUP list. McMillan’s absence opens opportunities for first-round rookie Emeka Egbuka to see a sizable role alongside Mike Evans, while TE Cade Otton could also see an uptick in targets. Egbuka, primarily a slot receiver in college, is a productive late-round fantasy flier, while Otton’s target share could climb if the WR room remains depleted.
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Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford practiced for the first time in training camp after a back injury, but his readiness for the season opener remains uncertain, with Jimmy Garoppolo as the backup. Fantasy managers are watching closely because Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are one of the few WR tandems projected to finish as top-15 fantasy wide receivers. As Sun Tzu said, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity,” so managers shouldn’t let this news deter them from selecting Nacua or Adams.
Aug. 18: Encouraging signs for these mid-to-late picks
Eric Moody: Evan Engram‘s 58-yard reception from backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham against the Arizona Cardinals on Friday reminded fantasy managers why the Denver Broncos signed him this offseason. He’s the TE9 in ESPN leagues and a very good consolation pick for managers who wait to address the position. Engram is in a Broncos offense led by head coach Sean Payton and offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi, who had great success with Jimmy Graham from 2011 to 2014, averaging 17.0 fantasy points per game.
Chicago Bears QB Caleb Williams looked poised and comfortable in his first preseason action, going 6-for-10 for 107 yards and a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills in two series. Williams is firmly on the QB2 radar (ADP of QB14), but managers should also note tight end Colston Loveland, who caught two passes from Williams. Loveland is currently the TE12 in fantasy leagues and is projected to have a sizable role. Last season at Michigan, he handled 37% of targets and a class-high 40% of air yards.
Dallas Cowboys RB Javonte Williams rested with the starters against the Baltimore Ravens. Miles Sanders was on the field, and rookie Jaydon Blue has been sidelined since Aug. 7 with a bone bruise in his heel. The Cowboys could be messy at RB in 2025, but Williams is currently the RB33 in drafts and offers great value as the player projected for the most touches in Dallas’ backfield.
Seattle Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet finished with 45 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Kansas City Chiefs, continuing to show why he could have a bigger role in the backfield this season alongside starter Kenneth Walker III. Klint Kubiak’s offense leans heavily on backs as both runners and receivers. Last season, in the six games Walker missed, Charbonnet averaged 18.3 touches and 19.2 fantasy points per game, and it’s worth noting Walker has already missed time in camp with a foot injury.
New England Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson continues to impress. We got another glimpse of him against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday with some solid runs. He averaged an astounding 7.1 yards per carry at Ohio State last season and was effective as a rusher and receiver. Henderson’s ADP has risen to RB20, though the timeshare with Rhamondre Stevenson could still tilt in Stevenson’s favor.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka had a nice one-handed catch against the Steelers that drew a lot of attention. The bigger takeaway is the uncertainty surrounding Chris Godwin‘s return. He could start the season on the PUP list, as he continues recovering from his ankle injury. Jalen McMillan is also dealing with a neck injury, which could position Egbuka as the No. 2 receiver next to Mike Evans for Week 1. Egbuka is the WR48 in leagues and worth targeting in the double-digit rounds of fantasy drafts.
Cause for concern?
Houston Texans RB Nick Chubb played most of the snaps with the first string on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers, suggesting he could be the Week 1 starter, especially with Joe Mixon sidelined by a foot injury. Chubb is an intriguing value at RB46, but Houston’s offensive line, which finished 31st in run block win rate last season, lost veterans Laremy Tunsil and Shaq Mason this offseason and looks headed for a similar finish in 2025.
Brock Bowers‘ preseason usage is nothing to worry about. Some managers may fret over a potential early-down and third-down rotation with Michael Mayer, similar to Chip Kelly’s past two-TE committees. Still, Bowers is projected to lead the Raiders in targets. Coming off a dominant rookie season with 262.7 fantasy points, the most ever by a first-year tight end, he remains the top TE in fantasy. Even if the Raiders run more “12” personnel, Bowers’ volume and talent make him one of the safest early-round selections.
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins rested with the starters against the Cardinals while rookie RJ Harvey saw preseason snaps. Harvey being listed as the fifth-string back had fantasy managers sweating, but relax. Sean Payton didn’t draft him to sit him. Our projections suggest a fairly even committee between Harvey (RB26) and Dobbins (RB32), both strong fantasy values in Payton’s RB-friendly offense.
