Category: American Style Football

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

"Competency" is Step 1 for a group of NFL teams who will have a new quarterback under center in the 2025 season. The thinking for these clubs: get average to above average play and see if any QB can flash something special.

For the rookies and young starters, it’s about showing they're not over their heads and giving their teams a chance to evaluate them long term. For the veterans, expectations are more about providing stability and not losing games, with hope for occasional upside.

In this episode of "Football 301," Yahoo Sports' Nate Tice, Charles McDonald and Matt Harmon lay out the expectations for quarterbacks who are in new cities with expected starting role responsibilities. Here are the key takeaways from the discussion: 

Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints 

The hosts agree that "competency" should be the expectation for Shough this year. With a new coaching staff and a 26-year-old rookie starting, the Saints are hoping Shough can look like a top-20 quarterback and give them a fighting chance in games, even if it’s just a 7-10 season. 

Because of his age and experience, Shough should be ready right away, and if he falters, the Saints might already be looking to next year's draft class.

Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

For Ward, it’s about showing the aggressive playmaking he was known for in college. The Titans have beefed up their offensive line and added some interesting receivers. The consensus is that anything “better than last year” is a win. 

The expectation is that Ward keeps firing downfield, makes mistakes, and hopefully learns quickly. The offense should be more competent overall, aided by improvements up front.

Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks  

Darnold lands in a Shanahan/Kubiak system in Seattle, a scheme that should mitigate some of his worst tendencies with play action and a strong run game. But there's reason to be cautious since Darnold “is as good as the players around him.” 

The expectation is that the Seahawks lean into a run-heavy, play-action-heavy script and try not to let Darnold get stuck in a dropback-heavy passing game. If things go well, Darnold can be a fine starter, but the offense's talent and the fit of its skill players present question marks.

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Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders  

With Chip Kelly coming in as offensive coordinator, the Raiders are expected to lean heavily on the run and utilize a creative, multifaceted ground attack. Smith raises the floor for the offense as he’s a steady hand who can make enough throws, especially if the run game is working. 

The Raiders' offense is expected to be better than last season, with the main question being whether they have enough explosive playmakers outside.

Justin Fields, New York Jets 

The expectation is a “run-heavy, bruising” offense built around Fields’ legs and the Jets' strong running back group. Passing game questions remain — particularly the fit with Garrett Wilson — but there's reason to believe this offense can at least pound the rock and be a team no one wants to play, even if it won’t be explosive through the air. Think of the "bad team beater" Falcons from a couple of years ago.

To hear more NFL discussions, tune into "Football 301" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

Every offseason, fantasy football managers want to know: who can you really trust in your lineup? One name that has popped up — along with a big dose of skepticism — is new Commanders receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. In the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harmon and Andy Behrens got into the weeds on Samuel's prospects now that he’s in Washington. Is he someone you can rely on, or is caution the smarter approach?

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Let’s break down what they said, what the numbers show and how you should treat Samuel in your 2025 draft plans.

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Deebo Samuel Sr. joins a new team

Washington added Samuel to help take Jayden Daniels and the offense to the next level. But as Matt and Andy pointed out, the Commanders otherwise didn’t do much to upgrade their receiver room: "[Deebo Samuel] is the only, like, real pass catcher addition here," Matt said. “Zach Ertz is another year older. ... The other spots along the offensive line, we don’t quite know what’s going to happen.”

So, Samuel is clearly being counted on to be more than just a gadget player or possession guy — he’s supposed to be a difference-maker on this team.

Wiht that said, there are some real red flags.

Both hosts had reservations about what Samuel still brings to the table. "Deebo is such a complicated player because he built his reputation on the one great season, right? The 1,400-yard season. ... That one big season represents about 30% of his career receiving production and the rest of the career is full of isolated good games and a whole bunch of really quiet games," Andy said.

Deebo’s 2021 breakout was legendary. But since then? He simply hasn’t come close to repeating it.

Deebo's been in a steady decline since his monster season

Matt highlighted some stunning Reception Perception data: “Deebo Samuel last year ... 39.7% success rate vs. man coverage. That is ... the third lowest mark I’ve ever charted, ever, ever, ever. ... Deebo’s never been a great man-beater, but it was better than that previously. ... This was consistent on film before the pneumonia thing.”

Translation: he’s struggling to separate, even before last year’s health issues.

Samuel's game relies on explosiveness, breaking tackles and YAC. But he’s battled injuries, illness and just wear-and-tear, especially as he creeps closer to 30.

Both Matt and Andy also wonder if this offense is even built to make Samuel a reliable fantasy starter. “I’m not saying that I’m betting against the Commanders ... but if by Week 8 we’re kind of looking back and saying like, 'ah, yeah, did we take another step here?' I think that’s the question. … Taking the next step to, ‘okay, we went from conference championship to now we’re in the Super Bowl’ ... I’m a little skeptical that this was enough on offense," Matt said.

If the whole offense takes a step back, Samuel's ceiling — and his weekly floor — could take a nosedive.

Is there any upside to drafting Deebo?

The only thing working in Samuel's favor is that the Commanders did, in fact, give up a draft pick and are paying him to be involved. Same OC, young QB and a thin receiver group means he’ll get his chances. Also, his YAC skills and ability to break the game open are still tantalizing if he’s healthy and properly used.

Nonetheless, Andy and Matt clearly lean skeptical on Samuel, and with good reason:  

• He’s trending down statistically and on film  

• He’s no longer the focal point of a Kyle Shanahan offense designed to maximize his strengths  

• The Commanders offense could be clunky or slow out of the gate  

• His “one big year” is fading more and more into the rearview

Unless Samuel shows he’s regained his burst and Washington’s offense gels early, he’s the kind of player you draft as a WR3/flex, not someone you trust every week as a locked-in starter.

If he drops in drafts and you want to chase upside, there’s a path. But if you’re hoping for that 2021 magic, you should temper expectations.

(This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.)

If you’re prepping for your fantasy football draft this year, you’ve probably started hearing a lot of buzz around Ladd McConkey coming off his excellent rookie season. On the latest Yahoo Fantasy Forecast, Matt Harmon and Scott Pianowski couldn’t contain their excitement for McConkey’s outlook with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2025 — and for good reason. But the burning question is: Where should you draft him?

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Ladd McConkey: Hype or Value?

McConkey’s rookie tape and underlying numbers turned plenty of heads, but it’s not just about his skills — as both Harmon and Pianowski highlighted, it’s about the perfect combination of talent, opportunity and team context.

Pianowski didn't mince words:

"Ladd McConkey is a great second-round pick. Anywhere you can get him. I'm going to have Ladd McConkey shares. If I overpay for them, I don't care. He's going to catch 115 passes this year. You're going to regret [missing out]. It's going to pain you. If you were between McConkey and somebody else and you took somebody else, you're going to regret that. Please get this guy this year."

We're talking must-draft territory.

Why all the love for McConkey?

There are a few core reasons McConkey stands out:

1. High-Volume Role: Even as a rookie, McConkey wasn't just a starter, but quickly became the go-to guy in a shallow receiving corps. The Chargers handed the reins to McConkey to the tune of 112 targets and that total should only go up in his sophomore season. 

2. Team Situation: As discussed on the podcast, Justin Herbert is healthy and poised for a big year. The Chargers’ offensive line has questions, but their high pass rate down the stretch last season was a positive sign for target volume.

3. Player on the rise: Pianowski's praise included advocating for McConkey over A.J. Brown in some formats:
   "If you come down to A.J. brown versus Ladd McConkey. I want you to take Ladd McConkey every time. So I'm [planting] my flag, there it is."

4. Rookie Precedent: Harmon compared McConkey's Reception Perception data to the likes of CeeDee Lamb, Michael Thomas and Tyreek Hill as rookies. That’s elite company.

What about the risks?

No player comes without question marks. McConkey’s raw numbers in college were held back by Georgia’s conservative offense, but both analysts are confident that was a product of his environment, not a lack of ability. With the Chargers, there’s little established competition for targets — and with Herbert as his quarterback, everything is lining up.

So … where should you draft McConkey?

Pianowski was adamant McConkey should be a second-round pick in full-PPR leagues, even calling him a “no-brainer” over established stars if you’re on the fence.

If general consensus and ADP puts McConkey closer to the third round, do not hesitate. Take him in the late second or early third; you’ll beat the rush and snag a true difference-maker with top-10 potential. He projects as the clear top target for his team and could return low-end fantasy WR1 production.

If you’re drafting in half-PPR, he’s still a firm Round 3 pick based on projected volume and role. In standard scoring, bump him to later in the third round or early fourth as touchdowns are less of his profile, but the floor remains high.

Bottom line

Pianowski said it best: "Please get this guy this year."

So don’t be afraid to reach for McConkey — trust the tape, the role and the hype. When your league mates are cursing themselves midseason for passing him up, you’ll be glad you listened.