Just an open page for me to drop notes/ideas/things I'm hearing/seeing/working on or just caffeinated or lack of sleep thoughts on football items.
6/1 SUN
(7:25amET)
-- I think even the Patriots might agree with me now...that signing Stefon Diggs for the amount of money (or for any amount of money) that they did was arguably the single stupidest move of the 2025 offseason.
If the Patriots can find a way to get out of this deal, they’ll very likely take it...if they can cut him and void the deal and walk away without owing him anything (which is unlikely)...due to the recent controversy.
All this is good news for...Kyle Williams, no?
-- I said it last year, and I’ll say it again...there’s gonna be a QB controversy in Chicago, at some point, between Caleb and Tyson Bagent. I think it could happen this year now that Caleb is having Bears fans prepare to turn on him due to that upcoming book release controversy...and that Caleb is not good...so at the first sign of trouble it’s gonna be anti-Caleb time in Chicago. Ben Johnson’s future QB may really be on the Bears roster already...it’s just not Caleb Williams.
Case Keenum gives us a nice little insight on Mr. Bagent here...
https://heavy.com/sports/nfl/chicago-bears/case-keenum-backup-qb-tyson-bagent/
Why has no media member asked Tyson Bagent if prior Chicago coaches ever showed him how to watch film? I bet they don’t wanna know the answer...(and I’ll be Bagent doesn’t want to answer that publicly).
-- Joe Flacco don’t give an F...for Flacco...about mentoring the rookie QBs.
This report/article made me laugh... Good for Flacco not shining us on. He doesn’t have to shine on anyone anymore...he’s made plenty of money already. Case Keenum is shining everyone on in Chicago trying to keep a job/paycheck in Chicago...he’s been out saying all kinds of things about Caleb, and minor things about Bagent. Flacco...he isn’t there to be a mentor...he wasn’t brought in to be a mentor like Keenum was.
-- Starting Tuesday, the FFM experts will be posting their Faux 1.0/2025 projected standings and playoffs/title winner. A different expert reveals their simulations Tue-Fri next week. Then we’ll have one big, consolidated report of ALL the simulations to compare and contrast.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish ASAP.
*Top 600 Dynasty and Best Ball top 600 + IDPs have all updated. Next update is being pushed to next week...not enough change to need to force one this week/weekend.
*Next DRD top 300 rankings update will be Thursday/s all summer.
**Faux 1.0/Computer Simulated Season continues.
**Special reports that pop up will be published all this week. I’m halfway+ through a REWIND Report on Mr. Bryce Young.
=====================
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
*Android App version may be unavailable this week as we have to file new papers with Google...there’s no more hassle in the world than the constant twists of paperwork compliance for Apps on Google or Apple. And the process is...they just freeze or disappear your App until you do the most minute thing they decided was needed that week. But it will be up again shortly, if not showing this day.
5/31 SAT
(9:02amET)
A couple of quick hitters from the news yesterday...
-- Headline: Ravens HC John Harbaugh said “I want to see (Isaiah Likely) be an All-Pro” this season.
I listened to the post-OTA presser to get more context on the statement, there wasn’t really much. A reporter asked about Likely (after reporters asking about a lot of players, towards the last 3rd of the 12+ minutes someone asked about Likely -- and I’d say it was the least exciting, least detailed answer Harbaugh gave. It was quick, almost dismissive but polite. It’s not as exciting as the headline makes it out to be. I don’t think anything has changed with Likely from these comments.
Harbaugh said the whole ‘I expect/hope ____ are all-pros’ about 1-2 other players as well. Odafe Oweh being one of them (who he said added 10-12 pounds of muscle (yikes...in a good way) -- but in that Oweh case, Harbaugh lit up when asked about him and really got excited. It was nothing like that for Likely.
-- Two 49ers notes in the news to hit on...
1) Headline/blurb: 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan told reporters that Christian McCaffrey is as “healthy as can be” and that the team must “protect him from himself.”
Every year of CMC’s career Shanahan says this (about protecting him), and it is never true. FYI
Ron Rivera would say it in Carolina...and never true.
2) Headline: ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports the Eagles “are working to finalize a trade that will send edge rusher Bryce Huff” to the 49ers.
This guy (Huff)...
Huff has one good sack year (in 5 years) and that’s good enough to be Reggie White to NFL coaches. I’m sure Robert Saleh was screaming up and down for him...as he coached him with the Jets. His one good year came with like several other pass rushers above him getting hurt and Huff having to play more.
Huff’s 10.0 sack 2023 was not proof of Huff’s greatness...it was proof that any halfway decent edge in the right situation playing a lot of snaps can push for 8+ sacks.
This move is not turning the 49ers offseason around...an offseason of flux and despair in their rebuild (to me).
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish ASAP.
*Top 600 Dynasty and Best Ball top 600 + IDPs have all updated. Next update is being pushed to next week...not enough change to need to force one this week/weekend.
*Next DRD top 300 rankings update will be Thursday/s all summer.
**Faux 1.0/Computer Simulated Season continues.
**Special reports that pop up will be published all this week. I’m halfway+ through a REWIND Report on Mr. Bryce Young.
=====================
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
*Android App version may be unavailable this week as we have to file new papers with Google...there’s no more hassle in the world than the constant twists of paperwork compliance for Apps on Google or Apple. And the process is...they just freeze or disappear your App until you do the most minute thing they decided was needed that week. But it will be up again shortly, if not showing this day.
5/30 FRI
(7:11amET)
-- Wait...what? The Steelers are looking to trade for Jonnu Smith? I believe these rumors are true. I was shocked when I saw it, because Jonnu had such a great/surprising 2024 season.
Why is Miami wanting/ready to deal him?
Here’s what I know/most analysts are pointing out...
1) Miami is on that payroll purge, aimed at freeing them up for 2026-2027 and beyond. That’s why Jalen Ramsey is getting tossed out. Tyreek could be up for grabs in a bit. They are doing a version of what the 49ers did all offseason -- gutting salary cap and preparing a rebuilt/retool...because they know they aren’t good enough today to win their division/a playoff game/a title.
Well, Jonnu is on the last year of his current Miami deal and it’s a very low final year ($4.6M for 2025, $2.2M guaranteed of it) for what he brings to the table, and he wants a new/better deal.
So, Miami being focused on the fiscal future -- it means Jonnu IS available.
2) Obviously, Jonnu is connected to Arthur Smith from the past...so, thus, Pitt is interested. Enough said there...they were together in Tennessee, where Jonnu was originally drafted.
Those two points above are the obvious things people know.
What I thought about beyond the basics...
a) I’ve always heard the Steelers are not over-the-moon with Pat Freiermuth...nor is he with them. So, this move would be a huge blow to any Freiermuth FF hopes in 2025 (if he isn’t then traded).
b) I wonder which TE Aaron Rodgers would prefer...or does he even care?
c) Jonnu Smith’s FF 2025 projections would probably sink a little, going to the dark hole of the awful Steelers offense...especially if Pat Freiermuth is still there.
d) Mike McDaniel ‘hates’ receiving TEs/not a big part of his offensive plan. I think he’d be fine losing Jonnu.
e) Who would the Miami starting TE be if Jonnu is gone soon (at least for the moment)? Pharaoh Brown (signed in 2025, a likely McDaniel fave because he’s a blocker)? Does this open the door for Julian Hill? Could interesting UDFA TE Jalin Conyers have gotten the team thinking, seeing him in rookie camp? I don’t trust TEs with McDaniel for FF as it is...
I think we’re gonna see a deal here, Miami is committed to the future -- but I will not make any major FF projection changes until it does/if it does go down.
-- I think Kevin O’Connell is not turning to Aaron Rodgers. I think he’s properly all-in on J.J. McCarthy, when you read the following JJM updates/words from KOC.
Maybe it will be an up-and-down 2025, but going all-in on JJM now is setting up the Vikings for the future dominance.
https://www.vikings.com/news/kevin-o-connell-jj-mccarthy-will-fries-injury-update-otas
-- My favorite sleeper IDP for 2025 is no longer in the shadows. I’ve seen a couple pieces/reports out there this week touting SirVocea Dennis. He’s back from his 2025 injury...and apparently rolling in OTAs.
https://www.si.com/nfl/buccaneers/news/buccaneers-linebacker-shines-first-day-otas-2025
-- Next week, the FFM experts will be posting their Faux 1.0/2025 projected standings and playoffs/title winner. A different expert reveals their simulations Tue-Fri next week. Then we’ll have one big consolidated report of ALL the simulations to compare and contrast.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish ASAP.
*Top 600 Dynasty and Best Ball top 600 + IDPs have all updated. Next update is being pushed to next week...not enough change to need to force one this week/weekend.
*Next DRD top 300 rankings update will be Thursday/s all summer.
**Faux 1.0/Computer Simulated Season continues.
**Special reports that pop up will be published all this week. I’m halfway+ through a REWIND Report on Mr. Bryce Young.
=====================
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
*Android App version may be unavailable this week as we have to file new papers with Google...there’s no more hassle in the world than the constant twists of paperwork compliance for Apps on Google or Apple. And the process is...they just freeze or disappear your App until you do the most minute thing they decided was needed that week. But it will be up again shortly, if not showing this day.
5/29 THU
(6:23amET)
-- So, New England wins our (Best) ‘Offseason Moves’ Tourney (concluded yesterday)...and that same day there were two stories in the news from New England that caught my attention...
1) Stefon Diggs acting like a fool...
The one thing that made NO sense to me about the Patriots offseason moves was the signing of Diggs to a MASSIVE contract. You can sign him all you want, but he’s coming off an ACL surgery rehab at age 32 and looking way-slowed-down last season before the injury...then the injury...all that AND the Pats give him a 3-year/$63.5M ($25M guaranteed) deal? I think that’s setting money on fire.
Imagine if they used that money deployed as well as they did the rest of their offseason money!?!
2) This is a Vrabel/old-Patriots kinda guy...
Great measurables...a terrific FCS career/season...but a UDFA.
See our full scouting report on him below or via the FFM archives/intra-site search for more info, and see where we have him ranked on our Dynasty Rookie Draft top 300 rankings. Next DRD top 300 rankings update is tonight.
Link to our Lan Larison scouting report: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/rookie-scouting-reports/5481-2025-nfl-draft-scouting-report-rb-lan-larison-uc-davis
-- Just a quick side note story of interest to some, something that posted yesterday from CBS...
-- Two interesting player notes from NBC yesterday:
Headline: Packers RB Marshawn Lloyd worked with the rehab group in Wednesday’s practice.
NBC Commentary: We’re early in OTAs so this may be nothing, but it’s certainly worth noting given Lloyd’s injury-marred rookie season. The 2024 third-round pick dealt with hip, hamstring, and ankle issues along with appendicitis. He appeared in just one game during his debut season. The specifics of his current injury aren’t known, but he was reportedly healthy and working without any restrictions as of a week ago. The last thing he needs is another setback early in his second offseason. Lloyd missing an extended period of time would open the door for Emanuel Wilson to retain the RB2 role in Green Bay.
*RC NOTE: We don’t know if Lloyd has a real/new injury or not or what...but if he is hurt again, man he is blowing the opportunity that the Packers coaches are craving to see him take a shot at. We need to keep an eye on this...especially to see if Emanuel Wilson gets new life to be a #2 again.
The MarShawn Lloyd news gets even crazier, yesterday...
After the NBC news, I then saw this note posted by Ross Jacobs on our Betting Discord: https://x.com/HaydenWinks/status/1927389908013830185
Wow. Let’s see what comes of that...
Headline: Kenny Pickett quarterbacked the first-team offense to start Browns OTAs.
NBC Commentary: Pickett took reps with the first-team offense, followed by veteran Joe Flacco, followed by Dillon Gabriel. Shedeur Sanders, the team’s fifth-round draft pick, was last in the first-team rotation. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski said last week that the first-team reps would not be evenly split between the Browns’ four QBs. The team appeared to do just that on Wednesday. It would not be surprising if any of the four signal callers were to emerge as Cleveland’s starter, though there’s a long way to go before we get any clarity on this muddied situation.
*RC NOTE: First off...first reaction...’stunned’...followed by ‘pleased’/smiling.
I so-hope for Pickett’s sake he gets a real shot to be an NFL QB. He got such a raw deal in Pittsburgh (Terry Bradshaw nailed it with his comments on just that in yesterday’s RC’s Notes). Cleveland is not the land of milk and honey for a QB either, but HEY at least he is getting a shot.
For FF...for Njoku, Tillman, Jeudy owners...you’d rather have the experienced, sudden NFL gunslinger Joe Flacco starting. But, for heart-warming redemption...I’d love to see Pickett get a chance, but he wouldn’t be as good off the bat as Flacco would be.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish ASAP.
*Top 600 Dynasty and Best Ball top 600 + IDPs have all updated. Next update will be later this week/weekend.
*Next DRD top 300 rankings update will be Thursday/s all summer.
**Faux 1.0/Computer Simulated Season continues.
**Special reports that pop up will be published all this week. I’m halfway+ through a REWIND Report on Mr. Bryce Young.
=====================
*FASTDRAFT is opening up more, new all-rookie Best Ball type contests and tournaments...and some lower cost ones to have fun with. Put your rookie studies to the test in a contest available in most states. More info on FastDraft and promo codes for initial deposit matches below:
***For those into playing DFS or Best Ball style tournaments for prize money, we have Promo Code (FFM) for matching funds deposited with our friend, The Podfather and Playerprofiler for their new tournament prize drafting App FastDraft.
Link to learn more and get the Promo Code: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/5363-upcoming-rc-interview-video-who-what-why-ff-contest-promo-code
I think FFMers could do quite well in the unique contests they have…especially jumping on things early, ahead of the curve -- like the all-Rookie (2025 class) FF draft/lineup contest and the D-Up/all IDP Best Ball tournament play. They are trying to bring unique game play to the DFS/Best Ball draft world, I think you might enjoy.***
*TWO NOTES OF INTEREST* On the FastDraft App/prize tournaments...
1) The FFM Promo Code opportunity has now been doubled by FastDraft for a stretch of time...matching funds of +$50 when you deposit $50 when you use the promo code FFM.
2) Also, there is a free to enter contest just opened on FastDraft...it’s an abbreviated Best Ball type draft...open for a limited time.
5/28 WED
(7:35amET)
-- Later today, we will be posting the early look at the ‘Undervalued Report’ in the Draft Guide Package of reports. It’s a fluid list (added to, updated all preseason) of the players we statistically believe are the most undervalued -- to redraft, and to trade for FF 2025.
They are statistically valued/ranked (for most undervalued) and with commentary on each player on the list.
Coming soon = the initial ‘Overvalued Report’ list/rank and the Deep Sleepers Report/list/rank for FF 2025.
The entire Draft Guide top 600 and initial player commentaries is still being researched, written, projected. Early estimate on full release debut of the Draft Guide is roughly 6/10/25...but that’s a moving target date, but our projection right now. More on the actual release date as we get into June.
-- Something that is ‘growing’ in momentum...something I didn’t really connect scouting Jalen Royals, and am still not sure I agree or ‘see it’ -- but there’s a lot of ‘Jalen Royals is just like Rashee Rice’ talk occurring of late...and not just from analysts, actually it’s not any analyst’s original thought that I know of -- it’s all coming from KC personnel and coaches...and now the analyst’s are going with it.
This all matters because -- if Rice is going to get suspended (likely) for half+ of the season, and then if Royals = Rice...is Royals gonna explode onto the scene in 2025?
Mentally, I just didn’t think of Royals as ‘like Rice’, physically...as KC is spouting. So, I went to look at a pre-Draft measurables comparison of the two ...
6’0.0”/205, 9.5” hands, 32.8” arms, 4.42 40-time, 1.53 10-yd, 36” vert., 4.25 shuttle, 6.94 three-cone = Jalen Royals (Combine/Pro Day).
6’0.5”/204, 9.5” hands, 30.1” arms, 4.51 40-time, 1.50 10-yd, 41” vert., 4.23 shuttle, 7.02 three-cone = Rashee Rice (Combine/Pro Day).
I was left a little stunned when I saw it side-by-side. I did not realize Rashee was close to 6-foot...and it made me start to think about the fact that they are nearly identical in size -- but Royals is overall faster than Rice. I asked FFM’s Ross Jacobs what he thought about Royals=Rice, and his first reaction was: Isn’t Rice like 6’2”/taller/not alike. We both had that thought...and both learned that they are physically similar. I’ll bet this info catches a few people by surprise.
I need to rethink my Royals premises for 2025...
Not only is Rice likely to be suspended, and KC is talking a big game on how Royals is a nice need/replacement for Rice -- but Rice is also likely not someone the Chiefs want to build a future with either, maybe...or we could speculate that it’s maybe not the last time Rice gets in trouble, so they REALLY need a Rice replacement.
Saying they’re similar physically is one thing, but check out what some others in the KC organization are saying about this Royals=Rice thing in this article...
https://www.the-sun.com/sport/14302995/kansas-city-chiefs-rashee-rice-replacement-jalen-royals/
-- Never did I ever think me and Terry Bradshaw would be brothers in arms, but all I gotta say to Terry is: https://youtu.be/nHzryjT9d5w?si=5NmhIDt7K6ZtfWXK
From an ESPN article yesterday:
The Hall of Fame quarterback wasn't just critical of the Steelers' handling of Rodgers situation. He also called the organization a "failure" for how it managed now-Cleveland Browns quarterback Kenny Pickett. The Steelers selected Pickett No. 20 overall in 2022, but the team ultimately dealt him to the Philadelphia Eagles prior to the 2024 season.
"I liked Kenny Pickett," Bradshaw said. "I liked him at Pitt. I know him, I know what he's like. When they got him to Pittsburgh, they didn't protect him, they didn't get him an offensive line. They wanted to run the football, but they didn't have an offensive line that could protect, and they didn't have weapons. He had no wide receivers to speak of.
"Then they throw a kid in there for two years, and you've got an offense that doesn't fit and doesn't work, and they can't run because their offensive line's not even good enough for a run blocking team. Now, they're saying Kenny Pickett is a failure. He wasn't a failure; the Steelers were a failure."
BRAV-freaking-O, Mr. Bradshaw...Bravo. The Steelers are an offensive pit of despair, trapping victims annually.
The full article: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/45352116/steelers-interest-qb-rodgers-joke
-- Our FFM friends over at Advanced Sports Logic (working hard to reimagine/to bring back The Machine, for those who used that technology that was ahead of its time years ago), their CEO Leonard LaPadula penned an article about his studies and prep for his upcoming Dynasty Rookie Draft, and I thought you may like to take a read of it for those who have DRDs to come.
Leonard does a lot of data research for his upcoming DRD, so lots of charts and graphs of info to consider here.
His report: https://advancedsportslogic.com/nfl/5648-the-ultimate-draft-strategy-25
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish ASAP.
*Top 600 Dynasty and Best Ball top 600 + IDPs have all updated. Next update will be later this week/weekend.
*Next DRD top 300 rankings update will be Thursday/s all summer.
**Our new series analyzing NFL team’s offseason moves (FA, trades, and draft) wraps up today with the ‘Super Bowl’/Finals.
**Faux 1.0/Computer Simulated Season continues.
**Special reports that pop up will be published all this week. I’m halfway+ through a REWIND Report on Mr. Bryce Young.
=====================
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
*Android App version may be unavailable this week as we have to file new papers with Google...there’s no more hassle in the world than the constant twists of paperwork compliance for Apps on Google or Apple. And the process is...they just freeze or disappear your App until you do the most minute thing they decided was needed that week. But it will be up again shortly, if not showing this day.
5/27 TUE
(8:27amET)
GREEN BAY PACKERS RESEARCH DAY YESTERDAY...
A couple things to share from my research...
-- I got Grok’s research on what the coaches are saying about the non-Josh Jacobs RBs this year...
MarShawn Lloyd
- Quote from Matt LaFleur at the NFL Annual Meeting (March 31, 2025):
"I can't wait to see more of MarShawn Lloyd… '(I'd) love to see what he can do in that area … and how he can affect the game. That's our job as coaches, is try to figure that out and put the best pieces out there to maximize that part of the game.'"
Context: At the NFL Annual Meeting, LaFleur expressed enthusiasm about Lloyd’s potential after a 2024 rookie season marred by injuries (hamstring, ankle, and appendectomy), which limited him to just one game. LaFleur sees Lloyd, a 2024 third-round pick, as a dynamic addition to the backfield due to his speed (4.46 40-yard dash) and pass-catching ability (17.8 yards per reception at USC in 2023). The quote reflects LaFleur’s intent to creatively integrate Lloyd into the offense in 2025, possibly on outside runs or as a receiver, to complement Jacobs’ power style.
- Quote from Matt LaFleur (February 20, 2025):
"He would definitely add a dynamism to that room and to that position. Anytime you can have, whether it’s a tight end or a runner that can create matchup issues in the passing game, that’s huge for you. He’s got a lot of explosive ability."
Context: LaFleur spoke about Lloyd’s potential role in the Packers’ offense, emphasizing his explosive ability and versatility as a pass-catcher. This comment was part of a broader discussion about the team’s running back room, which had shifted away from the Aaron Jones era to a more power-oriented group with Jacobs. LaFleur’s excitement centers on Lloyd’s ability to be a “lightning” to Jacobs’ “thunder,” potentially creating matchup problems for defenses by splitting him out wide or using him on post routes, as suggested by some analysts.
- Quote from Running Backs Coach Ben Sirmans (May 24, 2025):
"Obviously, we’ve got a lot of high expectations for him because he brings a different blend to our offense just with his speed and quickness. I’m pretty pleased with him so far and looking forward to getting him out there in a real game situation."
Context: Sirmans spoke to the media as the Packers approached OTAs, reflecting on Lloyd’s progress after a challenging rookie year. He noted Lloyd’s mental sharpness in the classroom and his physical attributes (speed and quickness), which align with LaFleur’s vision of using him as a change-of-pace back. Sirmans’ optimism suggests Lloyd has shown improvement in his recovery and preparation, setting the stage for a potential breakout in 2025.
- Quote from Ben Sirmans (May 24, 2025):
"I think he’s in a much better spot. Mentally, he’s pretty sharp there in the classroom."
Context: In the same media session, Sirmans addressed Lloyd’s growth after a “very, very rough” 2024 season, where injuries (hip, hamstring, foot, and appendicitis) limited him to 10 snaps. Sirmans highlighted Lloyd’s mental development, indicating that despite his lack of on-field experience, Lloyd has been diligent in learning the playbook and is in a better position to contribute in 2025. This comment reflects the coaching staff’s focus on ensuring Lloyd is ready to handle a larger role.
Emanuel Wilson
- Quote from Matt LaFleur (May 22, 2025):
"Wilson runs well and has a good burst. He finds the hole and accelerates through it decisively and well."
Context: LaFleur spoke about Wilson’s performance as the primary backup in 2024, where he recorded 502 yards on 103 carries (4.9 yards per carry) and four touchdowns across 17 games. This quote was part of a discussion about the competition for the RB2 spot behind Jacobs, with LaFleur noting Wilson’s decisiveness and ability to hit holes quickly, making him a reliable option. LaFleur also suggested Wilson could be the “main 4-minute back” to close out games, indicating trust in his ability to manage crucial late-game situations.
- Quote from Ben Sirmans (May 24, 2025):
"I think he only had one mental mistake, even though he didn’t play as much as a rookie but he played a lot this (past) year, to have only one mistake just speaks volumes to how he has grown so even this year he seems a lot more comfortable in the offense, he’s practicing a lot harder, so I think he’s finally gotten to that point where he’s kind of evolved a lot more. So definitely expecting a lot of things out of him."
Context: Sirmans praised Wilson’s growth during a media session as the team prepared for OTAs. He highlighted Wilson’s minimal mental errors in 2024 (only one despite increased playing time) and his improvement as a pass-catcher and blocker, which are critical in LaFleur’s offense. Sirmans’ comments reflect confidence in Wilson’s development and suggest he’s a strong contender for the RB2 role, though he faces competition from Lloyd and Brooks.
Chris Brooks
- Quote from Matt LaFleur (January 2025):
"In the October victory over Houston, Brooks – with the team for about a month-and-a-half at that point – made three huge blocks in blitz protection on the winning drive."
Context: LaFleur recapped Brooks’ contributions in 2024, specifically highlighting his pass protection skills during a key moment in a win against the Houston Texans. Brooks, who joined the team late in training camp, played 184 snaps and earned trust as a reliable depth player. LaFleur’s focus on Brooks’ blocking (noted as a strength over Wilson and Lloyd) indicates his value in specific situations, such as third downs or when the team wants to avoid substitutions to keep the defense off balance.
- Quote from Matt LaFleur (May 22, 2025):
"Of these four Brooks is the only one over 6 feet tall. I believe Brooks is a better back and provides the Packers with the best option to be the second three-down back. The key is you do not want to substitute during a drive unless you have to because once you substitute the defense is given time to substitute."
Context: LaFleur discussed the running back depth chart as the team approached OTAs, emphasizing Brooks’ physical attributes (height over 6 feet, unlike Jacobs, Lloyd, and Wilson) and versatility. He highlighted Brooks’ ability to stay on the field for all three downs due to his blocking and running skills, which helps maintain offensive tempo by avoiding substitutions. This comment suggests LaFleur sees Brooks as a strategic fit in certain game plans, though his role remains competitive.
RC NOTE: I was looking to see, primarily, whether the coaches were having the same ‘love’ for MarShawn Lloyd as they did last preseason. I think Lloyd, if he can stay healthy, may get a surprising level of touches this season -- but not off the jump. For two years this staff has done nothing but crow about Lloyd, and more it’s been a little more than the usual rookie positivity. It was headed towards Tampa Bay Bucs/Bucky Irving 2024 preseason talk/love, to me...but then Lloyd was hurt in the preseason and could never really get back to real work.
Note that he missed parts of the 2024 preseason, as a rookie, and had to miss Week 1 with his injury...made it back for Week 2 and STILL (as a rookie who missed a lot of time prior) got 6 carries on 10 snaps...taking carries on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd series of the game and then some in the second-half. But in that game, he wasn’t 100% ‘right’ and missed the rest of the season after one game appearance. He tried to make it back but never did.
-- I was running some data analysis yesterday, on Jordan Love, and this comparison caught me by surprise...
Love’s 2023 = full season
Vs..
Love’s 2024 = excluding two games where Love got hurt and didn’t play the full game/less than 70% of the snaps in the game.
Comparison of 2024 (Adjusted, 13 Games) vs. 2023 (Full Season, 17 Games)
Below is a table comparing the per-game stats, followed by analysis:
|
Statistic |
2024 (13 Gms, Excl. Wk 8 & 18) |
2023 (17 Games) |
Difference (2024 − 2023) |
|
Completions |
20.23 |
21.88 |
-1.65 |
|
Attempts |
32.00 |
34.06 |
-2.06 |
|
Completion Percentage |
63.22% |
64.2% |
-0.98% |
|
Passing Yards |
240.31 |
244.65 |
-4.34 |
|
Yards per Attempt (YPA) |
7.51 |
7.18 |
+0.33 |
|
Passing Touchdowns |
1.92 |
1.88 |
+0.04 |
|
Interceptions |
0.77 |
0.65 |
+0.12 |
|
Rushing Yards |
6.46 |
14.53 |
-8.07 |
|
Rushing Attempts |
1.46 |
2.94 |
-1.48 |
|
Rushing Touchdowns |
0.08 |
0.24 |
-0.16 |
|
Fantasy Points |
17.34 |
18.58 |
-1.24 |
I thought the numbers would be way down in 2024 vs. his hot 2023, but it was very similar when you compared full games output.
But within that season there was a weird split -- Love’s first 7 weeks were white hot, then from Week 8 on his numbers really fell.
Weeks 1-7 = 270.2 yards, 3.0 TD passes per game
Weeks 9-17 = 221.6 yards, 1.25 TD passes per game (exclude Weeks 8 and 18 for injury shortened games).
Depending on what section of performance you sample the past two seasons, you could see Love as a top 5 FF QB...or as a QB 2/3. His output trends are as ‘spikey’ as any QB’s out there. Not bad for Best Ball, maybe?
-- A Caleb Williams update in a report from an OTA observer...
Overall, Mark Carman didn’t think Williams had a good day on Wednesday. He thinks Williams has a “long way to go” before he can be successful in 2025.
“Caleb Williams, I was expecting, I was hoping that the Ben Johnson impact would be immediate. The impact is not immediate,” Carman said of Williams’ development under Johnson since OTAs started in April. “He’s throwing off his back foot. He’s running out of bounds. He’s doing weird sidearm throws to no one. He’s overshooting receivers. He’s doing it while they’re doing live drills.
“He’s doing it while they’re just doing random, just throwing drills. It was not a good day for 18. So, look, he’s going to be the Bears quarterback. There’s no doubt about that. But there’s also no doubt that I’m sure that Ben Johnson is seeing that there was a long way to go for him to be successful. And I don’t know, I just thought the Ben Johnson impact would be immediate. It is not immediate.”
The full article: https://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/bears_head_coach_ben_johnson_apparently_lit_up_caleb_williams_at_practice/s1_17081_42242676
RC NOTE: I will continue to say...’I got a bad feeling about this/Caleb...”
https://youtu.be/LUix_VlGAVs?si=6cKm5agzzOsuk8iB
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish ASAP.
*Top 600 Dynasty and Best Ball top 600 + IDPs have all updated. Next update will be later this week/weekend.
*Next DRD top 300 rankings update will be Thursday/s all summer.
**Our new series analyzing NFL team’s offseason moves (FA, trades, and draft) continues (will conclude this week).
**Faux 1.0/Computer Simulated Season continues.
**Special reports that pop up will be published all this week. I’m halfway through a REWIND Report on Mr. Bryce Young.
=====================
**The FREE FFM APP (notes for those who have not signed up yet...)
-- The App is NOT automatically set up to recognize your FFM site credentials (username/password).
-- Sign up for the App as if you’re brand new to FFM...it’s a separate ‘thing’/brain from the site. You can use your same exact username/password signing up for the App, to keep it easy for you to remember.
-- Enable the App notifications to get a notification sent to your device when key reports are posted, and/or (especially) in-season when we get inside info/intel from sources before anyone else and it might be news we all need to FF-act on quickly before the world finds out.
-- App tip #1 (FYI): Upper Left (three lines) on App home page, click it, then click profile, then click ‘Push notifications’ – and you’ll see all the alerts we’ve sent in chronological order. App tip #2 (FYI)...if you see things posted but you got no device notification, but you are enabled for notifications…go to your phone’s ‘Settings’>Apps>FFM App>Click the Notifications off then on…like a reboot. I don't know why this works but it does to kick the phone back into business.
*Android App version may be unavailable this week as we have to file new papers with Google...there’s no more hassle in the world than the constant twists of paperwork compliance for Apps on Google or Apple. And the process is...they just freeze or disappear your App until you do the most minute thing they decided was needed that week. But it will be up again shortly, if not showing this day.
5/26 MON
(6:50amET)
-- The latest on Jalen Ramsey trade talks/rumors...
Wherever Ramsey lands will be a huge ‘get’, but just thinking about if he winds up in Dallas...with the Cowboys unsure if Trevon Diggs will be ready to start the season, it makes a lot of sense.
If it happened, eventually Diggs and Ramsey would play together and Da’Ron Bland could go back to the slot where he was so amazing at...then suddenly, Dallas with Pickens and Ramsey (if) are a team going through a radical change/upgrade post-NFL Draft -- they move closer to contenders in the NFC East, and the NY Giants will be so buried in that division.
-- A follow up/final results look at the national mock drafters contest/showcase of skills held annually by ‘The Huddle Report’.
We’ve had our Xavier Cromartie as a top-rated mock drafter in this contest for years. Ross Jacobs just finished his 4th year of contests. And AndrewDFS was accepted into the contest for the first time for 2025.
There are two contests all the mock drafters are judged on -- invitees range from our three participants to Todd McShay, to Daniel Jeremiah, to Mel Kiper, to Dane Brugler and the list goes on and on...
(1) The lesser contest is projecting the players/spots for the 1st-round of the draft.
(2) The big dog contest where skills are shown: The Big Board contest...projecting the first 100 players to be drafted.
Fantasy Football Metrics has done very well in these contests for years now, and Xavier Cromartie has won multiple contests and is one of the highest ranked mock drafters in the world.
I wanted to share the 2025 results...
On the 1st-Round Mock Draft contest:
Not a good year...our worst year as a group. No one from our gang finished in the top 60. Usually, we always have someone in the top 10/fighting for the win. Not this year. Still, Xavier Cromartie is ranked top 10 (#9) in the world on a 5-year average in this contest. Ross Jacobs will be eligible for the 5-year average ranking next year, and his current career pace puts him in the top 50.
That’s the more ‘for fun’ contest. The one they all care about is The Big Board...that’s where the top scouts come out to play.
On The Big Board contest:
Xavier Cromartie finished tied for 3rd on the contest this year, one correct player away from joining a tie for #1/top score. Another great year for Xavier and he is the #2 ranked Top 100 Big Board scout in the world (on the 5-year rolling average)...behind only Todd McShay.
Ross Jacobs came in at #69t. He will be eligible for the 5-year average board next year. His current pace would place him in the top 30 after his first 4 years.
AndrewDFS debuted with a #73 finish. He will not be eligible for the big national ranking (5-year average) until 2029.
I wanted to give a big thank you for our mock draft group’s efforts -- they give blood, sweat, and tears for several months pre-Draft trying to scout properly and lean on contacts and constant researching of media information to try and win these contests, it’s no small effort. It’s a real skill. Our FFM name is always well represented by our group of experts...we’re always a major threat/favorite to win any of the contests every year.
Xavier is literally a fraction of a point away from being the #1 top 100 Big Board master of the last 5-years combined...sitting a hair behind Todd McShay. He will likely not sleep from January-to-April next year in effort to try and take Todd down and get his #1 spot back!
The actual standings board: https://www.thehuddlereport.com/big-board-scores
-- He’s never gonna learn, is he...?
He is who he is. He takes zero responsibility for what happened to him in the draft process. An NFL organization (especially the Browns) cannot break this wild horse down and raise it back up...and sticking with the horse metaphors -- that horse has left the barn and it ain’t coming back. Shedeur is incapable of learning, humility, or self-awareness. Raised to be a cocky, arrogant arse by his dad...he will be so hated in NFL locker rooms...and so disliked by every coach he encounters.
Shedeur is not gonna stay late at the facilities and keep his mouth shut and grind his way to be some kind of QB someday -- he’s gonna be a problem every year and likely out of the league in 3-4 years. He’s gonna be overwhelmed by NFL defensive pressure (worse than Caleb Williams was last year) -- and he buckled under pressure in college, when it occurred...so it’s gonna be an even worse disaster in the pros -- and then he’ll blame the coaches or the O-Line...and Deion will be on his various podcasts blaming the coaches an organization. This is such a disaster waiting to happen.
Shedeur will leave the NFL (really forced out by no one wanting him) and he can go off to do reality TV and be coach for Colorado/be on the dole of daddy once again.
The only way Shedeur gets a serious shot at playing is if Deion becomes an NFL head coach...and if you saw how much the NFL enjoyed the notion of being a part of the Sanders family in the drafting of Shedeur -- you know they don’t want anything to do with Deion either. So, this ‘reunion’ is very likely not going to happen either. The best grift by far for the Sanders family/gypsies is in sucking the money from Colorado, NOT Deion coaching in the pros.
-- Coming up on FFM today...
*Next scouting report will publish ASAP.
*Top 600 Dynasty and Best Ball top 600 + IDPs have all updated. Next update will be later this week/weekend.
*Next DRD top 300 rankings update will be Thursday/s all summer.
**Our new series analyzing NFL team’s offseason moves (FA, trades, and draft) continues (will conclude this week).
**Faux 1.0/Computer Simulated Season continues.
**Special reports that pop up will be published all this week. I’m halfway through a REWIND Report on Mr. Bryce Young.
=====================
*FASTDRAFT is opening up more, new all-rookie Best Ball type contests and tournaments...and some lower cost ones to have fun with. Put your rookie studies to the test in a contest available in most states. More info on FastDraft and promo codes for initial deposit matches below:
***For those into playing DFS or Best Ball style tournaments for prize money, we have Promo Code (FFM) for matching funds deposited with our friend, The Podfather and Playerprofiler for their new tournament prize drafting App FastDraft.
Link to learn more and get the Promo Code: https://ffmetrics.com/total-football-advisor/5363-upcoming-rc-interview-video-who-what-why-ff-contest-promo-code
I think FFMers could do quite well in the unique contests they have…especially jumping on things early, ahead of the curve -- like the all-Rookie (2025 class) FF draft/lineup contest and the D-Up/all IDP Best Ball tournament play. They are trying to bring unique game play to the DFS/Best Ball draft world, I think you might enjoy.***
*TWO NOTES OF INTEREST* On the FastDraft App/prize tournaments...
1) The FFM Promo Code opportunity has now been doubled by FastDraft for a stretch of time...matching funds of +$50 when you deposit $50 when you use the promo code FFM.
2) Also, there is a free to enter contest just opened on FastDraft...it’s an abbreviated Best Ball type draft...open for a limited time.
