We’re into the off-season, but there is still plenty of work to do on our fantasy teams. At this point, it’s about reflecting on the season, checking out rosters, and reading the tea leaves for these NFL Franchises. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll be looking at the biggest fantasy question for each of the 32 NFL teams. Today, we’re starting with the top of the draft order, looking at teams that hold picks No. 1 to No. 9.
No. 1: Tennessee Titans
Record: 3-14
Biggest Fantasy Question: Who plays quarterback?
About: When you have the No. 1 overall pick it’s usually a sign you didn’t get great play on offense. That’s certainly true of the Titans, who took a long look at former Second Round pick Will Levis and got a handful of starts from veteran Mason Rudolph. Neither was great.
Levis was 2-10 in his 12 starts. He threw for 2,091 yards, 13 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He also took 41 sacks and added 10 fumbles. By the end of the season, he’d been benched. Rudolph didn’t fare much better, going 1-4 in his five starts, though he really should get the credit for one of Levis’s wins since he carried the game in relief. He added 1,530 yards and nine touchdowns with nine interceptions. Neither looked like a great franchise option for Brian Callahan, who remains the Titans’ coach.
The team has some weapons with Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine at receiver, Chig Okonkwo at tight end, and Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the backfield. But they need a franchise quarterback. Both Levis and Rudolph are still under contract in 2025, but one or both could be moved. They could also keep them both to add depth. Either way, with the first overall pick, I suspect the Titans will grab a franchise quarterback and hope to develop someone who can hold the position for the next decade-plus.
No. 2: Cleveland Browns
Record: 3-14
Biggest Fantasy Question: Who plays quarterback?
About: It’s hardly a shock that the top teams in the draft order have the same question, but the Browns got there in the worst way possible. The Browns made a huge move to acquire Deshaun Watson prior to the 2022 season, handing him an unprecedented guaranteed contract. In three years, they’ve seen him start 19 games and win nine games. He was a woeful 1-6 before getting injured in 2024. And the Browns are still locked into a guaranteed contract for at least two more years, with $100 million or more of dead cap if they were to move on.
So, Watson will be on the roster. But will he play? He had an Achilles injury in 2024 that ended his season. He recently re-tore it during rehab and had another surgery. That reportedly leaves him as a longshot to see the field in 2025. So, despite a huge sunk cost, the Browns don’t have a quarterback that can play.
The offense used four different starters in 2024, including Jameis Winston, Bailey Zappe and Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Winston and Zappe are free agents, as are receiver Elijah Moore and veteran running back Nick Chubb. But that still leaves the Browns with some talent, including Pro Bowl receiver Jerry Jeudy, third-year man Cedric Tillman, tight end David Njoku, and running back Jerome Ford. But it seems unlikely the team would role with Thompson-Robinson as their starting quarterback in 2025.
With the huge commitment to Watson, it’s also difficult to see the Browns splashing out for an expensive free agent. That leaves them likely to consider taking a quarterback at the top of the draft or looking for an inexpensive bridge veteran to lead the team for a year or two. Either way, the Browns have to fill that hole.
No. 3: New York Giants
Record: 4-13
Biggest Fantasy Question: Who plays quarterback?
About: The Giants are in a hell of their own making. They rolled the dice and signed Daniel Jones to a monster extension after a good 2022 season. In the middle of last season, they released Jones, taking the cap hit. That decision also likely cost them a chance to keep Saquon Barkley, who rolled to a 2,005-yard season with the Eagles.
Still, the Giants and Head Coach Brian Daboll aren’t devoid of offensive talent. The team got a great season out of rookie receiver Malik Nabers, with second-year man Wan’Dale Robinson showing signs of growth. Rookie tight end Theo Johnson flashed at times, as did rookie running back Tyrone Tracey. Tracey is paired with veteran Devin Singletary, giving them some options.
But who plays quarterback? The team used Drew Lock, Tommy DeVito, and Tim Boyle after releasing Jones, but all three are scheduled to be free agents. That means, technically, the Giants don’t have a single quarterback on the roster. That’s not ideal, especially since Daboll and General Manager Joe Schoen figure to be on a short leash this season.
The Giants also did themselves no favors with a Week 17 win over the Colts that knocked them from No. 1 to the no man’s land of the third overall pick in a draft that’s not looking strong at quarterback. That leaves them with a struggle as they find a franchise passer. Can they gamble on a prospect at No. 3? Will they grab a developmental player in the mid-rounds and try to reach for a free agent like Sam Darnold or Russell Wilson? This will be THE challenge of the off-season for the Giants.
No. 4: New England Patriots
Record: 4-13
Biggest Fantasy Question: Finding a stud receiver?
About: Finally, a team that doesn’t have a major question at quarterback! The Patriots didn’t have a great 2024 season, but they found their man in last year’s No. 3 overall pick Drake Maye. It’s the rest of the offense that’s a question.
The Patriots have some backfield options, with Rhamondre Stevenson presumably freed from Jerod Mayo’s doghouse and Antonio Gibson. And the Patriots have a solid pass-catching tight end in Hunter Henry.
But what about receiver? The team saw second-year man Kayshon Boutte flash at times, and Demario Douglas appears to be a solid rotational receiver. Neither draft pick from 2024—Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker—did anything as rookies. That leaves the Patriots as a team in need of an alpha receiver. Could it come via free agency with a player like Tee Higgins? It’s possible. It’s also possible the Patriots could make a splash at the fourth overall pick. Either way, to get the offense humming, the team needs to find an alpha to pair with Maye.
No. 5: Jacksonville Jaguars
Record: 4-13
Biggest Fantasy Question: What’s the offensive system?
About: The Jaguars’ 2024 season was a disaster. As a result, Doug Pederson was shown the door. Now, the search is on for a new coach. That will likely determine how things go for this Jaguars’ offense, which has talent at all the positions.
Trevor Lawrence is a former No. 1 overall pick who is on a long-term contract. He’s the franchise quarterback. In the backfield, the Jaguars will return Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby, giving them a solid duo. The Jaguars got a great rookie season out of Brian Thomas, Jr., who is the team’s No. 1 option, with Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis, and development man Parker Washington rounding out the receiver room. Meanwhile, the Jaguars have two strong tight ends in Evan Engram and Brenton Strange.
The pieces are there, they just need the right coach to put it together on the field. That’s the biggest off-season challenge for the Jaguars, which should leave fantasy players feeling optimistic about their long positions on Jaguars’ players.
No. 6: Las Vegas Raiders
Record: 4-13
Biggest Fantasy Question: Who plays quarterback?
About: The Raiders had a miserable 2024 season that saw Antonio Pierce and General Manager Tom Telesco relieved of their duties. In part, it’s because the team couldn’t find an answer at quarterback. That’s far from the Raiders’ only issue on offense, as the team lacks an answer in the backfield, too. But finding a quarterback is where they need to start.
The team used veteran Gardner Minshew, second-year man Aidan O’Connell, and acquisition Desmond Ridder to start during the season. None fared well. Ridder is a free agent, while the other two remain under contract. But neither is the answer.
The Raiders have a great tight end in Brock Bowers and a good receiver in Jakobi Myers, along with some other pieces. But they need a passer to pull it all together. Sitting with the sixth overall pick, taking a quarterback probably isn’t in the cards. Can they trade up? If not, the team will likely need to strike gold on the free-agent market. That will be job one for the new coach and general manager the organization brings on board.
No. 7: New York Jets
Record: 5-12
Biggest Fantasy Question: What happens with Aaron Rodgers?
About: Rodgers has dominated the Jets’ off-season and regular season for two years. He has five wins to show for it. He missed all of 2023 with an injury. He was on the field in 2024, but the Jets looked worse than the year prior.
The team has weapons with Davante Adams and Garrett Wilson at receiver, and a backfield with Breece Hall and Braelon Allen. But who plays quarterback? Rodgers is still under contract with the Jets in 2025, carrying a hefty $49 million charge to move on. If he retires, that should free the Jets up.
If not, the toxic atmosphere to end 2024 suggests the team would rather not have him at quarterback. But can they trade him? Would they release him and eat the loss? And, if he’s gone, what do they do? Tyrod Taylor and Jordan Travis are under contract as well, but neither figures to be the answer. The Jets still need a new head coach and general manager, but job one once they’re hired is figuring out what to do with Rodgers.
No. 8: Carolina Panthers
Record: 5-12
Biggest Fantasy Question: Finding more receivers?
About: The Panthers went through a roller coaster. After a horrendous start, former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young was benched. But, after a few games, he returned to the starting lineup and looked like a different player. He wasn’t incredible, but he looked like a pierce that the Panthers and Dave Canales could build around.
The team also has a good franchise running back in Chuba Hubbard, who got a contract extension during the season. That leaves the biggest question at receiver. The team brought in Diontae Johnson prior to last season, but that didn’t work out. He was sent to Baltimore and has since been released by two teams.
The Panthers also moved on from Jonathan Mingo, who was drafted in 2023 along with Young. That leaves them with veteran Adam Theilen, second-year man Xavier Legette, and prospect Jalen Coker leading the receiving room. All three contributed in 2024 and could step up in 2025.
The question is what role they would have, and if the Panthers are satisfied with that or want to add more weapons. This comes alongside second-year tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders, who figures to have an expanded role in 2025, too. The Panthers have a coach and a quarterback, now they need to build up the offense around him.
No. 9: New Orleans Saints
Record: 5-12
Biggest Fantasy Question: The Health of Chris Olave?
About: The New Orleans Saints were plagued with injuries in 2024 which led to a down season and the firing of Dennis Allen. The search is on for a new coach, and the veteran roster could be in for an overhaul. Certainly, fans have mixed feelings about Derek Carr, but the team had a decent record with him under center. He’s also under contract in 2025 and it would cost nearly $29 million in dead cap to part ways.
The team also extended top running back Alvin Kamara, who is paired with third-year back Kendre Miller. But the receiver group remains paper-thin, looking a lot worse if Chris Olave isn’t available. Olave has dealt with concussions, enduring a couple in 2024 that ended his season early. This creates a long-term question for Olave and for the Saints. Rashid Shaheed flashed and will return from a knee injury. But he’s not enough to carry this passing offense.
Given that, I would expect the Saints to add to the receiver group this off-season, either through free agency, the draft, or a combination of both. And if I’m holding Olave in Dynasty, I might look to sell if I got a good, high offer.
