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- A Surprising Backfield Battle
When a backfield is truly ambiguous—like the Jaguars—the prices generally reflect that ambiguity (all three Jacksonville RBs go after pick 100 in most drafts).
But for other backfields—like the Jets—we have much more clarity. Breece Hall goes at the end of Round 3, and Braelon Allen isn’t selected until the 15th.
It is clear as day who the lead back is, right ………………………………….. right?!
You would think so based on that ADP gap, but not if you’ve been reading what the Jets beats have been saying of late.
In fact, Zach Rosenblatt made it very clear yesterday, underneath a section labelled “The RB room might be more 1A-1B than 1-2”:
“This isn’t so much a knock on Hall as it is praise for Allen: The Jets are going to have a hard time keeping Allen off the field in 2025. The second-year back looks bigger, faster, and stronger …
Allen has been one of the stars of camp so far, showing a level of explosiveness and downhill running ability the Jets have been lacking. He’s a legit threat in the passing game, too, which should allow offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand to get creative.”
I’m pretty cautious with overreacting to camp news, but this isn’t the first time we’ve heard rumblings about a committee in New York. Not only did Hall’s Utilization massively dip after the bye last year (89 before Week 12 and 68 after), but the coaches were talking committee as early as March.
I’m never going to be in the business of full-fading a player as talented as Hall, but it is very reasonable to want more of a discount on him going forward. I straight up prefer Omarion Hampton over him right now and wouldn’t fault anyone for feeling similarly about James Cook, Kenneth Walker, etc.
If anything, though, this is a green light to draft Allen at bargain-bin prices. He is priced like a true contingent back, so any standalone value is complete gravy.
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Editors’ Picks
NFL Training Camps are in full swing, coachspeak is coming in left and right, plus our fantasy football projections get updated all the time. Plus, get your blades out, because we’re introducing a Guillotine Leagues newsletter this season (sign up)!!! Now, onto some of our favorite things on Fantasy Life right now …
 | Not only are rankings being impacted in the early days of training camp, but you, the drafters, are responding. Matthew Freedman looks at the movement up and down the draft boards in these final days of July. |
 | So Justin Jefferson felt a twinge in his hamstring on top of having a first-time starter at QB. Does this worry Ian Hartitz in his rankings? Or will JJettas be partying like … he pretty much has his whole career? |
 | Do you keep saying YES to joining leagues, but it’s getting hard to manage them? Sync all your leagues on fantasylife.com and use our tools according to your leagues’ settings. |
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Takeaways From Dwain McFarland’s RB Tiers
If you’ve noticed over the last week or so, we’re in the middle of “Dwain McFarland Rankings and Tiers” season. Some call it Christmas, others roll their eyes (sorry, significant others …), but us? We simply sit back and marvel at the magic that is Dwain’s process.
71 running backs later (you read that right), his RB rankings and tiers are ripe for the picking. But before you dive in, a little taste of what to expect …
Saquon Barkley is not his RB1 … or RB2 … or … WHERE IS HE?!
Your blood pressure may rise when you read his RB3.
TWO rookie RBs inside his top 12? Oh, yes.
A second-year RB with RB1 overall upside after a league-winning 2024.
Multiple passive-aggressive shots at Arthur Smith, because it wouldn’t be a Dwain McFarland piece without at least one.
Enough of the teasing, let’s dive right in. RBs 1 through 71 are here, and you may just find your 2025 league winners in these rankings and tiers. ⬇️
Fantasy
3 Up And 3 Down In These Latest Rankings
Calvin Ridley has flown pretty under the radar this NFL offseason, and it makes sense. The Titans had the worst record in the NFL, which brought them No. 1 pick Cam Ward to throw some passes to Ridley. That’s good, because last season he caught just 64 of 120 targets with a catchable-pass rate of just 53.3%. With an upgrade at quarterback, but not in competition in the WR room, could Ridley become a bargain in upcoming fantasy drafts?
Kendall Valenzuela makes the case for Ridley and five other players to move up and down her rankings in her latest update. Who’s rising? Who’s falling? Who else is going to catch passes for the Titans? ⤵️
Fantasy
Around the Watercooler
The latest NFL news and fantasy football analysis from our merry band of football nerds
🐑 Who’s the best pick in Round 1? No one will silence this lamb.
👀 Matthew Berry updated his top-200 rankings … run, don’t walk!
😆 Arthur Smith can’t help himself. Hilarious.
🚑️ An update on the Isaiah Likely injury. Not ideal, but not the worst. Plus, get ready for Chase Brown SZN.
🚀 The league’s new best duo? I can’t wait.
🕹️ Rookie ratings in Madden NFL 26. Obvious No. 1.
🎯 Who are the late-round RB targets? One has plenty of Merritt.
🔮 It’s a projection war over Omarion Hampton. Choose your fighter.
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