Welcome to Week 2 of the 2025 Footballguys Roundtable. Our intrepid panel of fantasy pundits discusses and debates four topics every week. We split the conversation into separate features.
This week's roundtable features these four topics:
- Jacksonville Jaguars Backfield
- Undrafted and Late-Round Week 1 Performers
- Rookie RB ADP vs. Reality
- Thrilling and Horrifying Week 1 Performers
Let's roll.
Matt Waldman: Here's a list of Week 1 performers with late-round or "UDFA-like" ADPs in fantasy drafts.
Whose performance was most likely them peeking above the surface of fantasy relevance but will resubmerge in short order? Who is likely to emerge as a weekly contributor to a fantasy lineup?
You can say "all" or "none" for each question. There doesn't have to be only one. Mention as many as you want.
Jeff Haseley: I'll list the most likely to submerge -- a return to fantasy anonymity -- in short order, beginning with Quentin Johnston. There are simply too many red flags with Johnston to label him as a consistent weekly starter.
While his Week 1 performance was encouraging, it's fair to question if that kind of production is sustainable. We can't forget the struggles he's had in the past, and he'll be competing for targets with established players like Keenan Allen and Ladd McConkey.
The bigger question is about the Chargers' overall offensive philosophy. Was their high-volume passing attack against the Chiefs a one-off strategy, or will they continue to air it out?
Until we see more consistency and a clear role for him, Johnston remains a risky play. Could he prove he belongs as a top option? Sure. Is it likely right now? That's a different story.
It's highly unlikely the Steelers will score 34 points more than a couple of times this season. Given the team's historical identity and commitment to the run game, a 17-13 game feels much more like a typical Sunday.
In a grind-it-out game like that, you can't expect Calvin Austin III to post big numbers. The Steelers' offense simply won't generate enough passing volume.
In a 17-13 game, Austin's stat line would probably be closer to two catches for 20-30 yards. He was a nice story in Week 1, and his rapport with Aaron Rodgers is worth watching, but it's tough to see him producing consistently enough to be a reliable fantasy option. He'll likely have a few splash plays, but a sustainable role as a high-volume receiver seems unlikely in this offense.
Harold Fannin Jr. is also going away. Even with seven receptions in his first game, it's hard to get too excited about his fantasy outlook.
He's a talented rookie, but the reality is that David Njoku is still the top tight end on the Browns' depth chart and a huge part of their offense. While Cleveland's offense will likely use a lot of 12-personnel sets, it's not realistic to expect Fannin to produce consistently alongside a Pro Bowl tight end in Njoku.
He may have a few decent games throughout the season, but his weekly output will likely be inconsistent, making him a risky play. The one thing that could change everything is a trade. If the Browns were to send Njoku, perhaps to a tight-end-needy team like Miami, then Fannin's value would skyrocket.
Until something like that happens, it's best to view him as a player with limited weekly upside.
Waldman: So, I presume that leaves you feeling optimistic about Kayshon Boutte.