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The Loop 2025 Fantasy Football Preview: Our Non-favorites

Nothing can limit the fantasy potential of NFL standouts more than their teammates.

While our little pretend game is based on individual performances, it’s often the work of entire teams that determine the statistics posted by headliners. Lousy teams have a lousy impact on their stars’ fantasy numbers.

Example A for this fall: The New Orleans Saints, the front-runners to grab the No. 1 draft position for the Arch Manning Sweepstakes.

Alvin Kamara is a former fantasy first-rounder at running back, and Chris Olave is a top-20 receiving talent. In a perfect world, both could be counted on to post strong numbers and be worthy of early-round draft picks.

But nothing is perfect in the Big Easy. They’re looking at the likes of Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler as their starting quarterback. Enough said.

Here’s our list of other players that we’re not enthusiastic about, at least compared to the consensus of fantasy “experts.” We consider them “overrated” only in comparison to their draft rankings.

Overrated running backs

Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions) — Should be fourth or fifth RB off the board, but he’s going near the top because of his gaudy 20-TD season. But there are SO many mouths to feed on the Detroit offense, and coordinator extraordinaire Ben Johnson is in Chicago. Some regression is likely.

Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) scores a rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers,l Monday, Dec. 30, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Christian McCaffrey (49ers) — Injuries made this former No. 1 fantasy pick the biggest bust of 2024. He’s back near the top of the experts’ rankings, and the depleted 49ers need his A game more than ever. Just too risky. Let one of your fellow fantasy owners gamble on CMC’s health.

San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey tosses the ball during a joint NFL football training camp with the Denver Broncos, Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. VÃ¡squez)

James Cook (Bills) — There’s no stat more ripe for regression than Cook’s 16 rushing TDs from last season. How did he score that much while finishing only 16th in the league in rushing? And with Josh Allen running so often at the goal line? Back to earth he comes.

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) celebrates his touchdown run against the New York Jets during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

Chuba Hubbard (Panthers) — One of the biggest hidden gems of ‘24, Hubbard was a league winner for mavens who grabbed him late in drafts. So now he’s being taken too soon, as his 11 touchdowns and 1,195 rushing yards will be hard to repeat.

Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) hurdles over Arizona Cardinals cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting (23) during an NFL football game between the Carolina Panthers and the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Joe Mixon (Texans) — We were already cool on this former Sooner, who somehow managed to top 1,000 yards despite a hideous offensive line in ‘24. Then he injured his foot, costing him a large chunk of training camp at a minimum. All potential buyers should beware.

Houston Texans running back Joe Mixon runs for a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)

Others — Bucky Irving (Buccaneers), David Montgomery (Lions), Brian Robinson Jr. (Commanders).

Overrated receivers

Nico Collins (Texans) — A very good receiver, but not one we’d rate among the NFL’s best half-dozen. Houston’s passing attack has been suffering from receiver depletion and poor pass blocking. Collins will find the going rougher this season with constant double-coverage.

Kansas City Chiefs defensive back Jaden Hicks (21) intercepts a pass intended for Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) during the first half of an NFL football game Saturday, Dec. 21, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Drake London (Falcons) — The assumption is that London’s number will explode with a full season working with QB Michael Penix. We’re guessing his competition for Atlanta scoring opportunities will keep him under 10 TDs, and under the top-10 WR ranking he currently holds.

Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) leaps over Washington Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil (0) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Landover. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (Seahawks) — He has a top-15 ranking because of the assumption his workload will skyrocket with D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett out of Seattle. But Geno Smith has been replaced by Sam Darnold, and that QB dropoff will be a damper on JSN’s numbers.

Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) runs with the ball as Chicago Bears safety Jonathan Owens (36) and defensive end Jacob Martin (55) try to stop him during the second half of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 26, 2024, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley)

Rashee Rice (Chiefs) — Rice could easily emerge as Patrick Mahomes’ No. 1 receiver … AFTER his impending suspension after his guilty plea for driving like an idiot. His absence of at least four games should drop Rice’s draft value by a full round, maybe two.

Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice (4) scores a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Atlanta. The Chiefs defeated the Falcons 22-17. (AP Photo/Danny Karnik)

Deebo Samuel (Commanders) — He’s being drafted as a No. 3 receiver despite the fact he’s off the field injured more than he is on it. That’s why he has only one season with more than 900 yards and just 22 TD receptions over six seasons. Not worth the risk.

Deebo Samuel Sr. #1 of the San Francisco 49ers warms up prior to the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Nov. 10, 2024 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

Others — A.J. Brown (Eagles), Xavier Worthy (Chiefs).

Overrated quarterbacks

Jayden Daniels (Commanders) — Last year’s unanimous rookie of the year is a strong candidate for a sophomore slump. So we’d argue he’s being drafted a round or two ahead of where he should be. If you doubt that, remember C.J. Stroud, circa 2024.

FILE - Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, right, scrambles as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Yaya Diaby (0) pressures him during the first half of an NFL football game, Sept. 8, 2024, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara, file)

Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers) — Forty-one TD passes and 4,500 yards. It’s still hard to believe the season had by the former Progressive pitchman. It’s even harder to believe he can come close to those numbers this year. Being drafted ahead of a half-dozen better QBs.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) runs with the ball past Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marshawn Kneeland (94) during an NFL football game in Arlington, Texas, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Jerome Miron)

Brock Purdy (49ers) — Will the last Niners receiver please turn out the lights? We’ve always felt Mr. Irrelevant was overrated. But that will be ever clearer now that his pass-catching corps is down to George Kittle and not much else.

FILE - Los Angeles Rams linebacker Christian Rozeboom (56) sacks San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (13) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game, Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024, in Santa Clara, Calif. (AP Photo/Scot Tucker, File)

Others — Bo NIx (Broncos), Sam Darnold (Seahawks).

Overrated tight ends

Mark Andrews (Ravens) — When we last saw this dude, he was channeling Jackie Smith by dropping Baltimore’s Super Bowl dreams at the goal line in Buffalo. His 11-touchdown performance of ‘24 will not be repeated as long as teammate Isaiah Likely is around.

Buffalo Bills linebacker Terrel Bernard (43) strips the ball from Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews (89) during the fourth quarter of an NFL divisional playoff football game, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

David Njoku (Browns) — If you take away the few games when Jameis Winston was throwing everything his way, Njoku had pretty mediocre stats last year. And Winston is a veritable Tom Brady compared to the quarterbacks Cleveland will be trotting out this season.

Cleveland Browns tight end David Njoku turns downfield after completing a catch during the second half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)

Jonnu Smith (Steelers) — He had a career season with 88 catches and eight TDs in Miami. But he’s in Pittsburgh now with its run-heavy history. When was the last time one of Mike Tomlin’s tight ends posted fantasy-significant numbers?

Miami Dolphins tight end Jonnu Smith (9) runs a route against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 in Houston. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker)

Others — Jake Ferguson (Cowboys), Tucker Kraft (Packers).

Coming up

Next Sunday we unveil our pre-draft favorites. Then the spirit of Nipsey Russell will be with us all on August 31 when we present the “Match Game” legend-inspired NFL preview. There’ll be plenty of rhyme and reason for all.

(File photo)

You can hear Kevin Cusick on Wednesdays on Bob Sansevere’s “BS Show” podcast on iTunes. You can follow Kevin on X — @theloopnow. He can be reached at kcusick@pioneerpress.com.

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