Ladd McConkey “LaddMine”
ESPN Redraft ADP: 27th Overall
I wrote an entire article on why the dynasty community is too high on Ladd. I think Ladd fever extends into the realm of redraft. Keenan Allen will vacuum up slot targets and you can bet Tre Harris or KLS will divert some downfield shots from falling into Ladd’s hands. In short, target competition, better Charger RBs and a run heavy Offensive Coordinator are going to limit the sky high target count many envision for Ladd as the Chargers WR1. He’s still going to be great but there’s no shot I spend a 2nd or 3rd round pick on him in redraft expecting him to finish as a backend WR1.
James Cook
ESPN Redraft ADP: 33rd Overall
Touchdown regression is coming for James Cook. 18 TDs last year is insane in a Josh Allen led offense where he often takes it into the endzone himself. With Ray Davis looking competent in spurts; I’d expect Cook’s TD count to come back down to earth even though he’ll remain productive in a great offense. Yes he received a 4 year $48M deal in the offseason but I think that will lead to the coaching staff to protect their investment in him by not running him into the ground with excessive carries and usage. Chasing TDs is never the way to go for Runningbacks especially given Cook’s slight frame for a RB (190 lbs). Temper expectations for Cook’s 2025 and don’t reach on him in round 3 or 4.
Quinshon Judkins
ESPN Redraft ADP: 91st Overall
There’s a popular YouTube series called the Flock league where fantasy football creators battle it out for bragging rights and $10,000. I was in shock when I saw Nathan select Quinshon Judkins in the 5th round, 55th overall. That is above RJ Harvey, Kaleb Johnson and Isaiah Pacheco. None of whom have a suspension for domestic violence hanging over their heads. I wrote a full article on how poor Quinshon’s college analytics were if you’d like to check that out, but he should be getting downgraded even further given the looming suspension and all the training camp time he’s missed for the Browns. You can argue he’s a dynasty buy at a discount but I’m not going near him before round 9 in standard leagues.
Baker Mayfield
ESPN Redraft ADP: 58th Overall
Mayfield is the poster child for post-hype pocket passer that ensnares so many uninitiated fantasy football players. But we are initiated aren’t we Bruce? Name that quote and movie.
After Allen/Lamar/Hurts/Daniels go off the board there’s a gap. Then Burrow goes, and then you have Mayfield and Mahomes. Mayfield is now firmly in the back half of the QB1 discussion in 12 team standard leagues. The issue is upside, as he doesn’t run consistently. He has an embarrassment of skill position riches now: Evans, Egbuka, post injury Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving etc… but the lack of rushing upside means he’ll only have a top 5 finish if he repeats his absurd 4500+ passing yard total and 41 TDs. Liam Coen, the OC architect behind Baker’s career year is now in Jacksonville which casts further doubt on Baker repeating his fantasy brilliance. You can get Jared Goff/Dak or Purdy a round or so later than Baker and all they all possess similar ceilings. I’m swinging on Fields or Drake Maye even later but that’s just me!
Bonus Tip: Luther Burden has a criminally low ADP on ESPN:
If you are looking for upside at the end of your draft would you draft an underwhelming slot option or the best YAC threat in the 2025 NFL draft? Burden is basically a free WR1/WR2 lottery ticket at this point… he could be “the guy” in Chicago getting schemed up touches from Ben Johnson or he could be buried on the depth chart. In the latter scenario you just drop him and you are no worse off given his absurd price point. Kyle Williams this low is also insane imo; both have a legitimate shot at WR2 status if things break right.
Hoping by the next article I’ll have 1,000 Trade Tracker users and I’ll be able to announce the official giveaway. Stay Tuned!
Stay Amped,
John
