• WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers: Pickens ought to be focused as a possible buy-low choice in 2025.
• TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans: Okonkwo’s late-season productiveness in 2024 may yield career-best leads to 2025.
• Unlock your edge with a PFF+ subscription: Get full entry to all of our in-season fantasy instruments, together with weekly rankings, WR/CB matchup charts, weekly projections, the Begin-Sit Optimizer and extra. Enroll now!
Estimated studying time: 12 minutes
Every NFL season yields intriguingly risky gamers whose potential for the next season might be hotly debated from February by means of the Week 1 kickoff.
Savvy fantasy managers can acquire an edge on future opponents by finding out participant efficiency in PFF’s steady metrics, theoretically lowering their analytical publicity to every participant’s risky outcomes.
The article beneath breaks down three boom-or-bust large receivers, tight ends and working backs from the 2024 NFL season and offers actionable data for 2025.
Increase-Bust Broad Receivers
WR Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
Fantasy managers ought to anticipate Baltimore Ravens field-stretching large receiver Rashod Bateman to construct on a positively risky season because of Baltimore’s ascending pass-catching corps and Bateman’s wonderful play. Bateman’s 70.9 PFF offense grade ranks thirty seventh amongst 66 NFL large receivers with not less than 635 offensive snaps.
Bateman completed WR40 or worse in Weeks 1-4 earlier than sarcastically enhancing his weekly performances as groin, foot and knee accidents started cropping up in October. In his 13 ensuing video games, Bateman completed as a WR3 or higher seven occasions, together with three WR1 finishes and one total WR2 end.
Bateman’s field-stretching assignments are made simpler by succesful go catchers working routes within the brief and intermediate subject depths. By way of his first three NFL seasons in 2021-2023, Baltimore’s mid-tier pass-catching corps peaked with a 74.9 PFF receiving grade, rating 14th amongst NFL groups in 2023. The unit’s 89.4 PFF receiving grade in 2024 conversely ranks No. 1 total. Bateman correspondingly earned a career-best 90.6 PFF receiving grade on targets thrown previous the stick this season, and amongst 48 NFL large receivers with not less than 45 targets earned previous the sticks, his 20.0 yards per reception rank 14th whereas his six qualifying missed tackles compelled tie for sixth.
Bateman promisingly improved his yards per route run (YPRR) common from his worrying 1.05 mark in 2023 to 1.67 this season. His YPRR on past-the-sticks targets likewise improved from 2.34 to three.34.
Fantasy managers ought to anticipate Bateman to provide top-36 finishes extra constantly in 2025. He might be drafted accordingly.
WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers enigmatic large receiver George Pickens enters his fourth NFL season in 2025 with a robust monitor file in steady metrics countered by unstable persona quirks. His expertise profile signifies Pickens is performing effectively beneath his potential. Fantasy managers should preserve his behavioral dangers in thoughts, however Pickens presently profiles as a high-upside fantasy soccer draft choose if accessible as a borderline WR3/4. His 79.0 PFF offense grade ranks seventeenth amongst 66 NFL large receivers with not less than 635 offensive snaps
Pickens produced six top-24 positional finishes in 14 video games, ending as the general WR42. He completed because the WR43 or worse in his eight remaining video games. The outcomes fall effectively in need of his 5.09, WR26 common draft place (ADP) in points-per-reception (PPR) codecs this season.
Pickens boasts intriguing steady metric information factors, promisingly averaging 2.08 YPRR and a 13.7-yard common depth of goal (aDot) over the past two seasons and he grades effectively in opposition to single protection. Amongst 30 NFL large receivers with not less than 115 targets earned in opposition to single protection from 2022-2024, Pickens’ 92.8 PFF receiving grade ties for seventeenth.
Pickens’ erratic post-catch productiveness maybe meshes most strongly together with his unquantifiable persona. By way of three seasons, he respectively averaged 2.1, 6.1 and 4.0 yards after the catch per reception. Whereas his obtrusive post-catch variance adequately displays Pickens’ up-and-down showings, fantasy managers ought to anticipate his optimistic per-play effectivity metrics and single-coverage PFF receiving grade to win out.
Pickens’ expertise profile suggests he ought to return WR2/3 worth, making him a worthwhile choose if he slips to the borderline WR3/4 ranks in 2025.
WR Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers first-round rookie large receiver Xavier Legette didn’t assuage issues over his worrying faculty profile, ending because the PPR WR61. Legette quickly gathered accidents whereas producing unstable rookie season outcomes. Fantasy managers ought to anticipate one other increase/bust season in 2025. His 59.3 PFF offense grade ranks sixtieth amongst 66 NFL large receivers with not less than 635 offensive snaps.
Legette produced 4 top-36 positional weekly finishes, highlighted by a WR12 end in Week 4 and lowlighted by 10 finishes because the WR51 or worse.
Amongst 68 NFL large receivers with not less than 385 receiving snaps, Legette ranks twenty fifth in aDot (12.6), 52nd in YPRR (1.19) and 66th in yards after the catch per reception (2.3). He cleared the perfect 2.00 YPRR threshold simply as soon as all season, averaging 2.10 YPRR in a two-target, 24-receiving snap effort in Week 3. Legette averaged lower than 1.80 YPRR in all remaining video games.
Amongst 74 NFL large receivers with not less than 105 receiving snaps in opposition to single protection, Legette’s 63.0 PFF receiving grade in opposition to single protection ranks sixty fourth.
Legette’s prolonged rookie season damage record each contextualizes performance-related points and creates trigger for concern relating to his long-term well being. Legette reportedly handled foot, shoulder, toe, wrist and hip accidents this season and expects to bear offseason surgical procedure to right the years-long wrist challenge.
Legette will probably improve his weekly WR3-or-better tally in 2025 however is unlikely to take action in a significant method. He’s greatest drafted as a matchup-based WR4/5.
Increase-Bust Tight Ends
TE Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers drafted tight finish Cade Otton as a 2022 NFL draft fourth-round choose. His 241 profession targets exceed draft-day expectations however inconsistency stays a priority. Otton will probably stay a increase/bust performer in 2025 although he has proven the requisite expertise to reliably produce as a TE1 when working in a featured function. His 65.6 PFF offense grade ranks 18th amongst 33 NFL tight ends with not less than 575 offensive snaps.
Otton produced six TE1 finishes in 14 video games this season, highlighted by a Weeks 7-9 sizzling streak that respectively yielded total TE5, TE1 and TE3 PPR finishes.
Tampa Bay’s No. 1 large receiver Mike Evans was compelled from play in Week 7 after struggling his second 2024 hamstring pressure and remained sidelined by means of the workforce’s Week 11 bye. Tampa Bay slot receiver Chris Godwin likewise suffered a Week 7, season-ending ankle dislocation. Otton averaged 1.24 YPRR in Weeks 1-6 and Week 11-Wild Card Weekend whereas averaging 1.98 YPRR in Weeks 7-10. The latter stretch yielded Otton’s three season-long double-digit-target outings, buoyed by a team-high 24 first-read targets throughout that stretch which doubles that of the subsequent closest Tampa Bay go catcher. Evans’ 90.2 PFF receiving grade ranks second amongst Tampa Bay go catchers whereas Godwin’s 85.7 PFF receiving grade ranks third.
Otton conclusively demonstrates TE1-worthy capacity whereas working because the workforce’s No. 1 go catcher. The 31-year-old Evans is now as much as eight recorded hamstring strains after struggling two totally different strains in the identical hamstring muscle this season. Godwin’s ankle dislocation makes for his second season-ending damage in 4 seasons; he tore his ACL and MCL in 2021 and turns 29 years outdated subsequent month.
Tampa Bay’s 2024 second-round rookie large receiver Jalen McMillan performed very effectively post-bye, rating fifth in each PFF receiving grade (70.9 PFF receiving grade) and YPRR (1.61) amongst 14 2024 rookie large receivers with not less than 15 targets from Week 12-on.
Working as Tampa Bay’s No. 2 go catcher is inside Otton’s vary of outcomes, as is the No. 4 spot. He’ll probably stay a increase/bust fantasy soccer tight finish albeit with robust odds of besting his TE14 2024 end.
TE Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans tight finish Chigoziem Okonkwo ought to stabilize as a weekly TE1 in 2025 because of a robust 2024 end. He’ll probably be accessible at a borderline TE2/3 ADP as a result of a Thursday, Week 18 stomach pressure that restricted him to 1 offensive snap within the common season finale. His 60.8 PFF offense grade ranks twenty third amongst 33 NFL tight ends with not less than 575 offensive snaps.
Okonkwo has demonstrated explosive traits since his 2022 rookie season, rating No. 1 total amongst 29 NFL tight ends with not less than 45 targets in 2022 in YPRR (2.61). His per-route effectivity dipped to 1.31 YPRR in 2023 earlier than ticking down even additional to 1.25 YPRR this season. A Week 12, 70-yard landing catch-and-run, together with 61 yards after the catch, 43 yards after contact and one missed sort out compelled, impressed Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan to function Okonkwo as an offensive centerpiece from then on.
Amongst 31 NFL tight ends with not less than 95 receiving snaps in Weeks 12-17, Okonkwo ranks and/or ties for eight in each YPRR (1.79) and yards after the catch per reception (5.7) whereas rating No. 1 total in missed tackles compelled (9), main by a 3 would-be-tackle margin. He notched three TE1 finishes throughout that span, together with the general TE3 end in Week 16. His 25 first-read targets in Weeks 13-17 rank sixth amongst NFL tight ends throughout that span.
Okonkwo’s late-season manufacturing coupled with Callahan’s public reward and schematic alterations counsel Okonkwo could have a career-best season in 2025.
TE Tucker Kraft, Inexperienced Bay Packers
Inexperienced Bay Packers second-year tight finish Tucker Kraft completed as the general PPR TE10, notching six TE1 finishes, highlighted by consecutive total TE1 finishes in Weeks 4 and 5. Kraft’s robust displaying in PFF’s steady receiving metrics bodes positively for his continued ascension and stability in 2025. His 68.2 PFF offense grade ranks 14th amongst 33 NFL tight ends with not less than 575 offensive snaps.
Amongst 36 NFL tight ends with not less than 275 receiving snaps, Kraft ranks thirteenth in YPRR (1.55) and No. 1 total in yards after the catch per reception (8.8), although his Thirty fifth-ranked 4.8-yard aDot have to be acknowledged. His 71.0 PFF receiving grade ranks sixteenth.
Kraft is especially potent as a post-catch producer. Amongst 32 NFL tight ends with not less than 535 receiving snaps in 2023-2024, Kraft’s 8.1 yards after the catch per reception maintain a 1.2-yard lead over all remaining, qualifying tight ends and his 0.22 missed tackles compelled per reception rank third.
Enhancing his run-blocking capacity would defend his entry to high-value play-action snaps however Kraft’s 441 run-blocking snaps lead amongst Inexperienced Bay tight ends by 287 snaps and his 54.3 PFF run-blocking grade ranks likewise ranks first amongst Inexperienced Bay tight ends with not less than 100 offensive snaps and twentieth amongst 33 NFL tight ends with not less than 575 offensive snaps.
Fantasy managers ought to anticipate Kraft to constantly produce TE1 leads to 2025.
Increase-Bust Operating Backs
RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants
New York Giants fifth-round, 25-year-old rookie working again Tyrone Tracy Jr. concludes his first NFL season with an unstable expertise profile and risky fantasy soccer outcomes. Tracy will probably proceed his increase/bust methods although his tackle-break abilities might be a optimistic signal of issues to come back. His 58.4 PFF offense grade ranks thirty second amongst 33 NFL working backs with not less than 450 offensive snaps.
Tracy spent 4 weeks toiling in New York’s No. 2 working again function earlier than taking on because the starter in Week 5. He notched three RB3 finishes, 4 RB2 finishes and 4 RB1 finishes, plus six finishes because the RB39 or worse en path to the general PPR RB25 spot. Whereas Tracy deserves credit score for the No. 1-role takeover and reasonable tackle-breaking traits, he usually carried out poorly in PFF’s steady metrics and clearly benefitted from contact quantity. Amongst NFL working backs in Weeks 5-18, Tracy’s 214 offensive touches rank sixteenth.
Amongst 33 NFL working backs with not less than 145 speeding makes an attempt, Tracy ties for seventeenth in missed tackles compelled per speeding try (0.18) and ranks twenty sixth in each yards after contact per speeding try (2.8) and PFF speeding grade (69.6 PFF speeding grade).
Amongst 34 NFL working backs with not less than 215 receiving snaps, he ranks ninth in missed tackles drive per reception (0.34), ranks twenty fifth in YPRR (0.92) and graded out because the second-worst participant (40.6 PFF receiving grade).
Tracy spent 5 of his six faculty seasons enjoying large receiver earlier than switching to working again in his 2023, ultimate season. Tracy’s tackle-breaking information might be a optimistic indicator for future success however his superior positional age coupled with 4 horrible showings within the place’s six steady metrics counsel Tracy may stay a risky producer in 2025, doubtlessly working in a break up backfield with recent competitors.
RB Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers third-year working again Rachaad White misplaced his beginning job in-season to fourth-round rookie working again Bucky Irving, however White promisingly, and quietly, improved his steady speeding metrics this season. He’s a worthwhile mid-to-late-round redraft choose and ought to be thought of a great buy-low commerce goal in dynasty codecs. White’s 73.8 PFF offense grade ranks 18th amongst 33 NFL working backs with not less than 450 offensive snaps.
Since his 2022 rookie season, White has respectively averaged 0.12, 0.15 and 0.17 missed tackles compelled per speeding makes an attempt whereas likewise enhancing his yards after contact per speeding try common from 2.4 to 2.6 earlier than peaking at 3.1 this season. Amongst 33 NFL working backs with not less than 145 speeding makes an attempt, White’s 0.17 missed tackles compelled common ties for twenty second and his 3.1 yards after contact common ties for twelfth. His career-best 73.7 PFF speeding grade ranks twelfth.
The 6-foot, 214-pound White has all the time been a proficient go catcher however this season he introduced his pass-protection chops as much as par, grading out because the ninth-best participant amongst 28 NFL working backs with not less than 50 pass-protection snaps, with a 69.2 PFF pass-blocking grade. Amongst 34 NFL working backs with not less than 215 receiving snaps, White ranks twelfth in YPRR (1.31)
White delivered three weekly finishes as an RB4 or worse, 5 RB3 finishes, 4 RB2 finishes and three RB1 finishes, all of which have been within the prime 5.
Fantasy managers ought to anticipate White to constantly ship RB2 and RB3 outcomes subsequent season, working as Irving’s complement. Ought to Tampa Bay enable White to depart in free company in 2026, his RB1 expertise profile may yield a return to the highest 12 season-long ranks. He completed because the 2023 total PPR RB4.
RB D’Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears working again D’Andre Swift was drafted because the PPR RB20 and delivered RB19 outcomes however probably annoyed fantasy managers with eight RB3-or-worse weekly finishes, 5 RB2 finishes and 4 RB1 finishes. Swift is unlikely to enhance and stabilize his play in 2025 and fantasy managers ought to keep away from him in drafts accordingly. His 61.3 PFF offense grade ranks thirtieth amongst 33 NFL working backs with not less than 450 offensive snaps.
Swift efficiently out-played his backfield teammates after getting into 2024 as maybe the undeserved lead working again. Swift’s efficiency relative to the NFL subject reveals him to be an inefficient participant who’s unlikely to enhance his fantasy-scoring leads to 2025.
Amongst 33 NFL working backs with not less than 145 speeding makes an attempt, Swift ties for twenty eighth in missed tackles compelled per speeding try (0.15) and ranks thirty second in yards after contact per speeding try (2.5), grading out because the fourth-worst participant (65.7 PFF speeding grade). His fantasy soccer productiveness is clearly tethered to his career-high 253 speeding makes an attempt.
Amongst 34 NFL working backs with not less than 215 receiving snaps, Swift ranks twentieth in YPRR (1.09), twenty sixth in missed tackles compelled per reception (0.17) and grades out because the eighth-worst participant (59.5 PFF receiving grade).
Fantasy managers ought to anticipate Swift to return risky RB3 outcomes at greatest in 2025.
