Ready to crush your 2025 fantasy football league? Don’t get catfished by your favorite players!
One of the biggest team killers every year is getting “Manti Teo’ed”. There’s always one or two catfish in every offseason leading up to the drafts. They are tantalizing players who flashed game-breaking skill but weren’t consistent. If you want to win your league, don’t get duped by these NFL catfish. These wildly inconsistent players have catfished NFL coaches and scouts into giving them chances based on a spectacular game two years ago.
Catfish #2: Saquon Barkley: He had a season for the ages last year, and I thoroughly enjoyed him on my auction team for only $25. This year, he’s going to be in a different zip code when it comes to price. Over the last three seasons, he has averaged #10 in consistency. Two of the last three years, he was in the top 5 in consistency. That’s great, but I’m telling you now, Saquon will have a worse season this year than last. Every 2000-yard rusher in history had a worse season the next year. Do you want to spend your first-round pick on a guy who is at higher risk of injury and who will do worse this year?
Catfish #3: Tyreek Hill: When Tyreek is great, he’s great. One of the fastest, best WRs in league history. Tyreek Hill ranked 18th in consistency last season after two #2 consistency seasons. He’s getting drafted late 2nd/early 3rd round overall. For a second-round pick, I want a super consistent guy with a consistent QB. We all know that Tua is a risk, and Zach Wilson is the backup. I’d go late 3rd for Tyreek as my WR2 or 3.
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Catfish #4: Jayden Daniels: He’ll be good, but not as good as you want him to be. Now, all 31 other teams have a season of film on him. Every NFL defensive coordinator who has the Commanders on their schedule knows his tendencies, strengths, and weaknesses. CJ Stroud looked like the next big thing, but defenses seemed to catch up to him last season. Jayden will have to play better and smarter to stay ahead. Kliff Kingsbury has a spotty history in developing QBs at the NFL level. The Commanders have the 13th hardest schedule. My prediction is that he’ll only equal his fantasy output from last season, which made him the 5th most consistent QB with 71% consistency. Some people think he’s the next big thing, and he might be, but I don’t think it will be this season. I’d draft him as QB #4 overall.
Catfish #5: Amon Ra St. Brown: He’ll be good, but not as good as we want him to be. He’s going anywhere from 8-13 in early drafts. The Lions have one of the best run games in the league, and Jahmyr Gibbs is also getting over 50 receptions per season. Amon RA will also have to share a few more catches with last season’s breakout surprise, Jameson Williams. I’ll be more comfortable picking Amon Ra St. Brown late in the second round.
There you have it. I’m not saying not to draft these players, I’m saying that you must look at the ecosystems around them and temper expectations. Every player in the NFL is incredibly talented, but very few have complete control over their circumstances. When their surroundings change, so does their output. Also, Manti, sorry I pulled you into this, you’re a great player and broadcaster.
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