Lineup Prep: Super Bowl

Wed Feb 5 9:59am ET
By JEFF PAUR
Sr Fantasy Writer

Related photo caption below

Hard to bet against Mahomes


It is hard to believe but here we are in the last week of the season. Time sure does fly, right? Super Bowl Sunday is one of the greatest days of the year but also a sad one, seeing the football season come to an end for another year. The good news is it seems the offseason is shorter and shorter every year, so don’t get too down after the game this weekend. Football will be back before you know it. Enjoy the game, though.

Now for my random thoughts for the week. . . . .

I think the Super Bowl is going to be a great one. These teams are pretty evenly matched in my view but I just think the Chiefs get it done once again. They just find ways to win and Patrick Mahomes is that “X” factor in my view. Mahomes makes big play after big play in the playoffs and I expect more of the same this weekend. I can see Mahomes running more than normal - much like he has all these playoffs. He makes the big play for his team when needed. I think the Chiefs do enough to win the game, coming out on top 28-24.

I can see why the Rams are planning to trade Cooper Kupp. He is not getting any younger and hasn’t produced quite the same in recent years. Injuries are always a concern for Kupp. I still think he has a few good years left, though, and could be a big fantasy factor once again, depending on his landing spot. I would love to see him land in Buffalo, making him Josh Allen’s top target in the passing game. That seems like a great fit for Kupp. We’ll see.

The draft should be interesting this year. There isn’t quite the quarterback class of last year, but plenty of needy teams for a franchise quarterback. This could drive up the price of some players that shouldn’t be drafted so high. Now the running back class is stacked in my view with a lot of top options. You could see running backs taken sooner than in recent seasons and make an immediate impact in fantasy circles. The receiver class is a little top heavy in my view and drops off in a hurry from the top options. Last season was stacked with a host of elite options but that isn’t nearly the case this year. It should be another fun draft. I know I’m looking forward to seeing it all shake out.

It would be nice if the NFL was more like the NBA, seeing some real movement in the trade market. This just doesn’t happen in the NFL. It sure is exciting when elite players are dealt, though. I would love it if the NFL trade deadline had more movement. It just doesn’t happen and I don’t see that changing. I think the best chance of blockbuster trades come around the NFL draft. Hopefully, that is the case this year.

One of the most interesting players in free agency this year is Sam Darnold. I’m really anxious to see where he lands and the deal he gets. He had a breakout season but fizzled down the stretch, leading to more question marks about him as a top NFL starter. If he moves to a team with fewer weapons than the Vikings, can he still be that elite starter? That is the big question. It will be fascinating to see what teams view him as this offseason.

Lastly, have a great Super Bowl Sunday. This is the last Lineup Prep until before Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season. It has been a great year and I appreciate everyone reading during the season. We have the best users on RTSports and I’m blessed to be part of this community.

HOT PLAYS

Patrick Mahomes, QB, Chiefs. Mahomes might have been a little quiet during the regular season for his standards but is showing up in the playoffs once again. He had his highest scoring fantasy game of the season against the Bills, scoring 33.55 fantasy points. Mahomes had three total touchdowns and threw for 245 yards. He just comes up big in the big game, so look for more of the same this week for Mahomes.

DeVonta Smith, WR, Eagles. Smith has been pretty quiet in the playoffs, having four receptions for 66 yards in two games on eight targets. He has been the third option most weeks in the passing game of late. That could change this week, though, playing a Chiefs team he has historically produced some huge games. For his career, Smith has at least 99 yards all three of his games against the Chiefs. He has two 100-yard games of those three. Don’t get too worried about his down production of late. Smith can get it going this week.

COLD PLAYS

Kareem Hunt, RB, Chiefs. Hunt seems to have moved ahead of Isiah Pacheco for now, playing 58 percent of the snaps last week compared to 29 percent for Pacheco in their last game. He is the fantasy back to use in the Kansas City offense for now. But even with that said, he isn't a top fantasy play. His touchdowns are the only thing driving up his fantasy value. If you take away his scores each of the last two games, his numbers are very mediocre. He has 25 carries for 110 yards and just two catchers for eight yards. We aren’t sure he finds the end zone this week against the Eagles, a team that allowed the second fewest fantasy points to running backs. This makes Hunt an iffy fantasy play.

DeAndre Hopkins, WR, Chiefs. Hopkins has just a catch for 11 yards on three targets in the Chiefs two playoff games. He is a hard player to trust right now. Hopkins has not topped 50 yards in a game since Week 13. It could be more of the same this week for Hopkins. He gets an Eagles team that allowed the eighth fewest fantasy points to receivers and was first overall against the pass during the regular season.

SLEEPERS

JuJu Smith-Schuster, WR, Chiefs. There always seems to be a receiver that surprises in the Super Bowl. We think it might be Smith-Schuster this year. He played 58 percent of the snaps his last game, which was the third most for any receiver. He was on the field a lot and had two catches for 60 yards. If he can get that much playing time again this week, look for him to make a big play or two for the Chiefs.

Dallas Goedert, TE, Eagles. Goedert has at least four receptions four straight games. He had seven receptions for 85 yards on eight targets and two rushes for 13 yards his last game against the Commanders. Goedert is getting his weekly chances since returning from injury in Week 18. We look for more of the same this week against the Chiefs, a team that allowed the sixth most fantasy points to tight ends this season.

High/Low Scoring Games

Each week we will take a look at some of the high and low scoring games for the coming week. In high scoring affairs, get your marginal players on those teams in your lineup to take advantage of the possible points barrage. And in the low scoring games, keep those marginal players on the bench and make sure to have your defenses involved in those contests.

High Scoring Games: Eagles/Chiefs.

Low Scoring Games: None.

Jeff Paur is a two-time finalist for FSWA Fantasy Football Writer of the Year and won the FSWA award for Best Fantasy Football Article on the Web in 2011. He also was the most accurate expert in 2012, winning the FSTA Fantasy Football Accuracy Award. If you have any questions for Jeff, email him at [email protected]. Follow Jeff on Twitter @jeffpaur.

Top Headlines
The Paur Report
Player Notes
Nick McCloud Mar 24 9:10pm ET
Nick McCloud

The Chicago Bears announced on Monday that they signed free-agent cornerback Nick McCloud to an undisclosed one-year. McCloud spent the 2024 season with the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers, compiling a total of 25 tackles (14 solo) in 15 games (five starts). The 26-year-old saw more action on defense with the G-Men in seven games (five starts), as he didn't start a single game in eight games played with the Niners. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Notre Dame before eventually joining the Cincinnati Bengals for his rookie campaign in 2021, when he played in just two games. Expect McCloud to be competing for a depth role in the secondary as well as a role on special teams for the Bears in training camp this summer. He has 96 career tackles (69 solo), 1.5 sacks, one interception, 10 pass breakups, three forced fumbles and three fumble recoveries in his four NFL seasons.

From RotoBaller

Paulson Adebo Mar 24 8:50pm ET
Paulson Adebo

The New Orleans Saints announced on Monday that they re-signed safety Ugo Amadi to an undisclosed one-year deal. Amadi will return to New Orleans for a third year in 2025 after racking up a career-high 65 tackles (52 solo), his first two career sacks, six tackles for loss and seven passes defensed in 11 games (five starts) in 2024. The 27-year-old got some run late in the year out of the slot when Paulson Adebo broke his leg, and he was able to deliver for a Saints defense that really struggled last year. At the very least, Amadi will have a chance to compete for a similar role in the Big Easy in training camp this summer, but he's unlikely to emerge as a fantasy weapon in IDP leagues. The former fourth-rounder (132nd overall) by the Seattle Seahawks in 2019 out of Oregon has 208 total tackles (164 solo), two sacks, 12 tackles for loss, one interception, 22 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in six seasons.

From RotoBaller

Mike Pennel Mar 24 8:40pm ET
Mike Pennel

The Kansas City Chiefs announced on Monday that they re-signed defensive tackle Mike Pennel to an undisclosed deal. Pennel will return to Kansas City for a third year after playing in 17 regular-season games (seven starts) and recording 25 tackles (10 solo), a career-high three sacks and a forced fumble. The 33-year-old veteran only appeared in three regular-season games for the Chiefs in his first year with the team. Pennel will now return to Kansas City in a rotational role on the interior of their defensive line as a rotational player, which means he won't be on the fantasy radar in IDP formats. In his 11 seasons in the NFL, Pennel has recorded 231 tackles (127 solo), only five sacks, 14 tackles for loss, 17 QB hits, three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery in 138 regular-season games (25 starts).

From RotoBaller

Eric Saubert Mar 24 8:30pm ET
Eric Saubert

The Seattle Seahawks signed veteran free-agent tight end Eric Saubert to an undisclosed deal on Monday, according to Seahawks.com's John Boyle. Saubert, originally a fifth-round selection (174th overall) by the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 out of Drake, will now join his eighth NFL team as he heads into his ninth year in the league. The 30-year-old spent last year with the San Francisco 49ers, where he caught 11 of 14 targets for 97 yards and one touchdown in 17 games (three starts). Saubert will remain in the NFC West and will serve as a backup behind Noah Fant and A.J. Barner in Seattle, leaving him virtually no fantasy appeal. Barring injuries to Fant and Barner, expect Saubert to mostly factor in on special teams. His best season came back in 2022 with the Denver Broncos, when he caught 15 of 24 targets for 148 yards and one touchdown in 17 games (six starts).

From RotoBaller

Drake Maye Mar 24 8:10pm ET
Drake Maye

New England Patriots general manager Eliot Wolf said last month that the team would take the "best player available" in the upcoming NFL draft with the fourth overall pick and doubled down on the statement again on Sunday during the team's annual draft party for season-ticket holders. The Patriots could still need a starting left tackle to protect second-year quarterback Drake Maye when the draft kicks off in April, which would make it a tough decision to pass on the likes of Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter or Colorado two-way player Travis Hunter. If New England doesn't take the best player available at No. 4 overall and goes with need, the pick could very well be LSU offensive tackle Will Campbell. According to sources, the Patriots like Campbell despite his short arms, and they think that Hunter is the best player in the draft at both cornerback and receiver.

From RotoBaller

Tetairoa McMillan Mar 24 8:10pm ET
Tetairoa McMillan

The Athletic's Matt Schneidman is predicting that the Green Bay Packers break their 22-year streak and take Arizona receiver Tetairoa McMillan in the first round of the upcoming NFL draft for the first time since 2002. According to ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid, Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst was the only GM present at a private workout for McMillan last week. He's listed at No. 7 on Dane Brugler's to-100 list, so the Packers would have to trade up within the first round to snag him. If Green Bay doesn't go after McMillan, they could wait until later in the draft and take Texas' Matthew Golden, Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka or Missouri's Luther Burden III. Schneidman thinks the Packers go receiver regardless in Round 1, and it would make sense with Christian Watson (knee) expected to miss around half of the 2025 season.

From RotoBaller

Puka Nacua Mar 24 7:40pm ET
Puka Nacua

Los Angeles Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua said on the "Join The Lobby" podcast that he would like to retire from the NFL at the age of 30. It would mean that the 23-year-old (24 in May) pass-catcher would have six or seven more years of football left in him. After being selected in the fifth round (177th overall) in 2023, Nacua has been lights-out his first two professional seasons with a combined 184 catches on 266 targets for 2,476 yards and nine touchdowns in 28 regular-season starts. Barring an injury, he should be an elite receiver in the NFL for years to come, especially now that Cooper Kupp is no longer in L.A. Nacua did miss five games in the first half of the 2025 campaign due to a knee injury, but on a per-game basis, he was even more productive for fantasy managers. Even with Davante Adams essentially replacing Kupp, Nacua should be a target hog and a strong WR1 target in fantasy drafts.

From RotoBaller

Leki Fotu Mar 24 7:30pm ET
Leki Fotu

Veteran free-agent defensive lineman Leki Fotu (knee) signed an undisclosed deal with the Las Vegas Raiders on Monday, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. Hamstring and knee injuries limited Fotu to just two games (one start) with the New York Jets in 2024. The 26-year-old was taken by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2020 NFL draft in the fourth round (114th overall) out of the University of Utah. In his four seasons with the Cardinals, the defensive tackle had 89 tackles (42 solo), 3.5 sacks, 12 tackles for loss, seven QB hits, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 56 games (21 starts). Fotu will most certainly continue to be a rotational defensive lineman on the interior and will be competing for a 53-man roster spot this summer in training camp in Vegas.

From RotoBaller

Tony Jefferson Mar 24 7:20pm ET
Tony Jefferson

The Los Angeles Chargers re-signed free-agent safety Tony Jefferson to an undisclosed one-year deal on Monday, sources told FOX Sports' Jordan Schultz. Jefferson did not play at all in 2023 but came out of retirement to join the Chargers last year and had 27 tackles (17 solo) in eight regular-season games (four starts). The 33-year-old veteran could very well retire after the 2025 season, and he certainly won't be a lock to make the 53-man active roster out of training camp this summer. The 10-year veteran defensive back has played for five different teams in his NFL career and has a total of 519 tackles (387 solo), 9.5 sacks, 35 tackles for loss, 20 QB hits, four interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 24 pass breakups, eight forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 121 regular-season games (71 starts). Jefferson won't be anywhere near the IDP fantasy radar.

From RotoBaller

Christian Elliss Mar 24 1:50pm ET
Christian Elliss

The New England Patriots officially matched the Las Vegas Raiders' offer sheet to bring back linebacker Christian Elliss on Monday, a source told NFL Network's Tom Pelissero. It's not a surprise that the Patriots matched the Raiders' offer for the 26-year-old, who broke out with a career year in 2024 for the team. The former undrafted free agent out of Idaho played in 16 games (five starts) last year in his first full season in New England and stood out with 80 tackles (42 solo), 1.5 sacks, five QB hits, his first career interception, five pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. The Patriots officially re-signed Elliss to a two-year deal, so he's now under contract with the Pats through the 2026 season. While Elliss may not be an every-day starter for new head coach Mike Vrabel in 2025, he should maintain a key role in the middle of the field.

From RotoBaller

Kirk Cousins Mar 24 1:40pm ET
Kirk Cousins

There are a ton of moving parts with Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins' situation this offseason, but SI.com's Albert Breer writes that Cousins could waive is no-trade clause after April's NFL draft. Breer believes Cousins wants to avoid the situation he found himself in with the Falcons last year when he was blind-sided by the Falcons' decision to select Michael Penix Jr. in the first round. Before accepting any potential trade, the 36-year-old veteran has signaled to interested teams that he wants to wait until after the draft to pick his new team. Breer has heard that Cousins' camp would be amenable to working out the particulars of a trade before the draft on the contingency that a team willing to trade for him wouldn't take a QB in the first round. The Falcons are willing to make Cousins the highest-paid backup in the league, but a trade still seems more likely to happen. The Browns are the most probably landing spot.

From RotoBaller

Aaron Rodgers Mar 24 1:30pm ET
Aaron Rodgers

Free-agent quarterback Aaron Rodgers is a "safe bet" to eventually sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, a source told Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio. After being told that the Minnesota Vikings are moving forward with last year's first-rounder, J.J. McCarthy (knee), as their starter in 2025, Rodgers spent more than six hours visiting with the Steelers last Friday. The New York Giants have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for the future Hall of Famer, but it's seen as highly unlikely. So if the 41-year-old three-time MVP doesn't decide to hang up his cleats, signing with Pittsburgh is the most likely scenario. Rodgers would have a nice receiver duo of DK Metcalf and George Pickens if he goes to the Steel City, but a WR duo of Davante Adams/Garrett Wilson didn't elevate the Jets to a playoff team with Rodgers at the helm in 2024. At best, Rodgers would be a midrange QB2 in fantasy in 2025 in Pittsburgh.

From RotoBaller

Julian Blackmon Mar 24 1:20pm ET
Julian Blackmon

Free-agent safety Julian Blackmon (shoulder) is visiting with the Carolina Panthers on Monday, sources tell NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The 26-year-old was a starter for the Indianapolis Colts for the last five years, totaling 300 tackles (225 solo), 1.5 sacks, 13 tackles for loss, 10 interceptions (one returned for a touchdown), 21 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in 66 games played (62 starts). Despite rupturing the right labrum in his shoulder in Week 1, Blackmon managed to play 16 games for the Colts in 2024. He was set for offseason surgery, so it's unclear when exactly he'll be ready to work out this offseason with his new team. Despite already adding plenty of pieces to what was a terrible defense last year, the Panthers are still searching for more talent in their secondary.

From RotoBaller

Joey Slye Mar 24 1:10pm ET
Joey Slye

The Tennessee Titans signed former New England Patriots and Washington Commanders kicker Joey Slye to an undisclosed deal on Monday, according to agent Glenn Schwartzman. Slye signed with the Patriots last year and beat out Chad Ryland for kicking duties. The 28-year-old then went 26-for-33 on his field-goal attempts (6-for-9 from 50-plus yards) and 25-for-26 on his extra-point tries in 17 games played. The Titans will be the sixth team that Slye has kicked for in his NFL career after going undrafted out of Virginia Tech in 2018. He has a career 81.7 percent success rate on his field-goal attempts in 95 games played. He's currently the only kicker on Tennessee's roster, but it wouldn't be a surprise for the Titans to bring in competition for training camp this summer. Slye is unlikely to be much of a fantasy option in 12-team leagues this fall.

From RotoBaller

Chris Godwin Mar 23 9:33pm ET
Chris Godwin

Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Chris Godwin (ankle) is on track in his recovery from ankle surgery, according to general manager Jason Licht. 'He's hitting all of his milestones,' Licht said. 'He's hitting all of his markers. He's where he's supposed to be.'

Fantasy Spin: Godwin is no stranger to injuries, but he continues to be productive whenever he is available. Consider him a WR3 with WR2 upside.

From TheHuddle

Raheem Mostert Mar 23 6:43pm ET
Raheem Mostert

Las Vegas Raiders RB Raheem Mostert may be a candidate to be the starting running back for the Raiders next season, in the opinion of Raiders.com's Levi Edwards.

Fantasy Spin: The Raiders likely will add more running backs to the roster this offseason, so Mostert will have competition for the job. He has not been a starting running back for several seasons but likely will be part of a committee next season. Fantasy players should monitor the situation because he will have fantasy value if he starts.

From TheHuddle

Ryan Tannehill Mar 23 5:53pm ET
Ryan Tannehill

Free-agent QB Ryan Tannehill (Titans) probably will not receive interest from the Tennessee Titans this offseason, in the opinion of TennesseeTitans.com's Jim Wyatt.

From TheHuddle

Stefon Diggs Mar 23 2:13pm ET
Stefon Diggs

Free-agent WR Stefon Diggs (Texans) is believed to be ahead of schedule in his recovery and has started running at full speed, according to sources.

Fantasy Spin: Diggs is one of the top receivers available in free agency and seems to have a good chance to be ready for the 2025 season. He likely will be a starter no matter where he signs and can be a No. 3 or No. 4 receiver in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Russell Wilson Mar 23 1:10pm ET
Russell Wilson

Free-agent quarterback Russell Wilson remains on the New York Giants' radar despite the fact that the team signed veteran QB Jameis Winston this week, according to multiple sources. Winston was specifically signed to be the backup signal-caller in New York (he received $4 million per year), so Wilson should not be ruled out. The sources also said the Giants technically are also still in the mix for free-agent QB Aaron Rodgers, but that it currently "seems unlikely" he'll go there. Even if the G-Men also sign Wilson, it won't rule them out from taking a rookie quarterback in this year's NFL draft -- the Giants have the No. 3 overall pick and have been rumored to be keen on trading up to No. 1 overall. The 36-year-old Wilson has visited both the Giants and Browns, and he could still be an option to re-sign with the Steelers if Rodgers decides to retire. Wilson could mesh nicely with Malik Nabers in New York, but he'd be a low-end QB2 in fantasy if he signs with the Giants.

From RotoBaller

Nick Scott Mar 23 11:43am ET
Nick Scott

Safety Nick Scott has signed a one-year deal with the Carolina Panthers, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The financial details have not yet been disclosed. Scott spent four seasons with the Rams after they took him in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, with his best statistical season coming in 2022 -- an 83-tackle campaign with two interceptions in 17 games. His production dipped during a 2023 stint with the Bengals, and a season ago, accrued 26 takedowns in ten games (four starts) with neck and hamstring injuries. The Penn State alum is currently listed behind teammates Tre'von Moehrig and Demani Richardson on the team's unofficial depth chart, but it's worth noting he notched at least five tackles in five straight outings before picking up the hamstring ailment.