Evan Engram has great bounce-back potential in Denver. (The Canadian Press)
As we head into the season’s opening week, Matthew Stafford (back) is expected to start the Rams’ first game; new Packer Micah Parsons has also been dealing with back woes and may need an injection to help him suit up in Week One; and Najee Harris (eye) has been cleared for contact and is also expected to play in the first game. Other Fantasy football stories we’re tracking include…
Denver Poised to be Offensive Power
The Denver Broncos rode a 10-7 record last year to finally return to the playoffs, and are expected to avoid a one-and-done postseason streak by making it back this year. Small wonder they are a heavy fave at home vs. Tennessee on Sunday afternoon.
With Bo Nix as the new QB, Denver’s offense took a step forward last year, finishing 10th in points, but it could be even better this year. The Broncos have been trying for a decade to develop a homegrown impact tight end, but finally opted to try to solve this issue through free agency, signing free agent Evan Engram to a two-year deal in March.
Originally a Giant, he spent the last three years in Jacksonville, with some great (2022 and 2023) and some not so great campaigns (an injury-marred and ineffective 2024 during which he was held to a career-low 365 yards receiving) .
Given the shoulder/hammy woes last year, Engram’s value is lower heading into 2025, but don’t forget this is a two-time Pro Bowl selection who had a career-best six TDs as a rookie in 2017. Yes, he’s had some injury issues, but we’re talking about a dude with big play potential (see video below) who is just two years removed from a 114-catch season.
The last time Denver had a truly elite TE was in the late-‘90s with Shannon Sharpe; Engram could be the best chance they’ve had in over a quarter century to have another. Consider Engram a low-end TE1, but one that could offer a very positive return on your investment. He’s no spring chicken, but is still polished enough to provide top eight value or perhaps even higher.
Buffalo Gunning for the Super Bowl
Last year, the Buffalo Bills finally got past the Divisional Round for the first time since 2020 before once again losing against their nemesis, KC, in the AFC Final.
Can Buffalo take the next step and play in its first Super Bowl since 1993? Well, the regular season shouldn’t provide many challenges as the Bills have the highest odds of any team to win 12 or more games this year, (-150 as per FanDuel).
Offense should not be a problem as this team was the second-highest scoring squad in the NFL last year. However, in finishing just 17th in yards allowed, there’s definitely room for improvement on the other side of the ball.
Rookie defensive tackle Deone Walker is expected to help. Buffalo’s fourth round pick this year is a beast at 6’7”, 331, and has a chance to develop into a player capable of periodically dominating. The Kentucky product is athletic for his size, and may have only dropped this low in the draft because his numbers declined last year after a big season for the Wildcats in 2023.
Expect Walker to make a contribution early on, whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. He should be a disruptive force on the interior with a floor of at least that of an average starter at Nose Tackle. Frankly, we’re expecting more.
RotoRob Tune of the Day
The Bee Gees were around for 54 years notwithstanding a couple breaks in the 2000s, had their peak in the late ‘60s/early ‘70s as a pop band, but really hit it huge in the mid-to-late-‘70s disco era. In fact, their soundtrack to Saturday Night Fever may have launched that genre in earnest, highlighted by the top single of 1978, “Night Fever.”