NFC East
The NFC East is home to some of the most exciting storylines heading into the 2025 fantasy football season. For the Washington Commanders, the focus remains on building around quarterback Jayden Daniels, who showed flashes of brilliance as a rookie despite a less-than-stellar supporting cast. While Brian Robinson Jr. is a serviceable running back, the Commanders could benefit from upgrading their backfield depth, especially with Austin Ekeler entering his age-30 season. The receiver corps, led by superstar Terry McLaurin, needs a dynamic WR2 to take pressure off McLaurin, and tight end Zach Ertz’s age could become a concern. If Washington can address these issues, Daniels has the potential to take a significant leap in his sophomore campaign.
The Dallas Cowboys face a similar challenge: finding complementary weapons for star wideout CeeDee Lamb. Lamb’s 2024 season was statistically solid, but it felt underwhelming given his talent, and the lack of a reliable WR2 or tertiary pass-catchers limited the offense’s ceiling. Dallas needs to invest in a seam threat, a slot receiver, or a field-stretching wideout to create a more balanced attack. Additionally, the Cowboys could benefit from a more dynamic tight end to pair with quarterback Dak Prescott.
In contrast, the Philadelphia Eagles are in an enviable position. With Jalen Hurts at the helm, Saquon Barkley in the backfield, and A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith at receiver, Philadelphia boasts one of the NFL’s most well-rounded offenses. The Eagles don’t need to make drastic moves, but adding a young tight end to groom behind Dallas Goedert and a complementary back to spell Barkley could pay long-term dividends. With offensive coordinator Kellen Moore departing for the Saints’ head-coaching job, the Eagles’ ability to maintain continuity will be key.
The New York Giants are at a crossroads, particularly at quarterback. After a disastrous 2024 campaign, New York could look to the draft to solve its QB woes. With the third overall pick, the Giants are in position to select either Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, both of whom offer intriguing upside. While neither quarterback is a guaranteed star, they represent a chance to reset the position. The Giants also need to surround their new signal-caller with better weapons, starting with a playmaking WR2 to complement breakout rookie Malik Nabers.
NFC North
The NFC North is shaping up to be one of the most competitive divisions in fantasy football, with each team boasting a unique set of challenges and opportunities.
For the Chicago Bears, the top priority is protecting quarterback Caleb Williams. Williams was one of the most sacked quarterbacks in the league last season, and another year of subpar protection would be a failure given the team’s resources. With the 10th overall draft pick and ample cap space, Chicago has the tools to revamp its offensive line. If the Bears can keep Williams upright, their offense—now directed by former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson—could explode, given the talent at the skill positions.
The Detroit Lions face a tougher question: how to replace Ben Johnson, who left to join the Bears. Johnson’s offensive wizardry was a key factor in Detroit’s league-leading scoring attack in 2024. While the Lions retain their core playmakers, including Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jameson Williams, new coordinator John Morton will need to prove he can maintain the same level of creativity. If Morton stumbles, Detroit’s offense could regress, but the Lions have the firepower to remain one of the NFL’s most explosive units.
In Green Bay, the Packers are searching for a true No. 1 wide receiver to complement quarterback Jordan Love. While Christian Watson showed flashes of stardom before a season-ending ACL injury, the Packers lack a consistent, elite perimeter threat. This need becomes especially glaring when facing divisional foes like the Vikings and Lions, who boast star receivers. Unless Green Bay addresses this shortcoming via free agency or the draft, Watson’s return may not be enough to elevate the offense.
The Minnesota Vikings have their own set of challenges, particularly along the offensive line. Quarterback Sam Darnold—likely to return as the starter—was under pressure on nearly 38% of his dropbacks in 2024, and that number ballooned to 54% in the playoffs. Upgrading the interior line is crucial to unlocking the full potential of Minnesota’s receiver corps, which includes Justin Jefferson, T.J. Hockenson, and K.J. Osborn. The Vikings could also benefit from a younger, more dynamic backup running back to pair with Alexander Mattison.
NFC South
The NFC South is a mix of teams trying to build around young quarterbacks and franchises dealing with injury-plagued offenses.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are at a crossroads as they enter a new era without Tom Brady. While quarterback Baker Mayfield’s future is uncertain, the Bucs’ biggest priority is re-signing wide receiver Chris Godwin. Godwin’s ability to move the chains and work underneath was crucial in 2024, and his return would provide much-needed continuity for new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. If Godwin leaves, Tampa Bay will need to find a reliable slot option to pair with Mike Evans and Trey Palmer.
For the Atlanta Falcons, it’s time to face reality: Kyle Pitts has not lived up to his draft billing. The former top-five pick struggled to find a consistent role in Atlanta’s offense and lacks the blocking prowess to be an every-down tight end. With his rookie contract set to expire, the Falcons may choose to move on from Pitts in favor of a cheaper, more reliable option. While Pitts could still carve out a niche as a pass-catching tight end elsewhere, his fantasy ceiling appears limited.
The Carolina Panthers are finally starting to build momentum around quarterback Bryce Young, who showed improvement as a rookie. To help Young reach his full potential, Carolina needs to find a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver. While Adam Thielen remains a solid slot option and Xavier Legette showed promise, neither player profiles as a true X-receiver. Adding a downfield threat in free agency or the draft could unlock Young’s deep-ball potential and elevate the Panthers’ offense.
The New Orleans Saints are hopeful that better health will lead to better results in 2025. Wide receivers Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed were among the many players sidelined by injuries last season, and their returns could make the Saints’ offense one of the NFL’s most underrated units. With new head coach Kellen Moore calling the shots, quarterback Jameis Winston or whoever starts under center will need to capitalize on thetalent at their disposal. If the Saints can stay healthy, they could become a dark horse contender in the NFC.
NFC West
The NFC West is always one of the NFL’s most competitive divisions, and this offseason is no exception.
For the San Francisco 49ers, the biggest question revolves around Deebo Samuel. The dynamic wide receiver is entering a contract year, and San Francisco could explore trade options if an extension isn’t reached. While Samuel’s departure would create a significant void, it would also open up opportunities for George Kittle, Jauan Jennings, and Ricky Pearsall to step into larger roles. The 49ers’ offense is deep enough to absorb Samuel’s loss, but his presence would undoubtedly make them more dangerous.
The Arizona Cardinals are hoping for a breakout season from Marvin Harrison Jr., who underwhelmed as a rookie despite his pedigree. Harrison’s usage was perplexing, as he was often deployed on go routes despite excelling on intermediate throws. If new head coach Monti Ossenfort and offensive coordinator Drew Terrell can find ways to feature Harrison more effectively, he could emerge as one of the NFL’s top young receivers.
In Los Angeles, the Rams are moving on from Cooper Kupp, who has clearly lost a step and is no longer the team’s No. 1 receiver. The emergence of Puka Nacua as a go-to target for quarterback Matthew Stafford has Fantasy managers salivating. Nacua’s chemistry with Stafford and his ability to dominate in Kupp’s absence make him a potential top-tier fantasy asset in 2025, especially if Kupp is traded or released.
The Seattle Seahawks are dealing with their own receiver drama, as DK Metcalf’s name has surfaced in trade rumors. If Metcalf is dealt, it would create a clear path for Jaxon Smith-Njigba to become Seattle’s No. 1 wideout. Smith-Njigba showed glimpses of stardom as a rookie, and his fantasy value would skyrocket if he becomes the focal point of the Seahawks’ passing attack.
AFC Pressing Questions
While the NFC teams have their own challenges, the AFC is loaded with intriguing storylines and critical decisions that could shape the fantasy football landscape. For the Kansas City Chiefs, the big question is how to replace the production of tight end Travis Kelce, who is entering his late 30s. The Chiefs could look to the draft to find a successor, freeing Kelce to focus on mentoring a younger player. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills are searching for a consistent second receiver to pair with Stefon Diggs, and the Cincinnati Bengals need to solidify their running back corps after Joe Mixon’s departure.
The Denver Broncos are hoping for a bounce-back season from quarterback Russell Wilson, while the Los Angeles Chargers are looking to get Justin Herbert back on track after an injury-plagued 2024. In the AFC East, the Miami Dolphins need to surround Tua Tagovailoa with more weapons, and the New York Jets are banking on the development of quarterback Zach Wilson.
Fantasy Football Outlook
As fantasy football enthusiasts gear up for the 2025 season, the NFC offers a wealth of storylines to monitor. Whether it’s the development of young quarterbacks like Jayden Daniels and Bryce Young, the reshuffling of receiver corps in Dallas and Green Bay, or the health question marks in Atlanta and New Orleans, the NFC is dripping with fantasy-relevant news. For fantasy managers, the key will be identifying which teams are best positioned to maximize their talent and which players could benefit from offseason moves. With the draft and free agency on the horizon, the next few months will be critical in shaping the fantasy football landscape. Stay tuned!
