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Howdy Reader,​
Welcome in,
We know it’s July. We know the group chat is quiet. But that’s exactly when smart fantasy GMs like you gain ground.
We’ve got a stacked lineup today, starting with a deep dive into the 49ers. We talk sleepers, busts, IDP, and all the vibes you need to know heading into draft season.
​Best Ball more your style? We’ve got that too. Plus a sharp look at undervalued players flying under the radar. And Mauricio Gutierrez is back with another stellar Spanish-language feature.
Then Jason Wood takes you inside the Lions’ new-look offense under coordinator John Morton. It's a must-read for anyone eyeing Detroit players this year. Which is pretty much all of us.
And of course, Cecil Lammey has your daily dose of News and Notes to keep you ahead of the curve.
Let’s get after it.
J
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What's New At Footballguys
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Will New OC John Morton Let the Lions Roar?
By Jason Wood - Exclusive to Footballguys
The following feature is a free preview of our content. If you like it, click here to sign up for access to our Footballguys Premium Subscriptions, and you'll get all of our content. We're so sure you'll love it that we have an industry-leading 30-day MoneyBack Guarantee, so there's zero risk.
The Detroit Lions are one of the NFL's premier offenses, and fantasy managers have come to rely on them for consistent, top-end production across the board. With Ben Johnson calling plays, the Lions have finished 5th, 5th, and 1st in points scored over the last three seasons. Now that Johnson has left for Chicago, it's fair to ask whether new offensive coordinator John Morton can sustain the excellence.
Here's the bottom line: This offense remains one of the safest bets in fantasy football. The foundation stays intact, and Morton's approach is more about refinement than overhaul. That said, there will be some shifts in style and usage that are important to track.
Fantasy Takeaways at a Glance
- QB Jared Goff remains a high-floor QB2 with weekly QB1 streaming value. Morton helped build the version of this offense that revived Goff's career in 2022. Expect continued rhythm passing, strong red zone production, and elite offensive line support.
- WR Amon-Ra St. Brown is still an elite WR1. We rank him as WR6 heading into the season, and nothing about this coordinator change alters that confidence. Morton values precision route-runners and smart coverage readers, and St. Brown is the heartbeat of this passing game.
- WR Jameson Williams is the potential riser. Morton is more inclined than Johnson to attack vertically, and Williams has the deep speed to exploit it. He will remain volatile, but if the usage trend grows, he could make a leap into weekly WR3 territory with spike weeks baked in.
- RB Jahmyr Gibbs is a top-tier fantasy asset. We have him ranked as a top-3 running back, and Morton's style may actually raise his ceiling. Quick-game passes, spacing mismatches, and red zone versatility all align with Gibbs' elite skill set. He belongs in the first round of every draft.
- RB David Montgomery holds steady RB2 value. The offensive line dominance is not changing, and Morton is not going to complicate the run game. Expect continued high-leverage work, including goal-line touches and 15-plus carries most weeks.
- TE Sam LaPorta remains locked in as a mid-to-high TE1. His role as Goff's chain-mover and zone-beater will stay vital, and Morton's history working with tight ends in layered passing concepts ensures LaPorta will not be left behind.
The Lions are not rebuilding. They are evolving. Morton hopes to offer just enough new wrinkles to keep defenses guessing, without sacrificing the structure that made this one of the most productive offenses in football. For fantasy managers, Detroit remains one of the most bankable depth charts in the league.
CONTINUED...
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New York Jets RB Braelon Allen could fill a 'David Montgomery, power-running type' for the Jets this year, in the opinion of Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic, who writes that the Jets are modeling their offense on the Detroit Lions with RB Breece Hall filling the role of Jahmyr Gibbs. Rosenblatt adds that Allen will have 'plenty of opportunities in 2025 to make his mark and prove he can be the long-term starter' with Hall set for free agency after the season.
Our view: Allen is not the runner that Montgomery is in a 1-for-1 comparison (Allen still dances a bit too much despite his size), but we love this idea. We'll see how Allen performs in this new system, and if he does well not only will he be more fantasy relevant but his dynasty stock would rise if he's seen as a clear-cut starter of the future with the Jets. Allen has a current ADP of RB54.
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Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin said he is frustrated with his contract situation and is not sure if he will report for the start of training camp.
Our view: Earlier reports revealed McLaurin has been talking with Commanders HC Dan Quinn this offseason even though he skipped offseason workouts and the mandatory minicamp. Now with training camp looming, McLaurin is unsure because he has yet to have a new contract. He's not looking to reset the receiver's market, but McLaurin certainly wants a raise. Set to make $25.5MM this year, McLaurin may be seeking a deal that pays him around $30MM annually.
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3. LAR: Terrance Ferguson has chance to contribute in 2025
Source: The Athletic - Jourdan Rodrigue
Los Angeles Rams TE Terrance Ferguson has a chance to 'emerge' as a playmaker in LA's offense, in the opinion of Jourdan Rodrigue of The Athletic, though that is rooted in head coach Sean McVay using more two-tight end sets this year. Rodrigue notes that McVay has expressed a desire to be more multiple in terms of position groupings in 2025, which is something he did more late last season when TE Tyler Higbee returned from injury.
Our view: Ferguson looks like the tight end of the future with the Rams, and we're excited about his potential in this offense. Higbee is the starter, but Ferguson should get worked into the offense as he ramps up in his rookie season. Even without a Higbee injury, Ferguson may be an option for Fantasy GMs in re-draft formats this year. The rookie currently has an ADP of TE32.
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4. CIN: Shemar Stewart training at Texas A&M
Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway
Cincinnati Bengals first-round pick EDGE Shemar Stewart has been training on his own at Texas A&M preparing for the season. Stewart is the only unsigned first-round draft pick.
Our view: This situation is an absolute disaster, and it seems to be only getting worse. Reports suggest Stewart could go back to college for another year and then declare for the 2026 NFL draft. The Bengals would receive no compensation if Stewart does not sign with them. All of this drama is due to language the Bengals don't have in terms of protection in participation that other teams have. It looks like this thing is far from over. Stay tuned.
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5. LAC: Najee Harris likely to go on NFI list
Source: The Athletic - Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Chargers RB Najee Harris (eye) likely will start training camp on the Active/Non-Football Injury list, according to general manager Joe Hortiz.
Our view: According to The Athletic's Daniel Popper, Harris has been receiving treatment from doctors at Stanford after suffering what's been characterized as a "superficial" injury in a Fourth of July fireworks accident. The Chargers do not need to decide on a reserve/NFI list placement -- which requires a four-game absence -- for more than a month, and such a decision is unlikely if what we've heard to this point is true. We'll continue to watch for more, but Harris can come off the list at any time, and NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggests the stay will be short.
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6. KC: Rashee Rice ready to be true WR1?
Source: The Athletic - Zak Keefer
Kansas City Chiefs WR Rashee Rice is the Chiefs' 'best bet' to become the No. 1 receiver the team has lacked since WR Tyreek Hill was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 2022, in the opinion of The Athletic's Zak Keefer, who writes that Rice has 'future Pro Bowler written all over him.'
Our view: Plenty of Fantasy GMs are enticed by what Rice could be with a full season in this Chiefs offense. Last year, Rice caught 24 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns in three games before injuring his knee in Week 4. He finished his rookie season as the no.28 fantasy receiver as a rookie in 2023 with 79 catches for 938 yards and seven touchdowns. Rice has a current ADP of WR17.
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7. JAX: LeQuint Allen battling for receiving role
Source: JaguarsWire - Paul Bretl
Jacksonville Jaguars RB LeQuint Allen could carve out a role in the passing game, in the opinion of Jaguars Wire's Paul Bretl.
Our view: Allen is a back we're interested in - especially in Liam Coen's offense. There's a dash of James Cook to his game, and Allen is more than just a screen-pass specialist. As a receiver, Allen can be moved across the formation...something that Coen is likely to utilize. Travis Etienne is still there as the lead back, but the Jaguars could use a multi-headed RBBC with Etienne, Allen, Bhayshul Tuten, and Tank Bigsby.
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8. SEA: Elijah Arroyo does not report
Source: ESPN.com - Brady Henderson
Seattle Seahawks second-round draft choice TE Elijah Arroyo did not report for the start of training camp with the other rookies because he still has not signed his contract.
Our view: There are some aspects of rookie contracts that can be negotiated (see Jayden Higgins deal), and the amount of the total guarantee is what is leading to these standoffs between teams and their second-round picks. The team is excited about Arroyo, and dynasty GMs are over the moon as well. With Noah Fant still on the roster, re-draft GMs will likely have to wait for Arroyo to become fantasy relevant.
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9. SEA: Two receivers on NFI list
Source: Seahawks.com - John Boyle
Seattle Seahawks WR Tyrone Broden (undisclosed) and WR Montorie Foster Jr. (undisclosed) were placed on the Active/Non-Football Injury list Wednesday, July 16.
Our view: Broden is a big-bodied wideout the Seahawks picked up out of Arkansas as an undrafted free agent this year. Also undrafted was Foster out of Michigan State, and he's a chain-mover who works shorter/intermediate routes. Both are able to come back at any point during the preseason, and Fantasy GMs in super crazy deep dynasty formats can monitor their careers.
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10. DEN: Jahdae Barron terms
Source: 9News.com - Mike Klis
Updating an earlier report, Denver Broncos CB Jahdae Barron's rookie deal was for four years and worth $18,073,176. He received a signing bonus of $9,784,126.
Our view: Barron was arguably the best corner in the 2025 NFL draft, and he's a versatile player who will compete to be the Broncos no.3 corner. A "star" at Texas (their version of 'rover' on defense), Barron is smart and can play in sub-packages at safety if need be.
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11. BUF: Landon Jackson may not miss much time
Source: Syracuse.com - Matt Parrino
Buffalo Bills DE Landon Jackson (undisclosed) may be able to participate once the team starts practicing next week, according to a source. Jackson has been placed on the Active/Physically Unable to Perform list.
Our view: Any player who may not be ready for the start of the regular season will need to be put on PUP now before camp. On the camp PUP is the only way to begin the year on PUP when the games count. The Bills will monitor Jackson, and if he's not ready when the 53-man roster is made then they have the option of placing him on PUP due to this move now.
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12. SF: NFI list expected for Kurtis Rourke
Source: NBC Sports Bay Area - Matt Maiocco
San Francisco 49ers QB Kurtis Rourke (knee) is expected to start training camp on the Active/Non-Football Injury list.
Our view: No surprise here. Rourke partially tore his ACL during practice prior to the start of Indiana's 2024 season. The Ohio State transfer (and 49ers' seventh-round draft pick) played through the injury during his senior year before undergoing surgery in January. There's some Aidan O'Connell to his game, and Rourke is clearly a developmental pick who 49ers GM John Lynch believes would have gone higher in the draft if not injured. Dynasty GMs (deeper leagues) take note.
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That’ll do it for today, Folks.
Thanks for spending a bit of your day with us. We take that seriously. Whether you’ve been with us for two weeks or twenty years, we’re honored to help you chase another title.
We’ll be back tomorrow with more of the content that gives you an edge.
Peace, Love, and Fantasy Football,
J
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Written By Joe Bryant. News by Sigmund Bloom, Bob Harris, and Cecil Lammey
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