Liz LozaJul 29, 2025, 07:07 AM ETCloseLiz Loza is a writer for fantasy football, women’s basketball and betting at ESPN. Liz also appears on “Fantasy Football Now” and contributes to the Fantasy Focus Football podcast.
Liz LozaJul 29, 2025, 07:07 AM ET
CloseLiz Loza is a writer for fantasy football, women’s basketball and betting at ESPN. Liz also appears on “Fantasy Football Now” and contributes to the Fantasy Focus Football podcast.
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Dart throws.
Super sleepers. Final-round fliers. Digging for upside infantasy footballafter Pick 100 can be branded in a variety of ways.
One thing is certain, however: Landing a high-value lotto ticket is one of fantasy’s most satisfying experiences. It can also save your season and help you win your league. Here are the players I’m expecting to outkick their capital come draft day.
The Dak Prescott Experience™ has been an up-and-down affair, particularly since Prescott suffered a compound ankle fracture and dislocation in 2020.
He bounced back strong and finished seventh or better in 2021 and 2023, averaging over 20 fantasy points per game in each campaign. However, he also finished outside of the top 18 fantasy QBs in 2022 and 2024. Adding to the disappointment of last year, a torn hamstring ended Prescott’s season in Week 9.
Reportedly fully healthy, Prescott enters 2025 with massive bounce-back appeal.
He did, after all, throw for an impressive 4,516 yards (QB3) with Brian Schottenheimer calling the plays just two years ago. Given the state of the Cowboys’ secondary, Prescott could be, once again, using his arm quite a bit in high-scoring affairs. His odds of connecting are high, too, especially withGeorge Pickensadded to the receiving corps.
Throw in a decent pass-catching back likeJavonte Williams, a capable chain mover inJake Fergusonand the electric talents ofCeeDee Lamb, and Prescott has all of the elements needed to deliver QB1 fantasy stats. Recency bias has torpedoed his ADP, making him available in the 13th round (120.8), which works well for investors interested in waiting on the position.
Mason has been overshadowed for most of his career. He shared the field withJahmyr Gibbsat Georgia Tech, ultimately going undrafted in 2022.
In his first two seasons as a pro, he registered a total of just 83 totes with the 49ers as a backup toChristian McCaffrey. Now he’s slated to work behindAaron Jones Sr. in Minnesota.
Still, when given an opportunity, Mason has risen to the occasion.
He averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season, ranking sixth among running backs with at least 100 carries. Additionally, he was a top-five fantasy producer at the position in three of his first four games as the 49ers’ starter. Admittedly, injuries slowed his roll, but reports indicate he’s back to full health and all systems go heading into 2025.
Jones stayed healthy in 2024 after missing six games the previous season with the Packers.
However, he also touched the ball over 300 times. That’s not nothing for a back entering his age-30 season. Moreover, Jones logged a meager five rushing scores despite registering 12 attempts inside the 5-yard line.
Meanwhile, Mason was 22nd among RBs in red zone touches, scoring in three of four games in which he carried the rock 15 or more times. Given his size and power running style, Mason figures to emerge as the favorite in short-yardage and goal-line situations.
The 26-year-old’s stock would obviously soar if Jones were to go down. But noting his complementary skill set, the top-ranked offensive line he’s working behind and the ascendant offense he’s a part of, Mason additionally offers managers weekly upside.
That’s not bad for a back being selected outside of the top 40 at the position.
James Connerdid something in 2024 he had not been able to do in the previous seven seasons of his pro career: He suited up for 16 games. While the 30-year-old running back did suffer a right knee injury in Week 16 (which he attempted to play through the following week), he proved to be a consistent producer for fantasy managers. However, that doesn’t mean Benson, Conner’s backup, won’t have utility in 2025.
A power runner with 4.39 speed, a compact frame (6-foot, 216 pounds) and reliable hands, Benson was the second back selected in last year’s NFL draft.
Cardinals coach Jonathan Gannon has already intimated that Benson would likely have a larger role in his second campaign, which makes sense given Conner’s injury history and Benson’s versatile skill set. With the fourth-easiest strength of schedule among RBs yet currently being selected as the 50th RB in ESPN fantasy drafts (161.8 ADP), Benson is one of the highest-upside backups at the position.
Source: Espnnfl
