978: Mailbag - Najee Harris' New Home, Quinshon Judkins' Receiving Profile, and More
Mar 14, 2025
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Najee Harris's move to the Chargers could mean Jaylen Warren sees more action in Pittsburgh. The discussion turns to whether Quinshon Judkins will struggle due to his lack of a receiving profile. Curious about the rookie rankings? The show explores why wide receivers are being favored over a strong group of running backs in fantasy projections. Tune in for insights and analysis on these pivotal player dynamics.
Najee Harris's move to the Chargers impacts his value, but Jaylen Warren could emerge as a strong fantasy asset in Pittsburgh.
Assessing rookie running backs effectively requires integrating projected draft capital with actual figures to enhance predictive accuracy.
Deep dives
Running Back Dynamics: Najee Harris vs. Jalen Warren
The discussion revolves around the current standing of Najee Harris and Jalen Warren in the Steelers' backfield, particularly focusing on their relevance for redraft leagues. While it appears that Najee Harris holds the edge, predominantly due to his experience and proven track record, there remains a competitive edge with Warren potentially stepping up. The uncertain competition in their respective backfields complicates projections, as both running backs face potential additions in upcoming drafts that could shift their roles and workloads. Thus, while Harris is regarded as the safer bet at the moment, there are unanswered questions surrounding both players that could alter their value significantly before the season begins.
Predictive Value of Draft Capital in Fantasy Football
The analysis highlights the importance of using both actual and projected draft capital when assessing rookie prospects, particularly at the running back position. Recent findings indicate that integrating projected draft capital alongside actual figures enhances the accuracy of predictive models for running backs, unlike what was observed with wide receivers. For instance, significant disparities were identified when examining players who were drafted outside of expected rounds, emphasizing the need to account for potential reaches by teams. The model's refined approach aims to better gauge running back potential post-draft, ultimately allowing for improved rankings based on refined input data.
Comparative Strength of the 2025 Rookie Class
The 2025 rookie running back class is characterized as deep and talented, comparable to the strong 2017 class, despite varying opinions on its relative strength within fantasy rankings. The discussion clarifies that while the overall rookie class may boast more wide receivers being ranked higher, the top-tier running backs are expected to offer significant fantasy value. This situation suggests a strategic approach for managers during rookie drafts, advocating for risk management pre-draft while projecting confidence post-draft when players have clearer positional outlooks. The outcome hinges on team investments, as varying draft capital will determine the actual viability and fantasy potential for each prospect.
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Analyzing Running Back Prospects and Future Projections
Najee Harris is now a Charger, leaving Jaylen Warren a potentially bigger workload in Pittsburgh. Who should we prefer in fantasy football? Is Quinshon Judkins' doomed due to his lack of receiving profile? If this running back class is so strong, why are rookie rankings placing so many wide receivers above running backs? JJ talks about those questions -- and more -- on this week's mailbag episode.
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