Fantasy Football Mock Draft 2025: Complete results and expert analysis
Your one-stop-shop for Rotoworld's preseason fantasy football content.
Rotoworld Staff,
This is a 12-team PPR mock draft featuring analysts from NBC Sports/Rotoworld and FantasyLife, plus one savvy friend-of-show amateur. The draft was held on Monday, August 11th, with preseason Week 1 penned in the record books. The positions are as follows: QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, WR, TE, FLEX, FLEX and five bench spots.
The participating analysts, listed by draft pick order, are shown below:
Lawrence Jackson, Rotoworld
Denny Carter, Rotoworld
D.J .Short, Rotoworld
Christopher Crawford, Rotoworld
Eric Samulski, Rotoworld
Nick Shlain, Rotoworld
Eric Lindberg
Cooterdoodle, FantasyLife
Pat Daugherty, Rotoworld
Nic Bodiford, Rotoworld & PFF
Ian Hartitz, FantasyLife
Kyle Dvorchak, Rotoworld
Get personalized fantasy football insights based on your league settings with FantasyLife+. Your league is unique, your advice should be too. Head to fantasylife.com and use code ROTO20 for 20% off.
You can see the full draft board here, but below you'll find results and analysis:
Round 1
Lawrence Jackson - Jahmyr Gibbs, RB1
Denny Carter: Ja'Marr Chase, WR1
D.J Short - Justin Jefferson, WR2
Christopher Crawford - Bijan Robinson, RB2
Eric Samulski - CeeDee Lamb, WR3
Nick Shlain - Saquon Barkley, RB3
Eric Lindberg - Christian McCaffrey, RB4
Cooterdoodle - Malik Nabers, WR4
Pat Daugherty - Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR5
Nic Bodiford - Ashton Jeanty, RB5
Ian Hartitz - Puka Nacua, WR6
Kyle Dvorchak - Nico Collins, WR7
Jahmyr Gibbs stormed his way to the overall RB1 finish by scoring 46.0 PPR points while running back David Montgomery was sidelined by an MCL sprain in Week 18 last year. Rather than viewing Gibbs' fantasy-point outpouring as an extraordinary ceiling indicator, the fantasy community has pushed Gibbs down to the consensus 1.05 pick this year. Jackson smartly exploits Gibbs' mispriced ADP, taking him as the 1.01 while Montgomery enters his age-28 season. Bijan Robinson is likewise a candidate to finish as fantasy football's top non-quarterback scorer, playing in an expectedly improved offense with quarterback Michael Penix Jr. under center. Crawford gets Robinson at value with the 1.04. Malik Nabers totaled 165 targets in his 2024 rookie season, the second-most in the NFL. He enters year two with a trio of strong-armed quarterbacks at the ready. Cooterdoodle drafting him one spot ahead of ADP still feels like a bargain.
Round 2
Dvorchak - Brian Thomas, WR8
Hartitz - Derrick Henry, RB6
Bodiford - Brock Bowers, TE1
Daugherty - Bucky Irving, RB7
Cooterdoodle - Drake London, WR9
Lindberg - De'Von Achane, RB8
Shlain - A.J. Brown, WR10
Samulski - Chase Brown, RB9
Crawford - Tee Higgins, WR11
Short - Jonathan Taylor, RB10
Carter- Ladd McConkey, WR12
Jackson - Tyreek Hill, WR13
Lindberg stands out as the only manager to draft running backs consecutively in the top two rounds, first selecting Christian McCaffrey before adding De'Von Achane. Both players could lead the position in receptions. McCaffrey enters his age-29 season, following a 2024 campaign derailed by recurring bilateral Achilles tendonitis, a calf strain and a season-ending PCL sprain. I stay the course and draft Brock Bowers at 2.03 as planned, unnerved by the Raiders pairing but comforted by each player's potential to finish as their positional touch-count leader in 2025. Daugherty begins building a youthful and elite running back corps by drafting last year's RB13 finisher, Bucky Irving, in Round 2. Irving spent of his 2024 rookie season earning the starting role in-season. Pass-catching specialist, running back Rachaad White, strained his groin during preseason Week 1 play.
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Round 3
Jackson- Garrett Wilson, WR14
Carter - Trey McBride, TE2
Short - Josh Jacobs, RB11
Crawford - Marvin Harrison, WR15
Samulski - Josh Allen, QB1
Shlain - Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR16
Lindberg- Lamar Jackson, QB2
Cooterdoodle - Jayden Daniels, QB3
Daugherty - Omarion Hampton, RB12
Bodiford - Mike Evans, WR17
Hartitz - Breece Hall, RB13
Dvorchak - Kyren Williams, RB14
The elite quarterback run begins in Round 3 and ends in Round 4, with the established elite dual-threats coming off the board before Short selects the NFL's premier pocket passer, Joe Burrow, as the QB5. The NFC West (four players) and AFC East (three players) comprise more than half of the Round 3 picks, with all involved profiling as talented, high-volume players. Chargers rookie Omarion Hampton likely possesses the widest range of potential outcomes here, with running back Najee Harris' status uncertain after injuring his eye on the 4th of July. He has logged one limited practice session since the incident.
Round 4
Dvorchak - Davante Adams, WR18
Hartitz - Jalen Hurts, QB4
Bodiford - Rashee Rice, WR19
Daugherty - Xavier Worthy, WR20
Cooterdoodle - George Kittle, TE3
Lindberg- James Cook, RB15
Shlain - DJ Moore, WR21
Samulski - Kenneth Walker, RB16
Crawford - Alvin Kamara, RB17
Short- Joe Burrow, QB5
Carter - Jameson Williams, WR22
Jackson - DK Metcalf, WR23
Dvorchak double-dips with the Los Angeles Rams amid concerns regarding quarterback Matthew Stafford's back health, drafting running back Kyren Williams and No. 2 wide receiver Davante Adams consecutively. I roll the dice on Kansas City Chiefs' No. 1 wide receiver Rashee Rice, who suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 4 last year. Posterolateral corner damage was confirmed and LCL damage is thought to be involved. Reports on his rehab are positive at this time. Moments later, Daugherty cheekily follows up my pick by drafting fellow Chiefs speedster, wide receiver Xavier Worthy, who consistently toasted defenses late last season.
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Round 5
Jackson - Isiah Pacheco, RB18
Carter - George Pickens, WR24
Short - Terry McLaurin, WR25
Crawford - James Conner, RB19
Samulski - Chuba Hubbard, RB20
Shlain - Courtland Sutton, WR26
Lindberg - Tetairoa McMillan, WR27
Cooterdoodle - RJ Harvey, RB21
Daugherty - TreVeyon Henderson, RB22
Bodiford - Jaylen Waddle, WR28
Hartitz - DeVonta Smith, WR29
Dvorchak - Zay Flowers, WR30
Round 5 opens with a smattering of classic alpha wide receivers and closes with a trio of new-age route runners seeking to establish themselves as high-volume target earners. Samulski drafts Chuba Hubbard in Round 5. Hubbard played well as a touch-count dominator last year, tallying the 13th-most combined rushes and receptions (293) at the position after 2024 second-round rookie, running back Jonathon Brooks' season was derailed by an ACL re-tear. Hubbard notably ceded some third-down snaps to free agent-signee, running back Rico Dowdle, in the Panthers' first preseason game.
Round 6
Dvorchak - Chris Olave, WR31
Hartitz - Calvin Ridley, WR32
Bodiford - Jerry Jeudy, WR33
Daugherty - Travis Hunter, WR34
Cooterdoodle - David Montgomery, RB23
Lindberg - Tony Pollard, RB24
Shlain - Emeka Egbuka, WR35
Samulski - Sam LaPorta, TE4
Crawford - Patrick Mahomes, QB6
Short - Jakobi Meyers, WR36
Carter - Aaron Jones, RB25
Jackson - D'Andre Swift, RB26
Shlain drafts the first of his four high-profile rookies, bringing aboard Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka, who's drawn rave reviews all spring and summer. Keeping the rookie theme going, he later adds Green Bay Packers wide receiver Matthew Golden, Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Chicago Bears running back Kyle Monangai.
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Round 7
Jackson - Justin Fields, QB7
Carter - Stefon Diggs, WR37
Short - Brian Robinson, RB27
Crawford - T.J. Hockenson, TE5
Samulski - Rome Odunze, WR38
Shlain - Matthew Golden, WR39
Lindberg - Deebo Samuel, WR40
Cooterfoodle - Jordan Mason, RB28
Daugherty - Jordan Addison, WR41
Bodiford - Baker Mayfield, QB8
Hartitz- Joe Mixon, RB29
Dvorchak - Tyrone Tracy, RB30
Jackson stacks new Jets quarterback Justin Fields with his WR2 Garrett Wilson, securing enormous shares of the Jets' projectable offensive productivity. Fields is a candidate to lead both NFL quarterbacks and Jets skill position players in rushing yardage. Wilson is a candidate to lead the NFL in team target share.
Round 8
Dvorchak - Kaleb Johnson, RB31
Hartitz - Ricky Pearsall, WR42
Bodiford - Chris Godwin, WR43
Daugherty - Evan Engram, TE6
Cooterdoodle - Khalil Shakir, WR44
Lindberg - Josh Downs, WR45
Shlain - Travis Etienne, RB32
Samulski - Jayden Reed, WR46
Crawford- Cooper Kupp, WR47
Short - Travis Kelce, TE7
Carter - Jaylen Warren, RB33
Jackson - Mark Andrews, TE8
I continue chasing risk-reward wide receivers by adding backsliding wide receiver Chris Godwin to his Buccaneers stack despite concerns regarding Godwin's ankle health and former offensive coordinator Liam Coen now serving as the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach. What could go wrong?
Round 9
Jackson - Tyler Warren, TE9
Carter - J.K. Dobbins, RB34
Short - Michael Pittman, WR48
Crawford - Bo Nix, QB9
Samulski - Jauan Jennings, WR49
Shalin - Kyler Murray, QB10
Lindberg - David Njoku, TE10
Cooterdoodle - Jayden Higgins, WR50
Daugherty - Rashid Shaheed, WR51
Bodiford - Cam Skattebo, RB35
Hartitz - Keon Coleman, WR52
Dvorchak - Marvin Mims, WR53
Jackson drafts the veteran TE Mark Andrews and Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren consecutively, cleverly pairing a veteran TE1 with a high-upside, promising rookie via mid-round draft capital.
Round 10
Dvorchak - Luther Burden, WR54
Hartitz - Colston Loveland, TE11
Bodiford - Zach Charbonnet, RB36
Daugherty - Jaydon Blue, RB37
Cooterdoodle - Najee Harris, RB38
Lindberg- Rhamondre Stevenson, RB39
Shlain - Tucker Kraft, TE12
Samulski - Tyjae Spears, RB40
Crawford - Darnell Mooney, WR55
Short - Hollywood Brown, WR56
Carter - Brandon Aiyuk, WR57
Jackson - Rashod Bateman, WR58
Daugherty lands Cowboys rookie RB Jaydon Blue in Round 10. The speedy rookie is rehabbing a bone bruise in his heel and size-related concerns (5-foot-9, 196 pounds) could limit his weekly touch counts. His dual-threat profile is well-suited to Dallas' offense, though, and his explosive traits contrast starkly with those of has-been running back Javonte Williams and never-was running back Miles Sanders. Blue is the rare 10th-round running back who controls his own destiny.
2025 Fantasy Football Rankings: Running back (RB) tiers led by Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs
Christian McCaffrey looks to reclaim his place among the elite and rookie Ashton Jeanty is ready to make an impact.
Kyle Dvorchak
,
Round 11
Jackson - Javonte Williams, RB41
Carter - Bhayshul Tuten, RB42
Short- Tank Bigsby, RB43
Crawford - Christian Kirk, WR59
Samulski - Dylan Sampson, RB44
Shlain- Keenan Allen, WR60
Lindberg- Trey Benson, RB45
Cooterdoodle - Drake Maye, QB11
Daugherty - Joshua Palmer, WR61
Bodiford - Kyle Williams, WR62
Hartitz - Austin Ekeler, RB46
Dvorchak - Jake Ferguson, TE13
Cooterdoodle pairs third-round pick, Jayden Daniels, with ascending Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the 11th round; exceptional value for a player possessing top-five positional upside.
Round 12
Dvorchak - Dak Prescott, QB12
Hartitz - Ray Davis, RB47
Bodiford - Isaac Guerendo, RB48
Daugherty - Jerome Ford, RB49
Cooterdoodle - Dallas Goedert, TE14
Lindberg - Braelon Allen, RB50
Shlain - Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB51
Samulski - Cedric Tillman, WR63
Crawford - Kyle Pitts, TE15
Short- Woody Marks, RB52
Carter - Tyler Allgeier, RB53
Jackson - Wan'Dale Robinson, WR64
Lindberg drafts the Jets' No. 2 running back, Braelon Allen, making one last push to assert himself over Daugherty for the mock draft's running back corps crown. Bodiford hedges against Lindberg's Round 1 pick by drafting 49ers backup running back Isaac Guerendo.
Round 13
Jackson - DeMario Douglas, WR65
Carter - Cam Ward, QB13
Short - Tre' Harris, WR66
Crawford - Jaylen Wright, RB54
Samulski - Adam Thielen, WR67
Shlain - Kyle Monangai, RB55
Lindberg - Romeo Doubs, WR68
Cooterdoodle - Jalen McMillan, WR69
Daugherty - Brenton Strange, TE16
Bodiford - Rico Dowdle, RB56
Hartitz - Dalton Kincaid, TE17
Dvorchak - Brock Purdy, QB14
Carter foregoes stacking his talented wide receiver corps with available signal callers like Chargers QB Justin Herbert and Lions QB Jared Goff, instead drafting his one and only Tennessee Titan, quarterback Cam Ward, as his roster's lone quarterback.
Round 14
Dvorchak - Isaiah Likely, TE18
Hartitz - Will Shipley, RB57
Bodiford - Jalen Coker, WR70
Daugherty - Jordan Love, QB15
Cooterdoodle - Tory Horton, WR71
Lindberg - Dont'e Thornton, WR72
Shlain - Sean Tucker, RB58
Samulski - Nick Chubb, RB59
Crawford - Xavier Legette, WR73
Short - Jonnu Smith, TE19
Carter - DJ Giddens, RB60
Jackson - Anthony Richardson, QB16
Hartitz, Shlain and Carter round out their rosters with high-upside bench stash running backs capable of returning RB2 value if each NFL team's respective starter misses time.
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The Danny Ainge System: Which NBA lead execs have proven their mettle in free agency?
Congratulations on reaching Day 3 of The Danny Ainge System, where we rate every NBA executive's every decision, using baseball's Sabermetrics to determine a ranking of the league's best shot-callers. We have already determined our rankings of every executive based on their trade and draft histories. Today we are tackling every executive's history in free agency, categorizing each signing as a strikeout, walk, single, double, triple or home run. As we tally up each individual move, we can calculate an exec's rating (or OPS). The higher the OPS, the better the score. It will make more sense as we go. I promise. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] As was the case with trade and draft histories, there were several outliers in this portion of the System. None of them had made more than a handful of free-agent signings. They would have accounted for the three worst scores and a top-two score. It didn't feel right to include them, but we listed them here, as their limited production will still be included when we roll out the overall executive rankings on Friday. Joe Cronin, Portland Trail Blazers (2021-) Free agents: .000 OBP • .000 SLG • .000 OPS K: Gary Payton II (2022) Mike Dunleavy, Golden State Warriors (2023-) Free agents: .200 OBP • .200 SLG • .400 OPS 1B: Buddy Hield (2024) K: Cory Joseph (2023) • Dario Saric (2023) • De'Anthony Melton (2024) • Kyle Anderson (2024) Michael Winger, Washington Wizards (2023-) Free agents: .500 OBP • .000 SLG • .500 OPS BB: Jonas Valančiūnas (2024) K: Saddiq Bey (2024) Brian Wright, San Antonio Spurs (2019-) Free agents: .800 OBP • .667 SLG • 1.467 OPS 1B: Doug McDermott (2021) • Chris Paul (2024) BB: Bryn Forbes (2021) • Jock Landale (2021) K: Zach Collins (2021) That should give you a good feel for what you're looking at when it comes to The Danny Ainge System. It is a fun way to evaluate the recent history of the league and determine executive rankings in the process. We weeded out most inconsequential non-guaranteed contracts, including training camp invites, as well as most buyout signings, unless, of course, they hit, in which case the executive gets credit for the move. Another reminder: Newcomers Jeff Peterson (Charlotte Hornets), Trajan Langdon (Detroit Pistons), Ben Tenzer (Denver Nuggets), Onsi Saleh (Atlanta Hawks), Scott Perry (Sacramento Kings), Brian Gregory (Phoenix Suns) and Bobby Webster (Toronto Raptors) do not have sample sizes big enough to evaluate. And FYI: 2025 signings are not included, as we do not yet know their impact. OK, I think we're ready to dive into the free-agent history of every executive. Strap in for a wild ride ... 19. Jeff Weltman, Orlando Magic (2017-) Free agents: .250 OBP • .250 SLG • .500 OPS 1B: Khem Birch (2017) • Moritz Wagner (2021) • Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (2024) K: Shelvin Mack (2017) • Jonathon Simmons (2017) • Arron Afflalo (2017) • Marreese Speights (2017) • Al-Farouq Aminu (2019) • Michael Carter-Williams (2019) • Dwayne Bacon (2020) • Robin Lopez (2021) • Joe Ingles (2023) I'm not sure Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was a single. Weltman signed him to a three-year, $66 million deal, he underperformed, and he was traded inside of a year, though the Magic moved him as part of the trade for Desmond Bane, who could transform them into a more serious title contender. So we gifted Weltman a single. It's not great, though, when one of your other best signings is the brother of one of your players. 18. Nico Harrison, Dallas Mavericks (2021-) Free agents: .333 OBP • .375 SLG • .708 OPS 2B: Derrick Jones Jr. (2023) 1B: Reggie Bullock (2021) BB: Seth Curry (2023) K: Sterling Brown (2021) • Frank Ntilikina (2021) • JaVale McGee (2022) • Grant Williams (2023) • Naji Marshall (2024) • Spencer Dinwiddie (2024) Harrison hasn't been on the job long enough for a rich free-agent history, but signing Derrick Jones Jr. helped his team to an NBA Finals, and that warrants a double. Signing Grant Williams, on the other hand, cost the Mavericks a first-round pick to get him and another first-rounder to get rid of him. Not good. 17. Tim Connelly, Minnesota Timberwolves (2022-) Free agents: .400 OBP • .400 SLG • .800 OPS 1B: Randy Foye (2013) • Paul Millsap (2017) • Torrey Craig (2017) • Facu Campazzo (2020) • Jeff Green (2021) • Kyle Anderson (2022) K: J.J. Hickson (2013) • Nate Robinson (2013) • Isaiah Thomas (2018) • JaMychal Green (2020) • Austin Rivers (2022) • Bryn Forbes (2022) • Shake Milton (2023) • Troy Brown Jr. (2023) • Joe Ingles (2024) (Connelly served as general manager of the Denver Nuggets from 2013-22.) We should note: There is an inherent advantage to working out of a destination market. Pat Riley, for example, has an easier time recruiting players to Miami than, say, Zach Kleiman does getting guys to Memphis. Connelly has worked in both Denver and Minnesota, neither much of a destination market. Maybe Connelly deserved a double for signing Paul Millsap to a three-year, $90 million contract in 2017. Millsap had made four consecutive All-Star teams at the time. He never reached those heights in Denver, and by the time his tenure on the Nuggets was done, he was a bit part. I'm not sure he ever lived up to his end of that deal, so I gave him a single. We can argue these things all day, which is what makes it fun, but either way, Connelly has not had as much success in free agency as he has in the draft and trade markets. 16. Rob Pelinka, Los Angeles Lakers (2019-) Free agents: .387 OBP • .516 SLG • .903 OPS 3B: Austin Reaves (2021) 2B: Alex Caruso (2019) • Rajon Rondo (2019) 1B: Danny Green (2019) • Dwight Howard (2019) • Markieff Morris (2020) • Malik Monk (2021) • Lonnie Walker IV (2022) • Dennis Schroder (2022) • Thomas Bryant (2022) • Taurean Prince (2023) • Jordan Goodwin (2024) K: Avery Bradley (2019) • Quinn Cook (2019) • Jared Dudley (2019) • Wesley Matthews (2020) • Marc Gasol (2020) • Montrezl Harrell (2020) • Kendrick Nunn (2021) • Wayne Ellington (2021) • Carmelo Anthony (2021) • Rajon Rondo (2021) • Dwight Howard (2021) • Kent Bazemore (2021) • Damian Jones (2022) • Troy Brown Jr. (2022) • Juan Toscano-Anderson (2022) • Gabe Vincent (2023) • Christian Wood (2023) • Jaxson Hayes (2023) • Cam Reddish (2023) Remember: Pelinka should have an easier time recruiting players to L.A., but his best move was an undrafted free agent, Austin Reaves, who is bordering on stardom in Los Angeles. Pelinka has taken a ton of swings in his attempts to build around LeBron James, even constructing a championship rotation in 2020, but he does not get credit for landing James, whose signing fell under Magic Johnson's purview. 15. Joe Dumars, New Orleans Pelicans (2025-) Free agents: .484 OBP • .478 SLG • .962 OPS HR: Chauncey Billups (2002) 2B: Antonio McDyess (2004) 1B: Lindsey Hunter (2004) • Nazr Mohammed (2006) • Will Bynum (2008) • Charlie Villanueva (2009) • Chris Wilcox (2009) BB: Elden Campbell (2003) • Darvin Ham (2003) • Maurice Evans (2005) • Jarvis Hayes (2007) • Ben Wallace (2009) • Viacheslav Kravtsov (2012) • Gigi Datome (2013) • Chauncey Billups (2013) K: Joe Smith (2000) • Ratko Varda (2001) • Victor Alexander (2001) • Damon Jones (2001) • Pepe Sanchez (2002) • Danny Manning (2002) • Ronald Dupree (2004) • Dale Davis (2005) • Ronald Murray (2006) • Kwame Brown (2008) • Ben Gordon (2009) • Chucky Atkins (2009) • Tracy McGrady (2010) • Damien Wilkins (2011) • Josh Smith (2013) • Josh Harrellson (2013) Dumars signed Chauncey Billups, a Finals MVP for the 2004 champion Detroit Pistons, and he has been dining off it ever since. Good luck to him as he improbably tries to replicate that feat in New Orleans. 14. Danny Ainge, Boston (2003-21) • Utah Jazz (2021-) Free agents: .471 OBP • .517 SLG • .988 OPS HR: Al Horford (2016) 2B: James Posey (2007) 1B: Eddie House (2007) • P.J. Brown (2008) • Sam Cassell (2008) • Evan Turner (2014) • Gerald Green (2016) • Aron Baynes (2017) • Daniel Theis (2017) • Brad Wanamaker (2019) • Collin Sexton (2022) BB: Marquis Daniels (2009) • Shaquille O'Neal (2010) • Jason Collins (2012) • Leandro Barbosa (2012) • Patty Mills (2024) K: Tom Gugliotta (2004) • Brian Scalabrine (2005) • Rasheed Wallace (2009) • Jermaine O'Neal (2010) • Chris Wilcox (2011) • Jason Terry (2012) • Darko Miličić (2012) • Amir Johnson (2015) • Gordon Hayward (2017) • Kemba Walker (2019) • Enes Kanter (2019) • Vincent Poirier (2019) • Tristan Thompson (2020) • Jeff Teague (2020) • Omer Yurtseven (2023) • Johnny Juzang (2023) • Drew Eubanks (2024) • Svi Mykhailiuk (2024) (Ainge served as general manager of the Boston Celtics from 2003-21.) Prior to 2016, when Ainge persuaded Al Horford to join the Celtics, propelling them to perennial contention, Boston had never recruited a high-profile free agent. Rasheed Wallace, well past his prime, was as close as Ainge had come to a big-name signing, and he was one of many whiffs for a team that was built through the draft and trades. It isn't likely going to get any easier for Ainge in free agency in Utah. 13. Sam Presti, Oklahoma City Thunder (2007-) Free agents: .417 OBP • .583 SLG • 1.000 OPS 2B: Luguentz Dort (2019) • Isaiah Hartenstein (2024) 1B: Nenad Krstić (2008) • Mike Muscala (2019) • Kenrich Williams (2020) K: Daniel Orton (2012) • DeAndre Liggins (2012) • Anthony Morrow (2014) • Semaj Christon (2016) • Patrick Patterson (2017) • Raymond Felton (2017) • Nerlens Noel (2018) Another reminder that success in free agency does not dictate success in the NBA. Presti toiled in Seattle and Oklahoma City for years without a quality free-agent signing. It wasn't until he identified Lu Dort as an undrafted free agent that Presti found success, and then he overpaid to get Isaiah Hartenstein in the door last season. That paid off, as both Dort and Hartenstein were key members of this year's title team. 12. Koby Altman, Cleveland Cavaliers (2017-) Free agents: .462 OBP • .583 SLG • 1.045 OPS 2B: Lauri Markkanen (2021) • Ty Jerome (2023) 1B: Jeff Green (2017) • Dean Wade (2019) • Max Strus (2023) BB: Georges Niang (2023) K: Derrick Rose (2017) • Jose Calderon (2017) • Channing Frye (2018) • Ricky Rubio (2022) • Robin Lopez (2022) • Raul Neto (2022) • Tristan Thompson (2023) Registering an OPS higher than 1.000 is really hard in free agency, and Altman has done it in Cleveland, a destination free agents rarely prioritize. Still, Altman signed-and-traded for Lauri Markkanen, who begot Donovan Mitchell, and added Ty Jerome, who challenged for Sixth Man of the Year on a minimum deal. It is a bit of good work, as was signing Max Strus, whose arrival helped the Cavaliers to 64 wins last season. 11. Zach Kleiman, Memphis Grizzlies (2019-) Free agents (OBP: .500 • SLG: .625 • OPS: 1.125 2B: Tyus Jones (2019) 1B: John Konchar (2019) • Scotty Pippen Jr. (2023) • Jay Huff (2024) K: Marko Guduric (2019) • Jontay Porter (2020) • Bismack Biyombo (2023) • Derrick Rose (2023) It is almost impossible to operate as a free-agent merchant out of Memphis, but Kleiman has done well to identify undrafted free agents, adding John Konchar, Scotty Pippen Jr. and Jay Huff to a playoff team's rotation. Huff, in particular, fetched a pair of second-round picks for the Grizzlies in a trade this summer. 10. Jon Horst, Milwaukee Bucks (2017-) Free agents: .524 OBP • .632 SLG • 1.156 OPS 3B: Brook Lopez (2018) 2B: Bobby Portis (2020) 1B: Pat Connaughton (2018) • Wesley Matthews (2019) • Bryn Forbes (2020) • Jevon Carter (2022) • Malik Beasley (2023) • Taurean Prince (2024) • Gary Trent Jr. (2024) BB: Thanasis Antetokounmpo (2019) • Torrey Craig (2020) K: Ersan Ilyasova (2018) • Robin Lopez (2019) • Kyle Korver (2019) • D.J. Augustin (2020) • George Hill (2021) • Rodney Hood (2021) • Semi Ojeleye (2021) • Joe Ingles (2022) • Robin Lopez (2023) • Delon Wright (2024) Half of Milwaukee's 2021 championship rotation was signed by Horst, as Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis, Pat Connaughton and Bryn Forbes contributed. Thanasis Antetokounmpo was there, too, earning him a walk as well. Horst has done well to squeeze value from what has mostly been minimum-level signings. Horst's history does not include this year's signing of Myles Turner, as it is too early to determine his impact, but from an early vantage point, it may have been the most controversial free-agent signing of the summer. 9. Daryl Morey, Philadelphia 76ers (2020-) Free agents: .500 OBP • .658 SLG • 1.158 OPS 3B: Dwight Howard (2013) • Eric Gordon (2016) 2B: Trevor Ariza (2009) • Patrick Beverley (2012) • PJ Tucker (2017) 1B: Jeremy Lin (2012) • Omer Asik (2012) • Aaron Brooks (2012) • Omri Casspi (2013) • Josh Smith (2014) • Ryan Anderson (2016) • Nene (2016) • Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (2017) • Gerald Green (2017) • Danuel House (2018) • Austin Rivers (2018) • Andre Drummond (2021) • Kelly Oubre Jr. (2023) BB: Michael Carter-Williams (2018) • Georges Niang (2021) K: Steve Francis (2007) • Brent Barry (2008) • David Anderson (2009) • Brad Miller (2010) • Samuel Dalembert (2011) • Carlos Delfino (2012) • Tarik Black (2017) • James Ennis III (2018) • Tyson Chandler (2019) • Thabo Sefolosha (2019) • Dwight Howard (2020) • Danuel House (2022) • P.J. Tucker (2022) • Montrezl Harrell (2022) • Patrick Beverley (2023) • Mo Bamba (2023) • Paul George (2024) •.Caleb Martin (2024) • Andre Drummond (2024) • Eric Gordon (2024) (Morey served as general manager of the Houston Rockets from 2007-20.) Morey signed Dwight Howard, who helped his Rockets to the 2015 Western Conference finals, and Eric Gordon, who won a Sixth Man of the Year award in Houston. He has hit a few doubles and a ton of singles. This is a good score, especially for someone who has been on the job for so long, but Morey could use a hit in Philadelphia, where his history of free-agent signings (i.e., Paul George) is shaky at best. 8. Sean Marks, Brooklyn Nets (2016-) Free agents: .607 OBP • .560 SLG • 1.167 OPS HR: Kevin Durant (2019) 3B: Kyrie Irving (2019) 2B: Joe Harris (2016) 1B: Jeff Green (2020) • Patty Mills (2021) • Blake Griffin (2021) • T.J. Warren (2022) • Trendon Watford (2023) BB: Yuta Watanabe (2022) • Markieff Morris (2022) • Lonnie Walker IV (2023) K: Jeremy Lin (2016) • Trevor Booker (2016) • Justin Hamilton (2016) • Luis Scola (2016) • Greivis Vasquez (2016) • Randy Foye (2016) • Quincy Acy (2016) • Ed Davis (2018) • DeAndre Jordan (2019) • Garrett Temple (2019) • Dennis Smith Jr. (2023) Give credit to Marks, whose plan to create two max-salary free-agent slots worked, as he signed both Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving in the summer of 2019. While that did not yield a championship, it did forge a short-lived contender, one that might have made more noise in the playoffs had Irving been healthy. 7. Artūras Karnišovas, Chicago Bulls (2020-) Free agents: .625 OBP • .667 SLG • 1.292 OPS 2B: Alex Caruso (2021) 1B: Garrett Temple (2020) • Andre Drummond (2022) BB: Jevon Carter (2023) • Jalen Smith (2024) K: Lonzo Ball (2021) • Goran Dragic (2022) • Torrey Craig (2023) Hey, the Bulls aren't terrible at everything! Though they haven't hit for much power, and the one double they did have, Alex Caruso, immediately won a championship once they traded him for Josh Giddey, who remains unsigned in restricted free agency. At least there haven't been too many free-agent strikeouts. 6. Brad Stevens, Boston Celtics (2021-) Free agents: .727 OBP • .571 SLG • 1.298 OPS 1B: Sam Hauser (2021) • Luke Kornet (2021) • Oshae Brissett (2023) • Neemias Queta (2023) BB: Enes Kanter (2021) • Blake Griffin (2022) • Svi Mykhailiuk (2023) • Torrey Craig (2025) K: Dennis Schroder (2021) • Jabari Parker (2021) • Danilo Gallinari (2022) Not much power, but Stevens has a pretty consistent track record of identifying helpful players in free agency. Sam Hauser and Luke Kornet, in particular, played roles on Boston's 2024 championship roster. 5. Pat Riley, Miami Heat (1995-) Free agents: .524 OBP • .790 SLG • 1.314 HR: LeBron James (2010) • Chris Bosh (2010) • Jimmy Butler (2019) 3B: Udonis Haslem (2003) • Lamar Odom (2003) 2B: Ray Allen (2012) • Hassan Whiteside (2014) • Gabe Vincent (2020) • Max Strus (2020) • Caleb Martin (2021) 1B: P.J. Brown (1996) • Terry Porter (1998) • Rafer Alston (2003) • Gary Payton (2005) • Joel Anthony (2007) • Mike Miller (2010) • Shane Battier (2011) • Chris Andersen (2012) • Tyler Johnson (2014) • Rodney McGruder (2016) • Kelly Olynyk (2017) • Duncan Robinson (2018) • Kendrick Nunn (2019) • P.J. Tucker (2021) • Kyle Lowry (2021) • Haywood Highsmith (2022) • Kevin Love (2023) BB: Dan Majerle (1996) • Clarence Weatherspoon (1999) • James Jones (2008) • James Johnson (2016) • Wayne Ellington (2016) • Maurice Harkless (2020) K: Stacey King (1995) • Gary Grant (1996) • Ed Pinckney (1996) • Terry Mills (1997) • Blue Edwards (1998) • Otis Thorpe (1999) • A.C. Green (2000) • LaPhonso Ellis (2001) • Kendall Gill (2001) • Travis Best (2002) • Samaki Walker (2003) • Michael Doleac (2004) • Wesley Person (2004) • Smush Parker (2007) • Rashard Lewis (2012) • Greg Oden (2013) • Michael Beasley (2013) • Luol Deng (2014) • Josh McRoberts (2014) • Amare' Stoudemire (2015) • Gerald Green (2015) • Dion Waiters (2016) • Derrick Williams (2016) • Willie Reed (2016) • Jordan Mickey (2017) • Avery Bradley (2020) • Markieff Morris (2021) • Josh Richardson (2023) • Thomas Bryant (2023) • Alec Burks (2024) A stat sheet for the ages. Three home runs, including two in the same summer, LeBron James and Chris Bosh, who delivered back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013. They, along with Dwyane Wade, were the faces of the Heatles, who saw plenty of minimum-contracted free agents pass through Miami's door, some of whom hit and many of whom swung and missed. Such is the life of Riley, a longtime executive. It is a wonder how Riley landed Jimmy Butler with no salary cap space to speak of. It was the type of thing that could only happen in Miami and required Morey's approval of a sign-and-trade. All it cost the Heat was Josh Richardson, and it produced a pair of NBA Finals appearances. A home run and a half. Now, Miami is waiting on its next chance for a big swing in free agency, except the biggest-name players are rarely becoming available, as they chase the guaranteed money from exorbitant extensions. That has made it all the more difficult for front-office shot-callers to hit for extra bases in this portion of their job. 4. Rafael Stone, Houston Rockets (2020-) Free agents: .625 OBP • .714 SLG • 1.339 OPS 2B: Fred VanVleet (2023) 1B: Jae'Sean Tate (2020) • Dillon Brooks (2023) • Aaron Holiday (2023) BB: Jeff Green (2023) K: Christian Wood (2020) • Daniel Theis (2021) • Jock Landale (2023) Stone has not been on the job long, so he has not had too many opportunities to strike out. He has, however, made the most of his limited chances, signing Fred VanVleet, who helped legitimize Houston as a playoff team. Stone also scored Dillon Brooks, a signing most everyone took issue with, only for him to become an asset worthy of trading in a deal for Kevin Durant. With Aaron Holiday and Jeff Green also in the fold this season, Durant, VanVleet and the Rockets are among the league's leading title contenders. 3. Lawrence Frank, Los Angeles Clippers (2017-) Free agents: .600 OBP • .786 SLG • 1.386 OPS 3B: Kawhi Leonard (2019) 2B: Reggie Jackson (2020) 1B: Nicolas Batum (2020) • Isaiah Hartenstein (2021) • Russell Westbrook (2023) • Derrick Jones Jr. (2024) • Kris Dunn (2024) • Nicolas Batum (2024) BB: Patrick Patterson (2019) K: Mike Scott (2018) • Luc Richard Mbah a Moute (2018) • Rodney McGruder (2019) • Serge Ibaka (2020) • Justise Winslow (2021) • John Wall (2022) We could argue all day whether Kawhi Leonard is a home run. His health has been a consistent impediment to superstardom, but his signing did help alter our perception of the Clippers as a free-agent destination. They are in L.A., after all, and that helped Frank recruit three players last summer — Derrick Jones Jr., Kris Dunn and Nicolas Batum — who each contributed to a 50-win team this past season. 2. Kevin Pritchard, Indiana Pacers (2017-) Free agents: .600 OBP • .800 SLG • 1.400 OPS 2B: Andre Miller (2009) • Bojan Bogdanovic (2017) • T.J. McConnell (2019) 1B: Steve Blake (2007) • Darren Collison (2017) • Doug McDermott (2018) • Malcolm Brogdon (2019) • Jeremy Lamb (2019) • Justin Holiday (2019) K: Tyreke Evans (2018) • Kyle O'Quinn (2018) • Kelan Martin (2020) • Torrey Craig (2021) • Bruce Brown (2023) • James Wiseman (2024) (Pritchard served as general manager of the Portland Trail Blazers from 2007-10.) Indiana is far from a free-agent destination. Same went for Portland, for that matter. But Pritchard just goes to show you, as long as you make contact, you can post a pretty good track record in this market, even if you never connect for a triple or a home run. Pritchard hasn't taken a ton of swings, but he picks his spots and rakes for the most part. T.J. McConnell is his latest example of a good cut at a low salary. 1. Leon Rose, New York Knicks (2020-) Free agents: .600 OBP • 1.111 SLG • 1.711 OPS HR: Jalen Brunson (2022) 2B: Isaiah Hartenstein (2022) • Donte DiVincenzo (2023) 1B: Alec Burks (2020) • Cameron Payne (2024) BB: Austin Rivers (2020) K: Nerlens Noel (2020) • Evan Fournier (2021) • Kemba Walker (2021) • Landry Shamet (2024) When the Knicks signed Jalen Brunson to a four-year, $104 million contract in the summer of 2022, a lot of folks figured it for an overpay. As it turns out, it was a wild underpay, as Brunson has changed what we thought possible for New York. They are, as a result of his signing, serious championship contenders.
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Snake Bytes 8/14
Team News Kelly outlasts Gallen but D-backs win in former locker mate duel Ketel Marte's ninth inning home run sorcery is not a flukehttps:// Marte leads D-backs to another unbelievable end with 9th-inning homer'There's a reason why he was top three in [MVP voting last year]. What you saw today is him in a nutshell,' Kelly said. 'He gets good pitches, he gets bad pitches. He can work the count, he can work the at-bat and punch a single on the left or hurt you with a big time moment from either side of the plate. Obviously, he proved that last two nights. He's kind of the guy that you circle in that lineup and don't want to beat you for that reason. Unfortunately we let him beat us last two days.' Ketel Marte's 2-out, 9th-inning blast rescues Arizona Diamondbacks in Texashttps:// Diamondbacks React to Electric Ninth-Inning Comeback'Obviously, [I feel] great, but… first of all, thank God for the opportunity to and the work that [I'm] putting up behind the scenes to execute this,' Marte D-backs Have Chance to Swing Momentum in Rapid Rematchhttps:// View Link Other Baseball How the Trade Deadline could impact Hot Stove seasonhttps:// Magic?' Or just good baseball as Crew wins 12th straight'Just because he bled Brewers baseball,' Vitucci said. 'For this to be happening the year after he passes, it's just karma, if you believe in that sort of thing. This has to be the year that it would happen, right?' Horton K's 8 while allowing 1 hit as stellar rookie year continues'This is the hardest team to strike out in baseball, and what he did to a very good lineup is just a continuation of what we've seen this past month,' Counsell said postgame. 'He was awesome. We've had some superlatives with him each start, and this was maybe the best one.' Padres alone atop NL West as showdown looms in LAHow, exactly, did the Padres overturn that deficit — gaining 10 games of ground on the reigning champs in the span of six weeks? Well, it helps that the Dodgers are 12-21 in that span. But the Padres are taking full advantage of those struggles. 'We know how special a group we had over here, especially after the Deadline,' said right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. 'Our GM went all out. … We're going out there confident every single day, playing good baseball, clean baseball. That's what we're capable of.' Kelly's quality start squandered as Rangers lose in 9th inninghttps:// Holliday delivers O's long-awaited first walk-off win of seasonhttps:// Goldschmidt nursing knee sprain, to be evaluated ahead of St. Louis set'I kind of over-ran it and dove back, and hit my knee on the ground,' Goldschmidt said. 'I felt that it was sore [Tuesday], but obviously I was able to play through it. As I was going back to my position, I was like, 'That kind of hurt.' Stuff like that happens.' Ranking every MLB farm system, 1-3016. 2025 preseason rank: 222024 midseason rank: 212024 preseason rank: 162023 midseason rank: 12 Top 100 Prospects: Jordan Lawlar, SS (No. 23); Ryan Waldschmidt, OF (No. 69) What Arizona lacks in top-top talent – Lawlar's piling up injuries have taken some of the bloom off his rose – it's made up for in depth at this year's Draft and Trade Deadline. The D-backs got particularly stronger on the mound with Kohl Drake (No. 8), Patrick Forbes (No. 10), Mitch Bratt (No. 11), David Hagaman (No. 17), Dean Livingston (No. 18), Brian Curley (No. 19) and Ashton Izzi (No. 20) all joining the Top 20 via the Draft or a deal in recent weeks. Shortstop Kayson Cunningham, this year's 18th overall pick, could be a future Top 100 prospect if his left-handed bat and plus run tool translate to the pros as well as expected. Anything Goes This day in history: day in baseball: Starfishes do not have blood. If you were to cut one of its legs, blood will not spill out. Instead, they simply regrow their lost limbs as if nothing happened. Starfishes get their nutrients by using the seawater found in their vascular systems. Sleeping on your front can help with digestion. Sleeping in a 'freefall' position has been linked to lessening heartburn. Iceland has the world's oldest parliament in history. Called the Althing, it was established in 930 and has stayed as the acting parliament of Iceland since then View Link
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Rashee Rice's NFL disciplinary hearing reportedly scheduled for Sept. 30, making him eligible for Chiefs' first 4 games
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will reportedly have his disciplinary hearing with the NFL on Sept. 30, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter, meaning he will likely be eligible for their first four games of the season. The Chiefs begin the season against the San Diego Chargers in Brazil on Sept. 5, then face the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, and Baltimore Ravens — a game that will take place two days before Rice's NFL hearing. [Join or create a Yahoo Fantasy Football league for the 2025 NFL season] Rice's status has been up in the air due to his involvement in a multi-vehicle crash in Dallas in March 2024. The news comes following word of Rice's sentencing to 30 days in jail and five years' probation for his part in the crash. At the time of the incident, Rice's lawyer confirmed that his client was driving a Lamborghini that was racing a Corvette involved in an accident with three other vehicles on a highway in northeast Dallas. He was driving 119 mph just before the crash occurred, according to a police report. The drivers of the Lamborghini and Corvette fled the scene without providing any information or checking if anyone involved in the crash required medical attention. At least four people were injured in the crash. Rice turned himself in to the police nine days after the incident. He faced eight charges for his role in the crash, including six counts of collision causing bodily injury, one count of collision causing serious bodily injury and one count of aggravated assault. Two people involved in the accident sued Rice and Teddy Knox, who allegedly drove the Corvette, for $1 million in negligence and punitive damages — a lawsuit that was settled in favor of the plaintiffs, Dallas County court records indicate. The lawsuit claimed that numerous injuries from the crash, including 'trauma to the brain, lacerations to the face requiring stitches, multiple contusions about the body, disfigurement, internal bleeding, and other internal and external injuries that may only be fully revealed over the course of medical treatment.' Rice was also suspected of assaulting a photographer in May, but the alleged victim dropped the charges and incurred no punishment from the league. The looming suspension was very likely a factor in Kansas City drafting Texas receiver Xavier Worthy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Chiefs traded up from the No. 32 selection in the first round to No. 28 to select the speedster. This story will be updated.
