Latest news with #JonathanTaylor
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Analyst projects that Colts Jonathan Taylor gets another big payday down the road
Indianapolis Colts' running back Jonathan Taylor still has two years left on his current contract, but could be in store for another big payday when he hits free agency in 2027. Anthony Holzman-Escareno of put together his 'All-Paid Team of Tomorrow,' and at the top of the running back position group was Taylor. Holzman-Escareno projects that Taylor could earn $21 million per year on his next deal. Advertisement "With the cupboard bare of running backs who are poised to legitimately challenge Saquon Barkley for the All-Paid crown, Taylor is shunted to the top of the list," wrote Holzman-Escareno. Taylor signed a three-year, $42 million extension with the Colts back in 2023. At that time, he was still just 24 years old, and when he's set to be a free agent again, he will still only be 28 years old at that time. Currently, Taylor is averaging $14 million per year, which heading into the 2025 season, is the fourth-highest mark in the NFL. Taylor appeared in just 18 total games between the 2022 and 2023 seasons, but stayed relatively healthy in 2024--missing only three games--and he was highly productive once again. On the year, Taylor rushed for 1,431 yards, which was the fourth-most in football, and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Jonathan Taylor projected to get another big deal down the road
Cision Canada
23-05-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Sucro Announces First Quarter 2025 Results
CORAL GABLES, Fla., May 23, 2025 /CNW/ - Sucro Limited (TSXV: SUGR) (OTCQB: SUGRF) ("Sucro" or the "Company"), an integrated sugar refiner focused primarily on serving North American sugar markets, today announced financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2025. All amounts are in United States dollars ("U.S. $" or "$") unless otherwise noted. Financial Highlights Revenue of $155.2 million on sugar deliveries of 176,319 metric tons Net income of $12.0 million for the quarter Adjusted gross profit 1 of $13.8 million and adjusted gross profit margin 1 of 8.9% EBITDA 1 of $22.9 million and Adjusted EBITDA 1 of $9.9 million Adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered 1 of $78.18 Q1 Highlights Three Months Ended Mar 31 In 000s of U.S. $ except per share and volume metrics. 2025 2024 Change Sugar Deliveries (Metric Tons) 176,319 182,865 -3.6 % Revenue $155,247 $184,771 -16.0 % Gross profit 27,070 37,303 -27.4 % Adjusted gross profit 1 13,785 16,175 -14.8 % Adjusted gross profit margin 1 8.9 % 8.8 % EBITDA 1 22,862 31,489 -27.4 % Adjusted EBITDA 1 9,897 10,914 -9.3 % Adjusted EBITDA Margin 1 14.73 % 17.04 % Net Income (Loss) 12,007 19,739 -39.2 % Per share (basic) 1.10 2.88 -61.9 % Per share (diluted) 0.50 0.83 -39.4 % Adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered 1,2 78.18 88.45 -11.6 % Free cash flow 1 1,222 5,004 Refineries Results: Refineries Volume (Metric Tons) 48,202 46,754 3.1 % Adjusted gross profit 1 $8,158 $6,741 21.0 % Adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered 1 169.25 144.18 17.4 % 1. Please refer to "Non IFRS and other Financial Measures" below for further details. 2. Net of cash settlements. "Our results in the first quarter of 2025 reflect the strength of our integrated supply chain model and the continued execution of our growth strategy," said Jonathan Taylor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sucro. "We are seeing sustained momentum in our core markets, alongside disciplined cost management and a focus on margin-enhancing business." Results from Operations – Three Months Ended March 31, 2025 Revenue for the quarter was $155.2 million compared to revenue of $184.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, a decrease of 16.0%. Sugar deliveries of 176,319 metric tons were 3.6% lower than deliveries in the same period of 2024. Adjusted gross profit was $13.8 million, 14.8% lower than the same period a year ago of $16.2 million. Adjusted gross profit margin for 2025 of 8.9% was slightly higher than the 8.8% achieved in 2024. Adjusted gross profit per metric ton delivered was $78.18 and 11.6% lower than 2024 of $88.45. While overall volumes have remained consistent with those of the previous year, we have seen some shifts in their composition, including a decrease in deliveries into Mexico (where the market has normalized after a period of high market prices driven by a disappointing cane crop caused by adverse weather conditions) that has been compensated for with increased U.S. deliveries. The decrease in Adjusted Gross Profit was driven by lower margins from the deliveries of refined sugar out of our Lackawanna refinery. This margin compression resulted from the utilization of raw sugar inputs that were purchased to fulfill production forecasts for fiscal year 2024, when U.S. sugar prices were generally higher than those of today. Net income for the first quarter was $12.0 million compared to net income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 of $19.7 million, a decrease of 39.2%. EBITDA was $22.9 million, compared to EBITDA of $31.5 million in the corresponding 2024 period, a decrease of 27.4%. Adjusted EBITDA was $9.9 million compared to adjusted EBITDA for the 2024 period of $10.9 million, These decreases were driven primarily by lower unrealized mark-to-market gains on physical sugar contracts and lower Adjusted Gross Profit. Sucro continues to advance construction on its Hamilton, Ontario and University Park, Illinois cane sugar refineries, expected to be operational in late 2025 and early 2026, respectively. These strategic assets are designed to increase production capacity and improve supply responsiveness in key North American markets. The Company remains focused on optimizing its refining operations, managing supply chain costs, and expanding commercial relationships with major food and beverage customers. Management continues to monitor global trade developments, including tariff and cross-border policy changes between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Q1 2025 Investor Call The Company will host a conference call on Friday, November 22, 2024, at 12:00 noon Eastern time during which Jonathan Taylor, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Stefano D'Aniello, Chief Financial Officer, will discuss Sucro's financial performance for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025. About Sucro Sucro is a growth-oriented sugar company that operates throughout the Americas, with a primary focus on serving the North American sugar market. The Company operates a highly integrated and interconnected sugar supply business, utilizing the entire sugar supply chain to service its customers. Sucro's integrated supply chain includes sourcing raw and refined sugar from countries throughout Latin America, and refined sugar from its own refineries, and delivering to customers in North America and the Caribbean. Since its inception in 2014, Sucro has achieved growth by creating value for customers through continuous process innovation and supply chain re-engineering. Sucro has established a broad production, sales, and sourcing network throughout North America with two cane sugar refineries and an additional value-added processing facility, and two sugar cane refineries under development in Hamilton, Ontario and University Park, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). The Company has offices in Miami, Mexico City, Cali, Sao Paulo, and Port of Spain. For more information, visit and follow us on LinkedIn. Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures In this Press Release, reference is made to the following non-IFRS measures: "EBITDA", "EBITDA Margin", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA Margin", "Adjusted Gross Profit", "Adjusted Gross Profit Margin", "Adjusted Gross Profit Per Metric Ton Delivered", and "Free Cash Flow". Such non-IFRS financial measures are not standardized financial measures under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. For details on the composition and a reconciliation between such non-IFRS measures and the most directly comparable financial measure in our financial statements, please refer to the "Non-IFRS and Financial Measures (Key Performance Indicators)" section in our MD&A dated May 22, 2025 and filed on SEDAR+ at which is specifically incorporated by reference herein.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Jim Irsay said the NFL would keep rolling after he died, so what's next for Colts?
The end came suddenly, even if we couldn't help but notice the subtle signs that something had changed. This past year, Jim Irsay wasn't the same Jim Irsay anymore. The last time the eccentric Indianapolis Colts owner spoke to the local media about the state of his team was in July 2024. As had become a yearly routine, Irsay arrived at Colts training camp in a suit and sunglasses, oozing with reckless optimism, as he addressed reporters from his golf cart. Advertisement 'That is our goal, to win the division,' Irsay said at the time. 'I really think, to me, it's the best team we've fielded in a while.' But missing from Irsay's annual speech was that signature relentless thrum of positive energy. Each new season seemed to reinvigorate him, but he couldn't quite access the same spirit. Not because he doubted his team, but because he physically couldn't. His voice didn't rise to the amplified volumes it used to under the hot training camp sun. During that interview, Irsay said that he was still recovering from left leg surgery and promised he'd be back to his old boisterous self in the future. In the months after, however, he was largely absent from the public eye, perhaps foreshadowing what was to come. Irsay died Wednesday at the age of 65. But as he once put it, the NFL must continue without him. 'If I die tonight, and Jonathan Taylor is out of the league, no one's gonna miss us,' Irsay said in July 2023 when he was embroiled in a contract dispute with his star running back. 'The league goes on. We know that. The National Football (League) rolls on. It doesn't matter who comes and who goes.' Irsay was right, of course. So, as the NFL world mourns his loss, it's fair to start thinking about the future and the next chapter for an Indianapolis Colts franchise poised to enter a new era. Where else is there to start but at the top? As part of the succession plan, Irsay's three daughters — Carlie Irsay-Gordon, Casey Foyt and Kalen Jackson — are expected to take control of the franchise as co-owners, titles they've held since 2012. But Irsay-Gordon, the oldest of Irsay's children at 44, will presumably shoulder most of the football-related responsibilities. How exactly she plans to lead the franchise remains to be seen, though she has some experience. Advertisement Irsay-Gordon stepped in as the Colts' shot caller after her father, who was open about his struggles with drug and alcohol addiction, was arrested for driving while intoxicated in March 2014. Her first opportunity to take the reins came when Irsay spent time in a rehab facility and then again when the NFL suspended him six games later that year for his misconduct. Over the past several years, Irsay-Gordon has been present in the Colts' war room on draft weekends; on game days, she's been seen on the sideline wearing a headset, and she was heavily involved in the team's coaching search in 2023 that ended with the hiring of Shane Steichen. Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who'll enter his ninth season with the franchise, holds her in high regard. 'She will ask 500 questions about why, and a lot of times, it'll halfway piss me off, but I'll go, and I'll (start) thinking, 'She's right,'' Ballard said of Irsay-Gordon in February 2019, per IndyStar. 'She asks the question from a different perspective and makes you think about why you do what you're doing.' Pete Ward, Irsay's longtime right-hand man and the team's chief operating officer, will remain in place, overseeing the non-football side of the building. A big question lingering now that Irsay is gone, though, is how involved Irsay-Gordon will be in the football operations. It's no secret that when her father was healthy, he exerted his influence regarding the team's players and coaches. Part of Irsay's legend includes his determination to pick Peyton Manning over Ryan Leaf in 1998 and his decision to hire coach Tony Dungy in 2002. Just in the past half-decade alone, you can see Irsay's fingerprints on the team. He was the one who urged Ballard to aggressively trade up to draft running back Jonathan Taylor — a player Ballard coveted — in the second round in 2020. Irsay was the one driving the Colts' push to re-sign wide receiver T.Y. Hilton in 2021. Irsay was the one who demanded the Colts part with quarterback Carson Wentz after a vexing 2021 season, that they bench former league MVP Matt Ryan in favor of third-string QB Sam Ehlinger in 2022, that they fire coach Frank Reich and hire former Colts center-turned-EPSN-analyst Jeff Saturday — even though he had no prior coaching experience at the college or pro levels — as the team's interim coach and that they draft Anthony Richardson at No. 4 in 2023. Advertisement Irsay was also the public face of the, at times, contentious contract negotiations with Taylor ahead of the 2023 season. Those are just some of the instances we know about. And just about every time the Colts made a move, regardless of what anyone else thought, he'd share his thoughts publicly, sometimes calling reporters himself to vent on the record. He called my former colleague, Bob Kravitz, after hiring Saturday to dispute suggestions that the Colts were tanking. 'That's bulls—. … We don't tank in Indianapolis,' he told Kravitz. That was Jim Irsay. Will that be Carlie Irsay-Gordon, too? Irsay's latest and last public message regarding the team, following a frustrating 8-9 finish in 2024, was a letter to the fans in January that declared that coach Shane Steichen and Ballard would be back for another season. Irsay was always fond of Ballard in particular, even comparing his GM to Michael Jordan amid a disastrous 2022 campaign and despite his underwhelming resume. Through his first eight seasons, Ballard has just two playoff appearances, one playoff victory and zero AFC South titles. Most owners would've moved on after nearly a decade of mediocrity, and it'll be interesting to see if Irsay-Gordon shares the same affinity for Ballard as her father. Irsay's death comes at a time when the franchise is undoubtedly at a crossroads. Indianapolis is a long way from the perennial juggernaut it was when Manning was running the show. Many believe the Colts don't have a franchise QB on the roster, as the team is preparing to enter a 2025 season that will largely hinge on the performance of Richardson or Giants castoff Daniel Jones. Both quarterbacks, who are currently in a position battle, are coming off abysmal 2024 campaigns. Last year, Richardson threw eight TDs against 12 interceptions and finished the season with a league-low 44.7 completion percentage. Jones, meanwhile, threw eight touchdowns against seven picks before being benched and released. The Colts signed Jones in free agency to challenge Richardson for the starting job, but will one really make a difference over the other? Advertisement Indianapolis hasn't made the playoffs since 2020, a drought that bothered Irsay, who was eminently proud of the Lombardi Trophy his team claimed after the 2006 season. He agonized over the Colts' Super Bowl loss in the 2009 campaign and annually talked about reclaiming the throne. Serendipitously, Irsay's final post on X was a congratulatory message to the Pacers as they geared up for the Eastern Conference Finals. Hours later, they rallied for a dramatic Game 1 victory over the Knicks. Indiana is now three wins away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time since 2000, three years removed from going 25-57 and landing the No. 6 pick in the draft. Irsay never lost hope that the Colts could experience a similar turnaround. 'Let's find a way back to our greatness,' Irsay told his players in the locker room after the 2024 regular-season finale. 'That's what my goal is.' Now, that goal belongs to Irsay-Gordon, her sisters and the rest of the organization. Can they help restore the Colts' former glory? (Top photo of Carlie Irsay-Gordon: Tommy Gilligan / Imagn Images)
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Indianapolis Colts 2025 win total futures, over/under and odds
Indianapolis Colts 2025 win total futures, over/under and odds The Indianapolis Colts have an over/under for wins this year of 7.5, not necessarily good enough to make the postseason. Colts: Win total odds & over/under NFL odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 5:15 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Win total over/under: 7.5 7.5 Over 7.5 wins payout: -110 -110 Under 7.5 wins payout: -110 Colts 2025 schedule Get Colts tickets at StubHub! Colts 2024 splits The Colts' 8-9 record last season was not good enough to make the playoffs. Indianapolis won five of the seven games it was favored on the moneyline last season (71.4%). Last season, the Colts were the underdog 10 times and won three of those games. Last season Indy was 5-3 at home and 3-6 on the road. In one-possession games, the Colts were 8-5. And they were 5-3 in games decided by three points or fewer. Colts 2024 player stats Jonathan Taylor rushed for 1,431 yards (102.2 per game) and 11 touchdowns in 14 games last year. In the passing game, Taylor scored one touchdown, with 18 catches for 136 yards. Anthony Richardson threw for 1,814 yards (164.9 per game), completing 47.7% of his throws, with eight touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 11 games. On the ground, Richardson scored six touchdowns and accumulated 499 yards. In 10 games for the Giants a season ago, Daniel Jones passed for 2,070 yards (207.0 per game), with eight touchdowns and seven interceptions, and a completion percentage of 63.3%. Alec Pierce had 37 catches for 824 yards (51.5 per game) and seven touchdowns in 16 games. Get Colts tickets at StubHub!
New York Times
21-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Jacksonville leads the top 12 potential backfield shakeups ahead of fantasy football 2025
We've digested and analyzed the NFL Draft picks, depth charts and more. Now, as we await the fantasy football draft season, savvy managers will get ahead of the competition and ponder what could happen in 2025, especially at running back — a position that's possibly more important than any other for fantasy football. Every year, new running backs emerge as team leaders with fantasy value, and there are often ways to predict who they will be. I'm breaking down every backfield and indicating who will be featured. Of course, some backfields are established, but in others, change is inevitable (the previous lead back is gone), so I'll go through those quickly and then rank the Top 12 in-flux backfields. ► Atlanta Falcons: Bijan Robinson — Top 5 running back. Rinse and repeat. ► Baltimore Ravens: Derrick Henry — Unless Henry gets hurt, there's no chance for change, and I never bet on this freak of nature missing time. ► Buffalo Bills: James Cook — Ray Davis is a talented backup, but he's not a significant threat to unseat Cook. Advertisement ► Detroit Lions: Jahmyr Gibbs — The No. 1 RB last year (second in FPPG), anything less than a Top 5 finish would be a massive disappointment. ► Green Bay Packers: Josh Jacobs — Jacobs is the Packers' bell cow. ► Indianapolis Colts: Jonathan Taylor — Injury has been the only thing stopping Taylor, no matter who is at quarterback. ► Miami Dolphins: De'Von Achane — Achane was RB7 during a 'disappointing' season. ► New Orleans Saints: Alvin Kamara — Devin Neal is an intriguing pick, and Kendre Miller could be more involved, but the only thing less likely than Kamara losing the top spot is the Saints winning six games. ► New York Jets: Breece Hall — Even though this backfield has several options and QB Justin Fields, who will run, Hall will be the top Jets running back. ► Philadelphia Eagles: Saquon Barkley — Next! ► Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Bucky Irving — Irving supplanted Rachaad White as the lead, and he won't be giving the role back. ► Washington Commanders: Brian Robinson — The Commanders only added Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round, and while he and Austin Ekeler will share with Robinson, neither will finish first without an injury clearing their way. ► Cleveland Browns: Jerome Ford — Ford did an admirable job filling in, but the Browns obviously wanted more and drafted Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson. ► Dallas Cowboys: Rico Dowdle — Dowdle is now with the Panthers, and the Cowboys will see if Javonte Williams can return to pre-injury form or if Jaydon Blue can lead, with Miles Sanders or Phil Mafah mixed in. ► Denver Broncos: Javonte Williams — As mentioned, he's in Dallas now, opening up a clear path for RJ Harvey to compete with Audric Estime and Jaleel McLaughlin for the lead role. ► Kansas City Chiefs: Kareem Hunt — Isiah Pacheco didn't look great after his return, but if he can bounce back, the lead is his. Otherwise, Hunt still has competition from Elijah Mitchell and Brashard Smith. Advertisement ► Los Angeles Chargers: J.K. Dobbins — As of today, he's still unsigned, and the backfield is a two-headed monster with Omarion Hampton and Najee Harris. ► Las Vegas Raiders: Alexander Mattison — Ashton Jeanty is in town. Enough said. ► Pittsburgh Steelers: Najee Harris — Harris is now with the Chargers, and the Steelers have Kaleb Johnson to team up with Jaylen Warren. ► San Francisco 49ers: Jordan Mason — Mason signed with the Vikings, and as long as Christian McCaffrey plays even 10 games, CMC will be the top scorer. 1. Jacksonville Jaguars: Tank Bigsby — Bigsby performed better than Travis Etienne last season, but even so, Bigsby was just RB32 (RB38 in FPPG) on 175 touches. Bigsby wasn't going to command much passing game work, Liam Coen is the new head coach, and the Jaguars doubled down in the draft with Bhayshul Tuten (Round 4) and LeQuint Allen (Round 7). Tuten is not a one-for-one comparison to Bucky Irving, but there are plenty of similarities, including receiving ability. Even if Bigsby holds off Etienne, the aforementioned lack of passing game upside opens the door to an immediate split of touches and inevitable change to Tuten as the top Jaguars running back, assuming Coen doesn't get frustrated with the fumbles (more on fumbles later). 2. New England Patriots: Rhamondre Stevenson — It started with Stevenson's disappointing season, grew with the offseason rumors and crescendoed with the drafting of TreVeyon Henderson. Stevenson had the chance to take over in New England, only to falter in more ways than one. Henderson is lightning in a bottle, uncorked and strapped to a rocket. It's unlikely Henderson is a bell cow, even with Mike Vrabel at the helm, but he should lead the backfield touches. Even 200 would put Henderson clearly ahead of Stevenson and Antonio Gibson, especially in per-touch production. Advertisement 3. New York Giants: Tyrone Tracy — Don't let your excitement of late-round/waiver-wire value cloud the truth of who Tracy is for a backfield — an explosive complementary piece. Cam Skattebo is a lead back. He's also dangerous in the passing game. While Tracy was quite good in his opportunity as the lead, Skattebo is primed to be the top Giants running back. And let's talk about ball security, since many like to knock Skattebo for that. It's a bit tough given his 2022 Sacramento State season, but the numbers have him for 9-10 fumbles over his past three seasons. Well, let's talk touch volume. Skattebo also had 752 touches in that span, giving him a 1.2-1.3% fumble rate. That's a palatable number. For comparison, over the past three seasons, Aaron Jones is 1.6%, Jonathan Taylor 1.1% and Brian Robinson 1.3% … oh, and Tracy is at 2.2%. So before you toss aside Skattebo's ability, particularly his bell-cow upside, because of fumbles, you need to put it into context and see that the Giants' job is his for the taking. 4. Seattle Seahawks: Zach Charbonnet — Kenneth Walker's injuries and 2024 play opened the door for Charbonnet to take the lead. This backfield ultimately favoring Charbonnet is quite possible, especially with Klint Kubiak now the offensive coordinator. Nevertheless, Walker has been the lead when healthy, so there is still a decent chance he's the more valuable Seahawks back. 5. Los Angeles Rams: Kyren Williams — Death. Taxes. The Rams draft running backs. McVay/Snead/Rams have drafted an RB every year since 2018 2018 – John Kelly, R6 2019 – Darrell Henderson, R3 2020 – Cam Akers, R2 2021 – Jake Funk, R7 2022 – Kyren Williams, R5 2023 – Zach Evans, R6 2024 – Blake Corum, R3 2025 – Jarquez Hunter, R4 — Jake Ciely (@allinkid) May 20, 2025 So, you could argue that Williams' role is in jeopardy or that Les Snead and Sean McVay are doing what they always do. The 'Williams is a risk' camp will point to Williams' inefficiency, ranking 35th of 37 running backs with 150+ touches in yards per touch (4.2). Only Kareem Hunt (4.1) and Rhamondre Stevenson (4.0) were lower, and we covered Stevenson losing his gig already. Williams wasn't great in yards per carry either (4.1, which was 28th), but he was in line with Joe Mixon and just 0.1 behind Breece Hall and Alvin Kamara. The truth is Williams is much like Mixon — reliant on volume for Top 10 value — but that doesn't mean Hunter or Corum is taking his job without advertising an upgrade in performance. Corum averaged just 4.1 YPT and 3.6 YPC last year, and Hunter is a lot like Michael Carter or Chase Edmonds. If Williams falters early, McVay could pull the plug, as he has done before with Cam Akers and Darrell Henderson, but I don't believe Williams is at risk from Day 1. If anything, how McVay treats his lead running back merely points to Corum and/or Hunter being great bench stashes if Williams gets hurt or loses his grasp on the lead role because of prolonged (multiple games) struggles. 6. Minnesota Vikings: Aaron Jones — Jones came up in the discussion about fumbling, but that will not stop him from being the leading backfield producer for the Vikings. Yes, Mason did quite well for the 49ers last year and helped his career, but he wouldn't be the first running back to falter as a lead, especially in a different offense. Being with Kevin O'Connell helps mitigate the changing of offenses for Mason. However, Jones still had the 14th-highest YPT for running backs with 150+ touches — ahead of Alvin Kamara, Josh Jacobs, Jonathan Taylor and others. So, unless Jones hits a Season 9 wall, he'll still be the better option, even if it comes with more sharing. 7. Chicago Bears: D'Andre Swift — As soon as Ben Johnson agreed to come to Chicago, the focus turned to Swift and what Johnson might do to change up the backfield. Swift had 13.1 and 13.8 FPPG, respectively, in his first two seasons in the NFL, then 11.8 in his final year with the Lions, 11.4 with the Eagles in 2023 and 11.3 with the Bears last year. Swift's top two seasons were with offensive coordinators Darrell Bevell (2020) and Anthony Lynn (2021). When Johnson became the OC in 2022, Swift hit his high in YPC at 5.5. What does all of this mean? Well, the Lions didn't draft a running back until Round 7 (Kyle Monangai), who is more of a power option and complement to Swift, in the Jamaal Williams vein. This backfield will be Swift with a mix of Monangai and maybe still Roschon Johnson, too, but outside of injury, it's hard to see Swift not being the best fantasy value. Advertisement 8. Arizona Cardinals: James Conner — Trey Benson was one of the hottest backup-RB names last year, and then Conner went and played 16 games for the first time in his career. Conner has never played a full season, but he's been pretty great while on the field. The odds of Benson overtaking Conner outright are slim, but so are the odds Conner doesn't miss time. Conner and Benson are here merely on the injury risk, and while it would take Conner missing half the season or more for the first time, it's more likely than his playing 16+ games again. 9. Houston Texans: Joe Mixon — It might seem disrespectful to Mixon to have him higher than No. 12, but Mixon has always been somewhat volume-reliant. He has just one season with more than 4.1 YPC and/or 4.6 YPT. Rookie Woody Marks isn't in a tier with the elite rookie running backs, but he's no slouch and has some Tyjae Spears to his game. While it would be a bit surprising to see a healthy Mixon fall behind Marks in value, it isn't completely out of the question at this point in his career, especially if the Texans are looking for more of a spark after some disappointments in 2024. 10. Carolina Panthers: Chuba Hubbard — I finally cleaned up all the egg on my face for not believing Hubbard could succeed as the lead. Hubbard has more competition than originally thought after Jonathon Brooks was lost for the season, but even with Dowdle signing in free agency and the drafting of Trevor Etienne, Hubbard's role appears just as secure as it was. Dowdle and Etienne have potential, but neither will threaten Hubbard, though they are intriguing waiver options if Hubbard gets hurt. 11. Tennessee Titans: Tony Pollard — Pollard nearly doubled Tyjae Spears' total points last year and had 11.4 FPPG to 8.2 for Spears. Additionally, that was Pollard's lowest mark of the past three seasons, while it was the best of Spears' two NFL seasons. The Titans added Kalel Mullings — a power back — in the sixth round, but even so, there isn't much of a reason to expect anyone but Pollard to lead the Titans in fantasy value. 12. Cincinnati Bengals: Chase Brown — Brown not being the best Bengals running back is low odds, and it came as a welcome sight that the Bengals only took a Round 6 running back in Tahj Brooks, who is extremely similar to Brown. They brought back Samaje Perine in free agency, but Zack Moss, Perine and Brooks won't contend for the Bengals' lead role. That job goes to Brown, who is more likely to build on his breakout season and push for Top 10 status than have less value than any other Bengals RB. (Top photo of Tank Bigsby, Travis Etienne: Mike Carlson / Getty Images)
