Latest news with #OPOY
USA Today
9 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
What to expect from Christian McCaffrey in fantasy football this season
There hasn't been any major Christian McCaffrey news this offseason, which is good news for the San Francisco 49ers and fantasy football managers who either have or want to draft the 2023 Offensive Player of the Year. McCaffrey dealt with Achilles tendinitis last year that cost him most of training camp and the preseason, along with the first eight weeks of the regular season. Shortly after his return he sustained a knee injury that sent him to the sidelines for the rest of the year. Now the 49ers' superstar RB is back and participated in full during OTAs and mandatory minicamp. His trajectory says he's in line to return to the workhorse back role he held in 2023 when he snagged his second OPOY award. However, that doesn't mean fantasy managers should be launching McCaffrey back to the top of their draft boards where he sat going into drafts last year. It's impossible to know via OTAs and minicamp just how "back" McCaffrey is. We won't know that until he gets to practice with pads on and perhaps take a couple hits in preseason games. Even if he is some close facsimile of the player he was prior to his Achilles injury, it would be a surprise if the 49ers gave him the type of volume he got in the 2023 campaign. That year he racked up an NFL-high 339 touches in 16 games while playing 81 percent of the team's offensive snaps. Last season coming off the Achilles injury that number actually jumped. He played 87.5 percent of the snaps in his season debut vs. the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That jumped to 93.7 percent the next week against the Seahawks, and fell to 81.6 percent in a blowout loss to the Packers. He got hurt in his fourth game and only played a quarter of the snaps. We're expecting the 49ers to learn from last season when they immediately thrust McCaffrey back into heavy workloads despite having capable players like Jordan Mason and Isaac Guerendo on the roster. The result was an injury early in his fourth game back. Guerendo showed last season he has enough pass-catching chops to get on the field without compromising the multifaceted skill set McCaffrey has on the 49ers' offense. The club also retained Israel Abanikanda and Patrick Taylor, and selected Jordan James in this year's draft. They also signed Corey Kiner as an undrafted free agent. That group should give the 49ers enough in the offseason to build out a running back room that doesn't force the club to rely on McCaffrey. Instead, they can make him their clear RB1 while also giving him more consistent snaps off. This isn't to say McCaffrey's fantasy value will plummet. Even if his effectiveness is a question mark, the team has a ton of question marks at wide receiver which may push quarterback Brock Purdy to utilize McCaffrey more often in the passing game. It's worth noting McCaffrey was targeted 19 times in four games last year, including three times in 12 snaps in Week 13 before his injury. That's an 81-target pace, which is in line with the 83 targets he got in 2023. Opportunities are still going to be there for McCaffrey and he remains one of their most consistent receiving threats. McCaffrey is currently the RB5 with an average draft position of 11.5 according to Fantasy Pros. We'd love to get McCaffrey in the back end of the first round given the upside of another OPOY season. Even if he doesn't reach those heights, and even if some of his snaps are eaten into by other RBs, there should be enough volume to justify making him a first-round pick. McCaffrey drafters should also make sure to tack on Guerendo (RB48, 145.5 ADP) late. Just in case. More 49ers: New 49ers linebacker shows tremendous grit after suffering injury in workout
USA Today
14-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
New York Giants to visit Saints in Week 5 of the 2025 season
New York Giants to visit Saints in Week 5 of the 2025 season We have yet another schedule leak, this time involving the New York Giants who are scheduled to travel to New Orleans in Week 5 of the 2025 season. Two teams that have made significant changes to their quarterback rooms. Looking back at the last time the team made the trip to New Orleans, the Saints ended up victorious in a mid-December matchup in 2023. A 24-6 blowout by New Orleans gave the team a chance for postseason play, as they climbed back to .500 on the season with a record of 7-7. Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito struggled mightily against the Saints defense as he was sacked 7 times during the game. The team also limited 2024 OPOY winner Saquon Barkley to 14 yards on 9 carries, not giving the Giants offense any breathing room all afternoon. Now-retired Saints quarterback Derek Carr had a stellar day, completing 23 of 28 passes for 218 yards and 3 touchdowns, including one to Saints legend Jimmy Graham who showed he can still get it done in the red zone. Running back Alvin Kamara also had an exceptional day, totaling over 100 yards from scrimmage against the Giants defense. This time around, both teams will look much different specifically in the quarterback room. The Giants have an entirely group of quarterbacks after signing Russell Wilson and former Saints Jameis Winston this offseason, while also trading back up in round one to select Jaxson Dart out of Ole Miss. Being that the match up is so early in the year, we can almost be certain that Wilson will be the starter at this point of the season with Dart taking a backseat to learn the ropes of the NFL. The Saints group will also look drastically different, as they come into the season with second round pick Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler as their top two options at the position. By this time one of these two quarterbacks will have had four games under their belt, hopefully settling in once this game rolls around. Some interesting ties between the two teams stem from their respective coaching staffs. Saints running back coach Joel Thomas recently departed from New York this offseason after initially leaving New Orleans a few years back. Giants offensive coordinator Mike Kafka was also a contender for the Saints' head coaching job earlier this offseason, taking multiple interviews with the team before deciding on Kellen Moore. Aside from coaches, Saints fans will also get a look at cornerback Paulson Adebo for the first time in the red, white and blue. The Giants appear vastly improved, with a new quarterback and what could be one of the league's top defensive line units—an imposing front that could challenge the Saints early and often. A possible early test for this new regime.
Fox Sports
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
2025 NFL Offensive Player of the Year odds: Saquon Barkley early favorite
Philadelphia's Saquon Barkley's record-breaking season in 2024-25 earned him NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. He rushed for 2,005 yards last season and had 14 different games in which he hit the 100-yard rushing mark (including the postseason). And in the wake of his historic efforts, Barkley was rewarded with an extension that makes him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. With all that in mind, it's probably no surprise that he's the early favorite at +650 to win OPOY again next season. Let's check out the early odds at DraftKings Sportsbook as of March 6. 2025-26 Offensive Player of the Year Saquon Barkley, Eagles: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total) Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total) Ja'Marr Chase, Bengals: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total) Puka Nacua, Rams: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) Bijan Robinson, Falcons: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total) Derrick Henry, Ravens: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total) CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Nico Collins, Texans: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Justin Jefferson, Vikings: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) Christian McCaffrey, 49ers: +2200 (bet $10 to win $230 total) Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total) Tyreek Hill, Dolphins: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Malik Nabers, Giants: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total) Brian Thomas Jr., Jaguars: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total) Lamar Jackson, Ravens: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total) Second on the board is Detroit's Jahmyr Gibbs at +950. His 16 touchdowns last season were the best in the NFL. And on the ground, he rushed for 1,412 yards, fifth-best in the league last season. Rounding out the top three is Cincinnati's Ja'Marr Chase at +1000. Though his Bengals failed to meet expectations last season by missing the postseason, Chase individually was phenomenal. He had 127 receptions, 1,708 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns — all good for the best in the NFL. While he was edged out by eventual winner in Barkley, the four-time Pro Bowler and 2021 Rookie of the Year was a finalist to win OPOY at the end of the season. Further down the board, at +4000, is Lamar Jackson. The quarterback ended last year with a 27-25 playoff defeat at the hands of the Bills. However, the Ravens superstar had a dazzling season that led to him being honored as a finalist for OPOY and MVP. Lamar's 41 TDs were tied for fourth in the NFL and his 4,172 passing yards were sixth-best. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily! recommended Get more from National Football League Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Honors: Saquon Barkley wins Offensive Player of the Year, while Jayden Daniels is top rookie
NEW ORLEANS — Saquon Barkley couldn't make NFL Honors on Thursday night to accept his Offensive Player of the Year award. He has a game to play Sunday. Barkley's monster first teason with the Philadelphia Eagles, which will end in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, now includes the award for the top offensive player in the NFL. Barkley was one of the big winners at NFL Honors on Thursday, the league's annual awards show. Offensive Player of the Year is becoming the top non-quarterback award, and there wasn't much question who would win it. Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards this season, turning in one of the all-time great seasons a running back ever had in NFL history. He became the sixth straight running back or receiver to win the OPOY award. Barkley signed with the Eagles as a free agent this offseason after six seasons with the New York Giants. With every 100-yard game for Barkley — there were 14 of them, counting playoffs, including a 255-yard game in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams — the Giants' decision to not sign Barkley to a long-term deal before he hit free agency looked even worse. Barkley got 35 first-place votes. Lamar Jackson, who finished second, got 12 first-place votes. Derrick Henry, Josh Allen and Joe Burrow got one first-place vote each. When none of the NFL's elite pass rushers had a big season, it opened up the door for Surtain to take the league's top defensive award. Surtain, who was phenomenal in coverage all season for a Broncos team that made the playoffs for the first time since the 2015 season, won his first career DPOY award. Surtain is just the second corner cornerback to win DPOY since 2009, joining Stephon Gilmore in 2019. "This is a surreal feeling honestly," Surtain said backstage after receiving his award. "This is something I worked for this offseason, I manifested it, and it's a dream come true." Surtain won comfortably but eight different players got first-place votes. Surtain got 26, Trey Hendrickson was second with 11, Myles Garrett got five, T.J. Watt got three, Zack Baun got two and one each went to Kerby Joseph, Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard. Daniels had big moment after big moment as a rookie while he transformed a Commanders franchise. Daniels announced to the NFL world he had arrived when he completed 21-of-23 passes for 254 yards in a 38-33 upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Daniels also had a Hail Mary touchdown to beat the Chicago Bears with no time on the clock, threw five touchdowns including one with six seconds left to beat the eventual NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and led playoff wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. Daniels had 3,568 passing yards, 891 rushing yards and even though other rookies like Caleb Williams and Bo Nix had promising rookie seasons, there was no doubt who was the NFL's top rookie. He was asked what allowed him to have so much success right away. 'I just think my coaching staff and the whole organization making it as comfortable for me to just allow me to be myself,' Daniels said. Daniels got 49 of 50 first-place votes, with the other going to Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers. Verse was the 19th pick of the draft and helped the Rams move to their next phase on defense after Aaron Donald's retirement. Verse had 66 tackles and 4.5 sacks. He's the first Rams Defensive Rookie of the Year since Donald in 2014. Verse got 37 first-place votes, Eagles cornerback Quinyon Mitchell got seven and four other players got one each. Burrow's 2023 season ended with a wrist injury but he came back strong. He was an MVP finalist and led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. Burrow also won Comeback Player of the Year in 2021 when he returned from a torn ACL. The Vikings weren't expected to be playoff contenders this season, then lost first-round pick J.J. McCarthy to a season-ending knee injury in December. But the Vikings went 14-3 with Sam Darnold having a resurgent season at quarterback, and O'Connell was rewarded with the NFL Coach of the Year. O'Connell has a 34-17 record over his three seasons as Vikings coach. It was a close vote. O'Connell got 25 first-place votes, Detroit Lions coach Dan Campbell finished second and got 19 first-place votes, Andy Reid of the Kansas City Chiefs got four votes and Denver Broncos' Sean Payton and Washington Commanders' Dan Quinn got one each. Lamar Jackson was the first-team All-Pro quarterback but the same 50 voters selected Allen over Jackson as the MVP. It's Allen's first MVP award after he had a stellar season with the Bills. It was one of the closest MVP votes in many years, with Allen getting 27 first-place votes to 23 for Jackson. Armstead, who spent the first nine seasons of his career with the 49ers before joining the Jaguars last offseason, won the NFL's award for community service. In 2019, he established the Armstead Academic Project (AAP), which has a focus on improving literacy rates.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
NFL Honors: Saquon Barkley wins Offensive Player of the Year, while Jayden Daniels is top rookie
NEW ORLEANS — Saquon Barkley couldn't make NFL Honors on Thursday night to accept his Offensive Player of the Year award. He has a game to play Sunday. Barkley's monster first teason with the Philadelphia Eagles, which will end in Super Bowl LIX on Sunday, now includes the award for the top offensive player in the NFL. Barkley was one of the big winners at NFL Honors on Thursday, the league's annual awards show. Offensive Player of the Year is becoming the top non-quarterback award, and there wasn't much question who would win it. Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards this season, turning in one of the all-time great seasons a running back ever had in NFL history. He became the sixth straight running back or receiver to win the OPOY award. Barkley signed with the Eagles as a free agent this offseason after six seasons with the New York Giants. With every 100-yard game for Barkley — there were 14 of them, counting playoffs, including a 255-yard game in Week 12 against the Los Angeles Rams — the Giants' decision to not sign Barkley to a long-term deal before he hit free agency looked even worse. Daniels had big moment after big moment as a rookie while he transformed a Commanders franchise. Daniels announced to the NFL world he had arrived when he completed 21-of-23 passes for 254 yards in a 38-33 upset win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football in Week 3. Daniels also had a Hail Mary touchdown to beat the Chicago Bears with no time on the clock, threw five touchdowns including one with six seconds left to beat the eventual NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles and led playoff wins over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. Daniels had 3,568 passing yards, 891 rushing yards and even though other rookies like Caleb Williams and Bo Nix had promising rookie seasons, there was no doubt who was the NFL's top rookie. Burrow's 2023 season ended with a wrist injury but he came back strong. He was an MVP finalist and led the NFL in passing yards and touchdowns. Burrow also won Comeback Player of the Year in 2021 when he returned from a torn ACL.
