Drake Maye burst onto the scene as a rookie in 2024, and while
his QB22 finish (17.5 points per game) doesn’t scream elite,
the context is everything. In his 10 full starts, he averaged
24.1 points -- good for QB7 pace over a full season. The standout?
His legs. Maye racked up around 400 rushing yards, landing in
the top 10 among QBs despite missing time, and his arm held up
with a shaky supporting cast.
Heading into 2025, the Patriots handed him a revamped offense:
a beefed-up O-line with first-round tackle Will Campbell, plus
Stefon Diggs and rookie Kyle Williams as new toys. Josh McDaniels’
scheme loves to stretch the field, and Maye’s got the cannon to
match. It’s completely reasonable to assume that Maye could approach
4000 passing yards, 25 TDs, and a boosted 550-plus rushing yards
with a couple of scores on the ground. That’s mid-range QB1 territory
with top-five upside if Diggs clicks early. The only hiccup might
be syncing with a post-ACL Diggs, but this offense is miles better
than last year’s mess. He’s a fun, high-upside option who may
also give you enough floor to make him an intriguing QB1 this
season.
TreVeyon Henderson is a second-round rookie out of Ohio State
and a fantasy sleeper begging to be noticed by those who want
to win this season. In college, he split carries with Quinshon
Judkins yet still popped off with 7.1 yards per carry -- far outpacing
Judkins’ 5.5 -- showing elite burst and vision.
Now, he lands in a Patriots backfield that was a disaster last
year, with Rhamondre Stevenson stumbling through a brutal season
and Antonio Gibson failing to produce with his opportunities.
Henderson’s got the size, speed, and hands to be a three-down
stud, drawing Aaron Jones comps for his versatility.
Expect a committee to start the season -- maybe 55/45 with Stevenson
-- but his explosiveness could flip that to 70/30 by midseason.
McDaniels has a soft spot for pass-catching backs (think James
White’s glory days), so Henderson’s could push for
50+ receptions alongside 900-1,000 rushing yards and 8-10 total
TDs. That’s RB2 value with RB1 ceiling. He’s not a
sure thing yet, but the upside is tantalizing.
Rhamondre Stevenson’s 2024 was a fantasy gut punch. He
limped to RB28 with 619 rushing yards, six TDs, and four fumbles
that had coaches side-eyeing him hard. His 38 catches kept him
afloat in PPR, but his lack of speed dragged the offense down.
Enter TreVeyon Henderson, and suddenly Stevenson’s grip
on the backfield looks shaky.
For 2025, Stevenson looks like a low-end RB2 or flex play. He’ll
likely start as the nominal lead back -- veteran clout still counts
in today’s NFL -- but Henderson’s flash could cut
his touches to 10-12 per game by October. Still, Stevenson’s
230-pound frame and receiving skills give him a PPR lifeline.
His fumbles are the real killer; another sloppy stretch, and he’s
a permanent backup. Draft him as insurance, not a cornerstone.
Stefon Diggs’ 2024 got derailed by an ACL tear in October
with the Texans, but he still flashed WR1 chops -- 15.2 points
per game (WR16 pace) and a four-catch floor in every outing before
the injury.
Now a Patriot, he’s the alpha in a receiving corps desperate
for star power. Diggs is a WR2 with WR1 potential if he’s
fully healthy to start the season. Early reports peg him as ready
for camp, and if he’s even 90% of his old self he’s
probably back to feasting immediately.
Drake Maye’s arm strength and McDaniels’ love for
feeding No. 1 receivers could push Diggs to a huge target share,
such as the one he enjoyed in his early years in Buffalo. Unlike
in Houston, where he split looks with Nico Collins and Tank Dell,
Diggs is the clear top dog here in New England. The risk is real
-- ACL recoveries can be dicey at 32 -- but the reward screams
value. Bet on the talent, not the fear.
Douglas was a fantasy afterthought in 2024, landing at WR62 despite
heavy snaps on a depth chart that lacked serious competition.
His 66 catches, 621 yards, and three TDs marked career highs,
but a 9.4 yards-per-catch average and zero breakout games screamed
“meh” to fantasy managers.
With Diggs and Kyle Williams crashing the party, 2025 looks grim
for Douglas. He’s a WR4 in PPR, a late-round dart-throw
at best. Early on, he might see a handful of targets per game
while Diggs shakes off rust and Williams adjusts, but by November,
he’s likely a two-to-three catch per game guy. His 5’8”
frame limits him to slot work, and he’s never topped three
TDs in a season -- don’t expect that to change. If injuries
hit, he’s a waiver add, but banking on more than 500-600
yards and a couple scores is a stretch. Pass unless you’re
desperate in deep leagues.
Kyle Williams, a third-round rookie from Washington State, brings
a college stat line that pops: 70 catches, 1,198 yards, and 14
TDs as a senior, powered by a 4.4 40. He’s a deep-ball menace,
though his middling agility and raw routes need polish.
He’s a late-round stash and is probably more useful for
dynasty than he is typical seasonal formats in 2025. Maye’s
big arm is a perfect match, and McDaniels could cook up a couple
of deep attempts for him in each game, but Williams sits behind
Diggs and probably even Douglas to start the season. We’re
likely looking at WR3 numbers late in the year if he hits. He’s
got the tools to climb the depth chart, but patience is a must.
Draft for upside, not instant impact.
Hunter Henry quietly held on to fantasy relevance in 2024, finishing
TE11 with 97 targets -- fifth-most among tight ends. His two TDs
were a buzzkill, though, and the addition of Austin Hooper threatens
his snap share.
Looking forward to this season, Henry’s a TE1 floor play
but don’t expect fireworks. Maye will lean on him as a safety
valve and the Patriots’ upgraded offense should mean more
red-zone trips so we could see a return to the mid-to-upper single
digits for Henry in touchdowns this season. Still, Hooper’s
presence likely caps him at 50-60 catches and 600-700 yards. He’s
not the 2019 Charger anymore, but in a TE wasteland, his consistency
matters. Draft him for steady weeks, not game-changing spikes.
