We held the 40th anniversary draft of my long-time league, the OFFL, Tuesday night \u2014 and what a night it was. The Proving Ground Bar & Restaurant in Highlands, N.J., rolled out the red carpet for us. Between the top-notch food and drink and the stunning views of the Manhattan skyline peeking over Sandy Hook, it\u2019s hard to imagine a more beautiful spot on the Jersey Shore. Huge thanks to Krystal, the manager, along with our bartenders Brandon and Chad (Supreme Ruler) for taking such great care of us.<\/p>\n
And yes, I once again landed Josh Allen for my team, the Buffalo Soldiers. That alone made the night even sweeter.<\/p>\n
Now, let\u2019s get to my 2025 Draft Day Tips:<\/p>\n
OFFENSIVE LINE RANKINGS MATTER<\/p>\n
Want to draft like a champ? Start in the trenches. At FantasyGuru.com, you\u2019ll find tons of analytical tools, including the all-important offensive line rankings, compiled by senior analyst Armando Marsal. If your Fantasy players are running behind turnstiles, you\u2019re in for a long season. For the low price of this fine newspaper, I\u2019ll share Armando\u2019s best and worst lines for 2025:<\/p>\n
Grade A<\/p>\n
Baltimore Ravens: All starters from 2024 return. Raven RBs led NFL in yards per carry.<\/p>\n
Buffalo Bills: All starters from 2024 return. Allowed a league-low 14 sacks.<\/p>\n
Denver Broncos: Best line in NFL. Even their backups could start on most teams.<\/p>\n
Los Angeles Chargers: Poised to take a significant step forward in 2025.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia Eagles: The unit excels in the Tush Push. Check the status of LT Landon Johnson, who was injured last Sunday.<\/p>\n
Grade C- to D<\/p>\n
Dallas Cowboys: Group needs some work and must avoid injuries. Projected starter rookie LT Tyler Guyton is out five weeks.<\/p>\n
Cleveland Browns: Allowed second most sacks in NFL and were bottom five in run blocking. Maybe Nick Chubb was better than we thought?<\/p>\n
Houston Texans: Unit lacks any star power. Hard to be optimistic for 2025. Chubb\u2019s new home. D\u2019Oh!<\/p>\n
Tennessee Titans: Ranked 31st in Jeff Mans\u2019 Smash Report, the only upgrade was the addition of OL coach Bill Callahan.<\/p>\n
Giants: To quote Armando, \u201cThis group sucked last year, and it\u2019s not much better this year.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miami Dolphins: With key players retiring, this worst line in the NFL will rely heavily on young linemen.<\/p>\n
GET YOUR QB EARLY<\/p>\n
Elite QBs Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts are projected to top 430 fantasy points. The next tier (starting with Bo Nix and Patrick Mahomes) projects closer to 340\u2013350 points. That 80\u201390-point drop is massive and tough to make up elsewhere.<\/p>\n
ACT YOUR AGE<\/p>\n
To quote Fantasy Guru Jeff Mans, \u201cDerrick Henry will be 32 years old this season, and since 1946, there has been exactly one season of 300+ fantasy points by a running back age 31 or 32. That was Curtis Martin in 2004 with the Jets. In fact, there have been just four seasons ever by a 31- or 32-year-old RB of 250+ fantasy points. Henry is great, and maybe he defies science for another season, but it seems foolish to pay top price for an elderly RB who doesn\u2019t play on passing downs with a super mobile QB that can steal short-yardage touchdowns.\u201d<\/p>\n
HANDCUFF YOUR RBs<\/p>\n
I stress this every year. If you have a great RB on a quality team, snag his backup in the draft. The folks that handcuffed Jordan Mason with the oft-injured Christian McCaffrey last year were rewarded with Mason\u2019s top ten efforts in September and October. More prime handcuffs: Bijan Robinson\/Tyler Allgeier, James Conner\/Trey Benson, Breece Hall\/Braelon Allen and McCaffrey\/Isaac Guerendo.<\/p>\n
WHO\u2019S OUT?<\/p>\n
Questionable for Week 1:\u00a0 QB Matthew Stafford, RBs Joe Mixon, Najee Harris, Tyjae Spears, WRs Darnell Mooney, Christian Watson, Brandon Aiyuk, Chris Godwin, Terry McLaurin, TE Isaiah Likely.<\/p>\n
Out for the entire season: RBs Jonathan Brooks, Alexander Mattison, WR Rondale Moore.<\/p>\n
Facing suspensions: WRs Rashee Rice (TBD) and Jordan Addison (will miss the first three weeks).<\/p>\n
DRAFT DAY SURVIVAL KIT<\/p>\n
Bring cheat sheets, notepads, and a charged phone or tablet.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget a pen (yes, people still use them).<\/p>\n
Know your league rules. Ask for a rulebook. If it doesn\u2019t exist, write one.<\/p>\n
Draft with your head, not your heart. Don\u2019t stack your team with players from your favorite NFL team.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t panic if your target gets taken. Stay sharp and flexible. No one likes a draft-day whiner.<\/p>\n