Numbers have the power to tell fascinating stories, but they can be deceptive when presented to support specific narratives or claims. It’s crucial to recognize that both perspectives—numbers being insightful yet sometimes misleading—can coexist, especially in fantasy football where stats greatly influence draft decisions, roster moves, and weekly lineups.
As you gear up for the 2025 fantasy football season, soak up as much data and knowledge as you can while critically examining each statistic, understanding that numbers often reveal only one side of the story. Below are some of my favorite statistics collected during the preseason study period, aimed at aiding tough decisions between close player choices, jump-starting your research, or simply offering interesting trivia.
– Ja’Marr Chase hit 40 or more PPR fantasy points three times last season, joining Isaac Bruce and Davante Adams as the only wide receivers with multiple such games in one season.
– Courtland Sutton led the NFL for three consecutive years with at least 12 endzone targets each season.
– DJ Moore topped the league in the past three seasons with 10 catches on throws with a 25% next-gen stats projected completion rate.
– Only seven receivers last season had at least 15 red zone targets, averaged 10 yards per game, and ran 30+ routes on average, including notable names like Justin Jefferson, Drake London, and Tyreek Hill; the seventh was Roma Odunze, finishing 49th in PPR points.
– After Week 11 last season, Blythe Young averaged an impressive 20.7 fantasy points per game over seven contests.
– Travis Kelce led tight ends over three seasons with 89 red zone routes, 28 targets, and 17 receptions, maintaining dominance even beyond his record-setting 2022 season.
– Mobile quarterbacks who rushed at least five times per game last season scored over 43% of fantasy points, higher than the 31% rate five years ago. Top mobile QBs included Jalen Hurts, Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and others.
– Lamar Jackson alone scored 107.5 fantasy points out of a season record 430.38, showcasing both his rushing and passing talent.
– Jonnu Smith led all tight ends in routes (59) in certain formations during a strong eight-game stretch last season.
– Caleb Williams scored 55% of his fantasy points in games needing multiple touchdowns to catch up, often in “trash time.”
– Derrick Henry scored 33% of his fantasy points in games where his team trailed by two or more touchdowns after halftime.
– Brock Bowers set a rookie tight end record with 262.7 PPR points, and historically, rookie tight ends tend to see relatively minor sophomore slumps.
– Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery each scored at least 200 PPR points in consecutive seasons, a rare feat for teammates.
– Gibbs converted 75% of carries from within three yards of the goal line over two seasons, leading the league.
– De’Von Achane scored at least 20 PPR points in 46% of his games in the last two seasons, second only to Christian McCaffrey.
– The Seattle Seahawks finished in the top four in rushing yards six times under Coach Pete Carroll between 2012-23.
– Patrick Mahomes experienced 11 straight games scoring below 17.5 fantasy points, a rarity among elite quarterbacks.
– Chase Brown tallied 165 PPR points in his last eight games, ranking sixth among running backs.
– Jonathan Taylor ranks third among running backs in PPR points scored from Week 14 onward during his NFL career.
– Brian Thomas Jr. scored at least 15 PPR points in each of his last six games in 2024.
– Only three wide receivers have had at least 12 games with 25 or more PPR points over the past five seasons, including AJ Brown and Mike Evans.
– Jauan Jennings averaged 17.4 PPR points in 10 games last season, outperforming many peers when star teammates were absent.
Fan Take: These detailed stats offer NFL fans a richer understanding of players’ performances beyond surface-level numbers, showcasing trends and unique accomplishments that can influence fantasy football strategies and deepen appreciation for the sport. As fantasy football continues growing as a community and pastime, such insights remind us how data-driven analysis can enhance engagement and excitement around the NFL season.
