Fantasy Football Insider

July 31, 2025 • Sports

Hosted by Big Dill

About This Episode

Generated sports podcast with host Big Dill based on prompt: Daily Fantasy Football news. NFL updates and how the affect Fantasy sports.

Transcript

Hey everyone, welcome back to Big Dill Sports! I’m your host, Dillon, and today we’re diving into some spicy fantasy football insights just for you. It’s a great time to be a football fan, so let’s jump right into it.

First up, let’s talk quarterbacks. Joe Burrow of the Cincinnati Bengals reported that he’s feeling better than ever, coming off a season with impressive stats: over 4,900 yards and 43 touchdowns. For all you Daily Fantasy players, Burrow’s precision and his receiving duo, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, make him a top choice in cash games. Just keep in mind that while his passing game is strong, he doesn’t offer much on the ground, which can limit his upside in tournaments.

Over in Los Angeles, Matthew Stafford is dealing with back soreness. He’s hopeful to play by Week 1, but his limited practice raises caution. If you’re dabbling in early-season DFS, you might want to consider other quarterbacks with higher upside until we see Stafford fully back in action.

The Indianapolis Colts bring an interesting twist with rookie Anthony Richardson and veteran Daniel Jones in tight competition for the starting spot. Richardson’s rushing potential is tantalizing, but until their situation is clearer, both quarterbacks remain unpredictable DFS options.

Turning to running backs, Cleveland’s Jerome Ford is back in the mix after recovering from an injury. With rookie Quinshon Judkins sidelined, Ford could become a valuable low-cost play for tournaments. Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, rookie Will Shipley and AJ Dillon are fighting for backup roles behind Miles Sanders. Shipley’s involvement in two-back sets could make him a sneaky, budget-friendly pick, especially if Sanders is limited.

Sadly, Cincinnati released Zack Moss due to a neck injury, so he’s out of fantasy consideration. Instead, look at deeper options like Kareem Hunt for tournament plays.

Moving to wide receivers, Minnesota’s Justin Jefferson tweaked his hamstring but isn’t worried about his Week 1 status. His target volume and playmaking skills cement him as a top DFS option. In Baltimore, Zay Flowers is dealing with a minor issue but shouldn’t miss much time, making him a strong WR2/flex target with big-play potential.

Both Curtis Samuel and Elijah Moore are poised to return to practice for the Bills, so in their absence, Keon Coleman and Joshua Palmer might be valuable early-season DFS targets.

In Tennessee, Calvin Ridley is dealing with calf cramps but should bounce back quickly, remaining a solid mid-range DFS pick. Keep an eye on Hunter Renfrow in Carolina, who’s down with a hamstring tweak, making him a risky choice until he returns to full practice. And in Kansas City, the absence of Marquise Brown and Xavier Worthy could open up opportunities for Kadarius Toney and rookie Rashee Rice.

On the tight end front, Juwan Johnson from New Orleans will miss a few days with a groin injury, affecting his short-term DFS value. Meanwhile, Baltimore’s Isaiah Likely will be out for about six weeks after foot surgery, so it’s time to look elsewhere, maybe toward someone like Dallas Goedert or George Kittle.

In Chicago, rookie Colston Loveland is making waves and could be an intriguing punt play in deeper tournaments, especially if the Bears focus on two-TE sets.

Finally, let’s round up with strategic takeaways for your DFS lineups. Always prioritize players with confirmed health and practice participation. Utilize emerging talents like Ford and Shipley to save salary cap space for higher-ceiling players. Keep track of practice reports for those key receiver injuries, and when it comes to tight ends, steer clear of the risky picks and consider stable veterans or promising rookies.

Now, for our player spotlight, and today’s "Big Dill" is none other than Joe Burrow. His impressive accuracy and strong receiving duo position him as a must-consider in your DFS lineups as the season kicks off.

Thanks for tuning in to Big Dill Sports. I’m Dillon, and I’ll be back with more fantasy insights to keep your lineups winning. Until next time, take care and happy drafting!

### Quarterback News and Daily Fantasy Impact

On Wednesday, Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow described practice as the “best I’ve thrown in years,” underscoring his health and readiness for the 2025 campaign. After completing over 70 percent of his passes for 4,918 yards and 43 touchdowns last season, Burrow’s confidence surge bodes well for his midrange QB1 status in Daily Fantasy Football (DFS). In DFS formats, Burrow’s combination of high passing volume and a potent receiving corps (Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins) makes him a cornerstone for cash games, though lack of a rushing floor limits his ceiling in tournaments ([profootballnetwork.com](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-player-news-injuries-transactions-fantasy/)).

Contrast that with Los Angeles Rams veteran Matthew Stafford, who remains absent from practice due to back soreness but is “confident” he’ll be ready by Week 1. While Stafford’s Week 1 outlook is positive, his limited participation in camp suggests DFS managers should proceed with caution and consider rostering higher-upside quarterbacks in early-season slates until Stafford logs full practices ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

Meanwhile, Indianapolis Colts rookie Anthony Richardson and veteran Daniel Jones remain in a tight competition for the starting role, introducing uncertainty for DFS lineups. Richardson’s rushing upside is enticing, but until the contest is settled, both QBs carry unpredictable usage and are better suited as tournament punts rather than reliable cash-game options ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

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### Running Back Updates and DFS Considerations

Cleveland Browns back Jerome Ford returned to full-team drills after an undisclosed training-camp injury, signaling an uptick in his early-down and passing-down workload. With rookie Quinshon Judkins sidelined amid off-field issues, Ford could see a significant role in Cleveland’s backfield rotation, making him a low-cost tournament play in DFS until the situation stabilizes ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php), [profootballnetwork.com](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-player-news-injuries-transactions-fantasy/)).

In Philadelphia, rookie Will Shipley and veteran AJ Dillon battle for the primary backup role behind Miles Sanders. Shipley’s early competition reps indicate his involvement in two-back sets, creating potential PPR value. In NFL DFS, Shipley is a viable salary-saver option, especially if Sanders misses any snaps ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

On the flip side, Cincinnati released running back Zack Moss with a neck injury, removing him from fantasy consideration. DFS players should avoid rostering Moss in any format and consider swing options like Kareem Hunt in deeper tournaments ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

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### Wide Receiver News and Fantasy Implications

Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson tweaked his hamstring but carries “zero worry” about being ready for Week 1, according to head coach Kevin O’Connell. Jefferson’s Week 1 security locks in his status as a top-priced DFS option; his high target volume and explosive playmaking make him a near must-roster in all lineup types ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowl receiver Zay Flowers sat out Wednesday’s practice with a minor “camp thing” but is expected to miss only a few days. Given his 74 catches for 1,059 yards and four touchdowns in 2024, Flowers remains a strong WR2/flex target in DFS, particularly in tournaments seeking big-play upside in Maryland’s run-heavy passing schemes ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php), [profootballnetwork.com](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-player-news-injuries-transactions-fantasy/)).

Buffalo Bills wideouts Curtis Samuel (hamstring) and Elijah Moore (leg) are on track to return to practice later this week. Until then, fantasy rosters should avoid both; DFS managers can pivot to Keon Coleman or Joshua Palmer, who have drawn praise during camp work and could provide value in early-season slates if targets shift ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

Tennessee’s Calvin Ridley exited practice with calf cramps but should be fine after a day or two of rest. Given Ridley’s role as the Titans’ primary pass-catching threat, he remains a solid mid-range DFS option, though monitor his practice status closely leading into Week 1 ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

Carolina’s slot specialist Hunter Renfrow missed practice with a hamstring tweak, making him a risk in slate play. DFS rosters seeking PPR scoring might prefer more reliable pass-catchers until Renfrow logs full practice reps ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)). Similarly, Kansas City’s Hollywood Brown (ankle) and Xavier Worthy (concussion protocol) sat out, which could open up targets for Kadarius Toney and rookie Rashee Rice in early DFS contests ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

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### Tight End Developments and DFS Value

New Orleans Saints tight end Juwan Johnson left practice with a groin injury but is expected to miss only a few days. Johnson’s three-year, $30.75 million contract underscores his projected role as a key red-zone target; fantasy managers can maintain Johnson in season-long lineups, but DFS entries should weigh him carefully in week-to-week slates until he resumes full practices ([profootballnetwork.com](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-player-news-injuries-transactions-fantasy/), [rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

Baltimore’s Isaiah Likely will undergo foot surgery, likely sidelining him for six weeks. Fantasy and DFS managers must remove Likely from rosters and shift TE budgets elsewhere, perhaps to emerging options like Dallas Goedert or George Kittle in high-priced formats ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

In Chicago, rookie Colston Loveland impressed by taking first-team reps in 11-on-11 drills, positioning himself as a potential pass-catching asset opposite Cole Kmet. Loveland’s ascending role makes him an interesting DFS punt play in deeper tournaments, especially if the Bears lean on two-TE sets ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).

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### Roster Moves and Depth-Chart Shifts

– Cincinnati’s Trey Hendrickson reported to camp but held out of practice amid contract negotiations. While he’s not a fantasy factor, his absence could slightly weaken the Bengals’ pass rush, potentially boosting Joe Burrow’s passing volume in DFS matchups ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
– Jacksonville’s Brenton Strange worked as clear TE1 in camp, signaling early trust and potential red-zone usage. Fantasy drafters may consider him in deeper best-ball and dynasty formats ([rotowire.com](https://www.rotowire.com/football/news.php)).
– Seattle’s Jaxon Smith-Njigba has showcased outside-receiver snaps, hinting at increased downfield opportunities in Geno Smith’s absence. While not a top DFS target, he could emerge as a value pick if Dak Prescott leans on him ([profootballnetwork.com](https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-player-news-injuries-transactions-fantasy/)).

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### DFS Strategy Takeaways

1. Prioritize confirmed health and practice participation when allocating salary cap. Jefferson and Burrow are set-and-forget plays, while Stafford and Ford carry practice-status risk.
2. Seek value in emerging backs like Ford and Shipley in tournaments, using injury savings to accrue ceiling.
3. Monitor practice reports for key receivers—Samuel, Moore, Renfrow—to adjust lineups rapidly. Temporary stand-ins like Coleman and Palmer can be tournament differentiators.
4. Avoid injured or uncertain tight ends (Likely) and pivot to stable veterans or high-upside rookies (Loveland, Strange).

By leveraging these July 30 camp developments, DFS managers can construct balanced lineups that combine safe floor options with high-ceil tickets, positioning themselves advantageously as the NFL preseason approaches.

Fantasy Football Insider