Jake Ciely

United States

Co-Host at The Athletic Fantasy Football Podcast

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Articles

Fantasy football 2025 cheat sheet generator: Customizable rankings and projections tool

1 week ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

Welcome! It’s good to see you again (or nice to meet you, new readers). You have found the ultimate tool for your 2025 fantasy football quest, a fully customizable cheat sheet generator that allows you to input your league rules and settings — and even change stats and projections — to create a set of rankings and projections unique to your fantasy football needs. I only humbly ask that you read the instructions.
2025 breakout running backs, including Ashton Jeanty, Bhayshul Tuten and six more rookies

2 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

Normally, I focus on veteran running backs in this series. I don't include rookies I think will have great NFL debuts because they aren't really "breaking out" from anything. Given all the rookie coverage I offer each year, it's also fun to highlight the veterans who are being overlooked.
Top 5 fantasy football breakout quarterbacks, including Caleb Willams and two more former No. 1 picks

3 weeks ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

Who's next? We ask this question every year in fantasy football. Who's the next breakout quarterback or surprise QB1? While it's nice to draft a super stud and eliminate any worries, there is a bit more joy in finding late-round value that returns Top 10 numbers. Not only do you look smart, you get to lord it over your league mates, as you didn't have to sacrifice early-round value at RB or WR. Here are my Top 5 potential QB breakout candidates for 2025, with a "likelihood" score of it happening.
Jacksonville leads the top 12 potential backfield shakeups ahead of fantasy football 2025

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

We've digested and analyzed the NFL Draft picks, depth charts and more. Now, as we await the fantasy football draft season, savvy managers will get ahead of the competition and ponder what could happen in 2025, especially at running back - a position that's possibly more important than any other for fantasy football. Every year, new running backs emerge as team leaders with fantasy value, and there are often ways to predict who they will be.
Tough decisions, 'stolen' players and more from an early 2025 fantasy football mock draft

1 month ago | nytimes.com | Brandon Funston |Jake Ciely

For many, the fantasy drafts you care about the most aren't likely to take place until the dog days of August. But preparing for league domination should begin long before that. If you haven't taken stock of the fantasy football landscape for 2025, consider this mock draft the first step in your quest for a fantasy title in 2025.
Post NFL Draft update, risers, fallers

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

The NFL Draft is in the books, which means it's time for a fresh 2025 fantasy football ranking update. There are a few big movers, plenty of other risers, fallers and interesting new ranks, thanks to the incoming draft class. Quick Notes: ECR: Stands for Expert Consensus Ranking, and many experts won't have updated their rankings this quickly, so the ECR ranking will be a bit skewed.
2025 dynasty fantasy football rankings

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

With the 2025 NFL Draft in the books, the 2025 fantasy football rankings need updates. First up, rookie-only rankings, with updated dynasty ranks soon to follow. As a heads up, some of the rookie rankings might be slightly different for startup versus rookie-only, as rookie-only has established rosters, which can slightly impact values. 2025 Fantasy Football Rookie RankingsNote: If Isaiah Bond does end up playing in the NFL, I will update and add him in the rankings.
Every pick from Cam Ward to Brashard Smith and more

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

The 2025 NFL Draft might be done, but the excitement is still bubbling over. It's time for NFL draft grades for fantasy football. If you haven't seen this piece from past years, each player gets two grades. The first draft grade is redraft-only value (2025). The second is the player's dynasty grade/potential. The draft grades are weighted in tiers of sorts. A's are your stars - players who can or will become a No. 1 at their position (RB1, TE1, etc.).
Winners, losers, analysis

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

We've expected Cam Ward to be the first pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, but it's also time to analyze the rest of the skill position picks. Most importantly, what do these draft picks mean for fantasy football? Which rookies will make immediate impacts? Are they dynasty stashes? Will veterans see their values affected? I have your answers with all the fantasy football impacts. Heads Up: Live updates for NFL Draft winners and losers for fantasy football are the first two nights (through the third round).
Talking fantasy football and the 2025 NFL Draft with Jake Ciely on Friday 4/24 at 6 p.m. ET

2 months ago | nytimes.com | Jake Ciely

What will quarterback Cam Ward's impact be this coming fantasy football season? How special is running back Ashton Jeanty? What teams are the best landing spots for the top skill-position players in the 2025 NFL Draft? Before you watch the NFL rookie selection process unfold, Jake Ciely will be answering all your fantasy football-related questions in a chat, exclusive for The Athletic subscribers.