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It’s officially off-season time in both real life and fantasy football, but I’ll keep rolling with this newsletter every Wednesday until it picks up again and then probably add some more days. In today’s version, I go over the NFL offseason schedule, plus we’ll hear from Ryan McDowell from DLF on some pertinent dynasty info.
Key Dates for the NFL Offseason
Beginning this date through 4:00 p.m., New York time on March 4, clubs may designate Franchise or Transition Players.
⦿ Feb 24-March 3rd, 2025 - NFL Scouting Combine
This yearly event takes place at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN where the most promising NFL Draft prospects participate in interviews, workouts, and on-field drills.
⦿ March 4th, 2025 - Franchise Deadline
The deadline for clubs to designate Franchise or Transition Players is at 4:00 PM ET.
⦿ March 10-12, 2025 - Negotiating Period for Pending Unrestricted Free Agents
From NFL.com, “During the above two-day negotiating period, a prospective UFA who is not represented by an NFLPA Certified Contract Advisor (“Unrepresented Player”) is permitted to communicate directly with a new club’s front office officials (excluding the head coach and other members of the club’s coaching staff) regarding contract negotiations. The club is responsible for confirming the player’s status as an Unrepresented Player.
No prospective unrestricted free agent is permitted to execute a contract with a new club until 4:00 p.m., New York time, on March 12.”
⦿ March 12th, 2025 - 2025 League Year Begins
Starting at 4:00 PM ET, the 2025 league year commences, with free agent signings and trades now all legal.
⦿ March 30- April 2nd, 2025 - Annual League Meeting
All 32 NFL team owners will gather in Palm Beach, FL to discuss and vote on any new rules.
⦿ April 7, 2025 - Workouts Begin for New Head Coaches
NFL franchises that hired a new head coach after the end of the 2024 regular season may begin offseason workout programs.
⦿ April 18th, 2025 - RFA Deadline
Restricted free agents have until this day to sign offer sheets from their teams. Also, teams have until April 23rd to refuse the offer sheets.
⦿ April 21st, 2025 - Offseason Workouts Begin
Teams with returning head coaches can start their workout programs.
⦿ April 24th -26th, 2025 - NFL Draft
This year’s draft will be held in Green Bay, WI.
⦿ May 1st, 2025 - Fifth-Year Option Deadline
Clubs have until 5/1 to exercise the Fifth-Year Option for players selected in the first round of the 2022 Draft.
⦿ May 2-5 or May 9-12, 2025 - Post-Draft Rookie Minicamp
Clubs may elect to hold a three-day, post-draft rookie minicamp on one of the two weekends following the NFL Draft.
⦿ May/June 2025 - OTAs and Mandatory Minicamp
Teams can host OTAs and mandatory minicamp
⦿ Late July 2025 - Training Camp
We’ll know more specifics later but training camps open for all NFL teams.
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Welcome to DLF Roundup. Each week, Ryan McDowell brings you a quick look at some of the dynasty happenings taking place over at Dynasty League Football.
This time of year, there is always a heavy focus on the incoming crop of rookies, but it is important not to overlook the value that veterans can offer throughout the off-season. This week at Dynasty League Football, we have a couple of articles looking at those veterans who could be league-winners in 2025.
First, Ryan McDowell’s weekly Monday Mock series focused on Win Now Veterans. Here are the top three picks in this unique mock draft…
1.01 Saquon Barkley, RB PHI (28 Years Old)
In his first season with the Eagles, Barkley enjoyed a banner season, narrowly missing the single-season rushing yardage record and averaging over 22 fantasy points per game. At 28 years old and with a handful of elite, younger backs, Barkley currently ranks as the RB6 and a late second-rounder in our most recent dynasty ADP. Despite his amazing performance this season, many dynasty managers find it difficult to know how to value him, balancing his elite short-term scoring potential with his age and injury history.
1.02 Mark Andrews, TE BAL (29)
It was a rough start to the season for Andrews. Six weeks into the year, Andrews was just the TE20 and had dynasty managers wondering if his career was all but over. He turned things around, scoring as the TE4 from then on and finishing the season as the TE6 overall. At just 29 years old and still serving as one of the top pass-catching options for Lamar Jackson, Andrews could still produce multiple TE1 fantasy seasons.
1.03 Christian McCaffrey, RB SF (28)
Another aging running back, another player whose value is all over the board. After a strong two-year run with the 49ers, the wheels fell off for McCaffrey, who dealt with multiple significant injuries and only logged four games. Turning 29 this off-season, there are plenty of questions about CMC’s future and it doesn’t help that the 49ers are in a state of transition. It’s safe to assume we’ll see McCaffrey back, leading the San Francisco backfield for at least one more season. After last year’s woes, his value tumbled, now ranking as the RB16 and 63 overall.
Next, Lewis Wood identified Three Veteran Dynasty Running Backs to Buy This Off-Season. It can be dangerous to invest in running backs this early following the conclusion of the season, but the logic is sound here.
Check out what Lewis had to say about impending free agent Najee Harris…
Harris is a very limited running back. He was the PPR RB20 this season, and has only eclipsed four yards per carry in one of his four seasons in the NFL. However, he has reached the 1,000-yard mark in all four years, with at least 29 receptions too.
Harris is a good power back with a nose for the end zone. He’s not the elite three-down back that we were hoping for in the 2021 rookie draft when he was going at the 1.02 behind Ja’Marr Chase, but he still can be fantasy-relevant for the next few seasons. He’s the best back in this free agent class, notably meaning that he’ll find a spot before the draft. With a lot of teams needy at the RB position, Harris has a chance to find a landing spot that means he can stay relevant.
He’s currently the consensus RB29 per DLF rankings. However, I think you can trade for him incredibly cheaply for managers who just want out. The upside is limited, but the floor is definitely there depending on the landing spot.
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