Jeff Legwold covers the Denver Broncos at ESPN. He has covered the Broncos for more than 20 years and also assists with NFL draft coverage, joining ESPN in 2013. He has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame Board of Selectors since 1999, too. Jeff previously covered the Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills and Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans at previous stops prior to ESPN.
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said Thursday that the team got “good news” on wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr.’s groin injury and that the third-year veteran should be on track to play in the Sept. 7 season opener against the Tennessee Titans.
Mims left Wednesday’s practice with the injury, walking off the field with the Broncos’ medical staff about halfway through the team’s on-field work. Mims was taken for an MRI as well as some additional tests.
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“On Marvin, good news, he’ll be back to practice,” Payton said Thursday. “We have a bonus practice Monday, and he’ll be at work Monday. So, we’re fortunate.”
Mims has spent much of training camp and the preseason among the starters on offense, as he, Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin have spent the most snaps at receiver with quarterback Bo Nix. Mims, who lined up at running back at times last season, finished with 39 receptions for 503 yards and six touchdowns.
He also made his second consecutive Pro Bowl as a returner, leading the league at 15.7 yards per punt return.
Payton has consistently talked about trying to get more snaps for Mims in the offense because of his ability to create explosive plays after the catch. He had eight catches for 103 yards, including an acrobatic touchdown catch that sent the game to overtime in the Broncos’ Dec. 28 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals.
Mims said earlier during this training camp that he hoped “that game, maybe, opened the coaches’ eyes a little bit, or made them feel more comfortable; I can do more. I want to do more, I want to earn those opportunities.”
Mims was the Broncos’ second-round pick in the 2023 draft.
Tory Barron is a Bristol-based writer and editor for ESPN.com. After retiring from playing lacrosse at UConn, the DC native decided to try her hand at writing about people playing sports.
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are “End Game.”
The pop superstar and the three-time Super Bowl champion took to social media to reveal they are engaged to be married.
“Your English teacher and your gym teacher are getting married,” the duo captioned a series of photos in a joint Instagram post, which garnered 1.2 million likes in its first 10 minutes.
Travis’ father, Ed, told News 5 Cleveland on Tuesday that his son proposed to Swift at a garden in Lee’s Summit, Missouri almost two weeks ago. He knew about Travis’ plan months in advance and expected him to propose during the 2024 NFL season.
“Travis actually did the proposal, oh, maybe two weeks, not quite two weeks ago,” Ed said. “He was going to put it off till this week. I think she was getting maybe a little antsy, but he was going to put her off till this week, to, you know, make some grand thing, to make it a big special event. And I told him repeatedly, you know, you could do it on the side of the road, do it any place that makes it a special event … when you get down on one knee and ask her to marry you.”
Ed said the couple were about to go to dinner when Travis asked if she wanted to get a glass of wine to set up the moment. They then FaceTimed Ed, who was at a public Philadelphia Eagles practice, to deliver the news. Ed also shared that he hasn’t seen Travis happier than he is with his now fiancé.
The couple’s engagement comes on the heels of a romance that captivated football and pop culture fans alike since Week 3 of the 2023 NFL season.
In Dec. 2023, Swift reflected on the origin of her oft-dissected relationship with Kelce in an article for Time Magazine Person of the Year.
“This all started when Travis very adorably put me on blast on his podcast, which I thought was metal as hell,” Swift told Time.
“We started hanging out right after that. So we actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other. By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple. I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.”
Announcing your engagement to your 14-time Grammy Award-winning girlfriend two weeks after she revealed her new album on your podcast and the week before football season officially commences? So high school, indeed.
Congratulations to @taylorswift13 and @tkelce on their engagement! pic.twitter.com/78we303YZM
— NHL (@NHL) August 26, 2025
I wanna be your end game ?
Congratulations to Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce on their engagement! pic.twitter.com/L1gjkO5MoI
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 26, 2025
NHL teams join in congratulating Tayvis
looks like we’re not the only ones getting a ring this year ? pic.twitter.com/lHb1N41KwS
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) August 26, 2025
Man in Ducks hat gets engaged. Happy for you, Taylor and Travis ?
— Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) August 26, 2025
Congrats to Taylor and Travis on their engagement! ? @taylorswift13 @tkelce if you’re looking for a place to celebrate, we throw the best parties here in Smashville! ?
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) August 26, 2025
“Did you hear Tay-…” pic.twitter.com/99JUQksIow
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) August 26, 2025
Vegas wedding??? ? @tkelce @taylorswift13
— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) August 26, 2025
NBA teams enter the chat
Alright nah ? pic.twitter.com/haF09lGMRs
— Golden State Warriors (@warriors) August 26, 2025
all of us rn pic.twitter.com/WsPNI9Pwtq
— Miami HEAT (@MiamiHEAT) August 26, 2025
#it happened
— Atlanta Hawks (@ATLHawks) August 26, 2025
Days since Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce got engaged: 0
Days until The Life of a Showgirl drops: 37
Days until Celtics basketball: 56
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 26, 2025
Kneeled to the ground and pulled out a ring and said… ?? pic.twitter.com/MqxkdFbCtf
— San Antonio Spurs (@spurs) August 26, 2025
MLB teams took time out of their schedule release day
Thanks a lot, Taylor Swift. Now no one cares that next year’s schedule is out.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/77SMUdbrl8
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) August 26, 2025
We heard Taylor Swift is trending…
Seems like a good time to bring this back ? pic.twitter.com/7o4mTVF8H5
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) August 26, 2025
did someone say Travis and Taylor were trending??? pic.twitter.com/Ue9HJLAUo6
Each year, we at ESPN Fantasy endeavor to help with your fantasy football draft prep, including sleepers lists and cheat sheets. In this column, you will get the best of both worlds, as ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter offers his personal list of early-, mid- and late-round targets in 2025 fantasy leagues.
Below are some players who could be fantasy standouts this season and outperform their current average draft position (ADP). If given a choice at certain junctures in the draft, or in tiebreaker situations, these are players who will receive strong consideration.
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For context, I am in a 12-team league, in which some of these players will not need to be drafted, and a 16-team league, in which some of them might be more valuable. As always, consider the size of your league and your scoring system in any player evaluation, but I believe the players below hold strong value relative to their ADPs and are poised to have productive seasons.
I hope this list is helpful. Good luck this season!
Quarterback
Just as the NFL has elite quarterbacks, so does fantasy. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow have racked up huge numbers for their teams and fantasy managers, but there is plenty of depth this year, and quality quarterbacks can be found in later rounds, if you choose to wait at the position.
Early rounds
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens: Coach John Harbaugh believes Jackson is one of the best passers — yes, passers — in NFL history. But Jackson’s running makes him one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in history.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: In the past year, Allen has won an MVP, gotten married and restructured his contract as he looks to duplicate — and even improve upon — his incredible 2024 season.
Middle rounds
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: From the time he turned up in Tampa, Mayfield has exceeded expectations while the Buccaneers have assembled potent offensive options.
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos: Nix is a better dual threat than people realize, and can rack up fantasy points with his legs as much as his arm.
Late rounds
Drake Maye, New England Patriots: A bigger version of Bo Nix, in the junior mold of Josh Allen, Maye can score points in the air or on the ground.
Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons: In his brief stint at the end of last season, Penix proved he belongs. He is the Falcons’ quarterback of the future and will be a fantasy fixture.
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars: Under new coach Liam Coen, Lawrence has been put in a position to achieve his potential.
Running back
A case can be made to draft either Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs with the No. 1 pick this season. Coming off a deep running back draft in April, this crop of running backs has been elevated by a number of rookies who have a chance to make meaningful fantasy contributions this season.
Early rounds
Bijan Robinson, Falcons: He would be my No. 1 pick this year.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: Gibbs might just be the most dynamic offensive player in the NFL, not to mention a touchdown machine.
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: On a team that could be involved in high-scoring affairs, Brown can catch as effectively as he runs.
Bucky Irving, Buccaneers: Irving emerged in his rookie year and seized control of the Buccaneers’ No. 1 running back spot.
Middle rounds
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Field Yates: Fantasy managers are likely overlooking Isiah Pacheco
Field Yates explains why Chiefs RB Isiah Pacheco is likely being undervalued in drafts.
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers: Few coaches love to run the football as much as Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman, and Hampton is expected to be the lead back.
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots: Demonstrated speed, elusiveness and big-play ability this preseason and will be used in conjunction with Rhamondre Stevenson.
RJ Harvey, Broncos: Rookie running backs sometimes are brought along slowly in Sean Payton’s offense, but as the season progresses, so should Harvey.
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs: An injury derailed a strong start to his 2024 season. Pacheco is healthy this year.
Late rounds
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Washington Commanders: There has been an inordinate amount of hype surrounding this seventh-round pick.
Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns: Cleveland needs, and is expected to have, one of its rookie running backs to be a factor.
Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals: It’s time for last year’s third-round draft pick to show he has a place in Arizona’s offense.
Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys: Blue has elite elusiveness and is expected to be a third-down factor.
Bhayshul Tuten, Jaguars: The rookie will likely contribute early and be consistent this season. He has too much speed not to.
Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles: Shipley is solid insurance for managers who roster running back Saquon Barkley.
Wide receiver
With the NFL’s reliance on the passing game, so many receivers have been developed that this could be the deepest group of wideouts in fantasy history. Catching contributors are available at all levels of the draft, but especially up high.
Early rounds
Ja’Marr Chase, Bengals: There is no contract drama this year, and the connection he has with Burrow is next level.
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings: A three-game suspension dings his value, but once he returns, he is expected to be a force.
Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers: Like Pearsall, injuries have impacted the Packers’ wide receivers. Someone has to produce, and their first-round pick is as good a bet as any.
Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers: The team has been pleased and impressed with how its first-round pick has looked in camp.
Keon Coleman, Bills: Coleman has looked good during training camp, like he’s ready to make a second-year jump.
Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos: He began to emerge last season and it should continue this season.
DeMario Douglas, Patriots: New England needs its receivers to step up, and Douglas did at camp.
Dyami Brown, Jaguars: Follow the money. The Jaguars paid him about $10 million per year as a free agent.
Jaylin Noel, Texans: With Tank Dell out indefinitely, Houston needs the type of big plays that Noel can provide.
Troy Franklin, Broncos: The Broncos have a lot of wide receivers, but Franklin — who played with Nix in college — is capable of making plays.
Tight end
This is a top-heavy position, with Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and George Kittle being the headliners. Once it gets past them, there is uncertainty and some risk.
Early rounds
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: Last year’s first-round pick looked like a star in his rookie season in Vegas.
Trey McBride, Cardinals: There were times last season when he played like a baby Gronk.
Middle rounds
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Sam LaPorta, Lions: Flashed superstar potential as a rookie in 2023, when the Lions featured him.
Evan Engram, Broncos: Sean Payton has been waiting for an effective pass-catching tight end, and now he has one.
Jake Ferguson, Cowboys: Coming off an injury, Ferguson is poised to resume his production in Dallas’ offense.
Later rounds
Isaiah Likely, Ravens: He could be the No. 1 tight end on many teams. Things are tougher in Baltimore with Mark Andrews around, but the Ravens know how talented Likely is.
Theo Johnson, Giants: Johnson was a factor as his rookie season progressed and should be even better this season.
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers: He flashed during his rookie season as well, and has a chance to take a meaningful jump in Year 2.
AJ Barner, Seahawks: Seattle needs a tight end to step up, and Barner might be up to the task.
