The NFL offseason is always full of surprises: blockbuster trades, unexpected releases, and fresh starts that shake up rosters across the league. For many players, changing teams comes with challenges: new systems, different quarterbacks, unfamiliar coaching styles; it's a shift that often slows production.
But some players are built differently. Whether it’s their high football IQ, elite skillset, or adaptability, certain veterans don’t just handle transitions, they excel in them. These are the types of players who continue to put up numbers, anchor offenses, and prove that a new jersey doesn’t mean a new version of themselves.
As we head into the 2025 fantasy football season, here are five proven stars who may have changed teams but are still set up to deliver big for their franchises and for fantasy football managers alike.
Davante Adams
(WR, Los Angeles Rams)
Like I stated in a previous article, Davante Adams had a whirlwind 2024 NFL season, splitting the year between the Raiders and Jets. Despite the midyear move and instability at quarterback, Adams still produced at a high level, showcasing his elite route running, physicality, and ability to win in contested situations. Even with constant changes around him, he never stopped looking like a WR1.
Now in Los Angeles, he joins a Rams offense led by head coach Sean McVay, who is one of the best play-callers in the league. With Puka Nacua drawing top coverage and attention, Adams will have more freedom to operate and take advantage of matchups. McVay’s offense is designed to maximize weapons, and Adams is still one of the most complete receivers in football.
He’s set to be a reliable, high-volume target in an offense that will get him the ball in space and in scoring opportunities. Don’t expect a step back, if anything, Adams might be in for one of his more efficient seasons yet.
Sam Darnold
(QB, Seattle Seahawks)
Sam Darnold revived his career in Minnesota last season, stepping up after Kirk Cousins left for Atlanta and delivering one of the best stretches of his career. Under head coach Kevin O’Connell, Darnold showed composure, made smart decisions, and protected the football which was a major step forward in his development.
Now he heads to Seattle, where the system may be different, but the supporting cast is just as strong. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Kenneth Walker III, and newly-signed veteran Cooper Kupp around him, Darnold won’t be short on weapons. The Seahawks have the tools in place to keep their offense rolling and Darnold should benefit.
Let’s be honest: if Geno Smith could put up top-15 fantasy numbers in this same offense, Darnold absolutely has the tools and situation to do the same. He’s finally in a place where things are stable and that’s when he’s at his best.
Evan Engram
(TE, Denver Broncos)
Evan Engram turned the corner during his time in Jacksonville, evolving from an inconsistent pass-catcher into one of the most reliable tight ends in football. Over the past two seasons, he became a safety blanket for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, showcasing his speed, sharp route running, and ability to rack up yards after the catch. He quietly finished near the top of the league in targets and receptions among tight ends, and now he’s bringing that momentum to a Denver team looking for stability and leadership in the passing game.
Engram enters a Broncos offense led by Bo Nix, who’s heading into his second year as the starting quarterback. Young quarterbacks tend to lean on tight ends, especially ones as experienced and dynamic as Engram. He can win from the slot, beat linebackers up the seam, and act as a reliable option in the red zone; all things that will make Nix’s life easier as he continues to develop.
More importantly, Engram is now under the direction of Sean Payton, a coach who has a long and successful history of utilizing tight ends as offensive centerpieces. Payton helped make stars out of Jeremy Shockey, Jimmy Graham, and Jared Cook, and even turned Juwan Johnson, a former wide receiver, into a viable fantasy tight end. Payton’s system rewards tight ends who can move, block when needed, and create separation, and Engram checks every box.
This isn’t just a stopgap signing. Engram is expected to be a featured piece in the Broncos’ offense, both as a volume target and a red-zone mismatch. His ability to create after the catch and line up anywhere on the field gives Denver versatility, and his chemistry with Nix has reportedly looked strong in early camp.
In a league full of tight ends who are either boom-or-bust or overly touchdown-dependent, Engram offers something rare: weekly consistency with big-play upside. In Denver’s evolving offense, he’s more than just a fit, he’s a focal point.
Justin Fields
(QB, New York Jets)
Justin Fields had a strong six-game run as the starting quarterback for the Steelers during the 2024 NFL season, showing real growth in accuracy, decision-making, and confidence as a passer. He flashed the dynamic skill set that made him a first-round pick, both through the air and on the ground.
After six starts with the Steelers, they decided to bench him for Russell Wilson, even though Fields looked better in the system. Now with the New York Jets, Fields steps into a new system with legit playmakers around him. Garrett Wilson is a certified WR1, and rookie tight end Mason Taylor is already slotted in as TE1 per ESPN. The Jets have invested in their offensive line and seem committed to building around Fields’ dual-threat ability.
With better protection and a scheme that should allow him to create both within structure and off-script, Fields is in a great position to finally find consistency and explode statistically.
George Pickens
(WR, Dallas Cowboys)
George Pickens broke out in 2024 with the Steelers, proving he could be more than just a highlight-reel receiver. He consistently won on the outside, brought toughness to the red zone, and stepped up as a true WR1 when called upon. His body control, sideline awareness, and contested-catch ability are already among the league’s best.
Now with the Dallas Cowboys, Pickens enters an offense that fits him perfectly. With CeeDee Lamb drawing double teams, Pickens should see one-on-one coverage consistently. He’s exactly the type of physical, vertical threat that thrives in Dak Prescott’s aggressive passing attack.
The WR2 role is wide open, and Pickens has the talent to not just fill it, but take it over. Don’t expect any kind of drop-off in production. If anything, the big-play upside might be even higher in Dallas. The Cowboys also love to run play-action, which plays directly into Pickens’ strengths as a physical downfield threat.
He’s expected to step right into the WR2 role, and based on his talent, he could quickly develop into one of the league’s most dangerous second options, or even push for WR1B-type usage depending on how defenses play Lamb.
With more consistent quarterback play and a creative offensive coordinator who knows how to feature aggressive, athletic wideouts, Pickens is walking into a perfect situation. His production from 2024 is just the beginning.