New NFL Rule Changes and What They Mean For 2025
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, we're rounding up the latest NFL rule changes from the annual meetings and what they mean for 2025, exploring the rookie RB class, and more.
In today's Fantasy Life Newsletter, presented by BetMGM:
The NFL owners gathered for their annual meetings this week and agreed on some significant changes.
Here is everything you need to know …
A new overtime rule. Both teams are now guaranteed a possession in overtime during the regular season. The only difference compared to the postseason overtime is that it will be 10 minutes instead of 15.
One interesting wrinkle, though … if the team that gets the first possession holds the ball for all 10 minutes and scores on the final play, the game is over without dual possessions. I can’t wait for this to be forgotten by a team who just watched Najee Harris complete 14 straight 3.5-yard runs against them in OT.
Replay assist is coming for first downs. The NFL said that it will use Sony’s Hawk-Eye technology (not to be confused with the skater) to electronically measure first downs.
This sounds cool at first blush, but doesn’t solve the real issue—the original spotting of the ball. That means you get at least one more season to scream “PUT A CHIP IN THE BALL” at your NFL watch parties.
Kickoffs are moving back. The touchback on kickoffs will be moved back from the 30-yard line to the 35-yard line for the 2025 season. The hope is that this will result in more returns after only 32.8% of all kicks were returned in 2024.
Per #theanalytics, this should indeed compel teams to avoid touchbacks, although doesn’t this just re-introduce the injury risk that the league was trying to curtail with the initial change? I dunno, I’m just asking questions.
More Zoom calls! Teams can now have a Zoom call with five different pending UFAs during the “legal tampering” period as opposed to only speaking with agents.
I can picture it now … Aaron Rodgers with a fake spaceship background asking, “Can you hear me now?”
The tush push. The greatest issue facing our society right now—the tush push—has been tabled for a future owners meeting. Go ahead and push your own tush off the edge of your seat. We’ll let you know when the league is done being stumped.
🏀🔥 The Top College Basketball Teams Are About To Battle For The Championship
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The New Class of Pass Protectors
They are your favorite running back’s best friends. Quarterbacks love these players because they keep the passers clean from dreaded “interior pressure.” While offensive tackles deservedly get the attention and admiration for taking on the best pass rushers from the opposition, interior offensive linemen—guards and centers—are often working in concert to blow open the holes that set off the highlight-reel runs that run up so many fantasy points for our RBs.
These are the unsung heroes of the offensive line, and the teams that are playing in January and February have solid players at those vital positions. Thor Nystrom has identified the next wave of players you’ll know are doing their job because you never hear their names.
IS THE NO. 1 GUARD SLATED TO PROTECT C.J. STROUD?
Navigating The Incoming RB Class
If 2025 is not the best RB class in recent memory, this one is pretty high up there. Our own Thor Nystrom has been hard at work creating some of the best NFL Draft content anywhere, and Dwain McFarland just came out with the RB Super Model for 2025. There is so much that we want to share:
- Predicting rookie RB success using the RB Super Model
- ICYMI: Profiles with backstory and scouting reports for: Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Kaleb Johnson, TreVeyon Henderson, and Quinshon Judkins.
- We also have rookie RB rankings, so you can see who else is coming.
- Thor Thursdays (Thorsdays?) is a weekly masterclass with Kendall Valenzuela on all things NFL Draft.
- Regular mock drafts from Thor and Matthew Freedman.
Our NFL Draft hub also has plenty of content on QBs, WRs, and TEs. With the draft just a little more than three weeks away, you can get everything you need to be ready for when these players land in spots where you’ll be drafting them next summer.
The latest fantasy nuggets, silliness, and NFL gossip from our merry band of football nerds:
🔮 How many of the incoming RBs will have an RB1 season in their first three seasons? We have predictions.
👀 Are the Steelers zeroing in on their QB? The answer could come during the draft.
🔪 The coach who wants to see more “killer instinct.” Sounds like Mook from White Lotus.
🚀 What would happen if Dallas Goedert gets traded? This WR would get a big bump.
🙏 Will Chris Godwin be ready for Week 1? Here’s the latest.
📈 Hype for a Panthers WR … after they missed out on DK Metcalf.
🧢 These NFL team caps will have you feeling like a first-round pick.
🔑 Looking to make a dynasty trade? Late-round rookie picks could be your key.
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