Jared Goff and fantasy football. Three words that went together and even rhymed in 2025, but for this NFL season, everything changes.
Why has it changed so much as to pass such a harsh judgment? Simple, when you don’t have the brain that ran the offense the alarm bells go off and that’s exactly what’s happening with Goff
The Ben Johnson effect: when the brain goes behind success
Another debate arises: should the Lions keep Goff as a centerpiece when Ben Johnson is no longer on the team? He is coming off three straight seasons finishing among the top 10 quarterbacks in the NFL. Can he have another one like that?
The departure of Johnson, now the head coach of the Chicago Bears, marks a turning point for the Detroit Lions offense.
Johnson turned Goff into an efficient quarterback, with each pass maximized: 4,629 yards, 37 touchdowns, 72.4% completions and a 111.8 rating in 2024. Star numbers.
But here’s the stat that changes everything: in six seasons without Johnson, Goff only surpassed the QB13 spot in fantasy once. His historical ceiling, outside of that context, was never as high as in the Johnson era.
If we add to this the withdrawal of center Frank Ragnow, it is very likely that we will see the offensive core of the team fracture.
ADP, rankings and the uncomfortable reality
The preseason numbers are clear:
- ADP: #101
- Draft Rank (ECR): #106
- Schedule: 25th toughest for QBs in 2025
- Expert ranking: Solid QB2, but far from a safe QB1.
That is, the platforms continue to place him in a middle ground. On Yahoo, 86% of managers have him rostered; on ESPN, it drops to 74%. It’s a divided consensus: some believe he will maintain efficiency, and others anticipate a reality check without Johnson leading the offense.
The fantasy manager’s dilemma
It’s not about hating Jared Goff. The problem is his ceiling. With a league full of mobile quarterbacks, vertical systems and creative coordinators, an efficient but limited volume quarterback can be an anchor for your team.
In other words, yes, Goff is still usable… but don’t build your roster around him. If you take him, let it be as a QB2 for strategic weeks or favorable matchups. In 2025 drafts, there are too many upside plays to marry a quarterback who is so dependent on the system.
Jared Goff is not a total bust, but neither is he the sure thing he was in 2024. The lack of Ben Johnson, the less solid offensive line and a brutal schedule put him in the premium streamer range, rather than the undisputed starter.
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