In the world of fantasy football, late production can significantly impact a player’s future success. Key instances from the 2025 season illustrate this trend, particularly with players like Parker Washington, Jordan Love, Brian Thomas Jr., and James Conner.
Does Late Fantasy Football Production Predict Future Success?
Parker Washington’s Rise
Parker Washington made headlines during the 2025 playoffs. From Week 12 to the wild-card round, he recorded an impressive 90.8 PFF receiving grade, second only to Puka Nacua. Washington’s late-game performances included:
- 14 catches for 260 yards and 1 touchdown across Weeks 16 and 17.
- 5 receptions for 87 yards and a touchdown in Week 18.
- 7 receptions for 107 yards and a score during the wild-card game against the Buffalo Bills.
This surge transformed Washington from a waiver-wire pickup to a must-roster player, generating excitement going into the 2026 season.
Jordan Love’s Late Surge
Another notable player, Jordan Love, showcased a remarkable turnaround during his first starting season with the Green Bay Packers. After a pedestrian start, his performance peaked dramatically starting in Week 12, where he ranked first among quarterbacks in PFF passing grades.
- From Week 12, Love led the league with 21 touchdowns and had a passer rating of 11.5.
- He accumulated 154.6 fantasy points, finishing as the QB1 during that span.
Though his 2024 season was marred by injuries, Love rebounded in 2025, but his prior season’s momentum didn’t fully carry over, exemplifying the inconsistency of maintaining performance levels.
Brian Thomas Jr.’s Short-lived Success
On the other hand, Brian Thomas Jr. also experienced a late-season flourish. Post Week 12, his performance skyrocketed, positioning him as the WR2. However, despite high early expectations in 2025, he finished disappointing with a PFF receiving grade of 66.7.
- In his rookie season, he tallied 689 receiving yards, ranking 10th among wide receivers.
- After Week 12, he scored 137.2 points, resembling his early season production.
Thomas’ drop-off in 2025 serves as a cautionary tale for fantasy managers to consider overall trends rather than isolated hot streaks.
James Conner’s Resurgence
James Conner is a prime example of a player maintaining success after a hot finish. Despite struggles early in 2023 characterized by injuries, he excelled late, becoming the RB2 in the final weeks. His late surge included:
- 514 rushing yards from Week 13, ranking third in the league.
- Five rushing touchdowns during this same period.
In 2024, he successfully built on his late-season momentum. However, injuries in 2025 have left fantasy managers anxious for his future production.
Conclusion
Late-season performances can be exhilarating, but their predictive value is inconsistent. Fantasy managers must weigh a player’s entire body of work against recent accomplishments. It’s vital to acknowledge that previous success does not guarantee future performance, particularly over long off-seasons filled with changes. Wise drafting and roster decisions remain crucial as enthusiasm can cloud judgment.
