Nuclear Options
There are several ways that a Nuclear option can present itself. To piggyback on the handcuff method, let’s assume a starting RB has been named for Texas. You could draft the second string player late in a draft with the hopes that if the starter goes down with injury, the back-up’s fantasy value explodes. Another way that Nuclear options can present themselves is when there is an expected starter that now looks to see a massive increase in workload.
Typically in this situation, players from the previous year’s team that were fantasy productive have left, vacating workload opportunities. When I identify these type of Nuclear options I look for two items. First, I want coaches who have a history of big performances at that position group. Second, I look for situations where the player in question has a low risk level of other players that could eat too much into the anticipated workload share.
Just like nuclear weapons, the Nuclear options in this article vary in size. Some of the Nuclear options could win you your fantasy league, while others could be very good fantasy players at their position. I am focusing on both larger and smaller Nuclear options since these are high upside players you should keep in mind during your fantasy drafts.
**This article will be updated as position battles sort themselves out through the summer**
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HONORABLE MENTIONS
HAWAII
QB Micah Alejado
One of the more optimistic names for the 2025 season is Micah Alejado. He spent last season as the back-up quarterback, but in one lone start had 57 pass attempts for 469 yards, 5 TDs and 0 INTs. He entered spring camp as the unquestioned QB1 and showed that he brings more talent to the quarterback position than any other QB that head coach Timmy Chang has had at Hawaii. Chang’s history at Hawaii has not provided the type of fantasy fruit we have expected from his run-and-shoot offense yet, but the hopes are that Alejado will change all that. He is still very green and has lots to prove this season so its best to secure a solid QB1 & QB2 before taking a shot on Alejado’s Nuclear potential.
WR Pofele Ashlock
During the 2023 season Pofele Ashlock led the Hawaii receivers in targets and fell just shy of being the fantasy WR1 in the offense. The 2024 season was marred with inconsistent quarterback play which held Ashlock’s fantasy value in check. With the possible Nuclear storm that Micah Alejado could bring at the quarterback position you can’t ignore that Ashlock could shatter expectations in 2025. Ashlock’s role in the offense suffers from a bunch of very short routes that require him to catch the ball and make plays in space. For him to crack 10+ TDs he will need to be used more in the deep and intermediate passing game. But the sheer volume of 120+ targets is too much to ignore for a potential huge year.
INDIANA
QB Fernando Mendoza
Fernando Mendoza transfers into Bloomington from California to take the reigns of the Hoosier offense. While only posting 107 yards and 2 TDs on the ground last year, Mendoza is a nimble quarterback who can run with the football. When offensive coordinator Mike Shanahan has had mobile quarterbacks he has generated great fantasy success. Its still to be seen if Shanahan will let Mendoza carry the ball 90 times to match the type of utilization that we see in Shanahan’s history.
IOWA STATE
RB Carson Hansen
Carson Hansen finished 2024 as the RB1 for Iowa State. While he dominated the TD production from the backfield, his carries were held in check at 151 as Abu Sama was able to siphon off 124 carries for himself. If Sama gets injured, Hansen’s workload should exceed 200 carries. Running backs that meet the 200 carry mark for head coach Matt Campbell have been strong fantasy assets.
LOUISVILLE
RB Duke Watson
For Duke Watson to have Nuclear potential in 2025, it requires starting running back Isaac Brown to go down with injury. Watson brings a talent level that is close to being on par with Brown, and we should see Watson eat into some of Brown’s carries. But with a Brown injury we could see the first running back for head coach Jeff Brohm reach the 200 carries mark. If Watson is allowed to be the workhorse back with Brown out of action, he could become a player that wins you your fantasy league. In terms of draft potential, taking Watson with the hopes he goes Nuclear should only be done in best ball leagues, or potentially a very deep league with 20+ fantasy teams.
MINNESOTA
RB AJ Turner
Darius Taylor is the locked and loaded RB1 of this team. In the event he were to go down with injury, his replacement could be a juicy nuclear option if he can dominate the carries. Cameron Davis transfers in from Washington and would be a contender but I don’t feel like he has the ability to be a replacement bell cow back. This leaves us with AJ Turner as the only candidate with enough talent that could step in and command a large workload in the event Taylor is lost to injury.
SMU
TE RJ Maryland
The 2024 season was not what RJ Maryland had hoped for. He had up and down performances as the quarterback play struggled, then eventually went down for the season with a knee injury. If you go back to the 2023 season Maryland scored 111 fantasy points on 55 targets for 518 yards and 7 TDs. He sat out spring camp while rehabbing his knee and we’ll have to wait until fall camp to see if he is healthy enough to return to his 2023 form. If he doesn’t have any limitations in his play from the knee injury Maryland could be considered a small yield Nuclear option, only because the tight end position lacks fantasy heavy hitters in 2025.
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