The 2025 NFL season has seen offenses increasingly lean on play‑action, pre‑snap motion and run‑pass options to unlock hidden value for skill‑position players. New data from the league’s analytics department shows that teams are averaging 63.9% of snaps with motion and that play‑action attempts have pushed the league‑wide yards‑per‑pass attempt up to 7.76, a full yard above the baseline 6.72. These trends are not just statistical curiosities; they are reshaping how fantasy managers evaluate quarterbacks, running backs and receivers.
Play‑Action’s Explosive Impact
When a pass is preceded by a fake run, the defense is forced to respect the rush, opening passing lanes and often leading to higher completion percentages. The expected points added (EPA) per play climbs from a negative -0.031 to a positive 0.054 when play‑action is used, while yards per attempt jump from 6.72 to 7.76. That swing translates into roughly 1.5 additional fantasy points per game for receivers and tight ends who see a higher share of targets in play‑action situations.
Motion and Shifts: Gains and Pitfalls
Motion, now used on nearly 64% of snaps, improves EPA per play from -0.042 to 0.002, but shifts — where multiple players move at once — have the opposite effect, dropping EPA from -0.014 to -0.070. The data suggests that while motion can create simple mismatches, over‑complicated shift packages often confuse quarterbacks and reduce efficiency.
RPOs and Dual‑Threat Quarterbacks
Run‑pass options have seen a slight decline in usage, yet they remain a potent weapon for quarterbacks who can threaten the ground game. Malik Willis, the Miami Dolphins’ dual‑threat signal‑caller, boasts an elite 92.9 PFF RPO rushing grade, making him a focal point of the team’s RPO package. On RPO plays, quarterbacks are averaging 4.56 yards per rushing attempt, a figure that can boost a quarterback’s fantasy floor when the play results in a scramble or a quick pass.
Team Spotlights
The Los Angeles Rams stand out with a play‑action rate of 34.4%, well above the league average of 25.65%, a strategy that has helped their receivers post higher EPA figures. Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears, under head coach Ben Johnson, have reengineered their offense into one of the league’s most efficiently designed units, leveraging motion to create mismatches. The Seattle Seahawks are expected to keep a high motion rate under new coordinator Brian Fleury, while the Cincinnati Bengals have trimmed their play‑action usage, potentially capping the upside of their star‑studded skill group.
For fantasy managers, the takeaway is clear: targeting players who benefit from play‑action and motion can yield a measurable edge. Watch for quarterbacks with high RPO grades, such as Malik Willis, and receivers on teams that frequently employ fake runs. As the league continues to refine these concepts, the ability to predict which offenses will maximize EPA will become a cornerstone of successful draft strategies.