Will Shipley’s Fantasy Value in 2025: A High-Upside Handcuff or Fool’s Gold?

First, a bit of perspective. At Clemson, Shipley had the kind of career that screamed “potential NFL role player” more than “future RB1.” Over three seasons, his 3,350 total yards and 33 touchdowns were respectable. But look a little closer, and cracks begin to appear, especially in his ability to create big plays in tight spaces.

The real selling point? His overall versatility. His capable hands make him a three-down option if the stars align (read: Barkley sidelined by injury). But don’t expect power runs or Marshawn Lynch-esque highlight reels. This 5’11”, 209-pound back is more about finesse than ferocity.

Fantasy Value 101: The Case For and Against Drafting Shipley

The Pro Argument

Shipley is, without a doubt, a top-tier handcuff. With Barkley’s lead-back role essentially cemented, drafting him is essentially mandatory for anyone who grabs Saquon in the first round. Barkley doesn’t exactly have an iron-clad injury history either, and the Eagles have a borderline elite offensive line that can elevate average backs into fantasy relevance when opportunity knocks.

If Barkley goes down, Shipley likely assumes a majority share of the workload. During his few opportunities in clean-up duty, Shipley showed flashes of speed and shiftiness. Notably, his catching ability will be a boost for any QB scrambling for check-down options.

The Con Argument

Now, the flipside of the coin. Shipley isn’t stepping into a dream scenario should a Barkley injury happen. Philly signed bruiser A.J. Dillon in the offseason, meaning he would likely only inherit the “lightning” part of the backfield committee. Translation? Pass-catching work with fewer goal-line opportunities than a discount punchline at open mic night.

If you’re drafting Shipley expecting him to evolve into some Barkley 2.0, prepare for disappointment. He’s sitting in that somewhat miserable fantasy gray area where standalone value is minimal, and contingent value only arises if and when disaster strikes.

Should You Draft Will Shipley in 2025 Fantasy Football?

If you’re playing in a standard 10-team league, Shipley’s more of a “last few picks” dart throw. But in deeper formats or leagues with 20+ roster spots? He’s a must-handcuff for Saquon managers, with upside that could justify an RB4 or RB5 designation on your bench.

Sweet Spot Draft Range: Round 14-16 in 12-team leagues, depending on Barkley’s injury history and Philly’s offensive trends in preseason. If Dillon looks sluggish or camp chatter inflates his reliability in passing schemes, bump him up a round.

A Word of Caution

Don’t overthink Will into a primary draft target. For every standout handcuff like Tony Pollard or Alexander Mattison, there are countless benchwarmers who see zero meaningful snaps all year. Manage expectations. His floor is Return of the Jedi Ewok filler; his ceiling is a borderline RB2 should Barkley miss serious time.

Final Verdict

Draft Will Shipley if you already have Barkley for insurance. If not, keep scrolling unless you’re desperate for bench depth. His standalone value as an RB2 in Philly’s offense is about as dependable as trusting a houseplant to babysit your dog. But if “what-if” scenarios are your fantasy strategy MO, Shipley is the kind of intriguing gamble that could pay off if chaos reigns in the Eagles’ locker room.

Key Takeaways From Shipley’s 2025 Outlook:

• Best Case Scenario: Injury to Barkley gives Shipley a fantasy-relevant workload.
• Worst Case Scenario: Stuck in a split-backfield purgatory with zero consistency.
• Draft Strategy: Must-handcuff if you draft Barkley. Low-priority stash otherwise.

Bookmark this one, fantasy fiends. Making sense of Will Shipley’s value in 2025 might end up being the ultimate “roll the dice” pick of your draft season.