Fantasy Football Draft Targets: Trey McBride, Tyler Warren, Cole Kmet

While the 2025 fantasy football redraft season is months away, it’s never too early to look ahead. Much will change between now and August, when most redraft fantasy leagues start back up. However, let’s look at players on my early fantasy football must-have draft list for 2025 leagues.

Fantasy Football Draft Targets

ADP via Underdog Fantasy

Trey McBride (ARI): ADP 30.7 | TE2

Many had high hopes for McBride last year after his strong finish to the 2023 season. The former Colorado State star ended the year as the TE3, averaging 12.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While everyone is ready to draft Brock Bowers with a top-15 pick next season, the star rookie averaged only 0.1 more fantasy points per game than McBride. Furthermore, he had a similar statistical performance as the star rookie tight end.

McBride averaged 6.9 receptions on 9.2 targets for 71.6 receiving yards per game, totaling only two receiving touchdowns. By comparison, Bowers averaged 6.6 receptions on nine targets for 70.2 receiving yards per game, totaling five receiving scores. While the Las Vegas Raiders should improve their quarterback situation this offseason, whoever they add won’t be as good as Kyler Murray. I will happily pass on Bowers and draft McBride at a cheaper cost.

Tyler Warren (Penn State): ADP 102.9 | TE10

Historically, tight ends struggle to make a fantasy impact in their rookie season. However, that trend has changed lately. While Brock Bowers was the only fantasy-relevant rookie tight end in 2024, the former Georgia star was outstanding. Furthermore, Sam LaPorta was the TE1 his rookie year, while Dalton Kincaid finished as the TE11 in 2023. Meanwhile, Kyle Pitts was the TE7 in 2021 as a rookie, while Pat Freiermuth finished as the TE13.

While he isn’t the same level elite prospect as Bowers, Warren has the chance to be a fantasy stud. The former Penn State star was outstanding last year, leading the team in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,233), and touchdowns (eight). More importantly, Warren is a factor in the run game, totaling 26 attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. He could finish as a top-five tight end as a rookie in the right situation.

Cole Kmet (CHI): ADP 165.2 | TE21

Unfortunately, Kmet had a disappointing 2024 season. He finished the year as the TE18, averaging 5.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, the former Notre Dame star was the TE7 in 2023, averaging 8.5 fantasy points per game, a career-high. While he struggled in his first season with Caleb Williams, I would bet on him bouncing back next year after the Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach.

Chicago likely won’t re-sign Keenan Allen this offseason, opening up more targets for Kmet. More importantly, Johnson featured the tight end position during his time with the Detroit Lions. Their tight end unit averaged 80.3 receptions on 109.7 targets for 880 receiving yards and 10.7 touchdowns per season during Johnson’s three years as the team’s offensive coordinator. While he likely won’t be a top-seven guy, expect Kmet to finish in the low-end TE1 range in 2025.