When it comes to building a championship-caliber fantasy football roster, targeting the right players on draft day is everything. That’s why we’ve asked our collection of Featured Pros – a trusted group of top-ranked fantasy football experts – to share their must-have draft targets for the 2025 season. These are the players our experts are circling on their cheat sheets across all formats, whether it’s a league-winning RB, breakout WR, or a late-round sleeper with massive upside. If you want to walk away from your draft feeling confident, this expert-approved list is the perfect place to start.

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Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets

What one RB outside the top 30 in the expert consensus are you hoping to end up with in all your leagues and why?

Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)

“I expect Javonte Williams to start the season as the lead Cowboys RB in a workhorse role. How long that role lasts is a different question, but hovering around 20 opportunities per game, in a high-powered Dallas offense, for at least half the year, will definitely return value on an ADP of RB36. For the record- Neither 5th Round Pick Jaydon Blue nor depth piece Mile Sanders are screaming “bell cow RB”. Javonte, in the prime of his career at just 25 years old, is reminding me a ton of 2024 Chuba Hubbard as we enter fantasy draft season.”
– Joe Orrico (No Expert Fantasy Football)

“I’m targeting Javonte Williams (RB37) outside the top 30. His late-season surge in 2024 showed he’s regaining his pre-injury explosiveness, and a new home in Dallas with little backfield competition makes his current ADP a steal for the value he could provide. With a favorable schedule and potential for increased goal-line work, he’s a high-upside RB3 with RB2 potential. His current ADP makes him a steal for the value he could provide.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

MarShawn Lloyd (RB – GB)

“MarShawn Lloyd is a high-upside handcuff that’s practically free in drafts. He had tough injury luck as a rookie, but is healthy now. Lloyd was an exciting prospect coming out of USC and is the odds-on favorite to win the No. 2 RB job in a strong offense behind a 27-year-old RB coming off a season with over 350 total touches. Josh Jacobs has missed time in four of his six NFL campaigns.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)

Zach Charbonnet (RB – SEA)

“Zach Charbonnet is a must-have for any Kenneth Walker manager, and even has tons of appeal stand-alone. When Walker missed time a year ago, Charbonnet came in and looked the part (and then some) of a starting running back. With Walker out, Charbonnet finished as an RB1 on three separate occasions. Now, with Seattle looking to become a more run-first offense, there could be some pathway towards Charbonnet getting more work, even if Walker is healthy. Take Walker out of the equation, and Charbonnet has league winner written all over him.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“Zach Charbonnet is an early target of mine. He’s probably just as talented as Kenneth Walker and will likely have a role even when Walker is healthy. And given Walker’s injury history, Charbonnet should sometimes have the backfield to himself. It’s also possible that Charbonnet could impress the new coaching staff and ascend to the starting job.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)

Jaylen Wright (RB – MIA)

“Jaylen Wright, the Miami Dolphins’ explosive second-year running back, is a must-have fantasy football draft target for 2025 due to his untapped potential in one of the NFL’s most dynamic offenses. With Raheem Mostert cut this offseason and De’Von Achane‘s injury history, Wright is poised to step into a significant role, potentially as the RB2 or even challenging for RB1 duties. His elite speed (4.38 40-yard dash) and big-play ability (7.4 yards per carry in college) perfectly complement Mike McDaniel’s outside-zone scheme, which led the NFL in RB PPR points per game in 2024. Wright’s pass-blocking prowess, highlighted as the best among 2024 rookie RBs, ensures he’ll see the field in critical situations, boosting his three-down potential. At a low ADP (RB49, Round 12), he’s a high-upside lottery ticket who could deliver top-25 RB production if opportunity strikes, making him a steal for savvy drafters.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)

Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL)

“Jaydon Blue (RB54 in the rankings) will be one of my highest-rostered running backs in redraft leagues this season. The former Texas star was a Day 3 pick but landed in an excellent situation for his fantasy value. Last year, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders ranked in the bottom 16 among 70 running backs with at least 55 rushing attempts in yards per attempt. Furthermore, both veterans averaged 2.51 or fewer rushing yards per attempt last season. While it might be too early to call him the next De’Von Achane, Blue could have a similar rookie year to the star running back with two ineffective veterans ahead of him on the depth chart. Therefore, there is no reason he should be ranked behind running backs who need an injury to start, like Jaylen Wright (RB49) and Jerome Ford (RB53), when Blue could earn the starting role before Week 1.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)

“Cam Skattebo has a strong chance to start for the Giants’ offense in Week 1. Despite being a Day 3 pick, he brings a physical running style and the ability to run through defenders, making him a valuable addition to New York’s backfield. His PPR upside is evident from his college career, where he recorded 45 receptions for 605 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a standout 99-yard receiving performance in last year’s Peach Bowl against Texas. His three-down potential gives him an opportunity to carve out a high-volume role, with his combination of physicality, receiving ability, and playmaking setting him up for long-term success. Skattebo is a strong dynasty target outside the Top 30, making him a player worth adding across all fantasy formats.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)

Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)

“The Minnesota Vikings traded for Jordan Mason this offseason, and he is one Aaron Jones injury away from a full workload. The Vikings didn’t draft any backs in this year’s draft, and Ty Chandler fell out of favor on the depth chart last season. This is going to be a two-headed monster in Minnesota behind a revamped interior offensive line that has done nothing but upgrade with the acquisitions of Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Donovan Jackson. In addition to finishing fourth in yards over expected per attempt and seventh in rushing yards after contact last season, Mason ranked second in total rushing yards (667) before his injury in Week 8. I fully expect Mason to take on a larger role near the goal line, given that Jones struggled immensely in this area in 2024 (-14.4 EPA generated in goal-to-goal situations last season).”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

“Jordan Mason is going to be a middle-round target for me. I think he’ll be a hand-in-glove for Kevin O’Connell’s zone-heavy run scheme. Aaron Jones is going to be the starter, but Mason could get enough work to have stand-alone value, and if the 30-year-old Jones were to miss any time, Mason’s value would skyrocket. We saw how valuable Mason was when Christian McCaffrey missed time early last season. Over the first five weeks of the season, before he sustained a shoulder injury in Week 6, Mason was averaging 107.2 rushing yards a game and 5.1 yards per carry for the 49ers, making him the RB5 in half-point PPR fantasy scoring over that stretch. Mason is a sneaky-good value in the early double-digit rounds.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

“Jordan Mason is likely to be the chalky answer here… at least to my mind. Mason lands in an excellent offensive scheme in Minnesota with a novice QB in need of run support to help him through his first season as the starter. Aaron Jones is the incumbent RB, but he’s entering his age-30 season and earned the most touches of his career in 2024. Clearly, Kevin O’Connell and the Vikings staff sought to both limit his workload and add a bigger-bodied back for short-yardage and goal-line situations. I like Jones enough, but Mason’s value as the current RB40 is too good to pass up.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)

Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)

“The word on the street, per Jeremy Fowler at ESPN, is that the new regime in Jacksonville is not very high on RB Travis Etienne. Remember, it was former Jaguars’ GM Trent Baalke who drafted Etienne, not current GM James Gladstone. Gladstone drafted Bhayshul Tuten, and I expect him to be the best fantasy RB in Jacksonville, as long as Tuten can cure his fumbling issues, which cropped up in college. When it comes to Bhayshul “Rootin'” Tuten, he’s the fastest RB north, south, east, and west of the Pecos, in the 2025 NFL Draft, according to Yosemite Sam Ringo. Ringo’s comp- Tuten reminds me of a lighter version of former Bronco and Redskin RB, Clinton Portis.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAC)

“I will have 100% rostership of Travis Etienne Jr. if his current value remains the same throughout the rest of this offseason. Etienne was the RB6 in FPPG in 2023, and now he has Liam Coen calling plays for him. Even if Tank Bigsby and Etienne are splitting the backfield, we just saw what Coen could do in Tampa Bay with Rachaad White and Bucky Irving, who were back-to-back in FPPG last season. Etienne has the highest ceiling out of any of the running backs that you can currently get outside of the FantasyPros expert consensus top 30 running backs.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)

Najee Harris (RB – PIT)

“I think Najee Harris at RB33 is a great steal. Harris has gotten 1,000 yards per season every season he’s been in the NFL. Granted, those were all with the Steelers, and he’s on the Chargers now, but I still think he’s got something in the tank. The team drafted Omarion Hampton, so Harris’s upside is limited. I’m not succumbing to the rookie fever here. Instead, I’m taking the vet at his discounted price.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)

What one WR outside the top 30 in the expert consensus are you hoping to end up with in all your leagues and why?

Cooper Kupp (WR – SEA)

“I don’t believe Kupp is “washed.” Injury-prone, yes. But no longer capable of scoring fantasy points, no. Weeks 8-14 Last Year Per Game: 18.0 Fantasy Points (WR4), 27.4% Target Share (WR11). Still Producing. Still Demanding Targets. New QB Sam Darnold Supported BOTH Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison as Top 5 WRs Weeks 9-17. Kupp’s ADP of WR34 bakes in his injury risk- the perfect cost!”
– Joe Orrico (No Expert Fantasy Football)

Rashid Shaheed (WR – NO)

“Rashid Shaheed was producing as a top-24 fantasy WR before last year’s Week 6 knee injury. There are QB questions in New Orleans heading into 2025. But Shaheed is the clear No. 2 WR and got a coaching upgrade with the arrival of Kellen Moore. All six of Moore’s NFL offenses have topped 65 plays per game. For perspective, only four teams topped 65 plays per game last year.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)

Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)

“It feels like an eternity since Ricky Pearsall was selected in the 1st round by the 49ers, given everything the young man has gone through since then. Entering his sophomore season, the skies couldn’t be any more perfect for a Pearsall breakout. Deebo Samuel is in Washington, and Brandon Aiyuk is still recovering from the knee injury he suffered a year ago. Pearsall will have to contend with Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, and Jauan Jennings for targets early on, yet despite the competition for targets, there is no doubt that Pearsall could become a regular on offense for San Francisco.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)

“Ricky Pearsall is a must-have fantasy football draft target for the San Francisco 49ers in 2025, as his late-2024 surge and an evolving team dynamic position him for a breakout. In his final two games of 2024, Pearsall amassed 14 receptions on 18 targets for 210 yards and two touchdowns, showcasing his ability to capitalize on increased opportunities with a 77.8% catch rate and 11.7 yards per target. With Deebo Samuel traded to the Washington Commanders and Brandon Aiyuk potentially sidelined early due to a torn ACL, Pearsall is projected to step into a starting WR2 role, boosting his target share in Kyle Shanahan’s high-octane offense, which ranked top-5 in passing efficiency in 2024. His 64.1 PFF receiving grade and low 3.1% drop rate as a rookie highlight his reliability, while his versatility, evidenced by three rushes for 45 yards, adds flex appeal. Currently undervalued with an ADP of WR45 (Round 8-9), Pearsall’s elite athletic profile (4.41 40-yard dash, 6.64 3-cone) and the 49ers’ easy 2025 pass schedule make him a steal with WR2 upside.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)

“Ricky Pearsall (WR45 in the rankings) will be my favorite 49ers wide receiver to pick in redraft leagues this year. Unfortunately, he missed the first six weeks recovering from a gunshot during an attempted robbery during the preseason. Yet, the former Florida star was outstanding when getting the ball, averaging 18.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the three contests with six or more targets, scoring three receiving touchdowns. San Francisco traded away Deebo Samuel this offseason, while Brandon Aiyuk is coming off a torn ACL and MCL. The fact that Pearsall is the lowest of the 49ers’ top three wide receivers in the rankings makes me want to draft him all the more.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)

Khalil Shakir (WR – BUF)

“Khalil Shakir is a boring pick, but that doesn’t mean he can’t be a good pick. The Bills didn’t add anything major to the WR room, which sets up Shakir for an easy 80-plus catches. He’s unlikely to ever dominate the touchdown column, but last year’s haul (four) was probably a little unlucky. You’ll get Shakir as a WR4 or WR5 in many leagues, and that’s screaming profit.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)

Matthew Golden (WR – GB)

“Matthew Golden’s elite speed, route-running precision, and versatility make him a seamless fit for the Packers’ offensive system, which mirrors many of the concepts he thrived in at Texas. The Longhorns’ RPO-heavy, run-balanced scheme emphasized quick decision-making, deep-threat opportunities, and spacing, all of which align with Matt LaFleur’s offensive philosophy in Green Bay. Golden’s ability to stretch the field, create separation, and adjust to defensive coverages will allow him to transition quickly and become a key weapon for Jordan Love. His experience in motion-heavy formations and vertical passing concepts ensures he won’t take long to master the Packers’ playbook. Golden is a must-target WR outside the Top 30, offering both immediate production and long-term upside.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)

Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)

“I’m targeting Tetairoa McMillan (WR34) outside the top 30 ADP on FantasyPros. As a rookie, his elite route-running and athleticism make him a high-upside pick in Carolina’s evolving offense. With potential for a significant role in 2025, he could emerge as a key target for Bryce Young, especially in half-PPR formats. His current ADP offers great value for a possible WR2 with WR1 upside.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)

“Carolina drafted Tetairoa McMillan 8th overall, inserting him into a Panthers offense in need of a true WR1. If Bryce Young takes even a modest step forward in Year 3 and continues to fuel fantasy success for his No. 1 target, McMillan could be this year’s breakout rookie receiver. Note that Adam Thielen surpassed both 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards during Young’s rookie season. Last year in Dave Canales’ offense, the Panthers’ No. 1 WR between Diontae Johnson/Thielen was pacing for over 1,100 receiving yards over a 17-game sample size (33% first-read target share).”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)

Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)

“Despite dealing with wretched quarterbacking last year, Calvin Ridley finished with 1,017 receiving yards and was WR27 in fantasy scoring. From Week 8 on, he was WR16. Now he gets to play with No. 1 draft pick Cam Ward, who has a terrific arm and is no shrinking violet with regard to throwing aggressively downfield. The Titans don’t exactly have an abundance of pass-catching talent, so Ridley figures to lead the team in targets by a mile. Ridley’s ECR of WR36 suggests he’ll be a bargain in 2025 fantasy drafts.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)

Travis Hunter (WR, DB – JAC)

“I don’t think some of the fantasy football analysts realize just how talented Travis Hunter is, because if they did, they’d rank him a hell of a lot higher. In my humble opinion, the most talented wide receiver in Jacksonville isn’t Brian Thomas Jr.; it’s Travis Hunter. Hunter is tougher with contested catches and is a better route runner. The only concern I have is how many snaps he’ll play, but with a current consensus ranking of only WR 32, I’ll roll the dice based on his talent alone. That’s in Ringo’s draft neighborhood- very talented players who don’t cost a lot. Ringo’s comp- a lighter version of Ja’Marr Chase.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)

“Travis Hunter is currently ranked as the half PPR WR32. That won’t last through the summer, but I’ll scoop up his value while it’s still too low. Hunter was selected with the 2nd overall pick in the NFL Draft by a team that traded up to acquire his services. He enters a situation with only one true alpha target earner and plenty of players and coaches with something to prove on the offensive side of the ball. Liam Coen and the Jags will scheme up a ton of plays for Hunter while gamescripting heavy workloads for him in mismatch situations from week to week. He has a pretty solid floor and a blow-the-roof-off ceiling and is going around names like Chris Olave, Jaylen Waddle, and Jordan Addison. Of these players, only Hunter has the skill and the top-tier situation to be your fantasy squad’s weekly WR1.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)

Darnell Mooney (WR – ATL)

“Darnell Mooney quietly had 992 receiving yards and five touchdowns last season. Mooney would have had his 2nd 1,000-yard season of his career, but he missed the final regular season game with an injury. Michael Penix Jr. ranked 1st in accurate throw percentage on passes of 20+ yards last season. Mooney ranked 10th in receiving yards on passes of 20+ yards. Drake London is the WR1 on this team, and Kyle Pitts might mess around and outplay his rookie season for the first time since he entered the league, but Darnell Mooney is someone who could easily have over 1,000 yards and anywhere from 8-10 receiving touchdowns this season. I expect him to be a low-end WR2 this year with WR1 weekly upside.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)

Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)

“Rome Odunze at WR37 feels like tremendous value to me. Keenan Allen is currently a free agent, making Odunze the #2 option behind DJ Moore on the Bears. They drafted Luther Burden as well, but Odunze was drafted higher and has a year of experience under his belt. I understand that rookies are fun to draft, but give me the more talented player at the lower price all day.”
– Andrew Hall (FantasyPros)

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