Drafting the right players is key to winning your fantasy football league, but avoiding the wrong ones is just as important. Every year, certain running backs and wide receivers get overhyped, over-drafted, or simply don’t live up to expectations. To help you steer clear of potential landmines in your 2025 fantasy football draft, we asked our collection of Featured Pros to weigh in on which RBs and WRs they’re avoiding at current ADP. Whether it’s due to workload concerns, injury risk, or inflated cost, these are the players our experts believe carry more risk than reward. Before you make your next pick, make sure these names aren’t on your draft board.
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Players Experts are Avoiding
What one RB inside the top 100 in our consensus ADP do you plan on avoiding in all your drafts relative to their price and why?
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB)
“I’m passing on Josh Jacobs at his 2nd-round price tag. Everything went right for him last year. MarShawn Lloyd‘s season was wiped out by injuries, clearing the way for Jacobs’ workhorse role. Jordan Love also dealt with injuries, pushing the Packers to go run-heavy. And Jacobs played a full season for just the 2nd time in his career. I expect Lloyd to be a factor in 2025 and for Green Bay to throw more with a healthy Love. Plus, the last time Jacobs topped 300 carries as he did last year, he averaged a career-worst 3.5 yards per carry the following season.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
“Breece Hall is a risky pick for 2025 fantasy football drafts due to his declining efficiency and uncertain role in a potentially revamped New York Jets offense. In 2024, Hall averaged a career-low 5.1 yards per touch, down from 6.9 in 2022 and 5.3 in 2023, with only 876 rushing yards on 209 attempts, indicating a loss of explosiveness. His touchdown production dropped to five rushing scores in 2024 from nine total touchdowns in 2023, and his receiving stats fell from 76 catches for 591 yards to 57 for 483 yards, reducing his PPR value (which could further be limited with the arrival of Justin Fields at QB). The Jets’ coaching staff, led by Aaron Glenn, has hinted at a committee approach with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis, potentially limiting Hall’s touches. Additionally, the switch to Justin Fields as quarterback, who had a high check-down rate in 2024 but often runs instead of passing to running backs, could further decrease Hall’s receiving opportunities, making him a high-risk RB2 and a player that I will undoutbedly be passing on at his current ADP (36th Overall).”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)
“The one RB inside the top 100 in the consensus ADP that I plan on avoiding in all of my drafts relative to the price is Breece Hall of the New York Jets. He’s currently the highest-ranked running back that is scheduled to be a part of the dreaded running back by committee with Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis. Hall will be the primary back, but it may cut into his overall production numbers over the course of the season. You could play this from a different perspective and pass on Hall altogether and draft Braelon Allen in rounds 12-15 as a sleeper pick.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
“Imagine this: an RB fresh off his fourth straight season of 1k yards on the ground, a top 10 season in 10+ yard runs and MTFs, marks that are comfortably above average in PFF’s run grade, targets, and yards after contact. Now imagine taking his backfield mate at RB16. I don’t dislike Omarion Hampton, but he needs a capable Najee to ride the bench to make an impact for your fantasy team. I won’t be drafting Omarion anywhere at RB16 cost. Find me offering trades for him at a discount after week 7.”
– Seth Miller (Crossroads Fantasy Football)
“This answer is unlikely to be popular, but Omarion Hampton is going way too high in drafts. ADP’s RB16, Hampton, may have gone round 1 of the NFL draft, but Najee Harris still exists and will siphon too much work for Hampton to return value at that price. He should not be a rookie RB2, even, and I’d much prefer RJ Harvey or Kaleb Johnson a round or two later. Veterans Alvin Kamara, Chuba Hubbard, Joe Mixon, and James Conner all fall behind Hampton, but I’d expect all to outscore him in points per game.”
– Justin Frye (Pro Football Network)
“Omarion Hampton is abundantly talented, and I feel fortunate to have landed him in a couple of my dynasty rookie drafts. But if the redraft price is a late fourth-round pick (46th overall), I’m out. It’s inevitable that Hampton is going to share work with Najee Harris. Plus, running backs have never caught many passes in Greg Roman’s offenses, and his offenses usually operate at one of the slower paces in the league. The timeshare arrangement, slow pace, and modest receiving numbers are going to cap Hampton’s ceiling, and an RB16 ADP seems a little too optimistic.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
“Alvin Kamara has a modest 18 touchdowns the last three years, as he’s often overlooked for the chippies at the goal. This year, he has to navigate his age-30 season tied to a substandard offensive line and an inexperienced quarterback room. It’s not impossible for a running back to overcome a bad offense, but why run uphill when you don’t have to? Kamara also hasn’t played a full schedule since his rookie campaign of 2017.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)
RJ Harvey (RB – DEN)
“RJ Harvey, Broncos: I don’t doubt Harvey’s football ability or athleticism. But at 5’8, 205 pounds, can he escape a true timeshare with new Bronco J.K. Dobbins? That question has me shying away from Harvey’s RB22 ADP.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
De’Von Achane (RB – MIA)
“At the right draft position, there’s no such thing as must-have or must-avoid; however, it’s likely best to fade De’Von Achane. His breakout 2023 campaign was so dependent on big plays, and the Miami Dolphins didn’t do enough to overhaul their anemic offensive line. Achane is a great player and will have weeks when he delivers big points. My preference is for steadier, touch-heavy running backs.”
– Matt De Lima (Athlon Sports)
Kyren Williams (RB – LAR)
“I’ll be bypassing Kyren Williams at RB12 this season. Williams, at this point, is a bet on volume, and he remains the Rams do everything back. Jarquez Hunter will cut into his volume stranglehold this season. Last year, Williams was one of the most inefficient per-touch backs in the NFL. Among 46 qualifying backs, he ranked 44th in explosive run rate, 37th in missed tackle rate, and 40th in yards after contact per attempt (per Fantasy Points Data). If Hunter eats into his early down and red zone work, Williams doesn’t have the passing game usage and prowess to save his fantasy value. Last season, among 45 qualifying backs, he ranked 38th in target share, 41st in receiving yards per game, and 45th in yards per route run. I can’t pay an RB1 price tag with this profile.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
“It feels like Groundhog Day all over again – another offseason, another round of analysts fading Kyren Williams after he finished as the RB7 overall and RB8 PPG in half-PPR in 2024. But this year, the concerns are more justified, as it’s not just about Blake Corum joining LA’s backfield. Despite a monster workload in 2024 (nearly 400 touches, 87% snap share, both second to only Saquon Barkley), Williams was wildly inefficient – ranking near the bottom in explosive run rate, missed tackles, and YAC per attempt (akin to Najee Harris‘ numbers in 2024) with fumbles to boot. The Rams spent more draft capital on another rookie RB in the form of Jarquez Hunter (who the Rams traded up for) while publicly embracing the NFL trends of a more committee-driven backfield approach this offseason. Williams could still deliver RB1 numbers on sheer volume alone, but if that volume even slightly dips, it will be tough for him to live up to his ADP without a substantial role in the passing game. The Rams have ranked dead last in RB targets over the last two seasons.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Fading Kyren Williams is a tricky one, because he could very well just turn around and put up another great season. But at this point, he seems closer to a dead-zone projection than a league winner in my opinion – an RB whose ADP is only being supported by the elite volume drafters are expecting. As his efficiency waned towards the end of last season and Jarquez Hunter was brought in to join Blake Corum behind Williams, a scenario where Williams’ role becomes heavily diminished seems very possible to me, and this extreme downside risk isn’t being priced into his ADP currently.”
– Benjamin Klotz (Touchdown Squad)
James Cook (RB – BUF)
“Fantasy players should avoid drafting James Cook anywhere near his RB14 and 42.5 ADP capital. Last year, the former Georgia star finished as the RB8, averaging 15.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 16 rushing touchdowns and 18 offensive scores. However, he had only four rushing touchdowns and nine offensive scores over his first two seasons in the NFL. Furthermore, Cook saw a decline in rushing attempts (13.9 vs. 12.9) and yards (66 vs. 63.1) per game from 2023 to 2024, as the Bills gave Ray Davis a meaningful workload. More importantly, the veteran and the team are in the middle of contract talks, which could lead to a training camp hold-in. Kenneth Walker III, Alvin Kamara, and Joe Mixon have a later ADP than Cook. Yet, I will draft all three before the former Georgia star.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“James Cook is one running back inside the top 100 I’m avoiding in all drafts this season relative to his ADP of 41. He’s in the final year of his contract, skipped voluntary OTAs, and has recently been mentioned in trade rumors, raising questions about his long-term role in Buffalo. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has praised second-year back Ray Davis, hinting at a possible shift in workload that could eat into Cook’s touches. Josh Allen‘s significant involvement as a rusher in the red zone continues to limit James Cook’s touchdown upside, even if Cook remains the lead back. He was productive in 2024, but the combination of contract uncertainty, backfield competition, and situational usage makes his 2025 outlook far too risky at his current price.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
“James Cook finished 10th among RBs in half-PPR points per game last season. But he checked in just tied for 24th in expected points per game. He trailed legends such as Kareem Hunt, Tony Pollard, Najee Harris, and Rhamondre Stevenson, among others. What does that mean? Cook got the usage of a low-end RB2 and wore extreme TD luck like a costume to sneak into the RB1 party. Just ask the Bills if their lead RB is worth what he thinks he is. I’ll gladly target RBs such as Breece Hall, Ken Walker, and Joe Mixon — or look to other positions — while leaving Cook for other drafters.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)
Jaylen Warren (RB – PIT)
“Jaylen Warren has been an efficient and productive player on a per-touch basis, but his fantasy ceiling appears capped due to usage limitations. Despite Najee Harris‘s inefficiency in recent years, Pittsburgh’s coaching staff never fully committed to Warren as a workhorse, and the addition of Kaleb Johnson – a strong scheme fit and potential volume back – further clouds Warren’s path to a consistent role. While Warren may open the season as the nominal lead back, Johnson is expected to earn significant touches in Arthur Smith’s offense, potentially pushing Warren into a secondary role. Add in Warren’s curious lack of receiving touchdowns and a history of limited red zone work, and it becomes clear he’s more of a FLEX option than a breakout candidate.”
– Andrew Mott (Big Dogs Gotta Eat)
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
“Jonathan Taylor will not be considered in any draft this upcoming draft season. Prior to last year, Taylor had gone the previous two campaigns with less than 200 carries in both, combined with less than 10 touchdowns in both due to injury. Taylor is a workhorse who will get the ball; however, the health red flags stand out. Taylor is no PPR threat either, with 35 catches possibly being an optimistic outlook for the Colts running back. At the cost of a top-20 selection, the risk associated with Taylor is not worth it for 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Ashton Jeanty (RB – LV)
“This has nothing to do with talent, and everything to do with the situation and the draft capital you have to spend. Ashton Jeanty is coming off a season at Boise State that saw him get 397 touches. That is an enormous workload. The Raiders had a bottom-third offensive line in the league last season, according to most advanced metrics, and an entirely new coaching staff. While HC Pete Carroll and new OC Chip Kelly like to run the ball and prefer a workhorse back, I’m afraid drafting Jeanty at his potential ceiling is too rich for my blood.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
What one WR inside the top 100 in our consensus ADP do you plan on avoiding in all your drafts relative to their price and why?
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
“I have too many concerns about Jaxon Smith-Njigba‘s situation to draft him at cost. The Seahawks project to throw it significantly less this season under new OC Klint Kubiak. And QB Sam Darnold could turn back into a pumpkin behind a leaky Seattle offensive line. I see JSN as more of a low-end WR2 than the high-end WR2 he’s being drafted as.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)
Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE)
“Jerry Jeudy is a streaky player that I will be avoiding in 2025 fantasy football drafts due to his inconsistent production and an uncertain quarterback situation. Despite a career-high 90 receptions for 1,229 yards in 2024, Jeudy’s efficiency metrics were mediocre, ranking 45th in yards per route run (1.76) among 85 qualifying wide receivers, and his four touchdowns on 145 targets suggest limited scoring upside. His breakout stretch in 2024 (Weeks 8-18, 69 catches, 963 yards) relied heavily on Jameis Winston‘s pass-heavy approach, which may not persist with potential 2025 quarterbacks like Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel, or Shedeur Sanders, none of whom are proven elite passers. The Browns’ expected shift to a run-heavy scheme under Kevin Stefanski, emphasizing rookie Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, could reduce Jeudy’s target share, especially with David Njoku and Cedric Tillman competing for passes. Additionally, Jeudy’s 18% targets per route run in games with a healthy Deshaun Watson or Cedric Tillman (Weeks 1-12) highlights his dependency on specific game scripts, making him a risky WR3 pick with a projected 60 receptions, 809 yards, and three touchdowns. Let other fantasy managers in your league deal with the potential headaches that come with Jeudy and his much too high ADP (63rd Overall).”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)
Brian Thomas Jr. (WR – JAC)
“I thought I’d fill the role on this WR, with one Little caution. No one likes being Debbie, but Brian Thomas Jr. averaged 12.5PPG with Trevor Lawrence. He averaged 16PPG with his hero, Big Mac Jones, at QB from week 10 on. Yes, that coincides with when most rookie WRs become a star (crunch), but I will (swiss) roll that worry in with a coordinator change (how often do we get those right? Just assume we don’t know. . .), Trevor Lawrence being mid his entire career, and the chances of 10TD regression (it’s a (pecan) spinwheel for even the best). Nearly going in the first round, I’d definitely like to fudge that round a bit to be more comfortable taking BTJ. So despite all the junk food, I’ll be underweight… on Brian Thomas Jr.”
– Seth Miller (Crossroads Fantasy Football)
“Brian Thomas Jr. blew up in the final stretch of the season, providing fantasy managers multiple games with at least seven receptions and 86 yards. He scored five touchdowns in Jacksonville’s final six games. While it’s notable that a rookie came on so strong, and that is a positive, his ADP of 14 is just too rich for my blood. The upside is there, the arrival of Liam Coen is intriguing, and a great season is likely, but I require a slightly safer bet that early in the draft.”
– Matt De Lima (Athlon Sports)
Rashee Rice (WR – KC)
“The one WR inside the top 100 in the consensus ADP that I plan on avoiding in all of my drafts relative to the price is Rashee Rice of the Kansas City Chiefs. My two reasons for avoiding Rice are: 1. He’s coming off of season-ending knee surgery and may not be 100% at the start of the season. 2. He may be facing suspension from the NFL for unresolved criminal charges from last year’s speed racing incident in Dallas. Hopefully, seeing Rice perform in the pre-season will lower my injury concerns. It would also be great to know Rice’s suspension time, if any, before fantasy football drafts this season.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR)
“Player development isn’t always linear, but player decline almost always is. Cooper Kupp has missed 18 games in three years and steps into his age-32 season as a dangerous pick. Many key metrics (yards per catch, yards per target) sank to career lows last year. Don’t swim against this tide.”
– Scott Pianowski (Yahoo! Sports)
Terry McLaurin (WR – WAS)
“Terry McLaurin tallied a bloaded 15.8% TD rate last season. Even with the rise of Jayden Daniels, regression is a near lock. Deebo Samuel — if healthy — could also limit McLaurin’s target ceiling.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
“Why is Terry McLaurin a third-round pick in a 12-team league right now? It’s banking on a lot of things going his way again in 2025 after a career 2024. McLaurin scored 13 TDs as the only show in town for Washington, and now has another bona fide WR to deal with in Deebo Samuel. Add in the holdout over a new contract, and this feels super risky. He’s been a 4-5 TD guy prior to 2024, and any regression to that and he’ll slide back into the WR20s he’s been throughout his career.”
– Justin Frye (Pro Football Network)
Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)
“I’m avoiding Tyreek Hill this year. There are too many good options in the WR2 realm this season near his ADP for me to worry about Hill’s declining skills and drama. Last year, with Tua Tagovailoa under center (Weeks 8-16), he was the WR24 in fantasy points per game while ranking 39th in yards per route run and 34th in target share. Among 112 qualifying wide receivers overall last year, he was 28th in separation and 48th in route win rate (per Fantasy Points Data). The per-route metrics aren’t damning, but Father Time remains undefeated, and it’s not insane to worry about Hill taking another step back in 2025.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
“The appeal of drafting Tyreek Hill again after last season just does not exist. WR18 normally would be a fine price point, but will Hill go back to his old self? Despite the injury concerns to Tua Tagovailoa, which many will say was the reason for his massive bust campaign a year ago, Hill only posted two 100 yard outings with his starting QB in 2024, and upon his return Miami’s offense revolved around getting the ball out of Tua’s hand as quickly as possible to either De’Von Achane or Jonnu Smith. This could become a potential headache yet again for fantasy managers in 2025 if the offense stays relatively similar to what it was in 2024. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Brandon Aiyuk (WR – SF)
“The 2024 season was nothing but a disaster for Brandon Aiyuk. He held out most of the training camp in search of a new contract. The 49ers WR got paid, but he paid the price with a severe lack of production in his seven appearances as he tried to shake off the rust from so much missed time. Aiyuk went over 50 receiving yards once, averaging a mediocre 7.1 fantasy points per game (WR61). It was the worst-case scenario for Aiyuk, and now he has to make a return from a mid-October torn ACL/MCL injury that could force him to miss the start of the 2025 season. Given how poorly Aiyuk played after missing training camp last offseason, it’s hard to be overly optimistic about what he can offer to the 49ers offense to open the year.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Brandon Aiyuk presents considerable risk in 2025 due to a combination of injury concerns and recent underperformance. Prior to suffering a multi-ligament ACL and meniscus injury in Week 7 of the 2024 season, Aiyuk was already struggling, posting just one game with over 8 fantasy points and failing to reach 50 receiving yards in six of seven outings. Recovery timelines for this type of injury typically extend well into the season, suggesting he may not be at full strength until the second half of the year. While his historical splits without Deebo Samuel are encouraging, the uncertainty around his health, role, and timing make him a volatile investment in drafts this year. Unless you’re drafting with an IR slot available, Aiyuk is best approached with caution or avoided entirely.”
– Andrew Mott (Big Dogs Gotta Eat)
DJ Moore (WR – CHI)
“I can’t validate drafting DJ Moore near his WR21 and 42nd overall ADP. Last year, many were afraid to draft the veteran after Chicago added Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze in the offseason. Yet, Moore had a solid year, finishing as the WR16, averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While the addition of Ben Johnson should help Caleb Williams in the passing attack, the former offensive coordinator wants to lean on the running game like he did in Detroit. More importantly, the Bears used their top two picks in the 2025 NFL Draft on Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, adding to an already crowded receiving unit. Furthermore, the two rookies could fill the Sam LaPorta and Amon-Ra St. Brown roles in Johnson’s offense. While Moore will likely have a solid fantasy season, I would rather pass on him and draft Xavier Worthy or Tetairoa McMillan with a later ADP.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Jauan Jennings (WR – SF)
“Jauan Jennings is one wide receiver inside the top 100 I’m avoiding in all drafts this season relative to his ADP of 62. I like Jennings as a player; he’s shown flashes of WR1 ability, but that was before Ricky Pearsall emerged as the clear top option in San Francisco’s passing game. With Pearsall now commanding primary targets, and both Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle fully healthy, Jennings is unlikely to see consistent volume. In an offense that already spreads the ball around, his role feels more complementary than featured. At that price, I’d rather invest in a receiver with a more defined path to targets and weekly upside.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
“Jauan Jennings at No. 62 overall seems … aggressive. It’s cool that Jennings has developed into a useful pass catcher in the middle part of his career. But I’m mildly skeptical of an age-27 breakout partly fueled by the absences of fellow WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall. And it’s not as if it was a massive eruption for Jennings. He was tied for WR26 in half-point PPF fantasy points per game among WRs who played at least eight games. After never averaging better than 1.38 yards per route run in his first three NFL seasons, Jennings jumped to 2.26 yards per route run in 2024. I’m buying the improvement. I’m just not buying Jennings as a comfortable every-week fantasy starter — which you need him to be at an early sixth-round price. Pearsall came on strong down the stretch last season. Aiyuk is on his way back from last year’s season-ending knee injury. George Kittle and Christian McCaffrey are going to draw ample targets. It’s just hard to see Jennings taking it up another notch with all that target competition. That’s a lot to ask of a former seventh-round pick who broke out at age 27.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Mike Evans (WR – TB)
“While there is still substantial upside, I find myself far below consensus on Mike Evans this year. A great exercise to consider when drafting is: Where do I imagine this player going in next year’s (2026) fantasy draft? I think the answer for Evans could be many, many rounds later (if he’s even still playing). Coen has left, and Egbuka and McMillan are set to emerge and take much more volume from the aging Evans and Godwin. Especially in full PPR leagues, I think the downside case for Evans is far more extreme than many think. While admittedly he could win your league for you if he hits, I don’t want to touch a potential landmine.”
– Benjamin Klotz (Touchdown Squad)
“Mike Evans is an all-time great whose consistency deserves laudation. It’s just that, at age 31, there’s no way I’m drafting him in the third round. Evans has produced as a high-end WR2 for four straight years, but was only averaging around 14 PPR points per game in 2024 until Chris Godwin got hurt. I would rather take a shot at a younger, break-out prospect at this point in the draft.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET)
“Ready to get uncomfortable? Pass on Amon-Ra St. Brown in Round 1 of a PPR draft. It feels wrong, but his trouble actually started last year. St. Brown went from sixth among WRs in expected PPR points per game in 2023 to just 11th last year. He dipped from fifth among WRs in target share in 2023 to 10th. And now we get more Jameson Williams buzz throughout the offseason, potential for Sam LaPorta‘s usage to bounce back, plus the extra challenge of an OC switch. No thanks on St. Brown over Malik Nabers, Puka Nacua, and others in the back half of Round 1.”
– Matt Schauf (Draft Sharks)
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