Do you smell that? That’s the smell of NFL players returning to training camp. Many people would assume the smell of body odour and sweat would be disgusting. To me, it’s still gross, but it’s also a reminder that draft season is around the corner.
As average draft position (ADP) starts to settle in, we can start figuring out which players to target and avoid in each round. In this article, I select one player from each of the first seven rounds to target (plus one late-round deep sleeper). These are players who I believe are likely to outproduce their current draft evaluation.
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Early-Round Fantasy Football Players to Target
Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF) | ADP: 11 (RB5)
Why are we scared of Christian McCaffrey? Seriously. All this guy has done is be a fantasy cheat code every time he is healthy. The last time we saw a healthy McCaffrey, he scored 357 fantasy points. That’s 19 more points than Saquon Barkley scored last season. That’s the most points at the position since McCaffrey scored 413 in 2019. There have only been six backs to ever crack the 400-point threshold, showcasing how unique McCaffrey’s upside is.
This offseason, all reports are that McCaffrey is back to himself and recovered from his calf injury last season. Selecting McCaffrey may feel like a “fool me once…” situation, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Last offseason, we knew he was dealing with a calf injury. Although the 49ers downplayed the situation, we all knew he wasn’t 100%. One of the best philosophies in fantasy is to not seek injured players, as injuries will find you. That’s exactly what happened last year.
All reports out of camps are that we have a fully healthy McCaffrey heading into the 2025 season. The 49ers desperately need a bounce-back season. With Brandon Aiyuk likely starting the season not fully healthy, McCaffrey could be thrown right into an even more ridiculous workload. If he sees anywhere near the usage we have seen from him in the past, this could be a 2024 Barkley-esque season at pick 11. That’s a steal.
Lamar Jackson (QB – BAL) | ADP: 23 (QB2)
Remember two paragraphs ago when I said there have only been six running backs to score over 400 fantasy points? Well, two current starting quarterbacks have cracked that mark, and both have done it twice. They are Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes. That’s right, Josh Allen has never cracked the 400-point threshold. So why are we taking Allen four picks ahead of Jackson?
Adding Derrick Henry to this Baltimore offense didn’t just give them the best backfield tandem in the league; it also opened the game up for Jackson. Rushing for 915 yards along with nearly 4,200 passing yards is unheard of in the NFL. Plus, Jackson was second in the league with 41 passing touchdowns and only had four interceptions. The only quarterback to have fewer picks was Justin Herbert, who had three. Just because we have never seen a player like Jackson doesn’t mean we need to be skeptical of his production.
The Ravens are just as good as they were last season, and Jackson has every opportunity to post the first-ever back-to-back 400-point fantasy seasons. To get that as the second quarterback off the board in the late second round is a positional advantage that can dominate your league.
Chase Brown (RB – CIN) | ADP: 27 (RB12)
Chase Brown took massive strides as a downhill runner and pass-catcher last season. Last offseason, we heard Brown’s praises being sung by the entire organization, yet he was still being drafted as a backup with potential weekly Flex appeal. A year later, we now have him ranked as the RB12, and I’d argue that’s too low.
Based on his athletic ability and pass-catching chops, it’s easy to think Brown would be best in a committee backfield. However, Brown’s 209-pound frame was able to withstand a bell-cow roll while maintaining efficient production to end last season.
In 2024, Brown had 990 yards on the ground and seven scores. Considering he was splitting snaps with Moss until Week 8, that’s respectable. What’s more impressive is that he was fifth at the position in receptions and tied for third in receiving touchdowns.
This offseason, there was some buzz that they may draft a running back. Although that came to fruition, their selection was in the middle of the sixth round in Tahj Brooks. As a result, it’s wheels up for a workhorse role for the third year in a row.
This Bengals offense should be electric once again, and Brown could be both the pass-catching and goal-line back. Now that’s what I’m talking about for an upside pick in the third round.
Davante Adams (WR – LAR) | ADP: 40 (WR18)
Give me every bit of Davante Adams this year. If you didn’t know he was 32 and turned on his tape from last year, you would think he is no older than 26. The only part of his game that has aged is his knowledge and savvy play-making ability to overpower defenders and find space.
Now Adams is linked to his second Super Bowl-winning quarterback in Matthew Stafford. Playing alongside Puka Nacua, Adams adds a secondary option who can make big plays and, more importantly, score touchdowns.
Despite being a physical receiver, Nacua has not been a red-zone target, scoring fewer touchdowns than Demarcus Robinson in the red zone last year. The Rams desperately need a red-zone weapon. If journeyman receiver Robinson, who is now on the 49ers, had seven touchdowns in 2024, imagine what Adams can do.
With the talent and the opportunity at his fingertips, Adams has a clear path to top-10 receiver production. That’s the kind of player I’ll take every time I can in the fourth round.
James Conner (RB – ARI) | ADP: 52 (RB21)
I’m going to give you two stat lines from 2024.
The first is James Conner:
- 16 games
- 1,094 Rushing Yards
- 47 Receptions
- 417 Receiving Yards
- 9 Total Touchdowns
The second player:
- 17 games
- 1,122 Rushing Yards
- 47 Receptions
- 392 Receiving Yards
- 8 Total Touchdowns
Do you know who the second player is? I’ll give you a hint, he is currently going over 30 picks ahead of Conner as the RB10.
If you guessed Bucky Irving, pat yourself on the back.
One of these ADPs must be very off. My money is on Conner at RB21. Despite arguably his best statistical season at age 29, his fantasy football ADP would make you believe he is coming back from an injury. Well, that’s not the case. Instead, he is just old.
After signing an extension in the middle of last season (a very rare occurrence for an aging running back), it was clear Arizona views Conner as a pivotal piece of its offense. The Cardinals were a pleasant surprise last season, holding a division lead and a 6-4 record at one point. Although their success did not last, Conner didn’t show any signs of slowing down.
If you want to convince yourself that Conner is at a greater risk of injury just because of his age, be my guest. While that thought process keeps his ADP in the fifth round, I’ll gladly scoop him up as my RB2 all offseason.
Travis Hunter (WR – JAX) | ADP: 71 (WR31)
Largely due to the perceived unknown of how players will adapt to the NFL, rookies are consistently overlooked in fantasy drafts. Last year, both Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. were drafted nearly 25 positions behind where they finished.
The current WR31, Travis Hunter has all the makings of a star receiver. Touted as a top prospect by many of the industry’s greats, including Matt Harmon, Matt Waldman and JJ Zaccharison, there’s a world where Hunter is the most talented receiver on this Jaguars team. Yes, that includes Thomas. Whether you want to debate that or not, these two may become one of the league’s most talented duos. So why are they going 56 picks apart?
Thomas’ performance from last season pushes him high in drafts; however, I’d be more than comfortable taking Hunter 56 picks later.
There is clear uncertainty that Hunter will not play complete snaps as a receiver, splitting time as a defensive back. So far, everything the coaches have said prioritizes Hunter’s offensive talents. Even if he does play both positions, he is truly a generational talent.
Liam Coen is now the new head coach of the Jaguars after an unbelievable season with the Buccaneers in 2024. Coen brings a high-powered offensive scheme that has been proven to support multiple receivers. Last season, both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans were weekly starters. If Coen brings this to Jacksonville, a huge season could be in store for both Thomas and Hunter.
George Pickens (WR – DAL) | ADP: 74 (WR34)
George Pickens is one of the biggest wild cards in drafts right now. Being tied down by both his attitude as well as the Steelers’ offense, who knows his potential?
Pickens had some of the most jaw-dropping catches during his time with the Steelers. However, he also had some jaw-dropping bad decisions that led to the Steelers prematurely moving on from their 2022 second-round selection.
Although Pickens’ attitude is unpredictable, there has been a history of the Steelers managing wide receiver drama impressively well in the past. There’s a chance Pickens flames out quickly on an organization that is always in the limelight. However, that’s a chance I’m willing to take in the seventh round.
Pickens provides Dak Prescott with his first quality No. 2 WR since Amari Cooper. In his two years alongside CeeDee Lamb, Cooper averaged just fewer than 1,000 yards and 6.5 touchdowns. Most notably during that span, he averaged 117 targets per season.
Pickens has flashed his ability as an efficient, big-play receiver, which should have fantasy managers salivating at the thought of 110+ targets from an actual NFL quarterback.
Dallas has changed a lot since that 2021 season with Cooper, but the targets continue to be consolidated. With Lamb and Jake Ferguson as the only other reliable pass-catchers, Pickens should have some massive games this season. He’s a volatile, high-upside Flex option in all formats.
Dont’e Thornton (WR – LV) | ADP: 263 (WR105)
This is a fun pick at the end of your drafts. After giving you my favorite players in each of the first seven rounds, I thought I’d add my dart throw at the end of every draft.
To be honest, I wanted to bring Dont’e Thornton into the picture before he becomes a mainstream flier. If you have never heard of him, all you need to know is that he, Randy Moss and Calvin Johnson are the only 6-foot-5 receivers to run a 4.30 40-yard dash.
Maybe that’s not all you need to know, but it’s a fun stat. The Tennessee product was selected by the Raiders with the fourth pick of the sixth round in the 2025 NFL Draft. So far in camp, he has caught the attention of the coaches with his elite athleticism and ability to stretch the field.
It’s not often fourth-round receivers are consistently praised by the coaches at this point in the offseason. Speculation has him as a starting outside option across from the veteran Jakobi Meyers. If that is the case, he should get the opportunity to potentially break onto the fantasy scene in his rookie campaign.
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