Mid-Round Draft Picks Experts Love (2025 Fantasy Football)

Do you ever have a dream that jars you awake? That leaves you screaming. If only for a moment. Drenched in a cold sweat. The what if. What if my fantasy football draft plays out exactly like I want it to in my most important league?

Ya know. The one with the hefty buy-in. The family league where winning means a year-long smack talk fest with your relatives. The office league where you can dunk on your co-workers weekly.

These are my perfect draft targets for 2025. Make your fantasy football title dreams a reality.

fantasy football rankings expert consensus

Fantasy Football Draft Picks to Target

Round 4 Targets

Jalen Hurts (QB – PHI)

Before he essentially missed the last three games of last year’s regular season with a concussion, Jalen Hurts was the QB5 in fantasy points per game. The Eagles leaned heavily on their ground game last year with the fewest passing attempts in the NFL, but that number will regress. Philly will pass more in 2025. It’s not a question of if but of how much. The tush push is still here despite certain NFL teams and their envy attempting to get rid of it.

Hurts spiked the ball in the end zone 14 times last year as he led the league in red-zone carries. While I don’t see him hitting that number again, 10+ rushing scores are probably a lock. Hurts also ranked first in carries per game and third in rushing yards among quarterbacks. I know I’ve discussed his rushing impact a ton here, but it’s not like Hurts was a bad passer last year.

Among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked fourth in yards per attempt, second in CPOE, 13th in highly accurate throw rate, and he had the 11th-lowest off-target rate last year, per Fantasy Points Data. With a cupboard full of skill weapons and a top-five/top-10 offensive line, Hurts remains a top-four fantasy quarterback with QB1 overall upside.

Rashee Rice (WR – KC)

Before he was lost to injury in Week 4 of last season, Rashee Rice was humming along as the WR15 in fantasy points per game. He was Patrick Mahomes‘ go-to option with a 31.5% target share, 3.60 yards per route run, 41.2% first-read share, and 0.188 first downs per route run, per Fantasy Points Data.

Rice should be reinstated into this high-volume role immediately, assuming his health cooperates. We saw Xavier Worthy flourish in Rice’s manufactured touch role to close last season, but I don’t have any worries about Rice losing the job to Worthy. Rice is a WR2 who could finish as a WR1 this season if things break right.

George Kittle (TE – SF)

George Kittle remains an elite option at the tight end position and doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. Kittle finished last year as the TE1 in fantasy points per game, and it’s like no one cares, as they rank him as the third tight end in fantasy heading into 2025.

Deebo Samuel is gone. Brandon Aiyuk‘s health and effectiveness are up in the air for 2025. Will Jauan Jennings continue his breakout? Will Ricky Pearsall fulfill the promise of his draft capital? There are a ton of questions in the 49ers’ passing attack in 2025, but Kittle isn’t one of them. He has been excellent and should continue that string of fantasy dominance.

Last year, Kittle ranked sixth in target share, first in yards per route run, third in yards after the catch per reception, and second in first downs per route run, per Fantasy Points Data. He was also flooded with high-leverage usage, ranking fifth in deep targets and second in red-zone targets among tight ends. Kittle could see more volume in 2025 and repeat as the TE1.

DeVonta Smith (WR – PHI)

At this point, everyone should know and love what they get from DeVonta Smith yearly. He has finished as a top-20 wide receiver in fantasy points per game in each of the last three seasons (WR15, WR20, WR14).

Smith was awesome in nearly every metric last year. He was 11th in target share, 19th in yards per route run, 12th in first downs per route run, 17th in separation, and 11th in route win rate, per Fantasy Points Data. While he might not be the sexiest pick of your draft with top-five/top-10 upside at wide receiver, he’s a known commodity and a damn good one as a stalwart WR2.

Kenneth Walker (RB – SEA)

It will fly under the radar that Kenneth Walker was the RB12 in fantasy points per game last season. Unfortunately, his season was cut short by injuries, but if Walker can stay healthy in 2025, he could finally put it all together with a top-five running back season.

Walker proved last year that not only is he still one of the best pure rushing talents in the league, but he is also a true three-down back with passing-catching chops. Among 45 qualifying backs, Walker ranked third in first downs per route run, sixth in target per route run rate, and sixth in receiving yards per game, per Fantasy Points Data.

Add all of that on top of leading the NFL in missed tackles forced per attempt and ranking 10th in yards after contact per attempt, and Walker could be a league-winner in 2025.

Round 5 Targets

RJ Harvey (RB – DEN)

RJ Harvey is set to explode in his rookie season. The runway is clear for takeoff. Sean Payton just put second-round capital behind a back that enters a room with Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, and J.K. Dobbins. No, I’m not worried about Estime or McLaughlin when they couldn’t carve out consistent roles last year with only the ghost of Javonte Williams standing in their way.

Dobbins will assist Harvey on early downs so Denver doesn’t run their talented rookie into the ground, but I don’t project him taking away passing down work or high-leverage opportunities. It’s hard not to love a player like Harvey, who has ranked inside the top 20 among FBS running backs in each of the last two seasons in breakaway percentage and elusive rating, per PFF.

Add in Payton’s running back usage, and Harvey looks primed to smash. Over the last two years, Payton has ranked fifth and first in running back target share. Harvey is a strong RB2 who could finish as an RB1 this season.

Courtland Sutton (WR – DEN)

As Bo Nix‘s No. 1 WR last year, Courtland Sutton finished as the WR24 in fantasy points per game, commanding a 23.3% target share and 44.9% air yard share. Among 85 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 26th in receiving yards per game (63.6), 28th in yards per route run (2.13), and 15th in first downs per route run, per Fantasy Points Data.

Sutton should reprise his role as Nix’s security blanket. He will face competition for the weekly lead in targets with Evan Engram, but it’s comfortably Sutton and Engram at the top of the mountain, while the rest of the receiving options fight for the remaining targets. Sutton is a strong WR2/WR3.

Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)

The Panthers finally gave Bryce Young a true No. 1 WR this season with the addition of Tetairoa McMillan. The Carolina Panthers selected McMillan inside the top 10 in the 2025 NFL Draft. McMillan could be a wonderful volume hog this year in what looks to be an ascending passing offense.

Last year, in Weeks 12-18, when Young was hitting his stride, the Panthers ranked 13th in neutral passing rate. We could see that number increase this year, with a true number one option leading the way. Last year, during that same stretch, Young ranked eighth in CPOE, fifth in deep throw rate, 12th in highly accurate throw rate, and second in hero throw rate, per Fantasy Points Data.

McMillan is an incredibly talented receiver who can step up quickly. During his final two collegiate seasons, he ranked 17th and 21st in yards per route run. He’s a battle-tested man coverage beater as well. In 2023-2024, McMillan had the third-most and the 10th-most man coverage targets (among FBS wide receivers) while also ranking eighth and 10th in yards per route run against man coverage, per PFF.

Don’t be surprised if McMillan is a WR1/WR2 in his rookie season.

TreVeyon Henderson (RB – NE)

The Patriots drafted TreVeyon Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft to challenge Rhamondre Stevenson from the jump. Stevenson isn’t going anywhere, but Henderson will play a prominent role in 2025 as, at worst, the 1B in this backfield. As we move through the season, Henderson will eat into Stevenson’s workload, if not quickly supplant him as the backfield leader.

Henderson has the talent to do so. In two of his last four seasons in college, Henderson ranked in the top 10 in yards after contact per attempt (seventh, eighth) and in the top 20 in breakaway percentage (10th, 18th). He will operate behind an improved offensive line that added Garrett Bradbury, Will Campbell, and Morgan Moses in the offseason. Henderson should be the team’s passing-down back immediately, which is great news for his floor and ceiling.

Across his last two collegiate seasons, Henderson has ranked 21st & 22nd in receiving grade, per PFF. Josh McDaniels will feature him through the air. In McDaniels’ last five full seasons of directing NFL offenses, he has ranked inside the top 10 in four of those years, with 20-36.2% of the passing attack flowing through the backfield. Henderson could be New England’s version of Jahmyr Gibbs.

Round 6 Targets

Travis Hunter (WR – JAX)

Travis Hunter should be Brian Thomas’s running mate from the word go in Jacksonville. The Jaguars paid a hefty price, but they got their guy in Hunter. The Jags have stated that Hunter will begin his NFL career with the main focus being on the offensive side of the ball, which makes sense. It’s not impossible, but improbable that a team would make an aggressive move of this magnitude for a full-time cornerback. Hunter looks to be a full-time wide receiver with TBD status next to his corner usage.

Hunter still has some substantial growth to make as a wide receiver, but he’s in good hands with Liam Coen and company. I’m curious how much slot usage Hunter will get in his rookie season, but I’m guessing it could be at least 40-50% of his snaps. This will be immensely helpful for a player who, last year (among all FBS wide receivers with at least eight slot targets), ranked fourth in slot yards per route run, per PFF.

Overall, in his final collegiate season, Hunter ranked 38th in yards per route run (YPPR) and sixth in receiving grade. Jacksonville’s passing attack should flow through Hunter and Thomas, with each sniffing a target share north of 23%. Hunter is a WR2/WR3 who could easily crush his fantasy football average draft position (ADP).

James Conner (RB – ARI)

Last year was the first season since 2021 that James Conner played more than 13 games. He finished as the RB15 in fantasy points per game, racking up 283 touches and 1,508 total yards (nine scores). Conner didn’t look like he was slowing down at all, so I don’t see him relinquishing his workhorse role in 2025.

Assuming he can remain healthy again this season, Conner is set to smash. Last year, he was second in missed tackles forced per attempt, 11th in yards after contact per attempt, and sixth in explosive run rate, per Fantasy Points Data. He also retained his passing game excellence, sitting sixth in yards per route run and seventh in receiving yards per game. Conner could be a wonderful value in fantasy football again in 2025.

David Montgomery (RB – DET)

David Montgomery remained the Lions’ early-down hammer and preferred goal-line option last year when healthy. Before he was sidelined in the back half of the 2024 season with a knee injury (Weeks 1-14), he was the RB11 in fantasy points per game, averaging 16.3 touches per game and 83.1 total yards.

Last year, Montgomery ranked 17th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 25th in yards after contact per attempt, per Fantasy Points Data. When healthy, he dominated work inside the 10-yard line with 33 carries to Jahmyr Gibbs’ 16. It’s wonderful to be the goal-line king in an offense that led the NFL in points per game and red-zone scoring opportunities per game last year.

While Ben Johnson’s departure will have an impact on Detroit, this offense should still sit somewhere in the top-five/top-10 scoring offenses in the NFL. Montgomery is best viewed as a solid RB2 with obvious RB1 upside if he continues to spike touchdowns at a ridiculous rate.

Jaylen Waddle (WR – MIA)

Jaylen Waddle’s 2024 season was a huge disappointment, but all hope is not lost. The talent is still there, and Waddle is primed for a big bounce-back season. Last year, in the 14 games he played at least 70% of the snaps, his numbers don’t look amazing, but they were solid as he had a 16.3% target share, 1.79 yards per route run, 53.1 receiving yards per game and 0.092 first downs per route run, per Fantasy Points Data.

If we look at just the numbers he accrued with Tua Tagovailoa under center and Waddle as a full-time player, we get a clearer picture of Waddle’s talent through the context-distorting muck. In that sample of games, Waddle had 2.14 yards per route run, 64.6 receiving yards per game, and 0.114 first downs per route run.

Last year, among wide receivers with at least 200 routes run, those numbers would have ranked 27th, 23rd, and 13th. If Tagovailoa can stay healthy this year, Waddle can revert to the strong WR2 with WR1 upside receiver we have loved in previous seasons (WR21, WR12, WR15).

George Pickens (WR – DAL)

George Pickens has been freed from the horrid quarterback play that he has been saddled with since entering the NFL. There’s no doubt that Dak Prescott will be the best quarterback Pickens has played with during his NFL career. Last year, Pickens finished as the WR35 in fantasy points per game.

Pickens proved he could operate as a number one option, ranking 16th in target share (23.9%), 25th in yards per route run (2.18), ninth in first-read share (32%), and 24th in receiving yards per game (64.3, per Fantasy Points Data). His numbers were even better in Weeks 1-13, before his hamstring injury, when he ranked 18th in separation, eighth in yards per route run (2.53), and 25th in route win rate.

Pickens should enjoy the bump in passing volume as CeeDee Lamb‘s running mate. Last year, Pittsburgh had the fourth-fewest passing attempts, while Dallas had the third-most. Pickens should settle in as a strong WR2 this season, who could easily post a career-best season.

Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE)

Jerry Jeudy finally had the breakout season we have all been waiting for. Last year, he finished as the WR21 in fantasy points per game while securing 90 of his 144 targets with 1,229 receiving yards. Among 85 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 14th in receiving yards per game, 33rd in target share, and 45th in yards per route run, per Fantasy Points Data.

The rollercoaster he endured with quarterback play did impact those numbers. In Weeks 8-18, with anyone outside of Deshaun Watson throwing him the ball, he ranked 15th in target share, 20th in yards per route run, and first downs per route run, and second in receiving yards per game behind only Ja’Marr Chase (among 95 qualifying wide receivers). The uneasy quarterback situation in Cleveland is pushing Jeudy down draft boards, but the talent and volume are there for Jeudy to crush expectations again in 2025.

Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)

Calvin Ridley had to suffer through horrible quarterback play last year en route to a WR36 finish in fantasy points per game. Among 85 qualifying receivers, Ridley finished 78th in catchable target rate.

Ridley finished 31st in target share and receiving yards per game, 32nd in yards per route run, and 33rd in separation and route win rate, per Fantasy Points Data. He was the WR28 in expected fantasy points per game. If Cam Ward can hit the ground running, Ridley could see a big boost in his stat line in 2025. Ridley is a volume-based WR3 who could be a weekly WR2.

Round 7 Targets

Kaleb Johnson (RB – PIT)

The Steelers jettisoned Najee Harris and drafted his replacement as their lead back in the third round of the NFL Draft. Last year, Harris operated in an offense that was fourth in rushing attempts as Harris soaked up 299 touches (10th-most). If we lower those expectations for Kaleb Johnson, even 250 touches would have ranked 21st in the NFL.

Johnson brings a big-play ability that has been lacking over the last 2-3 years. Not only did he rank fifth in breakaway percentage last season, but he was also eighth in yards after contact per attempt and 14th in elusive rating, per PFF. My love for Jaylen Warren hasn’t dissipated, but we have to listen to the Steelers with their move to acquire Johnson’s services.

Warren will likely operate in his usual role while Johnson does the heavy lifting for Arthur Smith’s run-centric offense. Johnson is an RB2/RB3 who could be an RB1 down the stretch in 2025 if he can distance himself further from Warren better than Harris ever could.

Tony Pollard (RB – TEN)

Tony Pollard had a strong 2024 season as the Titans’ workhorse starter. He ranked ninth in snap share, opportunity, and weighted opportunities. Pollard finished as the RB22 in fantasy points per game while ranking 18th in explosive run rate and sixth in yards after contact per attempt, per Fantasy Points Data.

The pitiful nature of the Titans’ offense last year, outside of Pollard, crushed his season. He was only 22nd in red-zone touches and was the RB15 in expected fantasy points per game. If Cam Ward can elevate this offensive ecosystem and Pollard can retain this awesome role, he could finish as a high-end RB2 this season.

Jakobi Meyers (WR – LV)

Jakobi Meyers will reprise his role as Brock Bowers‘ running mate, leading the Raiders’ passing attack. Last year, after the departure of Davante Adams, Meyers was the WR18 in fantasy points per game. During that stretch, among 98 qualifying wide receivers, he ranked 19th in target share (23.5%), 13th in receiving yards per game (75.4), 34th in first downs per route run (0.096), and 11th in first-read share (32.6%, per Fantasy Points Data).

I’m not expecting Meyers to be a consistent WR2 this season again, but it’s not outside of the range of outcomes. He’s best viewed as a strong WR3/Flex with upside.

Ricky Pearsall (WR – SF)

If I were to tell you that there’s a wide receiver entering his second season in one of the best offenses in the NFL, that’s a former first-round NFL draft pick who flashed in the final weeks of his rookie season, that’s dirt cheap in fantasy football drafts… you’d tell me I was insane.

Well, I present to you Ricky Pearsall. Pearsall’s rookie season was derailed early by camp injuries and then off-the-field circumstances that were out of his control. All of these factors delayed Pearsall from flashing his immense talent, but eventually, the cream rose to the top.

In the final two weeks of the regular season, Pearsall finished as the WR7 and WR14 in weekly scoring while seeing a 21.7% target share, a 30.4% first-read share, and producing 2.84 yards per route run, per Fantasy Points Data. Brandon Aiyuk is coming off a torn ACL in 2025, and Deebo Samuel is gone. If Pearsall can establish himself as the 1B in this passing attack behind George Kittle, he’ll crush his fantasy football ADP and help plenty of fantasy players to titles in 2025.

Master your draft with the latest rankings, sleepers, and strategy tips in our Best Ball Draft Kit.

Round 8 Targets

Bo Nix (QB – DEN)

I was down on Bo Nix entering last season. Early on, it looked like I was right about my evaluation of him as a prospect. Nix struggled out of the gate before turning it on in Week 5. Once the candle was lit for Nix, he coffin-nailed my evaluation of his upside in the NFL. In Weeks 5-18, Nix was the QB6 in fantasy points per game, ranking 15th in yards per attempt, 10th in CPOE, ninth in highly accurate throw rate, and eighth in fantasy points per dropback, per Fantasy Points Data. I’ve never been happier being proved wrong.

Nix was nothing short of amazing and placed third in the NFL Rookie of the Year voting. He also provided rushing upside, which I didn’t expect in the NFL. Last year, he ranked 10th in carries per game and eighth in rushing yards among quarterbacks. Denver added Pat Bryant, RJ Harvey, J.K. Dobbins, and Evan Engram to this offense in the offseason. Nix could take another step in 2025 with the added weaponry and be a top-five quarterback.

Brian Robinson Jr. (RB – WSH)

The Commanders didn’t address the running back room this offseason outside of drafting Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Brian Robinson Jr. is the favorite to reprise his early-down role for Washington again in 2025. He was the RB28 in fantasy points per game last season. He enters a contract year, so for Washington and Robinson’s sake, I hope he can stay healthy this season.

Last season, Robinson dealt with a hamstring issue and multiple knee ailments. In the 10 games he played 40% or more of the snaps, he averaged 17.6 touches and 82.9 total yards. The injuries did impact his per-touch effectiveness as he ranked 35th in yards per touch, 31st in missed tackles forced, and 37th in yards after contact per attempt, per Fantasy Points Data. In those 10 games, Robinson had the fourth-most carries inside the 10-yard line (69% of those carries for Washington). If he can stay on the field in 2025, touchdowns could carry him to an RB2 finish, but he’s best viewed as an RB2/RB3.

Stefon Diggs (WR – NE)

Before he tore his ACL last year, Stefon Diggs was the WR15 in fantasy points per game, running nearly 53% of his routes from the slot, commanding a 22.1% target share and 28.5% first-read share while producing 1.97 yards per route run and 62 receiving yards per game, per Fantasy Points Data.

 

Diggs could be eased into action at the beginning of the season before taking over as the clear No. 1 WR for New England by mid-season. Diggs showed last year he still has the juice to play outside if that’s how the Patriots want to utilize him. Last year, among 112 qualifying receivers, Diggs ranked 15th in separation and 21st in route win rate when lined up on the perimeter (112 routes, per Fantasy Points Data). Diggs could be a wonderful value this season in fantasy football.

Justin Fields (QB – NYJ)

Over the last three seasons, when he has been a starting quarterback, Justin Fields has finished inside the top 10 of fantasy quarterbacks in fantasy points per game (QB7, QB9, QB5). Last year, in his six starts for Pittsburgh, he was the QB7 in fantasy points per game while averaging 9.2 carries and 38.5 rushing yards per game. If Fields had kept up that rushing pace for the entire season, he would have finished fifth in rushing yards per game among quarterbacks, immediately behind Jalen Hurts.

Fields also took a step forward as a passer last year. In Weeks 1-6, among 31 qualifying quarterbacks, he ranked 17th in CPOE, fourth-best in highly accurate throw rate, 12th-best in catchable target rate, and he boasted the ninth-lowest turnover-worthy throw rate, per Fantasy Points Data. The weapons surrounding Fields aren’t amazing, but he’s not being asked to work with a barren skill cupboard, as Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall, and Mason Taylor should all be dependable receiving options. The Jets also have an offensive line that should have no problems buying him time in the pocket. Fields is a locked-in top-10 fantasy quarterback this season.

*All data utilized in this article courtesy of Fantasy Points Data, Pro Football Focus, and PlayerProfiler unless otherwise specified.*

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Blaine Blontz

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Blaine Blontz is a featured writer at FantasyPros, providing unique insights and in-depth analysis.