10 Fantasy Football League Winners (2025)

Several factors go into building a championship-caliber fantasy football team. While finding ADP values and avoiding busts are critical, fantasy players must hit on league winners to bring home the title. Therefore, let’s dive into my 10 favorite potential league-winning candidates.

• Fantasy Football Draft Kit
• 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
• Fantasy Football ADP
• Fantasy Football Trade Tools

Fantasy Football League Winners

ADP via FantasyPros

J.J. McCarthy (MIN) – ADP: 125.5 | QB17

Unfortunately, McCarthy’s rookie season was over before fantasy players could see much from the former Michigan star. He only played in one preseason game, suffering a season-ending torn meniscus. However, McCarthy flashed significant upside, completing 64.7% of his passes for 188 yards, two touchdowns, and 15.3 fantasy points on only 18 attempts. Furthermore, he showed off his mobility, totaling two rushing attempts for 18 yards.

While McCarthy played well in his long preseason contest, that’s not why fantasy players should have high hopes for him in 2025. The Vikings have an excellent set of weapons, as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson form one of the top trios in the NFL. Furthermore, Minnesota improved the offensive line by adding Donovan Jackson, Will Fries, and Ryan Kelly this offseason. Don’t be surprised if McCarthy has a Patrick Mahomes-lite sophomore-year breakout.

Trevor Lawrence (JAC) – ADP: 134.5 | QB19

Lawrence hasn’t lived up to the draft hype that came along with being the first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. He has averaged 14.5 or fewer fantasy points per game in half his years in the league. Last season, the former Clemson star missed seven games with multiple injuries. Furthermore, Lawrence averaged a career-low 204.5 passing yards per game, totaling only 11 passing touchdowns.

However, fantasy players should have high hopes for him in 2025. The Jaguars hired Liam Coen as their head coach after he played a massive role in Baker Mayfield having a career year. The veteran finished as the QB4, averaging 2.4 passing touchdowns and 21.5 fantasy points per game. Lawrence could have similar success this season, especially with Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter at his disposal.

D’Andre Swift (CHI) – ADP: 71.5 | RB23

Everyone expected the Bears to spend an early pick in the NFL Draft on a running back. Instead, they waited until the seventh round to select Kyle Monangai, meaning Swift’s role as the lead running back is likely safe. Last year, Swift finished as the RB19, averaging 12.6 PPR fantasy points per game despite running behind an awful offensive line. Thankfully, Chicago significantly improved their offensive line this offseason, making several massive additions.

More importantly, Swift had arguably the most efficient year of his career in 2022 with Ben Johnson as the offensive coordinator. Despite Jamaal Williams leading the NFL with 17 rushing touchdowns on 262 attempts, Swift finished as the RB15 on a points-per-game basis, averaging 13.7 fantasy points per contest. He also had an 8.1% explosive run rate, the second-highest among 43 running backs with at least 99 rushing attempts (per Fantasy Points Data).

Jordan Mason (MIN) – ADP: 94.5 | RB31

Last year, Mason finished as the RB41, averaging 9.6 PPR fantasy points per game. However, he was outstanding early in the season, filling in for Christian McCaffrey, ranking as the RB5 over the first month, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game, totaling 17.4 or more in all but one contest. More importantly, Mason will push Aaron Jones for the lead role rather than fighting for the No. 2 running back spot in San Francisco.

Minnesota traded for Mason and extended him after re-signing Jones earlier this offseason. The Vikings want to limit Jones’ workload after he accounted for 62.5% of the backfield touches last year. Yet, don’t be surprised if Mason steals the starting role and becomes a league winner. According to Fantasy Points Data, Mason had a better explosive run rate (7.8% vs. 3.5%) and missed forced tackle per attempt rate (22% vs. 11%) than Jones last season.

Jaydon Blue (DAL) – ADP: 140.5 | RB45

I have been pounding the table all offseason for Blue as one of my favorite draft targets, regardless of the league format. The Cowboys lack a clear-cut starter on the roster, with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders struggling the past few years. According to Fantasy Points Data, both veterans had an explosive run rate of 2.9% or lower last season, ranking in the bottom 20 of 68 running backs with at least 55 rushing attempts.

Meanwhile, Dallas spent two picks in the NFL Draft on the offensive line, including their top selection on Tyler Booker. More importantly, Blue is an explosive player, running a 4.38 40-yard dash at the NFL Draft despite dealing with a groin tear. Furthermore, he is a weapon in the passing game. Last year, his six receiving touchdowns were the most among running backs in college football despite ranking 27th in routes run (229).

Calvin Ridley (TEN) – ADP: 55.5 | WR32

Some believe Ridley will be this year’s Terry McLaurin – a veteran having a career season thanks to a massive upgrade at quarterback. Last season, McLaurin was the WR31 drafted in ADP but finished as the WR7, averaging 15.8 PPR fantasy points per game, a career high. Meanwhile, Ridley was the WR28 last year, averaging 11.7 fantasy points per game, a career low. However, he was significantly better with Mason Rudolph than with Will Levis under center.

* via Fantasy Points Data

Not only was Ridley far more productive with Rudolph than Levis, but his targets (8.6 vs. 6.2) and receiving yards (84 vs. 49.8) per game also significantly improved. Meanwhile, the Titans let Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and his team-high nine receiving touchdowns leave in free agency, replacing him with past his prime Tyler Lockett and a pair of Day 3 rookie picks. Imagine how well Ridley will play with Cam Ward under center and no meaningful target competition.

Marvin Mims Jr. (DEN) – ADP: 129.5 | WR60

Mims shined late last season, becoming a weekly starting option for fantasy players. He was the WR22 over the final six weeks, averaging 17.5 PPR fantasy points per game, a higher average than A.J. Brown (16.2), Tyreek Hill (14.9), and his teammate Courtland Sutton (15.1). Furthermore, Mims averaged 1.12 fantasy points per route run during those six weeks, the highest average among 100 wide receivers with at least 50 routes (per Fantasy Points Data).

More importantly, many expected the Broncos to add a big-name wide receiver in free agency or the NFL Draft this offseason. Instead, the team’s only meaningful addition was Evan Engram, who missed half of last year with multiple injuries. Meanwhile, Mims finished last season on fire, ranking as the WR3, averaging 6.5 receptions for 77 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 26.2 fantasy points per game over the final two weeks, making several big-time plays.

Cedric Tillman (CLE) – ADP: 142.5 | WR62

While Jerry Jeudy was the WR13 last season, averaging 14.2 PPR fantasy points per game, 16.8% of his production for the year came in one game. More importantly, Tillman is the Browns’ wide receiver fantasy players want to target in their drafts this season. Not only is he getting drafted nearly 75 picks later than Jeudy, but Tillman was the team’s top wide receiver following the Amari Cooper trade before suffering a season-ending concussion.

After totaling 3.4 fantasy points over the first six weeks, the former Tennessee star had 18.1 in his first game without Cooper. According to Fantasy Points Data, Tillman had a better target per route run rate (22% vs. 18%), yards per route run average (1.69 vs. 1.67), first-round target share (25.7% vs. 23.5%), and fantasy points per route run (0.41 vs. 0.30) than Jeudy during the five weeks where both were healthy following the Cooper trade.

Tyler Warren (IND) – ADP: 123.5 | TE11

Last year, Brock Bowers was the TE11 in ADP despite being an elite rookie prospect and a top-15 pick in the NFL Draft. Many were worried he would struggle as a rookie because of poor quarterback production and a crowded receiving corps. Yet, Bowers finished his rookie season as the TE1, averaging 15.5 PPR fantasy points per game, totaling the fifth-most targets in the league (153). Hopefully, the fantasy community doesn’t make the same mistake with Warren in 2025.

The former Penn State star is a dynamic weapon after the catch. According to PFF, Warren had 33 screen pass targets last season, the most among tight ends and the eighth-most in college football. He averaged 10.1 yards after the catch per screen reception. The Colts have two inaccurate quarterbacks, which should lead to an uptick in designed targets and screen passes in the offense. Therefore, Warren could lead Indianapolis in targets as a rookie.

Tucker Kraft (GB) – ADP: 131.5 | TE12

Kraft had a breakout year in 2024 after a quiet rookie season despite Jordan Love dealing with multiple injuries. He finished as the TE10, averaging 9.6 PPR fantasy points per game, leading the Packers in receiving touchdowns (seven). Furthermore, the former South Dakota State star ranked fourth in receiving touchdowns by tight ends but 18th in receptions (50). Yet, Kraft was extremely efficient and could have a career year in 2025 with an increase in opportunities.

* Among 36 tight ends with at least 40 targets in 2024 (via Fantasy Points Data)

Unfortunately, Green Bay failed to take advantage of the former South Dakota State star. Despite being one of the more productive tight ends last season, Kraft struggled to see the ball. He had a lower target per route run rate than Malik Heath (21%) and Bo Melton (20%). While the Packers drafted Matthew Golden, the former Texas star isn’t much of a threat to Kraft’s production. Don’t be surprised if he leads all tight ends in receiving touchdowns this year.

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.