Finding league-winning upside in your fantasy football draft is what separates contenders from champions. In a recent FantasyPros podcast, Ryan Wormeli was joined by Derek Brown (DBro) and Jake Ciely to break down the 2025 players they believe can tilt fantasy leagues. The crew organized their picks into tiers by draft range, from early-round anchors to late-round flyers with explosive upside.
Let’s dive into their top calls across every phase of the draft.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
12 League Winners to Target in Fantasy Football Drafts (2025)
Early-Round Anchors with Elite Upside
Drake London (WR – ATL)
London is being drafted in the second round, but both Ciely and DBro argue he should be going much earlier. “I have him WR6 overall,” DBro said, citing London’s elite target share, red-zone usage, and yards per route run. With Michael Penix Jr. under center and a consolidated target tree, London has legitimate WR1 overall upside.
Jake Ciely agrees and is even more aggressive. “If you want Drake London in a draft I’m in, take him eighth,” he said, slotting London as his WR6 and No. 9 overall player.
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)
Walker burned some managers last year with injuries and a timeshare, but the Seahawks beat writer Michael-Shawn Dugar told Ciely four words that changed his outlook: “KW9 is bell cow.”
With Zach Charbonnet likely returning to a backup role, Walker has clear RB1 potential. He finished top 12 in fantasy points per game in 2024 despite missing time and now enters a post-Metcalf world where he could even be the No. 2 option in the passing game. DBro has him ranked RB10, and both hosts agree he’s a value in the third round, or even worth a late second.
Trey McBride (TE – ARI)
McBride quietly posted elite usage in 2024 but didn’t cash in on touchdowns. He ranked second among tight ends in expected fantasy points per game, and if regression swings his way, he could be the TE1 overall. DBro calls him a “league-defining” player and said he’s building draft strategies around landing McBride in the second or third round.
Ciely is slightly more skeptical, pointing to Marvin Harrison Jr.‘s massive end-zone target share, but admits that if touchdowns swing McBride’s way, he could be “the guy.”
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
JSN disappointed as a rookie, but Ciely believes new OC Klint Kubiak is the key to unlocking his breakout. “This offense is going to scheme him open in the middle of the field,” he said, comparing the design to the routes that helped Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison thrive under similar systems.
DBro is a bit more cautious due to concerns about Sam Darnold, but acknowledges the upside: “If the Seahawks run play-action deep shots and give JSN a higher aDOT, he can smash.”
Mid-Round Breakouts (Rounds 4-8)
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)
DBro is one of McMillan’s loudest supporters, ranking him WR17 and touting his potential to become the unquestioned WR1 for Carolina. He cited McMillan’s red-zone potential and Carolina’s quiet shift to a pass-first red zone approach in the second half of 2024.
Ciely is a bit lower but not out. He has McMillan in a tier with WR25-WR35 types and concedes that if Bryce Young repeats, or improves upon, his second-half performance, McMillan could easily jump 10+ spots in the rankings.
George Kittle (TE – SF)
While many are chasing Trey McBride and Brock Bowers, Ciely and DBro both make the case for George Kittle as a screaming value. “Last year’s TE1 in points per game is being drafted as the TE3. Why?” DBro asked. Kittle’s price is cheaper than McBride and Bowers, but his production might match or exceed them.
Ciely notes that with injuries to Pearsall and Aiyuk in flux, Kittle could lead this offense in targets again. “We know who the answer is. It’s staring us in the face,” he said.
Kaleb Johnson (RB – PIT)
Kaleb Johnson could be this year’s Kenneth Walker III, a rookie runner stepping into a massive role that drafters are sleeping on. The Steelers spent a third-round pick on Johnson despite limited draft capital and clearly view him as more than a backup.
“The Steelers are trying to tell us, again, that Jaylen Warren is not a full-time guy,” DBro said. He projects Johnson for 250+ touches even in a reduced role and sees top-15 upside. Ciely agrees: “He’s inside my top 25.”
Chris Olave (WR – NO)
Ciely made a strong case for Chris Olave as a floor-based value. “You’re drafting him at his floor,” he said, noting that Olave is being treated like a WR3 despite consistent WR2 production, even with shaky quarterback play. DBro agreed, adding that Olave’s archetype is undervalued: high volume, elite route separation, and consistent targets, even if he’s never a big touchdown guy.
“You’re drafting Chris Olave at his floor.” – Jake Ciely
Late-Round League Winners (Round 9+)
Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)
If you’re throwing darts at ambiguous backfields, make one of them Cam Skattebo. DBro believes Brian Daboll is signaling that Skattebo could lead this backfield: “What has Daboll shown us in his career? He’s not a committee guy.” The Giants have a history of heavy snap shares for their RB1, and Skattebo profiles as a volume-capable three-down back with underrated pass-catching skills.
Ciely is also Team Skattebo: “They drafted him for a reason. He’s a better version of what they wanted Tyrone Tracy Jr. to be.”
Matthew Golden (WR – GB)
Golden isn’t just a sleeper, he might step right into Christian Watson‘s old role, with more reliability. “I don’t think the Packers have a WR1, but Golden has the best shot,” Ciely said, noting his vertical skills and touchdown potential. In an offense that’s likely to pass more in 2025, Golden is a bet on talent and opportunity.
DBro is slightly lower on Golden but agrees with the premise: take shots on Green Bay pass-catchers.
J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN)
This was DBro’s boldest call of the episode: “J.J. McCarthy is going to be a QB1 this year. I have him top 10.” He cited the Kevin O’Connell system, which has churned out 4,000+ yard passers from Kirk Cousins, Josh Dobbs, Nick Mullens, and even Sam Darnold.
McCarthy’s accuracy, mobility (projected 300+ rushing yards), and weapons, Justin Jefferson, TJ Hockenson, and Jordan Addison, all set him up to smash.
Ciely isn’t quite as high but sees the case. “The ceiling’s higher than Justin Herbert‘s,” he said. Even moderate improvement in McCarthy’s passing touchdowns would push him inside the top 12.
“J.J. McCarthy is going to be a QB1 this year. I have him top 10.” – Derek Brown
Trey Benson (RB – ARI)
James Conner is aging and rarely finishes a season healthy. If (or when) he misses time, Benson steps into a valuable role behind a strong offensive line.
“He should be in the handcuff conversation with Mason, Allgeier, and Roschon,” Ciely said. DBro agreed, placing Benson in the RB40 range with room to rise if Conner misses time.
More Names to Know
In closing, the hosts tossed out a few more late-round or undervalued names to circle:
- Jauan Jennings (WR – SF) – A Pearsall injury could open the door.
- Dallas Goedert (TE – PHI) – Perennially undervalued.
- Tre’ Harris (WR – LAC) & Jayden Higgins (WR – HOU) – A couple of rookie fliers in wide-open offenses.
- Tyler Allgeier (RB – ATL) – Proven talent who would step into a massive role if Bijan misses time.
- Roman Wilson (WR – PIT) – Expected to start in 2WR sets. Don’t overrate Calvin Austin.
- Jaydon Blue (RB – DEN) – Could be the best piece in Denver’s backfield.
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