4 Early-Round Picks to Draft (2025 Fantasy Football)

The Scott Fish Bowl is underway, meaning it’s the unofficial start of redraft fantasy football season. Everyone knows practice makes perfect, and there is no better way to practice than with the FantasyPros Mock Draft Simulator. I am picking first in this 12-team, 1QB, and PPR-scoring redraft fantasy football mock draft. Here are a few early-round fantasy football draft picks that I’m targeting in this format.

Fantasy Football Early-Round Draft Picks to Target

Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)

Last year, Chase was the far-and-away the WR1, averaging 23.7 PPR fantasy points per game. He scored 40.1 more fantasy points than any other flex player, averaging four fantasy points per game more than the next closest wide receiver – Chris Godwin (19.7). Furthermore, the superstar won the triple crown, leading the NFL in receptions (127), receiving yards (1,708), and touchdowns (17). More importantly, Chase was the first player in league history to have over 1,700 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns in the same season.

Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)

Unfortunately, Wilson has played with several below-average quarterbacks in his career. However, he was outstanding last season with Aaron Rodgers. The former Ohio State was the WR10, averaging a career-high 14.8 PPR fantasy points per game, finishing fourth in the NFL with 154 targets. While Justin Fields is far from an elite passer, Wilson had success with him at Ohio State. More importantly, the Jets lack other reliable options in the passing game. Therefore, Wilson could lead the league in targets in 2025.

Trey McBride (TE – ARI)

Many will harp on McBride’s lack of receiving touchdowns from last season. He had two receiving touchdowns. However, McBride also had a rushing score and a fumble recovery for a touchdown in 2024. Yet, the superstar had 111 receptions, ranking fourth in the NFL, totaling only four fewer than Amon-Ra St. Brown despite playing in one fewer game. McBride should have a better year finding the end zone, making him one of my favorite picks in the early third round.

Xavier Worthy (WR – KC)

Worthy ended his rookie season as the WR33, averaging 11 PPR fantasy points per game. However, the former Texas star finished the year on fire, ranking as the WR10 during the fantasy playoffs, averaging 10.3 targets and 21 fantasy points per game, totaling 19.6 or more in every contest. Furthermore, Worthy was outstanding in the Super Bowl against a talented Philadelphia Eagles defense, totaling eight receptions for 157 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 35.7 fantasy points.