25 Must-Have Players (2025 Fantasy Football)

25 Must-Have Players (2025 Fantasy Football)

The 2025 NFL season is less than a week away and that means it’s the last chance to draft the perfect fantasy football team. And what better way to prepare by drafting with our free mock draft simulator? Beyond our tools, we’re also going to have you covered throughout the draft prep season with our content.

One of the most important aspects of completing a successful fantasy football draft is knowing who to target. Sure, there could be “value” that presents itself through the draft, but it’s important to know which players you should not only target as values but also those you need to circle on your cheat sheets and prepare to reach for if needed, especially in the early rounds, where everybody is good. It’s all about unearthing the best of the best.

Here are my top players to target in 2025 fantasy football.

Check out the Dissenting Opinions tool to see how my ranks stack up against ECR, Real-Time ADP, and other fantasy football analysts at FantasyPros!

2025 Fantasy Football Draft Kit

Andrew Erickson’s Fantasy Football Draft Targets

Quarterbacks

Drake Maye (NE)

Drake Maye sits firmly entrenched in my top-10 fantasy quarterback rankings this season.

The offensive environment in New England has only improved for Maye with offensive additions in NFL free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft.

The Pats drafted offensive tackle Will Campbell, super explosive running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Kyle Williams, and center Jared Wilson. In free agency, they acquired wide receiver Stefon Diggs, offensive tackle Morgan Moses, and center Garrett Bradbury.

They needed to bolster the offensive line and add explosiveness for their second-year QB. They achieved both.

And don’t sleep on offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. As a head coach? Terrible.

As an OC? You have my attention. He’s had past success with non-GOAT QBs: Mac Jones (rookie QB) and Cam Newton (mobile QB).

And fantasy gamers can’t afford to ignore Maye’s dual-threat skill set. The Patriots QB HAS the cheat code.

Last season, he ranked 5th in QB scramble efficiency (@PattonAnalytics) behind only the 4 starting QBs who played in the conference championship games.

Among the seven passers in 2024 that recorded 30+ rushing yards per game (including Maye), five finished inside the top six scoring signal-callers on a per-dropback basis.

What Maye was able to achieve as a rookie in a terrible situation cannot be understated.

According to @NextGenStats, Maye was 1 of just 2 QBs to post positive EPA on tight window throws (The other was Lamar Jackson).

He threw at least one touchdown pass in the 10 games he played fully as a rookie (finished on a streak of eight games overall as a rookie – the longest streak by a rookie since Justin Herbert in 2020. That resulted in 18.1 fantasy points per game, which would have ranked QB15 on the year.

Maye’s Real-Time ADP draft position is QB13 as drafters are starting to catch onto his elite upside.

He is the perfect late-round QB to draft. He is the archetype of a quarterback who makes the leap and wins leagues. And what sweetens the deal, is that he has two favorable matchups to start the season against the Raiders and Dolphins.

Jordan Love (GB)

There’s only 1 QB that has posted a passing TD rate of 5.5% or higher the last two seasons. Jordan Love.

He entered 2024 with high expectations after ending the 2023 season on an absolute heater. In Love’s first season as the starter (regular and postseason) for the Green Bay Packers, he threw 37 TDs. He created 41 total TDs, including rushing scores – equivalent to Dak Prescott. 27 of his TDs came after Week 10. He finished as a top-3 fantasy QB from Week 8-18 onward in 2023, averaging 21.2 points per game (4th). But in 2024 he got hurt, and was never himself. As a result, his ADP has plummeted to QB18.

But given the Packers’ decent OL, suspect secondary and depth at WR/TE, I think we see the 2023 version of Love return to the field in 2025. They have already talked about running him more which is music to fantasy football managers’ ears.

We are trying to hit that 20 PPG threshold with our fantasy QBs. Love flashed that ceiling in his first year as a starter averaging 19.5 PPG. Buy the dip. Love is going to be in the MVP conversation when the dust settles in the 2025 season. MVP odds listed at 25-1 (and I like them even more after the team traded for Micah Parsons).

Love opens the season with back-to-back home games versus the Lions (50-point game total) and Commanders. Nobody will be surprised if he’s a top-5 QB through two weeks…

Justin Fields (NYJ)

In 2023, Justin Fields averaged nearly 22 points per game from Week 4 onward. In his six starts during the 2024 season, Fields was the QB6 overall and QB7 in points per game (19.1). He was fourth in fantasy points per dropback (0.62).

Fields rushed for at least 27 rushing yards in five of his six starts (surpassing 50 rushing yards three times).

The Jets’ new QB1 has similar fantasy upside to the elite QB Tier with his rushing ability. One that new head coach Aaron Glenn is all too familiar with during his tenure in Detroit as the defensive coordinator. Fields faced the Lions five times during his time with the Bears, rushing for 100+ yards in three of those contests.

The Jets’ new head coach has already expressed a desire to utilize Fields’ legs, which should be of interest to fantasy football drafters.

The passing is not nearly good enough compared to the S Tier QBs, but having his former Ohio State teammate in Garrett Wilson might help him take another step as a passer.

The Jets have also added to their offense via the NFL Draft with offensive tackle Armand Membou and tight end Mason Taylor. Both players are expected to make immediate impacts as offensive starters.

I’d also say Fields’ job security as the starter is relatively safe. They didn’t select a quarterback in the NFL Draft, and Tyrod Taylor is the backup. There will be no pressure to put Taylor in as the starter unless Fields is stringing together weeks of poor performances.

Fields is currently being drafted as the QB12. I like Fields, but I’d be lying if I didn’t have more concerns about the Jets passing game after lackluster reports out of training camp. Not surprising when Josh Reynolds is the No. 2 WR.

Also don’t love that he is playing the Steelers in Week 1 – a team that is very familiar with his skill set. Game total is set at 37.5. Could be super gross.

It might be a rough start to his Jets career so I think I might look to buy low on Fields instead of drafting him. Especially when it appears that Drake Maye is sometimes  drafted much closer to Fields (neck-and-neck Real-Time ADPs).

But if I am drafting best ball teams, Fields is still a strong pick. Take the highs with the rushing and avoid the lows when he doesn’t score a rushing TD.

Running Backs

Ashton Jeanty (LV)

Over three seasons at Boise State, Ashton Jeanty rushed for 4,760 yards on 748 carries (6.4 YPA) with 50 touchdowns. The 5-foot-9 and 211-pound RB had just 10 fumbles on 748 carries (1.3% rate) and displayed steady year-over-year growth, particularly excelling as a receiver in his second season.

According to Football Insights, Jeanty finished his collegiate career with the highest missed tackle forced per touch rate (39%). His career dominator rating ranks inside the top five. His yards per play (3.4) mark is also elite.

His dominance as a junior, with a 43% dominator rating while rushing for an eye-popping 2,595 yards (6.9 YPA) and 29 touchdowns, puts him in elite company.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected him 6th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. In the desert, Jeanty is going to see all the volume he can handle. He will get all the touches he needs to score fantasy points.

Also, during Chip Kelly’s four years as an NFL offensive coordinator, in three of those seasons, his backfields had a 16.6-17.7% target share, but he also flooded his Philly backfield with targets in 2015 (28.7%) per Derek Brown. The offseason reports have strongly leaned into Jeanty being used as a receiver, which I think is being vastly underrated as part of Jeanty’s skill set. They continue to GUSH about him as a receiver out of the backfield.

Jeanty’s average draft position (ADP) in 2025 is in the late first round/early second-round based on his real-life ADP. Ergo, you can have him if you want him. I want him.

Because based on the proposition of talent/opportunity, it’s not a bad bet to make on the uber-talented rookie running back from Boise State.

Historically speaking, the odds are in his favor to return on his late-round 1 ADP.

The last two rookie RBs drafted highly in the first round two years ago – Bijan Robinson (8th) and Jahmyr Gibbs (12th) – finished as top 10 fantasy RBs in Year 1 (9th and 10th, respectively).

The high-end rookies entering with top-tier draft capital post top-5 numbers during some pocket of games in Year 1. Tough to completely pass on in best ball with the contest structures heavily weighted from Weeks 15-17.

And for redraft purposes, there are plenty of RB values that you can pair with Jeanty to help mitigate any slow start as he gets accustomed to the pros.

I outlined Jeanty’s value further in this piece titled, “How to Value Rookies in Fantasy Football: Running Backs (2025)”

Jeanty has a strong and legitimate case to lead the NFL in touches in 2025, based on the lack of depth behind him in the Raiders’ backfield. With the Raiders starters in the their second preseason game, he played all but one snap.

It sounds weird to label Jeanty as a high-floor player (without any NFL experience), but the position he plays requires the least amount of adjustment at the professional level. I’ve been up front about my stance on fading Saquon Barkley in 2025, while also being open to the idea of Christian McCaffrey experiencing a bounce-back campaign. It’s really more about CMC versus Jeanty, with the consensus favoring the 49ers RB in both ECR and Real-Time ADP. It’s not by much. After Week 1, Christian McCaffrey might hold more value than any other player in fantasy (as one week of him healthy will likely have everybody convinced he’s invincible). Maybe so. And I’ve been very much toying with the idea that if I take CMC in Round 1, immediately flipping him after Week 1 for Bijan Robinson, Ja’Marr Chase etc. Hell, even Jeanty plus.

If you play in multiple leagues, I think CMC is worth getting exposure to. But if I am in one league, I’m going Jeanty. He’s a 21 year old rookie RB boasting a nearly flawless prospect profile that could easily lead the NFL in touches. I want to take a shot at who could be the consensus 1.01 in 2026.

Jeanty also fits specific builds to this year’s ADP as a hero RB with some many strong WR options at the end of Round 1 and start of Round 2.

And for those that are concerned about Jeanty’s “bust” potential, keep this in mind. His floor is super high with his projected workload.

I think that Jake Ciely from The Athletic has made a great comparison with Jeanty to Bijan Robinson‘s rookie year. Didn’t quite match RB3 expectations, but wasn’t a bust either. But you know who were busts? The two RBs picked directly before and after him in 2023. Austin Ekeler and Nick Chubb. Both were busts. In fact, Robinson was better than 6 of the 7 RBs drafted closest to him.

Scoop him up at the tail end of Round 1 or the start of Round 2.

Chase Brown (CIN)

We made it, fam. Chase Brown SZN is full-go. The Bengals’ lone addition during the 2025 NFL Draft was Texas Tech back Tahj Brooks, whom they selected in the sixth round. Zack Moss is still on the roster, but he is coming off a season-ending neck injury.

Cincinnati brought running back Samaje Perine back after his one-year stint with the Chiefs.

Ergo, the Bengals feel comfortable rolling with Brown and Perine as a one-two punch with Brooks providing a reliable depth option.

That means Brown’s fantasy ceiling and elite role (or at least close to elite) is firmly back on his 2025 projection. His role last year was elite.

Similarly to how the Rams have deployed Kyren Williams, Zac Taylor’s coaching staff has shown a willingness to deploy one back who plays almost all the snaps.

Taylor said in a June 12th presser that Brown is making it a priority for the offensive coaches to get him the ball, despite the embarrassment of riches they have among their offensive skill group.

After Moss went down in 2024, Brown took over the Cincinnati backfield in Week 9. He had an eight-game streak of 90+ yards from scrimmage.

Brown was the RB5 in points per game (18.4) and the RB1 in expected points per game (22.3).

The Bengals’ emerging star was Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) 14th-highest graded rusher and unquestioned bell-cow back, exactly like his final season at Illinois.

With an elite receiving role to boot, Brown projects like a more explosive Kyren Williams in 2025.

Brown ranks in the top 10 in my 2025 running back rankings and is the RB11 in Real-Time ADP. He is even higher in my full-PPR rankings.

Brown is a strong click near the 2/3 turn for those that are picking near the top of Round 1.

Kenneth Walker (SEA)

When Kenneth Walker is healthy, he should be a dominant force in fantasy football in a new-look Seahawks offense that will place heavy emphasis on running the football. In 2024, Walker remained one of the league’s most elusive RBs, finishing the year as PFF’s 5th-highest graded RB with 61 forced missed tackles (top 10) in just 11 games played. League-leading forced missed tackle rate at 30%.

The RB1 in the Klint Kubiak offense has the chance to be a true league winner. Last season, Alvin Kamara finished 1st in expected fantasy points in Klint Kubiak’s offense.

. In 2021, as the OC for the Vikings, Kubiak coached both Dalvin Cook and Alexander Mattison to success. Cook was the RB4 in PPG that season, and Mattison posted similar top-5 fantasy numbers in his spot starts for Cook. Nearly 18 PPG between the two RBs.

Draft Kenneth Walker in Round 4 (36th overall Real-Time ADP) and Zach Charbonnet in Round 8 to lock in top-5 fantasy production at RB outside the top-3 rounds.

Jordan Mason (MIN)

The Minnesota Vikings traded for Jordan Mason this offseason, and he is one Aaron Jones injury away from a full workload. The Vikings didn’t draft any backs in this year’s draft, and Ty Chandler fell out of favor on the depth chart last season. This is going to be a two-headed monster in Minnesota behind a revamped interior offensive line that has done nothing but upgrade with the acquisitions of Ryan Kelly, Will Fries, and Donovan Jackson.

In addition to finishing fourth in yards over expected per attempt and seventh in rushing yards after contact last season, Mason ranked second in total rushing yards (667) before his injury in Week 8.

I fully expect Mason to take on a larger role near the goal line, given that Jones struggled immensely in this area in 2024 (-14.4 EPA generated in goal-to-goal situations last season).

We should see more rushing TDs from this Vikings offense after last season’s disaster at the goal line.

Jones/Mason combined for 22 goal-line carries, but they scored just five TDs. 76 red-zone touches (Jones + Mason) resulted in seven TDs.

The 2024 Vikings ranked 30th in carries per rushing TD (54.3). Only PIT and DAL were worse. That’s due to change.

Entering last year, GB was last in carries per TD. Josh Jacobs had 15 rushing TDs in 2024. Positive regression hits hard, especially behind an improving OL.

Draft Jordan Mason as RB31 in Real-Time ADP? Yes.

Braelon Allen (NYJ)

The Jets want to run the football in 2025 with a stable of RBs. And that means we could see a lot of second-year RB, Braelon Allen. Allen earned a role as an extremely young rookie last season (20 years old), despite Breece Hall being healthy to start the season. Allen is a no-nonsense rusher and could very much be the “David Montgomery” in the Jets’ offense under new OC Tanner Engstrand (formerly of the Lions). Allen converted on 11 of his 12 carries on 3rd-1 last year, a 91.7% rate that was not only the best among all NFL backs in 2024 but the best by any back from 2021-24 (Jets.com). Expect with Justin Fields under center for Allen to take full advantage of wide-open rushing lanes.

Allen has also been “as advertised” throughout the offseason, drawing rave reviews out of Jets’ training camp. He is going to have a role in the offense (1A-1B RB situation), and it could grow exponentially if Hall were to get injured or traded.

RB45 in Real-Time ADP is too cheap for one of fantasy football’s best RB sleepers.

Kaleb Johnson (PIT)

The Steelers are a dream fit for rookie RB Kaleb Johnson to deliver league-winning upside. The 6-foot-1 and 224-pound RB fits Arthur Smith’s scheme perfectly and has ample backfield touches to soak up in Pittsburgh. Smith’s offense feeds running backs, and with Najee Harris gone (nearly 300 touches vacated), Johnson will EAT once he climbs the depth chart. He led this entire rookie class in career dominator rating (33%) and posted 1,500+ yards, 21 TDs, and 6.4 YPC in 2024 (zero fumbles). The former Iowa Hawkeye running back is an ideal 1-2 punch with incumbent Jaylen Warren.

Johnson’s stock has fallen since the start of the preseason, with him appearing behind both Kenneth Gainwell and Warren on the Steelers depth chart. This has caused his ADP to also drop to RB27 in Real-Time ADP (Round 7). I’m looking to buy the dip for the reasons I laid out. You aren’t drafting Johnson to be your starter from Day 1. His role will grow as the season progresses. There are plenty of veteran RBs you can get later in drafts to help get you through the start of the season: Warren, Travis Etienne, J.K. Dobbins, Javonte Williams, Nick Chubb, Austin Ekeler, Jerome Ford etc.

That being said, if you are not able to draft him then you might be able to buy low on him through trade.

Drafters doubted Achane (RB45 ADP in 2023) as a third-round rookie pick despite consensus groupthink he was a perfect scheme fit for the team that selected him.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (WAS)

The Commanders’ 7th-round pick is about to take the NFL by storm. With Brian Robinson officially traded to the 49ers, Croskey-Merritt has an immediate path to touches in the Commanders’ backfield as Kliff Kingsbury’s A-back. Because Bill is hardly your average 7th-round rookie RB who has done nothing but drawn rave reviews since being drafted by Washington. Merritt had an unusual finish to his college career, as eligibility limitations allowed him to play just one game for the Arizona Wildcats in 2024. And this was after he came off a monster 2023 season with New Mexico when he posted a 33% dominator rating. He was PFF’s 4th-highest graded running back in 2023.

106 yards on 13 carries in his only 2024 college game (eligibility limitations allowed him just one game)

Bill is better than his 7th-round draft capital suggests. And the Commanders see that as well. Shrine Bowl Offensive MVP.

If he can fend off veteran Chris Rodriguez (probably), I’d expect Croskey-Merritt to carve out a substantial role in the Commanders backfield.

Just be sure to get Bill at a semi-decent value (Round 7/8 range in a 12-team league). Be sure to read the perfect draft strategy along with my player targets piece for the most optimal drafting experience.

Value Targets

Not my “Must-Have” players per se…but players that I also like more versus the consensus relative to cost.

James Conner (ARI)

James Conner continues to be one of the most underappreciated and bankable fantasy running backs in the NFL – and 2025 might be his best value yet as the RB19 overall in Real-Time ADP (45th overall).

Despite entering his age-30 season, Conner showed no signs of decline in 2024. He finished as the RB11 overall and RB14 in fantasy points per game (matching Kenneth Walker per game pace) while playing 13-plus games for the first time since 2021. His 283 touches translated into 1,508 total yards and nine touchdowns, reaffirming his bell-cow status in an improving Arizona offense.

What makes Conner’s case even stronger is how efficient he was, not just productive. From Weeks 10-18, he was one of PFF’s top-graded RBs, joining elite company like Bijan Robinson, Derrick Henry, and Josh Jacobs. According to Fantasy Points Data, in 2024 he ranked:

  • 2nd in missed tackles forced per attempt
  • 11th in yards after contact per attempt
  • 6th in explosive run rate
  • 6th in yards per route run
  • 7th in receiving yards per game

Over the past two seasons, Conner ranks 10th among all RBs in total yards from scrimmage, sixth in rushing yards per game, and eighth in scrimmage yards per game (93.5) – the RBs ahead of him are all being drafted well ahead (minimum 24 games played) inside the 20 overall RBs.

Given the ease of the opening schedule, I expect Conner to be very productive out of the gate for the Red Birds. Ride him till the wheels fall off.

Conner has never finished lower than RB20 in half-PPR in four seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, playing at least 13 games in four straight seasons.

Isiah Pacheco (KC)

Pacheco is being vastly slept after coming back too quickly from his injury in 2024. His team was making a Super Bowl run, and he played well below 100%. But with a full offseason under his belt and him further removed from the injury, I think we could see the Chiefs lean on Pacheco heavily.  He’s too cheap as a low-end fantasy RB2 playing for a top-10 real-life offense. Kareem Hunt is already banged up, and the rest of the KC RB depth chart is lackluster at best. If you are looking for discounted low-end fantasy RB1 production to open the season, look no further than Pacheco. From Week 2 of the 2023 season to the start of 2024 (prior to Pacheco’s injury), the Chiefs RB in 15 games averaged 14.2 PPG in half-PPR. Good for mid-range RB2 production.

Travis Etienne (JAC)

Travis Etienne was a borderline disaster in 2024. He carried over his sluggish finish in 2023 losing work to Tank Bigsby playing in a bad offense heralded by a backup quarterback for the majority of the season. He was a flat-out bust after being a star in 2023. Although to be fair, Etienne still had a higher rushing success rate than Bigsby, who flashed more as a boom-or-bust rusher. Etienne also battled through several different injuries.

But Trevor Lawrence will be back and healthy for 2024, and the Jaguars have hired former Buccaneers OC Liam Coen as their head coach to bring this offense back to expectations.

There will be no allegiance to either Etienne or Bigsby as the team’s starting RB and the new coaching staff could easily deploy a committee in a similar fashion to last season. In his opening presser, Coen stated that the Jaguars had two running backs who they could do many good things with. They also drafted two RBs in this year’s draft (albeit on Day 3).

But in totality, this running game is going to improve dramatically. Coen’s rushing attacks have been prolific at each stop, coming from the Sean McVay-style run game. This guy got Rachaad White over 4 yards per carry.

Wizardry.

White was RB24 last season despite losing the starting gig. From Weeks 1-15, White and Bucky Irving were dead even in back-end fantasy RB2 scoring.

I also anticipate more shotgun runs. Etienne was better rushing from shotgun than Bigbsy in 2024…6th highest rushing success rate.

One fairly big change that Coen has made so far to help get Etienne back on track is prioritizing getting him the ball in space, whether that be on jet sweeps, screens, or as a ball carrier out of shotgun.

Even if the 26-year-old doesn’t get back to top 3 RB status, his one-down season hardly warrants such a drastically low ADP in a situation that looks favorable for his outlook in 2025.

And so far throughout the offseason, Etienne has been painted in a positive light. He’s done everything the new coaching staff has asked of him, and his connection with starting QB dates back to their time spent at Clemson together. It’s too early to write off Etienne entirely after an injury-riddled 2024 season, with him going outside the top 90 overall picks in back-end RB3 territory (RB33 Real-Time ADP).

Bigsby and Tuten still need to prove themselves to this new coaching staff as well, given their ball security issues. I love Tuten as a rookie sleeper (keep reading), but I can acknowledge it’s not his backfield from the jump.

You want to be targeting ambiguous backfields for upside. That is Jacksonville’s backfield. If Etienne carves out the largest role, he has easy top-15 upside in this Coen offense. Etienne has an RB3 and RB17 finish on his resume after falling off in 2024 (RB36).

And although the Jaguars backfield looks muddled entering Week 1 between Etienne as the pass-catcher/third-down back and Bigsby as the early down grinder based on preseason usage, we should see somebody emerge from this backfield at some point. Specifically during the second half as the Jaguars have a very favorable SOS in the second half of the season.

Not to mention, the Jaguars open the year against two of last year’s worst defenses between the Panthers and Bengals. There’s a chance all three RBs can provide fantasy value this season at some point.

Favorite RB Sleeper:

Bhayshul Tuten (JAC)

The former Virginia Tech RB was selected at the top of the 4th round by Jacksonville, and is shaping up to be Liam Coen’s new Bucky Irving in Duval County. As previously stated, the new coaching staff has no allegiance to either Etienne or Bigsby, putting Tuten in a position to dramatically out-produce his draft capital. Tuten was a dominant producer at the college level with a career 30% dominator rating, highlighted by a 37% dominator rating last season (despite battling through an ankle injury). He finished the 2024 season top 10 in the FBS in yards after contact per attempt (4.4) among RBs with at least 100 carries. Also ranked 6th in the 2025 RB draft class in yards after contact per attempt and breakaway run percentage (54%). According to Sports Info Solutions, Tuten finished 1st in the class in broken tackle rate per 100 dropbacks. In 2023, Irving ranked third in that same statistic.

The offseason was up and down for Tuten, but experienced fantasy gamers know this is the ebbs and flows of rookies. Everybody loses their minds drafting immediately after the NFL Draft, just for their prices to come down when reality settles in that there are still unproven players that have to earn their opportunities (especially Day 3 picks).

I think that Tuten has the skill set and talent to rise up the Jaguars depth chart. Just be aware that he is a long-term bet/stash target than immediate producer for Week 1.

Other favorite sleepers: J.K. Dobbins (DEN), Kyle Monangai (CHI), Austin Ekeler (WAS), Dylan Sampson (CLE), Blake Corum (LAR)

Dynasty Draft Kit 2025

Wide Receivers

Nico Collins (HOU)

If I have a pick outside the top-5 in fantasy football drafts this season, I am honing in on Nico Collins as my primary target. He’s a true alpha WR with second-shortest odds (+1000) to lead the NFL in receiving yards in 2025. He was the WR6 in PPG (14.9) while averaging the 4th-most receiving yards per game (86.4) in 2024. Collins also averaged 2.86 yards per route run in 2024, second among all WRs. Fade alphas at your own risk.

Drake London (ATL)

Buy high on Drake London, who is a dark horse to be the No. 1 WR overall in fantasy football in 2025. We know the WR1 overall typically leads the NFL in red-zone targets, and that has been London’s calling card. The 25-year-old WR ended 2024 with 23 red-zone targets, tied for the third-most among all WRs (fifth in red-zone targets per game). The Falcons’ WR ranks first in red zone target rate over the past three seasons. He also operated from the slot more last season. London was one of the highest-graded WRs operating from the slot, third only to elite WRs: Puka Nacua and Nico Collins (PFF).

He was also a target hog, with the third-highest target rate per route run (30%). London was targeted on 41% of his routes with Michael Penix Jr. under center. Red-zone targets have been one of the biggest predictors of high-end fantasy seasons at the position. His ADP as the WR9 is too low for the WR5 in total points through 18 games last season.

Tetairoa McMillan (CAR)

Tetairoa McMillan lands in an ideal situation to emerge as the alpha wideout in Carolina. Drafted with top-10 capital (8th overall) the former Arizona star joins a Panthers offense in need of a true WR1. McMillan brings size, production and opportunity to a WR room featuring an underwhelming Xavier Legette and a promising but undrafted Jalen Coker. T-Mac was just one of 3 WRs in the FBS in 2023 to hit 1,396 yards, 10 TDs, and 89 receptions. The others being fellow top-10 WR draft selections: Malik Nabers and Rome Odunze. If Bryce Young takes even a modest step forward and continues to fuel fantasy success for his No. 1 target, McMillan could be this year’s breakout rookie receiver.

Note that Adam Thielen surpassed both 100 catches and 1,000 receiving yards during Young’s rookie season. Last year in Dave Canales’ offense, the Panthers’ No. 1 WR between Diontae Johnson/Thielen was pacing for over 1,100 receiving yards over a 17-game sample size (33% first-read target share). In Thielen’s last six games, he averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game – a mark that would have ranked 8th among all WRs last season.

Consider the average production of a WR that was drafted in the top 10 in the past four drafts. Those WRs have averaged 80 catches, 1,049 yards and 6.3 touchdowns as rookies. Good for fantasy WR2 production. McMillan is being drafted at his stone-cold floor as the WR28 off the board in Real-Time ADP.

Jameson Williams (DET)

After two years of hype, Jameson Williams finally delivered the breakout we’d all been waiting for. In 2024, the former 12th overall pick in the 2022 draft finished as the WR19 in total points and WR20 in points per game, posting 1,000+ receiving yards and 7 touchdowns across 15 games. He did so on just 59 receptions and 92 targets, showcasing elite efficiency and explosive playmaking ability, including ranking third in the NFL in yards after catch per reception. Williams truly turned it on down the stretch. After returning from suspension in Week 10, he was the WR10 in fantasy points per game (nearly 14) while commanding a 21% target share – almost identical to Amon-Ra St. Brown‘s target rate from Weeks 12-18 (excluding ARSB’s monster 18-target outlier in Week 15). Williams recorded 5+ receptions in six of his last eight games and hit at least 7 targets in every regular-season contest over that span. His late-season surge included three top 6 weekly finishes, a feat only 10 other WRs matched in 2024. He capped the year with a 61-yard rushing touchdown in the playoffs, further highlighting his dynamic skill set and game-breaking speed. Jamo is a big play waiting to happen. He has scored 9 of his 15 career TDs on plays over 40 yards (11 over 30-plus yards). All gas, no brakes.

The arrival of new offensive coordinator John Morton, who already declared 2025 as a “breakout year” for Williams, might be exactly what Jamo needs to go to the next level. HC Dan Campbell is already onboard, stating that “the sky’s the limit” for Williams in 2025.

If the Lions shift away from their slot Sun God-centric approach after Ben Johnson’s departure and diversify their passing game, Jamo could ascend to WR1 territory in fantasy formats. Given the recent news of Amon-Ra St. Brown undergoing off-season clean-up knee surgery, it’s just more fuel to the fire for Williams to play a bigger role in the Lions’ 2025 offense that could look a little different under a new play caller.

Jaylen Waddle (MIA)

I just can’t quit Jaylen Waddle. Even after he averaged barely nine points per game with Tua Tagovailoa last season and finished as the WR46 in half-PPR (WR56 in points per game). Waddle took a backseat in the Miami offense with Jonnu Smith and De’Von Achane vacuuming up the underneath targets. The games Tagovailoa missed further cratered Waddle’s numbers.

It was bad. Even so, Waddle had just as many 100-yard games with Tagovailoa as Tyreek Hill (two), although he averaged nearly three more yards per target (8.0 vs 11.0).

Waddle is also just 26 years old, and part of his down year was related to a lack of touchdowns. He scored six touchdowns in the last two seasons, compared to 14 in his first two years in the NFL.

Given how the Miami Dolphins’ season ended, I can’t imagine they run back the same offense they deployed in 2024. If Hill continues his downward trajectory or Miami moves on, Waddle will benefit greatly. We saw glimpses of his upside at the end of the year. And the team just traded away Jonnu Smith (111 vacated targets) to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

That creates more TD opportunities for Waddle. Smith led the Dolphins in targets inside the 10-yard line last season catching 6 of his 8 TDs from inside the red zone.

In three of Waddle’s last four full games in 2024, he commanded nine or more targets, going over 99 receiving yards twice and averaged over 13 fantasy points per game.

Despite the two down years, Waddle ranks in the top 15 in receiving yards through his first four seasons (3 seasons of at least 1,000 yards).

I’ll take my chances with Waddle as a fantasy WR3 banking on a bounce back (WR26 Real-Time ADP).

Calvin Ridley (TEN)

Calvin Ridley quietly delivered solid fantasy football value in 2024, finishing with over 1,000 yards for the second straight season while leading the NFL in team air yard share (48%). While he only finished as the WR26 in total points and WR40 in points per game, he did outperform his WR35 ADP.

Ridley’s late-season surge – 11.6 points per game (WR26) after DeAndre Hopkins was traded, essentially doubling his fantasy points per game – showed what he can do as the undisputed top option.

With Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and his nine touchdowns gone, and first-overall pick Cam Ward now under center, Ridley could thrive as the clear No. 1 WR in a Brian Callahan-led offense. According to 4for4’s Justin Edwards, the Titans rank top-five in vacated targets to receivers and first to receiver targets inside the 10-yard line.

If Ward is even average, Ridley’s elite usage profile makes him a strong bet to exceed his WR34 ADP. The Titans’ No. 1 WR could be a huge success in fantasy football, given his finish as the WR29 in expected points per game and WR17 in total expected fantasy points in 2024.

Keep in mind that Ridley has never finished worse than WR26 in any healthy season he has played during his NFL career.

And if you are unable to draft him successfully, don’t fret. He will be the No. buy-low target after he inevitably bombs in Week 1 playing at the Denver Broncos.

Ricky Pearsall (SF)

The 49ers’ 2024 first-round pick, Ricky Pearsall, overcame massive hurdles in his rookie season. He suffered a gunshot wound just weeks before the start of the season in late August, before making his NFL debut in Week 7. He averaged 7.1 fantasy points per game as the WR50 overall (identical to Brandon Aiyuk’s average before his ACL injury), surpassing 69 receiving yards in three contests. Pearsall finished on an extremely high note in Weeks 17 and 18, catching 14 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns (nine targets per game). With Deebo Samuel gone, Brandon Aiyuk coming off a torn ACL (with his earliest return potentially Week 6) and Jauan Jennings battling a nagging calf injury, Pearsall is a logical second-year breakout candidate after a truncated rookie season. Just remains to be seen how his role and status in the pecking order will be determined if/when Aiyuk comes back to the starting lineup. Regardless, Pearsall will have the opportunity to cement his status atop the WR depth chart in a full offseason program.

Rome Odunze (CHI)

Rome Odunze is a potential second-year breakout candidate hiding in plain sight. The former top-10 pick had a poor rookie season statistically – WR49 overall and WR66 in points per game – but the circumstances around him were far from ideal. Odunze dealt with a lingering MCL sprain early in the season, played in a broken Chicago offense led by an ineffective OC (Shane Waldron), and still managed to lead the Bears in high-value touches (air yards/red-zone targets) over the second half of the season. He ranked 10th in end-zone targets (14) and had 17 red-zone looks, but caught just 6 – a clear case for positive touchdown regression. Despite the dysfunction, Odunze flashed big-play/downfield upside with a 13.9 average depth of target (6th) and deep target rate. He outproduced Keenan Allen in air yards and red-zone usage and saw more valuable targets than D.J. Moore despite a lower overall target share.

Now, in 2025, there are reasons to be optimistic. New HC Ben Johnson steps in after building a top-tier offense in Detroit. Veteran Keenan Allen is gone, opening up over 100 targets. The offensive line has been upgraded in free agency.

Caleb Williams enters Year 2, with Odunze positioned to become his go-to target. And perhaps most importantly, Odunze is finally healthy. If Odunze earns more slot reps (where Johnson has historically funneled volume), he’s a screaming value at his current ADP. D.J. Moore was locked into a low-aDOT role (5.3) in the final eight games last year, which could make Odunze the Bears’ vertical and red-zone specialist – a high-value fantasy role on the field. Odunze has a WR3 floor with WR1 breakout upside. At worst, he can be a fantasy WR3 that Allen was last season for the Bears. Don’t be surprised if he emerges as Williams’ true No. 1 option as early as this season. We saw a glimpse of Odunze’s ceiling in a game that Allen missed in 2024 (Week 3 versus the Colts), going for 112 yards and one TD on 11 targets. All season highs.

Cedric Tillman (CLE)

Cedric Tillman flashed a mini-second-year breakout in 2024, stepping up as the Browns’ top wideout after Amari Cooper’s departure and Jameis Winston’s promotion to QB1. From Weeks 7–12, Tillman averaged 12.8 fantasy points per game (WR16), totaling 330 receiving yards (66 per game) while outproducing Jerry Jeudy during that 5-game stretch. Unfortunately, a concussion cut his season short, sidelining him for the final six games. Now fully healthy and with past chemistry with Joe Flacco from their time spent in 2023, Tillman is well-positioned to re-emerge as a key piece in Cleveland’s passing game and could be a sneaky value pick in 2025 drafts, entering his third NFL season (the most common season that WRs experience their first WR1 season). The Browns also have the most vacated targets available in their offense, according to 4for4.com.

Tillman is built like an alpha WR, and there’s passing volume to be had in Cleveland. Week 1? Bengals. Points are coming.

Now getting a little more concerned…

Marvin Mims (DEN)

Marvin Mims flashed major upside in the second half of 2024, averaging 62 receiving yards per game and leading all WRs in yards per route run (3.63) from Week 11 onward. He also posted a strong 28% target rate per route run on the year, ranking 13th in the NFL. Still just 23 years old, Mims is a prime third-year breakout candidate in a Broncos offense looking to grow alongside Bo Nix. Works in Mims’ favor that his preseason usage projects him for a full-time role in the Broncos’ offense. Wheels. Up. However, as noted by Greg Brainos (@coachspeakindex), Sean Payton does some curious things with preseason usage that doesn’t always carry over into the regular season.

Now I don’t think that Mims is a total avoid because still entirely possible he sees an expanded role in Year 3. But to the extent that it’s as good as it has been in the preseason…remains to be seen. I think he is still draftable because we will find out Week 1 what the deal is. But I think fantasy managers need to be swift in their approach to be ready to move off Mims if he doesn’t have a full-time role in Week 1 versus the Titans.

Jayden Reed (GB)

Reed has finished as the WR26 and WR23 over the last two seasons. His current ADP is WR49. Buy talented players at a discount. But be aware. Reed is dealing with a Jones fracture in his foot. He is expected to play through it, but that puts him at a high level of both declined efficiency and re-injury risk.

If I am going to draft a high upside WR in the later rounds with risk…I think I am going with Rashee Rice instead.

Injury sucks because I love Reed as a player.

The Packers slot WR has led Green Bay in receptions and yards for two straight seasons while remaining highly efficient on per route basis. When Jordan Love was healthiest last season (14 games), Reed was the team’s No. 1 most productive WR despite a lackluster target share. Before a Week 14 dud, he was the WR8 overall and WR18 in PPG.

Buy the Packers offense heading into 2025. Every single part of it is being undervalued.

Other favorite sleepers: Keenan Allen (LAC), Christian Kirk (HOU), Jayden Higgins (HOU), Joshua Palmer (BUF), Luther Burden (CHI), Keon Coleman (BUF), Jaylin Noel (HOU), Jalen Coker (CAR)

Tight Ends

Tucker Kraft (GB)

In 2024, Kraft led all tight ends in yards after the catch per reception (8.8) with an eye-popping 15 missed tackles. Second only to George Kittle in 20+ yard catch rate (22%).

In 2023…Kittle and Jonnu Smith ranked 1st and 2nd in YAC/reception before finishing the 2024 season as top-4 fantasy TEs…

GB’s tight end ran away with the starting job over Luke Musgrave and never looked back, finishing as the TE8 overall and 10th in points per game (8.3). The Packers passing game never fully got unlocked with Jordan Love constantly banged up, but this receiving corps is wide open for somebody to step up. A roster filled with beta WRs looking for an alpha to emerge especially with Christian Watson suffering a torn ACL injury late in the year. Kraft has a real shot to lead this team in red-zone looks AND explosive plays after leading the team in red-zone targets with Love healthy last season (1/game).

Head coach Matt LaFleur confirmed at the end of the season – that 100% – that Kraft has the potential to be a George Kittle or Travis Kelce type of player.

Honorable Mentions:

(When you can’t draft Tucker Kraft)

Tyler Warren (IND)

My perfect TE strategy is grabbing Kraft/Warren late. Warren will play nearly every snap for the Colts on offense, and could easily emerge as Daniel Jones’ favorite check-down option.

He is a full-blown alpha football player, and has a unique YAC/Taysom Hill skillset to be a fantasy football phenom from the jump.

Evan Engram (DEN)

While injuries limited him to nine games last year (TE16 in points per game), Evan Engram still averaged over five catches per contest – classic PPR production. Engram has a history of strong Year 1 impacts with new teams (TE6 in first seasons with both the Giants and Jaguars). He now steps into a likely high-volume role in Denver with no established receivers behind Courtland Sutton (although there are some young WRs looking to make a leap).

Even so…

If Engram stays healthy, a return to top-five fantasy tight end status is well within reach in Sean Payton’s offense. In 2023, Engram posted a career-best 114 receptions for 963 yards and 4 touchdowns, proving to be a high-volume target in Jacksonville’s offense as the TE4 in fantasy points per game. He’s ready to embrace a potential Joker role in the Broncos offense. WHY SO SERIOUS?

David Njoku (CLE)

Another year, and another tale of two seasons for the Browns tight end. David Njoku finished 5th in fantasy points per game (10.6) and TE11 overall in 11 games played. The Browns TE missed three games to start the year and was placed on season-ending IR after Week 16. The 29-year-old TE was at his best with Jameis Winston under center, averaging north of 12 points per game (12.1). Equivalent to Brock Bowers.

But for the second straight season, Njoku might have another new QB that wasn’t part of his hot streak the year before. At worst, Njoku’s ability to perform with different QBs the past two seasons is encouraging that he won’t completely fall off in 2025, regardless of who is throwing him passes. Let’s not forget the heater Njoku went on with Joe Flacco back in 2023 (five games): 15.4 fantasy points per game, 22% target share (9 targets per game) and a 29% target rate per route run.

I’d also expect Njoku to remain a staple in the offense under new OC Tommy Rees, who served as the pass game specialist & tight ends coach for the Browns last season. Njoku finished third in expected points, third in targets per game (8.5) and second in end-zone targets (11) among TEs.

The Browns tight end should easily see 100-plus targets in this offense so I am having trouble wrapping my mind around his TE10 price tag outside the top-100 picks. I’m shocked how cheap Njoku is after the news that Flacco was named the Week 1 starter.

He is TE8 in the projections, but he is in the second tier, which is separated by five points.

Hunter Henry (NE)

Henry was quietly a top-12 TE in total fantasy points and expected points per game in 2024. Finished the year as the TE16 in PPG, coming off career-highs in receptions (66) and yards (674). And yet? He scored just two TDs.

He tied for 5th in red-zone targets AND ranked 2nd in targets inside the 10-yard line.

Positive touchdown regression, anyone?

With Drake Maye under center in nine games last year:

  • Henry averaged 8.8 PPG
  • On pace for 85 catches, 850 yards

If Maye makes a leap, Henry comes with him (especially in the red zone).  The Patriots TE has averaged nearly 5 TDs/year since joining the Pats. He has a long history of red-zone usage, and is dirt-cheap in drafts.

Let’s not forget that Henry’s best fantasy season came back in 2021 when Josh McDaniels was the Patriots’ OC. Nine receiving TDs and top-3 in total red-zone targets among TEs.

Dalton Kincaid (TE – BUF)

The Bills’ tight end was a major disappointment in his second season, finishing as the TE29 in 13 games played. He showed virtually no weekly ceiling with just a 15% top-12 finisher rate as the TE26 in points per game (5.6) — although he left production on the table as the TE16 in expected points per game (9.0).

The usage was middling as Kincaid ran a route on just 57.5% of dropbacks, ranking outside the top 24 at the position. His saving grace was that he was hyper-targeted at a 26% clip — the fifth-highest mark among tight ends with at least 150 routes run.

Kincaid was also hurt throughout the season (reportedly playing through a torn PCL), which is likely the best justification for his sophomore slump, as noted by head coach Sean McDermott in some of his pressers after the season ended. With better health and Josh Allen at the helm, the third-year tight end could be a major fantasy steal in 2025.

Classic post-hype sleeper.

Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn

Articles Fantasy Draft Advice NFL

More Articles

Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings & Start/Sit Advice (Week 15)

Fantasy Football Kicker Rankings & Start/Sit Advice (Week 15)

fp-headshot by Andrew Swanson | 4 min read
Let’s Stream Defenses: Week 15 (2025 Fantasy Football)

Let’s Stream Defenses: Week 15 (2025 Fantasy Football)

fp-headshot by Jacob Herlin | 5 min read
Fantasy Football Injuries to Know for Waiver Wire Pickups

Fantasy Football Injuries to Know for Waiver Wire Pickups

fp-headshot by Evan Tarracciano | 5 min read
Beyond the Waiver Wire: Fantasy Football Moves to Make (Week 15)

Beyond the Waiver Wire: Fantasy Football Moves to Make (Week 15)

fp-headshot by Andrew Erickson | 15+ min read

About Author

fp-headshot

Andrew Erickson

|

Andrew Erickson is a fantasy football analyst at FantasyPros. LFG.