When you’re on the clock in drafts and looking at average draft position (ADP) lists, there are always players that jump off the page. These are the players you will look to draft a ton of. To be overweight across multiple leagues. Players that can be difference-makers and help define the 2025 Fantasy Football landscape.
Every player in this article has the talent and upside to do that. These are my top targets in fantasy football this year.
Fantasy Football Must-Have Players
Quarterbacks
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.
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.
Yes, I know we haven’t seen J.J. McCarthy play outside of an abbreviated preseason sample last year, but I’ll be targeting him everywhere this season. This should remain a pass-happy offense after ranking eighth in neutral passing rate and third in pass rate over expectation last year, per Fantasy Points Data. The Vikings remain loaded with skill players and added to the offensive line this offseason to give their new signal-caller all the time in the world to dice up opposing pass defenses in 2025.
Sam Darnold (yes, that Sam Darnold) finished as the QB9 in fantasy points per game last year, continuing a long history of Kevin O’Connell’s quarterbacks finishing as QB1s. I believe McCarthy will keep that streak alive. He was a stellar prospect airdropped into the perfect situation. In his final collegiate season, McCarthy ranked inside the top 12 FBS quarterbacks in passing grade, adjusted completion rate, yards per attempt, adjusted completion rate with downfield throws and against pressure, per Pro Football Focus (PFF). It’s wheels up for McCarthy in 2025.
Dak Prescott is an amazing late-round quarterback value. He is primed to return to the QB1 ranks in 2025. With George Pickens added opposite CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and Jalen Tolbert, Prescott has enough weaponry at his disposal to excel in Dallas’ pass-centric offense. Last year, in Weeks 1-8, Dallas ranked eighth in neutral passing rate and 10th in pass rate over expectation.
Prescott’s passing touchdown rate dipped to 3.8% last season, which was the first time since 2020 that his passing touchdown rate had dipped below 5.8%. Prescott will throw for more touchdowns in 2025. We’re only one season removed from him finishing as the QB4 in fantasy points per game, seventh in yards per attempt, eighth in CPOE and sixth-best in highly accurate throw rate, per Fantasy Points Data. Invest in Prescott.
Drake Maye made the best he could last year with a pitiful supporting cast. His offensive line was patchwork at best, and arguably, his top two pass catchers were Hunter Henry and Demario Douglas. Despite all of this, in the nine games Maye played at least 90% of the snaps, he averaged 18.7 fantasy points per game, which would have placed him as the QB11 last year. In those contests, he averaged. 36.8 rushing yards per game, which would have ranked fifth among quarterbacks last season. Overall, among 40 qualifying quarterbacks, Maye ranked 27th in yards per attempt, 17th in CPOE, 11th in highly accurate throw rate, 18th in hero throw rate, and had the 13th-highest turnover-worthy throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). The rushing output will factor in heavily this season for Maye and his fantasy outlook. The additions of Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, Kyle Williams, offensive line help, and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels can only help Maye in 2025. He’s a strong QB2 who could finish as a QB1 this season.
Running Backs
Bijan Robinson crushed last year as the RB3 in fantasy points per game. It was a tale of two halves. Atlanta began the season goofing around with his usage before it righted the ship. In Weeks 1-5, Robinson was the RB24 in fantasy points per game, averaging 17 touches and 87.2 total yards. In Weeks 6-18, he was the RB1 in fantasy points per game with 23.4 touches and 120.9 total yards per game.
After Week 5, Robinson saw his route share and target share jump from 54.5% to 60.4% and 10.7% to 13.4%, per Fantasy Points Data. If that usage continues in 2025, Robinson could be the RB1 overall this season. He posted strong tackle-breaking numbers last year, ranking 12th in missed tackles forced per attempt and 22nd in yards after contact per attempt.
If Michael Penix can take this offense to another level, Robinson could be the Fantasy MVP this season.
No matter how you slice it, Ashton Jeanty is a top-five back out of the gate. He has a true three-down skillset and should get all the volume he can handle. He’s a tackle-breaking maven. A skill that I have no doubt will translate to the NFL. Across his final two collegiate seasons, Jeanty ranked first and third in yards after contact per attempt and first and second in elusive rating, per PFF.
Las Vegas will feature the run prominently, and Jeanty’s receiving upside gives him an insane ceiling for 2025. During Chip Kelly’s tenure in the NFL, his offenses have never ranked lower than 11th in rushing attempts. Also, in three out of Kelly’s four years as an NFL offensive coordinator, his backfields had a 16.6-17.7% target share, but he also flooded his Philly backfield with targets in 2015 (28.7%). Jeanty could push for near the top end of that range.
In 2023, Jeanty ranked first in receiving grade and second in Yards per route run. Jeanty is primed for a rookie season that could rival Saquon Barkley‘s rookie year.
Christian McCaffrey’s 2024 season was derailed by bilateral Achilles tendonitis. Yes, I know it crushed many fantasy teams. Yes, I know that if you drafted him last year, you’re probably saying, “hell no… I won’t be walking down that road again.” I’ll get this out of the way quickly. I’m back in.
George Kittle had similar issues with his Achilles, but after he received stem cell infusions, it hasn’t remained a problem. McCaffrey had a similar treatment last year and enters this season fully healthy from all reports. In the small sample we got from McCaffrey last year, his numbers remained strong.
In the three full games McCaffrey played, he averaged 18.6 touches and 93.7 total yards, all while playing 81-94% of the snaps. McCaffrey’s 22% missed tackle forced rate and his 1.80 Yards per route run were strong, per Fantasy Points Data. Among those two statistical categories, McCaffrey ranked eighth-best (70 qualifying backs) and sixth-best (53 qualifying backs). McCaffrey has at least one more big season left. I’ll be investing heavily in him for 2025.
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.
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 Tyler Badie, Jaleel McLaughlin, and J.K. Dobbins. No, I’m not worried about Badie 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 borderline RB1.
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.
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). Even if we lower those year-one expectations for 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. Last year, not only did he rank fifth in breakaway percentage, 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 RB2/3 who could be an RB1 down the stretch in 2025 if he can distance himself further from Warren better than Harris ever could.
Wide Receivers
Last year, Drake London finally had the true breakout season I’ve been forecasting for him, as he finally got to experience at least average starting quarterback play for much of the season. London finished as the WR13 in fantasy points per game while ranking third in targets (157) and securing 100 receptions. Last year, he ranked fifth in target share, 11th in receiving yards per game and 12th in Yards per route run, per Fantasy Points Data.
With Michael Penix under center in 2025, London could ascend even further up the fantasy wideout ladder. His splits with Kirk Cousins and Penix were eye-popping. Yes, I know it was only a three-game sample with Penix, but it would still be impressive if London could venture even into the general neighborhood of these numbers across a full season.
With Cousins, London recorded a 24.6% target share with 65.6 receiving yards per game and 2.24 Yards per route run. Those are solid numbers, but they aren’t top-three wideout numbers like he posted with Penix. With Penix chucking him the rock, London saw his target share soar to 39% with 117.3 receiving yards per game and 3.74 Yards per route run.
If London can continue even a watered-down version of those numbers for the entirety of 2025, he could be contending for WR1 overall when it’s all said and done. London is a high-floor and high-ceiling pick for 2025.
Overall, last year, Brian Thomas Jr. was a stud as the WR11 in fantasy points per game, ranking fifth in deep targets and 15th in red zone targets. As good as those numbers are, they still underrate his upside in 2025 if he can continue what he did down the stretch last year.
In Weeks 13-18 last season, he was the WR2 in fantasy points per game. During that span, among 72 qualifying receivers, he was fourth in target share (31.6%), seventh in Yards per route run (2.78), fifth in receiving yards per game (98.8), and 17th in first downs per route run (0.108, per Fantasy Points Data).
Thomas Jr. posted those numbers with Mac Jones tossing him passes. What do we think he’ll do in 2025 with Liam Coen at the controls and Trevor Lawrence back? It could be a magical season for Thomas Jr.
Mike Evans has finished no lower than WR13 in fantasy points per game over the last four years, and he didn’t show any signs of slowing down last year. While he has dealt with hamstring issues in each of the last three years, he has never played fewer than 14 games in any season.
Last year, Evans ranked 23rd in target share, fifth in Yards per route run, 16th in receiving yards per game, fourth in route win rate and second in separation, per Fantasy Points Data. Evans is primed to produce as a WR1 again in 2025.
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.
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.
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. He 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 that could be a weekly WR2.
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 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 and 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 ADP and help plenty of Fantasy GMs to titles in 2025.
Higgins got the capital I was hoping for as the fifth wide receiver selected in the NFL Draft at the top of the second round. Higgins should immediately file in as the starting outside receiver opposite Nico Collins in two wide receiver sets. Higgins was an underrated player throughout the entire draft process, ranking 27th and 16th in Yards per route run and first and 18th in receiving grade during his final two collegiate seasons (per PFF).
He’s a sure-handed receiver who will become a trusted safety blanket for C.J. Stroud after posting a 2.2% drop rate or lower in each of the last three seasons and a 55.6% contested catch rate in college. The addition of Higgins and fellow former Iowa State wide receiver Jaylin Noel should push Christian Kirk while also hopefully fueling a big bounce-back season for Stroud.
Higgins is a WR3/4 that could easily evolve into a weekly WR2 as the 2025 season rolls along.
Tight Ends
Trey McBride had a monster 2024 season as the TE2 in fantasy points per game. Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, he ranked first in target share, second in receiving yards per game, third in Yards per route run, first in first downs per route run and third in first downs per route run.
As insane as it sounds, if his horrible touchdown luck could correct itself, last season could have been even better. Despite ranking second in red-zone targets, McBride finished with only two receiving touchdowns (four total touchdowns). McBride finished with 15.6 PPR points per game (TE2), but he had 19.2 expected PPR points per game. McBride’s horrible touchdown run out could reverse itself in 2025, and if it does, he could be the clear runaway TE1.
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.
Evan Engram could smash his ADP this year as Sean Payton’s Joker. Everyone will point to last year as a reason to have worries about Engram, who ranked 20th in Yards per route run, but his target-drawing ability was just fine, ranking fifth in targets per route run and third in target share. He was also dealing with shoulder and hamstring issues. Those were his first injuries to deal with during a season since 2021.
In Engram’s two previous seasons, he ranked 13th and 14th in Yards per route run and second and 12th in target share, per Fantasy Points Data. Also, in 2023-2024, Engram excelled in one of the hallmark metrics that I look at when evaluating talent and upside at the tight end position: Yards per route run versus man coverage. In those seasons, Engram ranked fourth and eighth in this metric.
Engram’s best competition for targets is Courtland Sutton. Engram could lead Denver in targets this season. If that happens, he’ll likely be knocking on the door of the top-three/top-five tight ends in 2025.
Mark Andrews is one of the best tight end values this year, with the talent to revisit top-three/top-five fantasy tight end status. Last year, Andrews was the TE7 in fantasy points per game, but it was heavily influenced by his 11 receiving scores as he ranked only 14th in receptions and ninth in receiving yards among tight ends. His recovery from tightrope surgery impacted his early-season effectiveness and usage.
In Weeks 1-9, Andrews was the TE16 in fantasy points per game, posting an 11.3% target share, an 18% target per route run rate (TPRR), 1.77 Yards per route run rate (YPPR), 32.1 receiving yards per game, a 13.9% first-read share and 0.110 first downs per route run.
After Week 9, every discernable per-route metric that we should care about improved for Andrews as he posted an 18.1% target share, a 24% TPRR, 2.31 YPRR, 48 receiving yards per game, an 18.9% first-read share and 0.127 first downs per route run as the TE5 in fantasy points per game, per Fantasy Points Data.
Buy the dip on Andrews and enjoy another stellar year from the Baltimore stalwart.
Last year, Tucker Kraft stepped up as Green Bay’s clear present and future starting tight end. The South Dakota State alum finished as the TE14 in fantasy points per game in the Packers’ run-heavy offense. Green Bay loves its committee approach with the passing game, so it’s tough to see Kraft becoming a high-end target earner in this offense, but he has the talent to do so.
Last year, among 47 qualifying tight ends, Kraft ranked 20th in target share and 27th in first read share, but he posted top 12 marks in receiving yards per game (12th-best), Yards per route run (seventh), missed tackles forced (third), and yards after the catch per reception (first). Green Bay did feed him an 18.5% designed target rate (second-best among tight ends), but he wasn’t the first option on many passing plays.
Kraft proved he has the talent to take the next step and become a focal point if the Green Bay offensive design changes in 2025. Kraft is a wild card TE1 with IMMENSE upside in 2025.
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