3 Must-Draft Players (2025 Fantasy Football)

It’s important to know who to target as you prepare for your fantasy football drafts. Of course we want to let value come to us in places, but sometimes you have to reach a bit to get your must-have fantasy football players in drafts. Our analysts provide players they are targeting wherever possible. Here are a few of their must-have fantasy football players for 2025 drafts.

You can find all of their must-have players here: Fitz | DBro | Erickson | Joe

Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets

Here are a few must-have fantasy football draft targets our analysts love.

Fitz’s Must-Have Draft Targets

Drake London (WR – ATL)

London turned into a monster last year, finishing third in the league in targets (158), ninth in receptions (100), and fourth in receiving yards (1,271) while scoring a career-high nine touchdowns.

The 6-4, 213-pound London really popped when rookie QB Michael Penix Jr. made three starts for Atlanta at the end of the regular season. London had 22 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns in those three contests, on a whopping 39 targets.

London fared well with Kirk Cousins quarterbacking the Falcons for most of last season. But Penix is taking over at QB for Atlanta this season, and with his abundant arm talent, I think Penix can be a rainmaker for London.

Check out all of Fitz’s must-have fantasy football draft targets

DBro’s Must-Have Draft Targets

J.J. McCarthy (QB – MIN)

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.

Check out all of DBro’s must-have fantasy football draft targets

Erickson’s Must-Have Draft Targets

Braelon Allen (RB – 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.

Check out all of Erickson’s must-have fantasy football draft targets