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
Fantasy Football League Winners to Draft
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.
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
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.
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.”
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.
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.
- Tre’ Harris (WR – LAC) & Jayden Higgins (WR – HOU) – A couple of rookie fliers in wide-open offenses.
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