Draft day is all about finding value and avoiding costly mistakes – and Average Draft Position (ADP) is one of the best tools to help you do both. By comparing where players are being drafted to their projected production, fantasy football managers can spot potential steals and sidestep landmines. To give you a winning edge for 2025 drafts, we’ve gathered 30 players experts draft and avoid at ADP from our collection of Featured Pros experts. This list highlights the players our analysts are targeting at their current ADP, as well as the ones they’re avoiding, so you can make smarter picks and build a championship-ready roster.
- Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- 2025 Fantasy Football Expert Rankings
- Fantasy Football ADP
- Fantasy Football Trade Tools
Players Experts Draft & Avoid at ADP
Who is a player you’re TARGETING in drafts based on his current ADP (top-150) and why?
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
“While Calvin Ridley is the WR32 and 71.3 overall in the ADP, the veteran is one of my favorite draft targets this season. Many believe he will be this year’s Terry McLaurin – a veteran having a career season thanks to a massive upgrade at quarterback. Last year, Ridley was significantly better with Mason Rudolph starting than with Will Levis. He averaged more half-point PPR fantasy points per game (12 vs. 8.9), a higher yards per route run (2.46 vs. 1.81), and nearly twice as many receiving yards per contest (84 vs. 49.8) with the veteran quarterback. Furthermore, the Titans let Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and his team-high nine receiving touchdowns from last season leave in free agency, replacing him with an over-the-hill Tyler Lockett and a pair of Day 3 rookies. Ridley has massive fantasy upside with Cam Ward under center and no meaningful target competition, making him a value as a mid-range WR3.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Calvin Ridley is going as WR30 in ADP (72nd overall), yet he has finished as WR27 or better in every season he’s played at least 13 games. I love targeting players being drafted near their floor rather than their ceiling. Ridley already seems to be building a strong connection with new QB Cam Ward. The two connected for three catches and 50 yards (accounting for 74.6% of Ward’s passing yards) in their first preseason game together.”
– Brady Auer (BA Sports Podcast)
“Calvin Ridley is a steal at his ADP. He’s turned in two straight 1,000-yard seasons and did it last year with Will Levis and Mason Rudolph as his quarterbacks. Now he gets to play with No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward, who likes to push the ball downfield. Ridley also has a chance to finish top 10 in targets, since the Titans don’t have any other prominent, established pass catchers on the roster.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAC)
“Travis Etienne Jr. has a current ADP of RB33 and is just one season removed from being the RB6 in FPPG. Last season, Etienne played through shoulder and hamstring injuries. Tank Bigsby will be involved in the offense, but we saw what Liam Coen could do with multiple viable backs in Tampa Bay last season. Etienne has top-15 FPPG upside at the position if he can stay healthy.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)
Baker Mayfield (QB – TB)
“Baker Mayfield is a mid-round quarterback I’m targeting in every draft based on his current ADP. He finished as the QB4 last season with 365.8 fantasy points and now enters 2025 with an even stronger supporting cast: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, Emeka Egbuka, and receiving tight end Cade Otton. Mayfield’s ADP sits at 67 overall (QB7), giving you a shot at a proven QB1 in the sixth or seventh round. He’s coming off a 4,500-yard, 41-touchdown campaign and joins the exclusive 4,500/40/70% club for passing efficiency. With continuity in Tampa Bay and elite weapons at every level, Mayfield is a draft-day steal with top-five upside.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
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