Mike Fanelli | Wed, Nov 26th 2025, 6:11pm EST

10 Fantasy Football Players We’re Thankful For (2025)

It’s Week 13, which means the 2025 NFL season is over 72% done. More importantly, it is Thanksgiving week, so let’s be thankful.

Fantasy players have plenty to be thankful for this year. There have been several surprise players this season. Furthermore, there have been a few superstars we should thank for being great at football.

So when you sit down for Thanksgiving dinner, don’t curse at your uncle for sniping you on Emeka Egbuka or make fun of your cousin for using a first-round pick on Joe Burrow. Instead, stuff your face full of food, watch football, and be thankful if you have these 10 players on your fantasy football team.

Fantasy Football Players We’re Thankful For

Drake May (QB – NE)

While many thought Maye could be a sleeper this season and finish the year as a low-end QB1, the former UNC star has been outstanding. Despite a couple of quiet performances over the past few weeks, the second-year pro is still a top-five quarterback for the season. Maye has had at least two passing touchdowns in 66.7% of the games. Fantasy players have to love his playoff schedule, especially with a championship week matchup against the New York Jets.

Matthew Stafford (QB – LAR)

Stafford is the NFL MVP front-runner and should be the fantasy football community’s MVP. The future Hall of Famer went undrafted in most 1QB leagues this season. Yet, he has been outstanding, ranking as a top-five quarterback for the year, averaging 20.4 fantasy points per game. The veteran has been a scoring machine, totaling two or more passing touchdowns in all but two contests. Furthermore, Stafford has averaged 3.1 passing touchdowns and 22.4 fantasy points per game over the past nine weeks.

Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)

Fantasy players who drafted Taylor in the second or third round of their draft this year have likely locked up a playoff spot before Thanksgiving. The superstar has been outstanding, averaging 108.8 rushing yards, 1.4 touchdowns, and 25.7 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he has four games with three rushing touchdowns this season. While the superstar struggled on Sunday against the Kansas City Chiefs, Taylor has more games with over 31.5 fantasy points (five) than contests with under 23.7 (four).

Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)

Unfortunately, Williams hasn’t found the end zone over the past month. Yet, the veteran running back has been one of the best value fantasy football picks this year. He has been a top-10 running back, averaging 16.2 PPR fantasy points per game, scoring double-digits in all but two contests. By comparison, Williams has scored over 20 fantasy points in three games. Furthermore, the veteran has put up must-start fantasy numbers despite the Cowboys having one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL.

Rico Dowdle (RB – CAR)

Let’s go from the current starting running back on the Dallas Cowboys to the former starter in Dowdle. The veteran signed a cheap one-year deal with the Panthers this offseason to be Chuba Hubbard’s backup. After starting the year with limited fantasy value, Dowdle has been a must-start running back since Week 5. The veteran had over 200 scrimmage yards in his first two games, including 34 touches for 239 scrimmage yards, a touchdown, and 33.9 PPR fantasy points against his former team.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)

Many refused to draft Smith-Njigba because of Sam Darnold. Yet, the former Ohio State star has been the best wide receiver in the NFL and fantasy football this year. He is the WR1, averaging 23.2 PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 20 or more in all but three contests, including seven consecutive outings. Furthermore, the superstar has a league-high 1,313 receiving yards, putting him on pace to break Calvin Johnson’s record for 1,964 yards in a season (2,029).

George Pickens (WR – DAL)

Despite splitting targets with CeeDee Lamb, Pickens has been outstanding this year. The former Georgia star is the WR2 for the season, averaging 20 PPR fantasy points per game. He was spectacular when Lamb missed time with an injury, averaging 26.3 fantasy points per game, totaling 31.8 or more in two of three outings. However, Pickens has been unbelievable alongside Lamb, averaging 17.7 fantasy points per game, totaling 29 or more in back-to-back contests since the Cowboys’ bye.

Chris Olave (WR – NO)

Olave was on many do-not-draft lists this year because of the Saints’ quarterback situation. However, the former Ohio State star has been outstanding, whether Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler is under center. He has been a top-10 wide receiver, averaging 14.9 PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Olave has been a weekly plug-and-play wide receiver despite a lack of touchdown upside, scoring only four times in 11 games. He has scored 11.4 or more fantasy points in 81.8% of the contests.

Trey McBride (TE – ARI)

Hopefully, fantasy players drafted McBride over Brock Bowers, as the Cardinals’ superstar is the TE1 for the season, averaging 18.3 PPR fantasy points per game. He has scored 50.6 more fantasy points than the next closest tight end (Jake Ferguson with 151.1). Furthermore, McBride has been outstanding since Jacoby Brissett took over under center, averaging 8.5 receptions on 11.2 targets for 87 receiving yards, a touchdown, and 23.2 fantasy points per game, totaling 16.5 or more in every outing.

Tyler Warren (TE – IND)

We wrap up our list with my favorite rookie. Warren has been the best value pick at the tight end position. He was a mid-to-late round pick in most fantasy drafts. Yet, Warren has been a top-five tight end this season, averaging 13.3 PPR fantasy points per game despite having only three receiving touchdowns. The rookie has scored 14.4 or more fantasy points in 54.6% of the games, including five of the first seven contests to start the year.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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