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PrintFantasy Football Draft Guide: 12-Team PPR Draft Strategy
- Discover 7 expert-level drafting tips.
- 3 fatal drafting mistakes you must avoid.
- 7 key strategies for tailored player rankings.
- Live-draft sync that strategizes while you draft.
Draft Strategy: Tips & Tricks
7 Expert-Level Drafting Tips
1. Use Unique Rankings To Give Yourself an Edge
Many of your competitors will be drafting off of the same rankings (think: ESPN or Yahoo). Tough to get an edge that way. Put in the work. Stay up-to-date on the news. And don’t be afraid to break away from the herd when it comes to your rankings. It’s an easy way to out-draft your competition.
2. Weaponize ADP To Outsmart Your Competition
ADP is like having your opponent’s playbook. Whether subconsciously or not, ADP has a huge influence on draft behavior. Drafters rarely stray too far from it. Knowing which players your opponents are likely – and unlikely – to draft next can give you a big strategic advantage. (Hint: Use our ADP Market Index to help.)
3. Catch League-Winning Breakout Candidates
Leagues are won by nailing one or two breakout late-round picks. Think Jayden Daniels or Brian Thomas Jr. last year. When you’re on the clock and deciding between two or more players, always ask yourself: “Which of these guys is more likely to be the league-winning, had-to-have player?” Then take that guy.
4. Learn to Predict Your Opponents’ Picks
Drafting is part science (rankings, ADP, positional value) and part art. No two drafts will play out same. It’s your job to recognize the flow of your draft and react accordingly. It’s especially important to track positional needs. For example, if teams near you have selected a bunch of WRs but few RBs, you can assume they’ll be targeting RBs soon. Get out ahead of them and snag a RB with your next pick.
5. Discover the Next Bucky Irving
Let your league mates waste later-round picks on handcuffing their own RBs. You can get the jump on them by targeting RBs behind fragile starters. That was Irving, Tyrone Tracy, and Rico Dowdle this time last year. And we’re eyeing some intriguing new candidates for 2025.
6. Draft Immobile QBs in 2025 (Wait … What?!)
Running QBs are fantasy gold. Problem is, that’s no longer a secret. In many cases, the pendulum has swung too far toward those guys. And that’s turned some less-mobile QBs into values. Justin Herbert and Dak Prescott pop as undervalued QBs in 2025 drafts – despite their lack of rushing yards.
7. Chase opportunity at RB… and talent at WR
Fantasy scoring at RB is closely tied to playing time and touches. Target RBs who project to get the rock a lot. WR is a more talent-driven position. Targets are earned, not given. That’s why advanced metrics like targets per route and yards per route run should be key factors in your WR rankings.
3 Fatal Draft Mistakes
1. Don't Match Your Rankings To Last Year’s Stats (Consider What's Changed)
Weighing last year’s final stats into this year’s player rankings could cost you on draft day. Too much changes from year to year. That includes coaching staffs, offensive schemes, rookies, free agents, etc. That’s why it’s crucial that you live in the present – and weigh all the offseason changes when creating your 2025 player rankings.
2. Don’t Be Stubborn About Your Pre-Draft Plan
Instead, be flexible. You might go in with a Zero-RB strategy. But if enough teams grab WRs by the second round – a workhorse RB might fall into your lap. That’s when it’s time to scoop up the player who will best help your team win … not reach for a position because it was part of your pre-draft plan.
3. Don’t Pass Up Player Value to Chase Positional ‘Need’
NFL teams that try to fill “needs” (instead of adopting the “best player available” model) most often crap out on their draft picks. Same holds true for you. Reaching for a “need” player most often blows your chances at winning. And remember: Drafting the best player available gives you valuable trade chips down the road.
Advanced Draft Strategy
7 Key Strategies for Tailored Player Rankings
The most advanced fantasy football draft strategy for any format, and any league, is a “Value Based Draft Strategy.” It can take different forms, and be based on any number of draft-value indicators.
Draft Sharks' value-based draft strategy actually has 17 Draft Value Indicators. Here are 7 crucial ones you can use in your draft:
1. Master Cross Positional Value
Which positions are most valuable in your league? Maybe QBs in a superflex. How do RBs stack up vs. WRs in PPR leagues? Understanding values across positions involves using a specific algorithm to analyze player values. It weighs various factors like scoring rules, starting-lineup requirements, ADP, and league settings.
2. Track Positional Scarcity on the Fly
This one is super important but also super hard. To measure positional scarcity, you need to track each pick – and see how it impacts the player pool. If there are seven QBs taken by the fifth round, that position becomes scarce. And QBs suddenly increase in value in your draft.
3. Prioritize Players With Greater Upside
You’re in the 11th round and torn between three players with roughly the same draft value. You need to highlight the player with the highest fantasy ceiling. Then make sure he doesn't slip by you in the heat of the draft. It might sound simple, but it’s mission-critical to identify these breakout players and pull the trigger when the time is right.
4. Look Out for “Bust” Red Flags
You probably know the red flags of a potential bust. But are you factoring them into your value of each player? Age, declining production, bad offensive line, competition for touches, a new offensive scheme that de-emphasizes a player’s role. Don’t blow your draft capital on a player who is screaming “bust!”
5. Use a Scientific Injury Risk Assessment
You know the scenario… You spend a second-round pick on a stud WR – and in Week 2, he suffers a soft-tissue injury and misses the next four weeks. Brutal. Injuries aren’t 100% predictable. But you can get reliable scientific data to avoid the biggest potential injury risk players.
6. Always Use Correlated ADP
This one is huge. Using ADP (Average Draft Position) is the ultimate measure to find value. The problem is this: If you use a redraft PPR ADP to prepare for your non-PPR Dynasty league, you’re doing yourself more harm than good. Find reliable ADP that is correlated to your specific rules and format.
7. Avoid Bye-Week Conflicts
You’d think this one would be so easy. But you know the truth. You’re in the heat of your draft, you’re on the clock, and bang … you double-up on the same bye week at a crucial position. You’re now forced to fix that mistake at some point in your draft – or later in your season.
Key Insight: There are a lot of factors that go into drafting for true player value. It’s not just about using “position tiers” or employing a “Zero” or “Hero” RB strategy. It’s about using a mix of scientific metrics and educated guesses in predicting player production. And how you and your opponents behave during critical times in your draft.
How To Execute This Strategy: You’ve got a lot to focus on if you want to execute these draft strategies in real-time – amid the chaos of your draft. In fact, it’s humanly impossible for anyone to implement every key strategy… AND work out every algorithm essential to a winning draft.
The real solution is to get real-time help from an AI “Draft War Room.”
Discover the Live-Draft Sync That Strategizes While You Draft
If what you’ve read so far makes sense, here’s a draft tool you need to learn more about.
It’s actually TWO tools that pair together so you can dominate your draft with one super tool!
A live-draft sync super-powered by the “Draft War Room” (DWR)
This super draft tool automatically re-ranks players on your draft board in real-time. Those dynamic player values are based on a variety of factors, including positional scarcity, team needs, injury risk, breakout potential, and bust risk. In fact, there are 17 draft-value indicators it calculates in real-time to come up with your player suggestions.
How It Works: You're just three clicks away from your league and draft being live-synced. From there, you’re on the road to draft domination. And it works across multiple platforms (ESPN, Yahoo, CBS, Underdog, and Sleeper, to name a few). For multiple league formats (dynasty, rookie, keeper, best ball, auction, superflex – and, of course, redraft).
What It Means For You: You get dynamic player values customized to your league. Simply. And in real-time. When it's your turn to pick, the Draft War Room offers instant player suggestions tailored to everything happening in your draft. You’ll be unburdened from the pressure of being "on the clock." While at the same time getting specific player suggestions that are scientifically based and strategically sound.
Key Insights: No one who’s serious about winning their draft can use 2015 technology in the competitive environment of 2025. It’s really that simple. We know too much about the science behind successful drafting to keep basing decisions on “gut” and “educated guesses.” Yes, sometimes we roll with those two things. But we need to have a lot more (technology) at our disposal to be consistent fantasy football champions.
How to Execute This Strategy: Make sure you pick a “live-draft sync” over a simple “league sync.” A league sync doesn't work during your draft to adjust player values in real-time. To learn more about the live-sync option, check out this page explaining our live-sync tool.
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Fantasy Football Draft Guide: Winning Picks in Every Round
Fantasy drafts are hard. You're juggling multiple factors each time you're on the clock:
- Scoring system
- Positional value
- Team needs
- ADP
- Upside
- Injury risk
One wrong move can send your season spiraling before it even begins.
And let’s be real: there’s nothing worse than watching your early-round picks flop while your leaguemates scoop up late-round gems that carry them to a championship.
The solution: A round-by-round draft strategy guide to maximize value with every pick.
This 12-team PPR draft strategy guide highlights top targets and fallback options for every pick of your draft.
We’re using our 3D Values and recent ADP to pinpoint the best picks in each round.
Consider this your game plan heading into your draft.
No fantasy football draft goes exactly as planned, of course. You’ll likely need to adjust your strategy throughout the draft to maximize value.
That’s where the dynamic fantasy football cheat sheet on your Draft War Room comes into play, instantly analyzing 17 value indicators each time you’re on the clock to help you make the best pick.
Combine the Draft War Room with this round-by-round game plan and you’ll be armed with the ultimate fantasy football draft guide.
Note: This strategy guide assumes a 16-round draft and starting lineup of 1 QB, 2 RBs, 2 WRs, 1 TE, 1 Flex, 1 K and 1 DST. The Draft War Room will help you adjust your strategy if your league settings are different.
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Fantasy football league sync makes drafting easier with customized rankings and real-time adjustments. Sync your league now!
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 1, 2, or 3
Round 1
Top target: Ja’Marr Chase
Chase is the clear No. 1 overall player in our 2025 fantasy football rankings.
He racked up 1,708 yards and 17 TDs last season, scoring 86 more PPR points than any other WR. He’s back in the same offense with the same QB in 2025. And he’s just hitting his prime at age 25.
Chase boasts a very attractive combination of safety and upside.
Next best: CeeDee Lamb
You might be surprised to find Lamb sitting second in our rankings – ahead of RBs Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson and WR Justin Jefferson.
But full-PPR scoring boosts the relative value of WRs vs. RBs. And Lamb beats Jefferson handily in projected target volume.
Lamb averaged 10.5 targets across eight games with QB Dak Prescott last year – after leading the league with 181 total targets in 2023.
With Prescott back, HC Brian Schottenheimer likely to lean into the pass, and relatively weak target competition, Lamb leads all players in our 2025 target projection.
Other options:
- Justin Jefferson
Rounds 2 & 3
Top targets: Jonathan Taylor & Tee Higgins
Taylor is the forgotten elite RB.
He missed three games last season. But in the other 14, he averaged 21.6 carries and 102 rushing yards per game. Those marks ranked first and third league-wide.
Indianapolis’ QB situation adds some risk to Taylor’s 2025 outlook. And, frankly, he’d be a better bet for fantasy points with Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson.
But that risk is more than baked into this late-second-round price tag. Taylor looks like a rock-solid top-10 fantasy RB with upside into the top 5.
The big four-year deal he signed this offseason keeps Higgins tied to one of the game’s best QBs and one of its pass-heaviest offenses.
That environment helped Higgins rank fifth among WRs in PPR points per game last year. It was his third top-12 finish among the last four seasons.
Yeah, the injuries can be annoying. But Higgins is a good bet for WR1-level production again in 2025. That’s nice to land in the second or third round.
Next best: Breece Hall & Tyreek Hill
Hall disappointed last season in what turned out to be an underwhelming Aaron Rodgers-led Jets offense.
New York’s swap from Rodgers to Justin Fields this offseason should mean a massive boost in run rate. Yes, Fields will siphon some of those additional carries. But expect Hall to be a bigger focal point of the offense this year.
The 24-year-old is just a season removed from a RB2 finish in PPR points and is a strong bounce-back bet in 2025.
Like Hall, Hill is coming off a letdown campaign. There are some red flags in terms of his age (31) and 2024 metrics. But it’s worth remembering that he played through a wrist injury all year that required offseason surgery.
We don’t expect Hill to return to truly elite levels, but the risk/reward equation feels right at this price.
Other options:
- Josh Jacobs
- D.J. Moore
Rounds 4 & 5
Top targets: Alvin Kamara & Rashee Rice
Kamara was awesome last year, leading all RBs in PPR points per game and ranking fifth in expected PPR points per game.
He turns 30 in July, so there’s clearly decline risk here. But Kamara improved in rush yards over expected per attempt and yards after contact per attempt from 2023 to 2024. And, most importantly, he’s remained a huge part of New Orleans’ passing game. No RB has more total receptions than Kamara over the last two seasons.
Even if the rushing production tails off in 2025, the receiving should make Kamara a substantial value at this price tag.
Rice is one of the bigger risk/reward picks in fantasy drafts.
The risks:
- He’s working back from season-ending knee and hamstring injuries.
- He’s likely facing a suspension for his involvement in a street-racing crash in March 2024.
We should have a clearer picture of both situations by August. But Rice’s per-game upside is obvious.
He ranked second among WRs in PPR points through Week 3 last year, drawing 9.7 targets per game on a 31.5% share. That followed 8.9 targets per game on a 24.0% share over the final 10 games of 2023 (including playoffs).
A healthy Rice is a potential WR1-level scorer for your fantasy team.
Next best: Joe Mixon & Chris Olave
Mixon ranked fourth among RBs in expected PPR points per game and sixth in actual points across his 12 full games last year. He averaged 19.3 carries and 3.8 targets in those outings.
Heading into year two of a three-year, $25.5 million contract, Mixon is a good bet to play a workhorse role for the Texans again in 2025.
Olave’s 2024 campaign ended in November with his fifth documented concussion. The head injuries certainly add risk to his fantasy profile.
But we’re also talking about a 24-year-old former first-round pick who has topped a 23% target share and 2.0 yards per route in each of his first three NFL seasons.
There’s WR1-level upside here, especially in what figures to be a fast-paced, high-play-volume offense under new HC Kellen Moore.
Other options:
- Joe Burrow
- Courtland Sutton
- Chris Godwin
Rounds 6 & 7
Top targets: James Conner & Jakobi Meyers
Death, taxes, and James Conner being underrated by fantasy drafters.
Conner has turned in back-to-back top-15 finishes in PPR points per game – but is once again being drafted outside the top 20 at his position.
He’s a strong value here and should be your top priority, especially if you’re still looking for your RB2.
Meyers is another perennially undervalued player. He’s been a solid target earner throughout his career, with three seasons of triple-digit looks. He drew a career-high 129 targets last year, finishing 24th among WRs in PPR points per game.
Meyers projects for nice volume again in 2025 and got a significant QB upgrade with the arrival of Geno Smith.
James Conner and Jakobi Meyers figure to pop as strong targets in Rounds 6 and 7 on your Draft War Room.
Next best: Jauan Jennings & Patrick Mahomes
Jennings ranked 21st among WRs in PPR points from Week 10 on last year. He drew 26.5% of 49ers targets over that span and was efficient throughout the season. Among 104 WRs with 40+ targets last year, Jennings ranked:
- 9th in targets per route
- 14th in yards per route
- 15th in Pro Football Focus receiving grade
- 10th in ESPN receiver score
With Deebo Samuel gone and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from a significant knee injury, Jennings is a virtual lock for a significant 2025 role in the always-efficient Kyle Shanahan passing game.
Mahomes was a fantasy waste last year, finishing QB11 in points and registering only two top-five scoring weeks.
It wasn’t for lack of opportunity, though. Mahomes actually ranked second among QBs in expected fantasy points per game.
I’ll gladly bet on an all-world talent regressing to the mean in that department – especially with arguably the best WR trio he’s ever had at his disposal in Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Marquise Brown.
Other options:
- Aaron Jones
- Khalil Shakir
- Calvin Ridley
Rounds 8 & 9
Top targets: Travis Kelce & Christian Kirk
We need to recalibrate our outlook for Kelce, who is clearly well past his prime. He set career lows last year in multiple categories, including yards per target and yards per route. His 12.3 PPR points per game were his fewest since 2015.
But those 12.3 PPR points per game were still good for seventh among TEs. Kelce ranked second at the position in expected PPR points per game, so his role was still awesome.
Even if Kelce takes another step back in 2025, he’s a solid value at this price.
Kirk landed in Houston this offseason, where he’ll find plenty of targets available with Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell likely to miss the entire year. He’s been an efficient receiver throughout his career, with 8+ yards per target in five of seven seasons.
Next best: Isiah Pacheco & David Njoku
Pacheco never looked right after returning from a broken leg last year. But a healthy Pacheco averaged 4.7 yards per carry over his first two seasons.
Kansas City has only re-signed Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchell this offseason. If Pacheco can dodge a RB on the first two days of April’s draft, he’ll have a good chance to re-emerge as the lead back in this Patrick Mahomes-led offense.
Njoku is a nice Plan B at TE if you miss on Kelce. In eight healthy games last year, he averaged 9.9 targets and scored as the TE6 in PPR points.
We’ll see who’s under center for Cleveland this fall, but Njoku will be a strong target bet regardless.
Other options
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Rashid Shaheed
- Darnell Mooney
Rounds 10 & 11
Top target: Justin Herbert & Cam Skattebo
There’s a good chance you’re still without a QB at this point – and that’s fine. There are a few strong options in this range of the draft, with Herbert the best of the bunch.
The Chargers went run-heavy to open last year. But they leaned into Herbert and the passing game from Week 7 on. Only five QBs scored more fantasy points over that stretch. Expect a similar attack in 2025.
This is also a good spot to take shots on a deep rookie RB class. That includes Skattebo, who’s coming off a monster 2024 season. He ran for 1,711 yards, tallied 605 receiving yards, and scored 24 total TDs.
A likely Day 2 pick, Skattebo has the goods to quickly emerge as his NFL team’s lead back on the ground and in the passing game.
Next best: Hollywood Brown & Tank Bigsby
A shoulder injury cost Brown the first 14 games of last season. But he made an immediate impact upon return, totaling nine catches on 15 targets across Weeks 16 and 17. Brown caught just five of 13 targets across three playoff games but ran a route on 70+% of pass plays in all three.
He re-upped with the Chiefs on a one-year deal before free agency even opened, which suggests both he and the team have a clear idea of his 2025 role. That role could be especially significant early on, as Rashee Rice navigates knee rehab and a potential suspension.
We’ll see how Jacksonville’s new coaching staff envisions this backfield, but Bigsby is deserving of a healthy role. He beat Travis Etienne last year in:
- Yards per carry
- Rush yards over expected per attempt
- Yards after contact per attempt
- Pro Football Focus rushing grade
New HC Liam Coen just helped Bucky Irving to a huge rookie season in Tampa Bay.
Other options:
- Dak Prescott
- Drake Maye
- Devin Neal
- Keon Coleman
- Stefon Diggs
- Keenan Allen
- Evan Engram
Rounds 12 & 13
Top target: Jerome Ford & Jake Ferguson
We’ll see what the Browns add to their backfield in the draft. But as things stand now, Ford looks primed for a significant role.
In six full games without Nick Chubb last year, Ford averaged 9.8 carries and 4.7 targets while scoring as the RB21 in PPR points per game.
Ferguson isn’t flashy but looks like a great value at this price. He averaged 7.4 targets across seven games with QB Dak Prescott last season, ranking sixth among TEs in expected PPR points per game and 10th in actual points.
Next best: Justin Fields & Tyjae Spears
Here’s another chance to grab an upside QB in the double-digit rounds.
Fields is an imperfect real-life QB but a valuable fantasy QB thanks to his rushing. He ranked sixth among QBs in fantasy points per game in six starts for the Steelers last year – after QB7 and QB14 finishes in the previous two seasons with the Bears.
TIP
Prioritizing high-upside players in the later rounds is 1 of 7 key tenets of our fantasy football draft strategy.
Spears was banged up for much of last season but flashed late with three straight top-12 PPR finishes from Weeks 15-17. He’s at worst a strong handcuff to Tony Pollard and at best a half of a committee and standalone fantasy option.
Other options:
- Dylan Sampson
- Jordan Mason
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Jaylen Wright
- Quentin Johnston
- Xavier Legette
- Cedric Tillman
Rounds 14, 15 & 16
Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K & DST
Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.
Some names to consider:
- Ollie Gordon
- Damien Martinez
- D.J. Giddens
- MarShawn Lloyd
- Kendre Miller
- Elic Ayomanor
- Jayden Higgins
- Dontayvion Wicks
Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. We’ll have specific draft targets when the NFL schedule is released in May.
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 4, 5, or 6
Round 1
Top target: CeeDee Lamb
Lamb sits second in our overall PPR rankings but has an ADP of 1.06. So he’ll likely be your pick here.
He and his QB dealt with injuries last year. But Lamb was sitting sixth among WRs in PPR points per game in eight outings with Dak Prescott – after leading the position in points per game in 2023.
Lamb will continue to dominate Cowboys targets this season in what projects as a pass-leaning offense under HC Brian Schottenheimer.
Next best: Justin Jefferson
Jefferson’s 18.6 PPR points per game last year were his fewest since his 2020 rookie campaign but still ranked fifth among WRs. That followed WR4, WR2, and WR5 finishes the previous three seasons.
Even with a new QB in 2025, Jefferson remains one of the safest picks on the board.
Other options:
- Puka Nacua
- Christian McCaffrey
Round 2
Top target: Jonathan Taylor
The forgotten elite RB.
Taylor missed three games last season. But in the other 14, he averaged 21.6 carries and 102 rushing yards per game. Those marks ranked first and third league-wide.
Indianapolis’ QB situation adds some risk to Taylor’s 2025 outlook. And, frankly, he’d be a better bet for fantasy points with Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson.
But that risk is more than baked into this late-second-round price tag. Taylor looks like a rock-solid top-10 fantasy RB with upside into the top 5.
Next best: Tee Higgins
The big four-year deal he signed this offseason keeps Higgins tied to one of the game’s best QBs and one of its pass-heaviest offenses.
That environment helped Higgins rank fifth among WRs in PPR points per game last year. It was his third top-12 finish among the last four seasons.
Yeah, the injuries can be annoying. But Higgins is a good bet for WR1-level production again in 2025. That’s nice to land in the second or third round.
Other options:
- A.J. Brown
- Tyreek Hill
Round 3
Top target: Breece Hall
Hall disappointed last season in what turned out to be an underwhelming Aaron Rodgers-led Jets offense.
New York’s swap from Rodgers to Justin Fields this offseason should mean a massive boost in run rate. Yes, Fields will siphon some of those additional carries. But expect Hall to be a bigger focal point of the offense this year.
The 24-year-old is just a season removed from a RB2 finish in PPR points and is a strong bounce-back bet in 2025.
Next best: D.J. Moore
Moore finished 14th among WRs in PPR points last year, despite QB Caleb Williams working through rookie-year struggles.
Moore’s yards per target sunk to a career-low 9.6, but he set career highs with 98 catches and 140 targets on a substantial 24.7% target share.
If Williams makes a second-year leap under new HC Ben Johnson, Moore will have no problem paying off this third-round price tag.
Other options:
- Mike Evans
- Trey McBride
Round 4
Top target: Rashee Rice
Rice is one of the bigger risk/reward picks in fantasy drafts.
The risks:
- He’s working back from season-ending knee and hamstring injuries.
- He’s likely facing a suspension for his involvement in a street-racing crash in March 2024.
We should have a clearer picture of both situations by August. But Rice’s per-game upside is obvious.
He ranked second among WRs in PPR points through Week 3 last year, drawing 9.7 targets per game on a 31.5% share. That followed 8.9 targets per game on a 24.0% share over the final 10 games of 2023 (including playoffs).
A healthy Rice is a potential WR1-level scorer for your fantasy team.
Next best: Joe Mixon
Mixon ranked fourth among RBs in expected PPR points per game and sixth in actual points across his 12 full games last year. He averaged 19.3 carries and 3.8 targets in those outings.
Heading into year two of a three-year, $25.5 million contract, Mixon is a good bet to play a workhorse role for the Texans again in 2025.
He falls behind Rice in priority here only because of the RBs available in the next couple of rounds.
Other options:
- Jalen Hurts
- DeVonta Smith
- Zay Flowers
Round 5
Top target: Alvin Kamara
Kamara was awesome last year, leading all RBs in PPR points per game and ranking fifth in expected PPR points per game.
He turns 30 in July, so there’s clearly decline risk here. But Kamara actually improved in rush yards over expected per attempt and yards after contact per attempt from 2023 to 2024. And, most importantly, he’s remained a huge part of New Orleans’ passing game. In fact, no RB has more total receptions than Kamara over the last two seasons.
Even if the rushing production tails off in 2025, the receiving should make Kamara a strong value at this price tag.
Next best: Chris Olave
Olave’s 2024 campaign ended in November with his fifth documented concussion. The head injuries certainly add risk to his fantasy profile.
But we’re also talking about a 24-year-old former first-round pick who has topped a 23% target share and 2.0 yards per route in each of his first three NFL seasons.
There’s WR1-level upside here, especially in what figures to be a fast-paced, high-play-volume offense under new HC Kellen Moore.
Other options:
- Joe Burrow
- Ken Walker
- Chuba Hubbard
- Courtland Sutton
- Chris Godwin
- George Kittle
Round 6
Top target: James Conner
Death, taxes, and James Conner being underrated by fantasy drafters.
Conner has turned in back-to-back top-15 finishes in PPR points per game – but is once again being drafted outside the top 20 at his position.
He’s a strong value here and should be your top priority, especially if you’re still looking for your RB2.
Next best: Deebo Samuel
Samuel is coming off a disappointing 2024 season, but pneumonia was seemingly the culprit. Check out the splits:
| 5 games pre-pneumonia | 9 games post-pneumonia | |
| Yards Per Target | 10.5 | 6.8 |
| Yards Per Route | 2.19 | 1.26 |
There’s bounce-back potential in Washington, where Samuel should be the No. 2 option in an ascending passing game.
Other options:
- David Montgomery
- George Pickens
- Jauan Jennings
Round 7
Top target: Jakobi Meyers
Meyers is another perennially undervalued player. He’s been a solid target earner throughout his career, with three seasons of triple-digit looks. He drew a career-high 129 targets last year, finishing 24th among WRs in PPR points per game.
Meyers projects for nice volume again in 2025 and got a significant QB upgrade with the arrival of Geno Smith.
Next best: Patrick Mahomes
Mahomes was a fantasy disappointment last year, finishing QB11 in points and registering only two top-five scoring weeks.
It wasn’t for lack of opportunity, though. Mahomes actually ranked second among QBs in expected fantasy points per game.
I’ll gladly bet on an all-world talent regressing to the mean in that department – especially with arguably the best WR trio he’s ever had at his disposal in Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, and Marquise Brown.
Other options:
- Aaron Jones
- Najee Harris
- Khalil Shakir
- Brandon Aiyuk
Round 8
Top target: Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco never looked right after returning from a broken leg last year. But a healthy Pacheco averaged 4.7 yards per carry over his first two seasons.
Kansas City has only re-signed Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchell this offseason. If Pacheco can dodge a RB on the first two days of April’s draft, he’ll have a good chance to re-emerge as the lead back in this Patrick Mahomes-led offense.
Next best: Rashid Shaheed
Shaheed drew a 23.3% target share and averaged 2.04 yards per route before a season-ending knee injury in Week 6 last year. Those were both top-30 marks among WRs.
He should be back to 100% in plenty of time for the start of the 2025 campaign and still looks like New Orleans’ No. 2 WR. The Saints project for a significant spike in play volume under new HC Kellen Moore.
Other options:
- Kyler Murray
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Darnell Mooney
Round 9
Top target: Travis Kelce
We need to recalibrate our outlook for Kelce, who is clearly well past his prime. He set career lows last year in multiple categories, including yards per target and yards per route. His 12.3 PPR points per game were his fewest since 2015.
But those 12.3 PPR points per game were still good for seventh among TEs. Kelce ranked second at the position in expected PPR points per game, so his role was still awesome.
Even if Kelce takes another step back in 2025, he’s a solid value at this price.
Next best: Justin Herbert
If you don’t have your QB1 yet, Herbert is a strong option here.
The Chargers went run-heavy to open last year. But they leaned into Herbert and the passing game from Week 7 on. Only five QBs scored more fantasy points over that stretch. Expect a similar attack in 2025.
Other options:
- Travis Etienne
- David Njoku
Round 10
Top target: Christian Kirk
Kirk landed in Houston this offseason, where he’ll find plenty of targets available with Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell likely to miss the entire year. He’s been an efficient receiver throughout his career, with 8+ yards per target in five of seven seasons.
Next best: Cam Skattebo
This is a good spot to take shots on a deep rookie RB class. That includes Skattebo, who’s coming off a monster 2024 season. He ran for 1,711 yards, tallied 605 receiving yards, and scored 24 total TDs.
A likely Day 2 pick, Skattebo has the goods to quickly emerge as his NFL team’s lead back on the ground and in the passing game.
Other options:
- Drake Maye
- Dak Prescott
- D’Andre Swift
TIP
Put this draft strategy to the test with the FREE Mock Draft Simulator.
Round 11
Top target: Tank Bigsby
We’ll see how Jacksonville’s new coaching staff envisions this backfield, but Bigsby deserves a healthy role. He beat Travis Etienne last year in:
- Yards per carry
- Rush yards over expected per attempt
- Yards after contact per attempt
- Pro Football Focus rushing grade
New HC Liam Coen just helped Bucky Irving to a huge rookie season in Tampa Bay.
Next best: Hollywood Brown
A shoulder injury cost Brown the first 14 games of last season. But he made an immediate impact upon return, totaling nine catches on 15 targets across Weeks 16 and 17. Brown caught just five of 13 targets across three playoff games but ran a route on 70+% of pass plays in all three.
He re-upped with the Chiefs on a one-year deal before free agency even opened, which suggests both he and the team have a clear idea of his 2025 role. That role could be especially significant early on, as Rashee Rice navigates knee rehab and a potential suspension.
Other options:
- Devin Neal
- Keon Coleman
- Stefon Diggs
- Keenan Allen
- Dalton Kincaid
- Evan Engram
Round 12
Top target: Tyjae Spears
Spears was banged up for much of last season but flashed late with three straight top-12 PPR finishes from Weeks 15-17. He’s at worst a strong handcuff to Tony Pollard and at best a half of a committee and standalone fantasy option.
Next best: Justin Fields
Here’s another chance to grab an upside QB in the double-digit rounds.
Fields is an imperfect real-life QB but a valuable fantasy QB thanks to his rushing. He ranked sixth among QBs in fantasy points per game in six starts for the Steelers last year – after QB7 and QB14 finishes in the previous two seasons with the Bears.
Other options:
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Dylan Sampson
- Quentin Johnston
- Xavier Legette
Round 13
Top target: Jerome Ford
We’ll see what the Browns add to their backfield in the draft. But as things stand now, Ford looks primed for a significant role.
In six full games without Nick Chubb last year, Ford averaged 9.8 carries and 4.7 targets while scoring as the RB21 in PPR points per game.
Next best: Jake Ferguson
Ferguson isn’t flashy but looks like a great value at this price. He averaged 7.4 targets across seven games with QB Dak Prescott last season, ranking sixth among TEs in expected PPR points per game and 10th in actual points.
Other options:
- Jordan Mason
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Jaylen Wright
- Cedric Tillman
Rounds 14, 15 & 16
Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K & DST
Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.
Some names to consider:
- Ollie Gordon
- Damien Martinez
- D.J. Giddens
- MarShawn Lloyd
- Kendre Miller
- Elic Ayomanor
- Jayden Higgins
- Dontayvion Wicks
Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We typically recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. We’ll have specific draft targets when the NFL schedule is released in May.
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 7, 8, or 9
Round 1
Top target: Puka Nacua
Swapping Cooper Kupp for Davante Adams toughens Nacua’s target competition a bit. But he has room to fall a bit after averaging 10.9 targets on a massive 35.6% share in nine full games last year. Nacua ranked second among WRs in PPR points per game over that stretch.
QB Matt Stafford’s return locks Nacua in as a top-4 WR in the 2025 rankings.
Next best: Christian McCaffrey
If Nacua is off the board, you’ll find McCaffrey topping the rankings in your Draft War Room. Scary, I know.
There are certainly safer first-round bets than a 29-year-old RB coming off a four-game season. But none have more upside.
McCaffrey played 88% of the snaps and averaged 14.3 carries and 5.3 targets across his three full games last year. That was in line with his 2023 usage: 80% snaps, 17.0 carries per game, and 5.2 targets per game. McCaffrey, of course, finished RB1 by a wide margin in 2023.
He still has that type of ceiling this year, making him worth the risk here.
Other options:
- Nico Collins
- Brian Thomas Jr.
- Malik Nabers
Round 2
Top target: Drake London
London set career highs in all major receiving categories last year. He also registered personal bests with a 90.1 Pro Football Focus receiving grade and 2.32 yards per route. Those marks ranked fourth and 11th among 84 qualifying WRs.
London finished WR4 in total PPR points and still has room to run if QB Michael Penix proves to be an upgrade over QB Kirk Cousins.
Next best: Jonathan Taylor
We don’t recommend starting RB-RB. But if you went WR in Round 1, Taylor is a nice option here.
He missed three games last season. But in the other 14, he averaged 21.6 carries and 102 rushing yards per game. Those marks ranked first and third league-wide.
Indianapolis’ QB situation adds some risk to Taylor’s 2025 outlook. And, frankly, he’d be a better bet for fantasy points with Daniel Jones vs. Anthony Richardson.
But that risk is more than baked into this second-round price tag. Taylor looks like a rock-solid top-10 fantasy RB with upside into the top 5.
Other options:
- Ashton Jeanty
- Derrick Henry
- Tee Higgins
- A.J. Brown
Round 3
Top target: D.J. Moore
The RBs look like better values in the next few rounds, so plan on going WR in Round 3.
Moore finished 14th among WRs in PPR points last year, despite QB Caleb Williams working through rookie-year struggles. His yards per target sunk to a career-low 9.6, but he set career highs with 98 catches and 140 targets on a strong 24.7% target share.
If Williams makes a second-year leap under new HC Ben Johnson, Moore will have no problem paying off this third-round price tag.
Next best: Mike Evans
Evans saw a role change in 2024, with a career-low 11.6-yard average target depth leading to a career-low 13.6 yards per catch. But Evans set personal bests with a 67.3% catch rate and 2.41 yards per route.
The result in fantasy football was a WR11 finish in PPR points per game – his seventh straight top-16 finish.
Other options:
- Kyren Williams
- James Cook
- Chase Brown
3D projections factor in ceiling and floor to give you a complete look at every player's fantasy value.
Round 4
Top target: Xavier Worthy
After a slow start to his rookie season, Worthy caught fire down the stretch. Over his final six games (including playoffs), he averaged:
- 8.7 targets
- 6.7 catches
- 79.5 receiving yards
- 0.8 TDs
The former first-rounder should continue to ascend in year two. There’s a clear opportunity for him to be more productive on deep balls. Worthy caught just three of 17 targets 20+ yards downfield last season. Expect that rate to improve in 2025.
Next best: Jayden Daniels
Daniels is coming off a sensational debut season. In fact, he scored the fifth-most fantasy points per game by a rookie QB in NFL history (behind Deshaun Watson, Cam Newton, Justin Herbert, and Robert Griffin).
The offseason has brought a new weapon in Deebo Samuel and an elite LT in Laremy Tunsil.
Daniels is a good bet for top-5 fantasy production with the upside to lead all QBs in scoring.
Other options:
- Joe Mixon
- James Cook
- Davante Adams
Round 5
Top target: Alvin Kamara
Kamara was awesome last year, leading all RBs in PPR points per game and ranking fifth in expected PPR points per game.
He turns 30 in July, so there’s clearly decline risk here. But Kamara actually improved in rush yards over expected per attempt and yards after contact per attempt from 2023 to 2024. And, most importantly, he’s remained a huge part of New Orleans’ passing game. In fact, no RB has more total receptions than Kamara over the last two seasons.
Even if the rushing production tails off in 2025, the receiving should make Kamara a strong value at this price tag.
Next best: Chris Olave
Olave’s 2024 campaign ended in November with his fifth documented concussion. The head injuries certainly add risk to his fantasy profile.
But we’re also talking about a 24-year-old former first-round pick who has topped a 23% target share and 2.0 yards per route in each of his first three NFL seasons.
There’s WR1-level upside here, especially in what figures to be a fast-paced, high-play-volume offense under new HC Kellen Moore.
Other options:
- Ken Walker
- Chuba Hubbard
- Chris Godwin
- Courtland Sutton
- Jaylen Waddle
- George Kittle
Round 6
Top target: James Conner
Death, taxes, and James Conner being underrated by fantasy drafters.
Conner has turned in back-to-back top-15 finishes in PPR points per game – but is once again being drafted outside the top 20 at his position.
He’s a strong value here and should be your top priority, especially if you’re still looking for your RB2.
Next best: Deebo Samuel
Samuel is coming off a disappointing 2024 season, but pneumonia was seemingly the culprit. Check out the splits:
| 5 games pre-pneumonia | 9 games post-pneumonia | |
| Yards Per Target | 10.5 | 6.8 |
| Yards Per Route | 2.19 | 1.26 |
There’s bounce-back potential in Washington, where Samuel should be the No. 2 option in an ascending passing game.
Other options:
- David Montgomery
- Jakobi Meyers
- George Pickens
- Sam LaPorta
Round 7
Top target: Khalil Shakir
Shakir is coming off a PPR WR37 finish, despite missing two games and scoring just four TDs. There’s room for even better production in 2025.
Shakir signed a four-year, $53 million extension this offseason, guaranteeing him a significant role in Buffalo’s passing game.
Next best: Aaron Jones
Jones faces new competition this season with the arrival of RB Jordan Mason, who was the better runner by most metrics last year.
But Jones still figures to hang on to lead ball-carrying duties. And his passing-game role is safe. Mason owns just 14 career catches, while Jones has averaged 3+ catches per game in five of his last six seasons.
Other options:
- Najee Harris
- Brandon Aiyuk
Round 8
Top target: Isiah Pacheco
Pacheco never looked right after returning from a broken leg last year. But a healthy Pacheco averaged 4.7 yards per carry over his first two seasons.
Kansas City has only re-signed Kareem Hunt and added Elijah Mitchell this offseason. If Pacheco can dodge a RB on the first two days of April’s draft, he’ll have a good chance to re-emerge as the lead back in this Patrick Mahomes-led offense.
Next best: Josh Downs
Downs has an Anthony Richardson problem. He caught just 54% of his targets from Richardson last year vs. 78% from Joe Flacco.
That’s the only reason Downs is available in Round 8, though. He’s coming off an impressive sophomore season that saw him rank 17th among 84 qualifying WRs in yards per route and 11th in Pro Football Focus receiving grade.
Let’s bet on talent here and hope Richardson takes a step forward or the Colts quickly turn to Daniel Jones.
Other options:
- Tony Pollard
- Jaylen Warren
- Cooper Kupp
Round 9
Top target: Travis Kelce
We need to recalibrate our outlook for Kelce, who is clearly well past his prime. He set career lows last year in multiple categories, including yards per target and yards per route. His 12.3 PPR points per game were his fewest since 2015.
But those 12.3 PPR points per game were still good for seventh among TEs. Kelce ranked second at the position in expected PPR points per game, so his role was still awesome.
Even if Kelce takes another step back in 2025, he’s a solid value at this price.
Next best: Justin Herbert
If you don’t have your QB1 yet, Herbert is a strong option here.
The Chargers went run-heavy to open last year. But they leaned into Herbert and the passing game from Week 7 on. Only five QBs scored more fantasy points over that stretch. Expect a similar attack in 2025.
Other options:
- Travis Etienne
- David Njoku
Round 10
Top target: Christian Kirk
Kirk landed in Houston this offseason, where he’ll find plenty of targets available with Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell likely to miss the entire year. He’s been an efficient receiver throughout his career, with 8+ yards per target in five of seven seasons.
Next best: Cam Skattebo
This is a good spot to take some shots on what looks like a very deep rookie RB class. That includes Skattebo, who’s coming off a monster 2024 season. He ran for 1,711 yards, tallied 605 receiving yards, and scored 24 total TDs.
A likely Day 2 pick, Skattebo has the goods to quickly emerge as his NFL team’s lead back on the ground and in the passing game.
Other options:
- Drake Maye
- Dak Prescott
- D’Andre Swift
Round 11
Top target: Tank Bigsby
We’ll see how Jacksonville’s new coaching staff envisions this backfield, but Bigsby is deserving of a healthy role. He beat Travis Etienne last year in:
- Yards per carry
- Rush yards over expected per attempt
- Yards after contact per attempt
- Pro Football Focus rushing grade
New HC Liam Coen just helped Bucky Irving to a huge rookie season in Tampa Bay.
Next best: Hollywood Brown
A shoulder injury cost Brown the first 14 games of last season. But he made an immediate impact upon return, totaling nine catches on 15 targets across Weeks 16 and 17. Brown caught just five of 13 targets across three playoff games but ran a route on 70+% of pass plays in all three.
He re-upped with the Chiefs on a one-year deal before free agency even opened, which suggests both he and the team have a clear idea of his 2025 role. That role could be especially significant early on, as Rashee Rice navigates knee rehab and a potential suspension.
Other options:
- Devin Neal
- Keon Coleman
- Stefon Diggs
- Keenan Allen
- Dalton Kincaid
- Evan Engram
Round 12
Top target: Tyjae Spears
Spears was banged up for much of last season but flashed late with three straight top-12 PPR finishes from Weeks 15-17. He’s at worst a strong handcuff to Tony Pollard and at best a half of a committee and standalone fantasy option.
Next best: Justin Fields
Here’s another chance to grab an upside QB in the double-digit rounds.
Fields is an imperfect real-life QB but a valuable fantasy QB thanks to his rushing. He ranked sixth among QBs in fantasy points per game in six starts for the Steelers last year – after QB7 and QB14 finishes in the previous two seasons with the Bears.
Other options:
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Dylan Sampson
- Quentin Johnston
- Xavier Legette
TIP
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Round 13
Top target: Jerome Ford
We’ll see what the Browns add to their backfield in the draft. But as things stand now, Ford looks primed for a significant role.
In six full games without Nick Chubb last year, Ford averaged 9.8 carries and 4.7 targets while scoring as the RB21 in PPR points per game.
Next best: Jake Ferguson
Ferguson isn’t flashy but looks like a great value at this price. He averaged 7.4 targets across seven games with QB Dak Prescott last season, ranking sixth among TEs in expected PPR points per game and 10th in actual points.
Other options:
- Jordan Mason
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Jaylen Wright
- Cedric Tillman
Rounds 14, 15 & 16
Top targets: High-upside bench stash, K & DST
Target a player with big upside in Round 14. You can sort by projected ceiling in your Draft War Room to find players with difference-making upside.
Some names to consider:
- Ollie Gordon
- Damien Martinez
- D.J. Giddens
- MarShawn Lloyd
- Kendre Miller
- Elic Ayomanor
- Jayden Higgins
- Dontayvion Wicks
Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We typically recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. We’ll have specific draft targets when the NFL schedule is released in May.
Fantasy Football Draft Strategy for Pick 10, 11, or 12
Rounds 1 & 2
Top targets: Nico Collins and Christian McCaffrey
Despite a mid-season hamstring injury, Collins scored as a top-12 WR in PPR points per game across 10 full outings.
He ranked second in Pro Football Focus receiving grade and third in yards per route among 84 qualifying WRs.
This is a bonafide superstar well worth a pick in the back half of Round 1.
McCaffrey – a 29-year-old RB coming off a four-game season – certainly isn’t the safest bet. But the upside is obvious.
McCaffrey played 88% of the snaps and averaged 14.3 carries and 5.3 targets across his three full games last year. That was in line with his 2023 usage: 80% snaps, 17.0 carries per game, and 5.2 targets per game. McCaffrey, of course, finished RB1 by a wide margin in 2023.
He still has that type of ceiling this year, making him worth the risk here.
Next best: Brian Thomas & Malik Nabers
These impressive second-year WRs are tough to separate.
Nabers (WR7) beat Thomas (WR15) in PPR points per game and Pro Football Focus receiving grade last year. But Thomas edged Nabers in yards per route and has the more stable QB situation heading into 2025.
Ultimately, they’re both uber-talented WRs in line for massive volume this season, making them exciting fantasy picks.
Other options:
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Jonathan Taylor
- Ashton Jeanty
- Drake London
Rounds 3 & 4
Top targets: D.J. Moore & Mike Evans
The RBs look like better value at the next turn, so plan on going WR and potentially QB here.
Moore finished 14th among WRs in PPR points last year, despite QB Caleb Williams working through rookie-year struggles. His yards per target sunk to a career-low 9.6, but he set career highs with 98 catches and 140 targets on a strong 24.7% target share.
If Williams makes a second-year leap under new HC Ben Johnson, Moore will have no problem paying off this third-round price tag.
Evans saw a role change in 2024, with a career-low 11.6-yard average target depth leading to a career-low 13.6 yards per catch. But Evans set personal bests with a 67.3% catch rate and 2.41 yards per route.
The result in fantasy football was a WR11 finish in PPR points per game – his seventh straight top-16 finish.
Next best: Lamar Jackson & Xavier Worthy
Jackson led all QBs by over 40 fantasy points last season. In fact, he scored the most points by a QB since Patrick Mahomes in 2018.
The Ravens return essentially the same offense in 2025 – plus WR DeAndre Hopkins.
Jackson isn’t a lock to finish QB1 again. But he’s a very safe bet to be a difference-maker for your fantasy team.
Worthy caught fire down the stretch after a slow start to his rookie season. Over his final six games (including playoffs), he averaged:
- 8.7 targets
- 6.7 catches
- 79.5 receiving yards
- 0.8 TDs
The former first-rounder should continue to ascend in year two. There’s a clear opportunity for him to be more productive on deep balls. Worthy caught just three of 17 targets 20+ yards downfield last season. Expect that rate to improve in 2025.
Other options:
- Jayden Daniels
- Kyren Williams
- James Cook
- Chase Brown
- Davante Adams
Rounds 5 & 6
Top targets: Alvin Kamara & Chris Olave
Kamara was awesome last year, leading all RBs in PPR points per game and ranking fifth in expected PPR points per game.
He turns 30 in July, so there’s clearly decline risk here. But Kamara actually improved in rush yards over expected per attempt and yards after contact per attempt from 2023 to 2024. And, most importantly, he’s remained a huge part of New Orleans’ passing game. In fact, no RB has more total receptions than Kamara over the last two seasons.
Even if the rushing production tails off in 2025, the receiving should make Kamara a strong value at this price tag.
Olave’s 2024 campaign ended in November with his fifth documented concussion. The head injuries certainly add risk to his fantasy profile.
But we’re also talking about a 24-year-old former first-round pick who has topped a 23% target share and 2.0 yards per route in each of his first three NFL seasons.
There’s WR1-level upside here, especially in what figures to be a fast-paced, high-play-volume offense under new HC Kellen Moore.
Next best: James Conner & Chris Godwin
Death, taxes, and James Conner being underrated by fantasy drafters.
Conner has turned in back-to-back top-15 finishes in PPR points per game – but is once again being drafted outside the top 20 at his position.
Godwin was sitting 5th among WRs in expected PPR points per game and 13th in actual points per game through Week 7 last year.
His season ended then with an ankle injury, but Godwin should be back to 100% well ahead of 2025 kickoff. The Bucs clearly aren’t concerned, giving Godwin a three-year, $66 million deal in March.
Other options:
- Ken Walker
- Courtland Sutton
- Jaylen Waddle
- Deebo Samuel
- Sam LaPorta
Rounds 7 & 8
Top targets: Aaron Jones & Khalil Shakir
Jones faces new competition this season with the arrival of RB Jordan Mason, who was the better runner by most metrics last year.
But Jones still figures to hang on to lead ball-carrying duties. And his passing-game role is safe. Mason owns just 14 career catches, while Jones has averaged 3+ catches per game in five of his last six seasons.
Shakir is coming off a PPR WR37 finish, despite missing two games and scoring just four TDs. There’s room for even better production in 2025.
Shakir signed a four-year, $53 million extension this offseason, guaranteeing him a significant role in Buffalo’s passing game.
Next best: Najee Harris & Brandon Aiyuk
Harris is the only RB with 1,000+ rushing yards in each of the last four seasons. If he dodges a RB on the first two days of the draft, he’ll be a good bet to make it five straight.
Aiyuk was disappointing last year before suffering a multi-ligament knee injury. There’s no guarantee he’s ready for Week 1 or that he regains pre-injury form in 2025.
But we’re talking about a 27-year-old who topped 1,300 yards in 2023. He’s worth the risk at this point of your fantasy draft.
Other options:
- Isiah Pacheco
- Tony Pollard
- Jaylen Warren
- Cooper Kupp
- Josh Downs
Rounds 9 & 10
Top targets: Travis Kelce & Justin Herbert
This is a good spot to target your QB1 and/or TE1.
We need to recalibrate our outlook for Kelce, who is clearly well past his prime. He set career lows last year in multiple categories, including yards per target and yards per route. His 12.3 PPR points per game were his fewest since 2015.
But those 12.3 PPR points per game were still good for seventh among TEs. Kelce ranked second at the position in expected PPR points per game, so his role was still awesome.
Even if Kelce takes another step back in 2025, he’s a solid value at this price.
The Chargers went run-heavy to open last year. But they leaned into Herbert and the passing game from Week 7 on. Only five QBs scored more fantasy points over that stretch. Expect a similar attack in 2025.
Next best: Cam Skattebo & Christian Kirk
This is a good spot to take some shots on what looks like a very deep rookie RB class. That includes Skattebo, who’s coming off a monster 2024 season. He ran for 1,711 yards, tallied 605 receiving yards, and scored 24 total TDs.
A likely Day 2 pick, Skattebo has the goods to quickly emerge as his NFL team’s lead back on the ground and in the passing game.
Kirk landed in Houston this offseason, where he’ll find plenty of targets available with Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell likely to miss the entire year. He’s been an efficient receiver throughout his career, with 8+ yards per target in five of seven seasons.
Other options:
- Brock Purdy
- Drake Maye
- D’Andre Swift
- Travis Etienne
- Rashid Shaheed
- David Njoku
Rounds 11 & 12
Top targets: Tank Bigsby & Hollywood Brown
We’ll see how Jacksonville’s new coaching staff envisions this backfield, but Bigsby is deserving of a healthy role. He beat Travis Etienne last year in:
- Yards per carry
- Rush yards over expected per attempt
- Yards after contact per attempt
- Pro Football Focus rushing grade
New HC Liam Coen just helped Bucky Irving to a huge rookie season in Tampa Bay.
A shoulder injury cost Brown the first 14 games of last season. But he made an immediate impact upon return, totaling nine catches on 15 targets across Weeks 16 and 17. Brown caught just five of 13 targets across three playoff games but ran a route on 70+% of pass plays in all three.
He re-upped with the Chiefs on a one-year deal before free agency even opened, which suggests both he and the team have a clear idea of his 2025 role. That role could be especially significant early on, as Rashee Rice navigates knee rehab and a potential suspension.
Next best: Justin Fields & Tyjae Spears
Here’s another chance to grab an upside QB in the double-digit rounds.
Fields is an imperfect real-life QB but a valuable fantasy QB thanks to his rushing. He ranked sixth among QBs in fantasy points per game in six starts for the Steelers last year – after QB7 and QB14 finishes in the previous two seasons with the Bears.
Spears was banged up for much of last season but flashed late with three straight top-12 PPR finishes from Weeks 15-17. He’s at worst a strong handcuff to Tony Pollard and at best a half of a committee and standalone fantasy option.
Other options:
- Tua Tagovailoa
- Dylan Sampson
- Devin Neal
- Keon Coleman
- Stefon Diggs
- Keenan Allen
- Dalton Kincaid
- Evan Engram
Rounds 13 & 14
Top targets: Jerome Ford & Jake Ferguson
We’ll see what the Browns add to their backfield in the draft. But as things stand now, Ford looks primed for a significant role.
In six full games without Nick Chubb last year, Ford averaged 9.8 carries and 4.7 targets while scoring as the RB21 in PPR points per game.
Ferguson isn’t flashy but looks like a great value at this price. He averaged 7.4 targets across seven games with QB Dak Prescott last season, ranking sixth among TEs in expected PPR points per game and 10th in actual points.
Next best: Jordan Mason & Bhayshul Tuten
Mason was impressive as San Francisco’s lead back early last season before injuries hit. He ranked top-20 among 47 qualifying RBs in yards after contact per attempt, rush yards over expected per attempt, and Pro Football Focus rushing grade.
More importantly, Mason beat new teammate Aaron Jones in all three metrics. Jones figures to open the season as Minnesota’s lead back, but Mason should push him for work. And, at worst, he’s a high-end handcuff.
Tuten is one of our favorite sleepers in the rookie RB class. He averaged 5.7 yards per carry, caught 50 passes, and scored 29 total TDs over the last two seasons at Virginia Tech. Then he blew up the Combine with a 4.32-second 40 time and 40.5-inch vertical at 206 pounds.
Tuten is a candidate for Day 2 draft capital and a real role as a rookie.
Other options:
- Anthony Richardson
- Jaylen Wright
- Ollie Gordon
- Damien Martinez
- D.J. Giddens
- MarShawn Lloyd
- Kendre Miller
- Cedric Tillman
- Elic Ayomanor
- Jayden Higgins
- Dontayvion Wicks
Rounds 15 & 16
Use your final two picks on a K and DST. We typically recommend working the waiver wire and playing matchups at both positions throughout the season. We’ll have specific draft targets when the NFL schedule is released in May.
The Ultimate Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: A Customized, Dynamic Cheat Sheet
Having round-by-round strategy heading into your draft is important.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Draft Strategy
Who is the number one fantasy pick in 2025?
Ja'Marr Chase is the number one pick in 2025 fantasy drafts. He scored 86 more PPR points than any other WR last year and returns to a similar situation this season.
What position should I draft first in PPR league?
The position you should draft first in a PPR league is likely a WR. The scoring system gives a big boost to players who catch a lot of passes. That said, RBs like Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson are also worth picks in Round 1.
What is the best position order to draft in fantasy football?
The best position order to draft in fantasy football has traditionally been first. But some scientific data suggests that a later position like 6 or 7 can actually be optimal.
How many WR and RB should I draft?
How many WRs and RBs you should draft is typically 5, 6 or 7 in traditional formats with a 20-round draft. Of course, that can change depending on your scoring rules and starting lineup requirements.
What round to draft a QB in fantasy football?
Try to be one of the first or last teams to take a QB in your draft. Elite QBs like Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels are worth their price. But you can also find strong values late, such as Justin Herbert, Dak Prescott, and J.J. McCarthy.
When should I draft a kicker or defense in fantasy?
You should commonly draft a kicker or defense in the very late rounds in fantasy. Sometimes it might even be a good idea to pick up kickers and defenses on the waiver wire and stream them.
