Though trusting your own instincts and reads should dictate your fantasy football draft strategy, digesting information from other fantasy players often can help spark ideas and directions you never considered.
We’ve crowdsourced The Sporting News’ fantasy football experts for their takes on season-long predictions and awards.
Prepare for your drafts with our strategy tips and player analysis.
Jump to our specific fantasy expert tips:
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Fantasy MVP 2025 prediction
Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens
It’s hard to get away from LJax, who cleared Josh Allen by 49.3 points as the top scorer in fantasy last season and then lost the real-life MVP race to Allen. The dual-threat phenom has a chip on his shoulder and a shiny new toy in DeAndre Hopkins, who should help open the field even more for Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. – Sloan Piva
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Gibbs blew up as the explosive all-around workhorse when David Montgomery was hurt last season but he was exceptional before then. The fade of Montgomery will continue with TD regression to come, leading to the needed high-leverage spike for Gibbs to ascend as fantasy’s biggest producer, worthy of a top-3 pick. – Vinnie Iyer
Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills
I think that Josh Allen is going to be the top player in fantasy football. The reigning MVP checks the box of being a dual-threat quarterback, but he doesn’t run as much as Lamar Jackson. Allen tends to punch the ball in more at the goal line, and I think his passing touchdown numbers go up with the addition of Joshua Palmer as a deep threat. I think Allen should be in line for a better result than his second-most fantasy points in 2024, and I think Jackson regresses. – Teddy Ricketson
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson saw his touches reach 23.4 per game from Weeks 6-18, with which he averaged 120.9 scrimmage yards per game and was the RB1 in fantasy points per game. This is going to be the true ceiling year for Robinson. – Griffin Missant
We saw the results without Arthur Smith pulling the offensive strings in 2024, especially after the playcalling realized they should involve Robinson more. Even a quarterback with a big arm like Michael Penix Jr.’s could even help his top running back’s upside in receiving yards. While I’m tempted to ride with Jahmyr Gibbs, Robinson still has another level to him and is my No. 1 pick in anything below PPR. – Tim Heaney
PPR RANKINGS: Top 300 Cheat Sheet | QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | PK
Best Fantasy Value Pick 2025 prediction
Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Williams has a clear path to a breakout season in Detroit, and he’s somehow being drafted in Rounds 5-7 as of Aug. 20. This guy just had a 1,000-yard receiving season and scored eight total touchdowns in 15 games last season (WR19) — he’s also putting in the work this offseason, so there’s no reason to think he can’t take a big step forward and become this year’s version of Drake London (or better). – Sloan Piva
Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Irving was the RB19 in average half-point PPR scoring despite not taking over as the Bucs’ clear No. 1 back over Rachaad White until Week 12. He was the RB8 to close and is line to see more expanded role as the team trusts him more as a receiver. He can finish in top-5 in RB scoring to carry a lot of teams. – Vinnie Iyer
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It feels weird thinking that a WR3 in an offense is going to be a great value pick, but here we are. Egbuka has been hyped up all training camp despite playing behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. The latter of which has come off the PUP list and will be healthy to start the season. He is still fairly injury prone, and the hype for Egbuka should give him upside even having the ADP of WR44 in half-PPR scoring formats. – Teddy Ricketson
Jaylen Waddle, WR, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill’s injury and drama along with De’Von Achane’s own uncertain health complicate an already chaotic Miami organization that feels ready to hit an iceberg. Waddle remains afloat, having delivered three straight 70-catch, 1,000-yard seasons. Any absence for the two stars would immediately bolster his weekly upside, which could tough high-end WR2 even with everyone healthy. – Tim Heaney
Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots
Rushing quarterbacks consistently dominate fantasy football, and Maye was one of the best rushing quarterbacks in 2024. Maye finished ninth overall in rushing yards and second in QB scramble yards per game, this was only behind Jayden Daniels. – Griffin Missant
2025 FANTASY DRAFT SLEEPERS: QB | RB | WR | TE | DST | Deep Sleepers | 1 From Each Team | Value Picks
Biggest Bust for 2025 fantasy
Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: Don’t bank on a 28-year-old running back coming off a 482-touch campaign (reg. season + playoffs) to be the best running back asset in fantasy for the second consecutive season. Even if the injury bug doesn’t get him this year, the wear-and-tear and imminent workload regression will. – Sloan Piva
Barkley is battling some tough history after how much volume he got last season through the Super Bowl. He had a whopping league-high 482 touches in his 20 games (24 touches per game). That kind of massive volume is bound to lead to some attrition and letdown from such high production as Philadelphia should also want to load-manage him a little more. He can still finish in the top-10 if healthy, but it might be more difficult for him to hold up for another such gauntlet. – Vinnie Iyer
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
I’ll reiterate my above analysis on Jeanty’s downside. – Teddy Ricketson
Xavier Worthy, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
After the first 12 weeks of the 2024 season, Worthy was the WR51 in fantasy points per game. This included eight weeks without Rice, and Worthy still only received 13.2% of the team’s target share. – Griffin Missant
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
I’m not keen on Worthy this year. But I also would need Rice to fall at least one round later from his typical Round 4 ADP to try a value pick.
Are you certain what that Sept. 30 — a.k.a. midseason — disciplinary hearing will rule? I’m not willing to take the chance. – Tim Heaney
WARNING: Avoid these other fantasy draft busts
Fantasy Comeback Player of the Year 2025 Prediction
Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Lawrence has been a gamer and played hurt at times but succumbed last season. He should rebound well in his best pro offense to date with improved weapons. Just jumping back into the top 12 with league starter status would be huge for him. – Vinnie Iyer
I was debating between the next player listed and Lawrence. Both are sound bets for this honor. I’ll choose to highlight Lawrence, who finally has a modern, innovative offensive mind in Liam Coen designing his future. With Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter as the top wideouts and an underrated crop of reception-capable running backs, T-Law will finally enjoy his peak season. – Tim Heaney
Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas once again didn’t address its running game with a competent option and is hoping that Javonte Williams or Miles Sanders pans out. This sets up the returning Prescott to lead the league in pass attempts, possibly, and he will be targeting CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens and Jake Ferguson. That should be enough for his workload to give him a real shot at being a top-eight quarterback in fantasy football, despite playing in only eight games a year ago. – Teddy Ricketson
Since I already mentioned CMC in the RB section, I’ll go with Dak to rebound from his 11-TD, 8-interception mess of a 2024 season. He clearly wasn’t right in the first half of last season, and then he suffered a season-ending hamstring injury. Now he’s healthy and has George Pickens opposite CeeDee Lamb — positive results should come in droves if everything works out. – Sloan Piva
George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
As the WR38 last season, Pickens was never given a fair shot to show what he can do. The Cowboys are going to have to throw the ball at an extremely high rate and because of this, Pickens is going to double-up his finish from last season. – Griffin Missant
EXPLOIT LEAGUE APPS: Yahoo, ESPN rankings can reveal sleepers, busts
Top-scoring fantasy players at each position
QB fantasy leader
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
See above — Jackson is far and away the best of the best in Fantasy Land. – Sloan Piva
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Daniels will built on his dazzling rookie season and reach some Lamar Jackson-like dual threat heights with his red zone passing and running. – Vinnie Iyer
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Same as above. I think he maintains the production he saw last season, and I think Jackson will experience a regression with fewer passing touchdowns and more interceptions. – Teddy Ricketson
Allen’s overall QB finishes the last five years are as follows: QB1 in 2020, QB1 in 2021, QB2 in 2022, QB1 in 2023, QB2 in 2024. If Lamar Jackson doesn’t throw for 41 passing TDs again, it’ll be Allen. – Griffin Missant
Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jackson outscored Allen by 26 points in Weeks 1-17 last year and maintains most of his offensive setup. While Derrick Henry and Mark Andrews get most of the hype, an additional Zay Flowers-Rashod Bateman duo in Todd Moncken’s offense (plus if Isaiah Likely returns to normal health) sustains the best supporting cast the elite rushing quarterback has ever had. – Tim Heaney
RB fantasy leader
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
He’s healthy (for now, I know), and the 49ers need him to go back to being Superman. It’s always going to be a risk taking CMC, but if he plays 16 games I can’t see him being outscored by Bijan Robinson or Jahmyr Gibbs just yet. – Sloan Piva
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
Gibbs is ready to dominate in his prime to build on the exciting start to his career with an even larger scoring and receiving role in Detroit’s new offense. – Vinnie Iyer
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
The only reason to think that Barkley won’t be able to run back his performance from last season is that the Philly line is banged up, and if you think that opposing defenses will figure out a way to stop him. Even if he rushes less, I think he sees more work in the passing game and still finishes at the top of the position. – Teddy Ricketson
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
We’ll if he’s my top overall player, that sure makes him the RB1, but here’s another stat for you. In Weeks 6-18, Robinson also saw a 5.9% higher target share and a 2.7% raise in route share as well. – Griffin Missant
I’ll also list my Fantasy MVP here. – Tim Heaney
WR fantasy leader
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
London averaged 23.1 PPR points per game once Michael Penix Jr. replaced Kirk Cousins in Atlanta last season (tied with Brian Thomas Jr. and Tee Higgins for tops among wide receivers during the final three weeks of the season). I’m taking Drake London in the second round wherever I can. – Sloan Piva
Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Malik Nabers — three more LSU superstars in the NFL — will pose his biggest competition for this throne. But look for 100-1,500 as the catch/yardage floor with a great shot at double-digit TDs in Liam Coen’s offense. – Vinnie Iyer
Ja’Marr Chase, Cincinnati engals
This is one of those times that he is going to be the best in fantasy football until he isn’t. If he stays healthy, he should see an absurd target share from Joe Burrow as Cincinnati’s defense is once again going to be bad, and they are going to have to be pass-heavy late in games throughout the year. – Teddy Ricketson
Chase leads in every category a fantasy football manager dreams of. Even with a regression, only CeeDee Lamb has the firepower to dethrone Chase. – Griffin Missant
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Though Ja’Marr Chase is the safe choice, I’ll go against the grain with Lamb, who I’ve ranked fourth overall in PPR leagues. A fully healthy Dak Prescott and a dangerous new complementary wideout in George Pickens will increase the damage Lamb can do with each target. – Tim Heaney
TE fantasy leader
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
McBride averaged more PPR points per game than Brock Bowers last season, and that was despite the Cardinals TE hauling in just two touchdown catches and scoring one rushing TD all season! Imagine what he will do with some positive TD regression — with his target share and catch rate, the ceiling is Gronk-like. – Sloan Piva
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Let’s not overthink this one. He’ll be a massive target guy from new QB Geno Smith in Chip Kelly’s offense with Jakobi Meyers not much else trusted at wide receiver. – Vinnie Iyer
It feels like a chalk pick, but Las Vegas is going to be bad again. The Raiders didn’t bring in a true WR1, so new quarterback Geno Smith is going to have to target Bowers in the offense. Especially since I think Jeanty is going to be a fantasy football bust, Bowers should have an unreal target share once again and show that his rookie year will be his standard and not a fluke. – Teddy Ricketson
The best part about Brock Bowers is we have zero idea where his ceiling is. Bowers could be on the cusp of the greatest TE fantasy season of all time, do not miss out on that. – Griffin Missant
The statistical regression side of me wants to side with Trey McBride. However, Bowers could become the best overall yards-after-catch weapon in the NFL, and in Chip Kelly’s offense, Bowers will continue to capitalize on mismatches. – Tim Heaney
MORE: Who’s the best No. 1 fantasy draft pick?
What draft slot do you prefer picking from in drafts this season?
No. 11 is ideal with the prospect of Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey and De’Von Achane all sitting there as a RB1 and then getting a shot at the best WR available or Brock Bowers on the No. 14 comeback. That’s a great start and there will be such dropping values to be had either in the quick double-dip opportunities or after the long waits to pick again. – Vinnie Iyer
With how deep this year’s first round is, I love being anywhere from the 10 to 12 picks. You basically get two first round picks and have the flexibility to do whatever you want. You can grab two elite WRs if it’s PPR. But you can also go balanced or even RB heavy. – Griffin Missant
I usually want a pick in the 6-8 range or even 10-12, but having the first overall pick this year means being able to take Ja’Marr Chase and then grab two top running backs at the Round 2-3 turn. Chase and Chase Brown, plus either Bucky Irving or Kyren Williams!? Sounds good to me. I’m not a Bengals fan, by the way…but I’ll stack Cincinnati’s top three fantasy assets — Chase, Brown and Joe Burrow — with zero hesitation if I can. – Sloan Piva
Top 3 or Bottom 3. When you get into the thick of it in drafts this year, you look around and you’re not going to love your options. Obviously, if you pick top three, you get the foundation of one of the best players in the draft. If you pick bottom three, you can hang your laurels on the fact that the draft board won’t change much between picks to help you strategize. – Teddy Ricketson
Either turn, but definitely prefer the back end of Round 1. Isolating your draft strategy to just one other opponent’s roster, while having first dibs on them when the long wait ends, narrows your scope and allows you to double-tap with breathing room. – Tim Heaney
MORE: Breaking down the best fantasy draft positions for 2025
Which top player are you trying to leave every draft with?
Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
This guy easily has the potential to finish as the WR1 overall, jumping his LSU brethren of Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Malik Nabers. He already was awesome last season and now will get treated as the absolute alpha in Liam Coen’s offense. –Vinnie Iyer
Malik Nabers, WR, New York Giants
It’s not even close. Nabers finished as the WR7 last year with the combined QB play of Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy DeVito. I don’t care who starts this year out of Russell WIlson, Jaxson Dart, or Jameis Winston; they’re all better than last year’s QB room. The game scripts will always be there for Nabers to get a ton of receiving work, and he falls to the end of the first, early second if you’re lucky. I would not be shocked if he finishes as the overall WR1, that’s how confident I am in the second year WR out LSU. – Griffin Missant
Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
He’s a phenomenal pick anywhere in the 2nd round, and I think he and Michael Penix Jr. will be a fantasy cheat code of a stack. Not many fantasy managers realize that after Penix replaced Kirk Cousins toward the end of last season, London averaged 23.1 PPR points per game over the final three weeks. No receiver averaged more PPG over that three-week span…not even Ja’Marr Chase. – Sloan Piva
Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Of course, he shouldn’t fall past the top three. Robinson should be in for an unreal workload, and should only have more upside as Michael Penix Jr. continues to develop. For the rest of the picks, I’d love to leave with CeeDee Lamb. The acquisition of George Pickens doesn’t scare me, and Lamb should still eat in an offense that hasn’t figured out how to run the ball. – Teddy Ricketson
Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Speaking of the back turn of Round 1, Collins is often available there. I’ve been doubling him up with a Round 2 RB/WR often. Even with a down year in 2024 from C.J. Stroud, – Tim Heaney
MORE: QB Stacks to build for your 2025 fantasy team
Which top player are you fading?
CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Dak Prescott is healthy but there’s more diversity of weapons in Dallas and he won’t ever see the massive volume and scoring rush of 2023 again.
He is a great receiver, but when I see Malik Nabers, Puka Nacua, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Nico Collins and Brian Thomas Jr. all ranked after him, I would prefer any one of those receivers for their greater upside.
He shouldn’t be just immediately locked back in behind Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson in the top overall tier. – Vinnie Iyer
Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
I have no interest in drafting Barkley after his 482-touch 2024 campaign (reg. season + playoffs). We all know how that story will play out. I’ll take his intriguing handcuff Will Shipley, though. – Sloan Piva
Every pick in the first round is a good one, but the guy I haven’t drafted one time this draft season is Saquon Barkley. From a usage standpoint, historically if a RB gets over 370 carries, the next season they see a significant drop off in production. I wouldn’t go as far to say you should not draft him, but I like the other younger RBs in his range who have not truly broken out yet. – Griffin Missant
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Yes, I understand that he is expected to get an extremely high workload in Las Vegas, and we aren’t supposed to let preseason influence us. But did you see that lack of an offensive line?
Between that, his ADP being too inflated anyway, and the fact that the Raiders will likely be passing down late in games all season, I’m out on Jeanty at his ADP. – Teddy Ricketson
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
The clear answer would be to avoid Saquon Barkley after his busy 2024, but I’ll pivot to Nacua given Matthew Stafford’s injury concerns.
Love the talent, still, and could the yards-after-catch monster still thrive with Jimmy Garoppolo or Stetson Bennett (or a new acquisition) under center? Sure.
But given the ever-growing group of these top-caliber receivers you can draft around him, that’s not a rollercoaster I want to ride when smoother WR1 journeys can be enjoyed. – Tim Heaney
MORE: Fantasy Do Not Draft List 2025
Favorite late-round pick
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
There’s nothing weird about this pick. He had a 40-411-3 line on 53 targets last season.
The Jaguars, however, have a league-high 82 vacated TE targets with both Evan Engram and Luke Farrell gone. They also have a questionable overall receiving corps behind Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter.
Keep in mind Liam Coen helped Cade Otton jump to the average TE14 with limited targets in Tampa Bay last season – Vinnie Iyer
Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers
I’m using this space to emphasize a middle-rounder instead.
Pearsall is going to win people their leagues this season. The 49ers entire offense is at a discount this season after such a poor performance in 2024. We are right around the corner from the season starting and Pearsall is the only healthy wide receiver on the team. With so many available targets, he’s sure to get a ton of volume and will crush his low ADP – Griffin Missant
Jayden Higgins & Christian Kirk, WRs, Houston Texans
I’m drafting them with the expectation that either (or both) will break out in 2025.
With Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell hurt, C.J. Stroud will turn either the rookie or the veteran slot-man into his second-favorite target behind Nico Collins. Higgins has a 6-foot-7 wingspan, smooth route-running ability and good strength. Kirk’s way better than his down 2024 in Jacksonville suggests.
Both can separate from opponents’ second-best cornerbacks, and Stroud rarely misses open receivers. – Sloan Piva
Keenan Allen, WR, Chicago Bears
I don’t think his ADP has caught up to his value since he signed late with the Chargers. Joshua Palmer is on the Bills, and Mike Williams has retired.
Yes, Allen is 33. He had 70 receptions, 744 yards and seven touchdowns with the Bears last season. Now, he gets Justin Herbert back.
Allen should pay dividends, provided he stays healthy. – Teddy Ricketson
Keaton Mitchell, RB, Baltimore Ravens
I love an RB5/6 stash of Derrick Henry’s electric backup, who’s one of the NFL’s fastest players when healthy. He’s over his knee woes and looks like the dynamic home-run threat from his 2023 rookie season.
We don’t want to keep guessing that Derrick Henry will break down, but if that time ever comes, Mitchell could break off many week-winning runs on even a limited workload.
In 2023, only De’Von Achane had a better ratio of fantasy points per touch than a healthy Mitchell. – Tim Heaney
FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGIES: Snake Draft Tips | Auction Draft Tips
What’s your most important fantasy advice for drafting in 2025?
Trust yourself most in the draft room.
It’s fine to lean on experts, data and gather as much information and advice that’s out there on what players to take when and where. In the end, the draft decisions lie with you to make the right calls with your gut and instincts while on the clock. – Vinnie Iyer
Do not go into your draft with a set strategy for the first three rounds.
You need to first see who falls to you and should not pass on an elite player because you wanted to do a specific strategy. After you get your top three players, then you can see how you need to draft the rest of the way to have a balanced team. – Griffin Missant
Don’t fall in love with certain players or even builds — just consistently pinpoint value.
You can always pivot on draft day if you miss one of your top targets, or if a few value picks change the scope of your roster construction. Another piece of advice: championships aren’t won on draft day. Your draft serves as the foundation and framework of your house, but it needs finishing touches like waiver-wire acquisitions and trades to become your dream home. – Sloan Piva
Be prepared not to like what you’re seeing in the draft room.
From doing mock drafts this season more than others, the middle rounds get gross. You are going to be surrounded by players you don’t love, but have to recognize that, in their own way, they are going to have value to your squad. Make sure you aren’t overdrafting people you can get later just because you don’t like what is on the current board. – Teddy Ricketson
Fill your queue with 1 more player than the amount of picks before yours
A basic tip, sure, but a reminder that can serve as a calming reset. – Tim Heaney
MORE: Don’t make these fantasy football draft mistakes
What is your bold prediction for the 2025 fantasy football season?
Three more second-year QBs — Caleb Williams, Drake Maye and J.J. McCarthy — join Jayden Daniels in the top-12 in fantasy scoring at the position this season (with Bo Nix dropping out). Williams and Maye are in much better offensive systems to succeed with their arm and a little with their legs this season, while McCarthy is the latest to benefit from the winning productive formula of Kevin O’Connell in Minnesota. – Vinnie Iyer
Tetairoa McMillan will finish as a top ten WR in fantasy football. There is nothing to not like about the big body wide receiver out of Arizona. The Panthers WR room is wide open for him to slot in as the automatic #1 in this offense. QB Bryce Young and McMillan already showed their connection in their first preseason game. McMillan is this year’s Malik Nabers. – Griffin Missant
Only one!? How about one for every position!? Dak Prescott will finish as QB5 or better. I’ll squeeze in more quick ones: Jordan Mason will have a breakout season in Minnesota. Tory Horton will be this year’s Ladd McConkey. Isaiah Likely will be a top-10 tight end. The Lions will finish as the No. 1 D/ST. – Sloan Piva
Mason Taylor finishes the season as a fringe TE1. The Jets are going to want to establish the run with some combination of Breece Hall and Justin Fields. Garrett Wilson should lead the way with targets in the passing game, but I think we finally see a game plan in New York where the tight end gets featured. Tyler Conklin is with the Chargers, and Taylor should not only get redzone looks, but should be a sneaky underneath outlet for Fields all year. – Teddy Ricketson
Calvin Ridley finishes top-10 in receiving yardage as a strong, low-end fantasy WR1. The 30-year-old now has the 2025 NFL Draft’s No. 1 pick, Cam Ward, throwing to him. Though there’s probably some turnover-happy form in him, Ward can extend plays with his mobility and has a cannon that he isn’t afraid to test downfield. The Titans’ lack of receiving weapons and likely pass-happy game scripts should rank Ridley among the 10 highest WR target totals each week. – Tim Heaney
GO BOLD: Draft these boom-or-bust fantasy players
