Tier 1
1. Bijan Robinson (RB1, ATL) – There’s a two-person race for the top-ranked overall player in Fantasy Football this season: either Joe Burrow’s bae Ja’Maar Chase, or Bijan Robinson (pronounced bih-ZHAN, not BEE-zhan). Honestly, we’re just splitting hairs here. Both are absolute studs. But because bellcow backs are so hard to come by in fantasy football, I give the edge to my bae, Bijan Robinson. He was one of just six running backs to handle over 300 carries and more than 45 targets (a whopping 72!) in 2024. And, Robinson was one of just three backs to average over 20 points per game and was THE RB1 from Week 6 on. I expect him not just to be RB1, but the #1 position player in fantasy football for 2025.
2. Ja’Marr Chase (WR1, CIN) – The Bengals defense is still a dumpster fire. Joe Burrow is still his quarterback. While I don’t expect a repeat of his 127 catch, 1,708 receiving yard, 17 touchdown season, Chase can easily repeat as the WR1 in 2025. His targets have increased every season of his career, and he’s yet to see fewer than his rookie total of 128, despite only playing in 13 games in 2022. There are no such things as certainties in life, but Chase is as close as you can get to one for fantasy football. If he doesn’t repeat as WR1 overall, he won’t be far behind.
3. Justin Jefferson (WR2, MIN) – The only receiver I’d remotely consider putting ahead of Chase is Justin Jefferson, who has finished as a top-five receiver in four of his first five seasons. The lone time outside the top five was 2023, where he played in 10 games due to injury, yet he still caught 68 passes and accrued over 1,000 yards. Considering we’ve yet to see Minnesota starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy take a regular-season snap in the NFL, some uncertainty shrouds Jefferson in 2025. But not much. JJettas is quarterback-proof and worthy of a top-five pick in all fantasy formats.
4. Ashton Jeanty (RB2, LV) – There’s always hesitation with rookie running backs for fantasy. You’ll hear, “He’s never played a down in the NFL, how can you rank him so high?”. Well, simply put, Ashton Jeanty is special. A historic 2024 season had him finish as the Heisman runner-up to Travis Hunter and just 28 yards short of breaking college football’s all-time single-season rushing record (currently still held by Barry Sanders). Jeanty ran for 2,601 and 50, yes, 50 touchdowns! And I have zero hesitation ranking a rookie this high. He’s got the talent, expected workload, and scheme that immediately puts him in contention for RB1 overall and top 10 in all of fantasy.
5. Malik Nabers (WR3, NYG) – You want QB proof? I’ll show you QB proof. Malik Nabers had 109 receptions on 170 targets, totaling 1,204 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, finishing as WR7 in total points and points per game. His Quarterbacks? Daniel Jones, Drew Lock, and Tommy Cutlets (aka Tommy DeVito). Even in the twilight of his career, Russell Wilson is a significant upgrade from who was throwing Nabers the ball last season. And behind Mr. Unlimited is either Jameis Winston, a boon to any receiver’s fantasy value, or rookie Jaxson Dart, who impressed in his first preseason start. Nabers is an elite talent and a name you’ll likely see among the top receivers in the league for years to come. In just one season, he proved he belongs mentioned in the same breath as Chase and Jefferson.
6. Jahmyr Gibbs (RB3, DET) – Remember the three running backs I mentioned back in Bijan’s blurb that averaged 20+ points last season? Jahmyr Gibbs was one of them (Saquon Barkley the third). I have nothing negative to say about Gibbs’ game. But there are a couple of concerns for the Lions’ offense heading into 2025. Can they remain an offensive juggernaut sans Ben Johnson? How much of a step back does the offensive line take after the retirement of Frank Ragnow and the loss of Kevin Zeitler in free agency? Gibbs likely finishes the season among the best running backs in fantasy, but it’s not out of the question for a drop outside the top 10, considering the wide range of outcomes for a Lions offense in transition.
7. CeeDee Lamb (WR4, DAL) – A 101 catch, 1,194-yard, six-touchdown season would be a career year for many receivers. But losing 24 catches, 555 yards, and six touchdowns was considered a “down” year for CeeDee Lamb. He still finished inside the top 10 for the third straight season and remains firmly among the elite at the position. But the potential for George Pickens to eat into Lamb’s touchdown total, as well as new head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s propensity for a run-first offense, gives me pause on ranking him any higher.
8. Saquon Barkley (RB4, PHI) – Saquon Barkley‘s historic 2024 was attained partially thanks to a massive 482-touch workload (the second-highest total ever for a running back). Phenomenal for his 2024 production and the Philadelphia Eagles, but exponentially increases his risk for fantasy purposes in 2025. History has not been kind to running backs who exceed 370 touches in a season. Most have suffered a major injury or a significant decline in performance the following year. Recent victims of the 370-touch curse include Derrick Henry, Jonathan Taylor, and Josh Jacobs. Barkley is genuinely a “generational talent” who can defy these historical trends and repeat as an RB1, but despite his immense talent, the overwhelming historical data against running backs with his level of usage make him too risky to draft among the top three.
Tier 2
9. Brian Thomas Jr. (WR5, JAC) – The rookie receiver most fantasy managers desired last season was Marvin Harrison Jr., but the real prize was Brian Thomas Jr. His ADP outside the Top 100 and a finish as WR11 was one of the best value picks all of last season. You won’t get that type of discount in 2025, but he’s well worth the late first/early second price tag he’s now sporting. BTJ didn’t slow down when Trevor Lawrence‘s injury forced him out. Thomas Jr. averaged 20 points per game from Weeks 10-17 with Mac Jones under center. With a healthy Trevor Lawrence and a tantalizing new offensive scheme from the mind of new head coach Liam Coen, BTJ is a dark horse to finish as the WR1 overall.
10. Bucky Irving (RB5, TB) – Another late-round rookie pick that carried many to fantasy championships, Bucky Irving is in a position to improve on his rookie season that saw him amass 1,122 rushing yards and eight touchdowns. It would be negligent not to mention potential production pitfalls for Irving. Pro Bowl left tackle Tristin Wirfs is set to miss the start of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery in July, and Jaguars Head Coach Liam Coen was the Bucs’ offensive coordinator for Irving’s immaculate rookie season. Still, Bucky has the talent to thrive even if the offense takes a step back. A heavy workload was already expected, but A groin injury suffered in Week 1 of the preseason is expected to sideline backup Rachaad White for an extended period. This could push even more work Bucky’s way.
11. A.J. Brown (WR6, PHI) – Getting sidelined due to injury for four games couldn’t slow down A.J. Brown as an Eagle. Brown has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards and scored at least seven touchdowns in each of his first three seasons in Philadelphia. Even with the Eagles’ low passing volume, Brown is as safe as they come for a WR1. He’s in line for 100+ targets once again, and there’s little to suggest he won’t hit 1000+ yards for a fourth straight season. Brown likely flirts with double-digit touchdown receptions as well.
12. De’Von Achane (RB6, MIA) – While the absence of Tua Tagovailoa negatively impacted the fantasy production of most of the Miami Dolphins, none were affected more than star running back De’Von Achane. His rushing wasn’t affected too heavily, although he averaged nearly nine fewer yards without Tua. Instead, it was the evaporation of his passing game work that caused Achane’s points per game average to drop 13.7 points in the six Tua-less games. Achane is in line to lead this backfield once again, and as long as Tagovailoa is on the field, Achane’s an RB1. If Tua plays in all 17 games, that could mean an RB1 overall season.
13. Drake London (WR7, ATL) – Released from the clutches of the heinous one known as “Arthur Smith”, Drake London finally broke out in his third season. London leaped into the top five at the position, accumulating 100 catches, 1,271 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. London headlines the Falcons’ pass catchers once again, and should see somewhere around the 158 targets he had last season. In the three games started by Michael Penix Jr., London averaged a promising 9.8 targets per game. He’s not just in the WR1 conversation; he’s coming to take the WR1 overall crown for himself.
14. Nico Collins (WR8, HOU) – Nico Collins is an electric talent who’s capable of scoring any time he’s on the field. The problem is, he has to remain on the field. Collins has balled out over the past two seasons despite missing seven games, attaining back-to-back 1000-yard seasons and 15 combined touchdowns. He remains an elite fantasy option, but remains outside the top tier of pass catchers due to the risk of missed games. Collins has yet to play a full season in his first four years in the NFL.
15. Ladd McConkey (WR9, LAC) – If Brian Thomas Jr. was the best rookie wide receiver value last season, Ladd McConkey wasn’t far behind. Among receivers with at least 75 targets, McConkey had the sixth-highest yards per route run (2.57) and fourth-highest yards per target (10.5). I have zero concern for the return of 33-year-old Keenan Allen as a threat to McConkey’s value. He’s the clear-cut top option in this offense, and another top-15 season is a safe bet.
16. Kenneth Walker III (RB7, SEA) – I’m not one to make excuses for players, but external factors heavily influenced Kenneth Walker III‘s disappointing 2024. A horrendous offensive line (league-worst .8 yards before contact) and a pass-heavy offense that ranked 27th in rush rate certainly don’t help the cause. Walker practically walked on water when given the rock. He led the entire NFL in avoided tackle rate and ranked inside the top ten for yards after contact. He set career highs in every receiving category, adding a dimension to his game we’ve yet to see from him in the pros. Seattle invested a first-round pick in guard Grey Zabel to elevate the offensive line, and key starters Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas come into the season healthy. Pass-happy OC Ryan Grubb was replaced by Klint Kubiak, who historically runs a much more balanced, run-friendlier offensive system. I’m not concerned with missed time in training camp due to a minor foot injury. Walker is being drafted far too low, around RB16. He still holds top-five potential.
17. Derrick Henry (RB8, BAL) – While I’m willing to embrace the unknown in fantasy, I prefer to be out a year too early than a year too late on running backs. I’ve been about four years too early on Derrick Henry. He’s an enigma. All the historical evidence shows he should have slowed down a long time ago. But historical evidence gets obliterated by outliers such as King Henry. While running backs historically fall off a production cliff at age 30, Henry at 30 nearly became the first running back in history to rush for 2,000 yards twice. He’s been able to stiff-arm Father Time thus far, but the end will inevitably come for King Henry as well. He’s finished outside the top 10 running backs once over the last six seasons, in 2021 when he played in just eight games. He still finished as RB21.
18. Christian McCaffrey (RB9, SF) – How you value Christian McCaffrey for this season all depends on your risk tolerance and whether or not you think he’ll play the majority of the season. His talent has never been in question. If CMC is on the field, he’s locked in as an RB1 and in contention to be the RB1 overall. Considering the state of the San Francisco wide receiver room, McCaffrey could be leaned on even more in the pass game if he’s on the field. The only risk in drafting CMC is the extensive injury history. He’s among the group of players in an echelon of their own. If you’re willing to take the gamble, McCaffrey can win you a fantasy championship single-handedly. However, without a solid backup plan behind him, another injury-riddled season could send you to the Toilet Bowl if you draft him too high.
Tier 3
19. James Cook (RB10, BUF) – I understand the concern for James Cook from a fantasy perspective this season. He’s due for massive negative touchdown regression, rushing for 16 touchdowns in 2024 after totaling four over his first two seasons. He’s in a contract dispute at the time of writing, and he’s not used a ton in the passing game. But, he could still wind up a value if his ADP remains outside the top 12 running backs. Cook is established as the lead back for a Bills offense that has ranked inside the top six highest scoring offenses in each of the past five seasons–an offense that runs at one of the highest rates in the NFL. Despite sharing the backfield with Josh Allen, Cook ranked 12th with 48 uber valuable red zone attempts. There’s little to suggest Cook won’t finish as an RB1 in 2025, but he’s currently being drafted like it.
20. Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR10, DET) – After three consecutive seasons with over 100 catches, 1,000 yards, and top 10 WR fantasy finishes, it’s hard even to consider that Amon-Ra St. Brown could wind up a bust based on his ADP. As I touched on with Jahmyr Gibbs, the changeover in multiple aspects of the Detroit offense can’t be ignored for their offensive weapons. Add the emergence of Jameson Williams and his potential to take on an even larger role, and I’m not willing to risk drafting the Sun God in the first round. He likely remains a borderline WR1, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a finish outside the top 12.