Every year, we prepare for your fantasy football draft in ESPN Fantasy efforts, including a sleeper list and cheat sheet. In this column, you will get the best of both worlds as ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter offers his personal list of early, mid and late goals in the 2025 Fantasy League.
Here are some players who may be fantasy's top spots this season and outperform their current average draft position (ADP). If it is available at certain moments in the draft or in a decisive situation, then these players will receive strong considerations.
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In the context, I'm a 12-team league with some players not required to be selected, and there's a 16-team league with some of them probably more valuable. As always, consider your league size and rating system size in any player evaluation, but I believe that players below their ADP have strong value and are expected to have a productive season.
I hope this list helps. I wish you good luck this season!
Quarterback
Just as the NFL has elite quarterbacks, so is fantasy. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow have a lot of numbers for their team and fantasy managers, but there is a lot of depth this year, and if you choose to wait in that position, you can find high-quality quarterbacks in later rounds.
Early round
Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens: Coach John Harbaugh believes Jackson is one of the best passers in NFL history – yes, passers. But Jackson's running made him one of the best fantasy quarterbacks in history.
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills: Over the past year, Allen has won the MVP, got married and reorganized his contract as he hopes to repeat (or even improve) his incredible 2024 season.
Middle wheel
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Mayfield has exceeded expectations from the moment he appeared in Tampa, and the Bucs have assembled a powerful offensive option.
Bo Nix, Denver Mustang: The Knicks are a better double threat than people realize, with as many fantasy points as his legs as his arms.
Late round
New England Patriots Drake Maye: A larger version of Bo Nix in Josh Allen's teenage mold, Maye can score in the air or on the ground.
Michael Penix Jr., the Falcons' future quarterback, will be the fixture of fantasy.
Trevor Lawrence of Jacksonville Jaguars: Lawrence is already in a position to reach his potential under new coach Liam Coen.
Run back
The case of Bian Robinson or Jamill Gibbs being selected through the first pick of the season. This running defender has been promoted by many rookies in a deep defender draft in April, who have the opportunity to make meaningful fantasy contributions this season.
Early round
Bijan Robinson, Falcon: He will be my No. 1 pick this year.
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions: Gibbs are probably just the most dynamic offensive player in the NFL, not to mention the touchdown machine.
Chase Brown of Cincinnati Bengal: In a team that may be involved in high scores, Brown can catch up as effectively as running.
Buccaneers Bucky Irving: Buccaneers appeared in his rookie year and caught the Buccaneers’ first defender.
Middle wheel
0:59
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Los Angeles Charger Omarion Hampton: Few coaches like Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman to run football, and Hampton is expected to be the lead.
Treveyon Henderson, the speed, amazing and powerful abilities shown in Patriots: This Preseason and will be used with Rhamondre Stevenson.
RJ Harvey, Broncos: Rookies sometimes slowly bring back the defender in Sean Payton's offense, but as the season progresses, Harvey will do so.
Kansas City Chief Isiah Pacheco: The injury sets his start of the 2024 season apart. Pacheco is healthy this year.
Late round
Washington Commander Jacory Croskey-Merritt: There has been a lot of hype around this seventh-round draft pick.
Quinshon Judkins and Cleveland Browns' Dylan Sampson: Cleveland needs it, and it's expected to have a defender with one of the rookies is a factor.
Trey Benson of the Arizona Cardinals: It's time for a third round pick last year to show that he has a spot in Arizona's offense.
Jaydon Blue of Dallas Cowboys: Blue is elite and is expected to be the third factor.
Jaguars' Bhayshul Tuten: Rookies may contribute early and stay consistent this season. He is too fast.
Will Shipley, Philadelphia Eagles: Shipley provides reliable insurance for the manager who runs back to Saquon Barkley.
Wide receiver
With the NFL's reliance on passing games, many receivers have been developed, so much so that this is probably the most profound group in fantasy history. Capture contributors are available at all levels of the draft, but especially high.
Early round
Ja'marr Chase, Bengal: There is no contract drama this year, his connection to Burrow is the next level.
Editing selection
2 Related
Amon-ra St. Brown, Lion: Target Machines, they are as strong and reliable as they are.
Nico Collins, Houston, Texas: When he is healthy, he has the ability to be one of the top fantasy recipients.
Malik Nabers of the New York Giants: There is a lingering toe issue, and if not, his talent is comparable to any receiver in the league.
Middle wheel
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Seattle Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba: Showing his productivity in his rookie season should continue to shine.
Devonta Smith, Hawks: AJ Brown has received a lot of attention in Philadelphia, but Smith still has a lot of goals.
Jameson Williams, Lions: Williams enters contract year and is motivated to walk with talent.
Rome Odunze of Chicago Bears: He has established a rapport with QB Caleb Williams to connect them for years.
Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers: 49 people were injured and someone had to give birth to them. Pearsall is OK.
The subsequent round
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Jordan Addison of Minnesota Vikings: Three games paused his value, but once he returned, he would be a force.
Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers: Like Pearsall, injuries affect a wide range of recipients of packers. Someone has to produce and their first-round pick is as good as anyone.
Emeka Egbuka, Pirates: The team is happy and impressed by the appearance of the first round draft pick in the camp.
Keon Coleman: Coleman looks good in training camp, just like he's ready to jump out of second grade.
Marvin Mims Jr., Broncos: He started showing up last season and should continue this season.
Patriots' Demario Douglas: New England needs its receiver to step up, Douglas does it in the camp.
Dyami Brown, Jaguar: Follow this money. The Jaguars pay him about $10 million each year as a free agent.
Jaylin Noel of Texas: With Tank Dell coming in indefinitely, Houston needs the big game Noel can offer.
Troy Franklin: The Broncos have a wide range of receivers, but Franklin (who used to play with the Knicks in college) is able to play.
Tight
It's a heaviest position, with Brock Bowers, Trey McBride and George Kittle making headlines. Once you pass them, there will be uncertainty and some risks.
Early round
Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: Last year's first-round draft pick looks like the star of his rookie season in Las Vegas.
Trey McBride, Cardinal: Last season sometimes he was like a baby Gronk.
Middle wheel
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Sam Laporta, Lions: The 2023 Lions shine with superstar potential when they feature him.
Evan Engram of the Broncos: Sean Payton has been waiting for an effective pass tight end, and now he has one.
Cowboys Jake Ferguson: Ferguson is hurt, Ferguson is ready to restore his work in Dallas' offense.
The subsequent round
Isaiah, the Ravens: He may be the first winning streak for many teams. In Baltimore, things are even harder around Mark Andrews, but Ravens knows the possibility of talented China.
Theo Johnson, Giants: Johnson is his rookie season progression, and it should be a better factor this season.
Ja'tavion Sanders, Carolina Panthers: He also flashed in his rookie season and had a chance to get a meaningful jump in his second year.
AJ Barner, Seahawks: Seattle needs a close finish, and Barner may have to complete the task.