The 2024 fantasy football season ends for most when the clock hits 0:00 during tonight's Monday Night Football game. So naturally, with this year ending, it's time to start looking forward to 2025 fantasy football draft rankings, which are admittedly way too early to serve any real purpose.
This article is more of a thought exercise than anything else. So please, don't hold me accountable for these rankings in August. Much will change in the coming months. We still have a long offseason ahead of us, filled with free agency, the NFL Draft, injury recoveries, unexpected trades, releases, and retirements. But this season taught us much to reflect on immediately. A deep rookie class put many new names high atop next year's board. Father Time completed his annual tradition of pushing once-dominant names off the age cliff. Teams we had faith in floundered, and teams we had no expectations for looked better than anticipated.
While this set of 2025 fantasy football draft rankings will undoubtedly change between now and next August, let's have some fun and look at who we expect to be the top 36 players off draft boards in 2025.
2025 Fantasy Football Draft Rankings - Round 1
1.01 - RB Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
He'll be 28 next year, and people will assuredly use his age to rank others ahead of him. But in half-PPR scoring, Saquon Barkley was this year's leader. And it's crazy to think that he actually left meat on the bone. His 13 rushing touchdowns rank in the bottom half of the short list of running backs to rush for over 2,000 yards. Of course, that happens when you're playing on a team notorious for the tush push. But Barkley is an elite talent behind an elite offensive line on an elite offense. We don't need to overthink it again this offseason.
1.02 - WR Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
Ok, maybe we can overthink Saquon Barkley as the 1.01 if your opinion favors Ja'Marr Chase. But no other exceptions! Chase finally broke out like we had always dreamed of in 2024. With just one game left in the season, he's in pole position for the receiving triple crown. His 19.9 half-PPR points per game rank only second to Saquon Barkley among non-quarterbacks. Chase's week-to-week volatility leaves a bit to be desired, but his single-game upside and end-of-season finish are impossible to ignore. He'll be 25 next year, entering his prime years. He is tied to the quarterback he's continually found success with. He's an easy selection to make with a top-two pick.
1.03 - WR Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Lack of playing time is the only thing that kept Nacua from an elite finish in 2024. The second-year receiver dealt with a knee injury in the preseason, which he aggravated in Week 1. He returned to the field in a limited fashion in Week 8. He was ejected early in Week 9. However, since he was a full-time and healthy player in Week 10, his 18.6 half-PPR points per game would rank second to only Ja'Marr Chase. He has usurped Cooper Kupp as the team's clear WR1. His ability to make contested catches and rip off plays after the catch makes him a nightmare to plan for defensively. A healthy Nacua in 2025 should quickly solidify himself as one of the league's best receivers.
1.04 - RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
He cedes an annoying amount of carries to his backfield mate, Tyler Allgeier, but Bijan Robinson took a big step forward in his sophomore campaign. A sputtering offense in 2023 allowed us to see flashes of his elite talent as a rookie. But better quarterback play in 2024 allowed the Falcons to move the ball downfield, and Robinson was arguably the biggest beneficiary. He showed abilities as a between-to-tackles bruiser, a weapon as a pass catcher, and unmatched speed in the open field and getting to the edge. Michael Penix Jr. appears to be the team's quarterback of the future. And what we've seen through his first few games is enough competence to lead an NFL offense, in which Robinson should remain the offensive engine.
1.05 - WR Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
In what we can technically consider a down year for Justin Jefferson, he's still on track to finish as the per-game WR2 in fantasy football. He's unlikely to hit the total numbers from his 2021 and 2022 campaigns, and his per-game yardage is down a tick from last season. But Jefferson is alongside Ja'Marr Chase as the league's most talented young receiver. Much ado will be made this offseason about the Vikings' quarterback plans. Will they bring back Sam Darnold after his MVP-level bounceback? Will they turn the keys over to the young and inexperienced J.J. McCarthy? Will they let Daniel Jones be their bridge or bring another? Regardless of their decision, we should have enough faith in Jefferson's talent and Kevin O'Connell's system to never push Jefferson down draft boards.
1.06 - WR CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Losing Dak Prescott midseason was a tough hurdle for CeeDee Lamb to clear. His per-game production fell nearly 20 percent in the games with Cooper Rush. But the to-be 26-year-old has entrenched himself as a target magnet who can win at every level of the field. There should be no questions about his talent, and we've seen what he can accomplish in a full year with a healthy Prescott. If there's any draft-day discount in 2025 drafts, savvy fantasy managers will be quick to pounce on a slipping Lamb.
1.07 - Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Like Puka Nacua, injuries are the main thing that kept Nico Collins from joining the NFL's elite in 2024. A hamstring injury in Week 5 pushed him to a lengthy IR stint, and he never appeared to fully recover. However, leading up to that injury, Collins' 18.1 half-PPR points per game were second only to Ja'Marr Chase. He was leading the league in receiving yards. Despite playing alongside a true WR1 (Stefon Diggs), Collins still operated as the team's primary receiver and put up elite numbers while doing so. An offseason to rest up and allow his hamstring to recover should set him up for another monstrous campaign in 2025.
1.08 - RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
If David Montgomery weren't a Lion, Gibbs would probably be a top-three pick in 2025. But that thorn in his side will likely push him to the back half of the first round. Gibbs might be the most talented running back in the league. Despite being a bit undersized, his speed, contact balance, and feathery-soft hands allow him the ability to score every time he touches the ball. But with Montgomery taking the majority of the valuable goal-line work, it impacts Gibbs' weekly volatility. There's enough to go around in this offense that both backs can eat, but Gibbs will never hit his ceiling outcome while splitting the backfield. There will be concern about the Lions' future if offensive coordinator Ben Johnson leaves for a head coaching gig, but it's rarely recommended to pass on a young player as talented as Gibbs, especially on an offense as good as Detroit's.
1.09 - RB De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Tyreek Hill's age is starting to show. Jaylen Waddle has struggled to kick the injury bug. That set up De'Von Achane to be deployed as a pass-catching menace in 2024. His 87 targets are second among running backs to only Alvin Kamara and well above what any other back in the league pulls. Achane's first two years in the league look odd on paper, almost like two completely different players. His efficiency offset minimal usage in a rookie. The hope was that his usage would increase in 2024 and his efficiency would remain. While the former rang true, the latter did not. Achane's per-touch efficiency nosedived, but garnering over twice as many touches helped him remain in elite fantasy territory. He will certainly be a polarizing player going into 2025. And the Dolphins could be in for a big shakeup this offseason. But assuming they run it back with Achane, Hill, Waddle, Tua Tagovailoa, and Mike McDaniels, Achane's usage makes him an incredibly alluring draft-day target, especially in PPR leagues.
1.10 - WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
Much of his production came on the back of scoring double-digit touchdowns. But the ability to score touchdowns in an otherwise putrid Jaguars' offense further proves that Brian Thomas Jr. is an otherworldly player. Pulling historical rookie comps for Thomas continuously lists his name alongside NFL legends. He's a big, physical, sure-handed wide receiver with a nose for the end zone. Trevor Lawrence should be back and healthy for next season, helping to elevate Thomas's season-long floor and ceiling. After seeing what he did in his rookie campaign, the dreams of a Year 2 breakout will assuredly push him into Round 1 of 2025 drafts.
1.11 - WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Copy and paste the above about Brian Thomas Jr. for Malik Nabers. His offensive environment couldn't have been worse. But he still produced. Whether it be anemic play from Daniel Jones or start-sit decisions between Tommy DeVito and Drew Lock, it simply did not matter for Nabers. He is on pace to set the all-time record for rookie target share. He filled up a rookie-season highlight reel by turning bad throws into miraculous catches. The Giants are expected to shake up the quarterback room in 2025. It may be through the Draft. They might bring in a bridge quarterback. But either way, it's hard to imagine that it can be any worse than 2024.
1.12 - TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
The depth of this rookie class was mentioned in the intro, and Brock Bowers is the third 2024 rookie I expect to go in Round 1 of 2025 drafts. His overall numbers are just as impressive as Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers, and he did that while playing tight end, a position with a notorious lack of viable options. Bowers already set the rookie tight-end receiving record, and his 108 receptions are second this season to only Ja'Marr Chase. Bowers is truly an offensive weapon. He's used out of the backfield, lines up anywhere, wins short and deep, makes contested catches, and gashes defenses after the catch. The Raiders had a never-ending carousel at quarterback in 2024, so don't let any quarterback concerns heading into 2025 scare you away from taking him early next year.
2025 Fantasy Football Draft Rankings - Round 2
2.01 - WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
He's currently the WR3 in fantasy football, but Amon-Ra St. Brown's 2023 campaign didn't feel as good as we've grown accustomed to. His target share fell dramatically. His per-game production is down nearly 20 yards from last year's. He made up for the dips in targets and yards by setting a career-high in touchdowns. But the Lions appear content to pummel teams with their run game. That, coupled with the emergence of Jameson Williams, means fewer opportunities for St. Brown. He's still a dominant player with immense weekly upside. But he'll likely fall to the turn between Rounds 1 and 2 next year instead of being the unanimous top-five pick he was in 2024.
2.02 - WR A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Much like Amon-Ra St. Brown, A.J. Brown's talent is unquestioned. But his offensive environment is concerning. The addition of Saquon Barkley allowed the Eagles to lean heavily on the run, often at the expense of Brown. Like Jameson Williams, the Eagles have a top-notch WR2 in DeVonta Smith. Brown is undoubtedly one of the league's best receivers. But a run-first game plan and intense target competition should push him into Round 2 of 2025 drafts.
2.03 - RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
There are some concerns about his size and draft capital, but Chase Brown's usage and production over the second half of this season was elite. Projecting running back usage in December for next season is nearly impossible. The Bengals should consider adding to their running back room this offseason. But if Brown goes into the 2025 season with little competition for touches again, he'll deserve to be drafted as an RB1.
2.04 - RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Have the touches and injuries finally taken their toll? What will Christian McCaffrey look like after this year's injuries? Will the 49ers exercise the option to release him this offseason? Will the team have to move Deebo Samuel Sr., Brandon Aiyuk, or George Kittle to make room for a Brock Purdy mega-extension? Who will play on the offensive line? Will Kyle Shanahan return? The 49ers' future will be a primary talking point this entire offseason. And the risk that McCaffrey will be released, sign with a new team, and follow Austin Ekeler's recent trajectory is certainly a possibility. It's hard to speculate on McCaffrey's future now. His ranking in August could be much higher or lower than where he's projected right now. But assuming the 49ers run it back one more year, letting someone with McCaffrey's upside fall any later than this would be silly.
2.05 - RB Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
The overall body of work for 2024 is admittedly a bit underwhelming. But the Packers seemed to realize what they had in Josh Jacobs as the 2024 season progressed. He slowly became the identity of the Packers offense. And his usage in the run game sets up for the big downfield plays from Jordan Love. He'll turn 27 this offseason, which is when things can start to get dicey for running backs. But a talented back with ideal usage on a good offense shouldn't slip any lower than the top half of Round 2.
2.06 - RB Breece Hall, New York Jets
2024 is a season most Jets fans will hope to quickly forget. Through the turmoil of this season, Breece Hall was just another player who got caught in the crossfire. After a dominant 2023 campaign, Hall never seemed to get his feet under him in 2024. The usage dropped. The efficiency waned. Injuries slowed him down. And a nonstop change of coaches, coordinators, and managers made it hard to ever fully trust him. But he's checked the boxes as an elite talent. He'll be just 24 next year. Assuming he falls into this range in 2025 drafts, he could be one of next year's best draft-day values.
2.07 - RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
He slipped to Day 3 in the 2024 Draft, but Bucky Irving solidified his title as the rookie class's RB1. He was part of a muddy situation in Tampa Bay, with Rachaad White and Sean Tucker both getting regular touches. But Irving did enough with the touches he received to run away with the starting job. He's top-ten in nearly every efficiency metric and pops off the screen when he gets the ball. The Buccaneers were much better than expected this year, and Irving could be primed for a Year 2 breakout as the lead back in a top offense. White will likely still be involved, but that shouldn't be a reason to pass on Irving in Round 2 of drafts.
2.08 - RB Ashton Jeanty, TBD
We don't know who will draft Ashton Jeanty in 2025. And this assumption of him going at 2.08 is purely speculative as a placeholder. Assuming the Heisman finalist pulls the draft capital we expect and lands with a team needing an RB1, he could find himself inside Round 1. Of course, crazier things have happened. And if he follows the path of Jonathon Brooks (slides to Day 2 and gets drafted by a team with a running back), he could end up slipping a bit further. Unlikely, but the Draft is hard to predict. Jeanty has the skill set to be an immediate contributor in fantasy football, but we'll need to see where he's drafted and before we can accurately rank him for 2025.
2.09 - RB Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Find someone who loves you the way Sean McVay loves Kyren Williams. Despite a less-than-impressive efficiency profile, Williams is currently fifth in the league in weighted opportunities. He's involved in the passing game and has a stranglehold on touches near the goal line. There are a lot of red flags indicating that he might not hold onto this job for long. But we've been preaching that for two years, and he continues to be the guy. There will be a lot of risk and reward in drafting Williams in 2025, and a late second-round pick feels about right.
2.10 - RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
He turns 31 next week, and Derrick Henry is finally starting to show it. He's a great player and resurged after signing with the Ravens this offseason. But betting on a 31-year-old running back to maintain elite production for an entire season is a stretch. His role and offensive environment give him a massive weekly ceiling but expect volatile week-to-week contributions from Henry next year as he enters his tenth season.
2.11 - RB Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Early in the year, Joe Mixon looked like one of the best picks in fantasy football. But an enormous workload left its mark. As the season progressed, Mixon's efficiency waned. After being what felt like a lock for 100 yards and a touchdown every week, Mixon disappeared over the final stretch of the regular season. He'll have value if the Texans bring him back in 2025, but the to-be 29-year-old could easily be sliding down the back side of the age curve, making him a bit riskier than his early-season production implies.
2.12 - TE Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals
Brock Bowers will deservedly be next year's TE1, but assuming Trey McBride is going a full round later, he could be the best target. McBride is right on Bowers' heels in terms of targets and receptions. Of course, McBride also has two extra years of experience, making Bowers' numbers all the more impressive. But McBride's usage this year has been great, regardless of the unfortunate touchdown luck. Even with the addition of Marvin Harrison Jr., McBride maintained his role as the Cardinals' No. 1 receiver. Expect to see continued usage and success in 2025 and beyond.
2025 Fantasy Football Draft Rankings - Round 3
3.01 - QB Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens / 3.02 - QB Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
I have no dog in the fight for the MVP race. Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen have both been phenomenal in 2024, and both are deserving of the award. They are the current QB1 and QB2 in fantasy football. We'll have eight months to argue about who should be drafted as next year's QB1. But for now, let's just agree that they have separated themselves into a tier above the rest.
3.03 - WR Tee Higgins, TBD
Staying in Cincinnati would be great for Tee Higgins, but he should produce in almost any environment. The former second-round pick possesses a rare combination of size, speed, strength, awareness, and hands. Despite playing alongside Ja'Marr Chase, Higgins has still produced elite numbers throughout stretches of his career. He got hot at the end of 2024, potentially boosting his market value. Whether he returns to the Bengals on a long-term deal, gets a franchise tag, or signs elsewhere, you likely won't regret drafting Higgins on your fantasy team next year. An ideal landing spot on a WR1-needy team could push him even higher up the ranks.
3.04 - WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
A quiet rookie season and a slow start to Year 2 may cause casual fantasy managers to miss the Jaxon Smith-Njigba breakout. Over the second half of the season, he has become the offensive focal point, taking the WR1 role from DK Metcalf. Since Week 9, he's pulled 8.8 targets per game, and his 16.5 half-PPR points rank seventh among all receivers. Still just 22 years old, Smith-Njigba's arrow is pointing way up heading into the offseason.
3.05 - RB James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Ray Davis and Ty Johnson get plenty of work in this Buffalo offense, but James Cook is the clear lead back. He's a one-cut runner who can make you pay if you miss a tackle. He's plenty involved in the passing game as well. He probably deserves to be a bit higher on this list, but Allen's penchant for keeping the ball near the goal line forces Cook into a position where he becomes a bit too reliant on breakaway runs.
3.06 - RB Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Jonathon Brooks re-tore his ACL in Week 14, putting his 2025 season in jeopardy. Chuba Hubbard was signed to a multi-year extension this offseason and sits atop the depth chart with little competition for touches. But don't let his workload trick you into thinking he was a volume merchant. Hubbard took a huge step forward in his fourth season, running downfield with strength and intention. Through a bumpy Panthers season, Hubbard was the consistent highlight. And his contributions and growth are what got him his deserved extension. The Panthers' roster has many more needs than adding to an already deep running back room. Expect Hubbard to pick up right where he left off in 2025 as a high-end RB2 in a workhorse role.
3.07 - WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
The peripheral metrics finally translated to breakout production. Drake London will be just 24 years old in 2025 and has a head start on building rapport with his new quarterback, Michael Penix Jr. Early indications of Penix give us enough hope to feel confident about the Falcon's offense going forward. And while London might not have the ceiling we envisioned, he is a safe selection to use an early pick on.
3.08 - WR Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
This placement feels both too high and too low for Garrett Wilson, meaning it's probably just right. Wilson's talent is inarguable. When he flashes, he looks like the top player in the league. But when you compare his career production to the NFL's elite, there's an obvious disparity. One can't help but think of Terry McLaurin, DJ Moore, and other receivers hamstrung early in their careers by poor quarterback play. There's a strong argument to draft a player of Wilson's caliber early in Round 2. But without an exciting addition to the quarterback room, Wilson could end up providing another season of boom-or-bust WR2 play.
3.09 - RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts offense has sputtered this year, but they've maintained their commitment to Anthony Richardson in 2025. That's not great news for Jonathan Taylor. Richardson doesn't check down often and has a penchant for keeping the ball in his hands near the goal line. Taylor is still at the top of his age curve and benefits from running behind a great offensive line. But unfortunately, his role falls into the "great for real-life football and just okay for fantasy football" bucket. However, his big-play ability and weekly upside still make him a desirable target, albeit with a dangerous weekly floor.
3.10 - WR George Pickens, Pittsburgh Steelers
The warts on his early-career profile didn't matter this year as George Pickens saw a massive uptick in usage, pulling nearly a 40 percent increase in targets per route run. The eye-popping receptions and plays after the catch were still on display, just more frequently than in previous years. And unsurprisingly, Pickens' best games came with Russell Wilson under center. If the Steelers decide to run it back with Wilson in 2025, the duo's skill sets go together like peanut butter and jelly. Expect Pickens to creep up draft boards as we get more clarity on the Steelers' quarterback plans.
3.11 - QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels isn't far behind Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen in fantasy football rankings. He immediately showed what he could do at the NFL level, providing consistent QB1 production to start his rookie campaign. A mini-slump in the midseason preceded a white-hot finish. Since Week 12, Daniels is averaging a blistering 30.8 fantasy points per game, second only to Josh Allen. Daniels' skill set and situation are a dream for fantasy football. An upbeat offense that allows for deep shots and wide run lanes sets Daniels up to stack chunk plays through the air and on the ground. The staying power of Jackson and Allen makes them safer picks, but nothing stops Daniels from competing for the QB1 title in 2025.
3.12 - TE George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers
Currently the per-game TE1, age is the only thing keeping Kittle's ranking where it is. Brock Bowers and Trey McBride are on the right side of the age curve and are expected to improve in the coming seasons. Kittle turns 32 next year, potentially signaling his career's twilight. Of course, many elite tight ends have provided elite numbers well into the mid-30s. And Kittle has the conditioning and grit to follow suit. His ceiling is just as high as the tight ends being drafted ahead of him, but his age-related floor is a smidge lower.
2025 Fantasy Football Draft Rankings
A lot will change in the coming month, as will these 2025 fantasy football draft rankings. But this is a fun exercise to start looking ahead to next year. Stay up-to-date with these changes by joining 700,000+ who read The Footballs Daily Update, where we deliver all of the pertinent NFL news and Footballguys content straight to your inbox. Our consensus 2025 fantasy football draft rankings will be live soon and are fully customizable to your league's scoring and roster settings.
Also, there are some notable exceptions from this list, including but not limited to Jalen Hurts, Joe Burrow, Tyreek Hill, Ladd McConkey, Marvin Harrison Jr., Zay Flowers, Isiah Pacheco, Alvin Kamara, James Conner, and Travis Kelce. Feel free to reach out on Twitter/X with any questions, and I'll do my best to explain my process to you.