NFL Play Makers

Players most likely to score from long distance once they have the ball with space.

Below you'll find a handy listing of players with huge potential for breaking the big play.

The below ranking is not a formal Cheat Sheet. But, in some ways, it's just as valuable.

Offensive scheme and/or open field ability (speed, moves, acceleration) limit some player's quick-strike status. Also, keep in mind this analysis is based on potential. As Doug Flutie says, "potential can be dangerous and overrated in sports." This analysis assumes a player has the football in his hands and is in a situation to make something happen.

Next to each player, you'll find his Quick Strike Rating (QSR). The QSR is part judgement and part Measurement (arm strength, 40-speed, etc.). The QSR is only relative within a position. It should not be used to compare players of different positions.

If your league doesn't reward for long distance scores, it's still a good idea to become very familiar with everyone below. If you're looking for a player with breakout potential, the ability to score from long distance never hurts.

An example of how important Quick Strike can be...

Back in 2002, Clinton Portis had a huge breakout seasons. Yet, he was selected late in many drafts that year. Looking at his physical skills, the wise owner grabbed Portis in the mid-rounds in 2002 and won big. While Portis was a hit-or-miss pick before the 2002 season, his upside was outstanding and it was reflected in his Quick Strike Rating.

In 2009, Chris Johnson was a huge value pick during the draft and his Quick Strike Rating refelected his upside.

Chances are this year's top breakout player is high on a list below.

If you're struggling with a 'who should I draft' or 'who should I pickup' decision this season, consult this list. Everything else being equal -- Go for the Play Maker!

QB1	Lamar Jackson Draft Note by John Paulsen Jackson was the overall QB1 last season after a QB3 finish in 2023. He was the QB5 on a per-game basis in an injury-shortened 2022, and was the QB8 on a per-game basis in an injury-shortened 2021. And that’s the only concern with Jackson–his tendency to get nicked up, though he has only missed one game in the last two seasons. All of the key pieces are back–Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely–and the Ravens added DeAndre Hopkins to help move the chains. Jackson should have another elite season.	BAL	468
QB2	Patrick Mahomes Draft Note by John Paulsen Over the past two seasons, Mahomes has finished QB7 (2023) and QB10 (2024) after three straight top-4 finishes in 2020-22. He seems to be settling into midrange QB1 territory, but we know he has overall QB1 upside. Rashee Rice is back, which helps, especially given the apparent decline of Mahomes’ go-to target, Travis Kelce. Xavier Worthy is a weapon, and Hollywood Brown rounds out a good starting receiving unit. Mahomes’ touchdown percentage and passing volume are both down relative to his fantasy hayday, and that’s not a recipe for an elite-level finish.	KC	461
QB3	Josh Allen Draft Note by John Paulsen Working backward, Allen has finished QB2, QB1, QB2, and QB1 in the last four seasons. He’s done it with a plethora of different receivers, and he has a decent crew to throw to again this season. Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Curtis Samuel, Dalton Kincaid, and Dawson Knox are all back, and the Bills added Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore to the mix. I’m expecting another high-end season for Allen.	BUF	461
QB4	Dak Prescott Draft Note by John Paulsen Prescott finished as the fantasy QB4 in 2023, throwing for 4,516 yards and 36 touchdowns against just nine interceptions. Last year, he left a couple of games early and only played eight total games, but he was on pace for 4,638 yards and 25.8 touchdowns. Those numbers would have made him a high-end QB2 type on a per-game basis. The Cowboys attempted the eighth-most passes in 2023 and were third last year. Since last year’s OC, Brian Schottenheimer, is now the head coach, I’m not expecting a huge sea change in the team’s offensive identity, especially since the team let Rico Dowdle walk and traded for George Pickens. Prescott being available as a midrange QB2 is a good example of the solid depth of the position this season.	DAL	461
QB5	Matthew Stafford Draft Note by John Paulsen Stafford was the QB26 last season after a QB15 finish the year before. He offers nothing as a runner, and last year’s poor production was probably more about Cooper Kupp’s drop off in production and Puka Nacua’s shortened season. If Nacua can remain healthy, and Stafford vibes quickly with Davante Adams, then Stafford should be able to get back into the midrange QB2 mix. In Sean McVay we trust.	LAR	454
QB6	Jared Goff Draft Note by John Paulsen Every fantasy discussion about Goff has to begin with his home/away splits. From 2023 to 2024, Jared Goff’s location splits were really stark: 21.3 fantasy points per game at home versus just 13.9 per game on the road. Those splits narrowed to 21.4 vs. 17.7 last season, so over the last two seasons he has averaged 21.5 at home versus 16.1 on the road. That’s basically the difference between Baker Mayfield (21.5) and Justin Herbert (16.1) last year, so it’s still pretty stark. Goff has 10 dome games in 2025, and his final six games are indoors. Start Goff at home, and start him in favorable (shaky defense) indoor road matchups. As Marcas Grant said on our pod last summer, “he’s an inside cat.” His ADP (QB10) is higher this year, so people are starting to recognize his fantasy value.	DET	454
QB7	Kirk Cousins	ATL	454
QB8	Russell Wilson Draft Note by John Paulsen From his Week 7 return through the end of the season, Wilson was the fantasy QB14. Wilson won't have much fantasy value as the Giants' starter, but the Giants now have a couple of capable passers (with Jameis Winston) to deliver the ball to Malik Nabers.	NYG	447
QB9	Joe Burrow Draft Note by John Paulsen Burrow was the fantasy QB3 last season after an injury-shortened QB23 finish the year before. He was the QB4 in 2022 and the QB6 in 2021, so he has a history of midrange QB1 finishes. The defense isn’t particularly good and the Bengals re-signed Tee Higgins, so Burrow has all of his weapons back. I’m expecting another strong season from Burrow and Co.	CIN	434
QB10	Kyler Murray Draft Note by John Paulsen Murray finished as the QB11 last year after a seven-game, QB26 finish the year before. (He was QB10 on a per-game basis in 2023.) Last year, he played a full season after missing 18 games in his previous three seasons. He’s a good fantasy asset thanks to his quickness, speed, and ability to run the ball. He has averaged 30+ yards rushing in four straight seasons and has 16 rushing touchdowns in that span.	ARI	434
QB11	Jameis Winston	NYG	434
QB12	Justin Fields Draft Note by John Paulsen Somewhat limited as a passer, Fields still projects to be a solid fantasy quarterback provided he can hold onto the starting job in New York. In six starts for the Steelers, Fields was the fantasy QB6 at the time that Russell Wilson was installed as the rest-of-season starter. In those six starts, Fields threw five touchdowns and rushed for 289 yards and another five scores. That rushing upside makes him a dangerous fantasy asset. As the Bears' starter from 2022 to 2023 (28 starts), Fields racked up the ninth-most fantasy points with the seventh-highest per-game average, so he's done it before. He'll be ranked as a low-end fantasy QB1 as long as he's projected to start for the Jets.	NYJ	413
QB13	Geno Smith Draft Note by John Paulsen Working backward, Smith finished QB15, QB19, and QB6 in the last three seasons. On the plus side, he has thrown for the third-most yardage (12,226), the eighth-most touchdowns (71), and has rushed for the 10th-most yards (793) in the last three seasons combined. He also has the third-most starts (49) in that span, so his solid numbers aren’t entirely surprising. He has a great tight end in Brock Bowers and a solid secondary option in Jakobi Meyers, and the Raiders added Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton–who tore up minicamp–in the draft. Fantasy-wise, he’ll be in the low-end QB2 mix this summer, but could surprise with a low-end QB1 season.	LV	407
QB14	Aaron Rodgers Draft Note by John Paulsen Rodgers finished as the fantasy QB16 last season, though he was the QB23 on a per-game basis (14.5 points per game). In his previous full season, with the Packers, he was the fantasy QB15 with the QB23 per-game average, so he’s settled into low-end QB2-type numbers on a weekly basis. He joins a Pittsburgh team that is short on playmakers in the passing game, though the Steelers did trade for both DK Metcalf and Jonnu Smith. Pat Freiermuth, Calvin Austin III, Robert Woods, and Roman Wilson round out the pass-catchers. Rodgers doesn’t have a history with any of these guys, the Steelers’ organization, or play-caller Arthur Smith, so it’s unlikely that this all combines to anything more than what we’ve seen from him in his last two full seasons.	PIT	407
QB15	Baker Mayfield Draft Note by John Paulsen Mayfield rounds out the Top 6, which is not something I ever thought I’d be saying after his career began to go sideways in his fourth season. But he has finished QB5 and QB9 the last two seasons, has one of the best receiving corps–Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, and Cade Otton–in the league, and he can run a little bit (378 yards, 3 rushing touchdowns last season). My only concern is that he’s on his third offensive coordinator in three years, but new OC Josh Grizzard was promoted from within and was the pass game coordinator last season. Mayfield should post midrange QB1 numbers once again.	TB	400
QB16	Trevor Lawrence Draft Note by John Paulsen Lawrence missed half of the season due to AC joint injury and subsequent surgery. In his nine healthy games, he was the fantasy QB11, though he was the QB16 on a per-game basis since he didn’t have his bye in that span. He was the fantasy QB14 in 2023 with the QB19 per-game average, so he has settled into midrange QB2-type territory in the last couple of years after a QB8 finish in 2022. Christian Kirk and Evan Engram are gone, so Lawrence will be throwing to some new faces–Travis Hunter and Dyami Brown–along with a few familiar ones in Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Strange. He profiles as a mid- to low-end QB2 given the depth at the position.	JAX	400
QB17	Malik Willis	GB	393
QB18	Justin Herbert Draft Note by John Paulsen Herbert finished as the fantasy QB13 last season after a 13-game, QB16 finish the year before. (He was QB13 on a per-game basis in 2023.) So after a pretty hot start to his career, he has settled into low-end QB1/high-end QB2 territory and he plays for Jim Harbaugh, who likes to establish the run. His 29.6 pass attempts per game last season were well off his career average of 39.1, though he set a career high in yards per attempt (7.7). Daniel Popper (The Athletic) believes that the Chargers’ passing attack “felt stunted” last year due to a lack of vertical threats; “that will not be the case this year.” The Chargers added Tre’ Harris, Oronde Gadsen, and brought 30-year-old Mike Williams back.	LAC	386
QB19	Mason Rudolph	PIT	380
QB20	Daniel Jones Draft Note by John Paulsen Jones is set to make $13.5 million fully guaranteed, and Anthony Richardson is still experiencing pain in his surgically-repaired throwing shoulder. Over the past two seasons, Jones has started 16 games, compiling 2,979 yards, 10 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, while gaining 471 yards and three scores as a runner. His 5.95 yards per attempt in that span is dreadful. On the bright side, Jones has had a couple of competent seasons. He threw 24 touchdowns versus 12 picks as a rookie, and had a 15:5 touchdown-to-interception ratio back in 2022 when he went 9-6-1 as the Giants' starter. Given Richardson’s status, and Jones’s ability to run the ball, he’s an intriguing value pick as the QB35 in early drafts. Any sort of recovery in his passing numbers would vault him into the QB2 conversation.	IND	380
QB21	Sam Darnold Draft Note by John Paulsen In 2024, Darnold was the fantasy QB9 in what was easily the best season of his career. He threw for 4,319 yards and 35 touchdowns, and rushed for another 212 yards and a score. With D.K. Metcalf landing in Pittsburgh and Tyler Lockett waived, the Seahawks' receiver cupboard is a little bare, though the Seahawks added Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. As it stands, without Kevin O'Connell leading the way, and diminished weapons, Darnold is shaping up to be a mid- to low-end QB2, fantasy-wise.	SEA	380
QB22	Gardner Minshew	KC	373
QB23	Jalen Hurts Draft Note by John Paulsen Hurts finished as the fantasy QB6 but missed most of Week 16 and all of Week 17. His 22.2 points per game in his 14 non-injury games would have been the fourth-highest average, just ahead of Jayden Daniels. With Saquon Barkley in tow, the Eagles were more run-oriented in 2024, and Hurts’s pass attempts dropped from 31.6 per game in 2023 to 25.5 last year. If his pass attempts remain that low, he will have a tough time challenging Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen for an overall QB1 finish, especially with Barkley keeping his rushing touchdowns in check. He’s still a rock-solid, high-end QB1 even if his ceiling isn’t as high these days.	PHI	373
QB24	Mitch Trubisky	BUF	373
QB25	Tua Tagovailoa Draft Note by John Paulsen Tagovailoa averaged 17.2 in his 10 non-injury games, but left early and missed seven games thanks to another concussion and a late-season hip injury, so he finished as the fantasy QB20, which is actually pretty impressive considering he missed so much time. He finished QB10 in a full 2023 season, so his per-game production is typically low-end QB1. If he can stay healthy there will likely be some value to be had given his low-end QB2 ADP. That’s a big “if,” however, given that he’s missed 14 games in the last four years and could be one severe concussion away from retirement. That said, given his ADP, he could be a productive member of a quarterback-by-committee strategy.	MIA	373
QB26	Kenny Pickett	CLE	373
QB27	Jordan Love Draft Note by John Paulsen Call me a homer, but Love is a value as the QB17 off the board. He was the fantasy QB17 last year, and quarterback is deep, so I get the ADP, but he dealt with multiple injuries and still was QB13 on a per-game basis after finishing as the fantasy QB5 in 2023. Sure, the Packers are more run-heavy with Josh Jacobs in the offense, but the Packers drafted two receivers in the first three rounds, and that signals an emphasis on improving the passing game in 2025. Considering he was already the QB13 on a per-game basis last season, if he can improve from there and perhaps get back to his top-five production, he would be a massive value at his current ADP.	GB	366
QB28	Mac Jones	SF	359
QB29	Zach Wilson	MIA	346
QB30	Brock Purdy Draft Note by John Paulsen Purdy was the QB12 last year but was QB9 on a per-game basis. In 2023, he was the QB6 and QB8 on a per-game basis, so he has settled into low-end QB1 status. He lost Deebo Samuel, who is a weapon, and the 49ers are expecting Jauan Jennings and Ricky Pearsall to pick up the slack. Brandon Aiyuk, Christian McCaffrey, and George Kittle return, so Purdy has plenty of weapons to throw to. The 49ers lost a lot of talent in free agency, especially on the defensive side of the ball, so they may struggle to stop anyone, and that could lead to heavy passing volume for Purdy and Co.	SF	339
QB31	Cooper Rush	BAL	339
QB32	Cam Ward Draft Note by John Paulsen Ward will start immediately, but his fantasy expectations should be kept in check thanks to a so-so set of receiving weapons. Calvin Ridley is the headliner, and he’s solid, but when Van Jefferson is your WR2, you’re probably in trouble. (The team did add Tyler Lockett on draft day; he could play in two-receiver sets ahead of Jefferson.) Ward can run, and my rookie quarterback model projects him to rush for 15.0 yards per game. That’s about what Bo Nix (15.4 projected, 25.3 actual) and Bryce Young (14.9 projected, 15.8 actual) were projected for in their rookie seasons. If the Titans add another good weapon–Keenan Allen?–and Ward runs a bit more than expected, then he could push for high-end QB2/low-end QB1 numbers as a rookie. He’ll certainly be in the mix as an upside QB2-type in two-QB/superflex formats.	TEN	339
QB33	Joshua Dobbs	NE	332
QB34	Jarrett Stidham	DEN	305
QB35	Joe Flacco	CLE	298
QB36	Andy Dalton	CAR	285
QB37	Jake Browning	CIN	264
QB38	Davis Mills	HOU	264
QB39	Sam Howell	MIN	251
QB40	C.J. Stroud Draft Note by John Paulsen Stroud suffered a sophomore slump in 2024, finishing as the QB19 with the No. 27 per-game average among quarterbacks. As a rookie, he finished QB12 and had the No. 11 per-game average. It’s pretty common for quarterbacks who thrive as rookies to have a subpar second season now that the rest of the league has plenty of film to figure them out. The Texans lost Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell is unlikely to contribute in 2025, but they did trade for Christian Kirk and added both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the Draft, so Stroud should have enough weapons to throw to, especially with Nico Collins emerging as a star receiver.	HOU	237
QB41	Tanner McKee	PHI	230
QB42	Will Levis	TEN	224
QB43	Anthony Richardson	IND	224
QB44	Kyle Trask	TB	217
QB45	Aidan O'Connell	LV	210
QB46	Jimmy Garoppolo	LAR	203
QB47	Tyler Shough	NO	203
QB48	Jacoby Brissett	ARI	203
QB49	Marcus Mariota	WAS	203
QB50	Tyrod Taylor	NYJ	203
QB51	Jaxson Dart	NYG	203
QB52	Hendon Hooker	DET	197
QB53	Bryce Young Draft Note by John Paulsen Young was benched after Week 2, but when his backup, Andy Dalton, was injured late in Week 7, he got the starting job back. From that point on, he showed serious signs of competency, averaging a solid 210 yards passing and 1.5 touchdowns to go along with increased production as a runner (22 yards, 0.5 touchdowns per game). The resulting 18.0 fantasy points per game were enough to make him the QB12 from Week 8 through Week 18. Drafters are justifiably cautious–he’s being drafted as a high-end QB3–but he may hold value there if he can carry over his progress to 2025, continues to run the ball, and can vibe quickly with first-round draft pick Tetairoa McMillan.	CAR	197
QB54	Joe Milton	DAL	176
QB55	Jayden Daniels Draft Note by John Paulsen My top quarterback target in last year’s fantasy drafts didn’t disappoint, finishing QB4 after being drafted in the QB10-QB12 range all summer. This year, he’ll have another weapon to throw to thanks to the Commanders’ trade for Deebo Samuel. The Commanders also drafted Jaylin Lane in the fourth round to shore up the team’s WR depth.	WAS	163
QB56	Michael Penix Jr. Draft Note by John Paulsen Penix took over for Kirk Cousins late in the season, drawing the final three starts and posting an average of 246 yards and 1.0 touchdown as a passer. He was the fantasy QB18 in that span. He doesn’t offer much as a runner, so as a pocket passer, he’ll have to be very productive to turn into a fantasy starter. Drafters peg him as a low-end QB2/high-end QB3, and I tend to agree.	ATL	163
QB57	Tyson Bagent	CHI	156
QB58	Drake Maye Draft Note by John Paulsen Maye is intriguing since he averaged low-end QB1 numbers–17.7 points per game–in his nine full-ish games. The Patriots added a talented yet aging receiver in Stefon Diggs, who could serve as an adequate WR1 if his ACL recovery continues to go well. New England also added big-play receiver Kyle Williams in the third round.	NE	156
QB59	Bo Nix Draft Note by John Paulsen Nix finished QB9 on the season, but after a rough start, he was the fantasy QB5 from Week 5 on. He has dual-threat ability and scored at least 16.1 fantasy points in 10 of his last 13 games. “Good” rookie quarterbacks tend to regress a bit in year two–fantasy points drop on average by 6.3%– but the Broncos added Evan Engram in free agency and two receiving weapons–second-round RB RJ Harvey and third-round WR Pat Bryant–in the Draft, and that could offset a sophomore regression.	DEN	149
QB60	Caleb Williams Draft Note by John Paulsen As a rookie, Williams finished as the fantasy QB14, though he had seven games with fewer than 10 fantasy points. He ran more than expected (28.8 yards per game), and if he keeps that up while also getting a bump from the arrival of new HC Ben Johnson and his brilliant play-calling, then Williams has a good shot to get into low-end QB1 territory. He has a good receiving corps–D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, Cole Kmet, and rookies Luther Burden and Colston Loveland–though the loss of Keenan Allen may sting a bit.	CHI	149
QB61	Jalen Milroe	SEA	136
QB62	Spencer Rattler	NO	136
QB63	J.J. McCarthy Draft Note by John Paulsen Last year, three quarterbacks drafted QB20 or later finished in the top 12: Baker Mayfield (QB21), Sam Darnold (QB31), and Bo Nix (QB23). They had a couple of things in common: 1) a strong offensive mind calling the plays, and 2) they can score fantasy points with their legs. Darnold (QB27) can run, but Klint Kubiak is not a certified offensive genius like, say, Kevin O’Connell, who coaxed a QB8 finish out of Darnold last season. That’s why I like QB19 J.J. McCarthy to meet or exceed his draft position. It’s pretty simple: In O’Connell we trust. McCarthy will run a bit and has a nice group of weapons, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones.	MIN	122
QB64	Nick Mullens	JAX	68
QB65	Shedeur Sanders	CLE	68
QB66	Dillon Gabriel	CLE	68

RB1	Aaron Jones Draft Note by John Paulsen Jones remains one of the most productive dual-threat running backs in the league. He racked up the seventh-most yards from scrimmage (1,546) and the eighth-most receptions (51) at his position, finishing as the fantasy RB15 on the year. His 306 touches were a career-high and it’s unlikely that the 30-year-old back will be able to hold up to that kind of workload. The Athletic’s Alec Lewis reported that the Vikings want more of a “by-committee approach” in 2025, and they traded for a solid committee back (Jordan Mason), so Jones is shaping up to be a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 type.	MIN	629
RB2	Jonathan Taylor Draft Note by John Paulsen Taylor enters his age-26 season still firmly in his prime, but durability remains a concern—he’s missed 16 games over the last three years. In 2024, he played 14 games and finished as the fantasy RB14, but was RB8 on a per-game basis, racking up 1,567 total yards and 12 touchdowns on 321 touches. While he hasn’t been much of a receiving threat the last two seasons (just 1.5 catches per game), he showed pass-catching upside early in his career (76 receptions across his first two seasons), and his receiving role could grow if Daniel Jones wins the starting job. Last season, Jones targeted running backs on 13.5% of his throws compared to just 7.8% for Anthony Richardson over the past two seasons. Taylor was efficient before contact (6th out of 46 qualified backs) but struggled to create after it, ranking 36th in yards after contact per attempt and 35th in broken tackle rate. That could be a function of injury, usage, or offensive design, but it’s something to monitor. Taylor is a strong bet for 300+ touches again in 2025 and remains a midrange RB1 with top-five upside if he can stay on the field and see a bump in receiving usage.	IND	615
RB3	Derrick Henry Draft Note by John Paulsen Henry rushed for nearly 2,000 yards (1,921), and scored 18 total touchdowns. He should continue to defy Father Time, at least for one more season, probably more. He looked great last year, posting the highest yards after contact per attempt (2.8), the fourth-highest yards before contact per attempt (3.1) and the most broken tackles per attempt (0.13). He also posted the highest run grade (93.5) at PFF.	BAL	608
RB4	Christian McCaffrey Draft Note by John Paulsen McCaffrey is coming off a lost 2024 season, playing in just four games and finishing as the RB30 on a per-game basis after battling a PCL sprain and a nagging Achilles issue. Now 29 years old with 20 missed games over the last three seasons, durability is a legitimate concern. That said, his ceiling remains unmatched when he’s healthy—just two years ago, he was the overall RB1 and outscored the RB2 (Raheem Mostert) by more than 100 half-PPR points. He participated fully in 49ers minicamp and appears on track for a full workload heading into 2025. San Francisco’s offense is still loaded with playmakers and remains one of the most efficient scoring units in the league. If McCaffrey can stay on the field, he still has league-winning upside. The risk is higher than in years past, but so is the potential reward—he’s a high-variance RB1 with overall RB1 in his range of outcomes.	SF	586
RB5	James Conner Draft Note by John Paulsen Conner continues to produce at a high level, finishing as the fantasy RB10 in 2024 after an RB15 per-game finish the year prior. Now entering his age-30 season, he’s still getting it done with outstanding efficiency—among 46 qualified backs, he ranked 9th in yards after contact per attempt, 5th in broken tackles per attempt, and earned the 8th-highest rushing grade at PFF. Despite his physical running style, he’s showing no signs of slowing down just yet. That said, the Cardinals may be preparing to ease his workload. Rookie Trey Benson is waiting in the wings, and head coach Jonathan Gannon recently said, “If [Trey] takes the necessary jump from Year 1 to Year 2, I think we have two starting backs.” That could signal a shift toward more of a timeshare in 2025, especially with Conner entering a more injury-prone phase of his career. Conner’s still a strong, tackle-breaking runner in an offense that looked improved with Kyler Murray back under center. He’s best viewed as a mid-range RB2 with some RB1 weeks in his range, though his age and Benson’s presence add some risk to his season-long volume.	ARI	565
RB6	Austin Ekeler Draft Note by John Paulsen Now entering his age-30 season, Ekeler is at the stage of his career where durability and workload are both legitimate concerns. He’s missed eight games over the past two seasons and is a good bet to miss a few games in 2025. Still, Ekeler was efficient when on the field in 2024, averaging 9.3 touches for 61.1 total yards and 0.33 touchdowns per game. His 4.8 yards per carry was his best mark since 2018, thanks in part to an elite 3.0 yards before contact per attempt. He’s not breaking as many tackles as he used to, but his vision and burst still pop when the blocking is there. Deebo Samuel’s arrival adds another layer of competition for touches, particularly in the short-area game. Ekeler profiles as a weekly RB3 with some spike-week potential in PPR formats, but the days of him being a top-tier fantasy asset appear to be in the rearview mirror.	WAS	565
RB7	Antonio Gibson	NE	550
RB8	Raheem Mostert	LV	550
RB9	Alvin Kamara Draft Note by John Paulsen Kamara keeps defying the odds, finishing as the fantasy RB9 in 2024 despite turning 30 this summer and operating in an inconsistent Saints offense. His rushing efficiency has clearly declined—he ranked 40th in yards after contact per attempt, 28th in broken tackles per attempt, and posted just the 19th-best PFF rushing grade among qualified backs. But he remains serviceable before contact (16th), and more importantly, he's still one of the league’s premier receiving backs. Over the last two seasons, Kamara leads all running backs in receptions (143) and ranks second in receiving yards (1,009), and his 2nd-place finish in yards per route run in 2024 highlights just how dangerous he still is as a pass-catcher. The problem? The Saints’ quarterback room is among the worst in the league, and scoring opportunities may be few and far between. Kamara’s age and declining rushing efficiency are real red flags, but his elite passing-game role keeps him firmly in the RB2 mix in PPR and half-PPR formats. Just temper expectations in standard scoring leagues or if the offense completely stalls.	NO	543
RB10	Saquon Barkley Draft Note by John Paulsen Barkley finished as the fantasy RB1 in 2024, racking up 2,005 rushing yards, 278 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns while averaging 21.2 half-PPR points per game. He was the engine of the Eagles’ offense, handling a massive workload with little competition for touches. With Jalen Hurts, A.J. Brown, and DeVonta Smith still in place, the unit remains dangerous and should continue to generate scoring opportunities. Barkley’s elite volume and goal-line role make him one of the safest picks in fantasy, and if the offense takes a step forward in 2025, he has a real shot to repeat as the overall RB1.	PHI	543
RB11	D'Andre Swift Draft Note by John Paulsen Swift finished as the RB19 in half-PPR scoring last season, and while the Bears didn’t make any major moves at running back—only adding seventh-rounder Kyle Monangai—there’s still some uncertainty about how this backfield will shake out. Roschon Johnson was wildly inefficient (2.7 YPC), so Swift has a clear path to lead the backfield, even after a mediocre 2024 campaign of his own (3.8 YPC). Efficiency was a real concern: among 46 backs with at least 100 carries, Swift ranked 28th in yards before contact, 39th in yards after contact, and 45th in broken tackles per attempt. His PFF rush grade (45th out of 57 qualifiers) supports what the numbers and tape showed—he left a lot of meat on the bone. Still, new head coach Ben Johnson has a strong track record with running backs, and Swift played under him in Detroit back in 2022, when he averaged 5.5 YPC in a reduced role behind Jamaal Williams. The Lions moved on from Swift due to durability concerns, not talent. If he stays healthy, he should be the lead back in an offense that could take a big step forward with Johnson calling plays and Caleb Williams under center. Volume alone gives him RB3/FLEX value, with upside for more if Johnson can unlock his big-play ability.	CHI	543
RB12	Josh Jacobs Draft Note by John Paulsen After leading the league in rushing in 2022 with 1,653 yards, Jacobs missed four games in 2023 and ultimately signed with the Packers last spring. He finished as the fantasy RB5 overall with 337 touches for 1,671 total yards and 16 touchdowns. At 27 years old, he’s still in his prime and now entrenched as the lead back in a high-scoring Packers offense orchestrated by Matt LaFleur. He ranked just 32nd in yards before contact per attempt among 46 qualified backs, but he more than made up for it with elite tackle-breaking and post-contact production. He was 8th in yards after contact per attempt, 3rd in broken tackles per attempt, and earned the 5th-highest rushing grade at PFF. That kind of efficiency, paired with a huge workload and goal-line role in a top-tier offense, makes Jacobs a rock-solid RB1. He's a dual threat with dependable volume and a nose for the end zone.	GB	529
RB13	Joe Mixon Draft Note by John Paulsen Montgomery continues to be a reliable fantasy option in Detroit’s high-powered offense, finishing as the RB17 in 2024 despite missing three games—he was the RB13 on a per-game basis. That followed a strong 2023 campaign where he finished RB14 overall and RB8 in per-game scoring. As Jahmyr Gibbs' role grew, Montgomery’s touches dipped slightly from 16.8 per game in 2023 to 15.8 in 2024, but he made up for it with a larger receiving role—jumping from 16 receptions to 36 year-over-year. Efficiency-wise, he remains a tough, physical runner: he ranked 36th in yards before contact but 15th in yards after contact and 4th in broken tackles per attempt. His 16th-place PFF rushing grade was solid, reinforcing his reputation as an above-average grinder who can get the tough yards and score touchdowns. Montgomery’s weekly upside is somewhat TD-dependent, but his consistent workload and role near the goal line make him a dependable RB2, even as Gibbs becomes the flashier fantasy asset. If Gibbs were to get injured, Monty would have top-five upside.	HOU	529
RB14	Devin Singletary	NYG	529
RB15	David Montgomery Draft Note by John Paulsen Montgomery continues to be a reliable fantasy option in Detroit’s high-powered offense, finishing as the RB17 in 2024 despite missing three games—he was the RB13 on a per-game basis. That followed a strong 2023 campaign where he finished RB14 overall and RB8 in per-game scoring. As Jahmyr Gibbs' role grew, Montgomery’s touches dipped slightly from 16.8 per game in 2023 to 15.8 in 2024, but he made up for it with a larger receiving role—jumping from 16 receptions to 36 year-over-year. Efficiency-wise, he remains a tough, physical runner: he ranked 36th in yards before contact but 15th in yards after contact and 4th in broken tackles per attempt. His 16th-place PFF rushing grade was solid, reinforcing his reputation as an above-average grinder who can get the tough yards and score touchdowns. Montgomery’s weekly upside is somewhat TD-dependent, but his consistent workload and role near the goal line make him a dependable RB2, even as Gibbs becomes the flashier fantasy asset.	DET	529
RB16	Ty Johnson	BUF	508
RB17	Najee Harris Draft Note by John Paulsen Prior to the Draft, this looked like the perfect landing spot for Harris, who has averaged 319 touches per season and has never missed a game. However, the Chargers drafted Omarion Hampton in the first round, giving him the likely edge to lead this backfield in touches. Harris’s efficiency is nothing to write home about--4.0 yards per carry, 27th (out of 46) in yards after contact per attempt, 17th in broken tackles per attempt--but he is a solid dual-threat who can carry the load if necessary.	LAC	493
RB18	Javonte Williams Draft Note by John Paulsen It’s put-up or shut-up time for Javonte Williams. Now two full seasons removed from his devastating knee injury, Williams told team reporter Tommy Yarrish that he “feels completely like [him]self” and that the healing process is “done.” That may be true physically, but the numbers suggest otherwise. As a rookie, Williams was a tackle-breaking machine—first in broken tackles per attempt (0.153), with strong marks in both yards before (2.2) and after (2.3) contact per attempt. But in 2024, he averaged just 1.9 yards before contact (20th percentile), 1.8 after contact (20th), and a meager 0.029 broken tackles per attempt (7th). He hasn’t looked like the same explosive runner he was pre-injury. The Cowboys added Miles Sanders in free agency and drafted Jaydon Blue, whose speed and receiving chops could quickly carve out a role. Williams hasn’t been promised anything, but he is getting first-team reps in early practices. He’ll need to fend off multiple challengers to return RB3/flex value, but he has the inside track—for now. Consider him a shaky RB3 with a short leash and limited upside.	DAL	486
RB19	Tony Pollard Draft Note by John Paulsen Pollard was the fantasy RB21 last season. He did benefit from the absence of Tyjae Spears, who missed a few games. Pollard’s workload increased from 16.4 touches per game with Spears to 24.2 touches in the five games that Spears missed. The arrival of Cam Ward should help the Titans’ offense and, in turn, Pollard’s touchdown prospects. He looks more like a low-end RB2 than his midrange RB3 ADP would indicate.	TEN	479
RB20	Kareem Hunt	KC	479
RB21	J.K. Dobbins Draft Note by John Paulsen Dobbins bounced back in 2024, finishing as the RB23 despite playing in only 12 games. On a per-game basis, he averaged 13.9 half-PPR points, good for RB17—solid production in a year where he showed flashes of his pre-injury form. The Chargers opted not to re-sign him, and he now lands in Denver, where he'll compete in a Sean Payton offense that could lean on rookie RJ Harvey. Dobbins was a tackle-breaking machine last year, ranking 2nd (behind only Derrick Henry) in broken tackles per attempt. He also finished 7th in yards after contact per attempt, though a surprising dip in PFF’s rush grade (43rd of 57) raises some eyebrows. He added 32 receptions, but his 54th-place finish (out of 59) in yards per route run suggests limited upside in the passing game. The backfield split with Harvey remains unclear, but Dobbins has a real shot to lead this backfield early. If he wins the starting job outright, he offers RB2 value with weekly touchdown upside. At worst, he’s a high-end handcuff with standalone FLEX appeal in a potentially run-friendly system.	DEN	472
RB22	Justice Hill	BAL	472
RB23	Clyde Edwards-Helaire	NO	458
RB24	Travis Etienne Draft Note by John Paulsen Trying to decipher the Jaguars’ backfield in 2024 was like reading tea leaves. Etienne opened the season as the starter, averaging 14.3 touches and a healthy 4.55 YPC through the first four games. But starting in Week 4, Tank Bigsby began to carve out a role, rushing for 90 yards against the Texans. He followed that with a breakout performance against the Colts in Week 5 (14 touches, 129 yards, 2 TDs) with Etienne active, and then dominated in Week 7 against the Patriots (26 carries, 118 yards, 2 TDs) while Etienne was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Bigsby ultimately averaged 4.6 yards per carry—nearly a full yard more than Etienne (3.7)—though Etienne maintained the passing-down role. The Jags also added Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of the draft, a superior athlete who adds yet another variable to this backfield. With Etienne healthy and still involved, and Tuten now in the mix, the Jaguars’ backfield could unfold in several ways.	JAX	458
RB25	Craig Reynolds	DET	443
RB26	Cam Akers	NO	443
RB27	Quinshon Judkins Draft Note by John Paulsen The Browns used the No. 36 overall pick on Judkins, signaling their confidence that he can be a foundational piece in their post-Nick Chubb backfield. Since 2010, second-round backs who’ve played at least 14 games have averaged 188 touches for 931 total yards and 5.4 touchdowns as rookies—numbers well within reach for Judkins given the opportunity in Cleveland. With Chubb no longer on the roster, the depth chart is wide open. The Browns also drafted Dylan Sampson in the fourth round, but Judkins’ superior draft capital and athletic profile (92nd percentile speed score, 94th percentile burst score) give him the clear edge heading into camp. He was 9th in PFF’s rushing grade among this year’s rookies and is already regarded as dependable in both pass-catching and pass protection, which should earn him early-down work with potential for more. Judkins could flirt with 250+ touches as a rookie in a run-heavy scheme. He’s a high-upside RB3 with the potential to rise quickly into RB2 territory if he wins the job outright. His July arrest for domestic violence may cause him to miss time, however.	CLE	429
RB28	Ashton Jeanty Draft Note by John Paulsen In his final collegiate season, Jeanty racked up 2,739 total yards and 30 touchdowns for Boise State. His receiving numbers (23-238-1) were modest, but he was far more utilized as a receiver in the previous season (43-569-5), so he has the receiving chops to be a dual-threat in the NFL. The Raiders struggled to run the ball last year (3.6 YPC as a team), and Jeanty should vastly improve the team's per carry and overall production. He's a dual threat and should see a bell cow workload, so he's a threat for fantasy RB1 numbers from the get-go. The only knocks on his game appear to be his shaky pass protection and suspect ball security. The former might impact his snaps if the Raiders elect to pull him out on obvious passing downs. Regardless, I’m expecting a huge workload, and that should lead to RB1 fantasy production. Follow the touches.	LV	429
RB29	RJ Harvey Draft Note by John Paulsen Javonte Williams is gone, so the Broncos headed into the Draft with Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estime as their top two running backs. Running back was clearly the priority, and despite the J.K. Dobbins signing, Harvey is the slight favorite to lead the backfield, given the second-round draft capital the Broncos used to acquire him. He is 88th percentile or higher in Burst Score, Speed Score, and 40-yard speed (4.40) per Player Profiler. "When you look at the running skill set, it was, 'wow,' and explosive runs, all of those things," HC Sean Payton said of Harvey following the draft. "I know the question is, ‘Is he a three-down back?’" Payton said. "Well, he’s going to play on third down, but he could play on third down where the tight end is in protection opposite. There’s a lot we can do relative to really suit his strengths.” Payton went on to invoke Darren Sproles’ name, referencing how he deployed the diminutive Sproles in pass protection. (Sproles had the eighth-most PPR points from 2011 to 2013, playing for Payton. What I’m getting at is that it’s a good thing that Payton is comparing Harvey to Sproles.) As for Dobbins, he has a career 5.2 YPC–4.6 last year–and is a much better pass-blocker than Harvey, so the veteran is a threat to Harvey’s snaps on all three downs.	DEN	429
RB30	C.J. Ham	MIN	429
RB31	TreVeyon Henderson Draft Note by John Paulsen The Patriots used the No. 38 overall pick on Henderson, and that kind of early second-round draft capital strongly suggests they view him as more than just a change-of-pace back. Since 2010, second-round running backs who played at least 14 games have averaged 188 touches for 931 total yards and 5.4 touchdowns as rookies—production well within Henderson’s range if he can carve out a consistent role. New GM Eliot Wolf called him “a three-down back and a really good complement,” which doesn’t clarify much, but it’s notable considering Rhamondre Stevenson has averaged just 3.91 yards per carry over the last two seasons. Henderson offers another gear—he ran a 4.43 with an 81st percentile speed score and 91st percentile burst score per Player Profiler—and he ranked 4th in PFF rushing grade in this year’s draft class. Chad Graff of The Athletic wrote that Henderson “might be the most exciting player for Patriots fans to watch in camp” and that “it’s frankly astounding how quickly he gets to top speed.” If that explosiveness translates early, he could quickly leapfrog Stevenson and push for lead-back duties. For now, Henderson profiles as a high-end, upside RB3 with the potential to be a weekly RB2 if he grabs the top spot in what should be an improving offense.	NE	429
RB32	Jaydon Blue Draft Note by John Paulsen Blue enters the 2025 season in a three-headed backfield with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, but he’s easily the most intriguing option of the trio. His 4.43 speed and 73rd percentile speed score (per Player Profiler) give him home-run potential that neither Williams nor Sanders can match at this point in their careers. While he ranked just 48th out of 67 qualified backs in PFF’s collegiate rushing grade last season, he stood out as a receiver, finishing 9th out of 64 in yards per route run. He’s not built to handle heavy volume between the tackles, but he doesn’t need to. Given the lackluster production and durability concerns of his backfield competition, Blue could carve out a valuable 10–12 touch-per-game role—especially in a pass-heavy, fast-paced Cowboys offense. He’s a high-upside late-round dart throw in PPR formats, with standalone FLEX value if the touches materialize early.	DAL	429
RB33	Omarion Hampton Draft Note by John Paulsen Hampton was the second running back off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft, landing with the Chargers late in the first round. Historically, that’s a promising signal—since 2010, running backs drafted in the back half of the first round who played at least 14 games have averaged 234 touches for 1,160 total yards and 6.7 touchdowns as rookies. The Chargers also signed Najee Harris, so a committee could emerge, but Hampton—armed with first-round draft capital and superior athletic traits—has the inside track to lead the backfield in touches. His closest comp on Player Profiler is Jonathan Taylor, and it’s easy to see why: 4.46 speed, a 94th percentile speed score, and 91st percentile burst. He also earned the 7th-highest PFF rushing grade in this year’s class, and he showed three-down capability with 38 catches for 373 yards and two scores as a junior. With head coach Jim Harbaugh expected to continue to lean on the run game, Hampton could push for 260+ touches as a rookie. If he seizes goal-line work and maintains a passing-game role, he’ll offer midrange RB2 value right away—with room for more if Harris fades into a complementary role.	LAC	429
RB34	DeeJay Dallas	ARI	422
RB35	A.J. Dillon	PHI	415
RB36	Chuba Hubbard Draft Note by John Paulsen In a bit of a surprise, the Panthers signed Rico Dowdle in free agency. Last year, Dowdle and Hubbard both averaged 2.2 yards after contact per attempt, while Hubbard had the advantage in broken tackles (17.9 att/broken tackle vs. 21.4 att/broken tackle for Dowdle) and PFF rush grade (86.3 vs. 74.4). Hubbard handled 73.1% of the team's backfield carries and 60.6% of the receptions. With a healthy Dowdle in the mix, I could see those shares being closer to 65% of the carries and 50% of the receptions. That being said, Miles Sanders fared a lot better as a receiver than Hubbard did (6.2 YPR vs. 4.0 YPR) yet Hubbard nearly doubled Sanders in receptions (43 to 24), so Hubbard's backfield shares may depend mostly on his playing time versus specific roles for him and Dowdle.	CAR	393
RB37	Kyle Juszczyk	SF	393
RB38	James Cook Draft Note by John Paulsen Cook finally found the end zone in 2024—after scoring just four rushing touchdowns across his first two seasons, he punched in 16 on the ground last year, propelling him to an RB8 finish in half-PPR formats. While that spike in touchdowns was a welcome development for fantasy managers, some regression is likely in 2025, especially with Josh Allen still handling a healthy share of goal-line work. Cook was solid across the board as a runner, ranking 12th in yards before contact, 14th in yards after contact, and 24th in broken tackles per attempt among 46 qualified backs. He remains a key piece of a high-scoring Buffalo offense that should continue to give him plenty of scoring opportunities, even if last year’s touchdown rate proves unsustainable. He’s currently seeking a contract extension but showed good faith by attending the team’s mandatory minicamp. Cook enters 2025 as a rock-solid RB2 with upside in an explosive offense—just don’t count on another 16 rushing scores.	BUF	386
RB39	Patrick Taylor	SF	386
RB40	Khalil Herbert	IND	386
RB41	Alexander Mattison	MIA	379
RB42	Rhamondre Stevenson	NE	379
RB43	Jordan Mason Draft Note by John Paulsen Mason posted the No. 20 PFF rush grade this year, was 16th in yards after contact per attempt, and 14th in broken tackles per attempt. Prior to Christian McCaffrey's return, he averaged 18.3 carries for 95.3 yards (5.21 yards per carry) and 0.43 touchdowns. He was the fantasy RB9 in that span. After the trade to Minnesota, Mason will likely form a 1-2 punch with Aaron Jones and could eventually take over as Minnesota's lead back if/when Jones moves on. Mason is a great target for Zero RB drafters given his 9th/10th-round ADP and upside if anything were to happen to the somewhat injury-prone Jones.	MIN	379
RB44	Dare Ogunbowale	HOU	365
RB45	Jaylen Warren Draft Note by John Paulsen Warren took a step back in 2024, finishing as the RB40 after an RB24 campaign the year before. When the Steelers traded away Najee Harris, it looked like Warren might finally see lead-back touches—but then Pittsburgh spent a third-round pick on Kaleb Johnson, a downhill runner who could take over Harris’s early-down and goal-line role almost entirely. With Arthur Smith calling plays, this backfield looks destined for a committee. Smith has a history of deploying multiple backs, and Johnson’s size and draft capital suggest he’ll be involved right away. That likely leaves Warren in a change-of-pace and passing-down role, which still holds fantasy value—he ranked 13th in yards per route run among running backs last season and remains one of the better receiving backs in the league. Warren is a solid RB3/FLEX in PPR and half-PPR formats, but his weekly ceiling may be limited unless Johnson stumbles or gets hurt.	PIT	365
RB46	Kenneth Gainwell	PIT	357
RB47	Miles Sanders	DAL	357
RB48	Samaje Perine	CIN	357
RB49	Nick Chubb	HOU	357
RB50	Pierre Strong Jr.	CLE	357
RB51	Tyler Allgeier Draft Note by John Paulsen Allgeier remains one of the most capable backups in the league and a high-end handcuff for fantasy purposes. While Bijan Robinson has proven to be durable, any missed time would immediately vault Allgeier into the RB1/RB2 conversation. He runs with toughness and consistency, finishing 10th in PFF’s rushing grade and posting strong underlying metrics: 6th (of 46 qualified backs) in yards after contact per attempt and 25th in yards before contact per attempt, though his tackle-breaking numbers (34th) weren’t as impressive. In a run-friendly offense helmed by rookie QB Michael Penix, Allgeier should still get some weekly run in a complementary role, but his real value lies in the contingency upside. He’s a must-have handcuff for Bijan drafters and a solid attrition pick in the double-digit rounds for Zero RB builds.	ATL	350
RB52	Breece Hall Draft Note by John Paulsen After finishing as the fantasy RB6 in 2023, Hall took a step back in 2024, ending the year as the RB18 in both total points and points per game. While the Jets’ offensive dysfunction certainly didn’t help, Hall’s rushing efficiency also left something to be desired. Among 46 qualified backs, he ranked 26th in yards before contact, 22nd in yards after contact, and 42nd in broken tackles per attempt. His PFF rushing grade (39th of 57 backs) echoed the underwhelming ground performance. What keeps Hall firmly in the fringe RB1 conversation is his elite receiving workload. Over the past two seasons, he leads all running backs in receiving yards (1,074) and ranks second in receptions (133). Even with a middling 20th-place finish in yards per route run, that volume matters—especially in PPR and half-PPR formats. If the Jets’ offense can stabilize with better quarterback play from Justin Fields, Hall has top-10 upside based on passing-game usage alone, even if the rushing efficiency doesn’t bounce back.	NYJ	350
RB53	Kyren Williams Draft Note by John Paulsen He’s 25 years old, finished as the RB6 last season, and was third in touches per game (21.9). He was undervalued last year after the Rams drafted Blake Corum, and he appears to be undervalued again this season. The only thing that gives me pause about the 24-year-old Williams is his propensity to fumble the ball. He had five fumbles last year and three the year before, but in the season after the Rams drafted Corum, Williams handled a career-high 350 touches for 1,481 total yards and 16 touchdowns. Corum only averaged 3.6 yards per carry, so he didn’t do anything to justify a lead-back role in 2025.	LAR	336
RB54	Jeremy McNichols	WAS	329
RB55	Isiah Pacheco Draft Note by John Paulsen Pacheco just couldn’t get it going after returning from a fractured fibula early in the season. He averaged just 35 rush yards on 9.8 carries post-injury and ultimately was playing behind Kareem Hunt in the Chiefs’ postseason run. I would normally not worry too much about Pacheco’s production immediately after a nasty leg injury, but the Chiefs re-signed Hunt and acquired Elijah Mitchell, so I’m certainly worried about Pacheco’s prospects of regaining the lead back role in Kansas City. Andy Reid said that he “looks tremendous” as camp opened, which is a good sign. In his 16 games prior to his injury, he averaged 18.1 touches for 85.5 yards and 0.63 touchdowns, or midrange RB2 numbers.	KC	329
RB56	Rico Dowdle	CAR	329
RB57	Brian Robinson Draft Note by John Paulsen Robinson finished as the RB21 last season, but his week-to-week workload largely hinged on Austin Ekeler’s availability. In five games without Ekeler, Robinson averaged 18.4 touches per game—strong RB2 volume. In the nine games they played together, that number dropped to 12.8 touches, pushing Robinson into low-end FLEX territory most weeks. Durability is another concern—he’s missed 10 games over his first three seasons, and his bruising running style hasn’t exactly helped his longevity. With Deebo Samuel now in the mix and potentially siphoning off a handful of carries on gadget plays, Robinson’s weekly ceiling is even more capped in what could be a crowded, unpredictable backfield. Unless Ekeler goes down again, Robinson profiles as a low-ceiling, touchdown-dependent RB3. He’s a viable depth piece in best ball or deeper formats, but tough to trust for consistent starting value in traditional leagues.	WAS	315
RB58	Tyler Goodson	IND	315
RB59	Kenneth Walker Draft Note by John Paulsen Walker has been productive when healthy, finishing as the fantasy RB20 in 2023 (RB18 on a per-game basis) and RB26 in 2024 despite missing time—he was RB14 on a per-game basis last season. Health has been an issue, though, as he's missed 10 games over his first three years. His rushing efficiency was a mixed bag in 2024. Among 46 running backs with at least 100 carries, Walker ranked just 42nd in yards before contact per attempt and 30th in yards after contact, but he was 13th in broken tackles per attempt and earned the third-highest rushing grade at PFF. He continues to show strong vision and elusiveness, even if the Seahawks' offensive line doesn't always open consistent lanes. He caught a career-high 46 passes last season, so his role seems to be growing in the passing game.	SEA	315
RB60	Dameon Pierce	HOU	300
RB61	Jahmyr Gibbs Draft Note by John Paulsen Gibbs finished as the RB3 in half-PPR in 2024, piling up 1,412 rushing yards, 517 receiving yards, and 20 total touchdowns while averaging 18.3 fantasy points per game. In the three games that David Montgomery missed, Gibbs exploded for 30.4 fantasy points per game, but he still averaged a rock-solid 17.6 in the 14 games they played together—proof that he doesn't need a full workload to deliver elite production. The Lions will have a new playcaller in 2025 after Ben Johnson took a head coaching job, which introduces a bit of uncertainty, but the offense still projects to be one of the league’s best with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and an elite offensive line in place. Gibbs is a high-floor, high-ceiling RB1 and a worthy first-round pick in all formats.	DET	300
RB62	Jerome Ford	CLE	293
RB63	De'Von Achane Draft Note by John Paulsen Achane followed up his electric rookie season with another strong campaign in 2024, finishing as the fantasy RB7 overall and RB11 on a per-game basis. He handled 281 touches for 1,499 total yards and 12 touchdowns, carving out a huge role in Miami’s high-powered offense. His 78 receptions on 87 targets made him one of the most valuable backs in PPR and half-PPR formats--he lead all running backs in receptions and was 10th in yards per route run (1.45) at his position. While his explosive playmaking remained a calling card, Achane's underlying rushing efficiency wasn’t elite. Among 46 running backs with at least 100 carries, he ranked 18th in yards before contact per attempt, 26th in yards after contact per attempt, and 41st in broken tackle rate. That said, Mike McDaniel continues to scheme him into space, and Achane’s game-breaking speed and pass-catching role give him one of the highest ceilings among RB1s. As long as he stays healthy, he’s a weekly difference-maker with top-five upside, especially in formats that reward receptions.	MIA	293
RB64	Rachaad White Draft Note by John Paulsen White saw his role shrink in 2024 as rookie Bucky Irving carved out a bigger share of the Tampa backfield. After averaging 19.8 touches per game in 2023, White's post-bye workload was down to just 11.1 last season, producing 9.7 half-PPR points per game—low-end RB3 numbers. That usage could shrink even further in 2025. Head coach Todd Bowles told The Athletic that he “expects greatness” from Irving and that the second-year back’s “opportunities are likely to increase substantially.” To White’s credit, he still ran well in limited work. Among the 46 backs with at least 100 carries, he ranked 5th in yards after contact per attempt, though he was middling in yards before contact and near the bottom in broken tackles per attempt. With Irving on the rise and Tampa clearly preparing to lean on him more, White’s standalone value is fading. He’ll need an Irving injury to push for anything more than RB3/flex value in 2025.	TB	293
RB65	Bijan Robinson Draft Note by John Paulsen Robinson finished as the fantasy RB4 in 2024, racking up 1,456 rushing yards, 431 receiving yards, and 15 total touchdowns while averaging 17.6 half-PPR points per game. He saw a big jump in usage and efficiency with a more consistent offensive structure under Zac Robinson, and now he’ll enter 2025 with Michael Penix Jr. under center. While young quarterbacks can be volatile, Penix’s downfield ability could help open up space underneath for Robinson in both the run and pass game. The Falcons didn’t add serious backfield competition, so Bijan should once again be in line for 300+ touches. With a playcaller committed to using him as a true three-down weapon, Robinson is locked in as a top-five fantasy back with a realistic path to finish as the overall RB1.	ATL	293
RB66	Cam Skattebo Draft Note by John Paulsen Skattebo lacks long speed, but he makes up for it with burst (89th percentile) and one of the most productive and well-rounded resumes in this year’s rookie class. He finished second only to Ashton Jeanty in PFF’s rushing grade and became the first FBS player since Christian McCaffrey in 2015 to post at least 1,500 rushing yards and 500 receiving yards in a single season. SNY’s Connor Hughes called Skattebo “a very good receiver out of the backfield” and suggested he “might be the Giants’ most talented receiving back.” With rookie Tyrone Tracy struggling in pass protection, there’s a clear path for Skattebo to earn the third-down role right away—and if his rushing ability translates, he could push for early-down work, too. Tracy started strong last year but faded late, averaging just 3.5 YPC from Week 12 to Week 18, and much of his receiving value in that span may shift to Skattebo. He’ll likely begin the year as a rotational piece, but Skattebo has the three-down skill set to carve out a larger role in short order. He’s an intriguing late-round pick in PPR leagues, especially for drafters using a Zero RB approach.	NYG	286
RB67	Emanuel Wilson	GB	286
RB68	Elijah Mitchell	KC	286
RB69	Emari Demercado	ARI	286
RB70	Chris Brooks	GB	286
RB71	Raheem Blackshear	CAR	279
RB72	Ronnie Rivers	LAR	279
RB73	Jaleel McLaughlin	DEN	272
RB74	Ty Chandler	MIN	265
RB75	Zamir White	LV	257
RB76	Chase Brown Draft Note by John Paulsen Brown was a pleasant surprise in 2024, finishing as the fantasy RB11 overall and RB16 on a per-game basis. He took over the backfield after Zack Moss went down and made the most of his opportunity, ranking as the RB6 from Week 9 to Week 17. He caught 54 passes—5th among running backs—and played a key role in one of the league’s best offenses with Joe Burrow under center. Efficiency-wise, Brown impressed before contact (11th out of 46 qualified backs) and showed strong elusiveness (6th in broken tackles per attempt), though he struggled to generate extra yardage after contact (43rd). The Bengals brought Moss back and added Samaje Perine, who could siphon off passing-down work and limit Brown’s weekly floor. Still, Brown looks like the favorite to lead this backfield in touches and carries high-end RB2 value in a high-scoring offense. If he holds onto the passing-game role, there’s room for more.	CIN	257
RB77	Zach Charbonnet Draft Note by John Paulsen Charbonnet remains one of the most intriguing Zero RB targets in 2025 drafts. He’s shown high-end RB1 upside when given the chance—in eight games over the past two seasons where he saw extended run, he averaged 18.5 touches for 95 total yards and 0.88 touchdowns. That’s elite production if (or more likely, when) Kenneth Walker misses time. Walker has already missed 10 games in his first three seasons, so it’s a good bet Charbonnet will get a few usable starts even if Walker stays relatively healthy. The Seahawks want to "establish the run," according to John Boyle of Seahawks.com, and that philosophy could translate into a more balanced workload even when Walker is active. Charbonnet’s passing-game chops gives him standalone RB3/FLEX appeal, especially in favorable matchups. As a ninth- or tenth-round pick in most formats, he’s a great stash with plug-and-play upside. If Walker misses any time, Charbonnet becomes an instant RB1 candidate in a run-committed offense.	SEA	257
RB78	Tyjae Spears Draft Note by John Paulsen Spears has shown flashes of explosiveness through his first two seasons, but the volume just hasn’t been there—he averaged 8.9 touches per game in 2023 and 9.5 in 2024, even after Derrick Henry was replaced by Tony Pollard. Despite the limited usage, Spears continues to impress on a per-touch basis, with 2.2 yards after contact per attempt and strong tackle-breaking metrics. He also finished 17th among 59 qualified backs in yards per route run, flashing legitimate receiving chops. Coaches have hinted at a more balanced approach in the backfield this season, which could open the door for Spears to carve out a larger role alongside Pollard. And with rookie quarterback Cam Ward now under center, the Titans’ offense may be more efficient and offer more scoring opportunities than in years past. As long as Pollard is healthy, Spears remains a high-end handcuff and occasional FLEX option. But if Pollard were to miss time, Spears would immediately become a plug-and-play RB2 with upside in both the run and pass game.	TEN	243
RB79	Sincere McCormick	LV	229
RB80	Kendre Miller	NO	222
RB81	Tank Bigsby Draft Note by John Paulsen Trying to decipher the Jaguars’ backfield in 2024 was like reading tea leaves. Travis Etienne opened the season as the starter, averaging 14.3 touches and a healthy 4.55 YPC through the first four games. But starting in Week 4, Bigsby began to carve out a role, rushing for 90 yards against the Texans. He followed that with a breakout performance against the Colts in Week 5 (14 touches, 129 yards, 2 TDs) with Etienne active, and then dominated in Week 7 against the Patriots (26 carries, 118 yards, 2 TDs) while Etienne was sidelined with a hamstring injury. Bigsby ultimately averaged 4.6 yards per carry—nearly a full yard more than Etienne (3.7)—though Etienne maintained the passing-down role. The Jags also added Bhayshul Tuten in the fourth round of the draft, a superior athlete who adds yet another variable to this backfield. With Etienne healthy and still involved, and Tuten now in the mix, the Jaguars’ backfield could unfold in several ways. But if Bigsby earns the lion’s share of early-down work and goal-line touches, he’s a viable RB3/FLEX with RB2 upside in the right game scripts.	JAX	214
RB82	Julius Chestnut	TEN	207
RB83	Kenny McIntosh	SEA	207
RB84	Sean Tucker	TB	207
RB85	Bucky Irving Draft Note by John Paulsen Irving finished RB16 on the year, so uninformed drafters may view him as a fantasy RB2, but he’s a clear, rock-solid RB1 in my book thanks to his productivity after the first month of the season. He started seeing more touches in Week 6, and from that point on, he was the fantasy RB8. He had the fourth-highest PFF rush grade in that span, and was fifth in yards after contact per attempt on the season. HC Todd Bowles told The Athletic that he “expects greatness” and that Irving’s “opportunities are likely to increase substantially.” He’s a baller and has a great future ahead of him.	TB	186
RB86	Trey Benson Draft Note by John Paulsen Benson flashed in limited work as a rookie, turning 63 carries into 291 yards (4.6 YPC) while posting above-average marks in both yards before and after contact per attempt. Though he played behind James Conner for most of the year, head coach Jonathan Gannon made waves this offseason by saying, “If (Trey Benson) takes the necessary jump from Year 1 to Year 2, I think we have two starting backs.” Gannon even referred to teams with “two '1s’,” suggesting a potential 1A/1B split with Conner in 2025. That’s big news, especially considering Conner is entering his age-30 season and the Cardinals may want to lighten his load to preserve his health. If Benson can seize a larger role, he could return weekly flex value and be a league-winner if Conner misses time. With a 12th-round ADP, Benson is one of the better late-round dart throws at the position and should be firmly on the radar of Zero RB drafters.	ARI	186
RB87	Roschon Johnson	CHI	186
RB88	Isaac Guerendo Draft Note by John Paulsen With Jordan Mason traded and Christian McCaffrey looking healthy heading into the season, Guerendo enters 2025 as one of the top handcuff running backs in fantasy football, provided he can hold off fifth-round rookie Jordan James for the RB2 job in San Francisco. Guerendo showed plenty of juice when given the opportunity last year, turning in 75, 102, 99, and 128 total yards in the four games where he played at least 50% of the snaps. He also ripped off 99 yards on just 10 carries in a limited role (26% of snaps) against Seattle in Week 6. He was also efficient as a receiver, posting 1.42 yards per route run—good for the 81st percentile among running backs—which bodes well for his three-down potential if pressed into service. McCaffrey has missed 20 games over the last three seasons, so the path to touches is clearer than it might seem on paper. Pending the camp battle with James, Guerendo is an elite handcuff and a perfect Zero RB target with league-winning upside if McCaffrey were to miss time.	SF	186
RB89	Isaiah Davis	NYJ	186
RB90	Keaton Mitchell	BAL	179
RB91	Deuce Vaughn	DAL	179
RB92	Tyrone Tracy Draft Note by John Paulsen Tracy finished as the RB28 in 2024, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. He didn’t take over as the Giants’ lead back until Week 5, and from that point forward, he was the fantasy RB14—delivering strong RB2 value for much of the season. His speed and vision made an early impact, and he ranked 9th among 47 qualified backs in yards before contact per attempt, a credit to both his burst and the offensive line. He didn't break many tackles or generate many yards after contact, however. The cracks started to show down the stretch. From Week 12 to Week 18, Tracy averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, and while his receiving work propped up his value during that span, that role could be in jeopardy. The Giants added Cam Skattebo, a dual-threat back who trailed only Ashton Jeanty in PFF’s collegiate rushing grade and has drawn praise as the team’s most talented receiving option out of the backfield. Tracy enters 2025 as the presumptive starter, but Skattebo looms as a serious threat to his workload. Tracy is a viable RB3/FLEX for now, but his grip on the job isn’t as firm as his 2024 finish might suggest.	NYG	172
RB93	Hassan Haskins	LAC	150
RB94	Ray Davis	BUF	150
RB95	Hunter Luepke	DAL	143
RB96	Jaylen Wright	MIA	136
RB97	Blake Corum	LAR	129
RB98	Braelon Allen Draft Note by John Paulsen Allen’s rookie year didn’t exactly move the needle—he turned 92 carries into 334 yards (3.6 YPC) and two touchdowns, while adding 19 catches for 148 yards and another score through the air. His advanced metrics backed up the surface stats: he was generally mediocre across the board, lacking the burst or tackle-breaking chops to stand out. Still, there’s reason for cautious optimism. The Jets reportedly want to model their offense after Ben Johnson’s scheme in Detroit, with Breece Hall in the Jahmyr Gibbs role and Allen handling the David Montgomery duties. If that plan sticks, Allen could find himself in a valuable early-down and goal-line role in what should be a more efficient offense in 2025. With an ADP in the RB50s, Allen offers intriguing upside if the Jets’ coaching staff follows through on their vision—and if he proves capable of handling the Montgomery role. In Hall’s lone missed game, Allen turned 15 touches into 81 total yards. He’s a worthwhile late-round flier with low-end RB2 potential if things break right.	NYJ	129
RB99	Kimani Vidal	LAC	129
RB100	Alec Ingold	MIA	122
RB101	Carson Steele	KC	114
RB102	Rasheen Ali	BAL	107
RB103	Eric Gray	NYG	100
RB104	Will Shipley	PHI	86
RB105	MarShawn Lloyd	GB	71
RB106	Sione Vaki	DET	64
RB107	Bhayshul Tuten	JAX	36
RB108	Trevor Etienne	CAR	36
RB109	Kyle Monangai	CHI	36
RB110	Woody Marks	HOU	36
RB111	Kaleb Johnson Draft Note by John Paulsen The Steelers spent a third-round pick on Johnson, and while rookie running backs in this range often have limited Year 1 roles, there’s room for meaningful production. Since 2010, third-round backs who played at least 14 games have averaged 145 touches for 730 total yards and 4.8 touchdowns—a useful baseline for Johnson’s 2025 outlook. He’ll split time with Jaylen Warren, who averaged 10.5 touches per game last year behind Najee Harris (17.6). How much more the Steelers are willing to put on Warren’s plate will ultimately determine Johnson’s weekly fantasy value. He’s likely to handle goal-line duties, which gives him sneaky touchdown upside in what could be a more balanced, efficient offense under offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Johnson was an instinctive zone runner in college and finished 15th out of 67 backs in PFF rush grade among those with 100+ carries. He’s also a capable pass-catcher (22 receptions, 188 yards, 2 TDs as a junior) and showed more functional quickness on tape than he did in Combine testing. If he carves out 10–12 touches per game with red zone work, he could be a flex-worthy option with upside in deeper formats. If he fully assumes Harris's role, then RB2 numbers are well within reach.	PIT	36
RB112	Dylan Sampson Draft Note by John Paulsen The Browns doubled down at running back in the draft, selecting Quinshon Judkins in the second round and Dylan Sampson in the fourth. This doesn’t exactly come as a ringing endorsement for Jerome Ford despite his stellar 5.4 yards per carry last season. Of the two rookies, Judkins may have the superior athletic profile, but Sampson isn’t far behind—he boasts 4.51 speed and a 66th percentile burst score (per Player Profiler). More importantly, he was fifth in this year’s class in PFF rush grade, four spots ahead of Judkins. Sampson was incredibly productive in 2024, leading the SEC in rushing yards per game (114.7) and rushing touchdowns (22). He runs with urgency and decisiveness, and his resume suggests he could be more than just a change-of-pace option. Given Judkins’ off-field concerns—his July arrest could impact his availability—Sampson could have a real shot to win the starting job outright if he can overtake Ford. He’s a high-upside flier with the potential to return weekly FLEX value early and grow into an RB2 if he takes over this backfield.	CLE	36
RB113	DJ Giddens	IND	36
RB114	Devin Neal	NO	36
RB115	Jordan James	SF	36
RB116	Jacory Croskey-Merritt	WAS	36
RB117	Jarquez Hunter	LAR	36
RB118	Brashard Smith	KC	36
RB119	Kalel Mullings	TEN	36
RB120	Tahj Brooks	CIN	36

WR1	Marquez Valdes-Scantling Draft Note by John Paulsen Valdes-Scantling made a splash after joining the Saints, catching four touchdowns in his first three games. He had 347 yards in his first six games with the Saints--the fantasy WR20 in that span--before finishing the season with a goose egg and a 33-yard game in Weeks 17-18. With DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett out of the picture, there are plenty of snaps up for grabs and it's a good sign that MVS is playing for the offensive mind (Klint Kubiak) that squeezed some good production out of him in New Orleans. If he's a starter, he could post WR4/WR5-type numbers, though he’ll be fighting for the scraps left by Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.	SEA	768
WR2	Jameson Williams Draft Note by John Paulsen After a rocky start to his career, Williams broke out in Year 3, turning 91 targets into 58 catches for 1,001 yards and seven scores in 15 games, finishing as the WR19. He was a big-play threat all year, ranking 3rd in YAC per reception and 30th in yards per route run—both strong indicators of his development as a more complete receiver. Matt Harmon noted in Reception Perception that Williams "revived what was at one point looking like a shaky career," though he still has technical refinement and off-field consistency to prove. Still, the physical tools are clearly translating. A new offensive coordinator could introduce some volatility to the Lions’ passing game, but with Williams now firmly established as a strong No. 2 behind Amon-Ra St. Brown, another top-20 finish is well within reach. He’s a high-upside WR3 pick in the middle rounds.	DET	716
WR3	Christian Watson	GB	671
WR4	Alec Pierce	IND	671
WR5	A.J. Brown Draft Note by John Paulsen After a WR5 finish in 2023, Brown slipped to WR14 last season, though he was WR12 on a per-game basis after missing a few games. His targets dropped from 9.3 per game to 7.5, a noticeable decline that was mostly due to the Eagles' emphasis on the running game with Saquon Barkley in the fold. There’s optimism that new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo will open things up more in 2025, which would be good news for Brown. He finished 3rd in yards per route run among 110 qualified receivers, a strong indicator that he’s still among the most efficient wideouts in the league. A solid-yet-unspectacular YAC per reception mark (29th) suggests he wasn’t quite as explosive after the catch as he was in his first couple of seasons, but Brown remains a premier talent with a strong rapport with Jalen Hurts. He’s priced slightly below the WR1 tier in early drafts, but another top-five season is well within reach if the Eagles throw a little more.	PHI	641
WR6	Justin Jefferson Draft Note by John Paulsen After an injury-shortened 2023, Jefferson returned to form in 2024, finishing as the overall WR2 in both total points and per-game average. Jefferson racked up 108 receptions on 158 targets for 1,591 yards and 10 touchdowns, serving once again as the centerpiece of Kevin O’Connell’s offense. He continued to dominate efficiency metrics, finishing 7th in yards per route run among 88 qualified receivers. His route-running, separation, and body control remain elite, and the only real question mark entering 2025 is the quarterback change. J.J. McCarthy will likely face growing pains, but “In Kevin O’Connell We Trust”—this is still one of the more receiver- and quarterback-friendly systems in the league. With elite volume, proven talent, and a coaching staff that knows how to feed its alpha, Jefferson remains a top-two fantasy receiver and a safe first-round pick.	MIN	626
WR7	Brandon Aiyuk	SF	611
WR8	Rashod Bateman	BAL	611
WR9	Dyami Brown Draft Note by John Paulsen Brown had his best season as a pro, but that isn't saying a whole lot. He finished with 30 catches for 308 yards and one touchdown, though he began to emerge once Noah Brown was lost for the season. He finished with 42+ yards in four of his last five games and played at a 1,000-yard pace in that span. With Christian Kirk traded to the Texans, there is opportunity for Brown to see significant snaps for the Jaguars.	JAX	596
WR10	DK Metcalf Draft Note by John Paulsen Metcalf had a disappointing sixth season, posting his lowest yardage (992) since 2021 and the fewest touchdowns (5) of his career. George Pickens has moved on, so Metcalf is the lone established threat at receiver. Under OC Arthur Smith, the Steelers attempted the fourth-fewest passes and threw for the sixth-fewest yards in 2024, though Aaron Rodgers may boost the team’s pass percentage a bit. Metcalf should see all the targets he can handle, though the precisness of his route-running may eventually irk Rodgers.	PIT	574
WR11	Mike Evans Draft Note by John Paulsen Evans posted his 11th straight 1,000-yard season in 2024, finishing as the WR11 overall and WR9 on a per-game basis. He was the WR4 the year prior, and despite turning 32 in August, he’s shown virtually no signs of decline—he finished 5th among 110 qualified receivers in yards per route run. Evans continues to win with physicality, contested catch ability, and elite route nuance, and he remains the focal point of a passing attack led by a rejuvenated Baker Mayfield. While Father Time is always lurking, Evans’ continued dominance suggests he’s not ready to hand over the keys just yet. His age may scare off some drafters, but he’s been one of the most reliable fantasy receivers over the last decade. As long as he and Mayfield stay healthy, Evans should remain a weekly WR1/WR2 option in 2025.	TB	567
WR12	Tyreek Hill Draft Note by John Paulsen After leading the league with 1,799 receiving yards in 2023, Hill surprisingly failed to crack the 1,000-yard mark in 2024 despite playing all 17 games. He injured his wrist during training camp and gutted out the season, ultimately undergoing a pair of surgeries this offseason. The Dolphins are hopeful he’ll be ready for the start of camp. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception noted a “pretty concerning dropoff” across the board in Hill’s performance last year, particularly against man coverage, which had been a strength throughout his career. Now entering his age-31 season, it’s fair to question whether Hill’s elite days are behind him or if the wrist injury played a larger role in last year’s inefficiency than we realize. Given his track record, Hill shouldn’t be written off, but drafters may want to bake in a bit more risk. If healthy, he still has the speed and role to return WR1 value, but the floor is lower than it’s been in years.	MIA	567
WR13	Jaylen Waddle Draft Note by John Paulsen Waddle took a step back in 2024, averaging just 4.1 catches for 58 yards and 0.20 touchdowns on 5.3 targets in 10 games with Tua Tagovailoa—production that landed him in WR4 territory on a per-game basis. That’s a far cry from the high-end WR2 output he posted in 2022-23, when he averaged 4.8 catches for 79 yards and 0.44 touchdowns in 27 games with Tagovailoa. The question heading into 2025 is whether Waddle can recapture that earlier chemistry. His talent remains undeniable, but the Dolphins’ passing game cooled off last season, and with Tyreek Hill recovering from offseason surgeries, defenses may focus more attention on Waddle. He has the skill set to bounce back, but fantasy managers drafting him as a WR3 are betting on a return to form that’s no longer guaranteed.	MIA	559
WR14	Jerry Jeudy Draft Note by John Paulsen After a disappointing start, Jerry Jeudy became a consistent producer starting in Week 8 and finished the season as the fantasy WR12, though his WR26 per-game ranking tells a more tempered story. His best stretch came with Jameis Winston under center, averaging 80 yards per game in that span. Jeudy’s outlook hinges on the quarterback situation. Kenny Pickett appears to be the favorite to start, which could limit Jeudy’s ceiling in an otherwise solid offensive environment. His underlying metrics—middle of the pack in both YAC per reception and yards per route run—don’t scream production, but his strong finish last year shows what he's capable of with competent quarterback play. He profiles as a high-end WR3 with some volatility baked in.	CLE	559
WR15	Nico Collins Draft Note by John Paulsen Collins broke out in 2023 and followed it up with another great season, catching 80 passes for 1,209 yards and eight touchdowns in just 12 games. He finished WR26 overall, but he was the WR7 on a per-game basis, clearly cementing himself as C.J. Stroud’s go-to target in the Texans’ high-powered passing attack. Efficiency metrics continue to paint Collins as one of the league’s most dangerous receivers. Among 88 qualified WRs, he ranked 2nd in yards per route run (YPRR), a stat that correlates strongly with fantasy success. He was also 23rd in YAC per reception and 25th in contested catch rate, showing he's effective both after the catch and in tight coverage. His blend of size, route-running precision, and efficiency makes him an extremely tough cover, particularly in the intermediate game—an area of the field where Matt Harmon of Reception Perception says Collins “might just be the best route runner in the NFL.” With Stefon Diggs gone and Tank Dell recovering from multiple injuries, Collins is locked in as Stroud’s WR1 and has the skill set and role to finish as a fantasy WR1 (perhaps THE fantasy WR1) in 2025.	HOU	529
WR16	Terry McLaurin Draft Note by John Paulsen After four straight years with 1,000+ yards and five or fewer touchdowns, McLaurin finally delivered a true breakout season--82 catches, 1,096 yards, and 13 touchdowns--finishing as the WR6 overall thanks in large part to Jayden Daniels’ impressive rookie campaign. On a per-game basis, he was the WR16, so he did benefit from playing a full slate. McLaurin finished 30th (of 112 qualifiers) in yards per route run, and while that’s not elite, it’s a solid mark for a player who has long produced despite questionable quarterback play. Turning 30 in September, McLaurin could see his target share squeezed a bit with Deebo Samuel joining the fold, but his biggest obstacle might be his contract situation. He said he’s “pretty frustrated” with the lack of progress in negotiations and that “it’s hard to see me stepping on the field” without progress towards a new deal. If things get resolved, McLaurin should slot in as a low-end WR2 with upside, assuming the offense keeps humming.	WAS	529
WR17	Ja'Marr Chase Draft Note by John Paulsen Chase bounced back in a massive way in 2024, finishing as the overall WR1 in both total points and per-game average. He racked up 127 receptions on 171 targets for 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns, once again showcasing why he belongs in the elite tier of fantasy receivers. From an efficiency standpoint, Chase was as good as ever. Among 88 qualified receivers, he finished 8th in yards per route run, 12th in YAC per reception, and 11th in targeted QB rating—a testament to both his own talent and his chemistry with Joe Burrow. He was dominant at all levels of the field and continued to be a nightmare for opposing defenses. With the Bengals returning one of the league’s most potent passing attacks and Chase still firmly in his prime, there’s no reason to overthink this one. He’s an elite fantasy WR1 and one of the safest high-end first-round picks on the board in 2025.	CIN	529
WR18	Tee Higgins Draft Note by John Paulsen Higgins played 12 games last season on the franchise tag and made the most of it, finishing as the WR18 overall and WR3 on a per-game basis. He set a career high with 9.1 targets per game (previous best: 7.9 in 2021) and parlayed that volume into his most productive season yet. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception said 2024 “may have been his best campaign as a pro,” and the Bengals clearly agreed, rewarding him with a long-term deal in March. Higgins finished 26th in yards per route run—solid WR2 territory—but his YAC/reception rank (86th out of 110 qualified receivers) underscores his more traditional, downfield possession role. That said, he doesn’t need YAC to win. He wins with size, physicality, and high-value targets from one of the league’s best quarterbacks. He’s finally locked into the Bengals’ long-term plans and should remain a high-volume WR2 with weekly WR1 upside in 2025.	CIN	522
WR19	Courtland Sutton Draft Note by John Paulsen Sutton turned in a WR15 finish last year, buoyed by Bo Nix’s unexpectedly strong rookie campaign and a continued lack of serious target competition in Denver. Sutton was 32nd in yards per route run—an above-average mark—but remained near the bottom of the league in YAC/rec, underscoring his role as more of a contested-catch, sideline-winning presence than a post-catch dynamo. The Broncos did add Evan Engram in free agency and Pat Bryant in the draft, and Marvin Mims could take a step forward in Year 3 after a strong finish last season, but Sutton should once again be Nix’s go-to guy on the outside. His profile suggests another solid WR2 season is within reach, though his weekly ceiling may be capped if Mims or Engram emerge as more dynamic after-the-catch options.	DEN	522
WR20	George Pickens Draft Note by John Paulsen After a WR20 finish in 2023, Pickens slipped to WR38 last season while catching passes from Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. A move to Dallas should help his fantasy value even if he plays second fiddle to CeeDee Lamb. The Cowboys may not have much of a running game, which could force them to be more pass-heavy, and Pickens has shown the ability to thrive with volume. He posted a solid 23rd-place finish in yards per route run (of 112 qualified receivers), though his YAC/rec numbers remain average, consistent with his downfield, perimeter role. Pickens likely won't see WR1 volume, but he has the talent to produce WR2 numbers in a pass-first offense, especially if Lamb were to miss any time. As a fantasy WR3 with upside, he's an intriguing target in the middle rounds.	DAL	507
WR21	DeVonta Smith Draft Note by John Paulsen Smith followed up a WR18 campaign in 2023 with a WR24 finish last season, though he was WR17 on a per-game basis. He continues to shine as one of the league’s premier route-runners and posted above-average marks in both yards per route run (29th) and YAC per reception (44th). Smith is a rock-solid WR2 with weekly upside, but his ceiling remains capped in Philadelphia’s run-leaning offense. A.J. Brown is going to get his targets, and as long as he's healthy, Smith will be fighting for volume in a crowded attack. If Brown were to miss time, Smith has already shown that he can produce top-10 numbers with expanded opportunity. In the meantime, drafters should continue to view him as a high-floor, low-WR2 with room to spike if the situation breaks in his favor.	PHI	499
WR22	Tyler Lockett	TEN	499
WR23	Josh Reynolds	NYJ	477
WR24	Darius Slayton Draft Note by John Paulsen Slayton has had his moments, especially prior to the arrival of Malik Nabers, but he's at best the third option behind Nabers and Wan'Dale Robinson in what's been a bad passing attack. Barring an injury to one of the Giants' top two receivers, it's unlikely that Slayton holds much fantasy value in 2025.	NYG	462
WR25	Chris Olave Draft Note by John Paulsen Prior to missing the second half of the season with a concussion, Olave had his ups and downs, gaining 80+ yards in four of his six healthy games while failing to reach 12 yards in the other two games. In those six healthy games and in 2023, Olave has averaged 5.3 receptions for 68 yards and 0.27 touchdowns, which are high-end WR2 numbers. But that was with the competent Derek Carr at quarterback–the Saints are now looking at starting rookie Tyler Shough, so Olave’s upside depends on how quickly Shough can get up to NFL speed. Olave’s concussion history also gives me pause, since he has five known concussions since 2020.	NO	455
WR26	David Moore	CAR	455
WR27	CeeDee Lamb Draft Note by John Paulsen After finishing as the overall WR1 in 2023, Lamb followed it up with a WR5 campaign in 2024, cementing himself as one of the league’s elite fantasy wideouts. In 25 games with Dak Prescott over the last two seasons, Lamb has averaged a whopping 7.5 receptions for 96 yards and 0.64 touchdowns—essentially WR1 numbers every week. He was 13th in yards per route run and 28th in YAC/rec. The addition of George Pickens gives Dallas another capable receiver, but Lamb remains entrenched as the alpha in this passing game. Lamb may ultimately be helped by Pickens' presence as the defense won't be able to focus solely on stopping Lamb.	DAL	455
WR28	Travis Hunter Draft Note by John Paulsen Hunter enters the league as a unique prospect—an elite two-way talent who may not be a full-time receiver if he carves out a significant role on defense. Still, The Athletic’s Jacob Robinson reports to “expect an offense-heavy start,” suggesting the team plans to use him primarily at wideout, at least early on. Hunter was the first receiver off the board in the draft, and the five receivers selected inside the top 5 since 2010 who played at least 15 games averaged 69 catches for 1,086 yards and 7.4 touchdowns—essentially WR2 production. Matt Harmon charted Hunter with the rare "all green" route tree, calling him “without a doubt” the best receiver prospect in the class and someone with “all the calling cards of a future star No. 1 wide receiver.” If his snaps on offense are consistent, Hunter has the talent and draft capital to produce right away. His role is the key variable, but there's top-20 upside if he sees regular usage.	JAX	447
WR29	Deebo Samuel Draft Note by John Paulsen Samuel is entering his age-29 season, which isn’t ancient by receiver standards, but there’s reason to wonder if he’s already on the downslope. Last year, he set career lows in receptions per game (3.4) and receiving yards per game (44.7), and posted his fewest rushing yards (136) since 2020. Despite playing 15 games, he finished as the fantasy WR47, a far cry from his WR9 campaign the year before. Now in Washington, Samuel is hoping to bounce back in what could be an ascending Commanders offense led by rookie Jayden Daniels. The fit is intriguing—Samuel could thrive on manufactured touches and short-area work if the offense clicks under Kliff Kingsbury—but his declining production and age-related concerns make him tough to trust as more than middle-round pick. He’ll need a significant role and efficiency bump to return to weekly fantasy relevance.	WAS	447
WR30	Matthew Golden Draft Note by John Paulsen The Packers broke a long-standing trend by selecting Golden, their first receiver taken in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002. While his underlying metrics—yards per route run and YAC per reception—were middling, Golden brings legit 4.29 speed and a physical edge that Green Bay’s receiving corps has lacked. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception praised Golden’s ability in contested situations, calling him “truly special” and a “sneaky tough downfield wideout with good hands.” That gives him a potential path to fantasy relevance, even if his rookie-year volume is uncertain. Christian Watson is reportedly “ahead of schedule” in his return from an ACL injury, which could complicate Golden’s early-season role. Still, the Packers are clearly high on his skill set. While he may be a better real-life asset early on, Golden has the tools to emerge as a deep threat or contested catch specialist as the year wears on. Consider him a stash with WR4 upside and room to grow.	GB	447
WR31	D.J. Moore Draft Note by John Paulsen After a WR7 finish in 2023 with Justin Fields under center, Moore took a step back last season, finishing WR21 overall and WR32 on a per-game basis as the Bears’ passing game struggled to find consistency. Despite the dip in production, Moore still flashed his big-play ability, ranking 20th in YAC per reception among 110 qualified receivers. With Keenan Allen no longer in the picture and Ben Johnson taking over the offense, Moore’s outlook is looking brighter. Johnson orchestrated one of the league’s most creative and productive passing attacks in Detroit, and if he can replicate even a portion of that success in Chicago, Moore stands to benefit. He is still the top dog in the Bears’ receiving room, and if the offensive upgrade materializes, he could return to midrange WR2 territory with WR1 upside in spike weeks.	CHI	440
WR32	Calvin Ridley Draft Note by John Paulsen Ridley followed up a WR24 season with the Jaguars in 2023 by finishing WR29 with the Titans last year, a respectable but unspectacular showing given the volatility in Tennessee's offense. He now enters his second season with the team as the clear favorite for WR1 duties. Despite the additions of Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson, Ridley faces minimal target competition, and he should benefit from the arrival of rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who brings much-needed juice to the passing game. Ridley posted an above-average 35th-place finish (among 112 qualifiers) in yards per route run and continues to be a reliable technician, though his YAC/rec numbers were middling. He’s unlikely to regain the elite form he showed in Atlanta a few years ago, but with a projected uptick in passing efficiency and volume, he’s a solid WR3 with WR2 upside in 2025 drafts.	TEN	440
WR33	Demarcus Robinson Draft Note by John Paulsen With Deebo Samuel traded away and Brandon Aiyuk recovering from an ACL tear that puts his Week 1 availability in serious doubt, the 49ers' receiver room is looking thin. Jauan Jennings had a breakout season--77 catches, 975 yards, six touchdowns--but Robinson will have an opportunity, especially early in the season, to carve out a role. Still, he cracked 500 yards for the first time in his ninth season and is unlikely to make a fantasy splash even if Aiyuk is sidelined.	SF	432
WR34	Kalif Raymond	DET	432
WR35	Christian Kirk Draft Note by John Paulsen Houston waa a good landing spot for Kirk given that Stefon Diggs (free agency) is gone and Tank Dell (knee injury) may not be around in 2025, though the Texans added both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel in the second and third rounds of the Draft, respectively. Kirk averaged 65+ yards in both 2022 and 2023 before Brian Thomas drank his milkshake last season. He’s still just 28 years old, and could serve as C.J. Stroud’s WR2, though if either or both rookies emerge, Kirk’s role will shrink.	HOU	425
WR36	Jermaine Burton	CIN	417
WR37	Olamide Zaccheaus	CHI	417
WR38	Luther Burden	CHI	410
WR39	Tetairoa McMillan Draft Note by John Paulsen McMillan was taken No. 8 overall in April’s draft, and history tells us that receivers picked this high generally produce right away. Among first-round wideouts selected inside the top 16 who played at least 14 games, the average rookie season is 67-952-5.7—solid WR4 numbers. Narrow that to those who started at least 12 games, and the average jumps to 72-1022-6.5, which is fantasy WR3 territory. McMillan’s advanced metrics back up the hype—he posted the 10th-highest receiving grade at PFF and ranked 13th in yards per route run in this year’s class. Matt Harmon compared his profile to that of Michael Pittman or Courtland Sutton, noting that while he’s not quite Drake London, McMillan still offers versatility and size as a perimeter option who can move around. The wild card here is Bryce Young. He needs a lifeline, and the Panthers are hoping McMillan can be that guy. If he starts most games, he should push for low-end WR3 numbers with upside for more if Young takes a step forward.	CAR	410
WR40	Rashid Shaheed Draft Note by John Paulsen Shaheed was enjoying a breakout campaign as the fantasy WR20 through the first six weeks before suffering a meniscus injury that derailed his season. He should be ready for camp, but his boom-or-bust tendencies from 2024 remain a concern—he posted four games with at least 73 yards and three touchdowns, but also delivered a pair of clunkers with 11 yards or fewer. He offers added value as a threat in the running game, but the quarterback situation is murky and clearly a downgrade from last year, making it harder to trust Shaheed on a weekly basis. After finishing WR47 in 2023, he flashed a higher ceiling before the injury last year, but unless the Saints get more consistent quarterback play, he’s a volatile WR4 best suited for best ball or boom-needy lineups.	NO	410
WR41	Drake London Draft Note by John Paulsen After a slow start to his career, London finally delivered on his first-round draft pedigree, finishing as the WR9 in 2024. The third-year breakout was fueled in part by a promising connection with rookie quarterback Michael Penix, who targeted London on an outrageous 39.1% of his pass attempts. London turned those looks into 22 catches for 352 yards and two touchdowns in just under three games of action. While his YAC per reception (80th among 110 qualified receivers) leaves something to be desired, London’s route-running chops are undeniable—he ranked 12th in yards per route run, a key indicator of individual efficiency. With Penix under center and the Falcons’ offense trending upward, London looks like a locked-in WR1 with room to climb.	ATL	403
WR42	D'Wayne Eskridge	MIA	395
WR43	Dante Pettis	NO	395
WR44	Rondale Moore	MIN	395
WR45	Noah Brown Draft Note by John Paulsen Brown has been sneaky productive over the last three years, especially when he sees big snaps. In his last 23 games with a snap share of at least 70%, Brown has averaged 3.5 catches for 53.1 yards and 0.26 touches. That's a 60-903-4.4 pace over a full, 17-game season. Dyami Brown has moved on, but the Commanders traded for Deebo Samuel, so Brown will be competing for WR3 targets behind Samuel and Terry McLaurin.	WAS	380
WR46	Jahan Dotson	PHI	380
WR47	Garrett Wilson Draft Note by John Paulsen Wilson finally broke through in 2024, finishing as the WR10 after a WR30 campaign the year before. He managed the jump despite playing with a diminished version of Aaron Rodgers for most of the season, which makes his breakout all the more impressive. Wilson caught 96 passes for 1,242 yards and seven touchdowns on 157 targets. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception called Wilson “one of the best separators in the NFL,” and expects big things from new offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. Harmon notes that if Engstrand brings over the design philosophy from Detroit, “Wilson’s deployment is going to get a profound and much-needed shift.” That could lead to even better efficiency, especially if new quarterback Justin Fields is able to replicate the rapport he had with D.J. Moore in Chicago (92 yards and 0.67 touchdowns per game in 12 contests with Fields). Fields may not be a prolific passer, but he's shown the ability to support a true WR1 — and Wilson certainly fits the bill.	NYJ	380
WR48	Allen Lazard	NYJ	380
WR49	Tylan Wallace	BAL	373
WR50	Brandin Cooks	NO	373
WR51	Ashton Dulin	IND	373
WR52	KhaDarel Hodge	ATL	373
WR53	Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Draft Note by John Paulsen Westbrook-Ikhine finished as the fantasy WR51 despite catching a career-high nine touchdowns. He hasn't cracked the 500-yard mark in five seasons, though he had 497 yards last year and 476 yards back in 2021. He'll have a chance to win the WR3 job but is unlikely to turn into a regular fantasy contributor barring an injury to Tyreek Hill or Jaylen Waddle.	MIA	373
WR54	Jalen Tolbert	DAL	373
WR55	Michael Pittman Jr.	IND	365
WR56	Anthony Miller	BAL	365
WR57	Davante Adams Draft Note by John Paulsen Cooper Kupp’s 8.3 targets per game are up for grabs. Adams has seen 10+ targets per game for seven straight seasons, so it’s possible that either he or Puka Nacua may see a slightly reduced role than what they’ve been used to. Considering Adams’ age (32), he’s more likely to cede work than Nacua, who is just entering his prime target-earning years. Still, Adams’ is riding a five-year streak of at least 1,000 yards and if he can stay healthy, he’s likely to make it six with Sean McVay scheming the offense. That puts him squarely in the WR2 range.	LAR	365
WR58	Mack Hollins	NE	365
WR59	Scott Miller	PIT	358
WR60	Khalil Shakir Draft Note by John Paulsen Shakir quietly delivered a solid season in 2024, finishing WR35 overall and WR42 on a per-game basis. Dig a little deeper, though, and there are signs of a potential breakout. He ranked 18th in yards per route run and an elite 5th in yards after catch per reception, showing he's making the most of his opportunities in a pass-heavy Buffalo offense. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception called him an "excellent starter as a slot option" and even floated the idea that Shakir’s career could follow a trajectory similar to Amon-Ra St. Brown’s. He plays with one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Josh Allen, and while the Bills did bring in Joshua Palmer and Elijah Moore, Shakir’s 6.7 targets per game should remain stable. The concern is that Buffalo still likes to spread the ball around, so a true WR1 leap might not be in the cards. Still, in the WR4 range, Shakir is a rock-solid pick with weekly WR2 upside.	BUF	358
WR61	Chris Godwin Draft Note by John Paulsen Godwin turned down a reported $20 million to re-sign with the Bucs. He’s recovering from a major ankle injury but is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the 2025 season, though in July it was revealed that he underwent a second, planned surgery. At the time of his injury, Godwin was the overall fantasy WR2 through seven games after a WR33 finish in 2023. Godwin ran nearly 62% of his snaps out of the slot, which was a big jump from his 37% mark in 2023 (and certainly helped his overall fantasy production). The arrival of Emeka Egbuka (81.1% slot usage) could impact Godwin’s slot usage, but he was so effective last year that the Bucs would be wise to let him cook. Godwin is typically underappreciated in fantasy circles so given his injury and his elite production in early 2024, he should be a good value on draft day, provided that his ankle is ready to go.	TB	350
WR62	Anthony Gould	IND	350
WR63	Elijah Moore	BUF	350
WR64	DeAndre Hopkins Draft Note by John Paulsen The 32-year-old Hopkins averaged a career-low 38.1 receiving yards per game. His yards per route run (1.71) was solid (but not great) for a receiver but it was Hopkins' lowest mark since 2016. He can still contribute as a possession receiver, but his days of elite fantasy WR1 (or even WR2) production are likely over, especially playing for the run-oriented Ravens.	BAL	350
WR65	Amon-Ra St. Brown Draft Note by John Paulsen St. Brown followed up his WR3 finish in 2023 with another WR3 season in 2024, finishing fifth on a per-game basis. He continues to be one of the most reliable receivers in football, having missed just two games in his four-year career. A new offensive coordinator could shake things up a bit in Detroit, but St. Brown’s role as the focal point of the passing attack should remain intact. He finished 11th in yards per route run and has proven to be both efficient and volume-driven—a rare combo. Fantasy managers should feel comfortable drafting him as a midrange to high-end WR1 once again.	DET	350
WR66	Hollywood Brown Draft Note by John Paulsen Brown appeared in five games including three playoff games, catching 14-of-28 targets for 141 yards and no touchdowns. He saw 15 targets in his first two games and just 13 in his final three (playoff) games despite his snap percentage increasing from 27%-40% in the regular season to the 65%-73% in the postseason. If Worthy and Rashee Rice are healthy, and Travis Kelce is back, Brown figures to be at best the fourth option in the Kansas City passing game. Rice is likely to be suspended for a few games, and Brown’s value will get a bump while he’s out.	KC	350
WR67	Darnell Mooney Draft Note by John Paulsen Mooney showed some signs of life in 2024, averaging 4.1 receptions for 62 yards and 0.36 touchdowns in 14 games with Kirk Cousins under center—production that landed him squarely in the low-end WR3 conversation. But when Michael Penix Jr. took over in Weeks 16 and 17, Mooney's numbers dipped to 3.5 receptions for 60 yards and no touchdowns, more in line with WR5 output. That said, Penix did target Mooney on 17.7% of his attempts (11 of 62), which isn’t terrible usage for a new connection still finding its rhythm. Touchdown regression could help smooth things out—Mooney failed to score in either of those games, despite seeing a couple of red zone looks. If Penix proves competent and leans on Mooney more heavily as a trusted veteran, there's some upside here. For now, he profiles as a volatile WR4/WR5 option with a path to relevancy if the quarterback situation stabilizes.	ATL	350
WR68	Skyy Moore	KC	335
WR69	Tim Patrick	DET	335
WR70	Jalen Nailor	MIN	335
WR71	Ihmir Smith-Marsette	NYG	328
WR72	Cooper Kupp Draft Note by John Paulsen The Seahawks cut Tyler Lockett and traded DK Metcalf away so they had some work to do at receiver. Kupp has ties to the area and should soak up plenty of targets playing alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba, though both players typically line up in the slot (Smith-Njigba 83.6%, Kupp 65.3% last year). Kupp is not the type of player I'd pick to join JSN in the offense, but he can certainly teach the third-year player a thing or two. Kupp averaged 1.88 yards per route run last year, which was well off his career average (2.25), but still above average league-wide and better than JSN's mark (1.81). Kupp's arrival makes Sam Darnold more appealing as a QB2-type.	SEA	328
WR73	Stefon Diggs Draft Note by John Paulsen Diggs is 31 and coming off a torn ACL that cost him half of the 2024 season. Prior to his injury, he was averaging 62.0 yards per game, his lowest average since his third season in the league, but he was still on pace for his seventh straight 1,000-yard season had he played the full 17 games. Five months after his injury, he is reportedly ahead of schedule and is on track to be ready for the start of the season, which is key for his potential fantasy value. I'm not too alarmed by his 2024 numbers since he was joining a new team (Texans) in a lesser role, but his decline from 2022 (89.3 yards per game) to 2023 (69.6) was significant. As he enters his 11th-season, he's expected to continue a fairly steep drop off per Ryan Heath's excellent Age Curves Study. The one thing working in Diggs' favor, however, is the lack of target competition in New England. Hunter Henry and Demario Douglas led the Patriots with 66 catches apiece, so Diggs should see all the targets he can handle if he can still get open and can hold off rookie Kyle Williams. Per ESPN's Open Score, Diggs was as good (83) last year as he was in 2022 (83). It doesn't hurt that he'll have the up-and-coming Drake Maye throwing the ball, either. Diggs raised some eyebrows this offseason when video leaked of him on a boat holding a bag of pink powder was leaked, so that’s a situation to monitor.	NE	328
WR74	Joshua Palmer Draft Note by John Paulsen After flashing significant upside in his second and third seasons--mainly when other Charger receivers were injured--Palmer's 2024 production was disappointing given the departures of both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams. Palmer failed to outproduce Quentin Johnston, who bested Palmer in receptions (55 to 39), yards (711 to 584), and touchdowns (8 to 1). In Buffalo, Palmer replaces Mack Hollins, who signed a two-year deal to join the Patriots.	BUF	321
WR75	Austin Trammell	JAX	321
WR76	Tutu Atwell	LAR	313
WR77	JuJu Smith-Schuster	KC	313
WR78	Devontez Walker	BAL	306
WR79	Emeka Egbuka Draft Note by John Paulsen Egbuka enters the league with a polished profile and a clear runway to early-season snaps if Chris Godwin misses any time. He posted a strong senior season at Ohio State—81 catches for 1,011 yards and eight touchdowns—and finished 27th out of 151 qualified receivers in yards per route run, a strong indicator that his game will translate to the pros. The historical comps are encouraging. Among the 11 first-round receivers drafted in the second half of the round since 2010 who played at least 14 games, the group averaged 58.3-779-5.0. That jumps to 62-879-4.9 if they started at least 10 games, so if Egbuka earns a substantial role early, WR3/WR4 production is in play. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception describes him as “ready-made to be a rock-solid slot-leaning option” with “plenty of production-based upside.” He may not be flashy, but Egbuka’s well-rounded skill set and pro-ready route running make him an intriguing 10th-round pick with a high floor and sneaky upside.	TB	298
WR80	Van Jefferson	TEN	298
WR81	Jaylin Noel	HOU	298
WR82	Robert Woods	PIT	298
WR83	Kyle Williams Draft Note by John Paulsen Williams turned heads in the pre-draft process with his 4.40 speed and ability to generate yards after the catch. He backed it up with strong advanced metrics—he ranked 16th in yards per route run and 6th in YAC per reception—suggesting he can create on his own, not just capitalize on schemed touches. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception praised his “multi-layered separation skills with explosive potential as a YAC threat,” reinforcing the idea that Williams can win in multiple ways. He was a third-round pick, and while Day 2 receivers aren't guaranteed volume, there's a track record of success: the four third-rounders since 2010 who started at least 11 games as rookies averaged 50 catches for 711 yards and nearly six touchdowns—WR4 production. If Williams carves out a role early, he could reach that benchmark. At 5’11”, 190 pounds, Williams profiles as a versatile slot/outside option, and his main target competition—an aging Stefon Diggs and the undersized Demario Douglas—doesn’t present an insurmountable hurdle. If he starts the season in three-WR sets, he’ll be on the fantasy radar as a late-round flier with upside.	NE	298
WR84	Jayden Higgins	HOU	298
WR85	Adam Thielen	CAR	298
WR86	Jack Bech	LV	298
WR87	Jacob Cowing	SF	291
WR88	Jauan Jennings Draft Note by John Paulsen One of the biggest values that I see on the board is Jauan Jennings, who I have ranked as a low-end WR2 with a multi-site ADP and a consensus rank of a low-end WR3/high-end WR4. He was 14th in yards per route run (per PFF). Deebo Samuel is gone and Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a torn ACL/MCL isn’t expected to play until midseason. Jennings has proven to be a rock-solid option for Brock Purdy and actually performed a bit better with Aiyuk in the lineup last season, so I’m not worried about the timing of Aiyuk’s return. He also outscored Aiyuk 10.8 to 7.8 in the six non-injury games they played together. In the five games that both Samuel and Aiyuk played, Jennings averaged 2.8 catches on 46 yards and zero touchdowns on 4.8 targets per game. In the 10 games that either (or both) Samuel and Aiyuk missed, Jennings averaged 6.3 catches for 75 yards and 0.6 touchdowns on 8.9 targets per game. Those are low-end WR1 numbers, folks. Looking at the last two seasons, when Jennings has played at least 70% of the snaps, he has averaged 5.3 catches (on 7.6 targets) for 66 yards and 0.50 touchdowns per game. That works out to 12.2 fantasy points per game, or low-end WR2 numbers.	SF	291
WR89	Ray-Ray McCloud	ATL	283
WR90	Kendrick Bourne	NE	283
WR91	Sterling Shepard	TB	276
WR92	Romeo Doubs	GB	276
WR93	Cedrick Wilson	NO	276
WR94	Curtis Samuel	BUF	268
WR95	Keon Coleman Draft Note by John Paulsen Coleman flashed at times during his rookie season, finishing with 32 catches on 64 targets for 578 yards and 4 touchdowns in 13 games. That was good enough for a WR67 finish overall and WR55 on a per-game basis—not terrible for a Day 2 rookie, but not enough to crack starting lineups in most leagues. Coleman’s best trait was his run-after-catch ability. He finished 6th out of 88 qualified receivers in YAC per reception, showcasing surprising elusiveness and physicality with the ball in his hands. However, the rest of his profile was underwhelming—he ranked 75th in contested catch rate and 50th in yards per route run, and struggled to separate or make plays downfield consistently. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception noted that Buffalo used Coleman as a vertical X-receiver in his rookie year and “seem to believe that’s his long-term role,” but also questioned that projection: “There is just nothing in his Reception Perception prospect or rookie year profile that indicates that he will become a high-volume consistent starter in that spot.” Coleman remains an intriguing dynasty stash, but he’ll need a significant jump in efficiency or usage to matter in redraft formats.	BUF	268
WR96	Marvin Mims Draft Note by John Paulsen Mims is an intriguing receiver going in the WR5/WR6 range. He’s entering his third season after a strong finish in 2024. From Week 11 to Week 18, he averaged 4.0 receptions for 62 yards and 0.86 touchdowns on 4.7 targets per game. He only played 33% of the snaps in that span, and he isn’t likely to keep up that touchdown production without a bump in snaps, but he deserves to play more. In that span, he had the 18th-highest PFF receiving grade and posted the highest yards per route run (4.54). If his snaps don’t increase, he’s unlikely to become a major fantasy factor, but more playing time could result in fantasy-starter type numbers. Keep an eye on third-rounder Pat Bryant this summer as his progress could impede a potential Mims’ breakout season.	DEN	268
WR97	Wan'Dale Robinson	NYG	261
WR98	Jakobi Meyers Draft Note by John Paulsen Meyers finished WR31 last season, but that doesn’t tell the whole story. In 12 games without Davante Adams (due to injury and after trade), Meyers averaged 6.1 receptions for 73 yards and 0.25 touchdowns, for 12.0 (half-PPR) points per game, or low-end WR2 numbers. His 9.3 targets per game without Adams would have tied Drake London for the sixth-most in the league over the course of a full season, and he’s getting a quarterback upgrade in the form of Geno Smith. He’s a WR4 in both multi-site ADP and consensus rank, though I have him agood bit higher. Jack Bech is an interesting sleeper at WR61–Matt Harmon of Reception Perception loves him–but Meyers should still garner more targets. Fellow rookie Dont’e Thornton apparently tore up minicamp so he’s worth monitoring as well.	LV	261
WR99	Diontae Johnson	CLE	253
WR100	Jayden Reed Draft Note by John Paulsen Reed followed up a WR26 rookie campaign with a WR25 finish last season, continuing to produce despite modest usage in the Packers’ balanced, spread-it-around passing attack. His targets dipped from 5.9 per game to 4.4, but he became more involved in the run game (20 carries for 163 yards and a score), and his efficiency remained strong—he finished 18th in yards per route run and 10th in YAC/rec. Even with Christian Watson recovering from a torn ACL and rookie Matthew Golden stepping in, Reed's role likely won’t change much. He still only plays around 60% of the snaps since he’s not typically on the field in two-WR sets. As a result, he projects for another high-end WR3 finish with occasional spike weeks, but it’s hard to get too excited about his ceiling unless LaFleur unexpectedly features him more prominently.	GB	253
WR101	DeAndre Carter	CLE	253
WR102	Ben Skowronek	PIT	246
WR103	Calvin Austin III	PIT	246
WR104	Zay Jones	ARI	246
WR105	David Bell	CLE	239
WR106	Tre Tucker	LV	239
WR107	Tory Horton	SEA	224
WR108	Chris Blair	ATL	224
WR109	John Metchie	HOU	224
WR110	Jordan Addison Draft Note by John Paulsen Addison finished WR17 last season, buoyed by an impressive 10 touchdowns, though his underlying usage and efficiency tell a more modest story. His yards per route run and YAC per reception were middling, suggesting he may have overperformed a bit in the touchdown department. A regression in scoring could push him back toward WR3 territory if his volume doesn’t increase. On the plus side, Addison made “big strides in his second NFL season,” according to Matt Harmon of Reception Perception, who also noted he was “much better and more consistent at separating against man coverage.” That’s an encouraging sign for a young receiver trying to solidify a long-term role alongside Justin Jefferson. There’s also some off-field risk after a DUI offense that was pleaded down to a lesser charge. A suspension is still possible, which could cut into his 2025 production. If he avoids discipline and continues progressing, Addison should once again be in the weekly WR2/WR3 conversation, but fantasy managers should keep expectations tempered given the red flags.	MIN	224
WR111	Savion Williams	GB	224
WR112	Tyler Johnson	NYJ	216
WR113	Collin Johnson	LV	216
WR114	Jalin Hyatt	NYG	216
WR115	K.J. Osborn	WAS	216
WR116	Jalen Brooks	DAL	216
WR117	Greg Dortch	ARI	209
WR118	Michael Wilson	ARI	209
WR119	Puka Nacua Draft Note by John Paulsen After finishing as the WR6 in his breakout rookie campaign, Nacua delivered another strong season in 2024, finishing WR23 overall but WR6 on a per-game basis. He once again proved to be a monster in advanced metrics—1st in yards per route run and 14th in YAC per reception (among 110 qualified receivers). With Cooper Kupp finally out of the picture, Davante Adams steps in, but Nacua is already entrenched as a target hog in Sean McVay’s offense. There’s continuity with Matthew Stafford under center and no major red flags in terms of usage or efficiency. Nacua should be considered a midrange WR1 with weekly top-5 upside, especially in PPR formats.	LAR	209
WR120	Trey Palmer	TB	201
WR121	Zay Flowers Draft Note by John Paulsen Flowers followed up his WR27 rookie campaign with a WR22 finish in his second season, continuing to show steady growth as Lamar Jackson’s top wideout. He finished 16th in yards per route run and 17th in YAC/rec, solidifying his role as a high-efficiency playmaker in a Baltimore offense that doesn't always lean pass-heavy but remains productive through the air. Flowers has proven capable of earning targets and creating after the catch, though he still profiles best as a low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 heading into 2025. With no major additions to the Ravens' receiving corps and another year of continuity in the offense, Flowers offers a high floor in PPR formats, even if the ceiling remains limited in a run-oriented system.	BAL	201
WR122	Dontayvion Wicks	GB	194
WR123	Tim Jones	MIN	194
WR124	Brandon Johnson	PIT	194
WR125	Kayshon Boutte	NE	194
WR126	Andrei Iosivas	CIN	186
WR127	KaVontae Turpin	DAL	186
WR128	Brian Thomas Jr. Draft Note by John Paulsen Brian Thomas Jr. turned in an excellent rookie season and was one of my favorite late-round targets (typically available in the 9th round). He vastly outperformed that ADP, finishing as the overall WR4 and WR10 on a per-game basis thanks to a 87-129-1,282-10 receiving line. He hit the ground running in Jacksonville and quickly emerged as Trevor Lawrence’s favorite target. Among 88 qualified receivers, Thomas finished 6th in yards per route run and 10th in YAC per reception—elite efficiency for any wideout, let alone a rookie. With Christian Kirk and Evan Engram both gone and Travis Hunter expected to play part-time on offense, Thomas should continue to see plenty of volume in 2025. He checks all the boxes: size, speed, route running, and now proven production. It’s wheels up from here.	JAX	179
WR129	Quentin Johnston	LAC	179
WR130	Rashee Rice Draft Note by John Paulsen Rice picked up right where he left off in 2023, starting the 2024 season on a tear with 7-103, 5-75-1, and 12-110-1 lines before tearing his right LCL just four snaps into Week 4. Setting aside that injury-shortened game, he has averaged 5.4 catches for 64.5 yards and 0.47 touchdowns on 6.9 targets per game in his career—solid WR2 production. Through three full games last season, he was on a 164-target pace. That workload may be harder to come by in 2025. Xavier Worthy didn’t really emerge until after Rice’s injury, and the rookie’s speed could force a more even distribution of targets. Rice is reportedly fully healthy but is facing a multi-game suspension (per Adam Schefter) after pleading guilty to two third-degree felonies. He was sentenced to five years of probation and 30 days in jail. Depending on how far his ADP falls, Rice could become a value since he’s already shown he can produce at a high level in this offense.	KC	171
WR131	Marvin Harrison Jr. Draft Note by John Paulsen Expectations were sky high for Harrison heading into his rookie campaign, but he finished as the WR32 in total points and WR43 on a per-game basis. While the box score didn’t reflect the fantasy breakout many predicted, Matt Harmon of Reception Perception believes Harrison “had a good rookie season,” citing route nuance and technical polish that didn’t always translate due to schematic and quarterback limitations. Harmon added that for Harrison to take the next step, the Cardinals need to “mix up his deployment,” while Harrison himself needs to improve “in tight coverage and working back to the quarterback.” The advanced data backs up that assessment. Among 88 qualified receivers, Harrison ranked 66th in contested catch rate, 81st in YAC per reception, and 44th in yards per route run. He caught 62 of 114 targets for 885 yards and 8 touchdowns—solid numbers, but underwhelming given his pedigree and opportunity. With a full offseason under his belt, a year of NFL experience, and the hope of improved quarterback play, Harrison should be positioned for a Year 2 leap. He remains a high-end talent who profiles as the team’s long-term WR1, but his 2025 fantasy value hinges on whether Arizona can create a more dynamic passing attack to unlock his ceiling.	ARI	171
WR132	Parker Washington	JAX	164
WR133	Ladd McConkey Draft Note by John Paulsen McConkey was one of the most pro-ready receivers in the 2024 class, and he backed that up with a stellar rookie campaign. A favorite of Matt Harmon during the pre-draft process, McConkey caught 91 passes for 1,346 yards and 8 touchdowns, finishing as the WR13 overall and WR20 on a per-game basis. His smooth route running and advanced feel for coverages translated immediately. His underlying metrics support the breakout: McConkey finished 4th among 88 qualified receivers in yards per route run and ranked 13th in contested catch rate despite not being a prototypical “above-the-rim” player. He was also 10th in targeted QB rating and 26th in YAC per reception, showing how efficient and quarterback-friendly he was across the board. Looking ahead to 2025, McConkey is expected to build on his strong debut, though the addition of rookie Tre Harris and the return of Mike Williams could put a ceiling on his target share. Still, with Justin Herbert at quarterback, McConkey should remain a high-floor WR2 with room for more.	LAC	164
WR134	Casey Washington	ATL	164
WR135	Mike Woods	CLE	157
WR136	Mason Kinsey	TEN	157
WR137	Adonai Mitchell	IND	157
WR138	Erik Ezukanma	MIA	157
WR139	Rome Odunze Draft Note by John Paulsen The Bears’ offense is trending up with the arrival of new HC Ben Johnson, who spent the last several years as the primary playcaller for the Detroit Lions. Keenan Allen (121 targets) is gone, and the Bears drafted Luther Burden in the second round as a replacement. Odunze caught 54 passes on 96 targets for 734 yards and 3 touchdowns as a rookie. While his 73rd-ranked yards per route run (among 88 qualified receivers) suggests he has room to grow in overall efficiency, he was elite in contested catch rate (2nd) and solid after the catch (29th in YAC per reception). With Allen gone, Odunze is primed to make a Jameson Williams-type leap in his second season and could perhaps surpass D.J. Moore to become the team’s primary target. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception says that his charting of Odunze “is still pointing us in an extremely positive direction.” With a growing role in what should be a much more productive offense, Odunze is a strong candidate to outproduce his low-end WR3 ADP.	CHI	157
WR140	Cedric Tillman Draft Note by John Paulsen Tillman’s ADP has him ranked as a WR6 and I currently have him ranked as a low-end WR4, so there’s some value here. Reports suggest that he’ll be good to go this summer after being placed on IR due to a concussion. Once Amari Cooper was traded, things opened up for Tillman, and he went on a four-game run that included 8-81 on 12 targets against the Bengals, 7-99-2 on nine targets against the Ravens, 6-75-1 on 11 targets against the Chargers, and 3-47 on eight targets against the Saints. He was the WR8 on a per-game basis and averaged the sixth-most targets in that span. One way or another, the Browns’ quarterback situation should be better, and the Browns only added Diontae Johnson to the receiver room. (I think we’re past the point where Johnson’s arrival should be looked at as a detriment to the other receivers on the team.)	CLE	149
WR141	Bub Means	NO	149
WR142	Jordan Whittington	LAR	149
WR143	Ricky Pearsall Draft Note by John Paulsen Pearsall had an interesting rookie season, to say the least. He suffered a gunshot wound in early September, so he missed the first six games of the season. Once he returned, he immediately saw playing time in Weeks 7-8 since Jauan Jennings was sidelined for both games and Brandon Aiyuk missed the second game. With Aiyuk out, and both Jennings and Deebo Samuel active from Week 10 to Week 17, Pearsall saw a 64% snap share and had a couple of good games–4-73-1 against the Bucs and 8-141-1 against the Lions–but also posted three goose eggs and failed to crest 40 yards receiving in the other three games in that span. With Samuel out Week 18, Pearsall posted 6-69-1 on eight targets alongside Jennings, who posted 7-52 on 10 targets. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception wrote that Pearsall’s rookie season was “incredibly encouraging” and the final four games were “outright awesome.” Pearsall has a chance to carve out a large role in an offense that will need him to produce, especially early in the season. Aiyuk is likely to miss a few games, at least, as he recovers from a torn ACL/MCL in October, so Pearsall should see all the snaps he can handle in September.	SF	142
WR144	Demario Douglas	NE	142
WR145	Jaxon Smith-Njigba Draft Note by John Paulsen Smith-Njigba took a massive leap in his second season, finishing as the WR8 after a modest WR46 rookie campaign. JSN seized a featured role in the Seahawks’ passing attack, posting 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns. His efficiency was solid as well—he ranked 38th in yards per route run and 35th in YAC per reception (among 110 qualified receivers), both above average marks that reflect his route polish and ability after the catch. Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf are both gone, and Cooper Kupp joins the receiver room, but at this stage of his career, he doesn’t profile as the high-volume option he once was. JSN should lead the way in targets, and with Sam Darnold under center, the passing offense should remain steady. There’s enough passing volume in Klint Kubiak's system to support another high-end WR2 season—or possibly a repeat WR1 finish.	SEA	142
WR146	Jalen Coker	CAR	142
WR147	Josh Downs Draft Note by John Paulsen Downs missed three games last season and finished as the WR38 on a per-game basis, but his outlook for 2025 is far more intriguing than his recent production suggests. He ranked 18th in yards per route run and 23rd in yards after catch per reception—both strong indicators of underlying talent. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception called him “a near superstar player” who offers far more than the typical slot receiver. Harmon believes Downs has the potential to be the focal point of the Colts' passing attack, similar to how the Lions center their offense around Amon-Ra St. Brown. While the quarterback situation remains murky—Anthony Richardson’s health and Daniel Jones’s performance are both question marks—the team should at least have a functional passing game, and Downs’s role is locked in. If it's Jones, we've seen him feed a lesser player, Wan'Dale Robinson, plenty of targets. Downs is being drafted as a low-end WR4, but his route-running prowess and potential target share make him arguably the best upside bet in that range.	IND	142
WR148	Jalen McMillan	TB	134
WR149	Kendric Pryor	CIN	134
WR150	Jonathan Mingo	DAL	134
WR151	Derius Davis	LAC	134
WR152	Xavier Hutchinson	HOU	134
WR153	Charlie Jones	CIN	134
WR154	Devaughn Vele	DEN	112
WR155	Malik Nabers Draft Note by John Paulsen Malik Nabers posted a stellar rookie campaign, finishing as the fantasy WR7 in half-PPR formats despite subpar quarterback play. He hauled in 109 of 165 targets for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns, showing immediate chemistry with whoever was under center for the Giants. Fortunately, his situation should improve in 2025, with Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart all in the quarterback room—each an upgrade over last year’s options. Nabers’ underlying metrics reinforce his top-tier production. His 2.17 yards per route run ranked 21st out of 88 qualified receivers. However, he ranked just 56th in contested catch rate (46.2%) and 33rd in YAC per reception (4.4), so there’s still room to grow. With his elite route-running (87.1 PFF grade) and massive 165-target workload, Nabers is already one of the most productive fantasy receivers in the league. A step forward in efficiency—paired with better quarterback play—could push him into the uber-elite WR1 tier.	NYG	104
WR156	Luke McCaffrey	WAS	104
WR157	Troy Franklin	DEN	104
WR158	Ainias Smith	PHI	104
WR159	Malik Washington	MIA	104
WR160	Johnny Wilson	PHI	104
WR161	Xavier Gipson	NYJ	104
WR162	Ja'Lynn Polk	NE	104
WR163	Xavier Weaver	ARI	104
WR164	Xavier Legette Draft Note by John Paulsen Legette turned in disappointing production for a first-round rookie wideout, finishing as the WR64 despite playing in a Carolina offense desperate for playmakers. He saw a decent workload—81 targets—but managed just 49 catches for 497 yards and 4 touchdowns. His 10.1 yards per reception ranked near the bottom among qualifying receivers, and there were few signs of week-to-week consistency. With Tetairoa McMillan arriving via the draft and Adam Thielen still hanging around, it’s hard to see Legette’s role expanding significantly in 2025. Even if the Panthers’ offense improves under new leadership, it looks like Legette is fighting for the WR3 role at best. He’s off the fantasy radar outside of deeper leagues and dynasty formats unless we see a major shift in usage or efficiency.	CAR	104
WR165	Roman Wilson	PIT	104
WR166	Xavier Worthy Draft Note by John Paulsen Worthy’s role grew steadily in the second half of the season. From Week 11 to Week 17, he averaged 5.6-56-0.43 on 7.9 targets per game. He added 9.6 yards and 0.14 rush touchdowns in that span. In three playoff games, he racked up 19 catches for 287 yards and three scores on 7.0 targets per game. He was 9th in yards after the catch per reception. Rashee Rice is back and healthy, but may be facing a multi-game suspension after his court case came to a close in mid-July. Worthy’s value gets a bump if Rice misses time, as expected.	KC	104
WR167	Jake Bobo	SEA	104
WR168	Xavier Smith	LAR	104
WR169	Malachi Corley	NYJ	104
WR170	Dont'e Thornton Draft Note by John Paulsen Thornton is one of the most intriguing boom/bust prospects in this year’s rookie class. At 6'5" with 4.30 speed, he boasts a 100th percentile speed score and the kind of raw athletic profile that immediately turns heads. Matt Harmon of Reception Perception calls him a “pure project,” but early signs from Raiders camp suggest the light may be coming on faster than expected. According to Raiders beat writer Levi Edwards, Thornton "has already become a top target" for Geno Smith and is using "his acceleration to create separation consistently.” The Athletic’s Tashan Reed also noted that Thornton “stood out the most among the group during OTAs,” which is especially encouraging given the logjam of unproven talent in Vegas. While Thornton’s development curve may still be steep, his unique size/speed combo paired with early camp momentum makes him an exciting late-round dart throw. If he earns significant snaps, WR3/WR4 numbers are possible as the third or fourth option in Vegas.	LV	60
WR171	Isaac TeSlaa	DET	60
WR172	Pat Bryant	DEN	60
WR173	Elic Ayomanor	TEN	60
WR174	Jordan Watkins	SF	60
WR175	Tre' Harris Draft Note by John Paulsen Harris enters the league with some eye-popping advanced metrics: he posted the highest yards per route run in the 2025 draft class, ranked fourth in PFF receiving grade, and finished 14th in YAC/reception. Matt Harmon noted in Reception Perception that Harris “eats up man coverage like a top-level wideout,” though he’d like to “see his game expand” as Harris transitions to the pros. With Mike Williams retiring, Harris steps into a WR2 role behind Ladd McConkey in an offense with a strong quarterback and only mediocre target competition. The history of second-round rookie receivers suggests modest expectations: those who played at least 14 games have averaged a 42-574-4.2 line, or WR6 numbers. But if Harris starts every game—as expected—those averages jump to 56-783-6.2, which would make him a viable fantasy flex/WR4. Harris isn’t likely to supplant McConkey as the team’s top target, but if his college efficiency translates, he could provide sneaky value, especially in best ball formats where his big-play potential shines.	LAC	60
WR176	Jalen Royals	KC	60
WR177	Chimere Dike	TEN	60
WR178	Jaylin Lane	WAS	60
WR179	Joshua Cephus	JAX	60
WR180	Arian Smith	NYJ	60
WR181	Konata Mumpfield	LAR	60
WR182	KeAndre Lambert-Smith	LAC	60
WR183	Tai Felton	MIN	60

TE1	Taysom Hill	NO	827
TE2	George Kittle Draft Note by John Paulsen Kittle is coming off an overall TE1 season and will benefit from the absence of Deebo Samuel. Over the past two seasons, when Samuel has been out, Kittle has averaged 5.4-78-0.47 on 6.6 targets per game (in 17 games) versus 3.6-57-0.43 on 5.1 targets per game (in 14 games). That’s the difference between an overall TE1 season and a midrange TE1 finish. The primary concern with Kittle is age/durability, but he’s only missed six games in the last three seasons, and he’s posted back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons with 25 touchdown catches in his last three seasons. Thus far, he has shown no signs of slowing down. He averaged an eye-popping 2.62 yards per route run last season and was third in YAC/rec (6.6).	SF	650
TE3	Harold Fannin	CLE	591
TE4	Kyle Pitts Draft Note by John Paulsen Pitts has finished TE13 and TE14 the past two seasons, and while those are usable numbers in today’s tight end landscape, it’s hard to shake the sense that he’s being underutilized. His 2024 campaign was particularly frustrating—Michael Penix targeted him on just 9.5% of his pass attempts, a rate that trailed not just Drake London and Bijan Robinson, but also Darnell Mooney and Ray-Ray McCloud. That doesn't bode well considering Kirk Cousins targeted Pitts more frequently (14.1%). Pitts remains a great athlete, but his role hasn’t evolved since his promising rookie season. With questions around quarterback consistency and a crowded target tree, he looks like a low-ceiling TE2 until we see a tangible shift in usage.	ATL	532
TE5	Shane Zylstra	DET	502
TE6	Travis Kelce Draft Note by John Paulsen The warning signs were there in 2023, and they materialized in 2024. Kelce posted career-lows in receiving yards, touchdowns, YAC per reception, and yards per route run—clear indicators that age may finally be catching up to the future Hall of Famer. Even so, Kelce still finished as the TE6 overall and was the TE8 on a per-game basis, so while the days of him lapping the field at the position may be over, he remains a viable low-end TE1. With Rashee Rice back and Xavier Worthy emerging, there’s more competition for targets than in recent years, but Kelce still plays in a high-functioning offense with Patrick Mahomes at the helm. He’s no longer a positional cheat code, but he’s a solid veteran option for those who wait until the middle rounds to draft a tight end.	KC	473
TE7	Zach Ertz Draft Note by John Paulsen Ertz surprisingly finished as the TE9 in his 12th NFL season, posting the most yards (654) and receptions (66) since 2021, and the most touchdowns (7) since 2018. Well past his prime, Ertz proved to be a serviceable baseline option at the position. Tight ends tend to age better than running backs or receivers, so it’s not inconceivable that Ertz has another low-end TE1 season provided he can stay relatively healthy.	WAS	473
TE8	Cole Kmet	CHI	443
TE9	Colston Loveland Draft Note by John Paulsen Loveland was the first tight end off the board in April, going No. 10 overall to the Bears—a pick that signals serious intent to make him a key part of the passing game. He averaged 58.2 receiving yards per game as a junior at Michigan and brings 4.72 speed (72nd percentile speed score per Player Profiler) to a position that increasingly rewards athleticism. He’s currently recovering from AC joint surgery, but head coach Ben Johnson said he should be cleared "at some point" during training camp. Despite Cole Kmet's presence (47-474-4 in 2024), drafters aren’t concerned, targeting Loveland as a high-end TE2. Historically, first-round tight ends with full seasons under their belt have averaged 7.3 half-PPR points per game, which puts him squarely in the high-end TE2 conversation if the Bears’ offense takes a step forward. There’s some risk given the injury, Kmet's veteran presence, and rookie tight end learning curve, but Loveland is well-positioned for immediate production.	CHI	443
TE10	Teagan Quitoriano	ATL	443
TE11	Tyler Warren Draft Note by John Paulsen Warren was the second tight end off the board in April, landing with the Colts at No. 14 overall after a wildly productive senior season at Penn State (104-1,233-8). He’s a big-bodied, athletic target who profiles as an immediate contributor in the passing game. Historically, rookie tight ends struggle to produce fantasy-viable numbers, but Warren’s draft capital and college résumé suggest he could be an exception. The nine first-round tight ends since 2010 who played at least 14 games averaged 56 catches for 657 yards and 3.7 touchdowns as rookies. That’s 7.3 half-PPR points per game, or high-end TE2 production. Warren could hit or exceed that benchmark if the Colts make him a focal point early on. ESPN's Stephen Holder has reported that Warren saw the ball early and often in OTAs. The quarterback situation is a concern—Daniel Jones is the likely starter, and that could cap Warren’s ceiling—but the depth chart is thin, and Warren has a path to immediate volume. He's an intriguing 10th-round pick with breakout potential.	IND	443
TE12	Mark Andrews Draft Note by John Paulsen Andrews got off to a painfully slow start in 2024, likely due in part to a preseason car accident that may have lingered into the regular season. Through four weeks, he managed just six catches for 65 yards on nine total targets. But once the season got rolling, so did Andrews. From Week 5 on, he played at a 64-catch, 795-yard, and 14.4-touchdown pace and finished as the fantasy TE5 during that stretch—even while playing just 63% of the snaps and averaging the 20th-most targets per game. That production speaks to his elite red-zone usage and chemistry with Lamar Jackson, but there are red flags. Isaiah Likely continues to push for a larger role, and head coach John Harbaugh publicly challenged Likely to “be an All-Pro” in 2025—something that may not coexist with a high-end fantasy season for Andrews. He turns 30 in September, but tight ends tend to age well, and the fact that Andrews was sixth in yards per route run speaks to his continued production. (Though he was 41st of 44 eligible tight ends in YAC/rec, another red flag.) He remains a strong bet for low-end TE1 numbers with week-winning upside if the touchdowns hold.	BAL	443
TE13	Evan Engram Draft Note by John Paulsen Engram finished with 47 catches for 365 yards and one touchdown while missing eight games with hamstring and shoulder injuries. His 40.6 yards per game were the second-lowest of his career, but not far off his career average (45.6). His 5.2 receptions per game were his third-highest, so naturally his aDOT and yards per reception were relatively low. Tight ends tend to age well, and this is a great landing spot for Engram due to the Broncos' lack of proven pass-catchers and an up-and-coming quarterback, Bo Nix. (This signing is one more reason to target Nix as a rock-solid QB1.)	DEN	413
TE14	Pharaoh Brown	MIA	384
TE15	Devin Culp	TB	384
TE16	Hunter Henry Draft Note by John Paulsen Henry quietly posted a TE12 finish in 2024, turning 88 targets into a 66-674-2 receiving line. While the arrival of Stefon Diggs and rookie Kyle Williams could squeeze his target share, the Texans' wide receiver room still lacks depth behind Diggs and Williams, so there should be plenty of work left for Henry as a reliable underneath option. Henry enters his age-30 season, but tight ends tend to age well, and he should still have a year or two of productive football left. Drake Maye should take a step forward in his second season, which could lift the entire offense and keep Henry firmly in the low-end TE1 mix. He doesn’t offer huge weekly upside, but his role and red zone usage give him a solid floor in tight end-premium formats.	NE	354
TE17	Chris Manhertz	NYG	354
TE18	Will Dissly	LAC	354
TE19	Andrew Ogletree	IND	354
TE20	Austin Hooper	NE	354
TE21	Juwan Johnson Draft Note by John Paulsen Johnson finished as the fantasy TE23 after benefiting from injuries to Rashid Shaheed and Chris Olave. He'll be a TE2/TE3-type option in 2025, perhaps higher if he can take advantage of Taysom Hill's probable absence.	NO	354
TE22	Ian Thomas	LV	354
TE23	Adam Trautman	DEN	354
TE24	Foster Moreau	NO	354
TE25	Mike Gesicki Draft Note by John Paulsen Gesicki finished the season as the fantasy TE15, catching 65 passes for 665 yards and two touchdowns. He was eighth at his position in receptions and 10th in receiving yards, though his splits with (3.3-29-0.0 on 3.9 targets) and without Tee Higgins (5.2-62-0.4 on 7.2 targets) tell a different story. He's not a reliable option if Ja'Marr Chase and Higgins are both active.	CIN	354
TE26	Mo Alie-Cox	IND	354
TE27	David Njoku Draft Note by John Paulsen Njoku missed six games in 2024 and has missed 11 games in the last four years. Otherwise, he’s been a great fantasy asset in Cleveland despite some suspect quarterback play. He was the TE5 on a per-game basis in 2024 while garnering the third-most targets per game (8.8) at his position. One way or another, I expect the QB play in Cleveland to improve, and that should benefit Njoku along with everyone else.	CLE	354
TE28	T.J. Hockenson Draft Note by John Paulsen Hockenson returned from ACL/MCL surgery in Week 9 and was a serviceable but uninspiring fantasy option the rest of the way. In 10 games played, he failed to find the end zone and averaged just 7.1 half-PPR points per game, a midrange TE2 pace. That’s a far cry from his 2023 output (95 catches for 960 yards), and it remains to be seen if he can return to that level post-injury. The good news: He plays in a strong Kevin O’Connell offense, and rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy appears ready to run the show. The volume should be there, but whether Hockenson can capitalize hinges on his ability to recapture his pre-injury explosiveness and red zone involvement. He has top-5 upside, but with a TE5 ADP, there’s not a ton of value baked in—making him a slightly risky pick for drafters hoping for a full bounce-back.	MIN	354
TE29	Dallas Goedert Draft Note by John Paulsen Goedert is entering his age-30 season, but that’s not a major concern for tight ends, who often age more gracefully than backs or receivers. The bigger issue is his health—he’s missed 15 games over the last three years. When on the field, however, he has consistently played at a low-end TE1 pace. Goedert believes that new offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo will unlock more of his game, saying, “What he sees in me in different ways that he’s going to get me the ball I’m really excited for.” There’s reason for optimism: Goedert was second among tight ends in yards per route run and sixth in YAC per reception last year, which suggests he’s been underutilized in Philly’s offense and is capable of significantly more production if the volume rises. He’s a potential value in the middle rounds for drafters willing to bet on better health and a more prominent role.	PHI	354
TE30	Darren Waller Draft Note by John Paulsen Waller is back after a one-year retirement and lands in a potentially useful spot as the likely “move” tight end in Mike McDaniel's offense—a role that allowed Jonnu Smith to post TE4 numbers in 2024. Waller last played in 2023, where he caught 52 passes for 552 yards and a touchdown in 12 games, finishing as the TE14 on a per-game basis. He still has some weekly upside given his athleticism and history of production, but durability is a major concern—he’s played just 32 games in his last three active seasons and hasn’t suited up for more than 12 games since 2020. At this stage of his career, Waller is best viewed as a spot-start option for those employing a tight end streaming or committee strategy. Fantasy managers should not plan to rely on him every week, but he could be a useful part-time contributor when healthy.	MIA	325
TE31	Dawson Knox	BUF	325
TE32	Elijah Arroyo	SEA	295
TE33	Grant Calcaterra	PHI	295
TE34	Jonnu Smith Draft Note by John Paulsen Smith was an excellent draft value in 2024, smashing career-highs in targets (111), receptions (88), and yards (884) as a focal point of the Miami offense. He actually led the Dolphins in catches and was second in receiving yards. He finished TE4 and was the TE6 on a per-game basis. He was shaping up to be an excellent draft day value until the trade to Pittsburgh. It’s not a death knell to his fantasy value, but the lack of certainty in his role makes him a dicier TE1 bet. The good news, probably, is that he is reuniting with OC Arthur Smith, who coaxed a (pre-Miami) career-high 50-582-3 season out of Smith in Atlanta, which was good enough for a TE17 finish. But Pat Freiermuth just signed a healthy extension, and there’s a change at quarterback to Aaron Rodgers, so it’s not clear how the targets will be distributed among the Steelers’ top pass-catching options.	PIT	266
TE35	Harrison Bryant	PHI	266
TE36	Tyler Higbee	LAR	266
TE37	Johnny Mundt	JAX	266
TE38	Josh Oliver	MIN	266
TE39	Tyler Conklin	LAC	266
TE40	Elijah Higgins	ARI	266
TE41	Dalton Schultz Draft Note by John Paulsen After a TE11 finish in 2023, Dalton Schultz slipped to TE22 last season as his usage dipped slightly—his targets fell from 5.8 to 5.1 per game, and he posted five-year lows in both receptions (53) and receiving yards (532). Still, he remained a steady presence in the Texans' passing game, offering C.J. Stroud a reliable safety valve in the middle of the field. The low touchdown total (2) certainly didn’t help Schultz’s fantasy output, but he’s still a trusted piece of the offense and has a track record of TE1-caliber production. He’s unlikely to post TE1 numbers, especially with Houston’s wide receiver room gaining depth, but he’s a viable streamer or TE2 who could flirt with low-end TE1 value in any given week.	HOU	266
TE42	Charlie Kolar	BAL	266
TE43	Tanner Hudson	CIN	266
TE44	Colby Parkinson	LAR	266
TE45	Drew Sample	CIN	266
TE46	Charlie Woerner	ATL	266
TE47	Hunter Long	JAX	236
TE48	Oronde Gadsden	LAC	236
TE49	Brevin Jordan	HOU	236
TE50	Luke Farrell	SF	236
TE51	Kylen Granson	PHI	236
TE52	John Bates	WAS	236
TE53	Tommy Tremble	CAR	236
TE54	Pat Freiermuth Draft Note by John Paulsen Freiermuth is being overlooked in early drafts despite a strong 2024 season where he caught 65 passes for 653 yards and seven scores, finishing as the fantasy TE10. The Steelers added Jonnu Smith in the offseason, which has seemingly spooked drafters, but new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith has a history of utilizing multiple tight ends. Given the lack of depth in Pittsburgh’s receiving corps, it’s likely we’ll see plenty of “12” personnel with both Freiermuth and Smith on the field. Freiermuth has proven to be a reliable target with a nose for the end zone, something new QB Aaron Rodgers will appreciate. He’s not flashy, but he’s a solid mid-round option with weekly TE1 upside who is currently going at a TE2 discount.	PIT	236
TE55	Noah Gray Draft Note by John Paulsen Gray quietly had a solid 2024 campaign, finishing with 40 catches for 437 yards and five touchdowns—good for the third-most receiving yards among backup tight ends, behind only Isaiah Likely and Austin Hooper. He had a memorable stretch in November, posting back-to-back two-touchdown outings against the Bills and Panthers, flashing his red zone utility. With Travis Kelce's efficiency showing clear signs of decline, Gray's role could continue to grow even if Kelce stays healthy. If the veteran were to miss time, Gray would immediately flirt with weekly TE1 status in a high-functioning Chiefs offense led by Patrick Mahomes. His underlying metrics (22nd in YAC/reception, 29th in yards per route run) don’t scream breakout, but he’s an intriguing TE2 dart throw with contingent upside.	KC	236
TE56	Isaiah Likely Draft Note by John Paulsen Likely kicked off 2024 with a bang—posting a 9-111-1 line on 12 targets against the Chiefs in Week 1—but it was an inconsistent season from there. He had four games with double-digit half-PPR points but disappeared in others, a result of sporadic usage in a crowded passing attack. Despite the volatility, Likely's efficiency was impressive. He finished 7th among tight ends in yards per route run—just one spot behind Mark Andrews—and ranked 5th in yards after contact per reception (Andrews was 41st). The Ravens clearly recognize his potential; head coach John Harbaugh challenged him this offseason to “be an All-Pro.” It’s unclear how Baltimore will divvy up tight end targets with a healthy Andrews back, but Likely has shown enough to earn a bigger role. If Harbaugh follows through and the Ravens get creative with two-TE sets, Likely could flirt with low-end TE1 numbers, especially if Andrews were to miss time.	BAL	236
TE57	Chigoziem Okonkwo	TEN	236
TE58	Tucker Kraft Draft Note by John Paulsen He finished TE8 in his second season and is primed for another leap in production if he can earn a larger role in the offense. But that’s the problem with drafting Packer receivers–Matt LaFleur and Jordan Love spread the ball around so much it’s tough to count on anyone in a given week. But Kraft led the position in yards after contact and broken tackles per catch, so he’s got the talent to join the top 5. He should finish TE8 again at a minimum, barring injury. LaFleur agrees, saying, “if there’s an area we gotta do a better job on, I would say featuring the tight end.”	GB	236
TE59	Jake Ferguson Draft Note by John Paulsen After finishing as the TE8 in 2023, Ferguson took a step back in 2024, ending the season as the TE28 overall and TE25 on a per-game basis. He missed a few games, and more importantly, didn’t catch a single touchdown—something that’s unlikely to repeat. With Dak Prescott under center, Ferguson averaged 7.5 half-PPR points per game, which is solid high-end TE2 production. The arrival of George Pickens could put a squeeze on Ferguson’s targets, but assuming both he and Prescott stay healthy, positive touchdown regression should push him back into the low-end TE1 conversation. He’s not flashy, but he’s a capable late-round option at a volatile position.	DAL	207
TE60	Daniel Bellinger	NYG	207
TE61	Brock Wright	DET	207
TE62	Trey McBride Draft Note by John Paulsen McBride followed up his 2023 breakout with another highly productive season, catching 111 passes for 1,146 yards in Year 3. While he only scored two touchdowns—bringing his career total to just six on 292 receptions—his elite target share and efficiency keep him firmly in the top tier of fantasy tight ends. He finished third among all tight ends in yards per route run (2.14), just ahead of Brock Bowers, and continues to operate as Kyler Murray’s most trusted target in the Cardinals' passing game. Arizona still lacks serious firepower at wide receiver, which solidifies McBride’s weekly usage. While the lack of touchdowns is frustrating, he’s essentially functioning as a high-floor WR2 from the tight end slot in half- and full-PPR formats. The hope is that positive regression hits in the red zone, and if it does, he has the potential to finish as the overall TE1.	ARI	207
TE63	Jeremy Ruckert	NYJ	207
TE64	Cade Otton Draft Note by John Paulsen Otton has steadily improved in each of his three seasons, culminating in a 47-600-4 campaign in 2024 that resulted in a TE13 finish. While he hasn't delivered any truly dominant stretches, he's carved out a consistent role in a solid offense led by Baker Mayfield, who has quietly played excellent football the past two years. Otton finished 18th in yards after catch per reception and 28th (out of 45 qualifying tight ends) in yards per route run, so while he’s not the most explosive option at the position, he’s efficient enough to maintain mid-range TE2 value with some weekly TE1 upside in favorable matchups.	TB	207
TE65	Luke Musgrave	GB	177
TE66	Tanner Conner	MIA	177
TE67	Brenton Strange Draft Note by John Paulsen A by-product of Evan Engram’s departure is that Strange is primed to see a big jump in snaps as he enters his third season. In the eight games that Engram missed, Strange averaged 3.6 catches for 34 yards and 0.25 touchdowns on 4.9 targets per game. The resulting 6.5 (half-PPR) fantasy points per game equate to solid TE2-type numbers. He was tied for 17th in yards per route run among tight ends. The Jags did draft Travis Hunter, but it’s unlikely that he’ll be a full-time player on offense. Christian Kirk (47 targets) and Gabe Davis (42) are also gone, so there are plenty of targets up for grabs in Jacksonville.	JAX	177
TE68	Darnell Washington	PIT	177
TE69	Payne Durham	TB	177
TE70	Josh Whyle	TEN	177
TE71	Luke Schoonmaker	DAL	177
TE72	Brayden Willis	SF	177
TE73	Lucas Krull	DEN	177
TE74	Michael Mayer	LV	177
TE75	Will Mallory	IND	177
TE76	Sam LaPorta Draft Note by John Paulsen LaPorta’s steep decline in targets per game (7.1 to 5.2) in his second season was surprising, as Jameson Williams (91 targets) took over as the team’s No. 2 target. LaPorta will likely settle in as a perennial top 5 fantasy tight end, but perhaps lacks the overall TE1 target upside with a healthy Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown in the mix. Among tight ends, he finished 11th in YAC/rec and 12th in yards per route run, so the efficiency was there. He finished strong, seeing at least six targets in his final eight games and was the TE5 in that span. Hopefully, we’ll look back on his early-season struggles as just a blip in his career as a fantasy producer.	DET	177
TE77	Dalton Kincaid Draft Note by John Paulsen Kincaid followed up a promising TE15 rookie campaign with a disappointing sophomore season, finishing as the TE26 overall and TE21 on a per-game basis. He missed a few games, but even when active, his usage took a step back—his yards per game, receptions per game, and catch rate all declined from his rookie year. Despite the underwhelming second season, the ingredients for a breakout remain. Kincaid is an athletic pass-catcher operating in a high-powered offense with Josh Allen at the helm, and there’s still no target-dominating WR1 on the roster. If he can rebound and command consistent volume, he has the tools to emerge as a TE1 option in 2025.	BUF	177
TE78	Erick All	CIN	148
TE79	Jaheim Bell	NE	148
TE80	Ben Sims	GB	148
TE81	Julian Hill	MIA	148
TE82	Theo Johnson Draft Note by John Paulsen Johnson is poised for a breakout in his second NFL season, thanks to a combination of late-season momentum and elite athleticism. From Weeks 8 to 13 of the 2024 season, Johnson averaged 7.3 half-PPR points per game, making him the TE16 in that stretch. Standing at 6'6" and weighing 259 pounds, he boasts a 4.57-second 40-yard dash (93rd percentile), a 98th percentile Speed Score, a 96th percentile Burst Score, a 78th percentile Agility Score, and a 98th percentile Catch Radius, per Player Profiler. These metrics underscore his rare athleticism for the tight end position. The second season is typically when a tight end breaks out, and Johnson fits the criteria this season.	NYG	148
TE83	Cade Stover	HOU	148
TE84	AJ Barner	SEA	148
TE85	Nate Adkins	DEN	148
TE86	Tip Reiman	ARI	148
TE87	Tucker Fisk	LAC	148
TE88	Ben Sinnott Draft Note by John Paulsen Sinnott didn’t make much of a splash as a rookie—just five catches for 28 yards and a touchdown—but he’s a name to keep an eye on in Year 2. Second-year tight end breakouts are common, and Sinnott has the profile to be the next in line. He played just 27% of the snaps in 2024, stuck behind veterans Zach Ertz and John Bates, but his athletic upside remains enticing. A freak athlete by every measure, Sinnott boasts 4.68 speed with a 77th percentile speed score, 98th percentile burst score, 95th percentile agility score, and a 96th percentile catch radius. He was highly productive at Kansas State (49-676-6 as a junior) and has the movement skills to be a true mismatch weapon once he earns more playing time. Ertz was re-signed and posted a solid 66-654-7 line last year, but he turns 35 in November and 2024 was the first season since 2021 that he managed to play more than 10 games. There’s a clear path for Sinnott to ascend if/when Ertz slows down or misses time. He’s a deep sleeper with upside in dynasty and best-ball formats.	WAS	148
TE89	Brevyn Spann-Ford	DAL	148
TE90	Jared Wiley	KC	148
TE91	Ja'Tavion Sanders	CAR	148
TE92	Brock Bowers Draft Note by John Paulsen Bowers had a terrific rookie campaign, finishing with 112 catches for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns on a whopping 153 targets. The stars aligned early, with Davante Adams traded away and Michael Mayer missing significant time, clearing the runway for Bowers to immediately become the focal point of the Raiders’ passing attack. He handled the volume with ease, showcasing the athleticism and route-running prowess that made him a generational tight end prospect coming out of Georgia. With Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews now in the twilight of their careers, Bowers enters 2025 with a strong case to be the fantasy TE1. He offers elite volume, consistency, and a high floor typically reserved for top-tier wideouts. The arrival of Geno Smith should also provide a boost in quarterback play, potentially improving Bowers' efficiency after a solid (but not spectacular) rookie-season catch rate of 73.2%. In a thinning elite tight end landscape, Bowers stands out as a weekly advantage and should be a second-round pick in most formats. In TE-premium, he's a surefire first-rounder.	LV	148
TE93	Gunnar Helm	TEN	89
TE94	Terrance Ferguson	LAR	89
TE95	Robbie Ouzts	SEA	89
TE96	Mason Taylor	NYJ	89
TE97	Mitchell Evans	CAR	89

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