The fantasy football draft is the most crucial part of your season, and making the right picks in every round can be the difference between hoisting the championship trophy and finishing in last place.
But with so many players, strategies, and opinions, how do you know who to trust?
I’ve analyzed the 2025 fantasy football landscape to identify the best and worst picks in every round of your draft. From the can’t-miss superstars to the overvalued landmines, I’ll give you the insights you need to navigate your draft like a pro and come away with a winning roster.
Disclaimer: Average Draft Positions (ADPs) can vary from site to site, so not every player listed might fall in the exact round and range in your draft.
Round 1
Best Value Pick
Malik Nabers (WR – New York Giants): Yeah, sure, I could have gone with the obvious Ja’Marr Chase or Bijan Robinson, but I’m looking at value here, and somebody that you can get anywhere in the first round. Nabers is an elite talent who should be a target hog for the Giants, offering a high-end WR1 ceiling. His opportunity and ability make him a fantastic value at his ADP. The only thing that could set him back are nagging injuries.
Honorable Mentions: Jahmyr Gibbs (RB – Detroit Lions), Derrick Henry (RB – Baltimore Ravens)
Worst Value Pick
Puka Nacua (WR – Los Angeles Rams): I’ve got to see more from Nacua before I feel confident in making him a mid first round pick. He reminds me a little of Cooper Kupp himself, who exploded onto the fantasy scene, got hurt, and couldn’t be depended on to keep up the offensive explosion. Now Kupp is an afterthought. Take Nacua at your own risk, but I wouldn’t waste a first on him.
Honorable Mentions: Ashton Jeanty (RB – Las Vegas Raiders), De’Von Achane (RB – Miami Dolphins)
Round 2
Best Value Pick
Kyren Williams (RB – Los Angeles Rams): Williams is the clear lead back in a high-powered offense who just paid him and he’s a touchdown machine. His high volume and pass-catching work give him a safe floor and a high ceiling.
Honorable Mentions: A.J. Brown (WR – Philadelphia Eagles), Drake London (WR – Atlanta Falcons), Jonathan Taylor (RB – Indianapolis Colts)
Worst Value Pick
Brock Bowers (TE – Las Vegas Raiders): Bowers’ ADP is inflated by a historic rookie season, but he now faces significant target competition and a new coaching staff. While he is talented, it is unlikely he will replicate his WR-like numbers from his rookie year.
Honorable Mentions: Lamar Jackson (QB – Baltimore Ravens)
Round 3
Best Value Pick
Chase Brown (RB – Cincinnati Bengals): After proving his worth as a lead back in the second half of last season, Brown is now the unquestioned starter in an explosive Bengals offense. His dual-threat ability and a favorable offensive scheme make him an ideal breakout candidate at his current ADP.
Honorable Mentions: James Cook (RB – Buffalo Bills), Jayden Daniels (QB – Washington Commanders)
Worst Value Pick
Ladd McConkey (WR – Los Angeles Chargers): McConkey’s ADP skyrocketed after his good rookie season but it has since leveled off a little given the additions to the receivers room and the renewed focus on the run game. I think his rookie stats were more a byproduct of a lack of options in the passing game than any indication of a star in the making.
Honorable Mentions: Breece Hall (RB – New York Jets), Tee Higgins (WR – Cincinnati Bengals)
Round 4
Best Value Pick
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – Arizona Cardinals): Harrison has the talent to be a top-tier fantasy wideout, and while his rookie year was underwhelming, he is poised to take a significant step forward in his second season. With a full year of experience and an improved offensive plan, he is a great buy-low candidate.
Honorable Mentions: George Kittle (TE – San Francisco 49ers), Garrett Wilson (WR – New York Jets)
Worst Value Pick
Chuba Hubbard (RB – Carolina Panthers): I tend to be skeptical of players who take a while to get going. Hubbard is one such player. His value is also in question due to the additions of Rico Dowdle and Trevor Etienne, which could significantly reduce his workload. He is unlikely to repeat his RB1-level fantasy season from 2024 and could become a part of a frustrating committee.
Honorable Mentions: D.J. Moore (WR – Chicago Bears)
Round 5
Best Value Pick
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – New England Patriots): Henderson was a dynamic runner in college and is now in a Patriots backfield that needs a difference-maker. He has the potential to carve out a prominent role and be a valuable fantasy asset, especially considering his ADP.
Honorable Mentions: DK Metcalf (WR – Pittsburgh Steelers), Courtland Sutton (WR – Denver Broncos)
Worst Value Pick
Sam LaPorta (TE – Detroit Lions): LaPorta’s fantasy value might have been at its peak his rookie season. He had a down year his sophomore season and I’m not sure the loss of Ben Johnson is going to help him out. Not worth the pick at this point.
Honorable Mentions: Rashee Rice (WR – Kansas City Chiefs), Xavier Worthy (WR – Kansas City Chiefs), Joe Mixon (RB – Houston Texans)
Round 6
Best Value Pick
Calvin Ridley (WR – Tennessee Titans): Ridley is a high-upside WR2 with the potential to explode with an improved quarterback situation. His big-play ability and volume could lead to a healthy stat line, making him a steal in the middle rounds.
Honorable Mentions: Isiah Pacheco (RB – Kansas City Chiefs), Jerry Jeudy (WR – Cleveland Browns), Zay Flowers (WR – Baltimore Ravens)
Worst Value Pick
Jameson Williams (WR – Detroit Lions): In three years as a pro, Williams has missed time due to injury and suspension, and had one season last year as a low-end WR2. Although he’s immensely athletic, he’s also a knucklehead, in whom I don’t want to put much faith as more than a FLEX player. I’m sure you’ve heard this a time or two, but the losses of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and center Frank Ragnow — not to mention his wide receivers coach, Antwaan Randle El, who kept him in check — are a real issue for this Lions offense, and Williams is way more a fit for best ball than regular redraft leagues.
Honorable Mentions: Aaron Jones (RB – Minnesota Vikings), T.J. Hockenson (TE – Minnesota Vikings), George Pickens (WR – Dallas Cowboys)
Round 7
Best Value Pick
Kaleb Johnson (RB – Pittsburgh Steelers): With Najee Harris gone, Johnson replaces him in a run-centric Steelers offense under Arthur Smith. The opportunity for a significant workload makes him a great pick with RB2 upside.
Honorable Mentions: Jaylen Waddle (WR – Miami Dolphins), Rome Odunze (WR – Chicago Bears)
Worst Value Pick
Chris Godwin (WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Godwin’s value is uncertain as he is coming off a season-ending ankle injury and continues to work his way back. When he plays, he has been very good. But the outlook is uncertain and not worth the risk here.
Honorable Mentions: Brian Robinson (RB – Washington Commanders), Travis Kelce (TE – Kansas City Chiefs)
Round 8
Best Value Pick
Ricky Pearsall (WR – San Francisco 49ers): Pearsall has a high-upside profile and could see a significant target share, especially with injuries to other top receivers. His talent and a scheme that can create mismatches make him an interesting later round pick.
Honorable Mentions: Matthew Golden (WR – Green Bay Packers)
Worst Value Pick
Kyler Murray (QB – Arizona Cardinals): Murray’s fantasy value is declining due to a lack of rushing attempts, which have been a significant part of his fantasy production in the past. He is not a good pick at his current ADP unless he can regain his rushing prowess, which is unlikely given his injury history.
Honorable Mentions: Cooper Kupp (WR – Seattle Seahawks), Stefon Diggs (WR – New England Patriots)
Round 9
Best Value Pick
Emeka Egbuka (WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers): Egbuka is fast rising up the depth chart with injuries to other Buccaneer receivers. With uncertainty surrounding Chris Godwin’s health and role this year, Egbuka is the No. 2 in a high-powered passing attack and he’s just a Mike Evans injury away from wrecking fantasy.
Honorable Mentions: Tyler Warren (TE – Indianapolis Colts), Jordan Mason (RB – Minnesota Vikings)
Worst Value Pick
Jared Goff (QB – Detroit Lions): Goff was a high-floor, low-ceiling quarterback with Ben Johnson the last few years, but he is not a great fantasy pick at his ADP. He lacks the rushing upside of other quarterbacks, which limits his fantasy potential for difference-making weeks.
Honorable Mentions: Najee Harris (RB – Los Angeles Chargers), Jayden Reed (WR – Green Bay Packers)
Round 10
Best Value Pick
Josh Downs (WR – Indianapolis Colts): Downs has a chance to receive a heavy dose of attention from proclaimed starting quarterback Daniel Jones. His role as the team’s primary slot receiver gives him a solid floor for PPR leagues.
Honorable Mentions: Colston Loveland (TE – Chicago Bears), Tucker Kraft (TE – Green Bay Packers)
Worst Value Pick
Tyjae Spears (RB – Tennessee Titans): Spears offers very little upside potential given the uncertainty of the Titans offense with a new rookie quarterback and a battle with Tony Pollard ahead of him. There are just other better options at this point.
Honorable Mentions: Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – New England Patriots), Jonnu Smith (TE – Pittsburgh Steelers)
Round 11
Best Value Pick
C.J. Stroud (QB – Houston Texans): Stroud is a good draft pick this late due to the fact that he has QB1 upside but is being looked at as a mid-QB2. He is poised for a significant bounce back with a retooled offensive line and a restocked cabinet of skill players, making him a value pick at his current ADP.
Honorable Mentions: Drake Maye (QB – New England Patriots), Jake Ferguson (TE – Dallas Cowboys), Dalton Kincaid (TE – Buffalo Bills)
Worst Value Pick
Austin Ekeler (RB – Washington Commanders): Yeah, Brian Robinson is reportedly on the trade block, but that’s not doing much for Ekeler’s fantasy value. His is about as good as dead at this point in his career and has no business being drafted here given other upside players.
Honorable Mentions: Jerome Ford (RB – Cleveland Browns), Marvin Mims (WR – Denver Broncos)
Round 12
Best Value Pick
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – Jacksonville Jaguars): The Jaguars backfield is a little messy at this point as it is unclear who will get the bulk of the work. But Tuten, as the hand-picked back of the new coaching regime, has the best value given his ADP. His per-touch efficiency in college gives him the potential to make a big impact.
Honorable Mentions: Luther Burden (WR – Chicago Bears), Kyle Pitts (TE – Atlanta Falcons)
Worst Value Pick
Rico Dowdle (RB – Carolina Panthers): Dowdle is currently projected as a backup to Chuba Hubbard, which severely limits his fantasy production. He is a high-risk pick as he is not guaranteed a significant role in the offense and isn’t worth selecting as a handcuff.
Honorable Mentions: Isaac Guerendo (RB – San Francisco 49ers), Rashid Shaheed (WR – New Orleans Saints)
Round 13
Best Value Pick
Braelon Allen (RB – New York Jets): Allen is a high-upside running back who could earn a significant role in the Jets’ offense. While he is currently the backup to Breece Hall, his talent and potential for a larger workload make him a valuable pick. He could see a similar workload to that of David Montgomery, who played in Detroit where new Jets coach Aaron Glenn ran the defense the past few years.
Honorable Mentions: Tre Harris (WR – Los Angeles Chargers), Christian Kirk (WR – Houston Texans)
Worst Value Pick
Tyler Allgeier (RB – Atlanta Falcons): Allgeier’s value has been diminished since Arthur Smith departed and his production has been steadily going down hill each year of his career. He is not worth drafting as a handcuff, even though he’d be a decent producer if Bijan Robinson got hurt. Maybe in one of the final couple rounds.
Honorable Mentions: Nick Chubb (RB – Houston Texans), Marquise Brown (WR – Kansas City Chiefs)
Round 14
Best Value Pick
Isaiah Likely (TE – Baltimore Ravens): Likely is not only a great handcuff to Mark Andrews with a proven ability to produce at a high level when Andrews is out. But he could receive more opportunities to contribute given the team’s affinity for him.
Honorable Mentions: Cam Ward (QB – Tennessee Titans), Brenton Strange (TE – Jacksonville Jaguars)
Worst Value Pick
Jaylen Wright (RB – Miami Dolphins): Wright is the third-string running back in Miami’s crowded backfield, and his path to fantasy relevance is limited. He will need injuries to De’Von Achane and possibly rookie Ollie Gordon to offer any kind of fantasy upside.
Honorable Mentions: Matthew Stafford (QB – Los Angeles Rams), Jack Bech (WR – Las Vegas Raiders)
Round 15
Best Value Pick
DeMario Douglas (WR – New England Patriots): Douglas could provide flex-worthy weeks in PPR formats, especially if QB Drake Maye continues to hone in on him. He is a strong late-round target for fantasy owners looking for a cheap source of receptions.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Monangai (RB – Chicago Bears)
Worst Value Pick
DeAndre Hopkins (WR – Baltimore Ravens): Hopkins is a 33-year-old receiver who is no longer a dominant target. His fantasy production is reliant on big plays, which are unpredictable and difficult to count on. The Ravens aren’t a pass-heavy team to begin with.
Honorable Mentions: Kyle Williams (WR – New England Patriots), Cedric Tillman (WR – Cleveland Browns)
