Heading into next year, the first few rounds of fantasy football drafts will look a lot different. Many players exceeded or fell short of expectations, leaving a lasting impact on their fantasy outlooks as we prepare for the 2025 fantasy season.
It’s a little early, but it’s always interesting to rank players at this point in the season. If you’re already excited for 2025 fantasy football, this article is for you! Let’s get into some early rankings for next year! PSA: This is for a PPR, 1QB format.
1. Ja’Marr Chase
(CIN - WR1)
Since these rankings are for PPR scoring, I thought it would be best to start off with a receiver. Ja’Marr Chase won the triple crown in 2024, leading the NFL in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. If he continues this production into next year, he will be the best player in fantasy football.
Chase’s chemistry with quarterback Joe Burrow has been on point ever since their college days together at LSU. If you’re looking for a wide receiver with proven production, Ja’Marr Chase is the best one out there. He’s my top player in 2025.
2. Bijan Robinson
(ATL - RB1)
Bijan Robinson has finally started to receive the consistent workload that we expected him to get in his rookie year. Robinson logged 20+ carries in six of his final eight games in 2024.
While his receiving usage dipped in that stretch, his rushing production was absolutely off the charts, especially when it came to touchdowns. Robinson scored 14 rushing touchdowns in 2024, an overlooked aspect of his sophomore season.
Going into 2025, I’m giving Robinson the edge over Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs. I think he’s only going to get better and we haven't even seen his ceiling yet. However, selecting any of the top three running backs second overall is a good choice.
3. Justin Jefferson
(MIN - WR2)
This ranking shouldn’t come as a surprise. Justin Jefferson has been fantastic the last few seasons, regardless of who is throwing him the ball. He’s shown the ability to produce elite numbers every season of his career and is one of the safest picks in fantasy football year after year. It’s impossible to go wrong with Jefferson in the first round; he has a sky-high ceiling and a very high floor.
4. Saquon Barkley
(PHI - RB2)
Saquon Barkley had the best year of his career in 2024 after signing with the Eagles in free agency. His historic season included rushing for over 2,000 yards, a historic mark that makes him a must-have player in 2025.
Barkley was also very efficient, averaging an insane 5.81 yards per carry this past season. It’s not often that the overall RB1 is the same player in back-to-back seasons, but Barkley definitely has a chance to finish at the top of the field once again.
5. Jahmyr Gibbs
(DET - RB3)
Jahmyr Gibbs was one of the most consistent players in fantasy football in 2024, which makes him one of the safest options going into 2025. While David Montgomery will return to the backfield next year, Gibbs’ production was still elite even when his running mate was in the mix.
There should be no hesitation about drafting Jahmyr Gibbs in the first half of the first round. His performance down the stretch was elite and he could even build off of his impressive season in 2025.
6. Amon-Ra St. Brown
(DET - WR3)
Finishing second in receptions this season, Amon-Ra St. Brown was one of the most outstanding receivers in fantasy, especially in PPR-scoring leagues. Like Gibbs, he will return to the most explosive offense in the league in 2025 and should have similar production.
His usage in the red zone was also very promising in 2024, logging the most receptions and touchdowns in that area across the entire NFL, according to FantasyPros.
7. CeeDee Lamb
(DAL - WR4)
While 2024 was definitely a step back for both the Dallas Cowboys and CeeDee Lamb, the wide receiver still put up elite production, showing just how high his floor is in fantasy football.
If quarterback Dak Prescott is able to get fully healthy for 2025, there is still hope that this offense can improve, despite its struggles even with its starting quarterback in 2024. Lamb remains an elite option in fantasy football regardless of the situation around him in 2025.
8. Malik Nabers
(NYG - WR5)
Malik Nabers had an outstanding rookie season despite New York’s lackluster group of quarterbacks who were swapped multiple times throughout the year. He was one of only two players to receive at least 170 targets in 2024, giving him elite volume to work with.
If Nabers is just as involved in 2025, which he should be, he will be an even better fantasy option next season. New York will also likely upgrade at the quarterback position.
9. Puka Nacua
(LAR - WR6)
Puka Nacua had a rough start to the season, going on IR after a Week 1 loss to Detroit and missing the next five games. Despite this setback, Nacua managed to provide elite production when he returned to the lineup, compiling almost 1,000 receiving yards in only 11 games. He’s shown enough to be selected in the middle of the first round in 2025.
10. Brian Thomas Jr
(JAX - WR7)
Brian Thomas Jr was Jacksonville’s bright spot on offense in his rookie year, posting 1,282 receiving yards as well as an impressive 10 receiving touchdowns. Assuming quarterback Trevor Lawrence returns to the lineup in 2025, Thomas should have the chance to improve upon his elite rookie season, making him a top wide receiver in 2025.
With a new head coach, the offense will hopefully improve. That should also mean that Brian Thomas Jr’s best is yet to come. He’s a must-have player in 2025.
11. Nico Collins
(HOU - WR8)
After missing five games this season with a leg injury, Nico Collins still managed to put together a really great season. He scored seven touchdowns and even topped 1,000 receiving yards. If Houston’s offensive line improves, giving quarterback C.J. Stroud more time to throw, Collins should see his production return to form in 2025. Getting Collins at the end of the first round would be a great selection.
12. A.J. Brown
(PHI - WR9)
Similarly to Collins, A.J. Brown also struggled with injury in 2024, only playing in 13 games. He still managed to post some great numbers despite his injury struggles, making him a top bounce-back candidate in 2025.
Brown also proved to be very consistent in terms of fantasy production in 2024, logging 60+ receiving yards in ten out of his thirteen games. Don’t sleep on Brown’s elite production history. He should be a first-round pick.
13. De’Von Achane
(MIA - RB4)
De’Von Achane seemingly silenced any injury concerns in 2024, playing in all 17 games. He also posted elite PPR production, leading all running backs in receptions and receiving yards while ranking second in targets, according to FantasyPros.
He remains an elite PPR option in 2025 and should be an early second-round pick. If quarterback Tua Tagovailoa plays a full season, Achane will be a top-five running back in fantasy football.
14. Drake London
(ATL - WR10)
Drake London was a home-run selection in 2024 and should be considered a top-10 wide receiver for fantasy in 2025. He put up 1,271 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns this season, and there’s reason to believe he might be even better next year.
Rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr started the last three games of the season for Atlanta, and in those three games, Drake London averaged 13 targets, 7.3 receptions, and 117.3 receiving yards. The pair could build on their connection in 2025, allowing London to produce another great fantasy season.
15. Jonathan Taylor
(IND - RB5)
Jonathan Taylor didn’t really impress until the fantasy playoffs. Don’t get me wrong, he definitely had a solid season during Weeks 1-14, but he was one of the best players in fantasy football during Weeks 15-17. In his final three games, Taylor received 95 carries, 520 rushing yards, and six rushing touchdowns.
If he can continue some of that production into 2025, he will be worth drafting early. The Colts are returning a strong offensive line, making this very possible.
16. Josh Jacobs
(GB - RB6)
Josh Jacobs enjoyed a return to stardom in 2024 after a down year in Las Vegas in 2023. Green Bay’s free agency acquisition rushed for 15 touchdowns and 1,329 yards this season, averaging 4.42 yards per carry. He also scored at least one rushing touchdown in nine of his last ten regular season games.
If Jacobs can receive similar volume in 2025, he will be a very strong fantasy option. Don’t let him go under the radar in fantasy drafts.
17. Bucky Irving
(TB - RB7)
Bucky Irving was one of the NFL’s most efficient running backs in 2024, averaging 5.42 yards per carry in his rookie season. He became the team’s full-time starter around Week 10 and was very productive in fantasy over the final eight weeks of the regular season. If he receives more volume in 2025, which he absolutely should, he could become a top-10 fantasy football running back.
18. Jaxon Smith-Njigba
(SEA - WR11)
The second-year receiver enjoyed a breakout campaign in 2024, finishing with 100 receptions and 1,130 receiving yards. Smith-Njigba will likely be even more productive in 2025 and has taken over as the top receiving target in Seattle. We likely haven’t even seen Smith-Njigba’s ceiling yet, meaning he could be in line for a superstar season if Seattle’s offense improves.
19. Brock Bowers
(LV - TE1)
The Raiders nailed their draft pick when they selected Brock Bowers in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. He enjoyed one of the best rookie tight end seasons of all time, registering 153 targets, 112 receptions, and almost 1,200 receiving yards.
If Las Vegas can improve at the quarterback position, Bowers could end up becoming one of the best tight ends we’ve seen in a long time. He also offers a strong positional advantage in PPR leagues if he receives a similar number of targets in 2025.
20. Trey McBride
(ARI - TE2)
I have Bowers and McBride back-to-back in my rankings. McBride only scored two receiving touchdowns in 2024, making him a prime candidate for positive touchdown regression in 2025. He also received 147 targets, making him an elite pick in PPR drafts.
McBride should continue to produce moving forward and is one of the best tight ends in fantasy football. He’s entering his prime and has a very high ceiling.
21. Derrick Henry
(BAL - RB8)
Derrick Henry was one of the best running backs in the NFL this year and had an elite season in terms of production. He is still a fantastic goal-line back at this point in his career, which gives him a lot of value.
It isn’t talked about enough that Henry almost topped 2,000 rushing yards this season. He remains an elite option in fantasy football in 2025, despite his age. Derrick Henry has thrived in Baltimore’s offense.
22. Kyren Williams
(LAR - RB9)
Williams turned in another productive year in 2024, posting career-highs in carries, rushing yards, and touchdowns. He is one of the most underrated players in the NFL and should continue to be a top-10 running back in fantasy football in 2025. Williams has been given elite volume and is the clear-cut top running back in Los Angeles.
23. James Cook
(BUF - RB10)
James Cook had a very strong year in 2024. While he regressed in rushing yards, he rushed for 16 touchdowns. Cook also averaged nearly five yards per carry. As long as he’s given carries near the goal line, he’s a top-10 running back in fantasy football.
He will return to an elite offense and hopefully receive more carries in 2025. He may experience touchdown regression, but he’s still very productive on the ground.
24. Lamar Jackson
(BAL - QB1)
Lamar Jackson has enjoyed the best season of his career in 2024, producing career-high marks in passing yards and passing touchdowns while also rushing for 915 yards. He has only thrown four interceptions and has been the best player in the NFL this year. Jackson is in the prime of his career and is a lock to be a top-three quarterback in fantasy football next season.