Who Are the Best Players to Target in Fantasy Football Drafts Heading into the 2025 NFL Season?

As training camp looms and fantasy football drafts start to heat up, the question of who to draft remains prominent. Guys like Derrick Henry and Bijan Robinson might be no-brainers as guys that fantasy managers want on their squad, but what about the question marks? There is a plethora of guys who have immense upside but are either being overlooked or undrafted in leagues. Here are some guys that need to be on fantasy rosters in 2025.

Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars

Although he is going to go off of fantasy boards early, Brian Thomas Jr. is a wideout who is a must-have on rosters for the 2025 season. The 23rd pick in the 2024 NFL Draft tallied over 1,200 yards last season and added 10 touchdowns, too. Thomas Jr. excels at getting open down the field due to his long, speedy strides that ultimately result in long touchdowns. He is also a great threat in the red zone, given his six-foot-four frame. No spot is too early to take the ex-LSU Tiger, as he is fully expected to replicate his rookie campaign and remain one of the top wideouts across the NFL.

David Montgomery, RB, Lions

The fact that the Lions have a shared backfield should not scare fantasy owners. In fact, it should make them even more interested in the Detroit bruiser, David Montgomery. Montgomery is often used in the red zone and earned the highest receiving grade out of any NFL running back in 2024, per PFF. He is a powerful, hard runner who refuses to be brought down by arm tackles and quick-shedding defensive linemen. The Lions’ shared backfield fuels their high-powered offense, and Dan Campbell has mastered the RB-by-committee approach, which is just another reason that fantasy managers need to have the ex-Iowa State standout on their 2025 roster.

Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers

Here is another example of why a shared backfield should not worry fantasy managers. Najee Harris signed with the Chargers this offseason, yet they still elected to draft UNC superstar Omarion Hampton in the first round of this year’s draft. Hampton was a top 10 prospect in many scouts’ eyes, and Jim Harbaugh made it clear that he was not going to be anywhere but SoFi Stadium. Hampton is an every-down back, but he excels on early downs. This is due to his elite vision and uncanny ability to make the most of limited space, which will not be an issue since LA’s offensive line is among the best units in the NFL. Drafting rookie running backs early has bitten fantasy owners in the rear end in the past, but Hampton is different. He is going to do whatever he is asked, and it is not out of the cards that he takes over as the primary back very early on in the season.

Evan Engram, TE, Broncos

When Greg Dulcich had a surprising stretch for Denver back in 2022, all the Broncos did on offense was feed him the ball. When Sean Peyton was the coach of New Orleans, he loved to utilize his tight ends in so many ways. Evan Engram, a guy who is built like a WR, runs like an RB, but plays the TE position, fitting this Denver scheme so perfectly. He is flying extremely under the radar and for no reason. Expect consistency, 100+ yard games, and a large target share for the former Giant and Jaguar, especially because of how much Bo Nix loves throwing it short. 

Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts

The Colts’ QB situation is a mess, which just means more touches for Jonathan Taylor. The ex-Badger is a do-it-all RB and a guy who can break off a 50+ yard carry on any given down. He is also the only option in this backfield, and the second RB spot in Indy is still up for grabs. Taylor has shown that he is fully capable of being a true number one running back in fantasy, as he finished first in total fantasy points in 2022. After what some call a down year, expect Taylor to bounce back in a huge way in 2025. 

Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota

Jordan Addison remains one of the more underrated players in football, but he is also extremely undervalued in fantasy. Having Justin Jefferson on his team helps him a ton, as it opens up space over the middle and underneath, where Addison does most of his damage. He also has extremely reliable hands, which is perfect for first-year starter JJ McCarthy because he needs a safety net; that is exactly what the former Louisville star offers. He could be in store for a huge year in 2025, and it is going to benefit fantasy owners if he is on their roster.

Trey Benson, RB, Cardinals

The Cardinals run the ball more than anyone in the NFL, so James Connor remains a threat in fantasy. With that being said, the young Trey Benson has every tool to take over a lot of the carries in this Arizona backfield. Benson excels at running between the tackles, as his field vision is that of an NFL veteran. He is a strong, tough runner who cannot be brought down by just one defender. Benson could step into a third-down role early in this season and eventually could take over a bulk of the carries in this backfield that he currently shares with the seemingly ageless Connor.