Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season is just around the corner. It will be done in the next week and a half if you haven’t had your fantasy football draft yet.
Below is an example of a team drafted from the 1.09 position in a 12-team, PPR format. The lineup settings used are 1QB-2RB-3WR-1TE-1FLEX and seven bench spots.
1.09: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty may have had a poor showing in his first preseason game (three carries for -1 yards), but he redeemed himself in his second game. Jeanty carried the ball seven times for 33 yards and a touchdown, adding a reception for two yards. His entire skill set was displayed in that game; he showed strong vision and the ability to finish runs with contact balance and power.
“It’s tackle football… I’d draft the guy they can’t tackle”
-Ashton Jeantypic.twitter.com/BpaLjh190X
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) August 16, 2025
It is getting exceedingly rare to find running backs who dominate the opportunities in their backfield, but Jeanty is a player who can do it in his rookie season. His competition is a 33-year-old running back who averaged 3.3 yards per carry in 2024 (Raheem Mostert), last year’s starter who averaged 2.8 yards per carry (Zamir White), and a 2024 UDFA (Sincere McCormick).
Jeanty is set to dominate as a rookie and is well worth a late first-round pick once the big three running backs (Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Saquon Barkley) and wide receivers (Ja’Marr Chase, CeeDee Lamb, and Justin Jefferson) go off the board. Christian McCaffrey was enticing here, but Jeanty is significantly younger and has no injury history.
2.04: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. was electric as a rookie, finishing as the WR11 in PPR points per game (16.7) with 133 targets, 87 receptions, 1,282 yards, and 10 touchdowns. Even more impressive is that his best games came during an eight-game stretch with Mac Jones under center.
Thomas posted top 10 marks in air yards (1,542), deep targets (28), and yards after catch (562). He was also 20th among wide receivers in targets per route run (0.26).
Getting Trevor Lawrence back is already a major plus for Thomas, but adding Buccaneers offensive coordinator Liam Coen as the team’s head coach is the biggest win of them all. Coen designed an offense that helped Baker Mayfield throw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024.
Travis Hunter will compete for targets in the offense, but this passing attack should flow through Thomas again in 2025. He should line up all over the formation and get a healthy target share on easy completions and big plays down the field. Having a chance to draft him as your team’s WR1 in the second round is a slam dunk.
3.09: Drake London, WR, Atlanta Falcons
Drake London was a no-brainer pick in the third round of this draft as my team’s WR2. London took a significant step in his third season with the Falcons in 2024, finishing as the WR13 in PPR points per game (16.5). The veteran receiver caught 100 of 158 targets for 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns. He was third among all receivers in targets per route run (30.3%), air yards (1,699), and red-zone targets (25).
MORE: Free Fantasy Football Mock Draft Simulator
However, his play with rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. really elevated his game. During the season’s final three games (all Penix starts), London tied for the WR1 in PPR points per game (23.1), catching 22 of 39 targets for 352 yards and two touchdowns. During that stretch, he was third in targets per route run (0.41) and yards per route run (3.36).
Don’t be surprised if London comes off the board in the second round of your draft (he would have been in consideration at the 2.04 if Thomas was off the board for me), but if you get an opportunity to draft him in the third round, don’t hesitate.
4.04: George Kittle, TE, San Francisco 49ers
George Kittle remains one of the most efficient tight ends in fantasy football. Kittle has averaged at least 12.0 yards per reception every season. He has six top-five tight end finishes in his last seven seasons, including a TE1 overall finish in 2024 (15.8 PPG).
38 minutes of George Kittle highlights in honor of his new contract
pic.twitter.com/LBglFMAce3— FoN9ne (@FoN9ne) April 29, 2025
2025 could potentially be the best season of his career. Deebo Samuel is no longer on the 49ers. Brandon Aiyuk is recovering from a torn ACL and MCL and isn’t expected to play until Week 6. Jauan Jennings has been nursing a calf injury all offseason. That leaves Kittle competing with McCaffrey (coming off an injury-riddled 2024 campaign) and second-year receiver Ricky Pearsall as his primary target competition.
Kittle hasn’t historically seen the overwhelming target volume of the tight ends going ahead of him (Brock Bowers and Trey McBride), but that could change in 2025. If he can increase his workload while remaining highly efficient, he could post a second-straight TE1 finish in PPR points per game.
5.09: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots
TreVeyon Henderson has been exactly as advertised through his first preseason. The 2025 second-round pick took his first touch (a kick return) for 100 yards and a touchdown. Since then, he’s handled five carries for 38 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 12 yards. Henderson is averaging 7.6 yards per carry and has been utilized in space as a receiver and on runs up the middle.
The rookie will likely be in a split backfield with veteran Rhamondre Stevenson. Still, his pass-catching ability (mixed with his unbelievable pass blocking) means he will likely get the high-value receiving touches. That makes him valuable as an RB2 with game-breaking upside in a PPR format.
6.04: Jameson Williams, WR, Detroit Lions
Having Thomas and London as my top two receivers allows me to swing for the fences to fill my WR3 spot. There is no bigger home run swing than Jameson Williams.
The former first-round pick finally broke out in 2024, finishing as the WR24 in PPR points per game (14.1) by catching 58 of 91 targets for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns. He proved he wasn’t just a deep threat, finishing as the WR45 in average depth of target (11.4) and the WR12 in yards after the catch (447).
There has been a consistent buzz about him taking the next step as a receiver during training camp, especially from new offensive coordinator John Morton. His massive upside is worth a shot, especially with two high-volume pass catchers already on my roster.
7.09: Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
Matthew Golden is a solid insurance policy in case Williams can’t provide consistency as the WR3. Golden wasn’t a big producer in college (58 receptions for 987 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season at Texas), but found himself drafted in the first round thanks to a combination of excellent route running and elite speed (4.29 40-yard dash).
Golden has gotten rave reviews throughout his first training camp for his steady hands, excellent route running, and speed. The rookie has earned his way into two receiver sets and could lead the Packers in targets as a rookie. He’s got tremendous upside in a potent passing attack with Jordan Love.
8.04: Tony Pollard, RB, Tennessee Titans
Tony Pollard signed with the Titans after an underwhelming 2023 (from an efficiency standpoint) with the Dallas Cowboys. Pollard was expected to split time with explosive second-year running back Tyjae Spears, but ended up dominating touches with Spears missing time due to injury.
Pollard finished as the RB22 in PPR points per game (12.5), racking up 260 carries for 1,079 yards and five touchdowns while adding 41 receptions for 238 yards.
The Titans upgraded the quarterback position and their offensive line heading into 2025. Pollard was expected to split the backfield with Spears again, but the third-year back suffered a high-ankle sprain that would limit his ability to start the season. That gives Pollard the runway to once again lead the backfield in 2025.
9.09: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Many were confused when the Buccaneers drafted Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka with their first-round pick. The team re-signed Chris Godwin this offseason and returned Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan.
That pick has aged exceptionally well as the summer has unfolded.
Godwin is still not practicing and has no timeline for returning. McMillan suffered a neck injury that will keep him off the field for at least the first half of the season. That leaves Egbuka and Evans as the team’s top two target earners.
Egbuka was available in the ninth round in this mock draft, but given the positive reports and the new development with McMillan, he shouldn’t be going forward. He could be the most productive receiver in this class, and fantasy managers wanting him on their roster need to be prepared to take him off the board as early as the seventh round.
10.04: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders
This feels like a good time to talk about the most hyped rookie in August, Washington’s Jacory Croskey-Merritt.
There has been a steady drumbeat regarding Croskey-Merritt throughout the summer, culminating in recent reports that the Commanders were set to move on from veteran Brian Robinson Jr. through a trade or a release.
That has led to Croskey-Merritt, the Commanders’ 2025 seventh-round pick, being the social media darling to lead the backfield. The hype reached a fever pitch in the team’s second preseason game when Croskey-Merritt ran for a 27-yard touchdown.
Croskey-Merritt was a seventh-round pick due to issues out of his control. After transferring to Arizona for his final season and playing one game, he was ineligible due to a redshirt issue during his first collegiate season. The lack of exposure led to him not being invited to the combine. However, he had a strong enough performance at the Shrine Bowl to win MVP.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt – every touch – preseason game two https://t.co/ORWKA8LJB7 pic.twitter.com/LCNjOYx00y
— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 20, 2025
The rookie is a talented rusher with good burst and is elusive when running the ball. He hasn’t shown much pass-catching ability, which would likely limit him to an early-down role to start his career. The Commanders invested heavily in upgrading their offensive line this offseason, leading the NFL in rushing success rate in 2024 (49.4%). That has been offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s calling card throughout his NFL career.
Plenty of seventh-round rookies have impressed in training camp over the years and have failed to make an impact in their first season. Croskey-Merritt will have to overcome his draft capital and split the backfield with Austin Ekeler and potentially Chris Rodriguez Jr. as a rookie.
RELATED: Jacory Croskey-Merritt Fantasy Profile: Commanders Rookie RB Is Surging Up Draft Boards
The rookie is worth taking in fantasy drafts at the right price. For me, that starts in the 10th round around other running backs that will be in time shares like Cam Skattebo or Tank Bigsby. However, he is also a player who could be elevated far beyond that, especially if Robinson is eventually traded or cut. If his price goes much higher than a 10th-round pick, I am happy to be out on him.
11.09: Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence has failed to meet the lofty expectations when he entered the NFL, but that could change in 2025 with Coen as head coach.
That is a lot to expect from Lawrence, but he has all the talent to achieve it, especially in a passing attack featuring Thomas and Travis Hunter (along with free agent Dyami Brown). Lawrence has one top-12 quarterback finish in his career (17.9 PPG in 2022), but 2025 could be the season he finally becomes a dependable fantasy quarterback.
12.04: Zach Charbonnet, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Given Kenneth Walker III’s injury history, Zach Charbonnet is one of the best handcuff running backs in the NFL. Over the last two seasons, Charbonnet has averaged 17.3 PPR points per game in the eight games that Walker has missed with an injury.
Seattle invested in their offensive line in the draft and brought in Klint Kubiak and his wide zone run scheme as their offensive coordinator this offseason. If Charbonnet gets on the field (or earns a larger role with a new offensive coach), he could be one of the best values in fantasy.
13.09: Braelon Allen, RB, New York Jets
Aaron Glenn, the Jets’ new head coach, has consistently repeated that he wants New York to split the backfield between multiple running backs. Throughout camp, Braelon Allen’s name has frequently come up as an explosive runner capable of earning touches.
Allen didn’t turn 21 until after his rookie season and was a high-volume rusher during his college career at Wisconsin. He is poised to get the early down (and potentially red zone work) in an offense with one of the better offensive lines in the NFL.
14.04: Rashod Bateman, WR, Baltimore Ravens
Rashod Bateman is coming off a season where he set career-highs in targets (72), receiving yards (756), and touchdowns (nine). Bateman has emerged as a reliable deep threat for Lamar Jackson (16.8 yards per reception) and showed the ability to get open in the red zone.
He may not out-target Zay Flowers, but he has demonstrated the ability to earn the most valuable targets in this offense. Bateman is an inexpensive way to get a part of one of the best offenses in the NFL.
15.09: Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears
Luther Burden III likely won’t have an established role to start the season in a crowded Bears’ passing attack, but he has all the talent in the world to earn targets gradually as the year goes on. Burden has impressed throughout the preseason, demonstrating his commitment to Ben Johnson’s coaching philosophy by frequently taking on physical blocks and earning targets through his effort.
Bears rookie WR Luther Burden III getting his number called a good amount tonight 👏 pic.twitter.com/jYV73ptwHo
— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) August 18, 2025
Burden is an ideal bench stash at wide receiver in an offense that should be better in 2025. If he does earn a bigger role (through merit or by injury), he could have significant weekly upside.
