-
Eric Karabell
Whereas Philadelphia Eagles operating again Saquon Barkley appeared to get all the eye for his unbelievable 2024 marketing campaign, changing into the ninth participant to hurry for two,000 yards in a season, Baltimore Ravens operating again Derrick Henry additionally thrived in his first season along with his new franchise. In reality, Henry missed his second profession 2,000-yard season by a mere 79 dashing yards. Barkley received a myriad of particular person honors as he helped lead his crew to a Tremendous Bowl title. Henry rushed for 84 fewer yards and scored solely 16.9 fewer PPR fantasy factors, but have a look at the distinction in common draft place (ADP). Henry is the worth choose.
For these of us making an attempt to construct 2025 fantasy soccer redraft groups that function secure, sturdy huge receivers on the prime of the primary spherical (and past), there may be little consideration for a operating again, particularly one coming off a career-high 482 touches (together with playoffs). Barkley would possibly or won’t bust this season, however it’s simple to really feel higher ready till Spherical 2 for Henry, ESPN’s No. 9-ranked RB. In any case, although three years older than Barkley, Henry boasts arguably the higher observe report. He has completed among the many prime 5 operating backs in fantasy for 5 of the previous six seasons. Barkley has achieved this twice in his profession — as a rookie and final season.
Join ESPN Fantasy Soccer. Play the No. 1 Fantasy recreation free of charge!
This season’s Do Draft checklist, like in prior variations, highlights the gamers I persistently goal in our many mock drafts and some “drafts that rely,” specializing in worth versus our commonplace ADP. The gamers who preserve displaying up on my groups — in leagues that may rely, and in any other case — are there for a motive. We have been analyzing for the 2025 season since February. Maybe time will show it is not flawed to covet Barkley along with your first choose in a draft, however I definitely cannot do it. I do covet Henry at his odd, unfair low cost, although.
There isn’t any exact quantity for what number of instances/seasons a participant can show skeptics flawed earlier than we really belief in him, however we certain appear previous that time with Henry. Yeah, he has logged many carries over his 9 NFL seasons, averaging 345 touches over the previous three. He’s 31 years previous, and many people cringe at operating backs on the opposite facet of 30. As well as, Henry doesn’t play a big function within the passing recreation. However we all know who Henry is. He makes use of his sturdy, highly effective construct to hurry for a ton of yards, and he scores double-digit touchdowns each season.
Quarterbacks
-
Nothing in opposition to the highest quarterbacks, however one good motive to fade them is due to the positional depth and the shortage at typical flex positions. In ESPN commonplace leagues, there is just one beginning QB slot, however you want a number of operating backs and huge receivers. San Francisco 49ers signal-caller Brock Purdy saved falling outdoors the highest 100 in practically each mock draft with our ESPN Fantasy crew, and I saved securing him. Purdy didn’t disappoint final season, buying and selling in some accuracy and touchdowns for dashing numbers. In reality, he has been a top-10 QB in fantasy factors per recreation every of the previous two seasons. Why would that change in 2025? As a result of WR Deebo Samuel is gone? As a result of RB Christian McCaffrey is not any certain factor? Take a look at San Francisco’s offense-friendly schedule. Purdy could be a top-five QB.
-
We should not need Chicago Bears sophomore Caleb Williams on fantasy groups as a result of he was the No. 1 choose within the 2024 draft. We should always covet him as a result of he possesses lots of the traits of an annual top-10 fantasy QB, and the group surrounded him with correct teaching, blocking and talent gamers. Anticipate extra effectivity and consistency in Yr 2. Six quarterbacks went among the many prime 12 gamers within the 2024 NFL draft, and I preserve securing 5 of them in superflex leagues (although not the Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels, who goes too early). Drake Maye of the New England Patriots has large upside as a thrower and runner, and a greater basis round him. New Minnesota Vikings starter J.J. McCarthy needs to be wonderful, too.
-
For 10- and 12-team commonplace codecs, we can’t dismiss the inherent upside for Justin Fields, who’s in his first season with the New York Jets. He was the No. 6 fantasy QB in 2022, the latest season he had an actual probability for achievement. Fields rushed for 1,143 yards and eight touchdowns for the Bears that season. The Jets actually ought to let him do it once more. I do not view Fields as a secure, top-10 fantasy QB, though his upside stays tantalizing, and I do like Tampa Bay Buccaneers star (sure, he’s a statistical star now) Baker Mayfield and Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals extra. Fields is the one who slips too far in drafts.
Operating backs
-
If I take a WR in Spherical 1 or safe Henry early in Spherical 2, maybe I will not get Inexperienced Bay Packers veteran Josh Jacobs or Buccaneers sophomore Bucky Irving. However I’d be advantageous with both one as my prime RB. Jacobs noticed massive quantity in his first season in Inexperienced Bay, and he’s a passing-game issue yearly. The Packers drafted huge receivers, however they wish to run first. As soon as the Bucs mercifully gave Irving quantity, round Week 6, he was an RB1. Do not count on a giant drop-off from these fellows versus the standard operating backs going earlier in Spherical 2.
-
Detroit Lions co-starter David Montgomery can’t match teammate Jahmyr Gibbs for youth or expertise, however do not be so fast in doubting a repeat of his advantageous numbers. Montgomery has scored 25 dashing touchdowns the previous two seasons. He reached double-digit fantasy factors in 12 of 14 video games final season. This plan works for the Lions. Montgomery’s ADP vary strains up with a number of of the highest rookies (apart from Las Vegas Raiders prime choose Ashton Jeanty) from this yr’s draft. I can not belief these rookies over the confirmed Montgomery.
-
Staying within the NFC North, the Vikings traded for former 49er Jordan Mason, and it appears everybody expects him to push established Aaron Jones Sr. apart. I can see the Vikings aiming to lower the starter’s workload a bit, however come on, this also needs to lead to extra effectivity. Jones will see ample quantity and catch 50 passes once more, making him a borderline RB2. Catching passes issues, and this is the reason among the higher RB bargains of the latter rounds needn’t begin (Pittsburgh Steelers’ Jaylen Warren, Washington Commanders’ Austin Ekeler, Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Rachaad White, Seattle Seahawks’ Zach Charbonnet) to supply worth.
Vast receivers
-
This place is so totally different from operating again for safety, manufacturing, all of it. Give me any of the primary 15 WRs from ADP. I do like Los Angeles Rams star Puka Nacua a bit greater than most, teasing a possible 2,000-yard receiving season (OK, so 1,750 yards) if he can keep wholesome. The expertise and crew offense are there. I would like Atlanta Falcons star Drake London greater than most, as a result of I do belief his sophomore lefty quarterback. Tyreek Hill has a lefty quarterback with the Miami Dolphins, and Tua Tagovailoa may need extra threat than others as a consequence of prior concussions, however Hill was a top-three fantasy WR in his first two Miami seasons. Hedge that he can try this once more.
-
It’s laborious to discover a safer WR than the Buccaneers’ Mike Evans. He has surpassed 1,000 receiving yards in all 11 NFL seasons, and he reached double-digit touchdowns in 4 of the previous 5. You are going to guess in opposition to Evans supplying these superior numbers now? I do not know the way a top-10 fantasy WR (even with considerably fewer receptions than the highest fellows) falls to this point in drafts each season. He has completed within the prime 10 on the place eight instances!
-
I guess most individuals don’t notice that solely 18 WRs scored extra PPR factors than Raiders starter Jakobi Meyers final season. Meyers might lack the perceived upside of different WR3 choices, however do not underrate the safety of a secure choose. Meyers produced in New England, too. Even when he takes a small step backward in manufacturing, his worth far outpaces his nonsensical WR5 price ticket. The Raiders upgraded with QB Geno Smith. Meyers would possibly even enhance. The Vikings’ Jordan Addison (even regardless of his three-game suspension), Falcons’ Darnell Mooney and Carolina Panthers’ Adam Thielen are others whose ADP makes them fairly underrated.
Tight ends
1:04
Why Travis Kelce continues to be ‘fairly good’ as a fantasy tight finish
Area Yates explains why Travis Kelce stays priceless as a fantasy tight finish.
-
We can’t ignore that Kansas Metropolis Chiefs future Corridor of Famer Travis Kelce turns 36 in October, and he’s coming off his worst fantasy season since he was a rookie. Then once more, solely 4 tight ends outscored Kelce final season. Solely 4! It could be silly to draft Kelce with a top-50 choose, however the good and apparent information is you do not have to! The hate is so sturdy that Kelce falls to Spherical 7 or later. I secured him in practically each mock draft in that vary. Do not concentrate on the detrimental. No tight finish loved extra crimson zone targets than Kelce through the 2024 season, so an increase in touchdowns ought to happen. Solely two tight ends noticed extra targets or caught extra passes. Kelce is not within the prime tier of tight ends for fantasy anymore, however Spherical 7 is a steal.
-
I admit I’m keen to put money into one of many prime rookie tight ends (Colston Loveland of the Bears and Tyler Warren of the Indianapolis Colts) as a result of I do not assume we will rely on many veterans on the place. I will not take a good finish within the first 5 rounds. There are too many RB/WR decisions to covet first. I do see Evan Engram bouncing again with the Denver Broncos, and the Packers’ Tucker Kraft appears like a breakout alternative, however why not strive a rookie and pivot in September in the event that they wrestle? Do not be stunned if the Ravens’ Isaiah Seemingly turns into the crew’s prime choice, too.
Try the mock draft foyer, not as soon as, not twice, however no less than a dozen instances, and see who you want in your groups. It won’t match what I do in my drafts, and that’s OK. Comply with your evaluation and intestine to select your groups. Maybe you assume Barkley does it once more. Maybe you assume that is the yr Henry stops. Maybe you are going rogue and deciding on a quarterback in Spherical 1. Regardless of the case, apply earlier than the drafts rely and kind your very personal Do Draft checklist.
