As college football season approaches, so does the NFL, merely a week later. It’s never too early to get a quick start on fantasy football season, as most leagues are imminently approaching their draft day. Here’s a quick rundown of the top three draft prospects at each position, typically included in a fantasy football league. While all leagues have different quirks and scoring rules, here are some guys to grab.
Top 3 NFL Fantasy Football Prospects at Each Draft Position
Top QBs
The top fantasy QBs tend to be dual-threat guys; the able passers who are also top runners and can convert scores in multiple ways. Near the top of every draft board has to be former Louisville Cardinal and now Baltimore Raven Lamar Jackson. Jackson passed for 4,172 yards and 41 scores while rushing for 915 more yards and four scores on the ground.
The picture gets a bit more complicated behind Jackson, but former Wyoming Cowboy turned Buffalo Bill Josh Allen and Washington Commander Jayden Daniels are typical second and third QBs.
Top RBs
Running backs were once the backbone of any top fantasy team, but are increasingly an undervalued position group now. There are a handful of top backs who are head and shoulders above the crowd. Atlanta Falcons’ Bijan Robinson is the top back in most experts’ rankings. Robinson rushed for 1,456 yards and 15 touchdowns last year.
Detroit Lions’ Jahmyr Gibbs and Philadelphia Eagles’ Saquon Barkley are probably the most common men next up, although wily veteran Derrick Henry could be big in ’25.
Top WRs
Meanwhile, wide receivers have taken off, but then, so have the number of standout players at the position. Still, even if there are several quality options, none are better than the Cincinnati Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase. Teaming Chase with QB Joe Burrow should provide excellent value. Chase had video game numbers last year: 127 catches, 1,708 yards, and 17 TDs.
The other top wideouts are Minnesota Vikings’ Justin Jefferson and Dallas star CeeDee Lamb. Detroit’s Amon-Ra St. Brown is a nice top alternative.
Top TEs
Tight ends, by extension of the value of the passing game, have become increasingly valuable to both their genuine NFL teams and their fantasy teams. San Francisco 49ers star George Kittle is perhaps the most dominant star at the position. Kittle’s 78 catches for 1,106 yards and eight touchdowns speak for themselves as brilliant production.
Las Vegas star Brock Bowers would be a clear second pick, with Arizona Cardinal Trey McBride rounding out the top three. Detroit’s Sam LaPorta would not be a significant drop-off.
Top Defenses
The Denver Broncos’ defense was one of the best fantasy plays for 2024, and they’ll start 2025 atop our list of the top groups. The Broncos allowed just 18.6 points per game and scored five touchdowns on the defensive side of the ball.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Buffalo Bills round out the top three at the spot. But the Pittsburgh Steelers could also lay claim to a top spot, and many players might prefer their upside atop their defensive rankings.
Top Ks
Kickers are an often overlooked part of a successful fantasy team. Any of the top half of the NFL specialists will suffice. But for those teams looking for top value, Dallas Cowboys’ Brandon Aubrey leads the field. Aubrey was 40-for-47 on-field goals to lead NFL kickers in fantasy scoring a season ago.
Detroit’s Jake Bates and the Clippers’ Cameron Dicker round out a potential top three at the position. Houston’s Ka’imi Fairbairn would be an outstanding sleeper at the spot.
Read More:
Lamar Jackson’s Big Game Struggles
Josh Allen’s path to NFL Stardom
Jayden Daniels Faces Recent Criticism
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