Go inside the mind of Joe Pisapia by joining him, Jake Ciely and Andrew Erickson for their 13 must-have fantasy football players that experts love to draft!
Are contract concerns pushing Washington Commanders WR Terry McLaurin too far down draft boards? Can Baltimore Ravens TE Mark Andrews make good on his promise to avenge his costly postseason drop? Plus, what hill is Joey P willing to die on?
Explore the depths of our fearless host’s favorite early-round values and late smashes!
If you’re looking to dominate your fantasy football draft in 2025, identifying value at every stage is crucial. In a recent episode of the FantasyPros podcast, experts Joe Pisapia, Jake Ciely, and Andrew Erickson revealed 13 underrated, high-upside players they love drafting this season. From overlooked veterans to explosive rookies, these are the players you’ll want on your roster.
1. Terry McLaurin (WR – Commanders)
Despite five straight 1,000-yard seasons, McLaurin is being drafted outside the top 15 wide receivers. With Jayden Daniels expected to improve in year two, McLaurin offers consistency, upside, and WR1 potential at a WR18 price.
2. Chuba Hubbard (RB – Panthers)
Hubbard quietly finished as RB15 in half-PPR in 2024, yet he’s being drafted as RB18-20. He closed the season strong and projects for 250+ touches in 2025. Follow the touches and the role: Hubbard is a high-floor RB2 with top-12 upside.
3. Courtland Sutton (WR – Broncos)
WR13 last season but going off the board as WR23 or later, Sutton is Bo Nix‘s clear top target. While Denver added bodies to the WR room, Sutton remains the safest and most proven weapon in Sean Payton’s offense.
4. TreVeyon Henderson (RB – Patriots)
A perfect scheme fit for Josh McDaniels’ system, Henderson is a three-down rookie with elite pass-blocking and receiving chops. He could mirror James White’s fantasy relevance with more explosive upside.
5. Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Panthers)
Bryce Young‘s new WR1 steps into a high-volume opportunity on a bad defense that’ll need to throw. McMillan is already generating “Brian Thomas Jr. 2024″ buzz-he could be a top-25 WR by midseason.
6. Caleb Johnson (RB – Steelers)
Johnson is expected to take over for Najee Harris as Pittsburgh’s workhorse. He profiles like Tyler Allgeier but with a better offensive line and more scoring opportunities under Arthur Smith’s run-heavy scheme.
7. Mark Andrews (TE – Ravens)
Andrews rebounded in the second half of 2024 with 10 touchdowns from Week 7 on. While Isaiah Likely looms, Andrews remains Lamar Jackson‘s red zone favorite and offers elite upside at a discount (TE6 in ECR).
8. Stefon Diggs (WR – Patriots)
Now outside the top 100 picks, Diggs is a post-ACL rehab flier with WR1 upside. He’s expected to be rookie Drake Maye‘s top target, and if healthy by October, he could swing fantasy matchups in the back half.
9. Cam Skattebo (RB – Giants)
A hard-nosed rookie with three-down skills and pass-catching ability, Skattebo could carve out a meaningful role in New York’s uncertain backfield. He’s already outplaying Tyron Tracy and offers sneaky flex appeal.
10. Tre Harris (WR – Chargers)
With Quentin Johnston disappointing, Harris has a path to being WR2 behind Ladd McConkey in Greg Roman’s offense. While the system may limit upside, the opportunity is real, and Justin Herbert needs playmakers.
11. Jayden Higgins (WR – Texans)
Drafted to help fill the void left by Tank Dell and Stefon Diggs, Higgins may surprise in a high-octane offense led by C.J. Stroud. With size, route running, and guaranteed money behind him, Higgins could be this year’s Nico Collins.
12. Kyle Monangai (RB – Bears)
A late-round dart throw with a David Montgomery comp, Monangai is already gaining favor with new OC Eric Bieniemy. With questions around Swift’s goal-line usage and Roschon Johnson‘s ceiling, Monangai could be a touchdown vulture.
13. Justin Fields (QB – Jets)
The ultimate upside swing. Fields finished as QB6 in fantasy points per game two seasons ago and remains an elite rusher. Now in New York, he’s worth betting on as a late-round QB1 or high-end QB2 in Superflex.
Final Thoughts
These 13 must-have fantasy football players offer tremendous value based on ADP, opportunity, and upside. Whether you’re targeting high-floor veterans like Terry McLaurin and Courtland Sutton or explosive rookies like TreVeyon Henderson and Tetairoa McMillan, now’s the time to start preparing your draft strategy.
Want to mock draft with these guys right now? Head to FantasyPros’ Draft Wizard tool and start building your winning 2025 fantasy football team today.
Must-Draft Players Timestamps:
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