When you’re on the clock in your fantasy football draft, sometimes playing it safe just isn’t enough. To win your league, you need to take some calculated risks – and that means reaching for the right players before someone else does. In this article, our collection of Featured Pros experts highlights the Players Worth Reaching For in 2025, offering insight into the players they believe are poised to outperform their average draft position (ADP). Whether it’s a breakout candidate, a rising rookie, or an under-the-radar value, these are the picks our experts say are worth the gamble.
Fantasy Football Players Worth Reaching For in 2025
If you had to reach a round early for one guy this year, who is it and why?
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
“I’d be willing to take Jonathan Taylor in Round 1 of fantasy drafts. He averaged over 110 total yards per game last year and led all RBs in fantasy points per game when QB Anthony Richardson was on the bench. If we get Daniel Jones under center for most or all of 2025, Taylor could finish as a top-3 RB.”
– Jared Smola (Draft Sharks)
Kaleb Johnson (RB – PIT) | Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
“For me, it’s a tie between Kaleb Johnson and Omarion Hampton. Kaleb Johnson has size (6’1″ 225 lbs.) and plays faster than his 4.57 forty time suggests. Despite the possibility that Kaleb might not be a big factor in the passing game, he’s still very talented. Maturity issues caused him to slip to day two, but he’s considered to be a first-round grade by many scouts. As for Hampton, few RBs have the immense upside that Hampton does. Hampton has the potential to be a rare bell-cow RB due to his size, receiving prowess, and first-round draft pedigree. That’s not happening with many RBs going before him (mainly due to the situations they’re in), such as Breece Hall, Devon Achane, Kenneth Walker III, etc. Ringo’s comps- Kaleb Johnson reminds me of former Chiefs’ all-pro RB Larry Johnson, while Omarion Hampton reminds me of former Steelers’ all-pro RB, Barry Foster.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Alvin Kamara (RB – NO)
“Alvin Kamara is currently being drafted as the RB15 and 43rd overall. He has been a top 15 RB in FPPG every season he has been in the NFL. In five out of the eight seasons he has been in the league, he has been a top-five running back in FPPG, and he has been the RB6 and RB9 in the other two seasons. I’d rather have Kamara over Kyren Williams and Breece Hall, who are being drafted a round earlier as the RB13 and RB12. Kamara is an RB1 until the wheels fall off.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)
Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)
“Jordan Mason is a great value right now, coming off the board as the 99th player and RB35. I would be willing to take him two rounds higher if needed. This could easily be the David Montgomery that we have seen over the past two seasons. He should be an RB2 weekly with RB1 upside, and you are paying RB3 prices. This is going to be one of the top offenses again. They have made major investments in the offensive line. Lastly, Aaron Jones has missed time, and if he does, you could be drafting a league winner in the 8th round.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
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