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.
Players Worth Reaching For in 2025
If you had to reach a round early for one guy this year, who is it and why?
Drake London (WR – ATL)
“I would happily reach for Drake London in Round 1 if that were the only way I could guarantee him on my roster. He’s not even 24 years old yet., coming off a Year 3 performance featuring 100 catches, 1,271 yards & 9 TDs. And he’s got one fantasy cheat code working in his favor: red-zone targets. In 2024, Drake London had: 23 red-zone targets (T-3rd in NFL) and 14 end-zone targets (Top-10). The Falcons’ WR leads the league in red-zone target rate over the last 3 seasons. And London wasn’t just a TD threat – he was a target hog. 3rd-highest target rate per route run (30%). And now he’s tied to QB Michael Penix Jr. With Penix under center late in the year, London had a 41% target rate on his routes. If Penix levels up in Year 2, look out.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)
“I will be drafting Tetairoa McMillan aggressively this year. McMillan could be a wonderful volume hog this year in what looks to be an ascending passing offense. Last year, in Weeks 12-18, when Young was hitting his stride, the Panthers ranked 13th in neutral passing rate. We could see that number increase this year, with a true number one option leading the way. Last year, during that same stretch, Young ranked eighth in CPOE, fifth in deep throw rate, 12th in highly accurate throw rate, and second in hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). McMillan is an incredibly talented receiver who can step up quickly. During his final two collegiate seasons, he ranked 17th and 21st in yards per route run. He’s a battle-tested man coverage beater as well. In 2023-2024, McMillan had the third-most and the tenth-most man coverage targets (among FBS wide receivers) while also ranking eighth and tenth in yards per route run against man coverage (per PFF). His touchdown upside is quietly massive. Carolina quietly ranked 12th in passing rate inside the ten-yard line and fourth in red zone passing rate last year. Don’t be surprised if McMillan is a WR1/2 in his rookie season.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
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)
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