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Fantasy Football: PPR Draft Strategy in 2025


Sport: NFL

In Fantasy Football, there are a handful of different formats to play by. There are standard leagues, half PPR leagues, and full PPR leagues. In standard leagues, there are no points awarded for receptions; in half-PPR leagues, receptions are worth half a point. In my favorite format, full PPR, a reception gets you one full point. Here is how I would attack a draft if my league were playing full PPR.

PPR Draft Strategy for 2025 Fantasy Football

Rounds 1 – 5

The best thing to do every single time in a full PPR league is to aim for receivers early. If you do not, then aim for running backs that catch out of the backfield. In previous years, running backs like Alvin Kamara, Austin Ekeler, and Christian McCaffrey were great choices. Kamara and McCaffrey are still great choices, but there are younger, shinier toys to draft in 2025 at the start of your draft.

For starters, this year, having a top-five pick will get you Ja’Marr Chase, Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, Ceedee Lamb, or Justin Jefferson. The two running backs, Robinson and Gibbs, saw over 50 receptions each. Robinson finished as the RB3, and Gibbs finished as the RB1. The receptions might not seem like a lot, but for a running back, that is a fantastic topping to go along with their rushing yards.

In PPR this season, I am aiming for Chase, Lamb, or Jefferson. Chase is tied to Joe Burrow and the Bengals pass at a high rate. The Dallas Cowboys have no real threat in the backfield; therefore, Dak Prescott will be throwing it over 35 times every game. Jefferson is on one of the best, if not the best, offenses in football and the best receiver in football. All three of those receivers can easily see 170 targets with over 120 receptions this season.

Rounds 5 and On

This year, for PPR leagues, I will not be taking a running back until round five. Drafting four strong receivers in the first four rounds can maximize the PPR settings. Let’s say in a 12-team league, you are selecting fifth. So, draft Lamb with your first pick. Then, in round two, you draft Ladd McConkey or reach on Tyreek Hill, who is a massive value this season. In round three, Garrett Wilson will be there. Wilson will be with his college quarterback, Justin Fields, in 2025. DJ Moore with Fields finished as a WR1 and had his best season of his career.

Then, in round four, draft one of the best pass-catching running backs in NFL history, Kamara. I stated to take a receiver in the first four rounds, but drafting Kamara on a team with an inexperienced quarterback room translates into a ton of dump-offs to the veteran running back. In round five, you can draft rookie sensation Tetairoa McMillan or reach a few spots and draft Calvin Ridley. I believe Ridley is one of the most undervalued receivers this year, with rookie quarterback Cam Ward set to start for the Tennessee Titans.

Now, entering round six, you would have Lamb, Hill, Wilson, Kamara, Ridley, and with the next pick, there is the second-best receiver from his class, Chris Olave, or a rookie running back, Kaleb Johnson. With old man Aaron Rodgers, I expect Johnson to see over 250 carries. Honestly, you cannot go wrong with either pick. I’d lean towards Johnson just to avoid players from the New Orleans Saints, who are projected to be one of the worst teams.

Final thoughts

Your season will turn out well if you keep in mind that receptions are the bread and butter. Aim for WR1s on their respective teams early, and if you decide on any running back in the first few rounds, take those who catch a ton out of the backfield.

For more great fantasy football rankings and analysis, make sure to check out the 2025 FantraxHQ Fantasy Football Draft Kit!


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