It’s the standard question we always get – who do I draft in fantasy football this year? It’s broad. It’s vague and I could sit here for hours discussing who you should draft and when. It’s why I created the Fantasy Football Cheat Sheet. In it, I have everything mapped out for you along with all of my 2025 fantasy football player rankings. But sometimes, it’s not enough. Not that the cheat sheet doesn’t have everything you need, but sometimes people just want some hand-holding; some assurances that these are the players to take. 

 

 

The order of my rankings should be enough, but considering the Fantasy Alarm Fantasy Football Draft Guide is a living, breathing creation, my rankings are always subject to change and those who subscribe are very much aware. I adjust the rankings and the draft grid when necessary, but again, people want to be sure, especially when they find themselves in scenarios where they aren’t sure if they should go running back or wide receiver? Do they take a top quarterback here or should they wait?

The number of scenarios is nearly infinite so I can’t tell you for certain that you should take this position over that position, but what I can do is offer you some of my absolute favorite players to draft this year and when they start climbing towards the top of the player queue in your draft software, you know the time to act is near. Of course, look at the draft grid too to be sure, but here are some of my favorite picks in 2025 fantasy football drafts.

Let me reiterate – this does not replace what you get in the cheat sheet or the draft guide. This is a taste of what you can expect from all the hard work and hours of dedication we all put in to bring you those pieces. Some folks, before they buy, want to take it for a test drive. This is that test drive and for those who understand that “this is the way,” we have a special offer at the end of this piece.

 

 

Bo Nix, QB Denver Broncos

It’s no secret that I’ve been bullish on Nix this offseason and have drafted him in a number of leagues – both season-long and best ball. The Broncos offense is starting to jell now that we’ve gotten some consistency at the coaching level. Nix has strong receiving weapons in Courtland Sutton and Evan Engram (see below), he has a solid, supportive running game behind him and he brings the rushing upside we covet. During his rookie campaign last year, Nix threw for 3,775 yards with 29 passing touchdowns, while also rushing 92 times for 430 yards and another four touchdowns. He was not far off from Josh Allen in any of those numbers with the exception of rushing touchdowns. If we’re looking at him continuing his ascent, then I’d rather wait three or four rounds rather than take Allen where he’s going.

Trevor Lawrence, QB Jacksonville Jaguars

Did you happen to check out my Fantasy Football Sleepers article in the Draft Guide? If so, then you already know that I’m bullish on Lawrence this season with Liam Coen now running the show in Jacksonville. I also wrote up this magical pairing of coach and quarterback in my latest in the New York Post. The ADP is so far down draft boards, you don’t need to reach and the upside potential could make him a steal where he’s going. We continue to preach the Yin Yang draft strategy here at Fantasy Alarm, so consider Lawrence as your second quarterback to draft while you grab someone earlier who has the high-floor you need for safety.

Kenneth Walker, RB Seattle Seahawks

Plucked from the pages of our Coaching Systems article series, Walker is one of my most high-owned players this season thus far. It’s all about new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and his offensive line coach Rick Dennison. If you don’t know the history, here’s a quick lesson. Klint’s father, Gary, alongside Dennison churned out 1,000-yard rushers with their zone-blocking scheme for years. You can go back to the late-90s in Denver with names like Orlandis Gary and Reuben Droughns or look to Houston with guys like Arian Foster and Steve Slaton. You want to know who helped Dalvin Cook achieve what he achieved? It was Rick and Gary. Klint has adopted his father’s scheme and continues to bring Dennison everywhere with him. Grab Walker and then be sure to handcuff him to Zach Charbonnet. In this case, you’re not so much investing in the player as you are the system.

Chuba Hubbard, RB Carolina Panthers

Here’s another Coaching Systems revelation for you. Two years ago, Dave Canales was the OC for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and he turned a tomato can like Rachaad White into a top-five fantasy back thanks to a heavy volume of carries. He went to Carolina last year and turned Chuba Hubbard into a 1,200-yard, eight-touchdown guy in the same fashion. With Jonathan Brooks no longer in the picture and only Rico Dowdle as a back-up, we expect Canales to repeat with Hubbard. He’s going in the late-fourth/early-fifth rounds right now and should be considered a steal at that price.

 

 

A.J. Brown, WR Philadelphia Eagles

He’s an elite-level wide receiver being shunned because everyone things the Eagles are just going to lean on Saquon Barkley once again. Sorry to burst those bubbles, but that is not the case. Yes, Barkley will see a strong workload once again, but he is not breaking anymore records right now and the Eagles defense has some question marks regarding the secondary. Giving the ball to Barkley to chew up the clock in the second half may not be as prevalent this year if the defense isn’t clamping down on its opponents. That could/should put the ball in Jalen Hurts’ hands more and he is expected to throw more this year than last. Buy the dip here.  

George Pickens, WR Dallas Cowboys

No, I’m not posting this to placate the GM Jim Bowden. You should know me better than that. In fact, I actually wrote something of that ilk with regard to Pickens during an Ask the Experts poll over at The Fantasy Index. Pickens has all the talent. It’s just about his mental make-up. If he can be a team-first guys and accept his role as the WR2 in Dallas, he could have a big season. CeeDee Lamb will garner all the top coverage, leaving Pickens in more one-on-one match-ups against lesser corners. He’s got the speed to stretch the field and is quite talented in the realm of contested catches, so if his head is screwed on properly, he could end up with really strong numbers, especially for where he’s being drafted.

Emeka Egbuka, WR Tampa Bay Buccaneers

With every bit of news we’re hearing about Chris Godwin – the potential of missing a few games to open the season – Egbuka is climbing deeper and deeper into my heart. His talents are no secret. It was always about the opportunity and if that is now presenting itself, I am definitely buying into it. He’s cut from the same cloth as Godwin where he works beautifully out of the slot but also has the size and speed to stretch the field vertically on the outside. No need to raise him up draft boards as we still expect to see Godwin sooner than later which will affect the snap-count, so keep an eye on him as your draft nears his ADP mark.

 

 

Evan Engram, TE Denver Broncos

I’ve been preaching Engram in Sean Payton’s “joker role” from the moment he signed in Denver and Andrew Cooper has been equally, if not more, bullish on him. Previous “jokers” in Payton’s scheme include Marques Colston, Jimmy Graham and even Alvin Kamara. It’s a non-wide receiver who lines up, runs routes and catches the football like a wide receiver and Engram appears to be the next in line for the royal treatment. He comes off the board after the top five or six tight ends are gone so again, no rush to push him up boards at all. When we say, “let the draft come to you,” this is what we’re talking about.

Hunter Henry, TE New England Patriots

When I miss out on the top tight ends and Engram has been poached from my queue, I happily turn my attention to Henry. Among all tight ends last season, he ranked sixth in targets, ninth in receptions and 11th in receiving yards, but he also ranked seventh in team target percentage, a stat that tells you so much about his role in the passing attack. We expect a boost in touchdowns this year as there are more pass-catchers to lean on to help move the chains and his current ADP has him of the board as TE18, so he’s a steal, for sure.

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