Mike Fanelli | Mon, Sep 2nd 2024, 7:03am EDT

Fantasy Football Predictions: 2025 First-Round Draft Picks

The 2024 NFL regular season is only a few days away. Yet, there are thousands of last-minute fantasy football drafts still to go. However, it’s time to turn the page to the 2025 season.

All right, it’s way too early to start working on 2025 fantasy football rankings, but let’s fast forward to nine months from now – which 12 players will be first-round fantasy football 1QB drafts next season? It’s time to fire up the crystal ball and see how the top 12 will look next year.

Projecting 2025 First-Round Fantasy Football Draft Picks

Pick 1.01 – Justin Jefferson (WR – MIN)

Many were afraid to draft Jefferson as the 1.01 pick because of his quarterback. Kirk Cousins is in Atlanta, and J.J. McCarthy is out for the year, leaving Sam Darnold as the starter in 2024. While Darnold isn’t an ideal fantasy quarterback, the veteran can get Jefferson the ball. Last year, the superstar receiver averaged 18.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the final four games with Nick Mullens. With McCarthy likely the starter for Week 1 in 2025, Jefferson should be a popular 1.01 pick.

Pick 1.02 – Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)

Hall was the RB32 over the first four weeks last season, averaging 6.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he was unstoppable once the Jets took him off the snap count. The superstar was the RB2 from Week 5 through Week 18, averaging 17.3 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Hall was outstanding despite playing on one of the NFL’s worst offenses. New York vastly improved their offensive line in the offseason. Don’t be surprised if Hall has a Christian McCaffrey-like season and becomes the clear-cut RB1 in 2025.

Pick 1.03 – Bijan Robinson (RB – ATL)

Atlanta should have a significantly better offense after adding Kirk Cousins in free agency. More importantly, Arthur Smith is gone, meaning Robinson will have a featured role this season. Fantasy players rightfully hate Smith for giving Robinson only 28 more rushing attempts than Tyler Allgeier despite averaging 0.9 more yards per attempt. The Falcons have one of the top offensive lines in the NFL and a bright, up-and-coming offensive coordinator in Zac Robinson. The former Texas star will bounce back after a disappointing rookie season.

Pick 1.04 – CeeDee Lamb (WR – DAL)

The only way Lamb isn’t a top-four pick in 2025 fantasy football drafts is if Dak Prescott isn’t playing for the Cowboys. However, fantasy players should expect Dallas and the star quarterback to get a long-term deal over the next few months. Lamb was outstanding last season despite the slow start, averaging 102.9 receiving yards and 19.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unless the Cowboys make a blockbuster move for a wide receiver, Lamb should be a top-five fantasy pick for the next several years.

Pick 1.05 – Ja’Marr Chase (WR – CIN)

While fantasy players might be nervous about drafting Chase this year because of his contract holdout, the Bengals and the superstar should have a long-term extension worked out before next season. The former LSU star has one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. Despite playing half the year with Jake Browning, the superstar receiver totaled over 1,000 receiving yards and at least seven receiving touchdowns for the third consecutive season. More importantly, Tee Higgins likely won’t be back in Cincinnati in 2025, creating more target opportunities for Chase.

Pick 1.06 – Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)

Harrison has massive expectations despite never playing a regular-season snap in the NFL. The former Ohio State star is an elite talent, putting up over 1,200 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in back-to-back years to end his college career. The rookie should see double-digit targets per game as Kyler Murray’s clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver in 2024. Arizona will likely spend most of their 2025 draft capital on improving their awful defense, giving Harrison a clear pathway to a massive target share again next season.

Pick 1.07 – Amon-Ra St. Brown (WR – DET)

The safest first-round pick this year is St. Brown. While the former USC star doesn’t have the same upside as Justin Jefferson, CeeDee Lamb, or Ja’Marr Chase, he has been the most consistent fantasy wide receiver since the end of his rookie season. St. Brown was the WR2 over the final six games as a rookie, the WR8 in 2022, and the WR3 last year, averaging 17 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The star receiver plays in a fantasy-friendly offense with a quarterback who loves to target him.

Pick 1.08 – Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)

Many will be shocked to see where I predict McCaffrey will come off the board in 2025. Some think the superstar will struggle with injuries this season and see his fantasy value tank. Others believe McCaffrey will put up another RB1 finish this year. The veteran will be 29 years old heading into next year after likely totaling over 325 touches for the third consecutive season. The 49ers could draft a big-name rookie to be the heir apparent to McCaffrey, which will impact his fantasy outlook in 2025.

Pick 1.09 – Garrett Wilson (WR – NYJ)

Wilson was a popular breakout candidate last year after the Jets traded for Aaron Rodgers. Unfortunately, the future Hall of Famer lasted four snaps before tearing his Achilles, leaving the former Ohio State star to catch passes from Zach Wilson. Thankfully, that won’t happen in 2024. While Wilson likely won’t have a top-three finish, the star receiver could be a bargain as his early-second round ADP. The only way he isn’t a top-10 pick in 2025 is if Rodgers retires and the Jets fail to give Wilson an adequate replacement.

Pick 1.10 – Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)

Unfortunately, Taylor has struggled with injuries over the past few years. The superstar missed seven games in 2024 with ankle and thumb injuries. Yet, he averaged 18.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over his final four healthy contests. Some are worried Anthony Richardson will impact Taylor’s rushing touchdown upside. However, the Colts will want to limit his rushing production and protect him after he missed 13 games as a rookie. Expect Taylor to be a top-10 pick in 2025 if he can stay healthy this season.

Pick 1.11 – A.J. Brown (WR – PHI)

The former Ole Miss star has been one of the more consistent fantasy receivers since getting traded to Philadelphia. Brown was the WR5 in 2022, averaging 15 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While the Eagles offense struggled last year, the veteran finished as the WR7, averaging 13.9 fantasy points per game despite seeing a 36.4% decline in receiving touchdowns. New offensive coordinator Kellen Moore should help Brown and DeVonta Smith’s fantasy value. However, the expected breakout season from Smith likely keeps Brown from being a top-10 pick in 2025.

Pick 1.12 – Malik Nabers (WR – NYG)

Is calling Nabers a top-12 pick in 2025 fantasy football drafts a hot take? Probably, but don’t be surprised if that happens. The rookie is the only difference maker the Giants have on offense and could see double-digit targets per game this season. The argument against Nabers being a top-12 wide receiver as a rookie is his awful quarterback situation, as Daniel Jones is the worst starting quarterback in the NFL. Thankfully, the Giants can move on from Jones in the offseason, giving Nabers a respectable starting quarterback next year.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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