RADIO
The 2024 NFL regular season is finally over, and it's now time to look back on what happened and try to ascertain how that will affect rankings next year. Of course, there's plenty of time until the 2025 regular season kicks off, as we haven't even made it through the playoffs yet.
Still, it's extremely important to nail your first-round draft picks in fantasy football. Failing to do so can often be the difference between winning and losing your championship matchups and playoff games. You also might miss the fantasy postseason altogether.
So let's dive into a countdown of the top 5 draft picks for 2025.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2024:- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
- Kicker fantasy football rankings
- FLEX fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- IDP fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
5. Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
What he does in the playoffs will probably be important, but he leapfrogs at least a few players here purely because he's so reliable, consistent, and obviously elite. Nacua had some injury issues to start the season but hasn't missed a game since returning in Week 8. Other than a game featuring a terrible ejection decision by the officiating crew, the second-year pro has dominated.
Puka Nacua ridiculous numbers pic.twitter.com/hmmSySGZ7o
— Football Insights 📊 (@fball_insights) December 13, 2024
His efficiency has been utterly historic. On a yards-per-route-run basis, he is the best zone-beater at WR in the last 11 seasons and the second-best against man coverage. He's the only receiver in the league in that span to post over three YPRR on 75 or more targets in that span. He's playing like one of the best wideouts to ever step foot on the field.
Every big catch from Puka Nacua in the Rams win vs Buffalo
Short route concepts, his body control, extending the field, jump balls, YAC. Nothing he can’t do. Top 5 WR in football pic.twitter.com/UbbzQB3Xq3
— Football Digest (@FoootballDigest) December 9, 2024
What's even better about that level of efficiency is that it typically signifies that a player can succeed with even more targets. As his fellow WR Cooper Kupp continues to age and fall off, we could see Nacua hyper-targeted even more next season. Quarterback Matthew Stafford would be well-served to break the record for most targets to a player in a season by force-feeding the former BYU Cougar constantly.
There don't seem to be any flaws to his game. He has incredible intelligence, is great after the catch, does well on designed rushes, has incredible hands, possesses elite body control, knows how to break down defenses, is difficult to guard in both man and zone coverage, has the complete trust of his quarterback and coaching staff, and more. He should be in the top 5.
4. Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Robinson proved to be worth the spot he was drafted at by the Falcons in 2023. He had a fantastic season as a trustworthy workhorse running back, carrying the ball 276 times for 1,286 yards and 12 touchdowns and catching 59 passes on 67 targets for 428 yards and one score. He also only fumbled the ball one time.
The most impressive run of Bijan’s professional career imo. Shows a jump cut, contact balance and a burst of speed. pic.twitter.com/w2RztclArX
— Joe Patrick (@japatrick200) November 10, 2024
His ability to change direction extremely quickly makes it incredibly difficult for linebackers to diagnose plays. He can start and stop on a dime and re-accelerate extremely quickly, putting opposing defenders on skates and forcing them to miss their tackles. He's a legitimate weapon in the receiving game, too.
The do-it-all jack-of-all-trades RB is also just 22 years old, and it looks like he has a long and productive career ahead of him. He's in good hands as well. Atlanta's offense features plenty of talented pass-catchers, a solid offensive line, and a rookie quarterback in Michael Penix Jr. who's flashed serious potential.
The way Bijan is able to subtly cut in the open field and put defenders on the ground is always breathtaking. pic.twitter.com/CwdExY5aHv
— Dan Why-Ner (@ReallyDanWeiner) January 5, 2025
He doesn't have elite speed, but he's fast enough, and his change of direction ability allows him to consistently make more out of plays than he's given. RBs don't always need to be elite home run hitters to excel. His volume is extremely safe as long as he's healthy.
3. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
The quarterback situation has yet to be resolved for 2025 in Minnesota, but for the most part, it doesn't matter too much. Whether the team decides to extend quarterback Sam Darnold isn't particularly relevant. Even if rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy (knee) ends up starting next year, JJettas should continue to play at an elite level. He is the best WR in the NFL.
JUSTIN JEFFERSON 97-YARD TD ARE YOU KIDDING ME ?! 🤯
UNREAL THROW 😳
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/HwfQuQnPbB— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) September 15, 2024
He is completely uncoverable and has been elite every year no matter who has been the signal-caller. His route-running savvy and explosiveness out of his breaks make it impossible for opposing defensive backs to cover him. The Canton-bound pass-catcher has been a model of consistency, as he currently holds the record for most receiving yards per game in a career, at 96.5.
Any QB who plays for the Vikings will know their No. 1 job is to get the ball to Jefferson, who will be open early and often. Safe to say if Minny's quarterback was Joe Burrow, JJ would be the undisputed No. 1 pick in fantasy football for 2025.
2. Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
While we have our reservations about spending early picks on running backs coming off of massive volume seasons, Barkley is just 27 years old, and as Baltimore Ravens RB Derrick Henry has shown, backs can still have great seasons even into their late 20s and early 30s. Barkley was elite this season, putting up seven games of 25 or more PPR fantasy points on the year.
Saquan Barkley just MARCHED OFF on the Saints for a 65 Yard Touchdown 🤯 Give him good blocking and he is a great RB. Give him this blocking and he can be legendary. @saquon pic.twitter.com/bOuuQdtkHD
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) September 22, 2024
It shouldn't be much of a surprise that this happened. He went from an absolute poverty franchise, the New York Giants, to a team with an elite offensive line. His production also came naturally. He was able to get in space more often and use his elite speed, contact balance, and elusiveness to shred defenses for huge gains consistently.
Saquon Barkley’s top 8 plays this season:
A thread: 🪡 🧵
No. 8: long run vs Buccaneers
— SaquonMuse⚡️ (@MuseSaquon) December 20, 2024
His highlight reel from this season is utterly insane.
1. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
To no one's surprise, the Triple Crown winner from 2024 will probably be the first overall pick in 2025. Chase tallied 127 catches on an insane 175 targets for 1708 yards and 17 touchdowns, scoring 22 PPR fantasy points per game. He had three games where he detonated for over 40 PPR FPTs.
BURROW TO JA'MARR CHASE 67-YD TOUCHDOWN 🔥
NOBODY COULD CATCH HIM 😤
(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/g25Wv3jKNg
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 8, 2024
Chase has a lot of things going for him. He has one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Burrow. He's a "just get the ball in his hands" type of player because he's so great after the catch. His elite physicality makes it extremely hard to guard him in man coverage, and Burrow's ability to surgically dice up zone coverage makes it a bad idea to run those defenses.
Burrow isn't going anywhere, and Chase isn't either. With the Bengals having such a poor defense, we may see them need to pass the ball early and often next year yet again. Hopefully, the No. 1 overall pick curse ends in 2025. Still, he's one of the NFL's best wideouts paired with one of the best QBs, so he should be taken first overall next season.
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