Christian McCaffrey is still a first-rounder: Unfortunately, injury concerns re-appeared for McCaffrey last season and he was limited to four games. Yet fantasy football drafters are not scared to take CMC in the first round. His current Average Draft Position is ninth overall. From the fantasy perspective, McCaffrey is the ultimate risk/reward type.

Whether to draft him or not depends on what type of league you play in. Those who play in a 12-team league with friends might want to opt for a safer pick. Competitors in leagues with more advanced opponents may elect to swing for the upside he provides. McCaffrey could be taken at any slot in the first round of your draft, as I have witnessed him being picked anywhere from third to12th in early drafts.

The Seahawks sleeper pick: The buzz is growing on rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo now that he has signed his first contract with the Seahawks. He certainly has some fantasy promise as a 6-foot-5, 240 pounder with some speed. There may be a path to a satisfying amount of volume and some splash plays from Arroyo in his first year. Draft him as a final-rounder and potential sleeper at the thinnest position in fantasy football.

Position scarcity spotlight: Both the QB and TE positions are top-heavy from fantasy perspectives. At QB, you must be prepared to target one of the top four dual-threat superstars in the first three rounds. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts will be picked earlier than all other QBs. If you miss out on one of them, then it is acceptable to wait until the middle or later rounds to draft a starting QB.

Brock Bowers and Trey McBride will likely be second-round targets at TE, because they are regarded as the two clear elite players at their position. George Kittle, the third TE off the board in early drafts, has an early ADP of 38, which puts him early in the fourth round. If you do wait longer at TE, Indianapolis’ Tyler Warren (TE 10 via ADP) could be the next rookie TE to make an instant impact.

Fields of Dreams: Justin Fields is a starting QB again, this time with the Jets. He is the unquestioned starter for New York and might be a terrific fantasy value play in 2025. The rushing upside is still apparent, and Fields finished as fantasy QB6 in 2022, when he started 15 games. That season, he rushed for 1,143 yards and eight TDs, and at 26 years old, recapturing much of that form is very possible.

Fantasy Football WR outlooks with new teams: Several notable WRs changed addresses and uniforms this past offseason. Of course, Cooper Kupp came home to Seattle, where he still has the craftiness and techniques to perform as a quality fantasy WR3. DK Metcalf is now in Pittsburgh, and with a projected heavier amount of targets, he may be a high-end fantasy WR3.

George Pickens fills the No.2 WR hole in Dallas and should have some fantasy WR2 promise in a busy passing offense. A healthy Deebo Samuel would also have some appeal as a fantasy WR3, giving Washington a much-needed complement to Terry McLaurin. Stefon Diggs is expected to be ready for the season as the new No.1 WR for New England, and he might be a steady fantasy starter again. He is being drafted just outside the top 40 at WR, so take the shot on him as a flex player or top WR depth pick.

Fantasy Football Breakouts: Here are some key performers who might take another step forward in their careers or exceed their draft positions/rankings in 2025:

Malik Nabers (Current ADP of WR5 on Fantasy Pros) may challenge to be a top 3 fantasy WR in his second year. Bucky Irving (RB10) is an exciting and versatile RB2 target who could finish as an RB1. Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR18) should be more consistently productive in his second NFL season. Xavier Worthy (WR23) may become an even more frequent downfield playmaker for Patrick Mahomes.

D’Andre Swift (RB22) might come through with his best fantasy season yet in an emerging Chicago offense. His teammate, Rome Odunze (WR36) is going to be a regular starter in his second season, and he has fantasy WR2 upside…. Ricky Pearsall (WR35) is another second-year WR to watch, as he possibly becomes a No.2 WR for the 49ers. J.J. McCarthy (QB17) will debut as a starter for Minnesota, and he is being viewed as a value QB2 pick.