Top 10 Dynasty League Risers: Players to Target in Fantasy Football Drafts (2025)

February 27, 2025

Discover top 2nd-year NFL players rising in dynasty leagues. Target these top players in your 2025 fantasy football drafts: Justin Herbert, Chase Brown, and more.

Dynasty fantasy football is a game of consistent change. Players see their fantasy value rise or fall every year.

Sometimes, players go from bench options to must-start superstars. Other times, players go from weekly starters to untradable bench fodder.

Let’s look at 10 players who saw their dynasty fantasy football value rise following the 2024 NFL season.

Fantasy Football Quarterbacks

Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers

Many were down on Herbert entering the 2024 season after the moves the Chargers made last offseason. The team moved on from his top four weapons in the passing game while hiring a coaching staff that wanted to lean on the run game. However, Herbert had a solid fantasy season, ending the year as the QB11, averaging 16.8 fantasy points per contest.

The superstar was outstanding to end the regular season, averaging 24.9 fantasy points per game over the final three weeks. Furthermore, Jim Harbaugh unlocked Herbert’s rushing abilities, totaling a career-high 306 yards and two touchdowns.

While he might not be a top-3 quarterback moving forward, now is the time to trade for Herbert before Los Angeles makes a blockbuster addition to his receiving corps.

4th down ➡️ TOUCHDOWN

Justin Herbert runs it in for the @Chargers score!

📺: #TENvsLAC on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/V0nWnLI19S

— NFL (@NFL) November 10, 2024

Baker Mayfield, QB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Mayfield had many doubters entering last year despite having a productive 2023 fantasy season. The former Oklahoma star had his best year for fantasy players, ending as the QB4, averaging 21.5 fantasy points per game. He averaged 2.4 passing touchdowns per game, a career-high, totaling three or more in nearly half of the outings.

Furthermore, Mayfield had four games with four or more passing touchdowns despite Mike Evans and Chris Godwin missing time with injuries. The veteran quarterback took his game to another level during the fantasy playoffs, averaging 316.7 passing yards, 3.7 touchdowns, and 28.3 fantasy points per game. While he lacks big-name appeal, Mayfield has become a dynasty QB1 for fantasy players.

Fantasy Football Running Backs

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

Many called Brown a sleeper candidate entering the 2024 season. Unfortunately, he barely saw the field as a rookie, with the Bengals leaning on Joe Mixon as their featured running back. However, the former Illinois star had a breakout season despite the addition of Zack Moss. After starting the year as the No. 2 running back, Brown became a fantasy star and league-winner last season.

He had 886 rushing yards and seven touchdowns from Week 4 through Week 17. More importantly, Brown was the RB6 over those 14 weeks, averaging 16.4 fantasy points per game, a higher average than Kyren Williams (15.3). Cincinnati has no reason to spend significant capital on its backfield this offseason. Therefore, Brown will likely be a top-15 dynasty running back moving forward.

J.K. Dobbins, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

Unfortunately, Dobbins might have the worst injury luck of anyone in the NFL. Yet, he has turned into an outstanding running back after signing with the Chargers last offseason. While the veteran is an upcoming free agent, fantasy players should expect him back in Los Angeles in 2025. Dobbins is coming off a career year after dealing with several severe injuries during his time with the Baltimore Ravens.

Last season, Dobbins set career highs in rushing attempts (195), yards (905), and touchdowns (nine) despite missing four games with a knee injury. Furthermore, his 69.6 rushing yards per game average was 6.6 percent higher than his previous career high. More importantly, he finished last year as the RB23, averaging 13.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite missing four contests with a knee injury.

JK DOBBINS. GO-AHEAD TD WITH 18 SECONDS LEFT.

📺: #CINvsLAC on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/ou4r33q38K

— NFL (@NFL) November 18, 2024

Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers

Fantasy players gave up on Hubbard after the Panthers drafted Jonathon Brooks last year. However, a player’s fantasy value can quickly change, especially because of injury. The veteran finished last season as the RB15, averaging 14.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. He was supposed to be a placeholder until the rookie returned from a torn ACL he suffered at Texas.

However, Brooks didn’t make his NFL debut until Week 12. Unfortunately, he had only nine rushing attempts in three games before retearing the same ACL early in the Week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Hubbard signed a massive extension during the season, meaning he should be Carolina’s featured guy for at least one more year.

Fantasy Football Wide Receivers

Terry McLaurin, WR, Washington Commanders

McLaurin had been a consistent low-end WR2 or high-end WR3 for most of his career despite the Commanders’ merry-go-round at the quarterback position. Thankfully, that changed this year after the addition of Jayden Daniels. The former Ohio State star had the best season of his career in 2024, earning his first WR1 finish.

The superstar ended the year as the WR6, averaging 13.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. McLaurin had a career-high 13 receiving touchdowns, breaking the franchise record. He had at least one receiving touchdown in five of the final six regular-season contests. While Washington could add a big-name wide receiver in the offseason, McLaurin’s fantasy value has never been higher.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks

Unfortunately, Smith-Njigba had a disappointing rookie year in 2023. He finished as the WR48, averaging seven half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, fantasy players had high hopes for him after Seattle moved on from offensive coordinator Shane Waldron in the offseason. The former Ohio State star had a breakout sophomore season despite Geno Smith’s struggles.

While DK Metcalf was the team’s No. 1 wide receiver, Smith-Njigba was the best fantasy option. He finished the year as the WR10, averaging 11.9 fantasy points per game. The second-year pro led the Seahawks with six receiving touchdowns. More importantly, Seattle could trade away Metcalf this offseason, making Smith-Njigba the team’s new No. 1 wide receiver.

SMITH TO JSN AGAIN! THIS TIME FOR SIX! pic.twitter.com/ciXD042RFX

— NFL (@NFL) November 4, 2024

Marvin Mims Jr., WR, Denver Broncos

Denver’s offense became fantasy-friendly late last season. Courtland Sutton was the only non-quarterback fantasy players could trust for most of the year. However, Mims started to shine over the final two months. He scored 12.3 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in four of the final seven regular-season games, including at least 18.4 in three outings.

Many believe the Broncos will make a splashy addition at the wide receiver position this offseason. However, that might not be necessary, given how Mims ended the year. He averaged 6.5 receptions for 77 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 22.9 fantasy points per game over the final two weeks, making several big-time plays for Bo Nix and the offense.

Fantasy Football Tight Ends

Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders

Rarely do rookies see their dynasty value significantly change after one year without an injury. However, Bowers has become the unquestioned TE1 in dynasty startup drafts after 17 games. Many had the former Georgia star as their top dynasty tight end after the 2024 NFL Draft, while others ranked him inside their top three alongside Sam LaPorta and Trey McBride.

The fantasy football community questioned Bowers' value as a rookie playing for a Raiders team with Davante Adams on the roster and an awful quarterback situation. However, Adams only played in three contests for Las Vegas. More importantly, Bowers finished his rookie year as the TE1, averaging 12.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite the quarterback situation.

Jonnu Smith, TE, Miami Dolphins

Smith has spent most of his career having nearly no fantasy value. He averaged 4.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over his first seven seasons in the NFL. However, the veteran had a career year in 2024, ending the season as the TE4, averaging 10.5 fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he set career highs in several other categories.

Despite the Dolphins using four quarterbacks last year, Smith set career highs in receptions (88), targets (111), receiving yards (884), and touchdowns (eight). Yet, unlike the other nine players on this list, fantasy players want to sell high on the veteran tight end. Smith succeeded last season at Jaylen Waddle’s expense. I wouldn’t bet on that happening again next year.

Jonnu Smith WIDE OPEN for the 57-yard TD!

📺: #LVvsMIA on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/VMOXPnzMzM

— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024

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