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Dave Ventresca's top 7 undervalued dynasty fantasy football players to buy before the start of the 2025 NFL season: Brandon Aiyuk, Jordan Mason, Josh Downs, Khalil Shakir and more.
The 2025 NFL Draft is right around the corner. Dynasty fantasy football managers are currently hard at work studying the incoming rookie class. It’s one of the most important parts of the dynasty offseason.
While you should be doing your homework on the incoming rookies, it’s also important to keep an eye on the value of current veteran players. There are always openings to find values across multiple positions. With so many managers focusing on how to best use their prized rookie picks, now is a great time to potentially exploit inefficiencies in the marketplace.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X, and check out RotoBaller.com for all your fantasy football needs. Here are seven undervalued players you should buy in your dynasty fantasy football leagues.
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Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers
Kraft enjoyed a fine sophomore season in 2024 as he posted a 50-707-7 line. It culminated with a PPR TE10 finish.
What a catch by Tucker Kraft for the TD!
📺: #HOUvsGB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/5cpzRJLlEj— NFL (@NFL) October 20, 2024
With fellow tight end Luke Musgrave injured for the majority of the year, Kraft flourished as the team’s TE1. He even continued to function as the lead tight end once Musgrave returned healthy. Following Green Bay’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, head coach Matt LaFleur praised Kraft’s improvement and stated his desire to further incorporate him into Green Bay’s offense.
Tucker Kraft Could Have Bigger Role In 2025 https://t.co/gwfiVJgXzX
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) January 28, 2025
With the Packers lacking a true alpha WR1, they might make Kraft a more prominent part of the passing game. LaFleur recently stated in an interview that he is content with the team's wide receiver room. This suggests Green Bay may not use a high pick on a receiver. LaFleur also notably stated that he is not opposed to making a tight end the team's de facto WR1. That would be excellent news for Kraft's fantasy football value.
He is only RotoBaller’s 15th-ranked dynasty tight end, so there is a very real chance you can acquire him in a trade. Kraft could very well be another manager’s backup and might be easily acquired from owners who don’t stay current on the news during the offseason.
The third-year tight end is one of my favorite buy candidates this offseason, but savvy gamers should move quickly to acquire him. LaFleur’s comments will likely go viral as we get closer to the season and will drive up Kraft’s cost. He flashed upside last season and legitimately looks the part of a stud tight end. Acquire him now before the masses catch on.
Chig Okonkwo, TE, Tennessee Titans
Okonkwo was a popular sleeper pick two years ago, but he failed to deliver. Things looked the same for most of 2024, but he showed life to close the season.
From Weeks 15-17, Okonkwo caught 22 passes for 182 yards on 28 targets. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, he posted a 30 percent targets per route run (TPRR), a 2.19 yards per route run (YPRR), and a 24.3 percent target share during that stretch.
Chig Okonkwo gets in open space for a 70-yard TD!
📺: #TENvsHOU on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/98scOwfisp— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024
It sounds like he has a realistic shot at retaining that kind of usage to begin the 2025 season. Titans head coach Brian Callahan has cited Okonkwo’s growth and hard work as the reasons for his increased role down the home stretch last year. Callahan has also praised him this offseason as well. With Calvin Ridley currently his only main target competition, we could be looking at a breakout season for Okonkwo in 2025.
Okonkwo is likely another manager’s TE2 or TE3, so he shouldn’t be too difficult to pry away. KeepTradeCut estimates his current trade value is a 2025 third-round pick. It’s fairly cheap to take a shot on Okonkwo hitting his ceiling. Expect to pay a little more in tight-end premium formats, but gamers would be wise to get him on their rosters. The fourth-year tight end could be poised for a career year.
Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
Downs' final 2024 numbers may not blow you away, but when we look under the hood, there are some good reasons to be excited about his future. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, Downs registered a 30 percent targets per route run (TPRR), a 23.9 percent target share, and a 2.29 yards per route run (YPRR). Strong scores in these metrics highly correlate to fantasy football success.
The elephant in the room regarding Downs is the Colts' current quarterback situation. Anthony Richardson struggled mightily this past season, and it looks like he could be a bust. However, Colts general manager Chris Ballard hinted that the team will add competition to the quarterback position this offseason.
They eventually did, and the team signed Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million contract. Jones failed as the New York Giants starting quarterback, but he consistently targeted Malik Nabers last year. The veteran signal-caller is certainly an upgrade as a passer over what we've seen from Richardson so far.
Jones' arrival could be good news for Downs' fantasy value, as he was most successful last year when Joe Flacco was under center. Downs is a talented receiver and just needs competent quarterback play to thrive.
Touchdown Josh Downs to give Indy a 24-7 lead!
📺: #TENvsIND on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/PAQDLqNOH2— NFL (@NFL) December 22, 2024
Currently ranked as RotoBaller's dynasty WR43, Downs has the chance to soar up dynasty rankings with a big 2025. He's one of the more underrated receivers in the league and could break out in a big way if all goes right.
Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seattle Seahawks
While his raw stats disappointed last year, Walker still posted some strong advanced metrics. Among 46 backs with 100+ carries, Walker finished:
First in Missed Tackles Forced Per Attempt (MTF/ATT) per Fantasy Points Data Suite
Third in PFF Elusive Rating
Fifth in PFF Rushing Grade
Ninth in Missed Tackles Forced (MTF) per Fantasy Points Data Suite
10th in Yards After Contact Per Attempt (YACO/ATT) per Fantasy Points Data Suite
All aboard the K9 train 🚂 pic.twitter.com/dCv6sT9IWr
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) September 8, 2024
This is still a highly talented player. Some of his efficiency metrics have not been great, but this can partially be attributed to Seattle’s poor offensive line play over the years. A bad offensive line can skew running back efficiency metrics, and a good line can help.
Look no further than Saquon Barkley this past season for proof of that statement. If the team can sufficiently address the offensive line in the NFL Draft, then Walker could blossom into a star.
Walker received plenty of volume in 2024, even with a new coaching staff in place. He has dealt with nagging injuries during his career, and that could scare some owners.
Walker is one of the top buys at running back this offseason. He has posted strong advanced metrics in key areas and has a top-5 upside. The addition of new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak might be what unlocks the next level of Walker’s game in 2025.
Check in with the Walker manager in your league and work out a deal to get him on your roster.
Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
2024 was a disastrous season for Aiyuk. Things got off on the wrong foot when contract negotiations with San Francisco spiraled out of control and led to Aiyuk nearly being traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Cooler heads prevailed, and Aiyuk signed a four-year deal a few weeks before the start of the season.
BREAKING: 49ers, WR Brandon Aiyuk agree to 4-year, $120M extension ($76M in guarantees).
(via @mikegarafolo + @rapsheet) pic.twitter.com/eRXnXZVab7— NFL (@NFL) August 29, 2024
Perhaps the intense negotiations left a bad taste in Aiyuk’s mouth as he didn't have his best year in 2024. He only posted a 25-374-0 line in seven games. Unfortunately, Aiyuk would tear his ACL in a Week 7 game against the Kansas City Chiefs and would miss the rest of the season.
For some reason, Aiyuk is now the dynasty WR35 on KeepTradeCut. This seems like a huge overreaction to a down season and subsequent ACL injury, as he was ranked as high as WR12 in the weeks before the 2024 season. Yes, he could miss time to start 2025 recovering from his knee injury, but WR35? It seems that dynasty gamers have forgotten how talented Aiyuk is.
Brock 🎯 BA @brockpurdy13 | @THE2ERA#SFvsSEA on @SNFonNBC
NFL+ // https://t.co/KTh0i4oaLh pic.twitter.com/s6HiWpwNeg— San Francisco 49ers (@49ers) November 24, 2023
This all feels like a massive overcorrection for a player who may have been a tad overvalued entering 2024. He is still locked in with San Francisco for at least two more years and now has less target competition with Deebo Samuel Sr. out of the mix.
Take advantage of the dip in Aiyuk’s value and get him on your team. He may not have the best 2025, but he should be fully healthy again once 2026 rolls around. We already know Aiyuk is one of the best route runners in the league and can be a great dynasty asset functioning as the X receiver in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
Khalil Shakir, WR, Buffalo Bills
Shakir is coming off a career year in 2024. He posted a 76-821-4 line on 100 targets. He finished the season as the PPR WR37.
ALLEN TO SHAKIR FOR THE 51-YARD TD!
📺: #BUFvsLAR on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/uOWT3VwXqi— NFL (@NFL) December 8, 2024
Buffalo awarded Shakir with a four-year, $60.2 million contract extension for his efforts this past season. He is now locked in as Josh Allen’s slot receiver for the foreseeable future. The Bills did sign Joshua Palmer to a contract this offseason, but he doesn’t profile as a WR1. Keon Coleman struggled as a rookie last year and was primarily a go-ball specialist. If Shakir continues honing his craft, there's a chance he could become Allen's WR1.
Even if Shakir has maxed out as a slot-only player, he can still be a very useful asset in leagues with multiple flex spots. He is currently ranked as RotoBaller’s dynasty WR42 and is a perfect WR3 target or low-cost option if you’re thin at receiver. Try to acquire him in your league. He’s improved every year, and his best days could be ahead of him.
Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
The San Francisco 49ers traded Mason to the Minnesota Vikings earlier this offseason. At the time, it seemed like an out-of-nowhere move. Based on Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell’s comments, though, Mason could be a big part of Minnesota’s running game.
The Jordan Mason touchdown managers were waiting for!
He has 93 yards and a TD so far! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/lhubclHsVx
— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) September 10, 2024
Mason filled in nicely for Christian McCaffrey last year. In 12 games, he ran for 789 yards and three touchdowns before suffering an ankle injury that ended his season. Some of Mason’s advanced metrics were also quite good. Among 46 backs with 100 carries, Mason finished third in Next Gen Stats' rush yards over expected per attempt (RYOE/ATT), 10th in PFF elusive rating, and 19th in PFF rushing grade.
Mason now enters a situation where he could get more consistent touches as part of a backfield committee with Aaron Jones. Minnesota has made it clear that it acquired Mason to help keep Jones fresh. So, Mason should be in line for plenty of work. He is one of the top handcuffs available and would be in line for a starter’s workload if Jones ever goes down. Mason should provide some standalone value for gamers as well.
Minnesota has been rumored to be interested in adding another running back in the upcoming NFL Draft. Mason still needs to dodge this bullet. However, as long as Minnesota doesn't use a Day 1 or Day 2 pick on a back, Mason’s role on the team should be secure. He shouldn’t be too expensive to acquire in a trade and is a good depth piece to add, with the potential for more.
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