
Andersen's four fantasy football value picks and 2025 draft sleepers at each position. Read Andersen's list of fantasy football sleepers at QB, RB, WR, TE.
Every season, fantasy football managers focus heavily on the first couple of rounds of the draft. After all, those are the players who will lead your team, often scoring the most points every week.
However, the picks you make in the middle and late rounds will likely determine whether you win your league or end up near the bottom of the standings. Identifying value throughout the entirety of your draft can give you the upper hand as you embark on the 2025 fantasy football season.
Let's look at four of the best value picks in fantasy drafts this year. These players should significantly outperform their ADP and will be on plenty of championship rosters in 2025.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings (redraft)
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
- 2025 NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
- Best ball fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback fantasy football rankings
- Running back fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver fantasy football rankings
- Tight end fantasy football rankings
Fantasy Football Quarterback Draft Value Pick
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
Love was the fifth-highest-scoring quarterback in 2023, but we saw some regression with him last year. An injury sidelined him for two games and likely limited his ability to perform in several others. We saw Malik Willis take his place in seven of the Packers' 17 games.
One year earlier, though, he rewarded fantasy managers with a 36-touchdown, 11-interception campaign. That was his first full season as the Packers' starter, giving fans plenty of optimism in the post-Aaron Rodgers era.
While Love's fantasy production came back down to earth last year, there were still plenty of reasons to maintain confidence in the Utah State product.
Love had the fourth-highest QBR in 2024, and he ranked ninth in fantasy points per dropback. He was also fifth among quarterbacks in air yards per attempt and fourth in explosive rating.
Furthermore, Love's supporting cast only got stronger this offseason. The main newcomer in Green Bay's offense is Matthew Golden, a first-round receiver out of Texas. He'll join an offense that already features superstar running back Josh Jacobs, up-and-coming tight end Tucker Kraft, and solid complementary receivers such as Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson.
Love had a 66.7 percent red zone completion rate last season, which ranked fifth in the NFL. With a reinforced offense at his disposal, Love should be able to lead more drives into scoring range, and his red zone completion rate suggests he'll have no trouble completing touchdown passes near the goal line.
We won't guarantee Love has the best fantasy season of his career; that would require finishing among the top five quarterbacks. However, barring injury, he should finish significantly higher than his ADP. He's currently being drafted 135th overall, making him the 18th quarterback off the board. If Love finishes among the top 12 quarterbacks (which he should), you're getting a steal in the 12th round.
First look at the Jordan Love + Matthew Golden connection 👀
(via @JoriEpstein)pic.twitter.com/0UpmKMLL5a
— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) May 28, 2025
Fantasy Football Running Back Draft Value Pick
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
The NFC North witnessed a major shakeup in March 2024 as the Packers signed Jacobs and released Aaron Jones. The longtime Packer found his way to enemy territory, signing with the Vikings immediately. The UTEP product remained a reliable every-down threat in his new role as Minnesota's No. 1 running back.
Jones ultimately totaled 1,138 rushing yards, 408 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns over 17 games last year. He was on the field more than ever, setting a career-high in snaps and touches.
The increased workload didn't appear to impact his productivity or availability. For the second time in three years, he was healthy and active for all 17 games. He ranked seventh among NFL running backs in routes run, third in game script, and first in under-center carry rate.
It's worth noting that the Vikings did bring in Jordan Mason this offseason, and Kevin O'Connell intends to get him on the field. However, this may be a blessing in disguise for Jones. Mason is primarily expected to handle short-yardage opportunities, which means Jones will lose a few yards here and there, plus maybe a touchdown or two.
But it's not like Jones was a major touchdown merchant. He scored just seven times last year, instead accruing most of his points on rushing yards and receptions. Jones should still eclipse a half-dozen touchdowns, and he'll contend for 1,500 scrimmage yards once again. Plus, Mason earning short-yardage snaps should keep Jones healthy, which is vital at 30 years old.
It's fair to be cautious with Jones in 2025, but that means avoiding him at a top-12 running back price tag. His current ADP of 71 has an implied ranking of RB25, which is simply perplexing for one of this decade's most dependable, productive running backs. Don't let his age deter you; Jones will prove to be a steal this season.
#Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell on his backfield:
“Aaron Jones is at his best when we can keep him fresh, we can keep him truly as that 1a, because we’ve got the 1b with him, and that was Jordan Mason.” pic.twitter.com/5nGWoeX3vb
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) April 1, 2025
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Draft Value Pick
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
Mooney enjoyed a resurgence during his first season with the Falcons. The former longtime Chicago Bear became the No. 2 receiver in offensive guru Zac Robinson's system, catching 64 passes for 992 yards and five touchdowns. If not for missing the final game with a shoulder issue, he surely would have eclipsed 1,000 yards for the second time in his career.
Despite missing that final contest, Mooney maintained a phenomenal 92.4 percent snap share, which ranked seventh among NFL wide receivers. He finished the year as the overall WR31 in PPR leagues.
As much as Mooney impressed last year, he's expected to take another step forward — and have an even larger role — during the 2025 season. Wide receivers coach Ike Hilliard recently indicated the Falcons plan to get him more targets "and see where that goes."
Mooney himself said that he performed well on deep routes last year, and Michael Penix Jr. acknowledged how difficult he is to cover one-on-one. The quarterback's observations fall in line with the advanced metrics; Mooney had an explosive rating of 122.8 last year, ranking sixth among wide receivers.
A full offseason of work with Penix, who has taken over as the Falcons' starting quarterback, should bode quite well for Mooney. In general, his familiarity with the Falcons' offense — he can approach this offseason as a returner, rather than a newcomer learning a foreign offense — should go a long way.
Yet, we're not seeing any optimism baked into his ADP. He's currently being drafted 113th, making him the 51st receiver off the board. His price tag has somehow gotten cheaper since Hilliard went public with the Falcons' plans to get Mooney more involved.
Mooney is being drafted like a fringe bench receiver when all signs point to him being a weekly flex with legitimate WR2 upside. Savvy managers will jump on this opportunity to get an impact receiver in the 10th round.
Michael Penix Jr. to Darnell Mooney is going to be a fun pair to watch this season. pic.twitter.com/AuwqWidJM2
— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) June 12, 2025
Fantasy Football Tight End Draft Value Pick
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
The Commanders brought in Ertz last year to provide a veteran presence in a young offense led by Jayden Daniels. The signing paid major dividends as Ertz firmly grasped onto the No. 1 tight end role, catching 66 passes for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. He finished as the overall TE7 in PPR leagues.
Among NFL tight ends last year, Ertz ranked third in slot snaps, sixth in air yards, and fourth in red zone targets. He had six games with at least five catches, as well as one outing with 11 targets. He scored six times over the final seven contests, averaging 13.5 points during that span.
Throughout the season, not only did Ertz produce as a receiver, but he was also an effective blocker, creating opportunities for Daniels on the ground. Tight ends who block well typically earn more snaps, and that's what we saw with Ertz, who held off rookie Ben Sinnott despite being in his mid-30s.
One important component of Ertz's productivity was the type of routes he ran. According to Tyler Buecher of FantasyGuru.com, Ertz ran horizontal-breaking routes at a 47.7 percent rate, which ranked first among tight ends in the league. This should be sustainable, and it could help Ertz rank as a top-eight fantasy tight end once again in 2025.
However, Ertz has an ADP of 221, which ranks him as the overall TE26. That price tag makes him undrafted in most 12-team leagues with 16 rounds, and it would make him one of the last few picks in 14-team formats.
Maybe the addition of Deebo Samuel Sr. or Ertz's age justifies knocking him down a slot or two; perhaps last year's TE7 finisher regresses to a fringe top-12 option this year. But there is no way to justify Ertz being the 26th tight end off the board. Don't waste a 10th-round pick on a fringe tight end starter when you can get Ertz in the 16th — or on waivers.
Year 13 in the NFL for Commanders TE Zach Ertz.
The dude is hungrier than ever and had a lot of great things to say about Jayden Daniels.
On Jayden, Ertz said, "A lot of guys love playing for him." pic.twitter.com/NQODhDA5M0
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 4, 2025
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