Scott Engel's Fantasy Football Rankings and Stock Report: The Latest Preseason Risers And Fallers

August 22, 2025

Scott's latest 2025 PPR fantasy football rankings include spotlights on players rising and falling in value. Also see top 150 fantasy football draft rankings for PPR scoring.

We are now firmly into fantasy football draft season, and I am constantly revising my 2025 fantasy football rankings based on the latest news, observations, and insights. This feature is necessary because over the last week-plus, my ranks have required significant overhauls.

This latest preseason fantasy football stock report includes my newest risers and fallers at each position. I also include the overall top 150 for PPR formats following the stock reports. Premium subscribers can click here to access my full rankings by position for all formats, including superflex.

You can register for the full RotoBaller Fantasy Football season pass for access to my rankings all season, using promo code KING at checkout for an additional discount. All readers can consult my complete preseason stock report here, based on the latest rankings updates.

Fantasy Football Risers at Running Back

Kyren Williams (Ranked No. 10 at RB): His three-year extension solidifies a high-volume role again, and that just isn’t easy to find, even among the top running backs. The health of Matthew Stafford is an obvious concern; otherwise, Williams might actually be a spot or two higher.

James Cook (RB11): He received what was wanted well in time before many draft dates, which we should be thankful for. Many fantasy football analysts and players are expecting a TD drop-off, but Cook is a focal point of one of the best offenses in the NFL and has proved himself as a true featured back. He’s still a firm back-end fantasy RB1.

Omarion Hampton (RB14): Najee Harris’ eye injury is going to give Hampton a chance to see some additional volume early in the season. A healthy Harris might have forced a timeshare situation early on, but now Hampton has a clearer runway for his rise.

TreVeyon Henderson (RB18): Rhamondre Stevenson isn’t going away immediately, yet the upside of Henderson is widely apparent. The hope is that he is highly efficient early and makes the most of his touches. Henderson, however,  has the promise to bust loose in any given week,

Isiah Pacheco (RB21): It is becoming even clearer that it is Pacheco’s backfield to mostly own in Kansas City. The Chiefs still obviously trust him, as they didn’t bring in any significant competition during the offseason.

Tony Pollard (RB22): Cameron Ward can certainly energize the Tennessee offense and provide more balance, which is good for Pollard’s outlook as the lead RB.

Jaylen Warren (RB24): Kaleb Johnson has not shown enough during the preseason, and Warren is set to be the No. 1 RB for Pittsburgh.

Tyrone Tracy Jr. (RB27): Cam Skattebo’s preseason hamstring injury is paving a path for a heavier workload for Tracy early in the regular season.

Tank Bigsby (RB29): He is Jacksonville’s best TD threat, and if Trevor Lawrence finally starts to meet expectations, Bigsby will be a consistent drive finisher for an improving offense.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB34): The preseason darling might open the season as part of a committee, yet he may just have to outplay Chris Rodriguez Jr. to eventually claim the lead rusher role.

I know we’ve heard the Jets OL is improved, but Braelon Allen didn’t get touched here for 10+ yards straight up the middle. Goodness.
pic.twitter.com/9LJprpoyNE

— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept) August 10, 2025

Braelon Allen (RB36): At the very least, Allen may function as a frequent TD producer for a run-based, RPO offense. The ceiling could actually be pushing Breece Hall out of the picture via a trade.

Nick Chubb (RB37): He appears ready to open the season as the top RB for Houston. C.J. Stroud is a strong rebound candidate, and Chubb might see some frequent TD opportunities.

Ollie Gordon II (RB47): The Miami rookie could be a goal-line vulture, and his later draft appeal is rising due to concerns about De'Von Achane’s calf.

Fantasy Football Risers at Wide Receiver

Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR18): Everyone knows that his rookie season was a disappointment, including Kyler Murray and Arizona offensive coordinator Drew Petzing. Getting the ball to Harrison more often is a big key for the Cards this year. The upside is still very tempting.

Courtland Sutton (WR20): He might not get enough respect as a WR1 for an improving offense. This is Denver’s most dependable pass-catcher for an ascending QB.

Calvin Ridley (WR23): With Ward injecting some new life in the Titans offense, Ridley should re-emerge as a viable fantasy WR2.

Jaylen Waddle (WR24): The negative talk on Tyreek Hill is naturally elevating the appeal of Waddle, who can still outperform his slotting even if Hill bounces back. Of course, it all depends on the health of Tua Tagovailoa.

Ricky Pearsall (WR32): Injuries and departures have opened up a sizable role for Pearsall to start the season. He may quickly become a very busy pass-catcher for Brock Purdy, which would be good for PPR purposes.

Emeka Egbuka (WR35): This is another situation where injuries are creating a significant opportunity. Egbuka’s stock has been rising throughout the preseason.

Matthew Golden (WR39): Jordan Love has been lacking an authentic No. 1 WR, yet now the Packers may have found his man.

DeMario Douglas (WR47): I would not be surprised if he leads the Patriots in receptions in 2025.

Dont'e Thornton Jr. (WR48): The fourth-round rookie carries serious sleeper potential. Geno Smith is a good deep passer, and Thornton is a real downfield threat.

Stevie Johnson believes Josh Palmer will become the #Bills WR1 👀

"I'm calling it, Josh Palmer will lead the Buffalo Bills in the wide receiver category"#BillsMafia #thesickpodcast @StevieJohnson13 @MichaelFFlorio pic.twitter.com/siBiBkJxBQ

— The Sick Podcast - Bills Banter (@sickpodbills) August 12, 2025

Joshua Palmer (WR49): I don’t want to try this again after Palmer disappointed when given larger opportunities with the Chargers. But when former Bill Stevie Johnson tells my colleague Michael Florio that Palmer will be Buffalo’s best WR this year, I do take notice.

Elic Ayomanor (WR59): There is an opportunity to grab a prime WR spot on the Tennessee depth chart right away, and Ayomanor has been flashing his playmaking ability during the preseason.

Fantasy Football Risers at Quarterback

Dak Prescott (QB9): The Dallas defense is going to give up a lot of points and yardage, and the running game won’t be dependable. Prescott might lead the NFC in passing attempts.

Drake Maye (QB10): I have bought into the widely proclaimed breakout. The New England offense is finally looking respectable again.

C.J. Stroud (QB14): Expect a big rebound campaign with a deeper and more impressive receiving crew.

Geno Smith (QB22): Geno still gets disrespected too much overall, and can be a quality QB2 for superflex purposes.

Fantasy Football Risers at Tight End

Colston Loveland (TE14): Tyler Warren is my preferred rookie TE. Loveland, however, would rank as a back-end TE1 if not for the Chicago receiving room being so crowded.

Brenton Strange (TE17): Evan Engram is gone, and the Jaguars will give Strange a chance to build on his glimpses of productivity from last season.

Theo Johnson (TE24): Russell Wilson does not consistently target the TE, but Johnson may force him to look his way often.

Mason Taylor (TE25): The Jets lack a true No. 1 receiver, and Taylor is a sleeper candidate to become a regular target for Justin Fields on key passing downs.

Fantasy Football Fallers at Running Back

Jonathan Taylor (RB13): I am just not a fan of the Indianapolis offense with Daniel Jones at the helm. Consistent TD opportunities may sometimes be hard to come by as the offense sputters.

Breece Hall (RB20): All reports seem to indicate that the Jets may utilize a committee that includes three RBs. Plus, as previously indicated, the Braelon Allen breakout might come at Hall’s expense.

Kenneth Walker's health issues and Zach Charbonnet's ongoing ability to impress the Seahawks "suggests that Seattle's backfield could be more of a timeshare than a typical starter-backup arrangement", per @BradyHenderson 👀 pic.twitter.com/OsESV7UvYp

— Yahoo Fantasy Sports (@YahooFantasy) August 20, 2025

Kenneth Walker III (RB22): Earlier in the preseason, it seemed that Walker was certainly going to resume being the lead RB for the Seahawks. Continued injury concerns, plus the rising stock of Zach Charbonnet (boosted to RB37), have suddenly brought Walker’s 2025 workload into question.

Bhayshul Tuten (RB42): Many fantasy analysts are touting Tuten as a sleeper, but the Jacksonville backfield situation is too crowded for him to get meaningful reps early on. Injuries might have to open a path to fantasy success.

Jaydon Blue (RB43): A heel issue stifled any potential momentum in the preseason. I’m not out on guys like Blue and Tuten, but you may have to be very patient when waiting for them to emerge as rookies.

Kaleb Johnson (RB58): Another first-year RB who was stirring some buzz before training camp, Johnson now has to show he can beat out Kenneth Gainwell for playing time. He’s not threatening Jaylen Warren as a starter anytime soon.

Fantasy Football Fallers at Wide Receiver

Puka Nacua (WR8): The drop from the fourth spot to eighth is mainly based on the uncertain health outlook of Stafford. Nacua wouldn’t fully tank with Jimmy Garoppolo at QB, though; he simply has to be bumped down a few slots right now.

Garrett Wilson (WR16): He has no apparent sturdy complement, and while that might translate into a lot of volume, he will naturally draw additional defensive attention. Plus, the Jets offense may be one of the lower-producing units in the NFL.

Davante Adams (WR22): This is also an adjustment based on the Stafford outlook, but Adams was moved down only two spots at WR. He would still catch many key passes from any Rams QB.

Stefon Diggs (WR38): He may top the depth chart at WR for New England, but I am looking for one of the younger wideouts in New England to outproduce him at this point in Diggs’ career. He will still command defensive respect, but that will open up opportunities for others in the Patriots passing game.

Michael Pittman Jr. (WR42): I have been passing on Pittman in drafts for a few years now. With another murky QB outlook and a rather crowded receiving picture in Indianapolis, I’ll pass on Pittman again.

Adonai Mitchell (WR50): He’s a sexy sleeper candidate, but Mitchell is in the wrong situation to tap into his potential. Too much target competition and mediocre quarterbacking will make me let him slip by in the later rounds.

Rashid Shaheed (WR60): The New Orleans QB situation is the worst in the league and robs Shaheed of his promise as a downfield target.

Luther Burden III (WR74): I like Burden in dynasty leagues, of course. There are too many other guys on the Chicago depth chart ahead of him for impactful fantasy touches in 2025.

Fantasy Football Fallers at Quarterback

Jared Goff (QB12): The coaching changes in Detroit concern me, along with the loss of two significant offensive linemen. There is a chance that the Lions offense takes a minor step backward, as Goff’s protection might be downgraded.

Brock Purdy (QB13): The receiving corps has been struck by the previously mentioned personnel concerns, and Purdy will have to open the season without three of his top WRs from last season.

Justin Fields (QB15): He has not inspired much confidence with an erratic preseason, and Fields’ receiving corps is thin. Of course, the rushing upside remains apparent.

Anthony Richardson Sr. (QB32): The second-year Colt lost out on the starting job to open the season, yet I might stash him in superflex formats for a possible reclaiming of it later in the season.

Fantasy Football Fallers at Tight End

Jonnu Smith (TE16): He might function as one of the primary targets in Pittsburgh. Splitting some potential targets with Pat Freiermuth, though, in a possibly mediocre passing game bumped him down out of the top 15.

Mike Gesicki (TE27): Always overrated in fantasy football and now might get some more competition for catches from another TE who never lived up to his fantasy billing, Noah Fant.

Elijah Arroyo (TE31): The Seattle rookie is a very good dynasty prospect. Right now, though, his spot contributions may not be enough to warrant a fantasy roster spot in 2025.

Oronde Gadsden II (Not Ranked): Much like Arroyo, Gadsden is someone I want to roster in dynasty leagues, but he could be lower on his team’s depth chart or on its receiving ladder in year one.

The King's Fantasy Football Rankings Preview: The Top 150 Overall

Full positional rankings available here.

LIKE ROTOBALLER?

CLICK HERE, ENTER ROTOBALLER.COM, THEN CHECK THE BOX

More Fantasy Football Analysis

Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!