'My Guys' For 2025 Fantasy Football Drafts - RotoBaller Staff's Favorite Picks

August 29, 2025

Rob shares some of the RotoBaller staff's favorite 2025 fantasy football players. He singles out several players fantasy managers should be all-in on this season.

The preseason has concluded, and fantasy football drafts are officially underway. Sure, we've all been hammering Best Ball drafts for months, but our home league drafts are coming into focus. It is time to finalize your prep and get those draft boards ready. Often, fantasy managers identify which players to target and avoid at their current ADP. Sometimes, however, it goes a step further.

For this article, I've compiled some of the RotoBaller staff's "My Guys." We are doing everything possible to secure these players during our drafts. We're willing to sacrifice ADP to get these players on our teams. We believe they will exceed expectations and provide fantasy managers with the league-winning upside they need. Our "My Guys" are the players we'll defend no matter what. They're guys we're entirely sold on, and we're willing to put our money where our mouth is.

I've gotten help from several of our experts here at RotoBaller. This gives readers different opinions on the players on whom some of our staff are planting their flags for the 2025 fantasy football season. Don't forget to use the promo code "BOOM" for a 10% discount on any NFL Premium Package.

Chase Brown, RB, Cincinnati Bengals

by Andy Smith

Despite opening the season as the No. 2 for the Bengals, from Week 4 onward (excluding Week 18), Brown averaged an impressive 18.3 PPR points per game, which was the sixth-highest mark at his position. During this dominant run, he saw the third-most total targets at the position per game (4.5), trailing only Alvin Kamara and De'Von Achane. With the 2024 starter Zack Moss released and only longtime backup Samaje Perine and sixth-round rookie Tahj Brooks standing in his way this year, the 25-year-old should be in a great position to see the vast majority of the snaps. In fact, throughout training camp, Brown has received the vote of confidence many times from his coaching staff.

Affordable league-winners

These guys are set to absolutely SMASH their ADP, all going outside the top 80 or so picks

Led by Ricky Pearsall and Matthew Goldenhttps://t.co/p6VNqBExny

— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) August 23, 2025

While some may believe that he is due for some regression in the receiving department, I believe the opposite could be the case. The Bengals often found themselves trailing in games or in high-scoring affairs due to their weak defense. With star defensive end Trey Hendrickson requesting a trade, this defense could be much worse in 2025, which would open up even more targets for Brown. Brown has legit RB1 upside and is in a prime position to see the most targets at the position.

Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts

by "Thunder" Dan Palyo

I'm not sure how much more I need to promote Tyler Warren, as he's already receiving plenty of love across the industry. However, I have been targeting the former Penn State big man in all formats, and I've been willing to pay his increased price lately, as I think he's in a position to be a significant difference maker in fantasy leagues this season.

The Colts took Warren in the first round because they have had a huge hole in their offense at the tight end position for years. Warren brings size, speed, competitiveness, toughness, and some big-time playmaking.

He showed the ability to win contested catches at the collegiate level, while also running over and past defenders after the catch. The tight end position has become a significant part of modern NFL offenses. Teams that have versatile tight ends who can be used as blockers and as valuable pass-catchers tend to utilize them a lot, as these players present major mismatches for opposing defenses. Corners are too small to cover them, while linebackers often lack the speed or athleticism to hang with them on vertical routes.

#Colts starters have played 35 snaps this preseason. Tyler Warren has been on the field for 34 of them. And posted 4-65-0 on six targets. pic.twitter.com/Ac75ddXa6D

— Adam Levitan (@adamlevitan) August 18, 2025

Warren is going to be a nightmare for defenses, and the Colts would be wise to feature him. With Daniel Jones starting at quarterback, I have a lot of confidence in Warren getting peppered with targets on safe routes as a way to keep the chains moving.

He's poised for a huge rookie season, especially in PPR formats, and if he has any luck finding the end zone for a handful of touchdowns, he could easily finish as a top-5 tight end in fantasy football.

Tucker Kraft, TE, Green Bay Packers

by Dave Ventresca

Since last year’s playoff loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, the Green Bay Packers have made one thing abundantly clear. Get Kraft the ball more in 2025. Head coach Matt LaFleur has expressed this sentiment multiple times throughout the offseason. Offensive coordinator Adam Stenavich and quarterback Jordan Love have also stated the same.

Matt LaFleur, the coaching staff and QB Jordan Love all agree: The No. 4 player on our @WISCTV_News3 “Most Important #Packers of 2025” list needs to be even more involved in the offense than he already is. The player? TE Tucker Kraft. https://t.co/CWN12ezfrd

— Jason Wilde (@jasonjwilde) July 17, 2025

When analyzing Kraft’s advanced metrics, it’s easy to see why everyone wants the ball in Kraft’s hands more this year. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, among 31 tight ends with 50+ targets in 2024, Kraft finished:

• Fifth in yards after catch
• First in yards after catch per reception
• Third in yards after contact
• First in yards after contact per reception
• Fifth in missed tackles forced

Kraft is a force in the open field. If the Packers stay true to their word, a huge breakout could be on the horizon. Gamers who wish to bypass the top tight ends should make Kraft a priority target on draft day.

Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears

by Aidin Ebrahimi

Odunze had a slightly disappointing rookie season, but he still managed to finish the year with 734 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Some legends of the game, such as Calvin Johnson (756 yards, four TDs) and Tim Brown (725 yards, five TDs), started their careers off with similar numbers before going on to achieve much greater things.

Odunze certainly has all the tools to become an all-time great. Indeed, he ranked 16th in YAC per reception (4.8), third in average depth of target (14.2), and first in contested catch rate (72.2) among the 43 wideouts with 90+ targets in 2024. He is an exceptional deep threat who can also generate some yardage after the catch, a lethal combination that makes him a nightmare to defend against for opposing defenses.

The Bears have made significant changes in the offseason, bringing in star offensive linemen Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson, and Drew Dalman. They also hired the Lions' expert offensive coordinator, Ben Johnson, as their new head coach.

Johnson is already gushing about the second-year receiver. "The way he approaches the meeting room, the walk-throughs, the on-field, the drill work, it's very much like a seasoned pro," Johnson said. "Some of the best that I've been around."

Targets from Caleb Williams this preseason:

6 - Rome Odunze (27%)
5 - Olamide Zaccheaus
3 - DJ Moore
3 - Colston Loveland
1 - Cole Kmet
4 - RBs

Route rate with Caleb:

100% - Odunze
96% - Moore
78% - Zaccheaus
63% - Loveland
48% - Kmet

Luther Burden ran one route with Caleb

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 23, 2025

With a revamped offensive line and Johnson's arrival, Caleb Williams will have plenty of opportunities to throw deep balls to Odunze. Odunze impressed many in training camp this year and could provide top-15 WR value compared to his WR35 ADP in PPR leagues.

George Pickens, WR, Dallas Cowboys

by Rob Lorge

In 2023 and 2024 combined, the Steelers had 34 passing touchdowns. In 2023, the last season Dak Prescott played a full slate of games, the Cowboys had 36 touchdowns. We're talking like lukewarm hot dogs with a stale bun compared to a medium-rare prime rib. That's the comparison between the passing offenses of the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Dallas Cowboys. Last year, Dallas finished with 637 pass attempts compared to Pittsburgh's 499. In 2023, these two teams were at 614 and 506.

Last year, Pickens ran 412 routes. Jalen Tolbert, the Cowboys' No. 2 receiver, ran 504 routes despite a route percentage rate of just 73.4%. Pickens' route rate should be around 90%, which means he could run roughly 150 more routes this season. He will, without a doubt, barring injury, have at least 100 more routes run. That is a massive increase in opportunity. In 2024, Pickens had a 2.18 yards per route run average with Justin Fields and Russell Wilson. If Pickens maintained that same level of efficiency in Dallas, but just ran the same number of routes as Tolbert did, he'd finish with 1,099 yards.

Now, what if Pickens' efficiency increases with Prescott, who is a far better quarterback than Fields or Wilson? What if, instead of the 504 routes that Tolbert ran and that we used in the scenario above, he finishes with 550 routes?

In 2024, Prescott had a 73.8% catchable ball rate. Russel Wilson was at 71.1%. However, the year before last, Prescott's catchable ball rate was 81.5%, which was first in the NFL. Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh's 2023 starter, had a 71.6% catchable ball rate. Not only has Dallas had significantly higher volume, but the difference gets even larger when you consider how many of the passes are actually catchable.

Over the past five seasons, in games started by Dak Prescott, the Dallas Cowboys WR room has a group average of 43.1 PPR points per game.

Only the Bengals averaged more at the WR position in 2024, for reference. https://t.co/vv19mNrH2l

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) August 14, 2025

With Micah Parsons holding out and Trevon Diggs still not fully healthy, the Dallas defense could be in rough shape this season. Their running back group is also one of the worst in the league. This will be a pass-heavy offense regardless, but other circumstances could push it towards resembling the Cincinnati Bengals from last season.

Pickens has the talent, the opportunity, and the environment to have a season similar to the one that Tee Higgins had. In fact, I expect him to, which makes him a must-have at his current ADP.

Jakobi Meyers, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

by Jamie Calandro

Update 8/25: Jakobi Meyers has requested a trade, and the Raiders have recently signed Amari Cooper to a one-year deal.

Despite being last year's WR19 in PPR and WR23 in full-PPR PPG, Meyers is currently being drafted as the WR38, which makes him one of the most undervalued players in the draft. Meyers only had 4 TDs, and his lack of scoring caps his upside, but he has almost no bust potential for someone being drafted in the middle rounds.

Jakobi Meyers might be one of the more underrated receivers heading into 2025. WR13 on the season in expected fantasy points per game, and WR12 without Davante Adams in Weeks 4-18.

✅Elite usage in EP/G
🎯30% first-read target share (No. 20)
📈QB upgrade

Geno Smith ranked:… pic.twitter.com/4Z204MAZk8

— Corbin (@corbin_young21) August 7, 2025

Meyers was 12th in receptions and 17th in air yards among all receivers last season, and should experience a quarterback upgrade with Geno Smith at the helm. He's a perfect WR3, especially for teams who shoot for upside in the earlier parts of the draft.

As a reminder, if you want to purchase any of our premium packages for the upcoming fantasy football season, use the promo code "BOOM" to receive a 10% discount.

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