RADIO
Dave Ventresca's 6 breakout players and potential league-winning picks for 2025. His top picks include A.J. Brown, Drake London, Tucker Kraft, De'Von Achane, and more.
It’s hard to believe we are approaching the end of August. The start of another NFL season is upon us. That also means we will see many fantasy football drafts take place over the next several days before the new season begins.
For context, I love fantasy football. It is a true passion of mine, and I play in upwards of 60+ fantasy football leagues every year. Most of those are dynasty leagues, but I also play in a healthy number of redraft leagues, too. No matter what type of league I’m in, the one thing I have learned over the years is that if you want to win championships, you have to take some calculated risks. It’s true you don’t win your league on draft day, but you also don’t win it by making risk-averse picks while sipping hot cocoa. Not that there’s anything wrong with hot cocoa, but sometimes, you have to roll the dice to win big. That’s what we’re attempting to do here today, as we will discuss several players I consider “must-drafts" for the 2025 season.
Make sure you’re following RotoBaller on X and check out the RotoBaller App for all your fantasy football needs. Here are my six must-draft players for 2025 fantasy football leagues.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
- Running back (RB) fantasy football rankings
- Wide receiver (WR) fantasy football rankings
- Tight end (TE) fantasy football rankings
- Quarterback (QB) fantasy football rankings
- Defense (D/ST) fantasy football rankings
- NFL rookie fantasy football rankings
- Best ball fantasy football rankings
- Superflex fantasy football rankings
- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
De’Von Achane - RB, Miami Dolphins
There has been considerable concern surrounding Achane recently, as he has been battling a calf injury. This has caused Achane to fall further than he should in many drafts. Personally, I have thoroughly enjoyed the panic and taken advantage of the price drop wherever possible.
Sure, a calf injury sounds scary, but it’s worth noting that preseason soft tissue injuries are pretty common. Jahmyr Gibbs suffered a hamstring injury in the summer last year. However, he was completely fine once the season began and actually finished 2024 as the overall PPR RB1.
For whatever it’s worth, Miami’s general manager, Chris Grier, does not seem overly concerned and recently indicated Achane will be fine for Week 1.
Dolphins RB De'Von Achane will be ready for Week 1 vs the Colts, per GM Chris Grier
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) August 27, 2025
We know Achane can score anytime he touches the football. That became very clear during his 2023 rookie season when he averaged an absurd 7.8 yards per carry and was the most efficient rusher we had ever seen. After leading all running backs in receptions last year, we now know he can be an effective receiver out of the backfield, too.
Everything we liked about Achane entering 2024 still applies in 2025. With teammate Tyreek Hill looking like a declining player, there is a real possibility that Achane could emerge as the team’s second-best pass-catcher. That would be quite the development and would only further raise Achane’s floor and ceiling.
de’von. achane. waiver wire pickup of the decade pic.twitter.com/XwNwkWGgLw
— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) October 8, 2023
Elite dual-threat running backs like this don’t come around too often, and it's very wise to target these players in fantasy drafts. Ask anyone who has ever drafted Marshall Faulk, Christian McCaffrey, and Alvin Kamara how that has worked out for them over the years.
If he hits his ceiling, Achane is precisely the kind of player that can win you a title. Hard to pass on that in Round 2.
De'Von Achane and the Dolphins are on the board first!
📺: #BUFvsMIA on NBC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/GqJJdyI3EW pic.twitter.com/h53DuVgxqe— NFL (@NFL) January 8, 2024
A.J. Brown - WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Brown’s 2024 stats may appear somewhat underwhelming compared to what we've seen over the last few years. Please make no mistake, though; Brown remains one of the best receivers in the league.
Want a discounted WR1 in your #fantasyfootball draft?
Take A.J. Brown in Round 2.
Brown had a 29% TPRR & a 3.22 YPRR in 2024 per @FantasyPtsData
The #Eagles offense should throw the ball more this year. Brown will benefit.
Priority Round 2 Pick.
— Dave Ventresca (@FF_Stallion) July 17, 2025
Despite missing several games battling a hamstring injury, Brown’s advanced data remained very strong. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, he posted a 29% targets per route run (TPRR), a 3.22 yards per route run (YPRR), and an incredible 50% air yardage share. These are outstanding scores, indicating that Brown is showing no signs of slowing down.
The main issue for him last year was that Philadelphia morphed into a completely run-dominant offense. When you’ve got Saquon Barkley in the backfield rushing for 2,000 yards, that’s completely understandable and hard to argue against. However, things could be different for the Eagles in 2025. Their defense suffered several losses this offseason, and this could push Philadelphia into more pass-heavy or neutral game scripts.
If that happens, expect Brown to have another monster season. He’s available in Round 2, sometimes Round 3, of drafts. This is a nice discount compared to the last few years. Take advantage of this price dip and get Brown on your team.
Drake London - WR, Atlanta Falcons
London remains one of the best values in Round 2 of drafts this year. While there are legitimate questions surrounding sophomore quarterback Michael Penix Jr., there should be zero questions surrounding London’s production with Penix.
In the three games Penix started last year, London posted a 22-352-2 line on 39 targets. London’s advanced metrics in that three-game sample were also eye-opening. Per Fantasy Points Data Suite, from weeks 16-18 (three Penix starts), London posted a 41% TPRR, a 3.74 YPRR, a 39% target share, and a 50.6% air yardage share.
Penix clearly had an affinity for targeting his WR1. We should not expect these kinds of numbers, as that would likely mean London challenges every single season, receiving records known to mankind. However, he could still finish as a high-end WR1.
For whatever reason, gamers still seem to be doubting London’s upside. Round 2 might seem like a steep price for some gamers, but the reality is it’s still not close to London’s ceiling.
I’ve drafted London in Round 2 whenever possible and have paired him alongside Brown in a few auctions, too. Both of these receivers are fantastic values, so take your pick and make sure you don’t leave your draft without selecting one of London or Brown.
Jordan Love - QB, Green Bay Packers
Love fought through several injuries in 2024. He suffered a knee injury in the season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles and subsequently missed the next two games. He would also suffer a groin injury in Week 8 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. While Love played through that injury, it clearly affected his mobility and limited his game.
As a result, Green Bay shifted toward a more run-heavy offense and leaned heavily on running back Josh Jacobs. It culminated with Love finishing as the overall QB17 and the QB18 in fantasy points per game.
While last year was undoubtedly a disappointment compared to his QB5 finish in 2023, data suggest that Love actually played quite well in 2024, despite battling several injuries.
after spending the entire weekend researching & writing about the Packers 2024 season I 100% disagree w this
on early downs among 46 QBs, Love ranked:
#4 in YPA
#5 in EPA/att
#8 in successand that's despite being injured/playing thru injury half the year
then on 3rd down... https://t.co/iATM6chesB
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 2, 2025
Love also posted a career-best 5.9% touchdown rate last year. This marks the second season that Love has had an above-average touchdown rate and suggests that he is eventually capable of a huge touchdown season.
With Love entering the 2025 fully healthy, it's entirely possible the Packers ditch their 2024 run-heavy approach and put the ball in Love’s hands more often in 2025. Green Bay also gave Love a new toy for this offseason. The team drafted rookie receiver Matthew Golden in Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He reportedly shone during training camp this summer, and his presence should help elevate Love’s passing numbers.
Green Bay also reportedly wants further to incorporate tight end Tucker Kraft into the offense this year. They also have talented third-year receiver Jayden Reed in the mix for targets. Jacobs remains with the team, and his presence could force teams into more single coverage looks, which Love is more than capable of exploiting.
There was also a recent report that Green Bay could use Love’s legs more as a weapon this season. That would be an unexpected turn for Love and would only raise his floor.
Jordan Love Expected to Run More in 2025 https://t.co/ya0bVtGh2L
— RotoBaller NFL (@RotoBallerNFL) August 7, 2025
Put it all together, and it makes Love a fantastic late-round quarterback pick. If everything clicks, Love could throw for 40+ touchdowns and find himself in the thick of the MVP race. I have heavily targeted Love in many of my drafts that have already taken place, and plan to continue doing so. He’s more talented than people realize and is a massive bargain in drafts.
Xavier Worthy - WR, Kansas City Chiefs
With Rashee Rice officially being suspended for the first six games of the 2025 season, Worthy has a huge opportunity to take over as the team’s WR1.
Rookie Xavier Worthy has his 2nd touchdown of the game 👏
📺: #SBLIX on FOX
📱: Tubi + NFL app pic.twitter.com/8BuZ6UnCrh— NFL (@NFL) February 10, 2025
Worthy was slow out of the gates during his rookie year, but he came on strong late in the season and during the playoffs. He has game-breaking speed and can blow the top off any defense. That makes Worthy an ideal fit with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The Chiefs' downfield passing game has struggled since trading Hill to the Miami Dolphins. However, recent reports suggest Kansas City is ready to change its offensive approach, and the deep passing game has been a point of emphasis.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs spent “an inordinate amount of time” on their deep passing game this offseason
finding a solid left tackle may have been the key to unlocking it
would be huge for Xavier Worthyhttps://t.co/74tQfeRMIb https://t.co/KCFRUjMlHB pic.twitter.com/PdZKibjLTJ
— The Coachspeak Index (@CoachspeakIndex) August 26, 2025
If that’s the case, then Worthy will be the obvious beneficiary of this change. He is a great second-year breakout candidate to target in drafts. Rice’s suspension should allow Worthy to pick up right where he left off at the end of 2024. Target him as a WR2 or WR3 with upside for plenty more.
Tucker Kraft - TE, Green Bay Packers
I have been writing about Kraft as a breakout since the 2024 season ended. I have listed him as a screaming buy in dynasty leagues, posted about him on X, and I have made several wagers on his season-long prop totals. At this point, I don’t really think I can say anything else to make you understand how bullish I am on Kraft in 2025.
Okay, maybe I can.
Draft.
Tucker.
Kraft.#fantasyfootballadvice #fantasyfootballtips #fantasyfootball https://t.co/mLWtzvYVrA
— Dave Ventresca (@FF_Stallion) August 22, 2025
Why is Tucker Kraft still the TE12 in FFPC drafts?
He was 5th among all TEs in YAC in 2024 and his head coach, offensive coordinator, and quarterback have all said he’ll be more involved this year. #FantasyFootball doesn’t have to be hard#GoPackGo
— Dave Ventresca (@FF_Stallion) July 17, 2025
Kraft is a beast, and numerous factors point to a significant breakout. The easy thing to do is point to the fact that his head coach, Matt LaFleur, has stated multiple times this offseason that Kraft will be more involved in the offense. If that doesn’t do it for you, look at some of his advanced data (courtesy of Fantasy Points Data Suite).
Among 31 tight ends with 50+ targets last year, Kraft finished:
- First in yards after contact per reception
- Third in yards after contact
- Fifth in yards after catch
- Fifth in missed tackles forced
He is my most drafted player so far this year, and I don’t want to miss out on a huge breakout season. Neither should you.
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