Eight Best Ball Late Round Value Fantasy Football Players To Target For 2025

Mike's eight top late round value players to target for 2025 best ball fantasy football leagues. His top late round best ball targets for 2025 fantasy football.

Fantasy football is the most popular game in all of sports. It has gone from a paper-and-pen game to a multi-million dollar-a-year one.

While redraft leagues are the most popular form of fantasy football, best ball leagues are quickly gaining steam. The best part of best ball leagues is the ability to draft thousands of teams and not have to manage them during the season.

However, the key to winning any form of fantasy football is hitting on late-round picks. Therefore, let’s look at eight of my favorite later-round draft values.

Late-Round Quarterback Values

Justin Fields, New York Jets – ADP: 131.6 | QB19

While Fields is far from an elite NFL passer, he is a solid fantasy quarterback. The former Ohio State star got benched after starting the first six games last season. He struggled as a passer, totaling under 157 passing yards in four of those starts. However, Fields was the QB6 over those six starts, averaging 19.1 fantasy points per game because of his legs.

The veteran averaged 9.2 rushing attempts for 38.5 yards and 0.8 touchdowns in his six starts. New York signed Fields to a two-year deal worth $40 million this offseason, a strong indication they won’t select a quarterback early in the NFL Draft, making Fields the unquestioned starter for the 2025 season. While he isn’t an elite passer, Fields has mid-range QB1 upside because of his rushing abilities.

4th down. Justin Fields gets the touchdown.

📺: #PITvsLV on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/fI31lKh6JA

— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers – ADP: 150.1 | QB23

Unfortunately, Young hasn’t had the ideal start to his NFL career. The former Alabama star struggled as a rookie. More importantly, he was awful to start last year before getting benched, totaling 245 passing yards, zero touchdowns, three interceptions, and 11.6 fantasy points in two games.

However, Young played well after returning to the starting lineup. He averaged 220 passing yards, 1.7 touchdowns, and 21.4 fantasy points per game over the final six weeks. Furthermore, the former Alabama star started using his legs, averaging 33.3 rushing yards and a touchdown on only four attempts per game over the final three contests.

Late-Round Running Back Values

Jerome Ford, Cleveland Browns – ADP: 154.6 | RB46

Many will want to avoid Cleveland’s offense like the plague next season. However, Ford could have sneaky fantasy value in the final year of his rookie deal. Nick Chubb is a free agent and unlikely to return, making Ford the early favorite to start next season. The Browns probably won’t invest significant draft capital at running back as they head into another rebuilding project.

More importantly, Ford was productive in 2023, with Chubb missing most of the year, finishing as the RB17, and averaging 11.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Last season, the veteran finished as the RB34, averaging 8.3 fantasy points per game despite splitting the backfield workload. After totaling three rushing touchdowns in 2024, don’t be surprised if Ford has a career year in 2025.

Jerome Ford runs 62 yards for the TD!

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— NFL (@NFL) December 15, 2024

Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys – ADP: 155.9 | RB48

Everyone expects the Cowboys to pick a running back early in the 2025 NFL Draft, potentially in the first round. However, don’t be surprised if Dallas waits until Day 3 to add a running back, if they select one at all after adding two in free agency. Last year, the team decided not to draft a running back, instead relying on the veterans on their roster.

Therefore, Williams is one of my favorite best ball running back values. He was the RB31 last season, averaging 7.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite being in a crowded and dysfunctional backfield. Furthermore, the former North Carolina star can be a factor in the passing game. Williams should have no trouble beating out Miles Sanders for the starting role if the Cowboys don’t add a big-name rookie running back.

Late-Round Wide Receiver Values

Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos – ADP: 111.6 | WR56

Denver’s offense became fantasy-friendly late last season. Courtland Sutton was the only non-quarterback who fantasy players could trust for most of the year. However, Mims started to shine over the final two months. He scored 12.3 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in four of the final seven regular-season games, including at least 18.4 in three outings.

Many believed the Broncos would have made a splashy addition at the wide receiver position this offseason. However, that didn’t happen because of how Mims ended last year. He averaged 6.5 receptions for 77 receiving yards, two touchdowns, and 22.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the final two weeks, making several big-time plays for Bo Nix and the offense.

The best view you'll see of that Bo Nix-Marvin Mims connection 🔥

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— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024

Jalen Coker, Carolina Panthers – ADP: 151.9 | WR65

While he isn’t a household name, Coker is one of my favorite best-ball wide receiver targets this year. The Panthers didn’t add a big-name wide receiver this offseason despite needing a go-to pass catcher. However, the former undrafted free-agent rookie could quickly become Young’s best weapon in the passing game.

The former Holy Cross star finished last year playing well, ranking as the WR47 over the final four weeks and averaging five targets and 8.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Cooker averaged 15.1 fantasy points per game in the three contests with at least six targets last season. He could have a sophomore-year breakout in 2025.

Late-Round Tight End Values

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys – ADP: 146.2 | TE17

Ferguson was a popular mid-to-late-round tight end pick last year after a breakout 2023 season. Unfortunately, the Cowboys' passing attack never got in gear, especially with Dak Prescott suffering a season-ending injury in Week 9. More importantly, Ferguson missed three games last year with multiple injuries.

Unfortunately, the veteran ended the 2024 season as the TE30, averaging 5.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, down from 8.3 the year before. Ferguson scored seven or fewer fantasy points in 71.4% of the games. However, he was productive with Prescott healthy, totaling double-digit fantasy points in nearly half of those matchups.

Cole Kmet, Chicago Bears – ADP: 170.4 | TE20

While the Bears' passing attack had high expectations with Caleb Williams under center, Chicago’s offense struggled in 2024. Kmet was productive the year before, ending the season as the TE7 and averaging 8.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he finished as the TE18, averaging 5.7 fantasy points per game last season.

However, fantasy players should expect Kmet to have a bounce-back year in 2025. New head coach Ben Johnson helped make Sam LaPorta a top-7 tight end each of the past two seasons. More importantly, Williams trusts Kmet. The veteran tight end had four receiving touchdowns last year, the third-most on the team.

.@CALEBcsw with the double fake and finds @ColeKmet for the touchdown in London ‼️

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— NFL (@NFL) October 13, 2024

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