Dynasty Fantasy Football Risers and Fallers - May 2025 Market Report and Rankings

Matt's dynasty fantasy football risers and fallers for May, 2025 fantasy football trade advice with buy and sell recommendations. Read the expert analysis for dynasty leagues.

The dynasty market is again on the move, and the NFL Draft has concluded. Throughout the offseason, we at RotoBaller have been tracking the market's ups and downs from free agency to the draft, and it's been rather telling.

We have finally seen where the class of 2025 has ended and which veterans are potentially replaced by newer models that have instilled fanbases across the league with unbridled hope. Looking at our expert ranking consensus, we have identified the biggest risers and fallers post-draft.

For a deeper dive into dynasty strategy, rankings, and trade tactics, check out our complete Dynasty Fantasy Football Guide.

• 2025 fantasy football rankings
• Running back (RB) rankings
• Wide receiver (WR) rankings
• Quarterback (QB) rankings
• Tight end (TE) rankings
• Defense (D/ST) rankings
• Kicker (K) rankings
• FLEX rankings
• Dynasty rankings

Fantasy Football Dynasty Rankings (May 2025)

Trending Upward 

Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots (+18)

Previous rank: 88

Current rank: 70

Drake Maye has been one of the__ hottest names throughout the offseason as the New England Patriots continue to improve on both sides of the ball, which they hope will translate to more production from their franchise quarterback. 

While the moves New England made on defense will certainly help it get the ball in Maye's hands more frequently, let's look at the signings and draft capital invested in this Patriots' offense, starting with that offensive line. New England upgraded its offensive line via free agency with the signings of center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Morgan Moses, while using the draft to select left tackle Will Campbell and center Jared Wilson. 

While many scouts regarded Campbell and Wilson as the premier options at each of their positions, Moses and Bradbury add a veteran presence and stability along the offensive line. The duo has started a combined 246 contests.

As for playmakers, New England signed Stefon Diggs, who, despite coming off a knee injury, projects to be Maye's go-to option. He saw 90 or more targets in eight of the previous nine seasons and produced 1,000 or more yards in the six seasons prior to his injury-shortened 2024 campaign in Houston.

At the draft, the Patriots made some significant upgrades in selecting Washington State product Kyle Williams, who slots into that WR3 role behind Diggs and DeMario Douglas. Williams is coming off a 70-reception, 1,198 receiving yard Senior season and has shown that he can produce against the best, where Williams got the best of Travis Hunter on more than one occasion.

The other major upgrade on offense comes at running backs, where TreVeyon Henderson looks to supplant Rhamondre Stevenson sooner rather than later. Henderson entered the draft arguably as the best pass protector at the running back position. He is also one of the more explosive backs who has an excellent production profile. Henderson's 4.43 40-yard time, 6.9 yards per carry, and 129.5 Burst score all rank among the 92nd percentile.

Drake Maye Weeks 6-17:

-QB15 in FPPG (17.2)
-QB4 in rushing yards per game (37.2)
-Tied for the most highlight throws (13)
-QB4 in scramble rate (10.6%)

(Per @FTNFantasy)

Patriots have added...

Will Campbell
Garrett Bradbury
Stefon Diggs
TreVeyon Henderson
Kyle Williams pic.twitter.com/3gU1JJ3TL1

— Adam Pfeifer (@APfeifer24) April 30, 2025

D'Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears (+9)

Previous rank: 112

Current rank: 103

After the dust settled from the first wave of the free agent frenzy and the NFL Draft concluded, Ben Johnson and the Chicago Bears were content with what they had in D'Andre Swift moving forward. Sure, they drafted Kyle Monangai, but seventh-round draft capital is far from a sure thing.

The fact that Ben Johnson, who reduced Swift's workload from 12 carries per game to 7 carries per game when they were last together in Detroit, did not invest higher draft capital in the position is somewhat baffling. Still, it should ease fantasy managers' concerns to a degree. Both coach and player have grown over the last couple of seasons, so perhaps Johnson can see Swift in the Jahmyr Gibbs role, which was technically the Swift role previously. 

The main thing for Chicago is protecting Caleb Williams and allowing him to grow. Despite being sacked on 68 occasions last season, Swift allowed the eighth-lowest pressure rate (7.8%) among backs.

In Swift's last season in Detroit, he did manage to average 5.5 yards per carry, along with 389 receiving yards on 38 receptions under Johnson's command. Maybe Johnson doesn't hate Swift as much as many assumed.

Hunter Renfrow, WR, Carolina Panthers (+197)

Previous rank: 404

Current rank: 207

Anything free is worth saving up for. That is what fantasy managers have here with Hunter Renfrow, who was out of the league last season after failing to produce more than 500 receiving yards in his previous two seasons with the Raiders. Renfrow's comeback comes on the heels of some admitted struggles where he felt that he let his teammates down with his play and then a battle with ulcerative colitis, which was accompanied by significant weight loss. 

So, what can fantasy managers expect from Renfrow upon his return? That's a good question. Renfrow is renowned for his route-running abilities, especially in third-down situations, and back in 2021, the former Raiders hauled in 103 passes for 1,038 yards, providing Derek Carr with the ultimate security blanket, something the Panthers hope he can do the same for Bryce Young.

Considering Renfrow's current price tag, he's well worth the stash for fantasy managers. Looking at the Panthers' depth chart, it's rookie Tetairoa McMillan, then a significant drop to Adam Thielen, then another substantial drop off to Jalen Coker, Xavier Legette, and David Moore. There is a good chance that Renfrow could be the third progression for Young in this Panthers' passing game.

Other Notable Risers: Travis Hunter (+35), RJ Harvey (+66), Colston Loveland (+33), Tre Harris (+35), Kyle Williams (+127), Justin Fields (+27), Javonte Williams (+24), Brenton Strange (+25), Bryce Young (+13), Joshua Palmer (+11), Calvin Austin III (+20)

Trending Downward 

DJ Moore, WR, Chicago Bears (-12)

Previous rank: 33

Current rank: 35

Plenty of praise has been handed out to the Chicago Bears this offseason, from the signing of offensive-minded Head Coach Ben Johnson to the wheelings and dealings that took place to land Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson to the NFL draft, where the Bears wound up adding to their offensive arsenal with the selections of Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III.

It's those two draft selections, along with the impending ascension of Rome Odunze, that have some concerned that regression may be coming in 2025 for DJ Moore. Last season, Moore finished as the WR17, averaging 13.5 fantasy points per game on his way to 98 receptions on 140 targets, resulting in 966 receiving yards and 238.1 total fantasy points in PPR formats. 

It's hard to imagine a scenario in which Moore sees another 140 targets or a 24.4% target share in 2025. Then again, game scripts last season afforded the Bears' receivers to be pumped full of targets at an alarming rate as the trio of Moore, Odunze, and Keenan Allen were the only threesome of receivers on a team that each saw 100 targets. 

There has been some real talk that Johnson could look to Burden to fill a similar role in his offense as Amon-Ra St. Brown did in Detroit. Burden had a greater success rate versus man coverage than fellow rookies Tetairoa McMillan, Matthew Golden, and Emeka Egbuka. As a true freshman, Burden led Missouri with nine touchdowns and followed that up in his sophomore season with 1,212 receiving yards, averaging 14.1 yards per reception and more than 3.00 yards per route run.

Ironically, my comparison for Luther Burden pre-draft was DJ Moore.

He’s got the speed and ball skills, but it’s the YAC ability that really separates him. Elite contact balance at WR and impressive agility in space. #Bears pic.twitter.com/gmlcOQnTVZ

— Jacob Infante (@jacobinfante24) April 28, 2025

As for Loveland, he is also going to cut into Moore's target share. First, Chicago chose Loveland over Tyler Warren, which is telling. Loveland is an excellent route runner who can stretch defenses vertically as well. Loveland's 2.22 yards per route run in college is more than what TJ Hockenson, Sam LaPorta, and Trey McBride had produced during their collegiate careers. Bears only draft Hall of Fame-caliber tight ends in the first round. Mike Ditka was their first-round selection in 1961, then in 2007, it was Greg Olsen. Loveland looks to be the next great one for the Bears.

Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers (-13)

Previous rank: 63

Current rank: 76

For the first time in over two decades, the Green Bay Packers deemed it necessary to select a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft. That's not inspiring news regarding Jayden Reed's fantasy outlook. Green Bay selected Matthew Golden with the 23rd overall selection to round out an already crowded group of pass catchers featuring Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Bo Melton, and Tyler Kraft.

Last season, Reed finished as the WR28 in PPR formats, averaging 12 fantasy points per game. However, 33.1 of those fantasy points came back in Week 1, so if you look at Weeks 2-17, Reed sees that average per game total drops to 10.6, and his spot on the fantasy pecking order goes from WR28 to WR36, just ahead of Wan'Dale Robinson. The addition of Golden is another mouth to feed as Jordan Love distributes the ball.

Looking back on that pass distribution. Four options in the Packers' passing game saw 70 or more targets, and no one with more than 76. Reed (75), Kraft (70), Doubs (72), and Wicks (76) were the four most sought-after connections. Meanwhile, Christian Watson was targeted on 53 occasions, further clouding an already murky situation. Considering that Reed failed to separate himself as Love's unquestioned pass recipient and the added competition, it's no wonder Reed has seen a dip in value.

Najee Harris, RB, Los Angeles Chargers(-31)

Previous rank: 81

Current rank: 98

From the penthouse to the outhouse. Najee Harris is living a running back's life. One minute, he lands in the best spot imaginable for a fantasy running back; the next, he finds himself mentoring a first-round selection who will eventually take his job.

When Harris signed with the Chargers in free agency, many had him pegged as a top-end RB2 for fantasy purposes. After all, Harris came into town after four consecutive 1000-yard rushing seasons in which he played in all 17 games. With production, durability, and an upgraded offensive line, Harris's fantasy managers started thinking he could flirt with RB1 status.

Enter Omarion Hampton, the North Carolina product who averaged 5.9 yards per carry, ran for over 3,100 yards and 30 touchdowns in his final two collegiate seasons, and caught 67 passes for nearly 600 yards. Chargers backs accounted for a minuscule 270 yards receiving last year, while Hampton had 373 receiving yards alone in his final season at Chapel Hill. Jim Harbaugh loves himself as a workhorse. Between 2023 and the conclusion of the 2024 season, Hampton accounted for an astonishing 601 touches for the Tar Heels' offense.

Omarion Hampton:

#2 best RB *in the last DECADE* in YPC on runs when hit behind the line

#2 in highest percentage of team's entire touches (44%)

#2 in highest % of team's entire receptions (17%)

96th percentile in explosion score in jumping drills

profile of a true workhorse… pic.twitter.com/JgfZvmtGBZ

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) March 13, 2025

r5

Other Notable Fallers: Michael Pittman Jr. (-11), Josh Downs (-13), Jake Ferguson (-7), Travis Etienne Jr. (-9), Cooper Kupp (-14), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (-17), Jalen McMillan (-32), J.K. Dobbins (-41), Anthony Richardson (-14), Keenan Allen (-15), Shedeur Sanders (-34)

Fantasy Football Dynasty Trade Value Chart

Name to Know

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers (+25)

Previous rank: 108

Current rank: 83

Deebo Samuel Sr. was traded, Brandon Aiyuk is coming off an injury, and an offseason in which his name has been mentioned in trade rumors. The 49ers' most significant addition to the wide receiver ranks is former Los Angeles Ram Demarcus Robinson. One way or another, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings are set to have their roles in this offense increased moving forward.

Pearsall is already on the golf course building a rapport with Brock Purdy that was already trending upward after a 2024 campaign in which Pearsall recorded zero drops on 46 targets, making him one of just three receivers to be able to say they had o drops on 45 or more targets last season. 

People tend to forget that not only was Pearsall buried on the depth chart last season, but as a rookie, Pearsall missed all preseason and the first six contests of the regular season. In six games in which he, Jennings, and George Kittle lined up with Purdy, Pearsall saw a 17.6% first-read target share, averaging 9.6 fantasy points per game, putting the fantasy world on notice in Week 17 against the Lions, where he caught eight of his 10 targets for 141 yards and a touchdown. 

Maximize Return

Isaiah Likely, TE, Baltimore Ravens (+27)

Previous rank: 155

Current rank: 128

Rostering Isaiah Likely is like being trapped inside a glass case of emotions; it really is. Likely had four games last season in which he recorded 11 or more fantasy points; he also had six contests in which he failed to register more than five fantasy points. Like it or not, he is still stuck Behind Mark Andrews and now must contend with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and DeAndre Hopkins for targets.

It's easy to see why some love Likley in fantasy. Everything you could want in a tight end for fantasy is there. Likely, is a mismatch nightmare wins his one-on-one battles; he just turned 25, and with a new season, brings new hope.

The Ravens' tight end is coming off a 477 receiving-yard season, where he also had six touchdowns. He is also coming into the 2025 season, having concluded the 2024 season with a four-grab, 73-yard outing in the AFC Divisional round, which is still fresh in the minds of fantasy degenerates. These are your selling points.

Bottom line, the 2025 NFL draft class at the tight end position is shifting the value for a position where fantasy managers were happy with seven to nine weekly fantasy points will no longer be the status quo with the additions of Loveland, Warren, Mason Taylor, Terrance Ferguson, Harold Fannin Jr., and Elijah Arroyo. The market will soon correct itself, so get the most for Likely while you can.

Finally, how does the 2025 class compare to recent drafts?

• Brock Bowers remains TE1

• While not in the 99th percentile, Loveland and Warren are top-tier prospects

• #FreeMichaelMayer Still crossing my fingers Mayer gets traded and receives an opportunity as TE1

[7 of 7] pic.twitter.com/OCZJM1yzbo

— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) May 3, 2025

Buy the Dip

Tank Dell, WR, Houston Texans (-33)

Previous rank: 118

Current rank: 151

It's an on-again, off-again fantasy love affair with Tank Dell. However, with a 33-spot drop in our consensus rankings, fantasy managers can take advantage of the discount. Currently, the expectation is that Dell will have minimal impact, if any, in 2025 as he continues his recovery from that gruesome leg injury.

Houston added insurance with the addition of Christian Kirk and the draft selections of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, but denying Dell's ability would be an unfortunate oversight.

In 25 career games, the 25-year-old Dell has accounted for 1,376 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns on 98 receptions, averaging 14.0 yards per reception. When healthy, Dell produced a better average separation score (0.161) than Malik Nabers (0.112) per the Fantasy Points Data Suite.

Fantasy managers must play the long game and understand that Dell may miss the entirety of the 2025 season and/or find himself Wally Pipp'd by Noel when he returns. There is optimism that Dell will fully recover and be ready for the 2026 season. It comes down to risk versus reward. Right now, there is no real risk considering the cost to acquire.

Awful: It’s very likely that Texans WR Tank Dell will miss the entire 2025 season as he rehabs his knee injury, per @jonmalexander pic.twitter.com/ViXGdHboJm

— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) May 4, 2025

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