Fantasy Football Best Ball Targets For 2025: Third-Year Values, Sleepers

Mike's fantasy football best ball targets for third-year players. Top best ball draft targets for fantasy football undervalued veterans at running back and wide receiver.

While most of the fantasy football world is focused on the rookie class and who they will draft in their dynasty rookie drafts in a few months, best ball leagues are underway. Fantasy players with the offseason itch should explore joining one or 20 best ball leagues.

Fantasy players don’t have to set a weekly lineup in best ball leagues, making it easy to draft a hundred teams during the offseason. While fantasy players want to chase more upside in best-ball leagues than the typical redraft one, drafting studs is always critical in winning.

The 2022 NFL Draft class had several fantasy studs. Brock Purdy is the only quarterback from that draft class expected to start next season. Meanwhile, Trey McBride, Jake Ferguson, and Isaiah Likely are the only tight ends worth drafting from the draft class. However, here are eight third-year running backs and wide receivers that fantasy players should target in best ball drafts.

Running Back Targets

Kyren Williams – Los Angeles Rams

Williams has been one of the most reliable running backs in fantasy football since taking over as the starter in 2023. The former Notre Dame star has finished as an RB1 every season of his career as the team’s starting running back. Last year, the superstar finished as the RB7, averaging 15.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite the addition of Blake Corum.

Many were worried that the rookie running back would cut into Williams’ role, especially around the goal line. Yet, Corum had zero touchdowns as a rookie, totaling more than five rushing attempts in only three contests.

By comparison, Williams had 16 offensive touchdowns, scoring at least once in 75% of the games. Fantasy players should expect another massive fantasy performance from the superstar in 2025.

Kyren Williams hits paydirt for the @RamsNFL first TD.

📺: #LARvsDET on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BbFHsDxtYX

— NFL (@NFL) September 9, 2024

James Cook – Buffalo Bills

Hopefully, Cook is ready for the first day of training camp later this summer. The superstar running back is heading into the final year of his rookie contract and wants a long-term deal. Cook made it public that he wants to be paid $15 million a year on average in his new contract. While that’s a hefty price, the veteran is coming off a career season.

Last year, Cook finished as the RB8, averaging 15.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The former Georgia star scored 25.8 or more fantasy points in a quarter of the games, including twice during fantasy playoffs. More importantly, he became a scoring machine. After totaling four rushing touchdowns over his first two seasons, Cook led the NFL with 16 last year.

Breece Hall – New York Jets

Unfortunately, Hall fell well short of expectations last season. Many fantasy players drafted the former Iowa State star as a top-three running back and a first-round pick. However, he finished the year as the RB17, averaging 13.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. The third-year pro had only 876 rushing yards after totaling 994 the year before.

Furthermore, Hall struggled to find the end zone. He had five rushing touchdowns for the second consecutive season. The Jets used multiple running backs, giving Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis some work. However, expect that to change under the new coaching staff. More importantly, Hall’s role in the passing game should improve once the team releases Davante Adams.

.@BreeceH finishes the drive! #JetUp

📺: #NYJvsSF on ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus and ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/ArdMdsCK2x

— NFL (@NFL) September 10, 2024

Kenneth Walker III – Seattle Seahawks

Walker has always been one of my favorite running backs in the NFL. While he has struggled with injuries in his career, the star running back is an explosive playmaker who can take any touch to the house. Last year, Walker was the RB28, averaging 13.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Unfortunately, he missed a career-high six games because of multiple injuries.

However, the former Michigan State star ended the year as the RB18 on a points-per-game basis. More importantly, Walker had 46 receptions on 53 targets for 299 receiving yards despite missing over a third of the season, setting career highs in every category. Expect him to be even more involved in the passing game after the Seahawks hired Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator.

Wide Receiver Targets

Drake London – Atlanta Falcons

Fantasy players finally saw London play at a high level after the Falcons fixed their quarterback situation last offseason. While Kirk Cousins got benched and was far from the best quarterback in the league, the veteran helped make London an elite fantasy wide receiver. The former USC star ended last year as the WR5, averaging 13.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.

More importantly, London was outstanding with Michael Penix Jr. under center. He was the WR1 over the three weeks the rookie quarterback started, averaging 7.3 receptions on 13 targets for 117.3 receiving yards and 19.4 fantasy points per game, totaling two touchdowns. Furthermore, London saw a 39% target share with Penix starting.

PENIX TO LONDON GIVES THE FALCONS THE LEAD.

📺: #CARvsATL on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/uaFaMt47qq

— NFL (@NFL) January 5, 2025

Garrett Wilson – New York Jets

While Aaron Rodgers was far from an elite quarterback last season, the future Hall of Famer was productive enough to make Wilson a top-12 wide receiver. The former Ohio State star finished as the WR11 in 2024, averaging 11.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he set career highs in several receiving categories.

Last season, Wilson had 101 receptions on 154 targets for 1,104 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, setting career highs in every category but targets. The Jets will move on from Rodgers and Davante Adams this offseason. More importantly, the former Ohio State star has been a productive fantasy wide receiver with anyone but Zach Wilson under center.

Jameson Williams – Detroit Lions

After struggling with injuries and suspensions over the first two years of his career, Williams had a breakout season in 2023. The former Alabama star finished as the WR19, averaging 12.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game despite getting suspended for two weeks after violating the NFL’s performance-enhancing substance policy.

Furthermore, Williams had a career-high seven receiving touchdowns after totaling three over his first two years in the league. The explosive wide receiver finished second on the team in receiving scores, only behind Amon-Ra St. Brown. While the loss of Ben Johnson will keep some from drafting Williams in 2025, I’m all in on the former Alabama star.

Lions aren't slowing down! JAMO TD 🦁

📺: #JAXvsDET on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/2pPKz1VI81

— NFL (@NFL) November 17, 2024

Chris Olave – New Orleans Saints

Unfortunately, fantasy players who drafted Olave last year came to regret the decision. The star wide receiver struggled to stay healthy, suffering multiple concussions. Furthermore, the last one ended his season in Week 9, forcing him to miss the final eight contests. However, Olave was playing well before the concussions.

The former Ohio State star averaged 10 half-point PPR fantasy points per game in the six contests he played over 10% of the snaps, totaling double-digits in 66.7% of those outings. New head coach Kellen Moore made A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith top 17 wide receivers on a points-per-game basis last year despite having the league’s top rushing attack. Expect a big season from Olave in 2025.

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