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Mike Fanelli breaks down some early fantasy football sleepers for 2025, looking particularly at undervalued NFC draft targets to consider picking up for your team.
While the 2025 fantasy football redraft season is still several months away, there is no such thing as being too prepared for your fantasy draft. Fantasy football is year-round, even for those who only play in redraft leagues.
The landscape of fantasy football will change between today and the start of redraft season, with the rest of free agency, the NFL Draft, and training camp still ahead of us. However, it’s never too early to look at potential sleeper candidates and undervalued draft targets for next season.
However, let’s look at potential sleeper candidates and undervalued draft targets for every NFC team.
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NFC East
Dallas Cowboys – Miles Sanders
Unfortunately, Sanders has been a massive fantasy bust the past few years. However, he ended last season playing well for the Carolina Panthers with Chuba Hubbard out of the lineup, totaling 25.1 half-point PPR fantasy points and two touchdowns in Week 18. The Cowboys could select a running back early in the NFL Draft. However, don’t be surprised if they don’t, and Sanders surpasses Javonte Williams on the depth chart during training camp.
New York Giants – Tyrone Tracy Jr.
Tracy shined as a rookie despite barely seeing the field early in the year. He finished his rookie season as the RB26, averaging 9.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game while playing on an awful offense. Furthermore, the former wide receiver turned running back scored 13.5 or more fantasy points in seven of his final 13 games as a rookie.
Philadelphia Eagles – DeVonta Smith
Philadelphia's offense has multiple superstars. While Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown are the two main attractions, Smith is one of the more underrated wide receivers in fantasy football. The former Alabama star was the WR30 in 2024, averaging 12.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game and totaling eight receiving touchdowns despite missing four contests.
Washington Commanders – Zach Ertz
The veteran tight end had low expectations last season, with many calling for him to retire. However, Ertz has plenty left in the tank. He was the TE8 in 2024, averaging 8.5 half-point PPR fantasy points per game and totaling seven receiving touchdowns. Ertz re-signed with the Commanders before the start of free agency and should remain a go-to weapon for Jayden Daniels.
Zach Ertz catches his 50th career TD 🔥
📺: #TENvsWAS on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/AnUShkAtKe— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
NFC North
Chicago Bears – Cole Kmet
Unfortunately, Kmet struggled last year after an impressive 2023 season. The former Notre Dame star ended the year as the TE18, averaging 5.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. However, he should rebound in 2025. Head coach Ben Johnson made Sam LaPorta a top-7 tight end in both seasons in the NFL. Expect similar production from Kmet starting next year.
Detroit Lions – David Montgomery
Montgomery is one of my favorite fantasy running backs. He is repeatedly undervalued by the fantasy football community. The former Iowa State star was the RB18 last season, averaging 14.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, a higher average than Breece Hall (13.3). More importantly, Montgomery is a lock for double-digit touchdowns for as long as he remains in Detroit.
Green Bay Packers – Romeo Doubs
While Josh Jacobs thinks the Packers need to add a No. 1-caliber wide receiver this offseason, Doubs has been Jordan Love’s most reliable weapon in the passing game. The former Nevada star missed time last year with concussions and a suspension. Yet, he had two games with two receiving touchdowns.
still wondering how Romeo Doubs caught this @Packers TD 😲 pic.twitter.com/wZ7ZkMcXte
— NFL (@NFL) December 16, 2024
Minnesota Vikings – T.J. Hockenson
The Vikings have an elite receiving corps. Justin Jefferson is arguably the best wide receiver in the NFL, while Jordan Addison is an emerging superstar. Meanwhile, Hockenson is one of the top tight ends in the league. While he struggled coming off a torn ACL last season, expect the veteran to bounce back in 2025.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons – Michael Penix Jr.
Fantasy players didn’t see much from Penix as a rookie. However, the former Washington star has an excellent supporting cast led by Drake London and Bijan Robinson. He averaged one passing touchdown and 14.2 fantasy points per game in his three starts. Yet, Penix had his best performance in Week 18, totaling three touchdowns and 25 fantasy points.
Carolina Panthers – Jalen Coker
While Xavier Legette was the team’s first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, Coker had a better rookie season despite being an undrafted free agent. The former Holy Cross star averaged seven half-point PPR fantasy points per game, the second highest among the Panthers wide receivers. Coker could have a larger role next year with Carolina, even with Adam Thielen back.
New Orleans Saints – Rashid Shaheed
Chris Olave is the Saints’ clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver. However, Shaheed was having a career year before suffering a season-ending knee injury in Week 7. He averaged 6.8 targets and 11.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game over the first six weeks, totaling 11.7 or more in all but two contests.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Jalen McMillan
The Buccaneers had an outstanding 2024 NFL Draft. Bucky Irving and McMillan look like future superstars. The former Washington star was the WR7 over the final five weeks, averaging 1.4 touchdowns and 17.4 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While Chris Godwin’s return limits McMillan’s upside, don’t be surprised if he has flex value next season.
Baker moves in the pocket and delivers a dot to Jalen McMillan for the TD!
📺: #TBvsDAL on NBC/Peacock
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bMUjTBpSYr— NFL (@NFL) December 23, 2024
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals – Michael Wilson
Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of my favorite bounce-back candidates for next season. However, Wilson is an appealing sleeper option, especially if the Cardinals don’t use an early pick in the NFL Draft on a wide receiver. He scored 10.3 or more half-point PPR fantasy points in a quarter of the games last year.
Los Angeles Rams – Blake Corum
Unfortunately, Corum had a disappointing rookie season. The former Michigan star averaged only 1.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 65 touches for 265 scrimmage yards and zero touchdowns. However, Kyren Williams has struggled with injuries in his career. Don’t be surprised if HC Sean McVay gives Corum more work in his second NFL season.
San Francisco 49ers – Isaac Guerendo
Hopefully, Christian McCaffrey can stay healthy in 2025 after dealing with multiple injuries last year. However, Guerendo is the top handcuff in fantasy football for next season. The 49ers traded away Jordan Mason and lost Elijah Mitchell in free agency. The former Louisville star could be a league winner if McCaffrey can’t stay healthy.
Seattle Seahawks – Zach Charbonnet
The Seahawks have an excellent one-two punch in the backfield. Kenneth Walker III is the starter but has struggled with staying healthy. Meanwhile, Charbonnet has become the top handcuff in fantasy football. The former UCLA star was the RB25 in 2024, averaging 9.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, he led Seattle with eight rushing touchdowns.
Zach Charbonnet gives Seattle the lead with 5 minutes remaining 💪
📺: #SEAvsNYJ on FOX
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/B8lNcIosQ1— NFL (@NFL) December 1, 2024
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