
RotoBaller's PPR FLEX (RB, WR, TE) fantasy football rankings for drafts in 2025. Use our updated fantasy football FLEX rankings, tiers from August to crush drafts.
The 2025 fantasy football draft season is here, and it's go time folks! At RotoBaller HQ, we have freshly updated our rankings for fantasy managers to crush their upcoming drafts -- and once the top ~75 players are off the board, it's time to start thinking who might be at the FLEX position in your starting lineup. We break it down for you with our updated PPR FLEX (RB, WR, TE) fantasy football rankings. Below, you will find where key players such as Jayden Higgins, Cam Skattebo, J.K. Dobbins, Austin Ekeler, Tank Bigsby, and Jacory Croskey-Merritt are listed.
There are a lot of different directions fantasy managers can go when choosing a starting FLEX. Those round are loaded with upside picks, and players who will emerge to help win fantasy championships. Who are the best options to draft in these middle and later rounds? RotoBaller's lead fantasy football rankings analyst Nick Mariano has been updating these rankings all offseason to help guide you in prioritizing the right players, and decide where to target them in upcoming drafts.
Be sure to also follow all of the fantasy football injury news and bookmark our main fantasy football rankings portal with 14 different types of rankings for various league types and scoring settings. Win more in 2025!
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
FLEX Fantasy Football Recent News
- Jaylen Wright Not in Line to Play on Saturday
- Jermaine Burton Doesn't Return to Preseason Finale due to Knee Injury
- Courtland Sutton Excels in Preseason Finale
- RJ Harvey Gets the Start in Preseason Finale
- Jonnu Smith Returns to Practice
- Nick Chubb not Playing in Preseason Finale
- Jacory Croskett-Merritt Setting up as Washington's RB1?
PPR FLEX Fantasy Football Rankings
Bookmark our PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, and standard (non-PPR) rankings
Fantasy Football Wide Receiver Player Outlooks
Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Carolina Panthers
JP Finlay of NBC Sports Washington thinks it's interesting that Washington Commanders running back Chris Rodriguez Jr. is getting carries in the team's preseason finale on Saturday against the Baltimore Ravens, with rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt sitting out. It "might tell the RB depth-chart story" heading into the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September.
The Commanders' backfield picture is still a bit blurry, but after the team traded Brian Robinson Jr. to the San Francisco 49ers, Croskey-Merritt has a real opportunity at a big role on early downs in D.C. in 2025. Austin Ekeler will be the team's primary pass-catching/third-down back, which leaves JCM and Rodriguez fighting for the RB1 role. Washington also likes Jeremy McNichols, though, and this backfield could be more of a timeshare. At the very least, though, Croskey-Merritt is quickly rising on draft boards as an RB3/4 target.
Jonnu Smith, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Jonnu Smith (knee) is back in uniform at practice on Saturday after missing the entire preseason with a knee injury, according to Mike DeFabo of The Athletic. This will be Smith's first practice since tweaking his knee on Aug. 5. The 30-year-old should be on track to play in the Week 1 regular-season opener on Sunday, Sept. 7, against the New York Jets.
However, after a career year in 2024 with the Miami Dolphins, Smith's fantasy value took a huge hit after being traded to Pittsburgh in the offseason. He should still be involved in offensive coordinator Arthur Smith's system, but he's expected to take a back seat to incumbent Pat Friermuth. In single-TE fantasy formats, managers can avoid Smith on draft day. Outside of his 88-884-8 line last year, Smith's best season was a 50-582-3 line the year prior in Atlanta.
RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton noted more than a week ago that he would use mostly starters in the team's preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints for eight to 10 plays, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. On offense to begin Saturday's game, rookie second-round running back RJ Harvey was the starting RB.
Veteran J.K. Dobbins will also be heavily involved in Denver's backfield this year, but he's been injury-prone in his career, and Harvey wasn't drafted in the second round for no reason. The 24-year-old from Central Florida was very productive in college despite standing at only 5-foot-8 and 205 pounds.
While Harvey won't be a workhorse right away in the NFL, that could quickly develop if Dobbins misses more time due to injury. The rookie is shifty, quick and tough to tackle and should be a low-end RB2/high-end RB3 target for fantasy managers.
Jaylen Wright, Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins running back Jaylen Wright (undisclosed) was spotted on the field heading into Saturday's preseason meeting with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He wasn't using crutches, although he had a compression sleeve on his left leg. The 22-year-old suffered an apparent injury at practice on Thursday.
While there haven't been any updates regarding Wright's health, it appears he at least avoided a serious injury. With De'Von Achane (calf) dealing with an injury of his own, Wright could find himself starting in Week 1 versus the Colts. However, there are still a few weeks to go, so it's too early to speculate. With that said, if Achane or Wright aren't available, Ollie Gordon II may jump to the top of the depth chart.
Jermaine Burton, Cincinatti Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Jermaine Burton (knee) exited Saturday's loss to the Colts. He did not return. The wideout injured his knee during the Bengals' preseason opener against the Philadelphia Eagles and didn't play in the Monday Night Football clash with the Washington Commanders. Burton managed to suit up for the preseason finale, although he caught only one of his four targets for 16 yards before his premature departure.
Head coach Zac Taylor couldn't provide an update while speaking after the game, so fantasy managers should consider him as day-to-day. However, Burton's fantasy outlook doesn't look promising even if he gets a positive update about his knee, especially since he's expected to be at least the No. 4 receiver on the depth chart behind Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Andrei Iosivas. If anything, he'll get most of his work on special teams.
Jaydon Blue, Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue (ankle) said he's not worried about the injury sustained during Friday's game, according to Jon Machota of The Athletic. The rookie is stepping into one of the most uncertain backfield situations in the league, so calling the injury "nothing serious" is a positive development for Dallas.
The team signed short-term deals with running backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders for a rotation that also includes Deuce Vaughn, giving Blue a very realistic path to playing time during his first season. He remains an intriguing rookie breakout candidate on a Cowboys offense that has significant skill-position talent around him.
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Check out all of RotoBaller's fantasy football rankings. Staff rankings are updated regularly for all positions and include standard formats, PPR scoring, tiered rankings and dynasty leagues.