2025 fantasy football draft guide – Rankings, mock drafts and analysis

This page will be updated throughout the summer, so continue to check back for the latest content.

As the weather heats up, so does our excitement about the 2025 fantasy football draft season.

Whether you play in a casual redraft league, an intense deep dynasty format or anything in between, we at ESPN Fantasy are here to help.

This draft guide will serve as a one-stop shop for all of our best material as you prepare to make the best fantasy football picks possible in every draft you’re in: Rankings and cheat sheets; player projections; mock drafts for different league types; sleepers, busts and breakouts; and plenty of helpful information and tips from our expert team of fantasy football analysts.

It doesn’t matter whether you have been doing this for years or are a fantasy first-timer. We have everything needed to help you draft a great team and start the season with a shot at a championship.

Fantasy football cheat sheets, projections and depth charts

Your League, Your Rules

Create a league and customize league size, scoring and rules to play in the league you want to play in.

Create a league today!

Cheat Sheet CentralA one-stop shop for printable cheat sheets that fit your specific needs.

2025 projectionsMike Clay’s projected output for players at every fantasy position, sortable by category.

Depth charts: Offense | Defense

Rankings

2025 rankings hubA range of rankings types to suit you, including our staff consensus by position, superflex, IDP, dynasty and individual overall lists.

Mike Clay’s “The 192″The 192 players who should be drafted in 12-team leagues, broken down into tiers.

Insurance RB rankingsA list of backup running backs best positioned to succeed if given a full workload.

RB ranks: Most reliable TD scorersWhich backs can you bank on near the goal line? Here are the most dependable backs.

From Chase to London, ranking the most reliable TD scorers among WRsA deep dive into trustworthy TD scorers among wideouts based on target data, efficiency and more.

Mock drafts

The Mock Draft Project 2025: Results for over 30 expert 10-team PPR mock drafts

More mocks: 12-team superflex, PPR (8/5) | 10-team superflex, 1/2 PPR (7/24)8-team, PPR (7/9) | 12-team, non-PPR (6/24)12-team, 1/2 PPR (6/12) | 10-team, PPR (5/6)

Advice and analysis

‘Do Draft’ list: Henry, Purdy, Kelce among players being undervaluedIn the perennial counterpart to the Do Not Draft list, Eric Karabell discusses players who are being underappreciated in drafts.

‘Do Not Draft’ list: McCaffrey, Andrews among players being overvaluedEric Karabell serves up his annual list of players going earlier than they should in 2025 drafts.

Fantasy football ‘drumbeat’ players: Nix, Hampton among those generating buzzLiz Loza serves up six potential league-winning players who are generating serious excitement in fantasy circles.

Benson, Higgins lead the “Have Skills, Need Opportunity” teamTen players who have the skills to be fantasy factors but are waiting for a chance to prove it.

Six late-round “fliers” that can help you win your leagueLiz Loza offers up six players you need to be considering late in fantasy drafts.

Fantasy Focus breakouts: Williams, McCarthy and moreField Yates, Mike Clay and Daniel Dopp identify players you can count on to break out.

Numbers you should know before your draftTristan H. Cockcroft uncovers some interesting stats that could impact draft day decisions.

Ward, McMillan and others primed to follow path of 2024 breakoutsThese players are in position to follow a similar path to last year’s breakouts and produce big numbers.

Year 2 player spotlight: Maye, Harrison, Odunze among popular breakoutsThe ESPN Fantasy staff lists NFL sophomores being undervalued in drafts and a few under scrutiny.

Murray, McCaffrey among “red flag” players worth draftingYou have to take risks to win in fantasy football. Liz Loza highlights players who are worth taking the chance on.

Opportunity knocks: Players poised to take advantage in 2025Eric Moody lists those who will benefit most from teams’ vacated touches or targets from last season.

11 players who will score fewer TDs in 2025Mike Clay gives his annual list of players he expects to reach the end zone less often this season.

Nine players who will score more TDs in 2025Mike Clay lists the players most likely to increase their touchdown output in 2025.

Expect a return to form from these bounce-back candidatesEric Karabell lists some of his favorite candidates to rebound from a disappointing 2024.

10 undervalued pass catchers with intriguing upside or safer floorsMatt Bowen lists his favorites with week-winning potential and others who are dependable, despite lower ADPs.

Top storylines for 2025: What to expect from CMC, Tyreek and moreMike Clay, Daniel Dopp and Field Yates enjoy a robust conversation about topics that fascinate them heading into this season.

Don’t be surprised if … these 19 things happen in 2025Eric Karabell offers his thoughts on players who could delight or disappoint in 2025.

The 20 rookies that should be draftedFans get excited about rookies, but which ones are truly worth taking in fantasy drafts this summer? Matt Bowen has a list.

16 players to trade for or trade away in dynasty leaguesKnowing when to hold and when to walk away from players is critical to dynasty league success. Eric Moody is here to help.

Players to upgrade, downgrade due to 2025 scheduleMike Clay details the teams and players with the easiest and hardest schedules in fantasy terms.

Strategy/ways to play

The Playbook, Part 2: Fantasy football draft tips for nontraditional formatsMike Clay discusses his draft approach in various intensive league structures that get less attention.

The Playbook: Planning a winning fantasy football draft-day strategyMike Clay goes position by position and lays out a successful approach for 2025 fantasy football drafts.

A fantasy football beginner’s guide to salary cap draftsEric Karabell’s provides an introduction to the ins and outs of salary cap drafts for fantasy football.

Why this is the season to try an IDP leagueTristan H. Cockcroft explains why drafting defensive players increases the fun you can have playing fantasy.

What is a superflex league, and why should you try one?Tristan H. Cockcroft explains why starting two QBs instead of one maximizes the fun and also changes the way you draft.

10 ways to make your league more funDaniel Dopp provides custom options to increase the enjoyment of playing fantasy football for you and your leaguemates.

Individual player analysis

Drake Maye a top-10 QB in 2025?Eric Moody explains why Maye is in position to take the next step in Year 2.

Should you take Ashton Jeanty over Saquon Barkley in fantasy drafts?Liz Loza and Tyler Fulghum debate whether the hot rookie or the 2,000-yard back is the better choice.

The Travis Hunter Experience: How to maximize his fantasy potentialWant to play in a league in which you get points for all of Travis Hunter’s contributions? Here’s how you do it.

Injuries

Injury outlook: McCaffrey, Godwin and Olave among players to monitorStephania Bell details the players recovering from injuries and their prospects for this season.

Miscellaneous

New features in ESPN Fantasy app: Easier navigation, improved personalizationA list of the newest elements added to the fantasy app, all of which you can enjoy this season.

Fantasy football team names: How to pick a winnerIf you’re seeking inspiration for naming your fantasy team, Liz Loza provides a blueprint.

The Fantasy Team Name GeneratorAnswer a short quiz and be rewarded with a suggestion for a team name that fits your style and personality.