I know, it’s January and we just wrapped up another fantasy football season. But it’s never too soon for a fantasy mock draft, am I right? This one, my first for 2025, wasn’t easy. There are a lot of players who could be on the move as free agents or via trades in the offseason. Others come with big names but also big injury risks (hello, Christian McCaffrey), while still others might be one-year wonders and could be drafted too high next season.
Taking all that into account, here’s how I see the first five rounds (60 picks) going if I were to hold a fantasy football draft for 2025 or participate in a best ball league right now. This mock draft includes 12 teams and is based on a full PPR scoring system. Each team is required to start one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, and two flex starters (non-super flex). No kickers or D/STs were required in this mock.
Draft Strategies and Team Builds
Each team entered the draft with a particular strategy, shaping how their rosters began and evolved after 10 picks. For instance, Team 10 didn’t select a single running back in the first three rounds, while others opted for a more traditional approach, focusing on running backs early. Some teams even took a tight end or a quarterback higher than the rest.
Here’s how the first three rounds broke down for each team:
- Team 1, Team 3, Team 8: Running Back, Running Back, Wide Receiver
- Team 2: Wide Receiver, Running Back, Wide Receiver
- Team 4: Running Back, Running Back, Tight End
- Team 5: Wide Receiver, Tight End, Wide Receiver
- Team 6, Team 9, Team 12: Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Running Back
- Team 7: Wide Receiver, Running Back, Running Back
- Team 10: Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver, Wide Receiver
- Team 11: Running Back, Running Back, Quarterback
Round 1 Highlights
1.1. Team 1: Bijan Robinson, RB, Falcons
1.2. Team 2: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Bengals
1.3. Team 3: Saquon Barkley, RB, Eagles
1.4. Team 4: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
1.5. Team 5: Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
1.6. Team 6: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Lions
1.7. Team 7: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Cowboys
1.8. Team 8: De’Von Achane, RB, Dolphins
1.9. Team 9: Malik Nabers, WR, Giants
1.10. Team 10: Puka Nacua, WR, Rams
1.11. Team 11: Derrick Henry, RB, Ravens
1.12. Team 12: A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles
Notes: Wide receivers burned many fantasy fans this past season, yet I still see seven going in the first round. Three of the first four picks are running backs, led by Bijan Robinson. At just 22 years old, he’s one of only three backs to average over 20 points in 2024. Saquon Barkley and Jahmyr Gibbs round out the trio, both coming off impressive statistical campaigns. Ja’Marr Chase is the first wideout off the board at No. 2 overall, and I can easily see him being the top pick in many drafts that favor catches.
Rounds 2 and 3 Insights
2.13. Team 12: Nico Collins, WR, Texans
2.14. Team 11: Breece Hall, RB, Jets
2.15. Team 10: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jaguars
2.16. Team 9: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seahawks
2.17. Team 8: Kyren Williams, RB, Rams
2.18. Team 7: Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
2.19. Team 6: Drake London, WR, Falcons
2.20. Team 5: Brock Bowers, TE, Raiders
2.21. Team 4: Bucky Irving, RB, Buccaneers
2.22. Team 3: Chase Brown, RB, Bengals
2.23. Team 2: Josh Jacobs, RB, Packers
2.24. Team 1: James Cook, RB, Bills
Notes: This round is packed with young talent at wide receiver and running back. Breece Hall, Kyren Williams, Jonathan Taylor, and others are all under 26 and coming off mostly productive seasons. Hall struggled with a knee injury but still finished as RB16. Meanwhile, Josh Jacobs was the RB6 overall and is poised to be a top-24 pick in most drafts next season.
3.25. Team 1: Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
3.26. Team 2: Terry McLaurin, WR, Commanders
3.27. Team 3: Rashee Rice, WR, Chiefs
3.28. Team 4: Trey McBride, TE, Cardinals
3.29. Team 5: Davante Adams, WR, Jets
3.30. Team 6: Christian McCaffrey, RB, 49ers
3.31. Team 7: Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
3.32. Team 8: Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
3.33. Team 9: Joe Mixon, RB, Texans
3.34. Team 10: Garrett Wilson, WR, Jets
3.35. Team 11: Josh Allen, QB, Bills
3.36. Team 12: Kenneth Walker III, RB, Seahawks
Notes: Five consecutive receivers were selected to kick off this round, including Mike Evans and Davante Adams. Both are aging but have shown no signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, Christian McCaffrey is a wild card; his ceiling is sky-high, but his injury history makes him a risky pick.
Rounds 4 and 5 Takeaways
4.37. Team 12: Lamar Jackson, QB, Ravens
4.38. Team 11: Tee Higgins, WR, Bengals
4.39. Team 10: Chuba Hubbard, RB, Panthers
4.40. Team 9: Chris Godwin, WR, Buccaneers
4.41. Team 8: Jalen Hurts, QB, Eagles
4.42. Team 7: Jayden Daniels, QB, Commanders
4.43. Team 6: Isiah Pacheco, RB, Chiefs
4.44. Team 5: James Conner, RB, Cardinals
4.45. Team 4: Ladd McConkey, WR, Chargers
4.46. Team 3: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Cardinals
4.47. Team 2: David Montgomery, RB, Lions
4.48. Team 1: DJ Moore, WR, Bears
Notes: Lamar Jackson leads off Round 4 as last season’s top fantasy quarterback. He’s followed by Jalen Hurts and Jayden Daniels, both of whom are poised for breakout seasons. The round also features Chris Godwin, who had a strong season but is coming off a serious injury.
5.49. Team 1: Chris Olave, WR, Saints
5.50. Team 2: Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
5.51. Team 3: Tony Pollard, RB, Titans
5.52. Team 4: DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
5.53. Team 5: Xavier Worthy, WR, Chiefs
5.54. Team 6: Zay Flowers, WR, Ravens
5.55. Team 7: George Pickens, WR, Steelers
5.56. Team 8: George Kittle, TE, 49ers
5.57. Team 9: J.K. Dobbins, RB, Chargers
5.58. Team 10: Aaron Jones, RB, Vikings
5.59. Team 11: Jordan Addison, WR, Vikings
5.60. Team 12: Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, Giants
Notes: This round kicks off with Chris Olave, who has the potential to be a top-12 fantasy wideout despite injury concerns. Joe Burrow, the QB3 from last season, is the only quarterback picked in this round. Meanwhile, J.K. Dobbins and Aaron Jones are young backs who have moved up significantly compared to their ADPs from a year ago.
With the fantasy landscape constantly shifting, it’s crucial to stay ahead of the curve. This mock draft offers a glimpse into the potential strategies and player values as we look forward to the 2025 season. Get ready, fantasy enthusiasts; the next season is just around the corner!
