The players I can't stop drafting in 2025 fantasy football… so far

New York Times

31-07-2025

'Who are you wearing?' Wait, no, I'm not on a red carpet. This is a fantasy football piece, and the question is, 'Who am I drafting?' Every year, among my numerous drafts, I end up with a collection of highly drafted players commonly found on my rosters. Essentially, you could call this 'Jake's Guys,' or as I prefer, players that make Jake go, 'Duck Yeah!' On second thought, forget the red-carpet nonsense. Get me voice work in another 'DuckTales' reboot or 'Darkwing Duck,' whenever they wise up and give it another run!
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You're probably saying, 'Enough!' All right, let's get to who I've drafted the most to date. I'll check back in with a column in August for another look at 'My Guys' with possible new names or ones who fell off, as costs change.
Justin Fields (NYJ): The only risk I see with Fields is what we're already concerned about: injury. Fields doesn't need to be a great passer to be a great fantasy quarterback. Last year, his two games of 23+ fantasy points included just one passing touchdown … combined. Additionally, in 2022, when Fields played 15 games, he was QB6 overall and QB5 in fantasy points per game (FPPG) despite only throwing for 2,242 yards and 17 touchdowns. I'm not projecting Fields for another 1,100+ yards on the ground, but if he plays 15+ games, 900+ rushing yards is more than attainable, landing Fields in the Top 10, and perhaps higher.
Dak Prescott (DAL): Unlike Fields, Prescott needs to carry most of his fantasy value with his arm, and admittedly, he looked quite poor last year. However, the Cowboys massively upgraded with George Pickens as their No. 2 wideout, compared to Brandin Cooks, who was toast (play on words intended), and the collection of options they trotted out in 2024. Prescott has 30+ touchdowns and at least 4,449 yards passing in each of his past three seasons of 16+ games, and given his double-digit round cost, I'm taking the discount.
Christian McCaffrey (SF): You're either willing to embrace the risk for the potential of getting the RB1 and best player overall, or you're not. I am, given McCaffrey's ceiling of being 1-3 FPPG better than the next best running back.
Kenneth Walker (SEA): Initially, I was out on Walker, expecting more of a Steelers-like timeshare. After all, Zach Charbonnet was quite good filling in for Walker last year. But I talked to our Seahawks writer Michael-Shawn Dugar, who told me to expect a bell-cow-like season for Walker. With that workload, Walker is pushing the RB1 tier.
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TreVeyon Henderson (NE): I referenced this stat before, but as a reminder, there has been one running back in the past 10 years to reach RB1 status with fewer than 200 touches: James White. That's the role Henderson will play — at minimum — with upside for more. No, he's not an RB1 for me, but a great RB2 for any fantasy team? Most definitely.
Cam Skattebo (NYG): Tyrone Tracy was a nice fantasy find, but he's still a bit limited as a runner and has fumbling concerns. Skattebo will cede some touches to Tracy, but should be the 1A to Tracy's 1B. I expect mid-200 touches for Skattebo, including passing game work, which often gets overlooked in his ability and upside.
J.K. Dobbins (DEN): Yes, the ceiling and excitement are with RJ Harvey, but there is still a chance Harvey falters and Dobbins leads this backfield. Dobbins is no more than a value pick, as whether by injury or performance. If Harvey gives way to Dobbins as the lead, RB2 value is in play.
Nick Chubb (HOU): Most of the offseason, I answered, 'Why do I hate Mixon?' with, 'The injury and additions of Woody Marks and Chubb.' Similar to Dobbins, this is a value pick, as Chubb might only have RB2 value for the first half of the season, but there is a non-zero chance that Mixon 1) doesn't return in 2025 or 2) returns and never looks the same.
Jordan Mason (MIN): As per this list, these are heavily drafted players, so Mason was here even before Kevin O'Connell praised Mason. Like all Vikings RBs, Aaron Jones struggled to run the ball into the end zone, and while Mason wasn't Derrick Henry, he brings the potential for a timeshare backfield. This would be the inverse of the Steelers (Mason on the short end, but in the Najee Harris role), but that's a fine RB3 for WR-heavy teams, and if Jones were to miss time, Mason would bring Top 20 upside.
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DJ Giddens (IND): Don't say, 'I told you so.' Don't say, 'I told you so.' Don't say, 'I told you…' Ahhh! I really tried. Jokes aside, Giddens — whom I compared to David Montgomery — is the backup behind Jonathan Taylor. And that's now coming from the mouth of Shane Steichen, not just me. Taylor has missed time each of the past three seasons. Giddens is a terrific backup pick.
Amon-Ra St. Brown (DET): Apparently, my willingness to take ASB in the mid-first has led to several shares. St. Brown had 146, 164 and 141 targets, respectively, the past three seasons, and while some argue that touchdown regression is coming, I argue back for a potential rebound in yards per reception. Oh, and include in that argument that 141 targets and 106 receptions (the low marks in those three seasons) is as good a floor as you can get for someone not named Ja'Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson or CeeDee Lamb.
Xavier Worthy (KC): I already had a few Worthy picks before the renewed Rashee Rice suspension concern. Worthy ended his rookie season much like Rice did, which I felt could lead to Worthy and Rice combining for 50-60% of the targets and Travis Kelce falling to third (more on him later). Now with Rice potentially suspended for 6+ games, Worthy is in play as a high-ceiling WR2.
Calvin Ridley (TEN): I'll just leave you with this tweet.
64-1,017-4
On 120 targets from Levis and Rudolph, and a mere 7 RZ targets and ONE end zone target https://t.co/6JkeNkwLR3
— Jake Ciely (@allinkid) July 26, 2025
Chris Godwin (TB): I understand the injury concern with Godwin, but there is zero injury-related wording in Godwin's new contract. No outs, clauses, whatever. That points to the Buccaneers' confidence in Godwin being good for 2025. While Emeka Egbuka might concern you, I credit the Bucs as forward-thinking, preparing for a post-Mike Evans depth chart. Godwin has Top 20 upside at a mid-low WR3 cost.
Chris Olave (NO): The Saints might have the worst quarterback situation in the NFL, but even the worst quarterback can provide WR2 potential for his top receiver. Yes, Olave's concussions are worrisome, but like Godwin, he merely costs you a WR3 price after one year removed from a Top 25 finish overall and in FPPG.
Matthew Golden (GB): Golden can be what the Packers hoped Christian Watson could be — aka, a healthy Watson. Golden can be the Packers' top wideout immediately, and if so, 100-110 targets can provide 60+ receptions, 1,000+ yards and 5+ touchdowns — basically Calvin Ridley's 2024 season at a WR5 price.
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Jayden Higgins (HOU): I see some Marvin Jones in Higgins' game, and Dane Brugler compared him to Nico Collins. Well, I certainly hope I'm the wrong one, but even if Higgins is just Jones in fantasy, that's at least WR4 value. Higgins is the favorite to be the No. 2 option alongside Collins, and if C.J. Stroud bounces back, a Top 25 finish is possible.
Joshua Palmer (BUF): Palmer has been productive in spurts, and while Khalil Shakir is the top target option for Josh Allen, the No. 2 role is up for grabs. Keon Coleman is obviously in play, but if he can't make significant improvements from his rookie season, and Palmer takes advantage in that role, a Golden-like (or Ridley-like) season is within reason, assuming Palmer can stay healthy.
Roman Wilson (PIT): You might have heard or read my referencing Mike Tomlin coaching Wilson in the Senior Bowl practices. Tomlin tested Wilson against Quinyon Mitchell — you know, that really good corner for the Eagles — and then drafted Wilson in the third round. Wilson lost his rookie season to injuries, but the No. 2 role is up for grabs, and DK Metcalf won't be the only productive Steelers wideout in 2025.
Travis Kelce (KC): Back to Kelce, and hopefully, back to anything close to pre-2024 Kelce. While there were signs Kelce had neared the end, he still had a line of 133-97-823-3 in 16 games for 9.3 FPPG. That's not a difference-maker at tight end, but again, if Rice is suspended, Kelce can still be a Top 2 option for Patrick Mahomes. Even taking Kelce's 2024 season with a smidge of touchdown improvement would have him back inside the tight end Top 5, and with double-digit FPPG.
Brenton Strange (JAX): While many chase the third option for the Lions and Vikings (Sam LaPorta and T.J. Hockenson), I'd rather spend that early-mid pick elsewhere and take a chance on Strange. If Liam Coen unlocks Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, Strange can provide value equivalent to those two at a last-round pick cost.
(Photo of Kenneth Walker: Steph Chambers / Getty Images)