“Draft smarter with our 2025 fantasy football targets & fades. Get the edge on which stars to pick and which big names to avoid for a winning season.”
The 2025 NFL season is almost here. That means it is prime fantasy football draft time. Everyone is looking for that winning edge. The best advice often comes from planting a flag on certain players. You need to know who to target and who to avoid. Our comprehensive review breaks down the key names you must know. We will dive deep into the players we love this year. We will also cover the big names we are staying away from. This fantasy football draft advice is based on injuries, opportunity, and proven performance. Let us get right into the top players to target for your roster and help you build a championship team.
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Top Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Players to Target
Our first piece of essential fantasy football draft advice is to target Jonathan Taylor. He is being drafted as the RB9. That is a fantastic value. The Colts’ quarterback situation is shaky. The offense will run through Taylor. He is a proven workhorse back who has a career average of 4.9 yards per carry. He is a lock for heavy volume.
Another great target is Garrett Wilson. His ADP as the WR15 is a steal. He has three straight thousand-yard seasons. This was with terrible quarterback play. Justin Fields now takes over. Fields supported a massive season for DJ Moore recently. Wilson is a fantastic value pick for your list.
We are also very high on a few receivers in new spots. Ladd McConkey is a primary target. He had a great rookie year. The Chargers have very few other pass-catching options. He should see a massive target share.
Calvin Ridley is another great pick. He has posted back-to-back thousand-yard seasons. Now he gets number one overall pick Cam Ward at quarterback. That is a huge upgrade. For tight ends, target Evan Engram. He is a reception machine. Sean Payton‘s offense heavily features the tight end. Engram is a top-two option for the Broncos. This fantasy football draft advice focuses on players with clear paths to targets.
Do not forget about the later rounds. Our sleeper fantasy football draft advice includes Rashid Shaheed. He was outpacing Chris Olave before his injury. He is a big-play threat on a team that will throw often. Another deep sleeper is Clyde Edwards-Helaire. He was the Chiefs’ RB1 last year and is going far too late in drafts. CEH could easily regain that role. Tyrone Tracy Jr. is another late-round target. He took over the Giants’ backfield last year. He is a great value at his current ADP. This fantasy football draft advice can help you find league-winning depth.
Critical Fantasy Football Draft Advice: Players to Avoid
The other side of fantasy football draft advice is knowing who to fade. Some big names carry massive risk. Our most important fantasy football draft advice is to avoid Joe Mixon. His ankle injury is a major concern. He has re-injured it multiple times. He was seen in a boot this offseason. His timeline for return is completely unknown.
Another risky player is Saquon Barkley. He had over four hundred and fifty touches last season. History shows that many touches lead to injuries. The Texans’ offensive line also has some new questions. This is crucial fantasy football draft advice for your early rounds.
Wide receiver is also full of traps. We advise fading Davante Adams. He is now thirty-two years old. He is completely reliant on Matthew Stafford‘s health. Stafford is thirty-seven and has back issues. Puka Nacua is the true alpha in that offense.
Also, avoid Chris Godwin. He suffered a horrific ankle dislocation. His recovery is a complete unknown. The Buccaneers even used a first-round pick on his potential replacement. This fantasy football draft advice could save you from a costly mistake.
Be very careful with rookies and injured players. Najee Harris is a major fade. He is recovering from a mysterious eye surgery. His availability for week one is in serious doubt. Quinshon Judkins is also a player to avoid. The rookie is holding out of camp. He has not signed his contract yet. He will also share work with a veteran.
David Montgomery is another back to be wary of. His touches decreased last year. Jahmyr Gibbs is the more dynamic and likely featured player. This fantasy football draft advice helps you steer clear of potential busts.
Injury Updates That Impact Your Draft
Staying updated on injuries is key for fantasy football draft advice. One of the biggest stories is Lane Johnson. The Eagles’ tackle had meniscus surgery. He chose a trim over a repair. This means a quicker recovery. He could be back for week one. However, it is worse for his long-term health. His knee has significant wear and tear. This is important for evaluating the Eagles’ offense.
Another major injury is to Brandon Aiyuk. He is recovering from an ACL and MCL tear. The target return is around week six. Do not expect him to be productive immediately. It often takes until week ten for players to look right. The 49ers also have many other weapons. Let someone else draft Aiyuk. He will not be worth his draft cost. You should always consider the injury history of players. It is the best predictor of future problems. This is a cornerstone of smart fantasy football draft advice. It helps you avoid players who might miss time.
Final Thoughts on Winning Your Draft
This fantasy football draft advice is designed to give you an edge. Targeting players like Jonathan Taylor and Garrett Wilson provides value. Avoiding risky stars like Joe Mixon and Saquon Barkley is equally important. Always consider the injury reports before you pick. Look for players with a clear path to targets and touches. The goal is to find players who will outperform their draft position. Now go win your draft.
Thank you for reading this article from @IDP_Plus. It was crafted with insights from the original podcast hosts, supported by AI tools, and shaped by our staff. For the full discussion and even more great content, be sure to check out the episode on YouTube. Make sure you give @TheDegenDoc and @Prof_Lock2 on the X!
