Kickoff of Week 1 of the fantasy football season is nearly upon us, so there’s no better time to fire off some bold takes. Below, Justin Boone, Matt Harmon, Chris Allen, Joel Smyth, Scott Pianowski and Ray Garvin reveal their predictions for the 2025 season.
A rookie RB enters the top echelon
TreVeyon Henderson finishes as a top-10 fantasy RB. The Patriots’ second-round pick was the perfect example of a talented rookie who gets on the field and pops in the preseason. His rise up draft boards is warranted for an explosive back with high-end skills as a pass-catcher and pass protector. Fantasy drafters who are scared off by the committees OC Josh McDaniels deployed in his past seasons with New England should remember Rhamondre Stevenson has found himself in the doghouse with prior regimes due to fumbling issues and an overall lack of big-play ability. Stevenson will remain involved, but Henderson is the game-breaking star here.
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Just think back to Jahmyr Gibbs’ rookie season when he shared his backfield and only played 56% of the Lions’ snaps, yet finished as the RB11 (fppg). New England also has the eighth-easiest RB slate in my Fantasy Strength of Schedule Matrix. By the end of the season, Henderson will close the gap between himself and fellow rookie runners, Ashton Jeanty and Omarion Hampton. — Justin Boone
Ja’Marr Chase passes off the Triple Crown
And Drake London will earn it.
I think it wouldn’t be bold enough to proclaim a top 10 drafted player at the position hits WR1 overall but that’s well within his range of outcomes, as is a run at the NFL’s Triple Crown, leading the league in receiving yards, catches and touchdowns. London is a hyper-talented wideout who experienced a breakthrough season thanks to more dynamic pre-snap deployment in a new offense in 2025. Michael Penix Jr. targeting him on almost 40% of his pass attempts in the final three games didn’t hurt, either. While that won’t repeat over the course of a full 17 games, London has already shown to be a high-level target earner as he’s hit a 29% target share in two of three seasons. Penix can access him on deep out-breaking routes more than any other Falcons quarterback over the last three years. I expect the Falcons to throw the ball at high volume because of their faith in Penix’s breakout and out of necessity, thanks to a subpar defense. — Matt Harmon
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The unexpected fantasy bounty of 2025
Fantasy managers say they want value from the players they draft. We also say we want to invest in situations conducive to fantasy scoring. At least on paper, the Titans’ skill players have both. Calvin Ridley has had an ADP sandwiched between Jameson Williams and Rashee Rice. Across 13 healthy games, Rice has averaged 6.5 targets per game. Williams was at 6.1 last year. Ridley notched 7.1 a week, with more air yards.
Tony Pollard’s rushing efficiency dropped off a season after returning from a fractured fibula. Now, even without Tyjae Spears to compete with for touches, you can find him about the same time Tyrone Tracy Jr. comes off the board. Tennessee’s offensive line has improved, and it’ll be protecting the most under-discussed 1.01 in recent history.
From Chig Okonkwo as a late-round TE to Cam Ward as a streamer, if you were one of the brave to take someone with “TEN” next to their name, they’ll be part of the reason why you make it to the playoffs. — Chris Allen
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The Prince that was Promised lives up to the promise
There are multiple recipes to create a top-12 fantasy QB. Whether it’s purely on passing volume, through an array of weapons or by adding rushing upside. Trevor Lawrence has it all. When Baker Mayfield was blessed with Liam Coen as his playcaller last season, he finished inside the top three in both passing yards and touchdowns. Baker’s great, but he’s not a top-three NFL quarterback. He didn’t need to be in order to be the fantasy QB value of the year. Mayfield just had two talented wideouts, amazing passing volume and Lawrence’s new coach.
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The Jaguars QB now has all three to add to his rushing ability that most would be surprised to learn about. He does, in fact, score QB1 rushing numbers with 3.2 fantasy PPG coming on the ground in his career. All the signs are there for the long-awaited breakout, and I still trust in the former No. 1-overall talent enough to believe. — Joel Smyth
Dallas’ signal caller returns to glory
Dak Prescott will be a top-three fantasy quarterback. Prescott will need to have enormous volume to pay this off, as he’s no longer a major factor as a runner. But the path is there for a huge passing season, given that Dallas has a spotty running game and a defense that could easily collapse.
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We’ve already seen some proof of concept with Prescott — he led the NFL in pass attempts and touchdown passes just two years ago. And with peak CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens to throw to, the downfield options are present (I’m also targeting Jake Ferguson as a value tight end).
Do the right thing, Brian Schottenheimer. Junk the running game, let Dak cook. — Scott Pianowski
Second-year breakout incoming for talented Bear
My bold call for 2025: Chicago Bears WR Rome Odunze is going to finish as a top 10 fantasy wideout. The Ben Johnson effect on this offense cannot be overstated. We expect Johnson to have Caleb Williams operating with rhythm and control and all signs point to Odunze being the biggest beneficiary. We saw it in the preseason dress rehearsal: Five targets, a 38% target share, 69% of the air yards and a touchdown. That’s alpha usage and he’s already pushing DJ Moore for WR1 status in Chicago.
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Odunze has the draft pedigree, dominant college production and the outside-X profile that typically fuels fantasy stars. The crazy part? He’s being drafted outside the top 24 WRs. That’s a market mistake. Odunze isn’t just a value pick — he’s the type of Year 2 breakout who tilts leagues. If you’re looking for the next superstar wideout to take the leap, here he is. Rome is coming. — Ray Garvin