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Fantasy Football Draft Prep: What To Know For 2025

Seahawks fantasy insider Scott Engel offers insights to get you ready for upcoming fantasy drafts.

Jul 26, 2025 at 02:26 PM

Scott Engel

Seahawks.com Fantasy Contributor

Scott Engel is beginning his 14th season as the official fantasy writer and analyst for Seahawks.com. Scott is an inaugural member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association's Hall of Fame. He is a four-time FSWA award winner and 13-time nominee. You can find more of his fantasy analysis on RotoBaller.com, The Athletic, and SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio.

Training camp is underway for the Seahawks, and that means the fantasy football version of training camp is now here for you, too. It's time to begin preparing for 2025 fantasy football drafts. We get you started with a rundown of key points to absorb while beginning to get ready for draft day.

What are some top fantasy football storylines and players to strongly consider for 2025? We have some of the answers for you now as the fantasy football preseason has officially started. There is already data available from early drafts, plus you can find expert drafts and early Average Draft Position reports to consult for drafting trends to expect.

Also, be sure to see our new list of the Top 12 Fantasy Football Seahawks Players Of All Time.

Fantasy Football Draft Advice: What to Watch For in 2025

Jaxon Smith-Njigba is a top 15 WR: After finishing in the top 10 during a breakthrough campaign in 2024, Smith-Njigba is being picked as a top 15 wide receiver so far in early Points Per Reception (PPR) drafts, according to FantasyPros. JSN is being viewed as a high-end fantasy WR2 by fantasy analysts and players.

Smith-Njigba is heading into the 2025 season as the No.1 fantasy football draft target among Seahawks players. He figures to function as an all-around threat who can make key catches while also beating defenses downfield. JSN is already a crafty route runner and will challenge defenses at every level, so don't hesitate to target him as a top 12 fantasy WR.

A new elite RB?: Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty may be drafted anywhere in the first round of many leagues. Widely viewed as the best running back to come out of the 2025 NFL Draft, Las Vegas' potential star has already drawn comparisons to LaDainian Tomlinson and Saquon Barkley. Once Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs are off the board, he will be a top target.

Jeanty is expected to be a central figure in an improving Raiders offense, which will also feature former Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith. He is potentially ticketed for a heavy workload very early in his first NFL campaign. Jeanty is positioned to be a possible fantasy RB1 in his rookie year. While it may take some time for him to actually match the hype, there should be significant upside for the second half of the fantasy football schedule and playoffs.

A career year for K9?: Many fantasy football analysts are openly backing Kenneth Walker III as a great value pick as an RB2. The shift to a heavier emphasis on the running game under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is being interpreted as a signal that Walker could deliver his best fantasy season yet.

There is no question that Walker has always been capable of scoring from anywhere on the field, and now with the opportunity to lead a busier and more physical style of running, he could possibly approach 250 carries for the first time in his career. With a healthy Abe Lucas at right tackle and top rookie Grey Zabel working at right guard, the outlook for the offensive line is improved.

Walker is currently the RB15 off the board in early fantasy football drafts. He has RB1 upside for the 2025 season, so strongly consider him as a fantasy RB2 target in the fourth round.

Christian McCaffrey is still a first-rounder: Unfortunately, injury concerns re-appeared for McCaffrey last season and he was limited to four games. Yet fantasy football drafters are not scared to take CMC in the first round. His current Average Draft Position is ninth overall. From the fantasy perspective, McCaffrey is the ultimate risk/reward type.

Whether to draft him or not depends on what type of league you play in. Those who play in a 12-team league with friends might want to opt for a safer pick. Competitors in leagues with more advanced opponents may elect to swing for the upside he provides. McCaffrey could be taken at any slot in the first round of your draft, as I have witnessed him being picked anywhere from third to12th in early drafts.

The Seahawks sleeper pick: The buzz is growing on rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo now that he has signed his first contract with the Seahawks. He certainly has some fantasy promise as a 6-foot-5, 240 pounder with some speed. There may be a path to a satisfying amount of volume and some splash plays from Arroyo in his first year. Draft him as a final-rounder and potential sleeper at the thinnest position in fantasy football.

Position scarcity spotlight: Both the QB and TE positions are top-heavy from fantasy perspectives. At QB, you must be prepared to target one of the top four dual-threat superstars in the first three rounds. Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels and Jalen Hurts will be picked earlier than all other QBs. If you miss out on one of them, then it is acceptable to wait until the middle or later rounds to draft a starting QB.

Brock Bowers and Trey McBride will likely be second-round targets at TE, because they are regarded as the two clear elite players at their position. George Kittle, the third TE off the board in early drafts, has an early ADP of 38, which puts him early in the fourth round. If you do wait longer at TE, Indianapolis' Tyler Warren (TE 10 via ADP) could be the next rookie TE to make an instant impact.

Fields of Dreams: Justin Fields is a starting QB again, this time with the Jets. He is the unquestioned starter for New York and might be a terrific fantasy value play in 2025. The rushing upside is still apparent, and Fields finished as fantasy QB6 in 2022, when he started 15 games. That season, he rushed for 1,143 yards and eight TDs, and at 26 years old, recapturing much of that form is very possible.

Fantasy Football WR outlooks with new teams: Several notable WRs changed addresses and uniforms this past offseason. Of course, Cooper Kupp came home to Seattle, where he still has the craftiness and techniques to perform as a quality fantasy WR3. DK Metcalf is now in Pittsburgh, and with a projected heavier amount of targets, he may be a high-end fantasy WR3.

George Pickens fills the No.2 WR hole in Dallas and should have some fantasy WR2 promise in a busy passing offense. A healthy Deebo Samuel would also have some appeal as a fantasy WR3, giving Washington a much-needed complement to Terry McLaurin. Stefon Diggs is expected to be ready for the season as the new No.1 WR for New England, and he might be a steady fantasy starter again. He is being drafted just outside the top 40 at WR, so take the shot on him as a flex player or top WR depth pick.

Fantasy Football Breakouts: Here are some key performers who might take another step forward in their careers or exceed their draft positions/rankings in 2025:

Malik Nabers (Current ADP of WR5 on Fantasy Pros) may challenge to be a top 3 fantasy WR in his second year. Bucky Irving (RB10) is an exciting and versatile RB2 target who could finish as an RB1. Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR18) should be more consistently productive in his second NFL season. Xavier Worthy (WR23) may become an even more frequent downfield playmaker for Patrick Mahomes.

D'Andre Swift (RB22) might come through with his best fantasy season yet in an emerging Chicago offense. His teammate, Rome Odunze (WR36) is going to be a regular starter in his second season, and he has fantasy WR2 upside…. Ricky Pearsall (WR35) is another second-year WR to watch, as he possibly becomes a No.2 WR for the 49ers. J.J. McCarthy (QB17) will debut as a starter for Minnesota, and he is being viewed as a value QB2 pick.