Chasing upside is the name of the game when building a championship-winning fantasy football roster. Whether you’re looking for breakout stars, league-winning late-round picks, or high-risk, high-reward talents, targeting players with massive ceilings can be the difference between a good team and a great one. To help you identify this year’s top boom-or-bust candidates, we’ve gathered insights from our collection of Featured Pros experts. These analysts have pinpointed their favorite high-upside players for the 2025 fantasy football season. Check out the guys who could explode and become true difference-makers. Let’s dive into the expert picks.
2025 High-Upside Players
Running Backs
Which RB comes with the most upside at his current positional half-PPR ADP and which player(s) would you pass on with a higher ADP at his position?
Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)
“Jordan Mason is the RB34 in ADP and one of my favorite draft targets this season. Last year, he was the RB5 over the first month, averaging 17.9 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, totaling 16.9 or more in all but one contest. While the veteran struggled with injuries, Mason was outstanding when healthy. More importantly, he has a real chance to steal significant work from Aaron Jones in 2025. According to Fantasy Points Data, Mason had a better explosive run rate (7.8% vs. 3.5%) and missed forced tackle per attempt rate (22% vs. 11%) than Jones in 2024. Don’t be surprised if he starts as the No. 2 running back with a role at the goal line and eventually forces the Vikings to use a 50-50 split with Jones or takes over as the starter. Travis Etienne Jr., Jaylen Warren, and Tyrone Tracy Jr. have a higher ADP than Mason. Yet, I would take him over all three without hesitation.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Jordan Mason is currently RB37 and being drafted outside of the top 100. The offensive line changes with one of the top offensive coordinators in the league, sign me up. Vikings have been one of the top offenses in football for several years. I don’t see JJ McCarthy as a downgrade to Sam Darnold. I want pieces of these offenses, especially at this value. RB2 with RB4 prices.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)
“The RB comes with the most upside at his current positional half-PPR ADP is Omarion Hampton. Although he is a rookie, he is in a position to take the starting job in week 1 due to the eye injury to Najee Harris. Even if there is an early split in carries, Hampton’s bruising running style and goal-line opportunities will earn him most of the carries as the season progresses. The player that I would pass on with a higher ADP at his position is Breece Hall (RB-NYJ). Hall is talented, but I’m afraid of taking a high draft pick that is likely in a running back by committee situation. And when facing tough defenses, Hall tends to be held in check.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
“Few RBs have the immense upside that Omarion Hampton does. Hampton (aka The Hammer) has the potential to be a rare bell-cow RB due to his size, receiving prowess, and first-round draft pedigree. That’s not happening with many RBs going before him (mainly due to the situations they’re in) such as: Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Chase Brown, Bucky Irving, James Cook, Alvin Kamara, and Kyren Williams, etc., who I’d pass on for Hampton. Omarion could start off under the radar in fantasy leagues, but by later in the year, he might very well be leading shrewd drafters to titles. With a current ADP at RB 17, Ringo thinks it’s “Hammer time”. Ringo’s comp- Omarion Hampton reminds me of former Steelers’ all-pro RB, Barry Foster.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Kaleb Johnson (RB – PIT)
“Kaleb Johnson. The Steelers fed Najee Harris an average of 274 carries (16.1 per game) over the last four years. There’s a good chance Kaleb slides right into Najee’s role, and the rookie may well be an upgrade over the veteran. I’d draft Kaleb over Joe Mixon, David Montgomery, D’Andre Swift, and Tony Pollard.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
“Rookie RB Kaleb Johnson has tremendous upside in the Steelers’ offense this season. The 6-foot-1 and 224-pound RB fits Arthur Smith’s scheme perfectly and has ample backfield touches to soak up in Pittsburgh. Smith’s offense feeds running backs, and with Najee Harris gone (nearly 300 touches vacated), Johnson will EAT once he climbs the depth chart. He led this entire rookie class in career dominator rating (33%) and posted 1,500+ yards, 21 TDs, and 6.4 YPC in 2024 (zero fumbles). The former Iowa Hawkeye running back is an ideal 1-2 punch with incumbent Jaylen Warren. I’d draft Johnson over Isiah Pacheco, TreVeyon Henderson, and Tony Pollard.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
“Chase Brown started only 10 games last year and still finished his sophomore campaign in RB1 territory. The Bengals featured him down the stretch once they realized the weapon they had. With Cincinnati only using a sixth-round pick on Tahj Brooks, there’s no reason to believe that Brown won’t continue to be featured with Zack Moss as the handcuff. There is potential for a Top 5 RB season from Brown, and I’d be willing to take him over a guy like Kyren Williams or Bucky Irving.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
RJ Harvey (RB – DEN)
“R.J. Harvey priced as the RB22 is a steal. Harvey is set to explode in his rookie season. The runway is clear for takeoff. Sean Payton just put second-round capital behind a back that enters a room with Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, and J.K. Dobbins. No, I’m not worried about Estime or McLaughlin when they couldn’t carve out consistent roles last year with only the ghost of Javonte Williams standing in their way. Dobbins will assist Harvey on early downs so Denver doesn’t run their talented rookie into the ground, but I don’t project him taking away passing down work or high-leverage opportunities. It’s hard not to love a player like Harvey, who has ranked inside the top 20 among FBS running backs in each of the last two seasons in breakaway percentage and elusive rating (per PFF). Add in Payton’s running back usage, and Harvey looks primed to smash. Over the last two years, Payton has ranked fifth and first in running back target share. I’m drafting Harvey over David Montgomery, Joe Mixon, Chuba Hubbard, James Cook, and fellow rookie Omarion Hampton.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
James Conner (RB – ARI)
“I love James Conner at his current ADP and believe he is being taken at least a round too late. Conner was a top ten back last season, with the Cardinals making no changes to their offense and Conner signing a sizeable new contract. I would take him well ahead of Kenneth Walker. Walker averaged just 3.7 YPC behind an offensive line that remains one of the league’s worst, while Zach Charbonnet takes the vast majority of receiving snaps.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
Travis Etienne Jr. (RB – JAC)
“At this stage in the offseason, Travis Etienne is a massive value. His current ADP is RB33, which means he’s valued at his sub-basement floor. His price does not consider the possibility that he’s a full-time starter, which is likely, nor does it factor in his stranglehold on the Jags’ passing game volume. Conversely, I’m passing on Joe Mixon as RB19. A terrible offensive line, a lingering injury, and the threat of Nick Chubb and rookie Woody Marks is enough for me to avoid Mixon at cost in drafts this year.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Cam Skattebo (RB – NYG)
“Even with his stock rising relatively quickly, the potential around Cam Skattebo is particularly interesting even at low-end RB3 (RB36) cost. Skattebo will be in a split with Tyrone Tracy Jr., yet high leverage touches could go the way of Skattebo, specifically at the goal line. His knack for being a north-south bruiser will make him appealing to the Giants pretty quickly, and goal-line reps could make him a very nice source of reliable touchdowns. The upside of Skattebo is significantly greater than the likes of Najee Harris and Travis Etienne, both with higher ADPs at the RB position.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Chuba Hubbard (RB – CAR)
“Chuba Hubbard is currently the RB18 (half PPR), making him a steal at this position. Last year, he was left for dead when they drafted Jonathon Brooks, and all he did was rush for 1195 yards and 10 touchdowns. Not much has changed in Carolina; if anything, they are improved, which will take pressure off of Hubbard. Owners can consider drafting him before higher-ranked players like Omarion Hampton (committee backfield), James Cook (touchdown regression), and Chase Brown (although they are quite close).”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Wide Receivers
Which WR comes with the most upside at his current positional half-PPR ADP and which player(s) would you pass on with a higher ADP at his position?
Jordan Addison (WR – MIN)
“Jordan Addison is a massive steal as the WR37 in the ADP despite facing a potential suspension. The former USC star was the WR21 as a rookie, averaging 11 half-point PPR fantasy points per game before finishing as the WR20 last year, averaging 12.1 fantasy points per contest. Furthermore, Addison had a higher fantasy points per route run average (0.39) than Tyreek Hill (0.37), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (0.35), and Garrett Wilson (0.33) last season (per Fantasy Points Data). More importantly, he has been a scoring machine, totaling 19 receiving touchdowns since entering the NFL, the fourth-most in the league behind Ja’Marr Chase (24), Mike Evans (24), and Amon-Ra St. Brown (22). There are several wide receivers with a higher ADP that I wouldn’t draft over Addison, including Chris Olave, Jerry Jeudy, and George Pickens.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Jameson Williams (WR – DET)
“The WR comes with the most upside at his current positional half-PPR ADP is Jameson Williams. I think that this is the year that Williams finishes as at least an WR2, with an outside chance of finishing as a WR1, even in the presence of Amon-Ra St. Brown. Williams has been held back by injuries and off-the-field incidents, but this is the year that he finally puts it all together. The player that I would pass on with a higher ADP at his position is Tyreek Hill (WR-MIA). You are paying for a player who is now 31 years old and is coming off a sub-1000-yard season. And his QB, Tua Tagovailoa, is one tough hit away from another concussion and missed playing time.”
– Jeff Boggis (Fantasy Football Empire)
“I can’t stop taking Jameson Williams in my drafts as WR27 off the board. I understand he’s a boom-bust fantasy play who has just lost one of the best offensive coordinators in the league, but Williams still plays in a highly competent offense with a potent run game that will move the football. He’s also the most explosive wide receiver in the NFL. Fight me. Williams will win you weeks this season. On the other hand, I’ll pass on WR25 Zay Flowers. Flowers is an excellent talent, but he is ignored in the red zone. He’s fine at cost in PPR leagues, but in half-PPR, there is no ceiling here.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
“Calvin Ridley is a bargain at an ADP of WR35, No. 70 overall. Since missing the 2022 season due to a gambling suspension, Ridley has turned in two straight 1,000-yard seasons and hasn’t missed a game over that span. After trying to catch passes from Will Levis and Mason Rudolph last year, Ridley gets a QB upgrade with No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward, an aggressive downfield thrower. The Titans don’t have many other proven pass catchers on the roster, so Ridley should get a smorgasbord of targets. I’d pick Ridley ahead of Jameson Williams, Chris Godwin, Travis Hunter, and several other receivers with higher ADPs.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Stefon Diggs (WR – NE)
“Stefon Diggs is ready to be a CARDI BEAST after an offseason filled with drama from pink cocaine to Cardi B relationship drama. If there is one thing for sure, Stefon knows that he will have a whole new fan base of Cardi B worshippers watching him play this year and look for him to capitalize on that fact alone. Stefon has always been a player who wants the spotlight, and somehow he has brought a very large light to the now small market Patriots.”
– Muntradamus (Beast Dome)
Rome Odunze (WR – CHI)
“I’m on the Rome Odunze hype train this offseason and won’t be stepping off any time soon. Another offseason/training camp will go a long way for Caleb Williams and Odunze to further their rapport and get on the same page with offensive-minded head coach Ben Johnson after one of the least efficient seasons of 2024. The Bears added several weapons across their offense, including the line and rookie TE Colston Loveland. They’re all in on Williams, so I’m taking Odunze well ahead of his current ADP and believe he has WR2 potential.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – CAR)
“Tetairoa McMillan is tragically mispriced as the WR28 in ADP. McMillan could be a wonderful volume hog this year in what looks to be an ascending passing offense. Last year, in Weeks 12-18, when Young was hitting his stride, the Panthers ranked 13th in neutral passing rate. We could see that number increase this year, with a true number one option leading the way. Last year, during that same stretch, Young ranked eighth in CPOE, fifth in deep throw rate, 12th in highly accurate throw rate, and second in hero throw rate (per Fantasy Points Data). McMillan is an incredibly talented receiver who can step up quickly. During his final two collegiate seasons, he ranked 17th and 21st in yards per route run. He’s a battle-tested man coverage beater as well. In 2023-2024, McMillan had the third-most and the tenth-most man coverage targets (among FBS wide receivers) while also ranking eighth and tenth in yards per route run against man coverage (per PFF). Don’t be surprised if McMillan is a WR1/2 in his rookie season. I’ll draft him over Jameson Williams, Xavier Worthy, Zay Flowers, D.K. Metcalf, D.J. Moore, Marvin Harrison Jr., and Courtland Sutton.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
“Panthers rookie WR, Tetairoa McMillan, has tremendous upside for Year 1. Just based solely on his top-10 draft capital, one could expect T-Mac to surpass 80 catches, over 1,000 yards, and 6 TDs based on the average output of top-10 drafted WRs the past four seasons. But if McMillan can truly establish himself as the alpha in the passing attack…wheels are up. Bryce Young has shown two years in the NFL that he can support fantasy viable WRs between Adam Thielen and Diontae Johnson. In Thielen’s last six games in 2024, he averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game – a mark that would have ranked 8th among all WRs last season. Draft McMillan aggressively in 2025 over Zay Flowers, DeVonta Smith, and DK Metcalf.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Travis Hunter (WR, CB – JAC)
“Travis Hunter is going several rounds too late. The Jaguars struggled to run the ball last year and will need to air the ball out if they are to chase down opponents due to their mediocre defense. Christian Kirk feasted from the slot in his last healthy season, and Hunter is a significantly more talented player. I would take Hunter ahead of Rashee Rice, who is competing with a pile of additional receiving talent in a lower-volume offense than his WR22 finish in 2023.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)
“Look, I get why so many folks are sour on Tyreek this summer. It’s not so much him as it’s Tua’s injury risk that could derail the Dolphins’ offense and take Tyreek owners down with him. That said, Hill is still only one season removed from 2023, where he put up….119 receptions, 1,799 yards, and 13 TDs, and he didn’t even play a full slate. He missed one game. With a current ADP at only WR 13, Hill seems worth the risk. No matter how you slice it, The Cheetah is still one of the few WRs who has a legitimate chance of leading the league in receiving yards. I would take Tyreek over the following WRs: Ladd McConkey, Drake London, Puka Nacua, Nico Collins, A.J. Brown, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Kyle Williams (WR – NE)
“Get your hands on Kyle Williams right now. Being drafted as the WR64 at 163rd overall feels like theft, for reasons that have been discussed seemingly all offseason long. Williams’ ceiling for 2025 is simple: He emerges as the Patriots’ WR1, yes, over Stefon Diggs, and is a fantasy stud given his abilities on the ball, and once he has the ball in his hands. All it is going to take is for Williams to have positive noise in camp or one huge preseason game for his stock to skyrocket. Get Williams while he is this cheap, and that is over the likes of Jayden Reed and Brandon Aiyuk, both going 15+ places ahead of him in current half-ADP.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Jakobi Meyers (WR – LV)
“Jakobi Meyers gets a massive QB upgrade with Geno Smith. He is currently being drafted as WR41. Every year, he is valuable, and the trend continues. Someone you can draft late and start in your flex every week. Low-end WR2, High End WR3 with a WR4 price tag.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)
“Marvin Harrison, Jr. was last year’s consensus WR1 in rookie drafts. He has a good year, but not what owners expected, finishing WR29 in half PPR. This year, he is being drafted as WR18 and will far exceed his draft spot. From week 12-18 of 2024, he recorded no fewer than 6 targets with as many as 12. This will grow during his second season with Kyler Murray, and he will be many owners’ mid-round league winner. Owners can comfortably draft him before Terry McClaurin, Tee Higgins, and Garrett Wilson as he competes to be a WR1 in all fantasy formats.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Tight Ends
Which TE comes with the most upside at his current positional half-PPR ADP and which player(s) would you pass on with a higher ADP at his position?
Mason Taylor (TE – NYJ)
“Mason Taylor is one of my favorite sleeper candidates and is vastly undervalued as the TE27 in the ADP. New York threw the ball 607 times last season, the fifth-most in the NFL. While that won’t be the case in 2025 with Justin Fields under center, the Jets’ only meaningful weapon in the passing game is Garrett Wilson. Therefore, Taylor has a clear pathway to finish second on the team in targets as a rookie. More importantly, Fields has a history of making his tight end a weekly starting option for fantasy players. The last time he was a full-time starter was in 2023 when Cole Kmet finished the year as the TE7 in half-point PPR. Taylor should get drafted as a top-14 tight end. Yet, he has a lower ADP than Chig Okonkwo and Pat Freiermuth.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Kyle Pitts (TE – ATL)
“This is going to anger some folks, but … Kyle Pitts. Upside? Pitts topped 1,000 receiving yards as a 21-year-old rookie. Yes, recent seasons have been disappointing, but Pitts comes into the 2025 season healthy and with a year of experience in Falcons OC Zac Robinson’s offense. I’d take Pitts over Dalton Kincaid, Jonnu Smith, and rookies Tyler Waren and Colston Loveland.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Oronde Gadsden II (TE – PHI)
“Let’s take a chance on Oronde Gadsden II. He’s basically free in drafts right now and could eventually win the starting job in a good offense over veterans Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly. He’s more talented than the aforementioned vets, and if he learns the game quickly, he could be in for a surprise rookie season.”
– Zach Greubel (Gridiron Experts)
Evan Engram (TE – DEN)
“Evan Engram is a top-five tight end this season. I’ll draft him over Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, and T.J. Hockenson. Evan Engram could SMASH his ADP this year as Sean Payton’s Joker. Everyone will point to last year as a reason to have worries about Engram, who ranked 20th in yards per route run, but his target-drawing ability was just fine, ranking fifth in targets per route run and third in target share. He was also dealing with shoulder and hamstring issues. Those were his first injuries to deal with during a season since 2021. In Engram’s two previous seasons, he ranked 13th and 14th in yards per route run and second and 12th in target share (per Fantasy Points Data). Also, in 2023-2024, Engram excelled in one of the hallmark metrics that I look at when evaluating talent and upside at the tight end position: yards per route run versus man coverage. In those seasons, Engram ranked fourth and eighth in this metric. Engram’s best competition for targets is Courtland Sutton. Engram could lead Denver in targets this season.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
“I love the value of Mark Andrews (TE7) this year, but give me Evan Engram as the TE8. Both have the potential to be THE TE1 this season, but only Engram falls into the perfect role in an ascending offense with a QB who will be looking to check down. Andrews is great, but Sean Payton’s Joker role is the one I want to profit from in fantasy drafts. As for a tight end I’ll avoid, it’s Sam LaPorta. Given my love for Jamo (discussed above), LaPorta’s upside appears limited to me. He has the talent, but there are too many mouths to feed in Detroit and too many better options at the position later than the TE4 off the board. I’ll pass.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Darren Waller (TE – MIA)
“Darren Waller has taken over from Jonnu Smith as the Dolphins’ safety blanket. Their offensive line remains mediocre, and Tua Tagovailoa will need to continue using his tight end as a safety valve and seam stretcher in 2025. Smith finished as the TE4 last season, and while Waller is unlikely to reach those highs, he represents fantastic value at the moment. I would take him well ahead of Colston Loveland, who is in a crowded, low-volume passing offense and will need to compete with Cole Kmet for snaps in a situation similar to the Bills’ tight end room. He’s a strong avoid for me.”
– Ben Wasley (The Fantasy First Down)
Hunter Henry (TE – NE)
“If you end up waiting on TE, Hunter Henry seems like a good late-round target to bet on. He’s reunited with former offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. Back in 2021, under McDaniels, Henry had one of his best seasons: 50 receptions, 603 yards, and 9 TDs. Henry finished as TE9 in 2021. McDaniels returns to Foxborough, this time under new head coach Mike Vrabel. And with Drake Maye seemingly ready to take another step forward, the pieces seem to be in place for Henry to have a good year. Henry’s current ADP at TE 19 seems cheap given the improved situation in New England. I would take Hunter Henry over: Tyler Warren, David Njoku, Colston Loveland, and Jake Ferguson. Oh, Henry! It’s like taking candy from a baby, haha!”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Jake Ferguson (TE – DAL)
“Jake Ferguson may not be the sexiest name, but he will produce if Dak Prescott is on the field. It has been a consistent theme of Dak’s career: if he is healthy, Dallas’ TE1 walks to 90 targets every. single. year. Ferguson was crippled a year ago by Prescott’s season-ending hamstring injury in week 8, scoring not a single touchdown for the Cowboys. Positive touchdown regression is coming for Ferguson in 2025, and it shouldn’t shock anyone if he pushes top-10 plus numbers by season’s end. Draft Ferguson over the likes of Dallas Goedert and Jonnu Smith, both completely unexciting options at the position.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Tucker Kraft
“In 2024, Tucker Kraft led all tight ends in yards after the catch per reception (8.8). In 2023, the two top tight ends in YAC/reception (George Kittle, Jonnu Smith) both finished as top-4 fantasy options the following season. Kraft has elite upside if he can emerge as the alpha in the Packers’ receiving room, which is filled to the brim with beta fish. Would easily draft Kraft over both Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Brenton Strange (TE – JAC)
“Brenton Strange is being drafted behind Cade Otton, Mike Gesicki, and Hunter Henry right now. He is going off the board at pick 170 and TE23. He is a top-12 tight end who is free and showed top-6 tight end upside last year. Love the value and love the price.”
– David Heilman (Sports Gambling Podcast Network)
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