Tired of making the same draft-day mistakes in your fantasy football leagues? Our team of Featured Pros is here to help you avoid that trap in 2025. In this expert-driven article, our collection of top-ranked analysts has come together to highlight the players they’re completely out on for the upcoming fantasy football season. Whether it’s due to injury concerns, age, declining performance, or inflated ADPs, these are the players our experts will never draft again, starting in 2025. Before you build your big board, make sure you know which names to cross off your list for good.
Players Experts Will Never Draft Again
Running Backs
Which one RB burned you so badly that you can’t fathom taking him at or near his half-PPR ADP?
Breece Hall (RB – NYJ)
“I won’t draft Breece Hall at his current ADP (RB13 and 30.8 overall) after his disappointing 2023 season. He was drafted as a top-three running back but finished last year as the RB17, averaging 13.3 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Furthermore, Hall set career lows in several categories last season, including fantasy points per game, yards per rushing attempt (4.2), and fantasy points per touch (0.8). The one thing that gave him fantasy upside was his role in the passing game, averaging 5.1 targets per game in his career. Unfortunately, that likely won’t happen in 2025 with Justin Fields under center. I won’t be drafting Hall this year unless I can get him closer to the 20th running back off the board.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
David Montgomery (RB – DET)
“This RB didn’t burn me in the traditional sense because he did have a successful season, but David Montgomery wasn’t around for the playoffs. I don’t normally do the “I won’t draft this guy because of last year” trope because usually those guys fall back in ADP and can be a value play sometimes. However, on top of the late-season absence, I don’t think new offensive coordinator John Morton is going to maintain the same RB split as Ben Johnson did in Detroit. John Morton’s previous teams have typically leaned on a single lead back, and that’s Mr. Gibbs for the Lions.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
Jonathan Taylor (RB – IND)
“It’s not that he has wronged me in some unforgivable way, but I can’t see paying the price for Jonathan Taylor at ADP in 2025. The quarterback play for Indy is a worry with how often they could be in the red zone this year, as well as his lack of pass-game involvement. Last year, Taylor ranked sixth in red zone touches. I don’t know if he comes close to that number this season, but I could easily be wrong. I don’t see more check-down opportunities for Taylor this season with Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson under center. It’s not like he’s demanding those looks either, with his per-route performance in 2024, anyway. Last year, among 45 qualifying backs, Taylor ranked 37th in target share (7.4%) and 43rd in yards per route run and first downs per route run. Taylor could pay off at his ADP, but I find myself consistently pushing the draft button for other players at his cost in 2025.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB)
“A few years ago, I took Josh Jacobs in the second round of the Scott Fish Bowl Tournament. Josh was with the Raiders back then, and that was before it was stylish to pick Jacobs early. Former SFB champion, Gary Haddow, called it a spicy pick. Well, needless to say, spicy foods and Mark Ringo don’t mix because I got a serious case of heartburn that year after Jacobs had a disappointing season. Jacobs is a good player and had a great season for the Packers last year, but when I see his ADP, I feel a little twinge in my chest.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Christian McCaffrey (RB – SF)
“Christian McCaffrey will probably be a pretty popular answer, and it is easy to understand why. If healthy, there is no denying McCaffrey is a potential league winner given his role in a 49ers offense that may need him more than ever. The downside, however, is too great for me to even consider this again. If this were about a player I was considering in the 3rd round, given the pedigree, I would consider it. However, we are discussing the player going seventh overall and RB5 in half-PPR ADP. To all of those who make the plunge, good luck. I wish you nothing but joy.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)
“It’s never come fully together for D’Andre Swift in the NFL. He’s been a back-end fantasy RB2 (RB18-RB23) every year in his NFL career, and has been a solid bet to beat his ADP. He’s beaten his average draft position every single season, except for in 2022 in Ben Johnson’s 1st year as the offensive coordinator with the Lions. Interesting. In 2024, Swift finished the season poorly, rushing for 60-plus yards just three times in his last 10 games played. He was the RB32 in points per game (8.2) from Week 9 onward. Swift posted a career low in yards per carry in 2024, finishing the year as PFF’s 6th-worst graded RB and ranking 4th-worst in rushing yards after contact per attempt. Per Next Gen Stats, Swift finished dead last in rushing yards above expectation per attempt (-0.7). I think the Bears’ offense can improve in 2025 under a new HC and revamped offensive line, but I bearish on Swift being the main benefactor. I think the realistic ceiling for Swift is lower than most realize, based on his body of work and how inefficient he has been as a rusher in both 2023 and 2024 (bottom-8 in yards after contact per attempt). Not to mention, Swift has low TD equity. In 2024, Swift had 4 top-12 finishes (25%), the lowest of any RB who finished inside the top-20 overall last season. He’s never been a trusted red-zone rusher, as there has always been another teammate used ahead of him in that area of the field (including Jamaal Williams and his 17 TDs back in 2022). Even last season, Roschon Johnson was better converting from inside the 5-yard line (both scored 6 rushing TDs). Contrary to popular belief, Ben Johnson does not HATE Swift. But he fully acknowledged that he has durability concerns, which was the driving force behind why they moved on from him in Detroit (ironically, he has been very healthy the last 2 seasons since leaving the Lions). Friends don’t let friends forget that Swift lost the RB1 job to Kenneth Gainwell in Philly in Week 1 before getting it back because of an injury. His “projected volume” and upside hype in Chicago for 2025 is far from a lock.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“I’m fully out on D’Andre Swift. Regardless of whether he is in a committee or wins the Bears RB1 job outright, I just cannot trust him. Swift is perhaps the most injury-prone running back in my time as a fantasy manager, and there is simply no price tag at which I am willing to deal with this hassle again.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
Kenneth Walker III (RB – SEA)
“Let’s be honest, as owners, for the right price we will draft almost any running back….some make it harder than others to push the draft button, and for me, that guy is Kenneth Walker III. I love his talent and the opportunity he has as the starting running back in Seattle, but last year he almost single-handedly ruined many fantasy teams, mainly those who went zero RB. He was ranking around RB15 and was a perfect candidate to help teams who waited on running back or wanted a solid RB2. Teams that had hope of a great year were highly disappointed as his year was marred by injuries (11 games) and sub-par production (573 yards & 3.7 ypc), finishing RB28 in half PPR. This year, he is ranked in the same area as last year, but Seattle has more running back depth, and Zach Charbonnet proved his worth and earned carries in 2025. I am avoiding KWIII unless the value is amazing!”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
Rhamondre Stevenson (RB – NE)
“I have a few Rhamondre Stevenson scars after drafting him in a couple of leagues last year. There were some productive weeks early in the season, but Rhamondre fumbled his way into the doghouse after coughing it up four times in his first four games. The drafting of the athletic and versatile TreVeyon Henderson slams the door on heavy-duty usage for Rhamondre in 2025, and Antonio Gibson is in the mix, too. Maybe the Patriots use Rhamondre as the goal-line hammer, but New England doesn’t figure to have a high-scoring offense. Even at a modest ADP of RB39, Rhamondre has very little appeal.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Wide Receivers
Which one WR burned you so badly that you can’t fathom taking him at or near his half-PPR ADP?
George Pickens (WR – DAL)
“Many had high hopes, including myself, for George Pickens last year after the Pittsburgh Steelers traded away Diontae Johnson, making him their only fantasy-relevant wide receiver, drafting him ahead of his WR26 and 61.7 overall ADP. Unfortunately, he was a massive bust, ending the season as the WR42, averaging 9.6 half-point PPR fantasy points per game, a lower average than Quentin Johnston‘s (9.8). Therefore, Pickens’ current ADP (WR29 and 66.8 overall) is ridiculous. He went from the only viable option for the Steelers’ passing game to the No. 2 guy with the Cowboys. Over the past three years, Dallas’ No. 2 wide receiver has averaged five targets per game. While many are projecting him to have a career season, don’t be surprised if Pickens averages no more than two targets per game more than Jake Ferguson. I won’t draft him anywhere near his current ADP.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Davante Adams (WR – LAR)
“I know 1000 yards and eight touchdowns seems like a solid season, but it was honestly pretty disappointing from Davante Adams last year if you rostered him. There were glimpses into the old Davante, but then there were moments when he looked like he had lost a step. Over his last seven seasons, he’s averaged 158 targets per season. He’s moving to an offense where he’s the 2nd option and no Aaron Rodgers to force feed him the ball instead of a younger, more talented wide receiver at this point in their careers. He’s going ahead of #1 WRs on their own teams, and you’re counting on his performance to bounce back, his health, and Stafford’s health. I’ll gamble elsewhere at ADP.”
– Brandon ‘B_Don’ Myers (Razzball)
D.K. Metcalf (WR – PIT)
“At first, after his move to Pittsburgh, I was all in on D.K. Metcalf for 2025, but the deeper I dug into his 2024 numbers this offseason, I’m out. As the clear number one for the Steelers’ passing attack, I understand the reasons why people want to draft him, but his per-route metrics from last year, along with residing in a run-first offense, have me leery of his WR2 price tag. Last year, he was 78th in separation, 89th in route win rate, and 64th in first downs per route run (per Fantasy Points Data). Yes, he did rank 36th in target share, 35th in yards per route run, and 20th in receiving yards per game, so it’s not all doom and gloom surrounding Metcalf. There are reasons to believe in a bounceback here, but I can’t pay up for this profile as a WR2 in drafts.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Jerry Jeudy (WR – CLE)
“Jerry Jeudy must have talked to Jonnu Smith about how to tick me off. Literally, every year since their rookie seasons, I have had Jeudy and Smith listed in my sleeper articles. And every year, just like clockwork, they didn’t live up to my hopes and expectations. I finally gave up on both of them last year, so naturally they had their breakout seasons- ugh! Sometimes you’re just snakebit when it comes to certain players. Captain Ahab had his white whale; Mark Ringo has Jerry Jeudy and Jonnu Smith. Ahoy, fantasy mateys, haha!”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Tyreek Hill (WR – MIA)
“The Tyreek Hill situation was bad last year, to no fault of his own. Tua Tagovailoa got hurt, and when he returned, the Dolphins resorted to a dink-and-dunk offense that did not see him get the consistent looks he once did. Last season saw Hill record his fewest receiving yards since 2019, and his joint-worst touchdown mark since 2016, his rookie season. Also, factor in the general unpredictability of a player who seemingly wanted to burn every bridge he had in Miami after the end of the season last year; it could become messy. Coming in as the player overall 28 and WR12, it is simply way too rich for my blood.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Cooper Kupp (WR – LAR)
“I’m not sure if there’s a price where I could draft Cooper Kupp. The 32-year-old signed a three-year, $45 million deal with the Seahawks this offseason after being released by the Rams, who opted to pay Davante Adams rather than keep Kupp around. Injuries have derailed his career since 2022 – including an ankle issue that limited him to 12 games in 2024 – and he averaged just 2.5 catches and 36 yards per game over his final seven contests last season. While Kupp helps fill the veteran void in a post-DK Metcalf/Tyler Lockett Seahawks WR room, he’s unlikely to thrive in Klint Kubiak’s run-heavy offense led by Sam Darnold. At this point, Kupp is a name-brand flyer with a low floor and limited ceiling. His best days are behind him.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
A.J. Brown (WR – PHI)
“A.J. Brown is a popular WR1 for many teams. I have drafted him for years because of his natural talent, connection with Hurts, and ability to run over defensive players due to his massive body. BUT…last year he finished WR18, finishing only 6 of his 13 games as a WR1 for fantasy teams. As a player being drafted last year in the late first, early second round, he left a giant hole in line-ups with weeks of WR60, WR35, WR38, and WR46, leading teams into the playoffs with a single WR1 performance from weeks 9-14. Those stat lines burned teams trying to make playoff runs, and they are likely to continue this year with Saquon Barkley still being the centerpiece of the Eagles’ offense. With all those factors, AJ Brown is a player that I am avoiding as I prepare for 2025.”
– Adam Dove (The Fantasy Couriers)
“The answer for me is simply A.J. Brown. The case I make isn’t one of him being a bust or even underproducing; it’s one of letting me down when I need it most. Throughout my fantasy lifetime, any week in which I faced a must-win, Brown was either out with an injury or put up a total dud to sink me. He may put up 25-point boom weeks on a semi-regular basis, but when I need him most, I know he will let me down. So I won’t have him on my roster again unless it’s at a massive discount, which he never is.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR – ARI)
“Marvin Harrison Jr. I loved him as a prospect and still think he has a chance to become a top-drawer receiver, but his rookie-year usage was maddening. MHJ was badly miscast as a vertical receiver, with a 13.4-yard average depth of target in 2024. (For the sake of comparison, Ja’Marr Chase had an aDOT of 8.7 yards last season, and Justin Jefferson‘s was 10.9 yards.) Cardinals QB Kyler Murray hasn’t been effective throwing to the middle of the field, possibly because he stands 5-foot-10. Harrison ran three-quarters of his routes on the perimeter despite high success rates on routes over the middle. I’m not confident enough that Harrison’s usage will improve to draft him anywhere near his WR18 ADP. ”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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