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 average draft positions (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?
Josh Jacobs (RB – GB)
“A few years ago, I took Josh Jacobs in the second round of the Scott Fish Bowl (SFB). He 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 him again. If this were about a player I was considering in the third round, given the pedigree, I would consider it. However, we are discussing a player going seventh overall and RB5 in 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 first year as the offensive coordinator with the Lions. Interesting. In 2024, Swift finished the season poorly, rushing for 60+ 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 Pro Football Focus’ (PFF) sixth-worst graded back and ranked fourth-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 head coach and revamped offensive line, but I am 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-eight in yards after contact per attempt). Not to mention, Swift has low touchdown equity. In 2024, Swift had four top-12 finishes (25%), the lowest of any back 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 touchdowns back in 2022). Even last season, Roschon Johnson was better converting from inside the 5-yard line (both scored six times). 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 in the last two seasons since leaving the Lions). Friends don’t let friends forget that Swift lost the No. 1 RB 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’ No. 1 RB 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)
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