It’s important to know who to target as you prepare for your fantasy football drafts. Of course we want to let value come to us in places, but sometimes you have to reach a bit to get your must-have fantasy football players in drafts. Our analysts provide players they are targeting wherever possible. Here are a few of their must-have fantasy football players for 2025 drafts.
You can find all of their must-have players here: Fitz | DBro | Erickson | Joe
Must-Have Fantasy Football Draft Targets
Here are a few must-have fantasy football draft targets our analysts love.
Fitz’s Must-Have Draft Targets
Jordan Mason (RB – MIN)
The Vikings traded for Mason this spring and immediately gave him a two-year deal that includes more than $7 million in guaranteed money. They have plans for him.
We’ve seen what Mason can do if he gets substantial carry volume. In the 49ers’ first five games of 2024, with Christian McCaffrey out, Mason averaged 107 rushing yards per game, 120 scrimmage yards per game, and 5.1 yards per carry.
Mason is a terrific fit for a Minnesota running game that’s heavy on outside-zone runs. The Vikings improved their offensive line in free agency, and head coach Kevin O’Connell is one of the best playcallers in the league.
Mason could have stand-alone value even if 30-year-old Aaron Jones stays healthy. If Jones were to miss time, Mason could deliver RB1 value.
Grab Mason if his draft cost is anywhere near his ADP of RB38.
Check out all of Fitz’s must-have fantasy football draft targets 
DBro’s Must-Have Draft Targets
Dak Prescott (QB – DAL)
Dak Prescott is an amazing late-round quarterback value. He is primed to return to the QB1 ranks in 2025. With George Pickens added opposite CeeDee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and Jalen Tolbert, Prescott has enough weaponry at his disposal to excel in Dallas’ pass-centric offense. Last year, in Weeks 1-8, Dallas ranked eighth in neutral passing rate and 10th in pass rate over expectation.
Prescott’s passing touchdown rate dipped to 3.8% last season, which was the first time since 2020 that his passing touchdown rate had dipped below 5.8%. Prescott will throw for more touchdowns in 2025. We’re only one season removed from him finishing as the QB4 in fantasy points per game, seventh in yards per attempt, eighth in CPOE and sixth-best in highly accurate throw rate, per Fantasy Points Data. Invest in Prescott.
Check out all of DBro’s must-have fantasy football draft targets
Erickson’s Must-Have Draft Targets
Calvin Ridley (WR – TEN)
Calvin Ridley quietly delivered solid fantasy football value in 2024, finishing with over 1,000 yards for the second straight season while leading the NFL in team air yard share (48%). While he only finished as the WR26 in total points and WR40 in points per game, he did outperform his WR35 ADP.
Ridley’s late-season surge – 11.6 points per game (WR26) after DeAndre Hopkins was traded, essentially doubling his fantasy points per game – showed what he can do as the undisputed top option.
With Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and his nine touchdowns gone, and first-overall pick Cam Ward now under center, Ridley could thrive as the clear No. 1 WR in a Brian Callahan-led offense. According to 4for4’s Justin Edwards, the Titans rank top-five in vacated targets to receivers and first to receiver targets inside the 10-yard line.
If Ward is even average, Ridley’s elite usage profile makes him a strong bet to exceed his WR34 ADP. The Titans’ No. 1 WR could be a huge success in fantasy football, given his finish as the WR29 in expected points per game and WR17 in total expected fantasy points in 2024.
Keep in mind that Ridley has never finished worse than WR26 in any healthy season he has played during his NFL career.
Check out all of Erickson’s must-have fantasy football draft targets
Joe’s Must-Have Draft Targets
Evan Engram (TE – DEN)
Bo Nix is a short king when it comes to ADOT, and Evan Engram could easily become his safety blanket in year two. Engram was disappointing last year, but mostly due to injuries. If healthy in 2025, he could easily become a top 5 TE in fantasy. Don’t forget he was TE3 in ’23 and TE6 in ’22 before bad health dragged him down.
Check out all of Joe’s must-have fantasy football draft targets
Welsh’s Must-Have Draft Targets
Keon Coleman (WR – BUF)
Coming into his second year, Keon Coleman is a great breakout target. He proved to be a big play target; we just needed more consistency and offensive targets. He averaged over 19 yards per catch, and even without serious target volume, could be this year’s Jameson Williams.
When you get to the 40 range of wideouts, you should look to take a shot or two on high-ceiling players, and Coleman has the potential to take the top wideout spot in Buffalo this year.
Check out all of Welsh’s must-have fantasy football draft targets
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