If you are getting ready for your home league or high-level leagues, nailing the right 2025 fantasy football draft strategy is crucial. Every year brings about new trends, up-and-coming players, and opportunities to take advantage of changing ADP data.
No matter what redraft league you're playing in, top fantasy managers are making decisions based on in-season data, team situations, and projected usage. The following are the top three draft strategies to crush your competition in 2025.
Hero Running Back
Anchor Your Lineup With a Stud
What is it?
The Hero Running Back strategy is when you grab that one elite-level running back in Round 1, then wait until the middle rounds to add depth to the position. It allows you to accumulate high-upside wide receivers, tight ends, and a quarterback while still possessing that one lock-and-load RB1 to lead your team.
Saquon Barkley
(Running Back, Philadelphia Eagles)
In his second season with the Eagles, Saquon Barkley is set up for a leading role behind one of football's best offensive lines. The pass-catching upside and touchdown equity he offers give him an elite weekly ceiling.
Jahmyr Gibbs
(Running Back, Detroit Lions)
In Year 3, Jahmyr Gibbs is positioned to build on his breakout sophomore year campaign. The Lions have bumped up his workload and he remains one of the more effective backs in space.
Bijan Robinson
(Running Back, Atlanta Falcons)
Bijan Robinson enters 2025 with a new offense and expectations sky-high. He's a top-five pick for Hero Running Back drafters because of his upside to produce both on the ground and in the passing game.
Late-Round RB/WR Targets
Jaydon Blue (Running Back, Dallas Cowboys): Jaydon Blue has drawn rave reviews in camp and could carve out a significant role. While he brings explosive playmaking to the Cowboys' backfield, he will need to address ball security and pass protection to maximize his impact at the professional level.
Jack Bech (Wide Receiver, Las Vegas Raiders): Jack Bech is highly successful on contested catches and great at finding soft spots in zone coverages, making him a solid choice in critical situations. His toughness and work ethic, exemplified by a Senior Bowl performance that thrust him into MVP status, suggest that he can become a contributor to the Raiders' receiving corps sooner than later.
Why it works in 2025
Running Back/Wide Receiver depth and roles volatility continue to make it prudent to lock in an elite back/receiver and hunt upside down the line. With as many receiver-heavy builds as there are, you can play the value game by paying up for an elite running back early and waiting.
Zero Running Back
Wide Receiver Depth is King
What is it?
Zero Running Back flips traditional draft strategy on its head. Instead of chasing running backs early, you build your roster with elite wide receivers and tight ends and target breakout running backs in the depth rounds.
CeeDee Lamb
(Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys)
CeeDee Lamb has fully entered the elite tier of wide receivers. He’s a PPR machine and is often selected top five overall in 2025 drafts.
Ja’Marr Chase
(Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals)
Back after the triple crown, Ja’Marr Chase is a league-winner any week he suits up. His ceiling remains among the highest in fantasy football.
Justin Jefferson
(Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings)
Even with rookie quarterback uncertainty, Justin Jefferson remains a dominant force. His route running and red zone ability gives him a safe floor and massive ceiling.
Late-Round Running Back Targets
Tyjae Spears (Running Back, Tennessee Titans): A high-upside stash with potential to overtake Tony Pollard by midseason.
Zach Charbonnet (Running Back, Seattle Seahawks): Charbonnet could see an expanded role in Year 3 and has three-down potential if Kenneth Walker III misses time.
Why it works in 2025
Timeshares and running back injuries are common. Top wide receiver drafting gives week-to-week consistency, and taking flyers on late-round running backs offers league-winning upside.
Zero Running Back teams are winning by crushing top receivers and snagging breakout backs like Spears and Charbonnet in the rounds after.
Elite Tight End
Positional Advantage That Wins Weeks
What is it?
Drafting an elite-three tight end early gives you a weekly edge at a position that's traditionally thin. With mid-round tight ends being busts, locking down a consistent one early can be a league-winning move.
Brock Bowers
(Tight End, Las Vegas Raiders)
The second year phenom enters 2025 with second-round buzz and is already being drafted among the elite tier. Brock Bowers' athleticism and target share projection give him immediate potential to produce big numbers.
Trey McBride
(Tight End, Arizona Cardinals)
After a breakout second half in 2024, Trey McBride is now the focal point of the Cardinals' passing attack. His volume and red zone role make him a top-tier tight end selection.
George Kittle
(Tight End, San Francisco 49ers)
Still explosive and dominant after the catch, George Kittle is being slightly undervalued in drafts. His weekly upside remains unmatched when healthy.
Why it works in 2025
The tight end position is still top-heavy. Having a guaranteed 12–15 points per week at the position gives an enormous advantage in roster construction, especially when the rest of your league is streaming or praying for a touchdown.
According to Underdog Fantasy Rankings, Bowers and McBride are climbing into second-to-third-round territory — signaling rising confidence from drafters.
Choosing the right draft strategy is the most important step to dominating your 2025 fantasy football league. Whether you go with the Hero Running Back, commit to a Zero Running Back build, or lock in an Elite Tight End, make sure your approach aligns with positional trends and current ADP data.
As new information rolls in throughout the offseason, the best managers stay flexible and know when to pivot. Practice your draft plan now — and you’ll be ready when it’s time to be on the clock.
Additional Tips
1. Opportunity Over Talent
When it comes to redraft leagues, talent is significant, but opportunity trumps everything. As previously stated, a talented rookie trapped behind a workhorse back will be way less helpful than a less well-known rookie player who has a great chance to capitalize on opportunities.
This is the exact reason running backs RJ Harvey and Blue are skyrocketing on the Broncos and Cowboys draft boards—they landed in great spots with very little competition, meaning that they’ll be able to make an instant impact.
2. Hold Off on Quarterbacks...
Unless We’re Talking Game Changers
In most cases, a couple of quarterbacks are drafted early, but mid-to-late round fantasy drafts tend to offer value at the position. Like any other league, if you’re not opting for premier Quarterbacks like Josh Allen, Jalen Hurts, Jayden Daniels, or Lamar Jackson, odds are, you would miss out on good opportunities.
In 2025, young talented Quarter Backs like Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, and Bryce Young could offer great upside at a discount.
3. Don't Over Estimate Rookies: Be Choosey
Rookies can be league-winners, but not all of them hit in year one. Target the running backs that can step into immediate volume. Omarion Hampton (Chargers) could be taking over the backfield from Najee Harris by mid-season, and Quinshon Judkins (Browns) may have the ability to lead the backfield right from the start.
At wide receiver, Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers) is a quality rookie to target. The Panthers selected him at the No. 8 spot in the draft to help Young have a legitimate No. 1 option. Young improved last season and is looking to thrive this season in his third year. He is a value pick in the middle rounds to produce WR2 numbers starting in Week 1. These rookies have potential while being low-cost in draft picks in redraft leagues.
4. Build Depth at Wide Receiver and Running Back Early
To cope with volatility in performance and injuries, wide receivers and running backs can serve as the backbone of a redraft roster. Attempt to populate the flex spots with Wide Receivers/Running Backs before Tight End/Quarter Back unless elite options fall. These positions offer weekly flexibility, and scoring big at these spots can greatly supercharge a playoff run when targeting depth at Wide Receiver/Running Back.
5. Do Not Draft for Week 16, but Rather for Week 1
It is very tempting to want to strategize for the fantasy playoffs, but the focus needs to be on having the chance to make it. Concentrate on the value options that can help during the early games that kick start the season strongly. Relying on late-round tickets is perfectly fine, but it is better skipping the option of stockpiling players who do not hit the field until November just to bench.
Redraft is a sprint, not dynasty's marathon. You don't need the next great Running Back/Wide Reciever in five years—you need the next one this year. Do your research, watch camp battles, and draft with purpose.
Your 2025 fantasy football championship might depend on it.