With the 2025 Fantasy Football season around the corner, now is the perfect time to start preparing for your draft. Regardless of which strategy you choose identifying value in every round is essential to dominating your league.
Rather than reaching for hype picks, this article highlights one best value player per round taking ADP from Underdog Rankings, giving you a clear blueprint to build a championship-caliber roster from start to finish.
Round 1: Jahmyr Gibbs
(RB, Detroit Lions)
In 2024, Jahmyr Gibbs finished as a top 2 fantasy running back despite sharing touches with David Montgomery. During the fantasy football playoffs, Gibbs finished as RB1.
In the regular season, Gibbs finished with just over 1,900 scrimmage yards. Now entering Year 3 with an expanded role and more comfort in the offense, Gibbs is a threat to lead the league in total yards.
With elite explosiveness, pass-catching upside, and a high-powered offense behind him, Gibbs provides RB1 production at a middle first-round ADP. In 2025 Fantasy Football, he’s the definition of value in Round 1.
Round 2: Brock Bowers
(TE, Las Vegas Raiders)
Rookie tight ends typically take time to develop, but Brock Bowers is no ordinary rookie. A generational talent with yards-after-catch dominance, Bowers enters a Raiders offense desperate for playmakers.
Currently being drafted as the TE1 on many platforms, his athletic profile and expected volume could lead to an immediate top fantasy player finish. Getting that upside in the second round is a strong positional edge.
Having a skilled Tight End when the margins are slim for the position, is instant value that you have over your opponents.
Round 3: Marvin Harrison Jr
(WR, Arizona Cardinals)
Despite having a shaky rookie year, Marvin Harrison Jr. might have the most upside out of all wide receivers. He’s a polished route runner, has elite ball-tracking skills, and enters a fast-paced offense alongside Kyler Murray.
Harrison has the potential to be this year’s Ja’Marr Chase, with 130+ targets well within reach. In Round 3, he’s a smash pick with WR1 upside in all formats.
Round 4: James Cook
(RB, Buffalo Bills)
Many expected a breakout season from James Cook in 2024—and he delivered. Cook quietly finished with over 1,200 total yards, showcasing his versatility as a pass-catching back in a Josh Allen-led offense.
Buffalo’s backfield remains his to control, and with minimal changes to the depth chart, Cook should continue seeing 15+ touches per game. At his current ADP, he’s a perfect zero RB or flex target with RB2 value.
Round 5: Jordan Addison
(WR, Minnesota Vikings)
Despite a turbulent quarterback situation, Jordan Addison showed flashes of brilliance in 2024, especially when Justin Jefferson missed time. With a more stable outlook in 2025 and improvements to the line, Addison should take another step forward.
He’s a smooth route runner and strong red-zone target, giving him double-digit touchdown potential. At a fifth-round cost, Addison offers massive upside as a high-end WR2.
Round 6: James Conner
(RB, Arizona Cardinals)
It’s rare to find a true workhorse this late, but James Conner fits the bill and is a perfect Zero RB. In 2024, he racked up over 1,500 scrimmage yards and finished as the RB15 in PPR formats. Yet, he’s being drafted in Round 6 in many leagues.
Volume is king, and Conner’s ability to stay on the field and score touchdowns make him one of the best value picks in all of 2025 Fantasy Football. Health is always a concern, but when he plays, he produces.
Round 7: Brandon Aiyuk
(WR, San Francisco 49ers)
Brandon Aiyuk has not lived up to his expectations the last couple of seasons. With Deebo Samuel being traded, it frees up targets for a player who has a high ceiling. He continues to develop as a key piece in Kyle Shanahan’s offense.
With a 4-year $120 million contract, Aiyuk could explode with a larger target share. In Round 7, he’s a league-winning stash with WR1 talent in the right scenario.
Round 8: Cooper Kupp
(WR, Seattle Seahawks)
Just two years ago, Cooper Kupp led the league in every major receiving category. While injuries and age have caught up to him, Kupp still showed flashes of dominance in 2024 when healthy.
At his current ADP in Round 8, you’re drafting a former WR1 for pennies on the dollar. If he can stay on the field, Kupp could easily outperform his price tag and finish inside the top 24 receivers.
Round 9: Caleb Williams
(QB, Chicago Bears)
It’s rare to find a sophomore quarterback with top five fantasy upside this late, but Caleb Williams fits the mold. Armed with elite college production, rushing upside, and weapons like DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden, Williams could make an immediate impact.
If you're waiting on a quarterback, Williams is the perfect late-round upside swing. Think C.J. Stroud’s rookie year… but with more mobility. Let’s not forget that Williams was drafted as being a generational talent. Having a piece of generation talent in round 9 is insane value.
Round 10: Rashod Bateman
(WR, Baltimore Ravens)
Rashod Bateman hasn’t lived up to his first-round NFL Draft pedigree, but 2025 could be his breakout season. With increased chemistry with Lamar Jackson, Bateman is projected to see a significant uptick in targets.
With Bateman’s new contract of three-year, $36,750,000 contract, the Ravens are invested and so am I. If he finally stays healthy, Bateman could deliver WR3 production or better—and in the 10th round, that’s exactly the kind of dart throw you want.
Round 11: Tyler Warren
(TE, Indianapolis Colts)
There’s a lot to like about Tyler Warren as a fantasy sleeper. The rookie out of Penn State steps into an offense with few proven pass-catchers beyond Michael Pittman. Warren is athletic, reliable, but the quarterback play is the only thing potentially holding him back.
Tight end is shallow this year, so Warren’s chance to produce immediately gives him sneaky value in Round 11.
Round 12: C.J. Stroud
(QB, Houston Texans)
If fantasy managers are somehow sleeping on C.J. Stroud, don’t be one of them. He lit up the league as a rookie in 2024 and only has more weapons in 2025—thanks to the arrival of two rookie Wide Receivers from Iowa State, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
Stroud is worth drafting for upside alone. He gives you a solid weekly floor with top five potential in plus matchups. He had a down year last year, making this pick an absolute steal in the 12th round.
Last year he was selected in round five in most leagues, and nothing has changed except for receiver more weapons. Improvements will happen in the offseason and Stroud is set for a big year in 2025.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Fantasy Football season offers a deep player pool with potential values throughout every round. From first-round stars like Gibbs to late-round quarterbacks like Stroud, building a successful draft strategy starts with identifying where the value lies.
Targeting the right players at the right ADP is how you win your draft before the season even begins. Use this guide as a reference, trust your board, and secure the players that offer the most bang for your buck.