The 2025 Fantasy Football draft season is here, and with it comes the annual debates over players going near each other in ADP. Making the right call between two closely ranked players can be the difference between a title run and a missed playoff berth
For your redraft leagues, these decisions will shape your roster. Let's break down the most important This or That debates using Sleeper’s ADP for 2025 Fantasy Football.
Justin Jefferson vs CeeDee Lamb
Justin Jefferson (Wide Receiver, Minnesota Vikings) 3.0 ADP
Justin Jefferson is one of the most talented wide receivers in football. With the Minnesota Vikingsintroducing a new quarterback in J.J. McCarthy, the chemistry between him and Jefferson is the biggest question heading into the season.
Jefferson finished as the WR2 last season thanks to the help from Sam Darnold as he had his best season of his career. McCarthy will have to have a similar season if Jefferson wants to finish as a top 2 Wide Receiver this season.
CeeDee Lamb (Wide Receiver, Dallas Cowboys) 5.4 ADP
The Dallas Cowboys had a disappointing season last year, but this year is going to look differently. Dak Prescott will be healthy this year and when Prescott is healthy CeeDee Lamb explodes as in 2023 he finished as WR1 in PPR.
George Pickens being added to the roster may scare some of you guys, but this is a bonus as it will force teams to not solely focus on Lamb and Pickens will help spread the field and Lamb will feast in 2025.
Pick: Lamb
With the quarterback uncertainty in Minnesota and Lamb's established role in a pass-heavy offense, Lamb is the safer and more productive choice in 2025 Fantasy Football.
Christian McCaffrey vs Bucky Irving
Christian McCaffrey (Running Back, San Francisco 49ers) 17.9 ADP
Christian McCaffrey remains one of the most dynamic backs in the league. He continues to thrive in Kyle Shanahan's offense but carries mileage concerns and possible regression.
There is no questioning that when McCaffery is on the field healthy, there is no stopping him. That’s the risk though is if he is going to be on the field. With all his talent and upside, it is hard not to be excited especially if you are getting him in round two.
Bucky Irving (Running Back, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) 19.6 ADP
Bucky Irving is coming off a phenomenal RB13 PPR finish with over 1,500 scrimmage yards. Irving had a snap share of 46% last season and going on to year two he should see a slight increase in usage this season.
Irving is a dynamic back on an outstanding offense where there are a bunch of points put on the board every week. With 8 TD last season all rushing, Irving is looking to up those numbers this coming season in 2025.
Pick: McCaffrey
If McCaffery is healthy he has the most upside out of anyone in my opinion. Don’t get me wrong Irving is a great running back and picking McCaffery is risky, but if McCaffery finishes the season healthy there is no doubt he couldn’t finish as RB1.
Courtland Sutton vs Zay Flowers
Courtland Sutton (Wide Receiver, Denver Broncos) 50.2 ADP
Courtland Sutton saw a resurgence in 2024 as the primary red-zone threat for the Denver Broncos. Sutton has no real threat from other wide receivers on the roster and with Bo Nix on year two he is set up for success. Last year he finished as the WR15 and is currently being drafted at the WR22.
You are getting a steal at the end of fourth early fifth round in your redraft league. Sutton had over 1,000 yards with 8 touchdowns to go with that. Pat Bryant was drafted in the third round, but he doesn’t pose a threat to Sutton. The addition to Evan Engram should help Sutton spread out the defense and allow for a more successful offense.
Zay Flowers (Wide Receiver, Baltimore Ravens) 52.3 ADP
Zay Flowers had an interesting last year in the fact that his efficiency went up for yards per route run from 1.67 to 2.33, but his snap percentage went down from 86 to 76 percent. Flowers finished as the WR25 last year, and he hopes to finish higher this year.
With Rashod Bateman’s new contract and the addition of DeAndre Hopkins, Flowers could see a dip in his efficiency, and his snap percentage is already declining, so Flowers might have a difficult time flashing his ceiling.
The Baltimore Ravens is also known for the rush attack with Derrick Henry and Lamar Jackson, who will take away touchdowns and potential yards thrown to Flowers.
Pick: Sutton
Flowers has more flash, but Sutton's role and touchdown upside make him the safer pick with a solid weekly performance, and quite honestly in my opinion has more upside than Flowers.
Jonnu Smith vs Mark Andrews
Jonnu Smith (Tight End, Miami Dolphins) 70.1 ADP
Jonnu Smith joined the Miami Dolphins last season and had the best season of his career from MikeMcDaniel’s creative offense. He finished as the TE4 unexpectedly last season.
Smith remains a risky option being that he had his best season at the age of 29. If he was a younger Tight End, it would make sense to invest in him and expect progression. However, he is on year 9 and will be 30 and we don’t have a large sample of dominance from him.
Mark Andrews (Tight End, Baltimore Ravens) 79.0 ADP
Mark Andrews finished as the TE 6 last year, but it was an interesting season. He scored many of his points from touchdowns last season and had a little volume.
If he continues to have the role that he had last season he can be riskier because touchdowns go up and down year to year.
Pick: Andrews
Andrews’ track record and chemistry with Lamar Jackson make him a clear choice for me. I am just not bought into Smith as he really has only proven himself the back half of the season last year.
Final Thoughts
In a season full of breakout potential and shifting roles, making the right call between two close options can win your league. When evaluating matchups for 2025 Fantasy Football, it’s essential to weigh role, quarterback, offensive scheme, and health.
Stick to your process, trust the trends, and draft with confidence.