The first round is all about getting it right. These are the guys you build your team around, the ones with elite talent, great situations, and the volume to win you weeks on their own. Some are proven superstars, others are rising fast, but all of them have what it takes to finish top 12. This list isn’t just about name value, it’s about who’s set up to dominate this season.
1. Ja’Marr Chase
Ja’Marr Chase is the clear 1.01 selection in my eyes. Chase just signed a contract making him the highest-paid wide receiver in history. With Joe Burrow as his quarterback, I don’t see Chase falling outside the top two for years to come. His connection with Burrow is arguably the best in the league, and the Bengals continue to build their offense around this duo.
His target share and red zone usage remain elite, and now that he's being paid like the WR1, expect him to be used like one too, consistently and creatively.
2. Saquon Barkley
This is a redraft, not a dynasty, which is why Saquon Barkley is still more valuable than Bijan at this current moment. The Eagles are coming off a Super Bowl victory led by workhorse and reigning Offensive Player of the Year in Barkley.
With the Eagles continuing to be a run-first offense and having a top five offensive line, there is no reason that Barkley is not the number one running back in the NFL. Barkley’s dual-threat ability also makes him a game-changer in PPR formats.
His volume, scoring opportunities, and ability to handle 20+ touches weekly give him one of the safest floors and highest ceilings of any RB.
3. Bijan Robinson
Bijan Robinson had a WAY better sophomore season now that Arthur Smith is no longer in charge. Bijan had 67% of the team’s carries, which was a drastic increase from the 50% of team carries he had his rookie year. The Falcons hired Head Coach Raheem Morris and Offensive Coordinator Zac Robinson, both coming from the Rams, who rely mostly on one running back.
In fact, Kyren Williams for the Rams has finished top three in carries (1 & 3) the previous two seasons. Bijan is set up for a run for the top spot among running backs.
With a revamped offensive philosophy and an increased role in the passing game, he’s finally being used like the elite weapon he is.
4. CeeDee Lamb
CeeDee Lamb just signed his new contract keeping him in Dallas for the foreseeable future along with his quarterback Dak Prescott. Now with George Pickens joining the team, it should be even better for Lamb now that teams actually have to worry about another wide receiver threat on the other side of the field.
Lamb, even with Pickens, I believe will have a better year than Gibbs will, which is why I would draft him fourth. Lamb led all wideouts in targets last season and continues to be the focal point of one of the league’s most aggressive passing offenses.
If the offense stays healthy, he could easily compete with Chase for WR1 in fantasy.
5. Jahmyr Gibbs
Jahmyr Gibbs is a fantastic fantasy running back because of his threat in the passing game as well. The one question mark is that he is alongside one of the best handcuff running backs this season in David Montgomery. Montgomery will take a lot of chances from Gibbs, but it should not be a problem with how explosive his playing style is.
With Gibbs having the handcuff is the only reason why I have Lamb in front of him. But I would not be shocked if people took him over Lamb.
His breakaway speed and ability to turn short passes into long gains make him an elite asset, especially in full PPR leagues where his reception totals could skyrocket.
6. Justin Jefferson
Justin Jefferson will always be in the conversation for best wide receiver in the league; it is unfortunate now that he is getting talked about as being the third-best fantasy wide receiver. Even with JJ McCarthy now at quarterback for the Vikings, Jefferson should still succeed in Kevin O’Connell’s play style.
We know that Jefferson can produce with any quarterback; it is now on McCarthy to hold up his end of the stick. He has already shown that quarterback play doesn't limit his production, and even with rookie growing pains, Jefferson will be fed targets and see elite volume again.
7. Malik Nabers
Malik Nabers is probably in the best situation of his very little career so far. Nabers finished as WR7 even with four quarterbacks throwing him the ball. Now, Nabers is having Russell Wilson, who is an upgrade at the position, and they are already building chemistry.
After Wilson, the Giants have Jaxon Dart, who they drafted in the first round this past draft. Nabers is still the face of the offense until someone says otherwise. His after-the-catch ability, toughness, and route running are already elite.
If he sees consistent quarterback play, he could leap even higher into the WR rankings this year.
8. Puka Nacua
Puka Nacua came into the league hot as an unknown fifth-round draft pick and already is a superstar. Nacua has not disappointed since getting his opportunity, averaging over 17.5 fantasy points per game over his two seasons.
With Cooper Kupp gone, the Rams brought in Davante Adams to continue the multiple receiver threat the Rams have created. This also means that yet again, defenses can’t solely guard Nacua, which allows him to get single coverage once in a while. Nacua is set up for another successful year, not just in fantasy but in actual statistics as well.
His chemistry with Stafford and his role in Sean McVay’s offense make him one of the safest and most exciting WR1 picks in 2025.
9. Amon-Ra St. Brown
Amon-Ra St. Brown is a very interesting fantasy player. Last year, St. Brown had the third-most fantasy points from a wide receiver with a total of 317.2 points, but it was a very inconsistent way of doing it. For the most part, he averages around 15 points a game but then has games as low as two and seven points, then the next week he puts up over 30.
For the most part, it is not that unusual given circumstances to the real games, but you would think since he wasn’t injured during them and is the Lions WR1, that he wouldn’t have those games with such a low score. St. Brown is still clearly worthy of a first-round pick, but now I would draft him behind Nacua and Nabers just under offensive scheme and circumstances.
Still, his high target share, red zone involvement, and rapport with Jared Goff give him top five WR upside any week.
10. Ashton Jeanty
The already superstar rookie is bursting onto the scene with mocks taking him in the first round, and I’m buying into that hype 100%. Ashton Jeanty, getting drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders, was one of the greatest spots he could go to and for one reason: Pete Carroll. Carroll, when he was in Seattle, had a top 10 rushing offense during his tenure every year, with most of those years having Marshawn Lynch.
Now Carroll is bringing that style of play over to the Raiders, and what he should be able to do with Jeanty should be like being a kid in a candy store. Nonetheless, Jeanty is an unproven rookie, which is why he is at the end of the first round. Still, if early preseason usage holds true and he gets workhorse volume, he could easily break into the top eight.
11. Derrick Henry
Even at the age of 31, Derrick Henry is averaging nearly 20 points a game. With the Ravens already having a run-first style of offense, Henry fit right in with their program, and it showed. Now with Henry entering a second year with the Ravens, his level of confidence and the team’s confidence of knowing he can still play at an elite level will only boost his stock and should keep him in the first round of fantasy mock drafts.
While the age cliff is real, Henry is one of the few backs who has shown no signs of slowing down, and in goal-line situations, he’s still one of the best bets for touchdowns.
12. Nico Collins
Only making a household name of himself two years ago, Nico Collins has burst onto the scene by averaging 17 points a game these past couple seasons. The one problem with Collins is his health, he has yet to have a full healthy season under his belt, which has been frustrating for fantasy owners.
Even though health is a concern, Collins should still be drafted in the first round just on what he can average when he is on the field. With C.J. Stroud continuing to grow and Houston adding depth around Collins, his efficiency could get even better. If he finally stays healthy for 17 games, we might be looking at a top five wide receiver finish.