Sometimes my ideas are good. Other times, bad.

Last week, I had an idea: What if I write a piece in which I highlight my favorite player to draft from each of the 32 NFL teams?

I sent the idea to my editors, and they said: “Write it … but for the love of the football gods, no more than 2,000 words, because we have other pieces to edit, the readers have other pieces to read, and you have other pieces to write.”

I don't know if this is a good or bad idea.

But it's an idea.

Let's do it: One article, 32 players, 2,000 words.

Booyah!

Note: All referenced ADP (in parentheses) is Underdog, via our Fantasy Life ADP Tool (as of Sat. 6/7). For my full fantasy football rankings as well as early Week 1 rankings, head to our rankings hub.

32 Players To Target In Fantasy Football 2025

Arizona Cardinals

  • TE Trey McBride (24.0)

As I mentioned in my updated "Freedman's Favorites" for 2025 fantasy football drafts, I want one of the top two TEs, and we have Trey McBride slated with a position-high 130 targets in our 2025 season-long player projections. Last year, he also had a position-best 9.3 Utilization Score (per our industry-leading Fantasy Life Utilization Report).

Atlanta Falcons

  • RB Tyler Allgeier (151.5)

Over the past two years, Tyler Allgeier has put up a respectable 1,608 yards and eight TDs as a No. 2 option, and in 2022, he had 1,174 yards and four TDs as a rookie lead back. I view Allgeier as one of the best change-of-pace/handcuff options available in 2025.

Baltimore Ravens

  • RB Derrick Henry (14.4)

Even though Derrick Henry is already 31 years old, the Ravens opted not to augment their backfield this offseason, which means that he should once again dominate opportunities. Last year, he popped off for 2,114 yards and 18 TDs in his first campaign with the team.

Buffalo Bills

  • RB Ray Davis (140.1)

Starter James Cook is in the final year of his deal and is in the middle of a contract dispute, which could result in him missing training camp and maybe even some games. Ray Davis was serviceable in 2024 as a change-of-pace rookie with 631 yards and six TDs, and he could get even more playing time and opportunities (especially near the goal line) in 2025.

Carolina Panthers

  • WR Adam Thielen (162.6)

I'm just saying that Adam Thielen has had 8.2 yards per target and 7.4 targets per game over the past two years with the Panthers. If rookie Tetairoa McMillan turns out to be this year's Xavier Legette, then Thielen could once again be the team's No. 1 WR.

Chicago Bears

  • RB D'Andre Swift (80.5)

D'Andre Swift is coming off a career-best 1,345-yard campaign, and in 2022—his one previous season with new HC Ben Johnson as a playcaller—he averaged a career-high 5.5 yards per opportunity.

Cincinnati Bengals

  • RB Chase Brown (29.6)

In the final eight games of last season, Chase Brown had 930 yards and six TDs on 151 carries, 44 targets, and a position-high 9.5 Utilization Score. What if he does that for an entire season this year?

Cleveland Browns

  • WR Jerry Jeudy (68.0)

After the Browns traded former No. 1 WR Amari Cooper in Week 7, Jerry Jeudy put up 70-981-3 receiving on 109 targets in 11 games, and his situation might be better this year with the addition of QB Joe Flacco. 

Dallas Cowboys

  • K Brandon Aubrey (NA)

Kickers are people, too. Brandon Aubrey has an outstanding 89.4% field goal rate for his career, and he has drilled double-digit kicks from 50-plus yards in each of his two NFL seasons.

Denver Broncos

  • WR Marvin Mims (121.7)

No. 1 WR Courtland Sutton turns 30 years old this year, and Marvin Mims is a first-team All-Pro returner who has second-round draft capital, 10.4 yards per target for his career, and 22 carries across his two NFL seasons. He could develop into HC Sean Payton's joker this season. 

Detroit Lions

  • WR Jameson Williams (45.6)

Jameson Williams is coming off his first 1,000-yard campaign, and HC Dan Campbell has been hyping him up this offseason. With 9.8 yards per target and 8.7 yards per carry for his career, Williams could explode with an increased workload.

Green Bay Packers

  • QB Jordan Love (130.0)

Jordan Love has an above-average collection of pass catchers, a strong playcaller in HC Matt LaFleur, and a solid 7.7 AY/A in his two seasons as a starter. He stacks well with a number of Packers WRs & TEs, and he's cheap.

Houston Texans

  • RB Joe Mixon (51.5)

Joe Mixon has minimal competition for touches in the Texans backfield, so I expect his 2024 role (245 carries, 52 targets in 14 games) to carry forward into 2025. Over the past four years, he has averaged 1,377.3 scrimmage yards and 12.3 TDs per season.

Indianapolis Colts

  • WR Alec Pierce (170.4)

I can't tell you for sure that Alec Pierce will hold off Adonai Mitchell for a starting spot. And I can't pretend as if he's a better WR than Michael Pittman and Josh Downs. But last year he led the Colts with 824 yards and seven TDs receiving, and he has 9.1 yards per target for his career. He has upside.

Jacksonville Jaguars

  • TE Brenton Strange (159.6)

Brenton Strange had 66% and 69% route rates last year in two separate four-game stretches without TE Evan Engram, who (along with WRs Christian Kirk and Gabe Davis) is no longer on the team. He'll have opportunities in new HC Liam Coen's offense.

Kansas City Chiefs

  • WR Hollywood Brown (129.7)

In the postseason, Hollywood Brown had a 73% route rate and team-high 29% share of air yards after returning from injury, and he's the roster's only proven perimeter playmaker. He's priced nowhere near his upside.

Las Vegas Raiders

  • TE Brock Bowers (16.5)

As a rookie, Brock Bowers last year was a first-team All-Pro with 112-1,194-5 receiving, and OC Chip Kelly and QB Geno Smith should be upgrades on what Bowers had in 2024. If he gets even a little traditional second-season development, he could break fantasy.

Los Angeles Chargers

  • WR Quentin Johnston (146.6)

Last year, Quentin Johnston was quietly No. 2 on the team with a 21% target rate and target share—and he was actually No. 1 with a 30% share of redzone and endzone targets (per our Fantasy Life Redzone Tool). He has a shot to replicate his 2024 marks of 711 yards and eight TDs receiving.

Los Angeles Rams

  • WR Davante Adams (31.5)

With HC Sean McVay and QB Matthew Stafford, the Rams have proven themselves capable of supporting two high-end pass catchers—and Davante Adams has 3,723 yards and 30 TDs receiving on 10.3 targets per game over the past three years. He's still an alpha.

Miami Dolphins

  • WR Tyreek Hill (29.2)

Last year, Tyreek Hill was a top-three fantasy pick—but then he had a down season (1,012 yards, six TDs from scrimmage) in part due to a wrist injury and QB Tua Tagovailoa missing six games. Given that Hill has averaged 9.6 yards per target in his three years with the Dolphins, a bounceback seems probable.

Minnesota Vikings

  • QB J.J. McCarthy (135.8)

As I've noted in my recent superflex first-timers guide, I want J.J. McCarthy in all formats. His draft pedigree (No. 10 pick) and college production (72.3% completion rate, 9.8 AY/A in final season) suggest that he could be better than Sam Darnold, who passed for 4,319 yards and 35 TDs last year with the Vikings.

New England Patriots

  • RB Rhamondre Stevenson (126.7)

The Patriots just drafted RB TreVeyon Henderson at No. 38, but he profiles more as a change-of-pace option than a workhorse, whereas Rhamondre Stevenson has been a lead back with 3,287 yards on 573 carries and 180 targets over the past three years. Barring injury, Stevenson should lead the Pats in opportunities.

New Orleans Saints

  • RB Alvin Kamara (61.5)

His QB situation is uncertain, and Alvin Kamara turns 30 years old soon—but last season he had a position-high 9.3 Utilization Score, which he leveraged into 1,493 yards and eight TDs in 14 games. Only once in his career has Kamara had fewer than 1,300 scrimmage yards. 

New York Giants

  • WR Wan'Dale Robinson (166.0)

Last year, Wan'Dale Robinson had a laughable 5.0 yards per target—but he also had 140 targets, and now this year he gets an upgrade with QBs Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and Jaxson Dart. I feel dirty.

New York Jets

  • RB Braelon Allen (164.1)

Despite being the youngest player in the NFL last season (20 years old), Braelon Allen outperformed starter Breece Hall in success rate (51.1% vs. 46.4%) and rushes per broken tackle (23.0 vs. 29.9) and matched him in yards after contact per attempt (2.1). This year, he could enjoy an enhanced workload in a run-heavy offense.

Philadelphia Eagles

  • TE Dallas Goedert (142.6)

After returning from injury, Dallas Goedert closed out last season with a strong 24% target rate and 21% target share. Despite competing with RB Saquon Barkley and WRs A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith for opportunities, Goedert is still a key contributor in the Eagles offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • RB Kaleb Johnson (75.6)

Last year at Iowa, Kaleb Johnson had 1,725 yards and 23 TDs from scrimmage in a 12-game All-American campaign, and he's likely to inherit the vacated role of Najee Harris, who never had fewer than 255 carries and 1,205 scrimmage yards in four years with the Steelers. He's a … steel.

San Francisco 49ers

  • WR Ricky Pearsall (74.4)

No. 1 WR Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL last season. No. 2 WR Deebo Samuel was traded away. No. 3 WR Jauan Jennings might be a one-year wonder. Ricky Pearsall did little in 2024, but he has first-round draft capital, and in his four starts last year as a rookie he had 22-321-3 receiving on 28 targets with 3-45-0 rushing.

Seattle Seahawks

  • WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba (30.3)

As strong as he was last year (100-1,130-6 receiving, 8.2 yards per target), Jaxon Smith-Njigba could be even more dominant in 2025 without departed WRs DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. He should approach double-digit targets each game while lining up all across the formation.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

  • WR Emeka Egbuka (93.8)

No. 1 WR Mike Evans turns 32 years old in August, and No. 2 WR Chris Godwin (ankle) is uncertain to be ready for the beginning of the season. Egbuka could see more usage than expected, and he's cheap for a rookie first-round WR with good athleticism and college production.

Tennessee Titans

  • RB Tony Pollard (80.0)

At 28 years old, Tony Pollard is nearing his positional age cliff, but he's had at least 1,300 scrimmage yards in each of the past three seasons, and the Titans offense should be better this year with QB Cameron Ward.

Washington Commanders

  • QB Jayden Daniels (42.4)

Last year, Jayden Daniels had an OPOY campaign with 3,568 yards and 25 TDs passing and 148-891-6 rushing—and this offseason the Commanders improved the offense by adding LT Laremy Tunsil, RT Josh Conerly, and WR Deebo Samuel. If Daniels progresses in his second season, he could finish as the No. 1 QB in fantasy.