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2025 Fantasy Football Tiers: Maximize Value With Every Pick

Why Fantasy Football Tiers Are Better Than Rankings

You've seen our fantasy football rankings for your format.

But rankings paint an incomplete picture. Just because two players are listed back to back doesn't mean they're equals — or even close. Sometimes the difference is razor thin. Other times, it's a canyon.

That's Where Tiers Come In

Fantasy football tiers help you see those gaps in the rankings. The result: A more complete understanding of the draft landscape. That means fewer panic picks, smarter gambles, and a better shot at building a championship-winning roster.

The tiers below are based on our default PPR rankings.

Want an even bigger edge? The Draft War Room fantasy football cheat sheet builds tiers specifically for your league, adapting in real-time to your settings and your draft.

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QB Tiers (Quarterback)

QB Tier 1

Lamar Jackson, Baltimore Ravens
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills
Jalen Hurts, Philadelphia Eagles
Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

It'd be a surprising if someone outside of this group led QBs in fantasy points this season.

Jackson, Daniels, Allen, and Hurts are the elite dual threats. Burrow's path to finishing as the QB1 is tougher, but he combines talent, supporting cast, and passing volume.

All five of these guys are undervalued in fantasy drafts right now, according to our ADP Market Index.

QB Tier 2

Patrick Mahomes, Kansas City Chiefs
Kyler Murray, Arizona Cardinals
Bo Nix, Denver Broncos
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Justin Fields, New York Jets
Justin Herbert, Los Angeles Chargers
Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

This tier extends from Round 5 to 11 in ADP — and is a great argument for waiting on QB if you don't land one of the elites in Tier 1.

Round 5 Patrick Mahomes is tempting ... but you can likely get similar per-game production from Justin Herbert in Round 9 or even Justin Fields in Round 11.

QB Tier 3

Drake Maye, New England Patriots
Jared Goff, Detroit Lions
Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Love, Green Bay Packers
C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans
Tua Tagovailoa, Miami Dolphins
J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings
Bryce Young, Carolina Panthers

These guys have the potential to finish near the bottom of QB1 territory this season and will certainly provide top-12 production in spurts. But you don't want to head into the season relying on any of them as every-week starters.

Maye stands out as the best value in this tier, thanks largely to his sneaky rushing upside.

We highlighted J.J. McCarthy as a 2025 fantasy football sleeper.

QB Tier 4

Matt Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
Geno Smith, Las Vegas Raiders
Cameron Ward, Tennessee Titans
Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks
Anthony Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
Michael Penix, Atlanta Falcons

These are pure QB2s, with one exception. While they're capable of producing a handful of QB1 scoring weeks, they lack the potential to be season-long difference makers.

Then there's Anthony Richardson, whose rushing ability creates top-10 upside. He also has the lowest floor in this tier, though. If he doesn't improve as a passer, he'll be riding the bench sooner than later.

RB Tiers (Running Back)

RB Tier 1

Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Saquon Barkley, Philadelphia Eagles
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers
Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions

It's a tight race at the top of the RB rankings this season. All four of these guys have the potential to lead the position in fantasy points.

Robinson gets the nod at No. 1 thanks to his floor projection. He'll dominate carries and targets in Atlanta's backfield. And he's in his prime at 23 years old.

McCaffrey might prove to be the best value of the bunch, though. He's going at the end of Round 1, while the other three will cost you top-five picks.

RB Tier 2

Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
De'Von Achane, Miami Dolphins
Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens

These RBs have outside chances to lead the position in fantasy points thanks to strong volume projections.

They each come with question marks — whether it be inexperience, size, supporting cast, or age — but they're all nice values in Round 2 of fantasy drafts.

RB Tier 3

Breece Hall, New York Jets
Joe Mixon, Houston Texans
Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints
Josh Jacobs, Green Bay Packers
Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals

An eclectic mix of rising youngsters and aging vets who are still holding big roles. It's the latter group that provides the most value in this tier — particularly Mixon and Kamara, who are often available in Round 4 of fantasy drafts.

RB Tier 4

James Cook, Buffalo Bills
Chuba Hubbard, Carolina Panthers
Kenneth Walker, Seattle Seahawks
James Conner, Arizona Cardinals

You're still looking at clear lead backs in this tier, but they come with bigger question marks:

• Cook: TD regression, contract dispute
• Hubbard: Passing-game role, Bryce Young
• Walker: Durability, offensive line
• Conner: Age, durability

RB Tier 5

David Montgomery, Detroit Lions
Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings
Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
Isiah Pacheco, Kansas City Chiefs
Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
D'Andre Swift, Chicago Bears
R.J. Harvey, Denver Broncos
Tony Pollard, Tennessee Titans
TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

The majority of these RBs have workload questions, either due to age, injuries, or competition. But it's also the last tier of RBs with a realistic chance to operate as clear lead backs — and reliable weekly fantasy starters.

This tiers tend to dry up by the end of Round 6.

RB Tier 6

Brian Robinson, Washington Commanders
Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh Steelers
Travis Etienne, Jacksonville Jaguars
Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

These four project as committee backs, leaving them as unexciting picks at their Round 8 price tags.

RB Tier 7

Tyrone Tracy, New York Giants
Tyjae Spears, Tennessee Titans
Cameron Skattebo, New York Giants
Najee Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders
Tank Bigsby, Jacksonville Jaguars

This tier is also comprised of likely committee backs. They might be on shakier ground than the guys in Tier 6 — but they're also cheaper. Spears, Skattebo, Ekeler, and Bigsby are all usually available in Round 10 or later.

RB Tier 8

Javonte Williams, Dallas Cowboys
Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Rachaad White, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
J.K. Dobbins, Free Agent

A wide range of archetypes here.

Charbonnet and White might have a little standalone value but are mostly handcuffs.

Williams looks like Dallas' lead back by default right now, but he's tough to bank on coming off an ugly 2024.

Dobbins remains unsigned as of late May but still had plenty of gas in the tank last year and could be a 2025 factor with a good landing spot.

WR Tiers (Wide Receiver)

WR Tier 1

Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings

Elite talent? Check.

Strong offense? Check.

Huge target volume? Check.

All four of these Tier 1 WRs are worth top-six picks in 2025 PPR drafts.

WR Tier 2

Malik Nabers, New York Giants
Nico Collins, Houston Texans
Brian Thomas, Jacksonville Jaguars

These guys' floors are a bit lower than the Tier 1 WRs. But their ceilings are similar.

It wouldn't be a surprise if Nabers, Collins, or Thomas finished as top-three fantasy WRs this season. They're strong picks in the back half of Round 1.

WR Tier 3

Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins

This tier has roadblocks to finishing atop the position in fantasy scoring. But they're all good bets for WR1-level production.

Higgins and Hill — with Round 3 ADPs — stand out as the values of the group.

WR Tier 4

Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
Garrett Wilson, New York Jets

Fringe WR1s or excellent WR2s for your fantasy squad.

You'll have to pay a Round 2 price for McConkey — but Rice, Evans, Adams, and Wilson often slide into Round 4.

WR Tier 5

Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
D.J. Moore, Chicago Bears
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
D.K. Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins

A big, wide-ranging collection of WR2 types. You should aim to have at least three WRs rostered by the time this tier dries up, which is typically by the end of Round 6.

Worthy, McMillan, Godwin, and Waddle pop as the best values in this tier.

WR Tier 6

George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears

These are WR3s with various ranges of floor and ceiling projections.

Pickens, Olave, Williams, and Odunze are the top upside targets in this tier.

Meyers and Shakir are the higher-floor picks.

WR Tier 7

Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns

These guys aren't quite locked-in WR3s but are better than pure WR4s.

Reed is coming off an underwhelming 2024. He'll probably never be a target hog — but there's bounce-back potential in 2025 if Green Bay's passing volume rebounds.

Jeudy put up big numbers with QB Jameis Winston last year but gets an iffier QB situation this season.

WR Tier 8

Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots
Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks
Michael Pittman, Indianapolis Colts
Marquise Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers

The WR4 with upside tier.

Diggs, Pearsall, Shaheed, and Coleman are particularly exciting ceiling bets in this group.

Aiyuk would climb at least a couple of tiers if he's cleared from his knee injury before Week 1, but that seems unlikely at this point.

TE Tiers (Tight End)

TE Tier 1

Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders
Trey McBride, Arizona Cardinals

These guys project as high-end WR2s that you get to play in your TE slot.

Bowers just scored the second-most PPR points per game by a rookie TE in NFL history. 

McBride finished second in total PPR points last year, despite scoring only two TDs. He's an obvious positive regression candidate in 2025.

TE Tier 2

George Kittle, San Francisco 49ers

Did you know that Kittle led all TEs in PPR points per game last year?

He sits a tier below Bowers and McBride only because he turns 32 in October.

That makes him riskier than the two youngsters — but Kittle is also 2-3 rounds cheaper in fantasy drafts.

TE Tier 3

Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions
Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Jonnu Smith, Miami Dolphins

These guys are long shots to lead the position in fantasy points over the course of the season. But they're comfortable weekly starters with the upside to lead the position in any given week.

TE Tier 4

T.J. Hockenson, Minnesota Vikings
David Njoku, Cleveland Browns
Mark Andrews, Baltimore Ravens
Dalton Kincaid, Buffalo Bills

You won't need to spend one of your first six picks on any of these guys, but they're good bets to be reliable weekly fantasy starters.

Njoku and Andrews at Round 9 ADPs are particularly strong values.

TE Tier 5

Jake Ferguson, Dallas Cowboys
Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers
Evan Engram, Denver Broncos
Dallas Goedert, Philadelphia Eagles
Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Choose your flavor in this tier. Ferguson, Engram, and Goedert are established veterans with nice volume projections in 2025. Warren is risk/reward pick: A talented rookie in an iffy passing game. Kraft is somewhere in between.

Try to have at least one TE rostered by the time this tier is gone.

TE Tier 6

Pat Freiermuth, Pittsburgh Steelers
Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders
Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Chigoziem Okonkwo, Tennessee Titans
Isaiah Likely, Baltimore Ravens
Mike Gesicki, Cincinnati Bengals
Cade Otton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Your classic TE2 spot starters.

You don't want to be relying on any of these guys as every-week starters. But in the right matchup, they're all capable of helping fantasy teams.

TE Tier 7

Kyle Pitts, Atlanta Falcons
Hunter Henry, New England Patriots
Dalton Schultz, Houston Texans
Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

The waiver wire speed dial.

These guys probably aren't worth picking in most fantasy drafts. But if you're up against it during the season, they should be capable of keeping you afloat.

Get Customized Fantasy Football Tiers

Generic fantasy football tiers are fine. But to get a real edge in your draft, you need tiers customized to your league's rules: Both the starting requirements and scoring system.

The Draft War Room uses live-draft sync technology to provide rankings and tiers tailored to your fantasy league.

Or watch the video below to learn more.