Fantasy Football Top Pick Redraft Options for 2025

There are debatably two enticing options at different positions for the number 1 overall pick to consider early for fantasy football redraft leagues. There is a third I would also consider, but to me, at least for PPR in 10-12 man home leagues, the drop-off is clear, and question marks can be made after these three players. While this differs league to league, it is notable in my league, the two teams that duked it out at the end had two of the players, while the other was a top back for half the season after a quarterback change. Here are my early top selections for fantasy football redraft leagues for PPR.

Elite RB at the Top from Super Bowl Winner?

At least for my league, Barkley was a massive overthink, as he went 7th overall. On a brand new team with the Philadelphia Eagles, he was a running back one overall from the get-go. The Super Bowl Champion only had three weeks under double digits in PPR for fantasy football and didn’t play Week 18 due to playoff rest. Although he had Jalen Hurts Tush Pushes to compete with, he still had an all-time season for fantasy football that he could potentially improve on in year two with Philly.

Elite Wide Receiver with a Lucrative Contract

The Top 10 Wide Receivers of the 2024 season!

Ja’Marr Chase was in a league of his own 🤯 pic.twitter.com/dv3o2MzmIN

— NFL Fantasy Football (@NFLFantasy) January 16, 2025

Chase was a similar boat in my league, going 8th overall due to contract concerns. After a whole season, he is now back with the Bengals on a lucrative deal for good. Cincinnati, with Joe Burrow last season, had one of the highest scoring offenses with their efficiency. It was more of a necessity, as their defense was one of the worst due to injuries. They also retain Tee Higgins long-term, but that shouldn’t be a concern, as the duo has thrived together in fantasy. Chase had just one game under double digits, so for PPR, despite past injury concerns before 2024, he is one of the safest bets.

Run It Back with Consensus Fantasy Football Pick?

Bijan Robinson

2024 Stats: 304 Carries, 1,456 yards, 14 TDs

Young, dynamic, and the focal point of his offense. What more could you want in a Cornerstone Running Back?

My early bet for the overall RB1 next season in fantasy, Bijan can do it all – catch passes, score… pic.twitter.com/HkpKLFw1CM

— Cornerstone Fantasy (@90stoneFantasy) February 21, 2025

I actually did trade for Robinson after the Atlanta Falcons made a quarterback switch from the veteran Kirk Cousins to the rookie Michael Penix Jr. That did benefit the young star running back, as he was one of the top consistent backs for fantasy at the end of the season. He was a top-three pick last season, but for 2025, that should be repeated. Bijan didn’t have a single game under double digits, and after their bye week, he had just one game under 20 fantasy points for PPR. Robinson could be the next top pick for fantasy football that you can get slightly ahead of for this upcoming year.

Final Thoughts for Redraft with the First Round

While there is plenty to consider at the top with these three players for fantasy football, there are other players that have question marks that have them lower in my rankings. Both Detroit Lions stars Jahmyr Gibbs and Amon-Ra St. Brown have been top options that offer high ceilings with consistency, but it is fair to question how they will do with a new offensive coordinator with potential role changes. John Morton was the passing game coordinator previously for the Denver Broncos from 2023-2024.

Puka Nacua is the bonafide top receiver in Los Angeles for the Rams without veteran Cooper Kupp (Seattle Seahawks), but he has fought through multiple injuries in 2024 with his usage. The same can be said with Nico Collins of the Houston Texans, now without Tank Dell (due to injury) and Stefon Diggs (New England Patriots) but adding Christian Kirk from the Jags.

Star receivers Justin Jefferson and CeeDee Lamb had inconsistent 2024 seasons but still were in the top 5-10 at least. Lamb for the Dallas Cowboys should get veteran Dak Prescott back (coming off an injury), and Brian Schottenheimer calling plays as the head coach. Jefferson for the Minnesota Vikings with likely have J.J. McCarthy in as the starter for the first time, who is basically a rookie.

The two sensational rookie receivers, Brian Thomas Jr. and Malik Nabers, should be exciting picks. Thomas, for the Jacksonville Jaguars, has a great connection with Trevor Lawrence, who now will have a new play-caller with Liam Coen as head coach. Nabers gets a new quarterback in New York, whether it is a rookie mixed in with free agent signings Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Either way, it is a better QB room than last season, so regardless, Nabers should benefit as the top Giants receiver. This upcoming year seems more stacked at the top than previous years for fantasy football.