Fantasy Football 2025 Players Who Should Be Getting Drafted Earlier

With the 2025 NFL preseason set to begin on Thursday night, fantasy managers have likely begun ramping up their preparation for their drafts.

To build a championship-caliber team, managers need to both land players who won't miss at the top and uncover value throughout the latter rounds. Draft bargains often come in the form of sleepers, but they can also be middle-round picks who perform consistently enough to stay in the starting lineup.

With this in mind, let's examine four potential fantasy standouts who aren't currrently being drafted early enough. All picks and analysis are based on point-per-reception (PPR) scoring.

Jack Bech, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

AP Photo/John Locher

Rookie receivers often make great sleepers. Pass-catchers are entering the NFL more pro-ready than ever before, and many of them step right into high-volume situations.

Las Vegas Raiders second-round pick Jack Bech probably won't be the team's No. 1 target. That role should belong to second-year tight end Brock Bowers. However, Bech has the potential to supplant Jakobi Meyers as the team's go-to perimeter option.

"Jack, he's all shifty and sure hands, especially crossing and coming across the middle," cornerback Eric Stokes said, per Levi Edwards of the Raiders' official website.

With a new quarterback in Geno Smith and a new Chip Kelly offense, Las Vegas receivers should have more fantasy value than they've had in recent years. Bech, who has an average draft position (ADP) of 148, isn't being drafted early enough. Managers should also keep an eye on fellow Raiders rookie receiver Dont'e Thornton Jr. (ADP of 258).

Trevor Lawrence, QB, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/John Raoux

Injuries have hampered Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence in each of the past two seasons, which is probably why he's being heavily undervalued heading into 2025.

With an ADP of only 142, Lawrence isn't even being valued as a starter. However, he has the potential to outpace low-level starters like Brock Purdy and Justin Herbert this season.

When healthy three years ago, Lawrence threw for 4,113 yards and 25 touchdowns. And while he's not a true dual-threat, he provides enough scrambling ability to boost his weekly floor (1,083 yards, 14 TDs in four seasons).

Most importantly, Lawrence finally has a go-to receiver in Brian Thomas Jr., plus promising secondary targets in Dyami Brown and rookie receiver/corner Travis Hunter.

With new head coach Liam Coen running the offense, Lawrence should be in store for a breakout season. Coen helped coach Baker Mayfield to a Pro Bowl campaign in 2024, and he can help get the most out of Lawrence this year.

Jayden Reed, WR, Green Bay Packers

AP Photo/Chris Szagola

Sometimes, players are undervalued because of past performance. Other times, they begin flying under the radar because of shiny new additions. Jayden Reeds' surprisingly low stock seems to be a result of the latter.

Reed emerged as Jordan Love's top target last season, finishing with 55 receptions, 857 yards and six touchdowns. He was WR29 in PPR scoring formats for the year. With an ADP of 99 overall, though, Reed isn't expected to even be a top-40 receiver this season—or, at least, that's the draft trend.

Now, Green Bay did use first- and third-round picks, respectively, on wideouts Matthew Golden and Savion Williams. However, Reed's target share shouldn't be the one that significantly suffers.

Reed was one of Love's most reliable receivers last season, providing a QB rating of 137.5 when targeted, according to Pro Football Reference. His production shouldn't take a significant dive, and he should be getting drafted a round or two higher than he currently is.

Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Lawrence isn't the only player who should benefit from Jacksonville's offensive overhaul. Third-year tight end Brenton Strange may be ready to explode after showing flashes (411 yards, 2 TDs) last season.

With former Jaguars starting tight end Evan Engram now with the Denver Broncos, Strange should be a high-volume target.

Coen's offense will also help. As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator last season, he helped Cade Otton record a career-best 59-catch, 600-yard, four-touchdown season.

Strange has the potential to be a low-level starting TE, and with an ADP of 166, he can currently be had firmly in backup range.

*ADP via FantasyPros