2025 Fantasy Football Mock Draft: Latest Projections amid Preseason Week 3

In just under a fortnight, the Eagles will host the Cowboys in the NFL regular-season opener—and another season of fantasy football will begin.

Just two big fantasy draft weekends remain. And as fantasy managers make final preparations to assemble their teams for 2025, one way to get a feel for where potential values, busts and sleepers lie is to either participate in a mock draft or examine recent ones that have taken place.

Of course, The B/R Mock That Ain't Charity Challenge 2025 (v3.0) isn't really a mock. The analysts (including our own Kristopher Knox and Maurice Moton), fantasy veterans and even a mystery novelist who participated in this draft will be playing it out.

So, with this writer drafting from the No. 11 spot, here's a round-by-round look at how the draft panned out: the good, the bad and the ugly.

Round 1

AP Photo/Stacy Bengs

Justin Jefferson

1. Bijan Robinson, RB, ATL

2. Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN

3. CeeDee Lamb, WR, DAL

4. Saquon Barkley, RB, PHI

5. Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, DET

6. Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET

7. Ashton Jeanty, RB, LV

8. Justin Jefferson, WR, MIN

9. Christian McCaffrey, RB, SF

10. De'Von Achane, RB, MIA

11. Derrick Henry, RB, BAL

12. Malik Nabers, WR, NYG

Best Pick: Justin Jefferson at 1.08.

The first round of most fantasy drafts has more chalk than a Crayola factory, but getting Jefferson a few spots behind his ADP of fifth overall is excellent value.

The 26-year-old missed a chunk of training camp with a hamstring strain, but he is back on the practice field and expected to be a go for Week 1.

Worst Pick: Saquon Barkley at 1.04.

Relative to ADP, this isn't a bad spot to take Barkley. But this writer has contended all summer that he's a season-killer waiting to happen.

In 2024, he became the ninth 2,000-yard rusher in NFL history and led the league in rushing, but the past has shown such successes are followed by significant regression the following year.

Biggest Surprise: De'Von Achane at 1.10.

Achane is an electrifying talent with the ball in his hands, but the 23-year-old has struggled to stay on the field.

The Texas A&M product has already picked up a calf injury this summer and is regularly falling into Round 2 as a result. There are several players, such as Derrick Henry and Malik Nabers, who would have been safer selections in that spot.

Round 2

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Puka Nacua

1. Nico Collins, WR, HOU

2. Brian Thomas Jr., WR, JAX

3. Puka Nacua, WR, LAR

4. Drake London, WR, ATL

5. Kyren Williams, RB, LAR

6. Ladd McConkey, WR, LAC

7. Jonathan Taylor, RB, IND

8. Brock Bowers, TE, LV

9. Josh Jacobs, RB, GB

10. Bucky Irving, RB, TB

11. Kenneth Walker III, RB, SEA

12. Chase Brown, RB, CIN

Best Pick: Chase Brown at 2.12.

This pick isn't a huge steal relative to Brown's ADP of 22, but the third-year pro was a consistently productive fantasy asset after taking over the Bengals backfield last year; ranking fifth in PPR points at the position from Week 9 on.

From all indications, touches won't be a concern for Brown this season—a Robinson/Brown start to the draft is some good old-fashioned "Robust RB" action.

Worst Pick: Kenneth Walker at 2.11.

There's no way to sugarcoat this: At 23 (almost two rounds ahead of his ADP), Walker is a massive reach.

The fourth-year pro has missed multiple games in all three pro campaigns, and he failed to gain even 550 yards on the ground and averaged a career-worst 3.7 yards per carry in 2024.

Biggest Surprise: Puka Nacua at 2.03.

The questions regarding the Rams offense center around Matthew Stafford's sore back, and they have caused Nacua's asking price to ping-pong all over the place.

Once locked in as a first-rounder, the 24-year-old is now sliding into the second as often as not. He could be a sizable value there, right up until he has to try catching passes from Jimmy Garoppolo.

Round 3

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A.J. Brown

3.01: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, ARI

3.02: George Kittle, TE, SF

3.03: Trey McBride, TE, ARI

3.04: A.J. Brown, WR, PHI

3.05: Josh Allen, QB, BUF

3.06: Lamar Jackson, QB, BAL

3.07: Alvin Kamara, RB, NO

3.08: Tyreek Hill, WR, MIA

3.09: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, SEA

3.10: Garrett Wilson, WR, NYJ

3.11: Omarion Hampton, RB, LAC

3.12: Breece Hall, RB, NYJ

Best Pick: A.J. Brown at 3.04.

Brown came off the board here almost a full round later than his ADP, which is arguably the best value pick of the draft to this point. He missed four games last year and finished outside the top 12 in PPR points per game, but as recently as 2023, he was a top-five fantasy option.

Worst Pick: Marvin Harrison Jr. at 3.01.

Harrison's talent is undeniable—he was widely regarded as the top overall prospect in the 2024 draft class. But he finished his rookie season a disappointing 45th in PPR points per game among wideouts, and his ADP of 38 is lower than any other wide receiver drafted in the round.

Biggest Surprise: George Kittle ahead of Trey McBride.

It's not a massive upset that Kittle went ahead of McBride, as the Niners star scored more PPR points per game last year than any tight end in the league. But there's a reason McBride is going nine picks earlier on average: Kittle is 31 and hasn't played every game in a season since 2018.

Round 4

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Tee Higgins

4.01: James Cook, RB, BUF

4.02: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, NE

4.03: Jayden Daniels, QB, WAS

4.04: R.J. Harvey, RB, DEN

4.05: Jalen Hurts, QB, PHI

4.06: Mike Evans, WR, TB

4.07: Tee Higgins, WR, CIN

4.08: DK Metcalf, WR, PIT

4.09: Davante Adams, WR, LAR

4.10: James Conner, RB, ARI

4.11: Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR

4.12: Kyler Murray, QB, ARI

Best Pick: Tee Higgins at 4.07.

Frankly, Higgins is being overdrafted this year at WR12—that's not going to be an easy benchmark to hit if he's playing Robin to Ja'Marr Chase's Batman in Cincinnati. In terms of value relative to average draft position, though, it's hard to find fault with getting him in the middle of Round 4.

Worst Pick: R.J. Harvey at 4.04.

"Rookie fever" is undeniable in this draft, with both Harvey and TreVeyon Henderson coming off the board well ahead of ADP. Of the two, Harvey was the bigger reach; he was a sixth-rounder on average and will open his rookie season behind J.K. Dobbins on the depth chart in the backfield in Denver.

Biggest Surprise: Kyler Murray as the fifth QB off the board—ahead of Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes

Murray has more finishes outside the top 10 the past five years (three) than inside the top five (one) among quarterbacks. Someone really wanted that Murray/Harrison Jr. fantasy stack.

Round 5

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Joe Burrow

5.01: Emeka Egbuka, WR, TB

5.02: Courtland Sutton, WR, DEN

5.03: D.J. Moore, WR, CHI

5.04: Joe Burrow, QB, CIN

5.05: Calvin Ridley, WR, TEN

5.06: D'Andre Swift, RB, CHI

5.07: Tyrone Tracy Jr., RB, NYG

5.08: Jameson Williams, WR, DET

5.09: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, CAR

5.10: Terry McLaurin, WR. WAS

5.11: DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI

5.12: George Pickens, WR, DAL

Best Pick: Joe Burrow at 5.04.

Patience is a virtue at quarterback, and Round 5 is about the earliest savvy managers should look to address the position. Burrow led the NFL with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes in 2024. And given how the defense has looked in the preseason, the Bengals will be in plenty of shootouts this season.

Worst Pick: Emeka Egbuka at 5.01.

What the what? Egbuka is an immensely talented young player and possibly the most NFL-ready rookie receiver in this class. But he was drafted here over three full rounds ahead of his ADP and ahead of proven No. 1 wide receivers such as Courtland Sutton and DJ Moore. Even with the Jalen McMillan injury, that's a reach.

Biggest Surprise: Tyrone Tracy Jr. at 5.07.

With rookie Cam Skattebo sidelined of late, Tracy has strengthened his hold on lead back duties for the Giants after his RB26 PPR finish a year ago. But there were multiple running backs still available here whose role is more secure in 2025. Tracy is a risky choice inside the top 55.

Round 6

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Xavier Worthy

6.01: Chris Olave, WR, NO

6.02: Aaron Jones, RB, MIN

6.03: David Montgomery, RB, DET

6.04: T.J. Hockenson, TE, MIN

6.05: Tony Pollard, RB, TEN

6.06: Jerry Jeudy, WR, CLE

6.07: Xavier Worthy, WR, KC

6.08: Rashee Rice, WR, KC

6.09: Travis Hunter, WR, JAX

6.10: Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA

6.11: Patrick Mahomes, QB, KC

6.12: Travis Etienne, RB, JAX

Best Pick: Xavier Worthy at 6.07.

When last we saw Worthy, he was catching eight passes for 157 yards and two scores in Kansas City's lopsided loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. He should spend most of 2024 as Kansas City's No. 1 wideout and came off the board here 1.5 rounds after his average asking price.

Worst Pick: Travis Etienne Jr. at 6.12.

As the running backs start to dry up, fantasy drafters often panic and reach for players for fear of being frozen out, especially if they pick on the turn. That may have been the case here. Etienne is mired in one of the NFL's muddiest backfield situations and is being drafted outside the top 100 on average.

Biggest Surprise: Rashee Rice at 6.08.

Worthy is going to be Kansas City's No. 1 receiver most of this year because Rice is facing a potential NFL suspension following his involvement in a 2024 multi-car crash. At this point, a reasonable expectation is a six-game ban.

Round 7

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Joe Mixon

7.01: Jakobi Meyers, WR, LV

7.02: Justin Fields, QB, NYJ

7.03: Stefon Diggs, WR, NE

7.04: Rome Odunze, WR, CHI

7.05: Joe Mixon, RB, HOU

7.06: Isiah Pacheco, RB, KC

7.07: Travis Kelce, TE, KC

7.08: Quinshon Judkins, RB, CLE

7.09: Bo Nix, QB, DEN

7.10: Zay Flowers, WR, BAL

7.11: Ricky Pearsall, WR, SF

7.12: Jaylen Warren, RB, PIT

Best Pick: Zay Flowers at 7.10.

In terms of cost relative to ADP, getting Flowers here is larceny—he was taken almost two full rounds later than average. He posted the first 1,000-yard season of his career in 2024, and his WR25 finish a season ago was 13 slots higher than where he was taken.

Worst Pick: Joe Mixon at 7.05.

This pick doesn't look that bad at first glance, as Mixon's ADP is one pick before this slot. But he has missed the entirety of training camp and the preseason with a lingering foot injury, and there's no timetable for his return. This is likely to be a wasted pick.

Biggest Surprise: Justin Fields at 7.02.

Fields was a trendy value pick earlier in the summer, but the Jets' passing attack has looked atrocious in the preseason and his ADP has fallen as a result. His average draft position is about two rounds (and three QBs) later than he was selected here. That's drafting at ceiling—and then some.

Round 8

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Baker Mayfield

8.01: Mark Andrews, TE, BAL

8.02: Sam LaPorta, TE, DET

8.03: Zach Charbonnet, RB, SEA

8.04: Matthew Golden, WR, GB

8.05: Khalil Shakir, WR, BUF

8.06: Baker Mayfield, QB, TB

8.07: David Njoku, TE, CLE

8.08: Kaleb Johnson, RB, PIT

8.09: Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE

8.10: JK Dobbins, RB, DEN

8.11: Cooper Kupp, WR, SEA

8.12: Evan Engram, TE, DEN

Best Pick: Sam LaPorta at 8.02.

After leading all tight ends in PPR points as a rookie, LaPorta's numbers took a hit last year. Even in that down season, though, he scored seven touchdowns and finished as TE7 in fantasy points. His average asking price is early in Round 5. Getting him in Round 8 is one of the steals of this draft.

Worst Pick: Zach Charbonnet at 8.02.

This was a fairly boring round and short on true head-scratchers. But even Zach Charbonnet's biggest fan would have to admit taking him ahead of the likes of Kaleb Johnson and JK Dobbins could lead to a hyperextended shoulder for fantasy managers.

Biggest Surprise: Baker Mayfield at QB10.

There's legitimate cause for pause regarding Mayfield's ability to back up last year's third-place fantasy finish, especially with Liam Coen no longer calling plays in Tampa. But the Bucs QB still has a loaded group of receivers at his disposal, and at this modest price, he could regress a fair amount and still return considerable value. Again, patience is a virtue under center.

Round 9

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Deebo Samuel Sr.

9.01: Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL

9.02: Jauan Jennings, WR, SF

9.03: Brian Robinson Jr., RB, SF

9.04: Jordan Mason, RB, MIN

9.05: Deebo Samuel, WR, WAS

9.06: Michael Pittman Jr., WR, IND

9.07: Javonte Williams, RB, DAL

9.08: Jayden Reed, WR, GB

9.09: Jerome Ford, RB, CLE

9.10: Cam Skattebo, RB, NYG

9.11: Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, WAS

9.12: Dak Prescott, QB, DAL

Best Pick: Deebo Samuel at 9.05.

With Terry McLaurin continuing to hold out in hopes of getting a new contract, Samuel could well end up opening the regular season as Washington's No. 1 wide receiver. Getting a No. 1 wideout outside the top 100 is excellent value, especially when that pass-catcher has a resume like Samuel's.

Worst Pick: Brian Robinson Jr. at 9.03.

This late in the draft "worst" is a relative concept—no one's season was ever wrecked by a ninth-round pick. But Robinson was on the trade block when this draft took place, and now that he's been dealt to San Francisco his fantasy value has all but evaporated.

Biggest Surprise: Jacory Croskey-Merritt at 9.11.

Frankly, little is surprising anymore with the rookie seventh-rounder whose ADP has skyrocketed since the Robinson news broke. It's hard to say definitively where he will be taken in individual drafts, but the days of Croskey-Merritt being available well into the double-digit rounds are over.

Round 10

AP Photo/Michael Conroy

Chris Godwin

10.01: Austin Ekeler, RB, WAS

10.02: Jordan Addison, WR, MIN

10.03: Rachaad White, RB, TB

10.04: Ollie Gordon III, RB, MIA

10.05: Trey Benson, RB, ARI

10.06: Luther Burden, WR, CHI

10.07: Tank Bigsby, RB, JAX

10.08: Chris Godwin, WR, TB

10.09: Tucker Kraft, TE, GB

10.10: Rico Dowdle, RB, DAL

10.11: Kareem Hunt, RB, KC

10.12: Braelon Allen, RB, NYJ

Best Pick: Jordan Addison at 10.02.

Even with Addison facing a three-game suspension, he is still being drafted at the back end of Round 7 on average. That makes landing the third-year pro at No. 110 overall a nice bargain—all that team has to do is stay above water for three weeks and then land last year's WR21 in PPR points for pennies on the dollar.

Worst Pick: Kareem Hunt at 10.11.

In a round filled with dart throws and pass-catching running backs, it's hard to single out any individual pick as "bad." But while Kareem Hunt led the Chiefs in rushing a year ago, the 30-year-old may have already lost his job as the No. 2 back in Kansas City to rookie Brashard Smith.

Biggest Surprise: Chris Godwin at 10.08.

Godwin is one of this year's more speculative picks as he recovers from the ankle injury that ended his 2024 campaign. But he will reportedly avoid the PUP list to open the regular season, and he had more PPR points per game last year than any wideout in the NFC before getting hurt.

Rounds 11-13

AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Tyler Warren

11.01: Jayden Higgins, WR, HOU

11.02: Tyjae Spears, RB, TEN

11.03: Najee Harris, RB, LAC

11.04: Darnell Mooney, WR, ATL

11.05: Drake Maye, QB, NE

11.06: Josh Downs, WR, IND

11.07: Jake Freguson, TE, DAL

11.08: Colston Loveland, TE, CHI

11.09: Tyler Warren, TE, IND

11.10: Brandon Aiyuk, WR, SF

11.11: Jared Goff, QB, DET

11.12: Demario Douglas, WR, NE

12.01: Keon Coleman, WR, BUF

12.02: Christian Kirk, WR, HOU

12.03: Dallas Goedert, TE, PHI

12.04: Bhayshul Tuten, RB. JAX

12.05: Dont'e Thornton, WR, LV

12.06: Dylan Sampson, RB, CLE

12.07: Jaydon Blue, RB, DAL

12.08: Cedric Tillman, WR, CLE

12.09: Marvin Mims Jr., WR, DEN

12.10: Nick Chubb, RB, HOU

12.11: Joshua Palmer, WR, BUF

12.12: Zach Ertz, TE, WAS

13.01: Trevor Lawrence, QB, JAX

13.02: Wan'Dale Robinson, WR, NYG

13.03: Justin Herbert, QB, LAC

13.04: Isaac Guerendo, RB, SF

13.05: Isaiah Davis, RB, NYJ

13.06: Brock Purdy, QB, SF

13.07: Tre Tucker, WR, LV

13.08: Keaton Mitchell, RB, BAL

13.09: Kyle Williams, WR, NE

13.10: Dalton Kincaid, TE, BUF

13.11: Caleb Williams, QB, CHI

13.12: J.J. McCarthy, QB, MIN

Best Value in Round 11: Tyler Warren at 11.09.

The rookie tight end, who was a jack-of-all-trades at Penn State, is coming off draft boards on average as a top-10 TE in Round 9. Here, he was the 14th tight end selected and the last of three in a row in Round 11. If he's half the prospect so many believe he is, he'll outperform this asking price.

Best Value in Round 12: Keon Coleman at 12.01.

The second-year wideout only caught 29 passes last year, but he scored four touchdowns and averaged over 19 yards a catch. The Bills badly need a wide receiver to step up opposite Khalil Shakir, and Coleman has drawn rave reviews throughout the summer.

Best Value in Round 13: Brock Purdy at 13.06.

Between the injuries that have beset the San Francisco offense and personnel losses in the offseason, the managers in this league are none too enamored with Purdy's fantasy prospects in 2025. But getting him four-and-a-half rounds after his ADP makes this investment in the fourth-year pro all but risk-free.

Rounds 14-16

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Cam Little

14.01: Denver Broncos Defense

14.02: Mason Taylor, TE, NYJ

14.03: Jordan Love, QB, GB

14.04: Pat Bryant, WR, DEN

14.05: Jalen Royals, WR, KC

14.06: Michael Penix Jr., QB, ATL

14.07: Hunter Henry, TE, NE

14.08: Houston Texans Defense

14.09: Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL

14.10: Jaylen Wright, RB, MIA

14.11: Philadelphia Eagles Defense

14.12: Baltimore Ravens Defense

15.01: Pittsburgh Steelers Defense

15.02: Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT

15.03: Arizona Cardinals Defense

15.04: Minnesota Vikings Defense

15.05: Jonnu Smith, TE, PIT

15.06: Buffalo Bills Defense

15.07: Detroit Lions Defense

15.08: Brandon Aubrey, PK, DAL

15.09: Cam Ward, QB, TEN

15.10: Green Bay Packers Defense

15.11: Dallas Cowboys Defense

15.12: Brenton Strange, TE, JAX

16.01: Cameron Dicker, PK, LAC

16.02: Jake Bates, PK, DET

16.03: Chris Boswell, PK, PIT

16.04: Isaiah Bond, WR, CLE

16.05: Los Angeles Chargers Defense

16.06: Chase McLaughlin, PK, TB

16.07: Jake Elliott, PK, PHI

16.08: Joshua Karty, PK, LAR

16.09: Wil Lutz, PK, DEN

16.10: Cam Little, PK, JAX

16.11: Evan McPherson, PK, CIN

16.12: Harrison Butker, PK, KC

Best Value in Round 14: Mason Taylor at 14.02.

The second-round rookie hasn't generated the buzz Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren have, but the Jets tight end may have an even clearer path to early targets than that duo.

Best Value in Round 15: Jonnu Smith at 15.05.

Last year, Smith set career highs across the board with an 88/884/8 stat line on 111 targets on the way to a third-place finish in PPR points among tight ends. He isn't repeating those numbers in Pittsburgh, but Steelers OC Arthur Smith made him a big part of the Atlanta offense two years ago.

Best Value in Round 16: Cam Little at 16.10.

It's the last round. There was one player drafted who wasn't a defense or a kicker. This round is irrelevant to a fantasy championship, but someone has to be picked. Let's go with the young kicker who blasted a 70-yard field goal in the preseason. At least he's entertaining.