We’ve come to the end of the line. Most fantasy football leagues have crowned their champions and it’s time to bask in our collective successes (or wallow in our failures).
Looking back, the 2024 NFL season was an excellent one for rookies, especially ones at skill positions. If there’s a general theme for this year, it’s that talented young players can thrive without an extended learning curve. Fantasy managers who rolled the dice on this year’s top rookies frequently had their investments pay off handsomely.
These players saw their fantasy values increase or decrease most based on their performances this season:
Fantasy football players to buy for 2025
QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders: Rookie quarterbacks rarely enjoy instant success in the NFL, but Daniels was an exciting exception. He was equally effective with his legs (setting a franchise rushing record for a QB) as he was with his arm (69% completion rate, 25 TDs). A top-five QB this season, he likely go higher in next year’s drafts.
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RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: An unheralded fourth-round rookie, Irving took over the lead back role from veteran Rachaad White and topped the 1,000-yard mark in Week 17. In his best overall game of the season, he ran for 113 yards and caught four passes for 77 more. Not bad, considering his preseason ADP of 161 (RB 53).
RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals: On the NFL’s best passing offense, Brown’s receiving ability catapulted him into the top 10 among fantasy backs. He ranks fourth at the position with 54 catches, and should easily surpass 1,000 rushing yards in the season finale. Zack Moss is just a distant memory.
WR Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars: In a draft full of top-end wideouts, Thomas — the 23rd overall pick — outshined all his 2024 classmates by hauling in 10 TD passes and ranking fourth at the position in PPR fantasy points through 17 weeks.
TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders: Despite the Raiders’ horrendous quarterback issues all season long, it didn’t seem to make a difference in Bowers’ production. The rookie from Georgia is poised to finish No. 1 among tight ends, leading the position in both receptions (108) and yardage (1,144).
Fantasy football players to sell for 2025
QB Kirk Cousins, Atlanta Falcons: Except for a 509-yard, 4-TD effort in Week 5, Cousins was a huge free-agent bust. He lost the starting job after going four games without a touchdown pass and will likely be back on the market this offseason as the Falcons turn to 2024 draftee Michael Penix Jr.
RB Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers: The consensus No. 1 overall fantasy pick came with a dangerous ‘if healthy’ caveat. Turns out he wasn’t — until Week 10. And by that time, many fantasy managers’ seasons were already sunk. Thanks to a season-ending knee sprain, his entire season consisted of four starts and zero touchdowns.
WR Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints: Olave played only a half season due to multiple concussions, but he wasn’t very effective when he was on the field. He topped 100 receiving yards just once and finished with one touchdown catch.
WR Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts: Sky-high expectations for Pittman (ADP: 30) never materialized as second-year QB Anthony Richardson struggled with injuries and inconsistency. It doesn’t bode well that his best games seemed to come with backup Joe Flacco under center.
TE Sam LaPorta, Detroit Lions: After a brilliant rookie season, LaPorta became a mere afterthought in the Lions’ high-powered offense. He had just one game with more than six catches or 70 receiving yards — and it came in Week 15 after many of his fantasy managers’ seasons were already over.