Each week, Eric Karabell ranks players by position based on their fantasy football value for the rest of the 2025 season. Use the information to optimize the players for their future potential and/or to gauge their value in trade. Eric’s top 100 can be found below the positions in this column.
Quarterback
Rankings changes: We try to avoid overthinking in this column, so you won’t find much panic after only one week. New York Jets newcomer Justin Fields and Indianapolis Colts newcomer Daniel Jones were among the top three fantasy scorers at QB, thanks to their legs, and they force their way up the rankings. Keeping with the theme of veterans changing franchises and thriving, the Pittsburgh Steelers introduced Aaron Rodgers and enjoyed a comeback win. Rodgers cracks the top 20.
Miami Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa tumbles. Cleveland Browns starter (for now) Joe Flacco does not quite catch Carolina Panthers starter Bryce Young or Tennessee Titans rookie Cam Ward, but it’s close. Nine former No. 1 draft picks, including Young and Ward, started at QB in Week 1. Only one of them, Tampa Bay Buccaneers star Baker Mayfield, was among the top 10 QB fantasy scorers.
Running back
0:47
Why Garrett Wilson is well-positioned to build on strong fantasy start
Eric Moody evaluates Garrett Wilson’s nice fantasy game vs. the Steelers ahead of a favorable schedule for the wide receiver.
Rankings changes: Similarly, there is little overexaggeration at running back, where the great (and somehow still underrated) Baltimore Ravens star Derrick Henry was already among the top three before running all over Buffalo. San Francisco 49ers star Christian McCaffrey led the position in volume in Week 1, but is that a good thing? Don’t we want/need him healthy for four months? McCaffrey moves up to No. 6 (don’t get too greedy), but we can’t make him No. 1 at RB. We must acknowledge the health risk.
Many Dolphins fell in this week’s rankings, including De’Von Achane, but he remains a coveted player. Among the top Week 1 options moving up are Steelers starter Jaylen Warren, Jacksonville Jaguars starter Travis Etienne Jr., Dallas Cowboys newcomer Javonte Williams and Denver Broncos newcomer J.K. Dobbins. We wouldn’t call any of them safe for the long term yet. Tank Bigsby joins the Philadelphia Eagles. Interesting!
Wide receiver
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Why Matt Bowen likes Tyler Warren as a fringe TE1 in Week 2
Matt Bowen breaks down his fantasy outlook for Tyler Warren in Week 2.
Rankings changes: Week 1 was not the most proficient week for top wide receivers, with the Cincinnati Bengals‘ Ja’Marr Chase, the Detroit Lions‘ Amon-Ra St. Brown, the Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr., the Houston Texans‘ Nico Collins and the Eagles’ A.J. Brown among those not performing up to typical standards. Those players hold their rankings. We are not concerned.
Kudos to Jets WR Garrett Wilson, the Ravens’ Zay Flowers and Buccaneers rookie Emeka Egbuka for moving up in the top 20. Miami’s Tyreek Hill and Washington’s Terry McLaurin fall out, but not far. The Steelers’ Calvin Austin III, Patriots’ Kayshon Boutte and Chiefs’ Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster enter the rankings.
Tight end
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Bowen: Aaron Rodgers a ‘must-start’ in Week 2 superflex formats
Matt Bowen details why Aaron Rodgers is a must-start in Week 2 for superflex formats.
Rankings changes: Top options are dealing with injuries here, but the news looks positive for Las Vegas Raiders TE Brock Bowers (knee). He should play this week. The 49ers’ George Kittle (hamstring) will not, and he dips a bit in the rankings, but not too much. Colts rookie Tyler Warren pushes his way into the top 10. Perhaps he keeps pushing for more. Browns rookie Harold Fannin Jr. moves into the top 25, along with Jaguars veteran Brenton Strange and Atlanta Falcons underachiever Kyle Pitts Sr. This is the year, right?!?
