Now that the football season has wrapped up, it’s the perfect time for managers to start researching players ahead of their drafts for next season. It’s never too early to get a competitive edge! To help you get started, here are my early top-five rankings for each position for the upcoming fantasy season.
Quarterback:
- Lamar Jackson (Ravens)
- Joe Burrow (Bengals)
- Josh Allen (Bills)
- Jayden Daniels (Commanders)
- Baker Mayfield (Buccaneers)
Jayden Daniels has the potential to be the top quarterback in fantasy football next season. He was already a big point producer this past season with his duel threat running and passing ability, and the Commanders over the offseason have added Deebo Samuel to an already impressive receiving core. One name that you may notice is missing from my list is Patrick Mahomes. I do not have Patrick Mahomes in my top five because of his wide receiver situation. With off-field issues revolving around Rashee Rice and Xavier Worthy, poor play by an aging Travis Kelce, and an injured Hollywood Brown as the Chiefs’ current starting receiver, Mahomes will likely struggle to consistently put up big fantasy points again this season.
Running Back:
- Jahmyr Gibbs (Lions)
- Saquon Barkley (Eagles)
- Bijan Robinson (Falcons)
- Derrick Henry (Ravens)
- Kyren Williams (Rams)
Jahmyr Gibbs will look to build upon his success this past year with the Lions, and should see increased usage and touches in the backfield next season. Christian McCaffery is not in my top five because his injuries continue to be a major concern and I believe the 49ers will have another off year based on the number of key players they have already waived and traded in the offseason. With a wild-card quarterback in Brock Purdy, a battered offensive line, and the team reaching an all-time low in morale, it’s likely that McCaffery will not play like a top five running back in fantasy next season.
Wide Receiver:
- JaMaar Chase (Bengals)
- Justin Jefferson (Vikings)
- Amon Ra St.Brown (Lions)
- Drake London (Falcons)
- Nico Collins (Texans)
Puka Nakua is not in my top five because his value has lowered during the offseason with the Rams’ acquisition of a true number one receiver in Davante Adams. Nico Collins has risen in value due to the injuries to Tank Dell and the departure of Stefon Diggs. Drake London should put up even better point totals next season due to the Falcons’ change at quarterback, as he was still managing to play at a top five receiver level with a struggling, aging quarterback in Kirk Cousins last year.
Tight End:
- Brock Bowers (Raiders)
- Trey McBride (Cardinals)
- Sam LaPorta (Lions)
- George Kittle (49ers)
- Mark Andrews (Ravens)
Draft Prospect Tyler Warren from Penn State has the potential to join this top five list. With rookie breakouts from Sam LaPorta in 2024 and Brock Bowers in 2025, it seems as if Tyler Warren could be the next rookie tight end to break out in the NFL. Similar to Brock Bowers’s situation last year, his pre-fantasy draft value will in large part be determined by whichever team drafts him. If a team like the New York Jets draft Tyler Warren, I’d certainly look to pick him in the later rounds of a fantasy draft. If a team like the Indianapolis Colts were to draft him, however, it would be unattractive to me, considering the quarterback problems and offensive struggles the Colts showed last year.
