Full-season fantasy football rankings play a critical role in what we do here at ESPN, but sometimes they lack bigger-picture context.
Is one wide receiver, perhaps ranked one spot higher than another one, considerably better than that player? Myriad fantasy managers wisely have turned to a tiered ranking system for drafts and salary cap formats to better evaluate positional value, because sometimes there is a rather large drop-off in perceived quality, and supply and demand matters.
For example, below you will see one analyst's tiers (for 10-team leagues with standard PPR scoring) at wide receiver for the 2025 season. The names at the top tend to be obvious, and there might be a surprise or two deviating from your opinion in the rankings and the tiers, which is a positive. Think for yourselves, make your own decisions for your teams. As we get deeper into each position, we must further distinguish the players and where talent drops off. A tiered system does this, showing where statistical value changes, and on occasion it is significant.
The most important piece of advice: Prepare your own rankings/tiers for your big draft day rather than relying on others. Combine studious planning with gut feelings. Know your statistics but remember that last year's numbers don't matter. We look forward to this season.
This is not an exact science, obviously, so try a few mock drafts and see where you believe talent drops off at each position. Planning ahead is key. We will update these tiers/rankings as August news dictates.
Check out all of the tiered rankings: QB | RB | WR | TE
Tier 1: Early Round 1
1. Ja'Marr Chase, Cincinnati Bengals
2. Justin Jefferson, Minnesota Vikings
3. Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams
4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys
5. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Detroit Lions
6. Malik Nabers, New York Giants
These are also my first six picks overall (ahead of the running backs). It is unconventional, but top wide receivers are safer and more reliable. Quibble with the order -- and perhaps I like Nacua more than other analysts -- but I am OK with all that.
Tier 2: Rounds 2/3
7. Nico Collins, Houston Texans
8. Brian Thomas Jr., Jacksonville Jaguars
9. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles
10. Tyreek Hill, Miami Dolphins
11. Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
12. Tee Higgins, Cincinnati Bengals
Just a step below the top tier but not so much. Hill's ranking might not match that of other analysts, but I cannot ignore how great he was his first two Dolphins seasons. I would have a tough time letting any of these receivers fall to Round 3.
Tier 3: Rounds 3/4
13. Ladd McConkey, Los Angeles Chargers
14. Davante Adams, Los Angeles Rams
15. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks
16. Garrett Wilson, New York Jets
17. Mike Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
18. Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders
There are safe options galore at wide receiver, even with Adams moving to his third franchise in two seasons, Wilson getting another new QB and McLaurin unhappy with his contract. For now, do not overreact. Evans will make it 12 consecutive seasons with more than 1,000 receiving yards, and yet he always seems to slip in drafts.
Tier 4: Rounds 5/6
19. Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals
20. DJ Moore, Chicago Bears
21. DK Metcalf, Pittsburgh Steelers
22. Courtland Sutton, Denver Broncos
23. Zay Flowers, Baltimore Ravens
A few disappointments from last season show up in this tier, but great things remain expected for Harrison, and Metcalf appears too talented to underachieve again. Moore and Sutton have high-WR2 upside if their young QBs continue to develop, which they should.
Tier 5: Rounds 6/7
24. Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans
25. Jaylen Waddle, Miami Dolphins
26. DeVonta Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
27. Jameson Williams, Detroit Lions
28. Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
29. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs
30. Jerry Jeudy, Cleveland Browns
Williams and Hunter might not warrant this generous tier yet, but I am a believer in both. Try not to overthink how much Hunter playing defense will hamper him on offense. I don't believe it plays any role. Worthy moves up with news of the Rashee Rice suspension. The other players here simply need quality QB play to deliver numbers we have seen from them before.
Tier 6: Rounds 7/8
31. Jakobi Meyers, Las Vegas Raiders
32. Chris Olave, New Orleans Saints
33. Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
34. Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers
35. Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
36. Rome Odunze, Chicago Bears
37. George Pickens, Dallas Cowboys
Meyers, Olave and Pickens have become a bit too underrated by others. Youngsters McMillan, Golden, Egbuka and Odunze are in solid situations to break out.
Tier 7: Rounds 8/9
38. Michael Pittman Jr., Indianapolis Colts
39. Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots
40. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo Bills
41. Jauan Jennings, San Francisco 49ers
42. Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers
43. Cooper Kupp, Seattle Seahawks
44. Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders
Pittman moves up with the news of Daniel Jones starting at QB. San Francisco's top receivers reside here. If you like one more than the other, go for it. A declining Kupp and Samuel, with new franchises, still have value, and they may have fallen further in the rankings than they deserve.
Tier 8: Rounds 9/10
45. Rashid Shaheed, New Orleans Saints
46. Adam Thielen, Minnesota Vikings
47. Jordan Addison, Minnesota Vikings
48. Keenan Allen, Los Angeles Chargers
49. Chris Godwin, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thielen moves up after the trade back to the Vikings. Addison and Godwin would rank several tiers better if not for suspension (Addison) and injury (Godwin). Allen is back with the Chargers and he is also far from done.
Tier 9: Rounds 10/11
50. Josh Downs, Indianapolis Colts
51. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills
52. Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers
53. Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans
54. Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons
55. Hollywood Brown, Kansas City Chiefs
56. Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns
57. Xavier Legette, Carolina Panthers
Downs is another winner as the Colts go with Jones. Nobody thinks Jones is Joe Montana, but he can find receivers. Mooney would rank better if not for a shoulder injury.
Tier 10: Round 12 and later
58. Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
59. Marvin Mims Jr., Denver Broncos
60. DeMario Douglas, New England Patriots
61. Christian Kirk, Houston Texans
62. Rashod Bateman, Baltimore Ravens
63. Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers
64. Tyler Lockett, Tennessee Titans
65. Rashee Rice, Kansas City Chiefs
66. Brandon Aiyuk, San Francisco 49ers
There is some undervalued talent lurking in this tier. Bateman scored nine touchdowns last season. Kirk and Lockett have performed well in the past, with past franchises. Rice (suspension) and Aiyuk (knee) should suit up in October, and we know what they are capable of doing.