In the 2025 fantasy football drafts, several underrated players stand poised to outperform expectations, offering significant advantages to savvy managers, including Caleb Williams, who has emerged as a notable Caleb Williams fantasy football target. These hidden gems could provide the key to securing league-winning rosters as their roles and performances improve.
Kyler Murray’s Potential Rebound with Arizona
Kyler Murray of the Arizona Cardinals has battled injuries and a decline in rushing production over the past four seasons, leading to underwhelming fantasy output. Despite this, his passing ability remains solid, supported by his impressive 7.3 yards per carry on the ground. To climb the quarterback ranks—currently 10th in early August—Murray must increase touchdown drives and produce more explosive plays through the air. A critical factor will be improving his connection with rookie Marvin Harrison in his second year, which could elevate his fantasy ceiling.
Caleb Williams’ Growth and Opportunity with the Chicago Bears
Rookie Caleb Williams showed glimpses of his potential last season by running effectively and limiting costly turnovers, but inconsistency in his command and timing held him back. The Bears’ offseason moves strengthened their receiving corps and coaching staff, laying the foundation for Williams to develop into a top-tier fantasy quarterback. His offensive weapons and talent suggest that Chicago can transition from <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/football/nfl/nfc/”>NFC North underdogs to division champions in the near future. Fantasy projections place Williams anywhere from QB6 to QB20 depending on the draft format and flow, with expectations that his team’s offense will mesh rhythmically for a strong 2025 campaign.
Jake Ferguson’s Bounce-Back Chance with the Dallas Cowboys
After a breakout 2023 season, tight end Jake Ferguson’s 2024 performance suffered due to missed games and a weakened Dallas passing game. Ferguson ended without a touchdown and saw his yards per catch dip to 8.4 from 10.7 the previous year. Entering 2025, Ferguson is positioned for a revival, ranked as the 13th tight end in August rankings and poised to reclaim his role as a reliable weapon in Dallas’s offense.
Sam LaPorta’s Value as a Tight End in Detroit
Sam LaPorta’s consistent scoring ability has made him a respected figure among tight ends, ranked 4th in August. His average draft position positions him as a strong value pick below the elite tight ends, typically being selected in the seventh round. Over two seasons, he has proven his touchdown-scoring talent with 17 total in 33 games, including an exceptional rookie year with 86 catches for 889 yards and 10 touchdowns. LaPorta often comes off the board later than peers like George Kittle, allowing managers to build depth at running back and wide receiver instead.
Jayden Reed’s Underutilized Role in Green Bay’s Offense
Jayden Reed’s fantasy production last season was uneven, with nearly half of his points coming from just four games. Despite improving his catch rate to 73.3% and averaging 15.6 yards per reception, Reed was targeted very sparingly, with only 75 catches last year. The Packers are expected to increase his opportunities, including adding some running back-style carries to his workload. Unless a rookie like Matthew Golden emerges quickly, Reed is set to lead Green Bay in receptions and receiving yards, making his WR45 ranking in August a clear undervaluation.
Joe Mixon’s Opportunity to Rebound with Houston
Joe Mixon’s draft stock took a hit heading into August, with rankings fluctuating widely, yet some project him as a top-12 running back candidate. He is expected to remain Houston’s primary ball carrier if healthy, and his injury concerns might resolve before the season begins. Drafting Mixon at a discount while securing Nick Chubb as insurance appears a prudent strategy given his potential volume and upside.
Travis Hunter’s Unique Dual-Role with Jacksonville
Travis Hunter is ranked as a backend WR3, a group that also includes Rome Odunze, Emeka Egbuka, and Ricky Pearsall—all young wide receivers with breakout potential. Hunter’s hybrid skill set creates ambiguity in his fantasy role, splitting time between offense and defense, which tempers some enthusiasm. Nevertheless, as Jacksonville’s clear second receiving option behind Calvin Ridley, Hunter possesses immense talent and will be a frequent target for Trevor Lawrence, especially near the line of scrimmage where he can create consistent yardage and scoring chances.
Isiah Pacheco’s Steady Role in Kansas City’s Backfield
Isiah Pacheco remains somewhat underappreciated, ranked 25th among running backs and facing threat from Kareem Hunt and Brashard Smith for touches and targets. Despite missing games in 2023, Pacheco was the 15th highest-scoring running back in PPR formats, posting solid playoff production with multiple touchdowns and catches. The Chiefs’ running backs struggled with rushing efficiency last year but scored frequently on the ground. In the passing game, Patrick Mahomes frequently targeted backs, suggesting Pacheco’s role as an RB2 contributor with steady scoring upside is secure for 2025.
Jaylen Waddle’s Return to Consistent Production in Miami
Jaylen Waddle’s early NFL seasons were marked by high volume and big-play capability, but his reception totals have declined with injuries over the past two years. Despite a reduced yards-per-catch average, Waddle remains a reliable slot receiver with an 80-catch, 1,000-yard profile if healthy for a full season. Minor injuries in August require monitoring, but his mid-season WR31 ranking points to value relative to past performances and potential bounce-back.
Keenan Allen’s Veteran Presence with the Chargers
Keenan Allen’s return to the Los Angeles Chargers provides experience but also uncertainty given his age (33) and deep receiving corps. Known for chain-moving ability, Allen is expected to deliver a steady floor in catches and yards, earning him a WR5/WR6 designation. His draft cost is reasonable, offering valuable depth and bye-week coverage in PPR formats, though he is unlikely to be a player managers fight over extensively.
Justin Herbert’s Path to a Higher Ceiling
Justin Herbert’s 2024 season saw reduced passing attempts, turning him into a game manager by design, including a problematic postseason with four interceptions. Historically, Herbert has produced over 5,000 yards and 40+ touchdowns in a season, ranking among the league’s most prolific passers. The new Chargers coaching staff’s offensive philosophy limited opportunities last year, but with improvements to the receiving corps and potential for more passing attempts, Herbert’s 16th-place quarterback ranking in mid-August suggests favorable conditions to outperform expectations in 2025.
Davante Adams’ Consistent Scoring for the Rams
At age 32, Davante Adams remains in the conversation as a high-value wide receiver despite a three-game absence last season due to injury and trade rumors. Ranked 17th among wideouts in August, Adams continues a multi-year streak of 1,000-yard seasons and double-digit touchdowns. With the hopes that quarterback Matt Stafford remains healthy and the addition of Puka Nacua drawing coverage, Adams is positioned to maintain a steady scoring role with plentiful opportunities downfield.
Drake Maye’s Upside with the New England Patriots
Drake Maye’s 2024 starter record of 1-9 raises questions about his ceiling, but improvements in New England’s offensive line and skill positions signal potential growth. The addition of a quality running back and a receiving corps trending upward, including a strong number one wide receiver and support behind Stefon Diggs, should aid Maye’s development. Ranked 15th among quarterbacks in August, Maye is expected to reach around 4,000 combined yards with approximately 23 touchdowns, fitting the profile of a backend QB2 with upside.
Breece Hall’s Versatility Boosting the New York Jets
Breece Hall has demonstrated explosive plays and exceptional consistency as a pass-catching running back. In 2023, he led all backs with 76 receptions and 591 receiving yards, capping the season with significant output despite a reduced rushing opportunity due to the addition of other backs. The Jets’ defensive-minded coaching staff plans to emphasize clock control through the run game, potentially limiting pass attempts but expanding Hall’s reception role. Drafted as the 14th running back, Hall offers dynamic three-down potential and a stable floor at a favorable pick slot.
DeVonta Smith’s Opportunity to Bounce Back with the Eagles
DeVonta Smith’s receiving opportunities declined 24% last season due to Jalen Hurts’ decreased pass volume and Smith’s multiple missed games caused by concussion and hamstring issues. When healthy, Smith produced solid numbers with a strong final stretch and playoff performances reinforcing his status as an upper-tier WR2. Despite scoring 240 fantasy points in 2024, Smith’s current WR28 ranking in PPR formats and lower draft cost suggest an undervalued asset with upside if Philadelphia increases its passing volume. Meanwhile, teammate AJ Brown remains highly priced, highlighting Smith’s potential as a sleeper.
Cooper Kupp’s Challenge and Opportunity in Seattle
Cooper Kupp’s 2024 was marked by injuries and inconsistent use, missing seven games and seeing fluctuating snap counts. Despite a strong start and good production in several games, his snap share and target appeal diminished over the latter part of the season. Ranked 47th among wide receivers in mid-August, Kupp brings route-running expertise and should be a top-two target for Seattle’s offense, representing a buying opportunity for managers who believe in his bounce-back potential.
Baker Mayfield’s Rising Stock with Tampa Bay
Baker Mayfield’s growth last year was fueled by a diversified offense featuring seven receivers with at least 30 catches, contributing to his third-ranking among quarterbacks in scoring formats with four-point passing touchdowns. Despite missing key wide receivers for extended stretches, Mayfield adapted well and projects to exceed 4,500 combined yards with 34 touchdowns in 2025. Tampa Bay’s offensive scheme remains solid, bolstered by new targets like Emeka Egbuka, setting the stage for another strong fantasy campaign and a potential deep playoff run.
Calvin Ridley Steps Up as Tennessee’s Receiving Leader
Calvin Ridley’s profile has improved in recent weeks, ranking 28th at wide receiver in August and matching his 2024 statistics with 64 receptions for over 1,000 yards. As the Titans’ premier receiving threat, Ridley benefits from a quarterback upgrade that enhances his ability to rack up receptions and touchdowns. His previous WR1 season with 90 catches and 9 scores highlights his legitimate upside, which he began to showcase in preseason action with promising connections to quarterback Cam Ward.
Deebo Samuel’s Fresh Start with Washington Commanders
Deebo Samuel joined the Washington Commanders in March on a restructured contract and brings a versatile, free-flowing style to the offense. His running threat adds a valuable dimension, increasing the offense’s scoring options. Positive summer reports indicate Washington will likely increase his target share, especially if the Terry McLaurin contract situation remains unsettled by Week 1. Samuel’s 41st ranking at wide receiver in August positions him as a potential value pick, projected to catch nearly 70 passes for 877 yards and six touchdowns, with additional production on the ground.