In Part 1, the strategy was clear: from the top four picks, secure an elite WR or Bijan Robinson and build around QB/TE advantages where possible. Now it’s time to finish the draft. This 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide Part 2 covers Rounds 4 and beyond — where depth, value, and upside plays make or break your roster.
Rounds 4–5: The Running Back Priority Zone
Rounds 4-5 offer affordable, reliable RBs. This is the draft’s key RB window.
Running Backs
The order of preference here is Chuba Hubbard > James Conner > David Montgomery > TreVeyon Henderson.
Kenneth Walker III remains a cut above if he falls. He led the league in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.42 in 2024) and still profiles as a weekly difference-maker when healthy.
Chuba Hubbard and James Conner are lead backs with strong volume. Conner logged 283 touches for 1,508 scrimmage yards in 2024, and his durability risk is already priced in.
David Montgomery scored 12 touchdowns last season, but was TD-dependent as Jahmyr Gibbs out-snapped him 639 to 390. Each year increases the chance Gibbs tilts the split further.
TreVeyon Henderson is talented, but early uncertainty around how the New England Patriots split him with Rhamondre Stevenson keeps him below the others.
If you missed Trey McBride, this is the final chance at an elite-trajectory TE in Sam LaPorta. But there are discounts later, so it’s not worth forcing if you’re uneasy.
Wide Receivers
At WR, the preference is Davante Adams > DK Metcalf > Courtland Sutton > DJ Moore.
Davante Adams carries clear risk: WRs at 32 have averaged about 17% fewer fantasy points per game than in their previous season over the past three seasons (e.g., Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins). That said, Adams has remained top-12 per game for four straight years, making him worth the risk if he slips.
DK Metcalf is next in line. Pittsburgh gave him a WR1 contract, and Aaron Rodgers has delivered a top-12 WR in 10 of his last 12 healthy seasons.
Courtland Sutton should lead the Broncos in volume under Bo Nix, though his TD upside could dip with Evan Engram in Denver.
DJ Moore is a safe WR2, but has less of a ceiling than the others, given the crowded new Chicago Bears offense with rookies Rome Odunze and Luther Burden.
Fades: Rashee Rice (pending suspension, role uncertain with rookie Xavier Worthy) and DeVonta Smith (elite talent but capped behind A.J. Brown and a run-heavy scheme).
Rounds 6–7: Value Hunting
These rounds sharpen edges and present strong values at both WR and TE.
Prime Targets
Jaylen Waddle is the clear WR target here. He produced 1,356 yards in 2022, but fell to 744 in 2024 as his target share dipped from 22% → 19%. Jonnu Smith’s 14 red-zone targets and 4 TDs in 2024 reduced Waddle’s role. With Smith gone and Darren Waller unlikely to command heavy usage, Waddle is set for a bounce-back alongside a healthy Tua Tagovailoa.
Kaleb Johnson is the RB to chase. The Steelers spent Day 2 draft capital on him, and Jaylen Warren has been capped under 50% snap share for two straight seasons despite efficiency. Under Arthur Smith, volume will be available, and Johnson is the profile to take it.
Tony Pollard in Tennessee remains a safe volume play, though without the ceiling of earlier years.
Travis Kelce and Mark Andrews remain strong red-zone weapons and give you weekly TE1 upside if you faded the position early.
Fades
Quinshon Judkins, still unsigned due to a potential suspension, carries too much risky and questionable upside in what figures to be one of the worst offenses in the NFL.
Brian Robinson Jr. was just traded to the 49ers and will now have a backup role. He has upside as McCaffrey’s handcuff, but is not worth a pick
Chris Olave — still a WR2 talent, but the New Orleans Saints have no clear starting QB heading into 2025, limiting his projection.
If QB is still open, Bo Nix is the pivot. He finished QB6 as a rookie with rushing upside and has room to improve in year two.
Rounds 8–9: Wide Receiver Value Window
This is one of the weakest RB pockets on the board (Tyrone Tracy Jr., Jaylen Warren, Travis Etienne Jr.), and should be avoided unless desperate. Helping players to prepare for this kind of situation is the goal of this 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide.
Tight ends here can still provide value, mainly with Evan Engram, who was TE6 in half-PPR last season (88 catches, 884 yards, 4 TDs) and is now in a friendlier role with Bo Nix running the Denver Broncos offense.
At WR, the value hierarchy is Rome Odunze > Stefon Diggs > Ricky Pearsall.
Rome Odunze and Ricky Pearsall were both first-round picks in 2024, now entering their second seasons with larger roles. Odunze slots in as WR2 for Chicago with Caleb Williams, while Pearsall benefits from Deebo Samuel’s departure in San Francisco.
Stefon Diggs was pacing as WR12 before injury last year and has been paid to lead the New England Patriots receiving corps.
Other WRs like Samuel, Addison, Godwin, Meyers are serviceable, but the true value is in Odunze, Diggs, and Pearsall.
Rounds 10 and Beyond: Upside Swings
Late rounds are all about ceiling:
Josh Downs — 771 yards as a rookie, averaging 57.8 yards per game in starts without Anthony Richardson. With Daniel Jones announced as the starter, his outlook only improves.
Drake Maye — Rookie QB sleeper. The Patriots extended Mike Onwenu and drafted Amarius Mims, solidifying the OL. Maye adds rushing upside (318 yards, 4 TDs in his final UNC season).
Jayden Higgins — Enters as WR3 for Houston but could push Christian Kirk for WR2 snaps alongside Tank Dell.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt — Training camp hype is now becoming reality, as Robinson Jr. was traded to the 49ers and the Commanders running offense should be led by Croskey-Merritt, with Austin Ekeler catching passes.
Final Thoughts
That wraps up our 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide. Rounds 4 and beyond are where titles are won. Prioritize RB depth in Rounds 4–5, sharpen your build with WRs and discounted elite TEs in 6–7, hammer WR value in 8–9, and chase ceiling late. Together with Part 1, this provides the complete blueprint for dominating drafts from the first four picks in 2025.
Main Photo Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images