With the Super Bowl in the books, you would think it’s time to take a few breaths before talking the 2025 fantasy football season. Muwhaha! Never!

As with every offseason, it’s time to talk “way too early” fantasy football rankings, and no, not just because it’s fun to debate (aka, yell at Jake) ranks. Early thinking equals better results — any preparation will have you steps ahead of the rest. As is always the case too, I’ll add a few notes below for the early reasoning on some players.

2025 Fantasy Football Rankings

QUARTERBACK

► Depending on what the Bengals do with Tee Higgins (re-sign/replace), Burrow wouldn’t fall from No. 5, but he’d fall out of his own tier if it’s not Higgins, Stefon Diggs, or another high-quality No. 2 WR.

► I can already hear the Anthony Richardson outrage, but while his bust potential is high, so is his ceiling. We’re still talking Top 5 upside if Richardson clicks. So, while the risk is equal that he busts, I can always grab a Dak Prescott, Justin Herbert, etc. if Richardson fails.

► Speaking of others, Kyler Murray is done being a QB1 for me. He’s too much the DeSean Jackson of quarterbacks. Herbert might seem low, but he hasn’t averaged 18+ points since his second season, and that’s not changing under Jim Harbaugh/Greg Roman.

► If the Packers get a true alpha wideout, Jordan Love could move up, and like Richardson — but with way less rushing — Bryce Young is worth the gamble for me — if I don’t get a Top 4-5 QB, I’m chasing ceiling.

RUNNING BACK

► Tier 2 might be the biggest in my time covering fantasy football. If I don’t get a Top 5 RB in Round 1, I could see myself starting WR-WR and taking an RB1 in Round 3 given the way drafts will likely fall.

► I don’t see Aaron Jones leaving the Vikings, but even if he does, it’s also hard to see his value changing much. As for J.K. Dobbins, there is a chance a team signs him for bell-cow work, and if so, Dobbins could push the Top 15… albeit, with plenty of risk.

► You will see a group of rookies in Tier 4. This is a deep class, and each could end up in a Top 20 situation (say, Kaleb Johnson goes to the Cowboys instead of the ever-popular Ashton Jeanty mock selection). Conversely, if any ends up in a Zach Charbonnet role, the mid-low 30s or upper 40s would be the range.

► The most interesting backfields to watch this offseason for values: Chargers (re-sign Dobbins?), Bengals (let Chase Brown cook?), Jets (new staff goes committee?), Steelers/Browns/Raiders are all similar in current options and free agency, and of course, the Cowboys.

WIDE RECEIVER

► You could make a case that Ja’Marr Chase is in a tier of his own.

► I originally had Brian Thomas Jr. ahead of Malik Nabers, but the staff Liam Coen put together adds a bit of hesitancy and risk for me, particularly with waiting to see how much power he gives Shane Waldron (hopefully, close to none).

► Michael Penix targeted Drake London 36.8% of the time, which would have far outpaced Nabers (second place at 30.7%).

► Tyreek Hill could move up, or even down, depending on who he plays for in 2025. The same goes for Davante Adams, Cooper Kupp, and the aforementioned, Diggs.

► On the other hand, Chris Godwin might move a spot or two (up or down), but as long as Godwin is healthy, he’s a guaranteed Top 25 option.

► The Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice rankings are baking in a potential Rice suspension. And Jordan Addison is with Sam Darnold, while Keenan Allen has the uncertainty of his new team (not expecting the Bears).

► Marquise Brown and Amari Cooper could see significant bumps if a team brings either in as the No. 2 option (hello, Commanders) — as could Brandon Aiyuk, Deebo Samuel and Ricky Pearsall if Samuel gets traded.

► Tetairoa McMillan is the jewel of the draft class at wide receiver, but as with running backs, you’ll see talented rookies grouped. I haven’t finished my rookie evaluations (late March), but Luther Burden to Tre Harris, and even to Tez Johnson, could rise to the WR3 ranks or remain/fall to late-round fliers at best. Oh, and Travis Hunter depends a lot on what his team decides for his use — primarily cornerback with a handful of offensive snaps? Undraftable. Use him primarily as a wideout, Hunter could be a Top 5 option in the draft.

TIGHT END

► The early gap from Brock Bowers to Trey McBride is too great, as is the cost for Bowers. He needs Travis Kelce peak-season production to warrant a first-round pick, and even then I won’t do it, but that also means 1,300+ yards and double-digit touchdowns. Not happening… unless the Raiders sign Darnold.

► You won’t find me drafting an early Tier 2 tight end, and honestly, the rookies (depending on opportunity), Cole Kmet with Ben Johnson (and no Keenan Allen) and Ja’Tavion Sanders (similar rookie season to Trey McBride) would be great late-round gambles.

(Top photo of Ja’Marr Chase: Katie Stratman / Imagn Images)