While the 2025 fantasy football redraft season is months away, it’s never too early to look ahead. Much will change between now and August, when most redraft fantasy leagues start back up. However, let’s look at three quarterbacks and three tight ends on my early must-have draft list for 2025 leagues.

Must-Have Quarterbacks & Tight Ends

ADP via Underdog Fantasy

Bo Nix (DEN): ADP 86.7 | QB7

While Jayden Daniels was the top fantasy rookie quarterback last season, Nix wasn’t far behind. The former Oregon star finished the year as the QB7, averaging 18.6 fantasy points per game, totaling 3,775 passing yards and 29 touchdowns despite a lackluster receiving core. He finished his rookie season on fire, averaging 2.7 passing touchdowns and 21.5 fantasy points per game over his final seven contests, totaling at least two scores in all but one outing.

Despite having only one pass catcher totaling more than 505 receiving yards this year, Nix was a borderline must-start quarterback in the second half of the season. Meanwhile, Marvin Mims Jr. and Devaughn Vele had strong finishes to the 2024 season. Yet, expect the Broncos to improve Nix’s supporting cast this offseason, potentially drafting one of the two elite tight end prospects while adding a veteran wide receiver in free agency.

Baker Mayfield (TB): ADP 89.1 | QB8

Unfortunately, Mayfield will have his third offensive coordinator in three years with the Buccaneers next season. Yet, the former Oklahoma star has been productive for fantasy players since joining Tampa Bay despite the turnover at offensive coordinator. He was the QB10 in 2023, averaging 16.1 fantasy points per game. However, Mayfield had a career year in 2024, finishing as the QB4, averaging 21.5 fantasy points per contest despite missing Chris Godwin for half the season.

Furthermore, the veteran quarterback’s touchdown success exploded last year. Mayfield averaged 1.7 passing touchdowns per game and a 4.9% TD rate in 2023. By comparison, he averaged 2.4 passing touchdowns per game and a 7.2% TD rate last season. While the Buccaneers could lose Chris Godwin in free agency, Jalen McMillan looks like a star in the making. Mayfield should have another top-10 finish in 2025, as long as Mike Evans is healthy.

Jalen Milroe (Alabama): ADP 235.2 | QB35

Last year, many in the fantasy football community targeted Jayden Daniels during their rookie drafts because of his rushing upside. While he isn’t the same level of prospect or running threat as Daniels, Milroe could be a fantasy star as a rookie because of his legs. The former Alabama star completed 65.2% of his pass attempts for 5,678 yards and 39 touchdowns compared to 17 interceptions in his two seasons as the starter.

However, Milroe was arguably Alabama’s best runner over the past two years. He had 531 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Yet, Milroe took his game to another level in 2024, totaling 726 rushing yards and a team-high 20 touchdowns. Hopefully, he lands in a fantasy-friendly situation during the NFL Draft. Milroe will be one of my highest-rostered quarterbacks in superflex leagues if the former Alabama star starts as a rookie.

Trey McBride (ARI): ADP 30.7 | TE2

Many had high hopes for McBride last year after his strong finish to the 2023 season. The former Colorado State star ended the year as the TE3, averaging 12.1 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. While everyone is ready to draft Brock Bowers with a top-15 pick next season, the star rookie averaged only 0.1 more fantasy points per game than McBride. Furthermore, he had a similar statistical performance as the star rookie tight end.

McBride averaged 6.9 receptions on 9.2 targets for 71.6 receiving yards per game, totaling only two receiving touchdowns. By comparison, Bowers averaged 6.6 receptions on nine targets for 70.2 receiving yards per game, totaling five receiving scores. While the Las Vegas Raiders should improve their quarterback situation this offseason, whoever they add won’t be as good as Kyler Murray. I will happily pass on Bowers and draft McBride at a cheaper cost.

Tyler Warren (Penn State): ADP 102.9 | TE10

Historically, tight ends struggle to make a fantasy impact in their rookie season. However, that trend has changed lately. While Brock Bowers was the only fantasy-relevant rookie tight end in 2024, the former Georgia star was outstanding. Furthermore, Sam LaPorta was the TE1 his rookie year, while Dalton Kincaid finished as the TE11 in 2023. Meanwhile, Kyle Pitts was the TE7 in 2021 as a rookie, while Pat Freiermuth finished as the TE13.

While he isn’t the same level elite prospect as Bowers, Warren has the chance to be a fantasy stud. The former Penn State star was outstanding last year, leading the team in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,233), and touchdowns (eight). More importantly, Warren is a factor in the run game, totaling 26 attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. He could finish as a top-five tight end as a rookie in the right situation.

Cole Kmet (CHI): ADP 165.2 | TE21

Unfortunately, Kmet had a disappointing 2024 season. He finished the year as the TE18, averaging 5.7 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. By comparison, the former Notre Dame star was the TE7 in 2023, averaging 8.5 fantasy points per game, a career-high. While he struggled in his first season with Caleb Williams, I would bet on him bouncing back next year after the Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach.

Chicago likely won’t re-sign Keenan Allen this offseason, opening up more targets for Kmet. More importantly, Johnson featured the tight end position during his time with the Detroit Lions. Their tight end unit averaged 80.3 receptions on 109.7 targets for 880 receiving yards and 10.7 touchdowns per season during Johnson’s three years as the team’s offensive coordinator. While he likely won’t be a top-seven guy, expect Kmet to finish in the low-end TE1 range in 2025.

Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.