Each week, Eric Karabell ranks players by position based on their fantasy football value for the rest of the 2025 season. Use the information to optimize the players for their future potential and/or to gauge their value in trade. Eric's top 100 can be found below the positions in this column.
Quarterback
Rankings changes: Precocious Drake Maye, having scored at least 20 points in four of five games, makes his debut in our top 5. The second-year Patriot, far more productive than in his rookie season, is a wise trade target in fantasy leagues (one of the wisest, really), for he still gets to face the Jets (twice), Ravens, Bengals and Buccaneers. It's hard to beat that soft schedule. For more perspective, Maye and Jalen Hurts each average 21.7 points this season, but their trade value is likely different. Daniel Jones and Bo Nix, each averaging better than 20 points per game, keep rising, and we can trust them for trades at this point -- yes, even Jones.
Meanwhile, Dak Prescott and Baker Mayfield, coming off subpar performances in which they combined for barely 10 points, fall some in the rankings, but remain as QB1 options. Each has a bye approaching. Do not trade Prescott or Mayfield for subpar value. Joe Flacco and Justin Fields piled on the fantasy points against each other Sunday, but neither is a safe trade target. Trading for injured passers such as Kyler Murray and Brock Purdy is a different type of dangerous. It is a bit late in the season to assume injured players will return to health and stay that way.
Running back
Rankings changes: While we celebrate MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor sliding past Christian McCaffrey into the No. 1 slot at RB and overall, we say farewell to exciting rookie Cam Skattebo (ankle). His teammate Tyrone Tracy Jr. suddenly returns to fantasy relevance, in RB2/flex territory. Trade whatever it takes for Taylor. He appears to be enjoying the remarkable Saquon Barkley 2024 season. Remember that McCaffrey, still awesome, won't be awesome in Week 14 (which is also Week 1 of the fantasy playoffs) while on bye.
Later in the rankings, be wary of Tracy who, despite earning another opportunity at volume, averaged only 10.7 PPR points per game last season. Barkley returns to the top 10, but potential investors should not assume last year's version has suddenly returned. Breece Hall, Chase Brown, Rico Dowdle, Kimani Vidal and RJ Harvey are among those moving up. Trading for Hall is relatively safe, despite the Jets dysfunction. Brown appears back to RB2 territory again, though volume remains lower than expected. The Panthers must give Dowdle more volume. Be wary of seeking a trade for Vidal or Harvey as if they are weekly starters long term. Perhaps they are, but it is not assured.
Wide receiver
Rankings changes: Week 8 was an odd one for wide receivers, with many of the top options on bye (three of the top five season scorers), injured (Drake London, A.J. Brown, Garrett Wilson) or merely underperforming (Emeka Egbuka, Keenan Allen). As a result, the top 20 remains mostly the same, with Rashee Rice and Michael Pittman Jr. moving on up. The Chiefs and Colts are legit, so acquire with confidence. Troy Franklin, the top WR scorer of the week, deserves props, but he isn't close to a WR2 yet. Keep the faith with London, Brown, Wilson, Egbuka and Allen, too. Not every wide receiver can be Ja'Marr Chase and earn a hundred targets per game.
Tight end
Rankings changes: Trading for a tight end can be perilous, but the current top six options are trustworthy. Tucker Kraft led the way with 33.3 PPR points in Week 8, and he moved up to No. 3. We assume/hope Jake Ferguson returns to typical involvement (only one target Sunday) in Week 9. Oronde Gadsden II keeps rising, and appears safe for trade acquisition, depending on cost. Rookie Harold Fannin Jr. rises to TE1 range. It seems likely he will have a strong final two months, especially if David Njoku is traded (in real life, not ours).
