First Time Top-12 Fantasy Finishers
Chew highlights eight veterans poised for their first top-12 finish at their position.
Finishing as a QB-1/RB-1/WR-1/TE-1 is a distinguished fantasy football honor, which is qualified by finishing top-12 (fantasy points per game) in a given position group. And while most years there are a lot of the same names, it is not a surprise to see a new name enter the ranks of the top-12. So here are a few of my best guesses of players that could earn their first top-12 fantasy finish in 2025. And don’t forget to comment with who you think will earn their first top-12 fantasy finish this season!
*Stats based on PPR scoring per PlayerProfiler.com.
QUARTERBACK
CALEB WILLIAMS (CHI)
2024 Fantasy Finish — 15.3 PPG (21st)
It is easy to feel optimistic for Caleb Williams and the Bears’ offense in 2025 with so many additions: offensive guru Ben Johnson as head coach; OL’s Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson; WR’s/TE’s Olamide Zaccheaus, Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland. And with the bolstered offensive line and improved offensive scheme, the expectation is that Williams will not once again lead the NFL in sacks. So the stars are aligning that Williams will at least sneak into the top-20 quarterbacks next year for fantasy but why not aim for higher?
DRAKE MAYE (NE)
2024 Fantasy Finish — 14.4 PPG (24th)
The hype train has left the station for Drake Maye after a strong rookie season playing behind a woeful offensive line. Despite not starting his first game until Week 6, Maye finished top-20 in nine of his ten full starts. Not to mention four QB-1 finishes while he flashed his rushing upside. A change in coaching staff (Josh McDaniels), host of new playmakers (Stefon Diggs, Kyle Williams & TreVeyon Henderson), and mildly revamped offensive line (Will Campbell, Jared Wilson, Morgan Moses & Garrett Bradbury) should do wonders for Maye as he utilizes a full offseason to build towards his first, potential, QB-1 season.
RUNNING BACK
CHASE BROWN (CIN)
2024 Fantasy Finish — 15.9 PPG (14th-tied)
A neck injury had free agent signee Zack Moss missing Week 9 and on in 2024, which gave way for sophomore Chase Brown to shoulder a 80%+ snap share for the remainder of the season and had an RB-1 finish in six of those games. Brown was just outside of a top-12 finish despite splitting snaps with Moss so even with Brown’s fantasy production leveling off he should have no issue exceeding his 2024 results. And when in doubt bet on running do-it-all running backs on above average offenses.
BUCKY IRVING (TB)
2024 Fantasy Finish — 14.4 PPG (19th)
I will eat crow and admit that I did not foresee Bucky Irving hitting these fantasy heights he did so early in his career. Irving put up 1,500+ total yards and eight total touchdowns along with six weeks finishing as an RB-1 in fantasy. And even with Rachaad White mixing into the backfield first-time OC, Josh Grizzard, would be wise to feed the team’s best playmakers. Despite his diminutive size, Irving was productive both as a runner and as a receiver. So with Baker Mayfield feeding his many receivers, there are enough touches to earn Irving a top-12 finish in 2025.
WIDE RECEIVER
DRAKE LONDON (ATL)
2024 Fantasy Finish — 16.5 PPG (13th)
Drake London was just on the outside of his first WR-1 finish in 2024 so this one is not quite as farfetched. But with a small sample size catching passes from then rookie Michael Penix what will a full season look like? There is little to no doubt that London will maintain the lion’s share of the targets, of which he had 157 in 2024. The catalyst for London will be the deep ball connection with Penix and the former’s usage in the red zone. Because the 9 touchdowns in 2024 are a floor if London plans to earn the top-12 honor. A lot of things went right for London in 2024 but I think he can do much of the same and earn his first WR-1 finish in 2025.
RASHEE RICE (KC)
2024 Fantasy Finish — 16.2 PPG (15th)
While Rashee Rice was only one spot behind London in fantasy PPG, the former’s production was only through three full games with a season-ending knee injury in Week 4. There is reason for optimism in the Chiefs’ offense because, well, they have Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid. Beyond that, the Chiefs have a healthy group of playmakers entering 2025 and in that small three-game sample we got a taste of how each will be utilized. I expect both Hollywood Brown and Xavier Worthy to grow in their respective ancillary roles; however, it is Rice that will likely usurp elder statesman Travis Kelce as the target leader in the Cheifs’ offense. Based on his usage and burst, it would take Rice at least 130 targets and exceeding his career high 7 touchdowns to earn his first WR-1 season.
TIGHT END
TUCKER KRAFT (GB)
2024 Fantasy Finish — 9.6 PPG (14th)
I will continue to beat the fantasy drum for Tucker Kraft in 2025 and that extends to projecting his first top-12 fantasy finish. Despite the allure of first round wide receiver Matthew Golden, I think Kraft is the pass catcher with the most upside. Kraft dominated the tight end snaps and flashed his fantasy upside with seven top-12 finishes and two of which were as THE TE-1. Amongst the tight ends that finished as a TE-1 in 2024, only George Kittle had more yards per reception than Kraft and it was very close (14.2 versus 14.1). Touchdowns will play a factor in Krafts’ fantasy success but he is a good a bet as any to earn TE-1 honors for the first time in 2025.
TYLER WARREN (IND)
2024 Fantasy Finish — N/A (2025 Rookie)
Tyler Warren is the sole rookie on this list and it is a complete dice roll with the uncertainty in the Colts’ quarterback room. But is it really? The Colts have established receivers in Michael Pittman and Josh Downs, coupled with a bell cow back in Jonathan Taylor. So despite the Colts not heavily utilizing the tight end in recent years, I will take them using a first round pick on a tight end at face value. Warren’s final season at Penn State resulted in 104 receptions for 1,233 receiving yards and 8 receiving touchdowns. Not to mention 26 rushes for 218 rushing yards and 4 rushing touchdowns! So a TE-1 finish in Warren’s rookie season could be incoming.
So you made it this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!