2025 Fantasy Football Rankings Update and Player News
2025 Fantasy Football Rankings Update 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings Update and Player News (July) Training camps haven’t even opened yet, but we’ve already got developments that impact our award-winning 2025 Fantasy Football Rankings. Staying updated on player news and notes is integral for keeping rankings and projections as accurate as possible. That necessitated a refresh to our preseason projections. Before we get into this July fantasy football rankings update, here are some links that will help in your preseason research and draft prep: Jody Smith’s Fantasy Football Rankings with Tiers (Members only) 2025 Team Previews Fantasy football tools High-Stakes strategy Player News Impacting Rankings In many cases, rookies have already begun arriving at training camps. However, most veterans will report next week. With practices looming, there has been a flurry of activity that resulted in an update to our projections. Rashee Rice Many people didn’t expect any resolution in Rashee Rice’s pending legal issues this season. However, out of nowhere, Rice pleaded guilty to two 3rd-degree felonies related to a high-speed crash in Dallas. I’m no later, but my good friend Drew Davenport is. Below, Davenport breaks it down: What’s the suspension going to be for Rashee Rice this year? We’ve got the Jordan Addison case dialed in (see the included tweet for that Update), but the Rice case is more complicated. Here’s my #FFLegalUpdate on what suspension to expect… 1/🧵https://t.co/abOR9whjsR — Drew Davenport (@DrewDavenportFF) July 18, 2025 It sounds like a suspension is looming in 2025 for Rice. Not next year, as many projected. The suspension could be anywhere from two to six games, with three to four most likely. This quells the notion that Rice is a top-20 fantasy wideout this season. I accounted for a ~4-game absence for Rice, which drops him down into WR4 territory. It also gives a slight boost to Xavier Worthy and Marquise Brown, with Brown moving up inside the top 60. Jordan Addison We also got some clarity on Jordan Addison’s looming suspension. Once again, consulting a legal expert, Addison is looking at a shorter suspension. It’s been a wild day with two legal situations being resolved on the same day. I’ll keep them separate for clarity. First up, an #FFLegalUpdate on Jordan Addison and a 2025 suspension from the NFL. 1/🧵 — Drew Davenport (@DrewDavenportFF) July 18, 2025 However, if he does indeed miss the 2-3 games that are currently projected, Addison becomes a touchdown-dependent WR3. That, and the QB change in Minnesota, makes Addison a volatile WR3. Who benefits? That’s TBD. Keep an eye on the Vikings’ WR3 job between Jalen Nailor and incoming rookie Tai Felton, who we like. Jauan Jennings Contract Set to make $7.5 million this season, Jauan Jennings has demanded a new contract or trade. Reportedly, Jennings is seeking $15-20 million annually. Jennings didn’t do a lot in his first three seasons before stepping up last year to deliver WR27 numbers. However, that opportunity only came after Deebo Samuel and Brandon Aiyuk struggled through injury-shortened 2024 campaigns. But with Samuel traded to Washington and Aiyuk expected to open the season on the PUP list, Jennings was set to open the season as Kyle Shanahan’s No. 1 wideout. Jennings, 28, has leverage. But it remains to be seen if John Lynch will engage a potential holdout. For now, I have not changed Jennings’s projections. However, the risk of missing preseason reps or a potential trade is worrisome. Quinshon Judkins Arrest More legal woes. Judkins was arrested for battery. It’s an inauspicious start for the rookie rusher’s career. With the release of the police report in the Quinshon Judkins case we have more information to dissect in figuring out his pending Battery charge. Here are some of my initial reactions to what’s contained in the report and how it impacts the final outcome.#FFLegalUpdate 1/ pic.twitter.com/bBFLd3YyMH — Drew Davenport (@DrewDavenportFF) July 14, 2025 It sounds like a lengthy suspension is looming for Judkins. He had RB3/flex potential, but he’s now a total fade for us. My update has Judkins below Jerome Ford, who looks like a solid mid-to-late round target. Also, fellow rookie Dylan Sampson has some late-round sleeper appeal. Mike Williams Retires After eight NFL seasons, Mike Williams, 30, retired. A first-round pick in 2017, Williams played 18 games last year but only managed to snag 21 passes. Injuries sapped his explosiveness. In fact, per FantasyPoint’s Average Separation Score (ASS), Williams was one of the worst separators in the NFL. He simply couldn’t get open any longer. While Williams’s retirement will give more targets to Quentin Johnston, Johnston is also near the bottom in creating separation. Ladd McConkey is the only Chargers’ wideout who can consistently get open. Could a reunion with Keenan Allen be looming? Stock Report 📈 Drake Maye D’Andre Swift Jerome Ford Roschon Johnson Dylan Sampson Brashard Smith Jakobi Meyers Ricky Pearsall Hollywood Brown Tai Felton Dont’e Thornton Savion Williams David Njoku 📉 Baker Mayfield James Cook Joe Mixon Trey Benson Terry McLaurin Rashod Bateman Tre Harris Ray-Ray McCloud Jonnu Smith WARNING! Don’t let a fancy website fool you! You need trustworthy rankings to win at fantasy football. We’ve got them! 150+ websites ranked us Top 2 in the industry for our draft rankings. Get expert advice from Captain Jody Smith and our team of high-stakes winners. Use code JODY30 for 30% off your first two months. Ready to bring home that championship? Click NOW!
2025 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet & Auction Values UPDATED
2025 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet Fantasy Baseball championships are won on draft or auction day. FullTime Fantasy‘s 2025 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet gives you insight into the top 15 players at every position with a deeper dive into the outfield
2025 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet
Fantasy Baseball championships are won on draft or auction day. FullTime Fantasy‘s 2025 Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet gives you insight into the top 15 players at every position with a deeper dive into the outfield and pitching. Additionally, Shawn also provides rankings at DH and the game’s top set-up relievers.
This Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack.
These Rankings will be updated throughout Spring Training.
I grouped players in sets of 15 based on early ADPs from the National Fantasy Baseball Championship (NFBC). Once I began this process, I maintained a consistent ADP timeframe to avoid missing any players who might rise into a higher tier due to shifts in draft trends.
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After analyzing 15 players at a position by their ADP, I reranked them based on my research. While I documented only 15 players per infield position, there are cases where I prefer an unresearched player from outside this group. For example, Masyn Winn currently ranks 15th among shortstops in NFBC ADP, but I haven’t yet completed his player profile. Once I do, he’ll likely move up.
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For outfielders and starting pitchers, I expanded the analysis to 75 players per position. I didn’t move players between tiers to maintain consistency in the rankings. For instance, in my second tier of 15 starting pitchers, I elevated Hunter Brown to SP31 but kept him within that tier rather than bumping him up. I expect him to rise once spring training begins, but I didn’t want to disrupt the structure with excessive reshuffling.
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ADP research helps track market trends—who’s gaining or losing value? However, a falling ADP doesn’t always signal a bargain, just as a rising ADP doesn’t guarantee success. Public sentiment is often news-driven, with the fantasy market overreacting in some cases and overlooking key details in others. The best approach? Draft the players you believe in and capitalize on undervalued assets when your analysis differs from the consensus.
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DHs and Closers: I haven’t written about DHs yet (other than Shohei Ohtani, whom I categorized as OF1). This week, I’m focusing on team bullpens, but I haven’t completed my research on closers ranked 16-30. While I included them by ADP, I removed handcuff options and placed them in a closer-in-waiting tier (yet to be ranked).
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2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings & Analysis
2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings & Analysis This Fantasy Baseball Pitching Strategy is courtesy of Shawn Childs. Read Shawn’s expert fantasy analysis at his Substack. Over the past few seasons, the top 12 closers have outperformed the second tier of 12 starting pitchers in fantasy rankings. A key factor is the decline in starters logging 200+ innings, along with fewer relievers reaching the 30-save threshold. As a result, the benchmark for a fantasy team to remain competitive in saves has dropped. Here’s a breakdown of the top late-inning arms for 2025: Closer Performance in 2024 The top 12 relievers last season averaged: 65 appearances 6 wins 2.21 ERA 0.944 WHIP 32 saves 78 strikeouts Emmanuel Clase led all closers in FPGscore (8.12), ranking fourth among pitchers and eighth overall across hitters and pitchers. His 47 saves provided 8.53 fantasy points, second only to Ryan Helsley (49 saves, 8.96 points). Despite posting only 66 strikeouts, Clase’s ERA (0.601) and WHIP (0.659) gave him a significant fantasy advantage of over five points. Save Distribution Among Relievers 8 closers recorded 30+ saves 14 relievers finished with 20-29 saves 35 pitchers had at least 10 saves Team Bullpen Breakdowns Cleveland Guardians 1. Emmanuel Clase, CLE (ADP – 32.8) Clase has led the AL in saves for three consecutive seasons (42, 44, and 47) while finishing the most games each year. His elite control (1.2 BB/9 in 2022 and 2024) has fueled a career WHIP of 0.892. Groundball rate: 57.4% First-pitch strike rate: 65.9% Strikeout rate dip: 8.0 K/9 in 2024 (down from 9.5 K/9 in 2021-2022) Opponent batting average: .154 (.115 vs. lefties) The Guardians’ bullpen was dominant in 2024: 42-12 record 2.57 ERA, 1.05 WHIP 53 saves, 658 strikeouts over 623 innings Clase relies heavily on an electric 99.6 mph cutter (77.6% usage, .171 BAA) and a devastating slider (.155 BAA, 36.6% whiff rate). Fantasy Outlook: At just 26 years old, Clase already has 158 career saves in 182 chances. His combination of elite command, dominant pitches, and high save potential makes him a coveted asset. While his strikeouts have declined, his dominance in ERA and WHIP is invaluable. If you miss out on top-tier aces, Clase can be an elite fantasy weapon. Handcuff Option – Cade Smith, CLE (ADP – 370.0)Signed as an undrafted free agent in 2022, Smith has improved significantly: Minor league stats: 3.61 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 262 Ks in 167 IP Closer role: 33 minor league saves 2024 MLB performance: 75.1 IP, 2.0 BB/9, .173 BAA Smith is a hidden gem for fantasy managers looking to stabilize ERA and WHIP. If Clase were to miss time, Smith would be the next in line for saves. Oakland Athletics 2. Mason Miller, OAK (ADP – 42.3) Miller’s journey to the majors has been injury-riddled, but when healthy, his stuff is electric. After an early elbow injury in 2023, he transitioned to the bullpen in September and quickly became dominant. First 20.1 IP as a reliever: 2 ER, 13 baserunners, 41 Ks, 9 saves Final season line: 3.22 ERA, 0.985 WHIP, 19 saves, 63 Ks in 44.2 IP Struggled in six outings: 8.1 IP, 13 ER, 24 baserunners Miller’s 101.1 mph fastball was one of the best in baseball, pairing it with a wipeout slider (.126 BAA, 47 Ks). Fantasy Outlook: Among top-tier closers, Miller offers the highest strikeout upside but carries injury concerns and a small track record. If the A’s use him in 70+ games, he could lead all closers in strikeouts. Handcuff Option – Jose Leclerc, OAKLeclerc struggled early in 2024 but found his rhythm midseason. His career-high 4.3 BB/9 remains a concern, but he’s the next in line if Miller falters. New York Mets 3. Edwin Diaz, NYM (ADP – 38.4) After missing 2023 with a knee injury, Diaz had a rocky return last season. He started strong but hit a rough patch in May before rebounding down the stretch. Final 35 games: 15 saves, 2.41 ERA, 0.921 WHIP, 54 Ks in 33.2 IP Elite vs. righties: .158 BAA, 42 Ks in 101 ABs Fastball velocity: 97.6 mph (down from 99.1 in 2022) Diaz remains a strikeout machine, but his save opportunities need to increase to justify his ADP. Fantasy Outlook: Since his 57-save season in 2018, Diaz hasn’t topped 32 saves in any year. His strikeout edge over Clase is clear, but he must convert more saves to be worth a high draft pick. Handcuff Option – A.J. Minter, NYMSigned to a two-year deal, Minter has closer experience (36 career saves) but struggled with injuries last season. He’ll be the primary backup to Diaz. New York Yankees 4. Devin Williams, NYY (ADP – 39.9) Traded to the Yankees in December, Williams battled back issues in 2024 but still delivered elite numbers: 1.25 ERA, 0.969 WHIP, 38 Ks in 21.2 IP Converted 14 of 15 save chances Walk rate (4.6 BB/9) remains a concern Williams’ changeup (45.3% usage, .200 BAA) and fastball (.122 BAA) remain elite, but his command must improve. Fantasy Outlook: Williams is in a contract year, which adds motivation, but his health is a risk. Since taking over as a closer in 2022, he’s gone 15-7 with a 1.66 ERA, 65 saves, and 221 Ks in 141 IP. If he stays healthy, he’s a top-tier option. Handcuff Option – Luke Weaver, NYY (ADP – 354.8)Weaver reinvented himself in the Yankees’ bullpen, posting a 0.90 ERA, 0.721 WHIP, and 79 Ks over his final 59.2 IP. He’s a must-handcuff for Williams in our 2025 Fantasy Baseball Closer Rankings & Analysis. Houston Astros 5. Josh Hader, HOU (ADP – 41.0) Hader’s home run issues (1.5 HR/9) led to inconsistent results in 2024, but he remained dominant in strikeouts: Final line: 8-8 record, 3.79 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 35 saves, 89 Ks Struggled vs. righties: 12 HR allowed Fastball velocity: 96.3 mph Fantasy Outlook: Hader’s reliance on a two-pitch mix (sinker, slider) makes him vulnerable in bad counts. While still an elite closer, he’s no longer the safest