2025 NFL Season: This article dives deep into the most captivating athletes who are poised to define the 2025 NFL season. Each spotlight is packed with names, records, projections, contract details, and projections—everything matters here.
- Patrick Mahomes
- Lamar Jackson
- Ja’Marr Chase
- Justin Jefferson
- Amon-Ra St. Brown
- Malik Nabers
- PFSN’s Nik Bonitto
- Myles Garrett
- Emerging Second-Year Stars
- Fantasy Football Strategy and Rankings
- Team Context: Ravens & Bengal
- Contract & Trade Watch: Micah Parsons
- Quarterback Shifts and Incoming Rookies
- Quarterback Duels and Rookie Brilliance in Chicago
- Jalen Hurts and Eagles QB Skepticism
Patrick Mahomes
Patrick Mahomes remains the undisputed top player as ranked by top analysts and data boards entering 2025—he holds the No. 1 spot on CBS Sports’ Top 100 list, cementing his status at the summit despite slightly less flashy stats recently. In PFF’s elite PFF50 ranking, he continues to be recognized as the best quarterback in the league.
Lamar Jackson
Lamar Jackson leads ESPN SportsLine’s Fantasy football positional QB rankings, highlighted by a 915 rushing-yard season and top Fantasy points per game. His dual-threat style—dominating with both arm and legs—puts him firmly among the most dynamic and valuable assets for his team in 2025.
Ja’Marr Chase
As the highest-paid non–quarterback and a 25-year-old superstar in Cincinnati’s pass-heavy offense alongside Joe Burrow, Chase is expected to go off the board first in drafts. In Mike Clay’s 2025 PPR rankings, he is the WR1 and listed as the top overall fantasy player.
Justin Jefferson
Jefferson, entering his sixth season, has amassed a staggering 7,432 receiving yards since 2020 and has posted at least 100 catches, 1,500 yards, and eight TDs in each of the past three full seasons. Even with QB changes, he remains firmly among the league’s elite receivers.
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Amon-Ra St. Brown
St. Brown enters 2025 as the only wide receiver with 105+ receptions in each of the last three seasons. Even amid declines in other areas, he set a career high with 12 touchdowns last year and still finished third among fantasy WRs.
Malik Nabers
Among wide receivers, Malik Nabers led the entire NFL with a 35% target share as a rookie and finished in the top seven in targets, receptions, yards, and fantasy points—even missing two games.
PFSN’s Nik Bonitto
Entering his fourth NFL season, Nik Bonitto posted career highs in 2024: 48 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, 13.5 sacks, 26 QB hits, and was selected to his first Pro Bowl and second-team All-Pro. His 15% pressure rate ranked 14th among all edge rushers.
Myles Garrett
PFF places edge defender Myles Garrett atop its PFF50 list entering 2025. He’s delivered a PFF grade of 92.0 or higher in each of the past four seasons, including a league-leading 92.3 in 2024.
Emerging Second-Year Stars
Second-year players like Jayden Daniels, Brian Thomas Jr., Brock Bowers, and Malik Nabers are not just sleepers—they were fantasy league-changers in their rookie campaigns and are poised for further breakout value in 2025 drafts.
Fantasy Football Strategy and Rankings
Simulation-based models emphasize the value of WR depth but urge prioritizing QB, RB, and TE early in drafts. Among QBs, Lamar Jackson ranks at the top in projections. These models reinforce the importance of informed selections in fantasy football rankings.
Team Context: Ravens & Bengal
The Baltimore Ravens heavily rely on Lamar Jackson, whose line and team support remain critical to success. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals are placing trust in Chase Brown to become a top-10 RB after a strong second half in 2024, further enhancing their offensive outlook.
Contract & Trade Watch: Micah Parsons
Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons remains in a contract stalemate, with trade interest—especially from Seattle—at approximately 20%. A deal could cost two first-round picks, and Parsons would require a contract exceeding $42 million per year. His elite defensive impact, multiple Pro Bowls, All-Pros, and DROY honors underscore the potential transformative effect.
Quarterback Shifts and Incoming Rookies
A wave of quarterback movement reshapes the landscape: Aaron Rodgers heads to Pittsburgh; Russell Wilson, Jameis Winston, and rookie Jaxson Dart join the Giants; Geno Smith reunites with Pete Carroll in Las Vegas; Sam Darnold goes to Seattle; Justin Fields lands in New York. Speaking of Dart, he impressed in preseason Week 2 with 26-of-35 passing for 291 yards, while Dillon Gabriel posted 13-for-18 for 143 yards despite turnovers, fueling intrigue around their future roles.
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Quarterback Duels and Rookie Brilliance in Chicago
In a stunning preseason performance, undrafted Tyson Bagent dazzled for Chicago—throwing for 205 yards and a TD—which has elevated expectations for what is being hailed as possibly the league’s most formidable QB duo in the Bears organization. Meanwhile, Caleb Williams delivered a 6-of-10, 107-yard, 1-TD performance, drawing praise from Shannon Sharpe and Chad Johnson; Williams’ debut sparked talk of potential surprise playoff teams.
Jalen Hurts and Eagles QB Skepticism
Despite leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl win, Jalen Hurts received the lowest average quarterback-tier vote for any Super Bowl-winning QB since Nick Foles in 2017—mostly landing in Tier 3 among executives—prompting debate over how much his performance is roster-driven versus individual excellence.
Each of these players offers a unique storyline entering 2025: seasoned elites like Mahomes, Jackson, Jefferson, Chase, Garrett, and St. Brown; breakout candidates like Nabers, Bonitto; and unexpected rises like Bagent and Williams—all shaping a season rich with intrigue, high stakes, and fantasy football drama.
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