{"id":243225,"date":"2025-08-25T09:36:07","date_gmt":"2025-08-25T13:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=243225"},"modified":"2025-08-25T09:36:07","modified_gmt":"2025-08-25T13:36:07","slug":"2025-fantasy-football-draft-guide-picks-1-4-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/08\/25\/2025-fantasy-football-draft-guide-picks-1-4-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide from the One through Four Position"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1649\">In <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2025\/08\/22\/2025-antasy-football-draft-guide-picks-1-4-rounds-1-3\/\" target=\"_self\"><strong data-start=\"1361\" data-end=\"1371\">Part 1<\/strong><\/a>, the strategy was clear: from the top four picks, secure an elite WR or Bijan Robinson and build around QB\/TE advantages where possible. Now it\u2019s time to finish the draft. This <strong data-start=\"508\" data-end=\"545\">2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide<\/strong>\u00a0<strong data-start=\"1544\" data-end=\"1554\">Part 2<\/strong> covers Rounds 4 and beyond \u2014 where depth, value, and upside plays make or break your roster.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"1656\" data-end=\"1703\">Rounds 4\u20135: The Running Back Priority Zone<\/h2>\n<div>Rounds 4-5 offer affordable, reliable RBs. This is the draft\u2019s key RB window.<\/div>\n<h3 data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1821\">Running Backs<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"1823\" data-end=\"1930\">The order of preference here is <strong data-start=\"1855\" data-end=\"1927\">Chuba Hubbard &gt; James Conner &gt; David Montgomery &gt; TreVeyon Henderson<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"1932\" data-end=\"2679\">\n<li data-start=\"1932\" data-end=\"2123\">\n<p data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"2123\"><strong data-start=\"1934\" data-end=\"1956\">Kenneth Walker III<\/strong> remains a cut above if he falls. He led the league in missed tackles forced per attempt (0.42 in 2024) and still profiles as a weekly difference-maker when healthy.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2124\" data-end=\"2316\">\n<p data-start=\"2126\" data-end=\"2316\"><strong data-start=\"2126\" data-end=\"2143\">Chuba Hubbard<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"2148\" data-end=\"2164\">James Conner<\/strong> are lead backs with strong volume. Conner logged <strong data-start=\"2218\" data-end=\"2267\">283 touches for 1,508 scrimmage yards in 2024<\/strong>, and his durability risk is already priced in.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2317\" data-end=\"2510\">\n<p data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"2510\"><strong data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"2339\">David Montgomery<\/strong> scored <strong data-start=\"2347\" data-end=\"2376\">12 touchdowns last season<\/strong>, but was TD-dependent as <strong data-start=\"2402\" data-end=\"2418\">Jahmyr Gibbs<\/strong> out-snapped him 639 to 390. Each year increases the chance Gibbs tilts the split further.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2511\" data-end=\"2679\">\n<p data-start=\"2513\" data-end=\"2679\"><strong data-start=\"2513\" data-end=\"2535\">TreVeyon Henderson<\/strong> is talented, but early uncertainty around how the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/patriots\/\" target=\"_self\"><strong data-start=\"2586\" data-end=\"2610\">New England Patriots<\/strong><\/a> split him with <strong data-start=\"2626\" data-end=\"2649\">Rhamondre Stevenson<\/strong> keeps him below the others.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"2681\" data-end=\"2860\">If you missed <strong data-start=\"2695\" data-end=\"2711\">Trey McBride<\/strong>, this is the final chance at an elite-trajectory TE in <strong data-start=\"2767\" data-end=\"2782\">Sam LaPorta<\/strong>. But there are discounts later, so it\u2019s not worth forcing if you\u2019re uneasy.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1821\">Wide Receivers<\/h3>\n<p data-start=\"2862\" data-end=\"2950\">At WR, the preference is <strong data-start=\"2887\" data-end=\"2947\">Davante Adams &gt; DK Metcalf &gt; Courtland Sutton &gt; DJ Moore<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"2952\" data-end=\"3711\">\n<li data-start=\"2952\" data-end=\"3253\">\n<p data-start=\"2954\" data-end=\"3253\"><strong data-start=\"2954\" data-end=\"2971\">Davante Adams<\/strong> carries clear risk: WRs at 32 have averaged about <strong data-start=\"3022\" data-end=\"3070\">17% fewer fantasy points per game than in their previous season <\/strong>over the past three seasons (e.g., Keenan Allen, DeAndre Hopkins). That said, Adams has remained top-12 per game for four straight years, making him worth the risk if he slips.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3254\" data-end=\"3411\">\n<p data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3411\"><strong data-start=\"3256\" data-end=\"3270\">DK Metcalf<\/strong> is next in line. Pittsburgh gave him a WR1 contract, and <strong data-start=\"3328\" data-end=\"3345\">Aaron Rodgers<\/strong> has delivered a top-12 WR in 10 of his last 12 healthy seasons.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3412\" data-end=\"3547\">\n<p data-start=\"3414\" data-end=\"3547\"><strong data-start=\"3414\" data-end=\"3434\">Courtland Sutton<\/strong> should lead the Broncos in volume under Bo Nix, though his TD upside could dip with <strong data-start=\"3519\" data-end=\"3534\">Evan Engram<\/strong> in Denver.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3548\" data-end=\"3711\">\n<p data-start=\"3550\" data-end=\"3711\"><strong data-start=\"3550\" data-end=\"3562\">DJ Moore<\/strong> is a safe WR2, but has less of a ceiling than the others, given the crowded new <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bears\/\" target=\"_self\"><strong>Chicago Bears<\/strong><\/a> offense with rookies <strong data-start=\"3671\" data-end=\"3686\">Rome Odunze<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"3691\" data-end=\"3708\">Luther Burden<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"3713\" data-end=\"3902\"><strong data-start=\"3713\" data-end=\"3723\">Fades:<\/strong> <strong data-start=\"3724\" data-end=\"3739\">Rashee Rice<\/strong> (pending suspension, role uncertain with rookie <strong data-start=\"3788\" data-end=\"3805\">Xavier Worthy<\/strong>) and <strong data-start=\"3811\" data-end=\"3828\">DeVonta Smith<\/strong> (elite talent but capped behind <strong data-start=\"3861\" data-end=\"3875\">A.J. Brown<\/strong> and a run-heavy scheme).<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"3909\" data-end=\"3939\">Rounds 6\u20137: Value Hunting<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"3941\" data-end=\"4014\">These rounds sharpen edges and present strong values at both WR and TE.<\/p>\n<h3 data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1821\">Prime Targets<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"4016\" data-end=\"4914\">\n<li data-start=\"4016\" data-end=\"4392\">\n<p data-start=\"4018\" data-end=\"4392\"><strong data-start=\"4018\" data-end=\"4035\">Jaylen Waddle<\/strong> is the clear WR target here. He produced <strong data-start=\"4077\" data-end=\"4100\">1,356 yards in 2022<\/strong>, but fell to 744 in 2024 as his target share dipped from 22% \u2192 19%. <strong data-start=\"4169\" data-end=\"4184\">Jonnu Smith&#8217;s <\/strong>14 red-zone targets and 4 TDs in 2024 reduced Waddle\u2019s role.\u00a0With Smith gone and <strong data-start=\"4268\" data-end=\"4285\">Darren Waller<\/strong> unlikely to command heavy usage, Waddle is set for a bounce-back alongside a healthy <strong data-start=\"4371\" data-end=\"4389\">Tua Tagovailoa<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4393\" data-end=\"4670\">\n<p data-start=\"4395\" data-end=\"4670\"><strong data-start=\"4395\" data-end=\"4412\">Kaleb Johnson<\/strong> is the RB to chase. The Steelers spent Day 2 draft capital on him, and <strong data-start=\"4484\" data-end=\"4501\">Jaylen Warren<\/strong> has been capped under 50% snap share for two straight seasons despite efficiency. Under Arthur Smith, volume will be available, and Johnson is the profile to take it.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4671\" data-end=\"4777\">\n<p data-start=\"4673\" data-end=\"4777\"><strong data-start=\"4673\" data-end=\"4689\">Tony Pollard<\/strong> in Tennessee remains a safe volume play, though without the ceiling of earlier years.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4778\" data-end=\"4914\">\n<p data-start=\"4780\" data-end=\"4914\"><strong data-start=\"4780\" data-end=\"4796\">Travis Kelce<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"4801\" data-end=\"4817\">Mark Andrews<\/strong> remain strong red-zone weapons and give you weekly TE1 upside if you faded the position early.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1705\" data-end=\"1821\">Fades<\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"4929\" data-end=\"5225\">\n<li data-start=\"4929\" data-end=\"5003\">\n<p data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"5003\"><strong data-start=\"4931\" data-end=\"4951\">Quinshon Judkins<\/strong>, still unsigned due to a potential suspension, carries too much risky and questionable upside in what figures to be one of the worst offenses in the NFL.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5004\" data-end=\"5086\">\n<p data-start=\"5006\" data-end=\"5086\"><strong data-start=\"5006\" data-end=\"5028\">Brian Robinson Jr.\u00a0<\/strong>was just traded to the 49ers and will now have a backup role. He has upside as McCaffrey&#8217;s handcuff, but is not worth a pick<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5087\" data-end=\"5225\">\n<p data-start=\"5089\" data-end=\"5225\"><strong data-start=\"5089\" data-end=\"5104\">Chris Olave<\/strong> \u2014 still a WR2 talent, but the New Orleans Saints have no clear starting QB heading into 2025, limiting his projection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"5227\" data-end=\"5359\">If QB is still open, <strong data-start=\"5248\" data-end=\"5258\">Bo Nix<\/strong> is the pivot. He finished QB6 as a rookie with rushing upside and has room to improve in year two.<\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"5366\" data-end=\"5409\">Rounds 8\u20139: Wide Receiver Value Window<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5411\" data-end=\"5562\">This is one of the weakest RB pockets on the board (<strong data-start=\"5463\" data-end=\"5518\">Tyrone Tracy Jr., Jaylen Warren, Travis Etienne Jr.<\/strong>), and should be avoided unless desperate. Helping players to prepare for this kind of situation is the goal of this 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5564\" data-end=\"5606\">Tight ends here can still provide value, mainly with <strong data-start=\"5609\" data-end=\"5624\">Evan Engram<\/strong>, who was TE6 in half-PPR last season (88 catches, 884 yards, 4 TDs) and is now in a friendlier role with <strong data-start=\"5717\" data-end=\"5727\">Bo Nix <\/strong>running the Denver Broncos offense.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5792\" data-end=\"5872\">At WR, the value hierarchy is <strong data-start=\"5822\" data-end=\"5869\">Rome Odunze &gt; Stefon Diggs &gt; Ricky Pearsall<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"5874\" data-end=\"6270\">\n<li data-start=\"5874\" data-end=\"6138\">\n<p data-start=\"5876\" data-end=\"6138\"><strong data-start=\"5876\" data-end=\"5891\">Rome Odunze<\/strong> and <strong data-start=\"5896\" data-end=\"5914\">Ricky Pearsall<\/strong> were both first-round picks in 2024, now entering their second seasons with larger roles. Odunze slots in as WR2 for Chicago with Caleb Williams, while Pearsall benefits from <strong data-start=\"6090\" data-end=\"6108\">Deebo Samuel\u2019s<\/strong> departure in San Francisco.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6139\" data-end=\"6270\">\n<p data-start=\"6141\" data-end=\"6270\"><strong data-start=\"6141\" data-end=\"6157\">Stefon Diggs<\/strong> was pacing as WR12 before injury last year and has been paid to lead the New England Patriots receiving corps.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"6272\" data-end=\"6395\">Other WRs like <strong data-start=\"6287\" data-end=\"6322\">Samuel, Addison, Godwin, Meyers<\/strong> are serviceable, but the true value is in Odunze, Diggs, and Pearsall.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Win Your Work Fantasy Football League by Drafting a QB Late\" width=\"640\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/_b5yQ0ls6go?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<h2 data-start=\"6402\" data-end=\"6442\">Rounds 10 and Beyond: Upside Swings<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"6444\" data-end=\"6480\">Late rounds are all about ceiling:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"6482\" data-end=\"7120\">\n<li data-start=\"6482\" data-end=\"6672\">\n<p data-start=\"6484\" data-end=\"6672\"><strong data-start=\"6484\" data-end=\"6498\">Josh Downs<\/strong> \u2014 771 yards as a rookie, averaging <strong data-start=\"6534\" data-end=\"6594\">57.8 yards per game in starts without Anthony Richardson<\/strong>. With <strong data-start=\"6601\" data-end=\"6642\">Daniel Jones announced as the starter<\/strong>, his outlook only improves.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6673\" data-end=\"6869\">\n<p data-start=\"6675\" data-end=\"6869\"><strong data-start=\"6675\" data-end=\"6689\">Drake Maye<\/strong> \u2014 Rookie QB sleeper. The Patriots extended <strong data-start=\"6733\" data-end=\"6748\">Mike Onwenu<\/strong> and drafted <strong data-start=\"6761\" data-end=\"6777\">Amarius Mims<\/strong>, solidifying the OL. Maye adds rushing upside (318 yards, 4 TDs in his final UNC season).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6870\" data-end=\"6993\">\n<p data-start=\"6872\" data-end=\"6993\"><strong data-start=\"6872\" data-end=\"6890\">Jayden Higgins<\/strong> \u2014 Enters as WR3 for Houston but could push <strong data-start=\"6934\" data-end=\"6952\">Christian Kirk<\/strong> for WR2 snaps alongside <strong data-start=\"6977\" data-end=\"6990\">Tank Dell<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"6994\" data-end=\"7120\">\n<p data-start=\"6996\" data-end=\"7120\"><strong data-start=\"6996\" data-end=\"7022\">Jacory Croskey-Merritt<\/strong> \u2014 Training camp hype is now becoming reality, as Robinson Jr. was traded to the 49ers and the Commanders running offense should be led by Croskey-Merritt, with <strong>Austin Ekeler <\/strong>catching passes.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 data-start=\"7127\" data-end=\"7146\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"7148\" data-end=\"7455\">That wraps up our <strong data-start=\"960\" data-end=\"997\">2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide<\/strong>. Rounds 4 and beyond are where titles are won. Prioritize RB depth in Rounds 4\u20135, sharpen your build with WRs and discounted elite TEs in 6\u20137, hammer WR value in 8\u20139, and chase ceiling late. Together with Part 1, this provides the complete blueprint for dominating drafts from the first four picks in 2025.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"7148\" data-end=\"7455\">Main Photo Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In Part 1, the strategy was clear: from the top four picks, secure an elite WR or Bijan Robinson and build around QB\/TE advantages where possible. Now it\u2019s time to finish the draft. This 2025 Fantasy Football Draft Guide\u00a0Part 2 covers Rounds 4 and beyond \u2014 where depth, value, and upside plays make or break [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5619,"featured_media":243608,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[59],"tags":[33430,7995,1039,4871,2364,6671],"class_list":["post-243225","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fantasy","tag-2025-fantasy-football","tag-chuba-hubbard","tag-davante-adams","tag-dk-metcalf","tag-james-conner","tag-jaylen-waddle"],"modified_by":"Mike Kashuba","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/243225","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5619"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=243225"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/243225\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":243795,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/243225\/revisions\/243795"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/243608"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=243225"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=243225"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=243225"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}