With the NFL schedules released and free agency and the draft in the rearview, it’s time to lock in your first-round picks for PPR fantasy football drafts. The top 12 players are unlikely to shift much from this point, offering a stable foundation for your 2025 roster. Below is a detailed breakdown of the optimal first-round selections, from picks 1.01 to 1.12, based on last season’s performances and projected outlooks.
Pick 1.01: Ja’Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Ja’Marr Chase lived up to and surpassed all expectations in the 2024 season, finishing as the WR1 overall and taking home the Triple Crown with 127 receptions, over 1,700 yards, and 17 touchdowns. He averaged 20 half-PPR points per game, four more than the next closest wide receiver. One of the biggest indicators of his dominant season was his league-leading number of red-zone targets, continuing a trend: the last six WR1 overall finishers also led the NFL in red-zone looks.
He’s been a top-12 wide receiver every year of his career, and with Joe Burrow under center and Tee Higgins drawing defensive attention, Chase has both the floor and ceiling of a fantasy superstar. The so-called “curse” of the first overall pick doesn’t apply here. Chase is well worth the 1st pick.
Pick 1.02: Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles
Saquon Barkley silenced doubters in 2024, finishing as the RB1 in fantasy points per game and posting a monster stat line: 378 touches, 2,283 total yards, and 15 total touchdowns, good for 355 PPR points, all behind the Eagles’ dominant offensive line. He led all running backs with 3.55 yards before contact per attempt, a stat that reflects both Philly’s line play and his ability to hit open lanes fast. With a three-year injury-free streak, a strong supporting cast, and consistent usage, Barkley is a rock-solid 1.02 pick in fantasy drafts. Don’t overthink the regression talk, he’s set up for another elite season.
Pick 1.03: Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson proved once again in 2024 that he’s as quarterback-proof as they come. Despite losing Kirk Cousins and navigating an unstable QB situation, Jefferson still finished as the WR2 overall and WR2 in points per game, racking up over 100 receptions, 1,500 receiving yards, and 10 touchdowns. Even in 2023, when he played only 10 games, he managed 1,000 yards and a WR33 finish. Jefferson’s consistency and elite production make him a no-brainer here at 1.03.
Pick 1.04: Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons
Bijan Robinson rounds out the top tier at 1.04. With Arthur Smith gone, Robinson’s volume surged last season, operating at a 70% snap share and delivering 14 rushing touchdowns, jumping from RB9 to RB3 in PPR leagues. From Weeks 6–18, he was the RB1 in fantasy points per game, averaging 23.4 touches and 120.9 total yards per game. His 400-yard receiving floor and projected 1,250 rushing yards, combined with his health and year-three breakout potential, make him a strong candidate to be the best player in fantasy this season.
Pick 1.05: Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
After a knee injury in Week 1 that sidelined him for five games, Puka Nacua came back with a vengeance and finished as the WR4 in fantasy points per game. From Weeks 8-18, he outscored all wide receivers except Ja’Marr Chase, posting huge performances, including 22, 41, 20, and 25 PPR points in key weeks. His usage was elite, leading the NFL with a 31% target share (10+ targets per game) through the postseason and ranking 9th in red-zone targets. The addition of Davante Adams will only open things up for Nacua in 2025 and is trending towards another big season.
Pick 1.06: CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
Despite the struggles, CeeDee Lamb remains the No. 1 wide receiver in Dallas and showed flashes of his elite ceiling when the offense was clicking. In 2024, he finished with 263 PPR points, despite missing two games and dealing with some early-season inconsistency. With Dak Prescott back and George Pickens potentially opening up the field, Lamb is in a great position to bounce back and make a run at a top-5 fantasy WR finish in 2025. While there are lingering concerns about Dallas’ ground game, Lamb’s undeniable talent makes him an elite pick at 1.06.
Pick 1.07: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions
Jahmyr Gibbs was an absolute stud in 2024, finishing as the RB2 in fantasy points per game. Even before the David Montgomery injury, Gibbs was thriving, ranking as the RB4 in fantasy points per game through Weeks 1-15 with 18.9 points per game, 16.1 touches, and 103 total yards per game.
Once Montgomery was sidelined, Gibbs took his game to another level. Over the final three weeks of the season (Weeks 16-18), he exploded with 32.6 fantasy points per game, racking up 25.6 touches and 162.4 total yards per game. Gibbs is a home-run hitter who is a top-three running back heading into this season.
Pick 1.08: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Brian Thomas Jr. made an impressive rookie impact in 2024, finishing as the WR4 overall and WR9 in points per game. With Liam Coen bringing a pass-heavy offense and Trevor Lawrence healthy, BTJ is poised for even bigger things in 2025. His role within Coen’s offense could allow him to make another leap this season, and the addition of Travis Hunter does not hurt. While he might be a bold pick at this point, there is strong optimism behind another strong season from BTJ.
Pick 1.09: Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, Detroit Lions
Amon-Ra St. Brown had another stellar season in 2024, finishing as the WR3 in both total and per-game scoring, and leading the NFL in red-zone receptions. However, he did outperform his expected fantasy output (14.6 expected points per game, which would have been WR18), and his target share dropped to 23% over the final seven games, as both Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta became more involved in the offense.
With Ben Johnson gone and increased competition for targets, there’s some caution when it comes to St. Brown repeating his top-5 finish in 2025. Still, his talent and strong chemistry with Jared Goff give him a high floor, keeping him a strong pick in the first round.
Pick 1.10: Nico Collins, WR, Houston Texans
Nico Collins had an impressive 2024 season, averaging 2.86 yards per route run, which ranked second among all wide receivers. He continued his strong play from 2023, finishing as the WR6 in points per game (14.9) despite missing four games due to injury. When on the field, Collins was C.J. Stroud’s clear No. 1 target and played a central role in the offense. Collins is positioned to be a key piece in Houston’s offense alongside Joe Mixon. If he can stay healthy in 2025, Collins has the potential to deliver top-tier production, making him a solid and high-upside pick at this point in the draft.
Pick 1.11: De’Von Achane, RB, Miami Dolphins
Taking De’Von Achane at 1.11 is a potential steal. After finishing as the RB5 in PPR formats last year, he thrived despite a beat-up offensive line. With Raheem Mostert gone, a healthy Tua Tagovailoa, and an improved interior line, Achane should see 18-20 touches per game in 2025 while improving on his career-low running efficiency numbers last season. His monster upside and RB1 potential make him an intriguing pick at this stage in the draft.
Pick 1.12: Ladd McConkey, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
Ladd McConkey closes out the first round at 1.12, and while it’s a controversial pick, it’s one with massive upside. From Weeks 8-17 (including playoffs), he elevated to WR10 status, commanding a 25% target share and averaging nearly 99 receiving yards and 16.4 fantasy points per game, second only to Ja’Marr Chase. His late-season surge last year demonstrated his growing chemistry with Justin Herbert and solidified his role as the Chargers’ top fantasy option. McConkey’s ability to hit home-run shots and dominate underneath routes makes him an exciting, high-upside selection.
