Fantasy football rankings 2025: Sleepers, breakouts and busts by model that predicted Stroud's tough year

Playing it safe isn't always the optimal Fantasy football strategy, as taking risks can result in league-changing picks. One way to be aggressive in 2025 Fantasy football drafts is to select a player who is coming off an injury. Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy is a prime example this year, as he missed his entire rookie season due to a torn meniscus in his knee. He takes over an offense that is loaded with talent, as Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson are at McCarthy's disposal. 

Is McCarthy one of the 2025 Fantasy football breakouts you should be targeting, and what other potential Fantasy sleepers and Fantasy busts should you be aware of? Before setting your 2025 Fantasy football draft strategy, be sure to check out the 2025 Fantasy football rankings and cheat sheets from the proven computer model at SportsLine.

Last year, the model accurately predicted that Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud might take a step back in his second season. He finished as QB18 and anybody who avoided drafting him early dodged a major headache in their Fantasy football lineups. 

The same model has a proven track record providing Fantasy football tips, identifying A.J. Brown as a sleeper in 2020, nailing Jonathan Taylor's monstrous season in 2021 and calling Rachaad White's breakout in 2023. Additionally, it has called past Fantasy football sleepers like Derrick Henry in 2019, Christian McCaffrey and Alvin Kamara in 2018, and Davante Adams in 2017. 

Now, SportsLine has simulated the entire NFL season 10,000 times and released its latest 2025 Fantasy football rankings for PPR and non-PPR leagues, along with plenty of sleepers, breakouts and busts. Head to SportsLine now to see them. 

Top 2025 Fantasy football sleepers

One of the 2025 Fantasy football sleepers the model is predicting: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. The 16-year veteran is coming off a QB19 finish in Fantasy scoring, but he was the QB11 before tailing off at the end of the year. Stafford finished with 3,762 passing yards and 20 touchdowns, so he still offers elite passing numbers despite his lack of rushing upside.

Wide receiver Cooper Kupp is no longer part of the offense, but he was replaced by star veteran Davante Adams. He joins wideout Puka Nacua and tight end Tyler Higbee to create an elite supporting cast for Stafford. The model has Stafford ranked ahead of quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Michael Penix Jr., who are both being drafted before the veteran in current ADP data. See more Fantasy football sleepers 2025 here.

Top 2025 Fantasy football breakouts

One of the 2025 Fantasy football breakouts the model is predicting: Chargers running back Omarion Hampton. Hampton led the ACC in rushing as a sophomore and a junior before declaring for the NFL Draft after rushing for 1,660 yards last season. He also had 15 rushing touchdowns in each of his last two seasons. Hampton added 38 receptions for 373 yards as a junior as a versatile running back heading to an offense that loves to run the football.

The combination of head coach Jim Harbaugh with offensive coordinator Greg Roman is a running back's dream as the two have emphasized a balanced offense throughout their coaching careers. The Chargers had the 10th-highest run-play percentage (44.9%), one of the few teams in the top 10 without a strong running quarterback. The Chargers signed veteran Najee Harris this offseason, so Hampton will have some competition, but the model likes Hampton's chances to emerge at some point this season to be a viable option out of the backfield in his rookie season for 2025 Fantasy football lineups. See more Fantasy football breakouts 2025 here.

Top 2025 Fantasy football busts

As for players to avoid, the model lists Colts running back Jonathan Taylor as one of its 2025 Fantasy football busts. The 2021 NFL rushing champion failed to reach 1,000 yards in 2022 and 2023 because he missed 13 games combined in those two seasons. In 2024, he had a bounce-back campaign where he rushed for 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns, but he missed three more games in the process.

Perhaps even more concerning, Taylor only caught 18 passes for 136 yards, and that lack of involvement in the passing attack is a major concern in an era where most leagues are using some form of PPR format. Both Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson are bigger, more mobile quarterbacks as well, which could cut into Taylor's workload in goal-to-go situations. These are all reasons why the model ranks Taylor behind backs like Kenneth Walker III and Aaron Jones that are available at least two rounds later on average. See more Fantasy football busts 2025 here.

How to find proven 2025 Fantasy football football rankings

SportsLine is also extremely high on a surprising wide receiver you aren't even thinking about being taken in the early rounds of 2025 Fantasy football drafts. This wide receiver is listed as a shocking top-15 option ahead of stars like A.J. Brown and Tyreek Hill. You can only see who it is, and the 2025 Fantasy football rankings for every player, at SportsLine.

So which 2025 Fantasy Football sleepers, breakouts and busts should you target and fade, and which WR shocks the NFL with a top-15 performance? Visit SportsLine now to get 2025 Fantasy Football cheat sheets for every single position, all from the model that called C.J. Stroud's disappointing sophomore season in 2024, and find out.