Fantasy Football Auction Values 2025: Dominate Your Draft
Welcome, fantasy football fans, to your ultimate guide for crushing your 2025 auction draft! Whether you’re a seasoned manager or dipping your toes into the auction pool for the first time, this comprehensive breakdown of auction values for the 2025 season will arm you with the knowledge to build a championship team. We’ll explore what makes auction drafts unique, highlight the top players to target, discuss the 2025 NFL season’s context, and share strategies to outsmart your league mates. Let’s dive in!
What Are Auction Drafts?
Unlike snake drafts, where teams pick players in a fixed order, auction drafts give every manager a shot at every player. Each team starts with a budget—typically $200 in standard leagues—and bids on players in an open market. The highest bidder secures the player, and the process continues until rosters are complete. This format offers unparalleled flexibility, letting you chase your favorite stars or snag undervalued gems. However, it demands careful budgeting to avoid splurging early and ending up with a roster full of $1 players.
Auction values are the backbone of a successful draft. These values, based on projected fantasy points, help you decide how much to bid on each player. For 2025, we’ll focus on values for a 12-team, full-PPR league with a $200 budget, but you should adjust these based on your league’s scoring and roster settings.
The 2025 NFL Season: What’s New?
The 2025 NFL season brings changes that could subtly influence fantasy football. The NFL has made permanent a new kickoff format, initially trialed in 2024, designed to resemble a scrimmage play and promote returns. The touchback line has moved to the 35-yard line, which may increase return opportunities (NFL Rules). In leagues that award points for return yards, players with return roles could see a slight value bump.
Additionally, regular-season overtime rules now mirror postseason rules, guaranteeing both teams a possession, though limited to 10 minutes (CBS Sports). This could lead to more scoring chances, marginally boosting offensive players’ fantasy output.
The 2025 NFL Draft, happening April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is another key factor (NFL Draft Info). Top prospects like running back Ashton Jeanty, quarterbacks Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders, and versatile Travis Hunter are generating buzz. Their landing spots will significantly affect their fantasy value, so stay tuned to draft results.
Top Players and Their Auction Values
Below, we present the top players at each key position for 2025, along with their projected auction values. These values are based on consensus projections for a standard 12-team, full-PPR league with a $200 budget, sourced from expert analyses (FantasyNerds, ESPN).
Quarterbacks (QBs)
In standard 1QB leagues, quarterbacks are less expensive than running backs or wide receivers due to the position’s depth. Here are the top QBs and their estimated values:
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Auction Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Josh Allen | BUF | $25 | Consistent top performer with dual-threat ability. |
| 2 | Lamar Jackson | BAL | $23 | 2024’s top fantasy QB, excels in rushing and passing. |
| 3 | Jayden Daniels | WAS | $21 | Stellar rookie year, boosted by new offensive weapons. |
| 4 | Jalen Hurts | PHI | $20 | Rushing TDs make him a reliable QB1. |
| 5 | Joe Burrow | CIN | $18 | Benefits from elite receivers like Ja’Marr Chase. |
| 6 | Patrick Mahomes | KC | $17 | Still elite despite a 2024 dip. |
| 7 | Baker Mayfield | TB | $15 | Resurgent in 2024, a solid mid-tier option. |
| 8 | Brock Purdy | SF | $14 | Efficient in a high-powered offense. |
| 9 | Kyler Murray | ARI | $13 | Dual-threat QB with upside. |
| 10 | Bo Nix | DEN | $12 | Promising rookie with breakout potential. |
Why These Values? These estimates align with typical 1QB league trends, where the top QB commands around 12-15% of the budget, and values decrease gradually due to the position’s depth (ESPN QB Rankings). In superflex leagues, QB values would be significantly higher.
Running Backs (RBs)
Running backs are the cornerstone of PPR leagues, often commanding the highest auction prices due to their scarcity and versatility. Here are the top RBs:
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Auction Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saquon Barkley | PHI | $72 | Elite RB with rushing and receiving prowess. |
| 2 | Bijan Robinson | ATL | $66 | Breakout star in a run-heavy offense. |
| 3 | Jahmyr Gibbs | DET | $65 | Speedy and versatile, a top-tier RB1. |
| 4 | Derrick Henry | BAL | $62 | Workhorse back in a strong offense. |
| 5 | Jonathan Taylor | IND | $49 | Reliable when healthy. |
| 6 | Christian McCaffrey | SF | $48 | High upside, but injury concerns linger. |
| 7 | Ashton Jeanty | FA | $50 | Top rookie prospect, value depends on draft landing spot. |
Why These Values? These values come from consensus projections, reflecting the premium on top RBs who can deliver both rushing and receiving points (FantasyNerds Auction). Jeanty’s value is speculative, as his team is unknown pre-draft.
Wide Receivers (WRs)
Wide receivers are critical in PPR leagues, with top options fetching high prices. Here are the top WRs:
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Auction Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ja’Marr Chase | CIN | $58 | One of the NFL’s best young receivers. |
| 2 | Justin Jefferson | MIN | $54 | Consistent elite production. |
| 3 | CeeDee Lamb | DAL | $50 | Dallas’ primary target. |
| 4 | A.J. Brown | PHI | $45 | Dominant in a high-powered offense. |
| 5 | Garrett Wilson | NYJ | $42 | Poised for a breakout year. |
| 6 | Puka Nacua | LAR | $40 | Breakout rookie, reliable target. |
| 7 | Drake London | ATL | $38 | Benefits from improved QB play. |
| 8 | Chris Olave | NO | $36 | Consistent producer. |
| 9 | DeVonta Smith | PHI | $34 | Reliable in Philadelphia’s offense. |
| 10 | Tee Higgins | CIN | $32 | Strong WR2 with upside. |
Why These Values? These values reflect the high demand for top WRs in PPR leagues, where receptions add significant points (FantasyNerds Auction).
Tight Ends (TEs)
Tight ends can be a volatile position, but the elite options are worth the investment. Here are the top TEs:
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Auction Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brock Bowers | LV | $25 | Historic rookie season, top TE in 2025. |
| 2 | Trey McBride | ARI | $20 | Emerging star with high target share. |
| 3 | George Kittle | SF | $18 | Reliable when healthy. |
| 4 | Sam LaPorta | DET | $16 | Strong rookie year, solid TE1. |
| 5 | Travis Kelce | KC | $15 | Still productive at 35. |
| 6 | David Njoku | CLE | $12 | Flashes of brilliance, value pick. |
| 7 | T.J. Hockenson | MIN | $10 | Bounce-back candidate. |
| 8 | Mark Andrews | BAL | $9 | Needs target share to regain elite status. |
| 9 | Evan Engram | DEN | $8 | Potential with Bo Nix. |
| 10 | Jonnu Smith | MIA | $7 | Fringe TE1 after a strong 2024. |
Why These Values? These estimates are based on projections that highlight the scarcity of elite TEs, with Bowers leading the pack after a dominant rookie year (ESPN TE Rankings).
Auction Draft Strategies
To maximize your draft success, consider these strategies:
- Budget Allocation: Plan your spending by position. For example, allocate 30-40% for RBs, 25-30% for WRs, 10-15% for QBs and TEs, and the rest for depth, kickers, and defenses.
- Target Studs Early: Investing in one or two elite players, like Barkley or Chase, can give you a weekly edge. Don’t shy away from spending big if the value is right.
- Find Value Picks: Look for players like Bo Nix or Evan Engram, who may be undervalued but have high upside.
- Monitor Bidding Trends: If others overspend early, you can snag quality players at lower prices later. Stay flexible and adapt to the market.
- Save for Depth: Reserve at least $10-20 for bench players to ensure you have reliable backups and sleepers.
- Customize for Your League: Adjust values based on your league’s scoring (e.g., PPR vs. standard), roster size, and number of teams. Tools like FantasyPros’ auction calculator can help (FantasyPros Calculator).
Conclusion
Fantasy football auction drafts are a thrilling way to build your team, offering control and strategy that snake drafts can’t match. By leveraging accurate auction values, staying informed about the 2025 NFL season, and employing smart bidding strategies, you’ll be well-equipped to dominate your league.
As the 2025 NFL Draft unfolds, keep an eye on where top rookies land, as their roles will shape their fantasy value. Whether you’re chasing a title or just aiming to outsmart your friends, preparation is key. Here’s to a fantastic 2025 season—may your roster be stacked and your waiver wire moves be savvy!
