The concept of a “league winner” has become a staple in fantasy football circles. These are the players who exceed expectations and deliver exceptional value, frequently appearing on the rosters of championship-winning teams.
League winners can emerge from any draft slot. While first-round picks can certainly fit the bill if they outperform their peers, the most intriguing candidates often come from the middle and late rounds, where players return early-round production. These high-upside targets should be on every fantasy manager’s radar heading into drafts.
Below are my 15 favorite players with the potential to transform any fantasy roster.
In 12 starts last season, Dart averaged 20.13 fantasy points per game, ranking as the fifth-highest average by a rookie quarterback in history. He achieved this despite losing top receiver Malik Nabers early and navigating a midseason coaching change. I expect Dart to continue his high-volume rushing, providing both a solid floor and a high ceiling. With Nabers and Cam Skattebo healthy, he now has better surrounding talent than last year. His playing style may concern some, but his average draft position is low enough to pair him with another quarterback like Jared Goff, Jordan Love, or Baker Mayfield.
Murray has proven to be a reliable fantasy quarterback, even if he hasn’t always met his sky-high expectations. Last season marked the first time Murray finished outside the top 12 in fantasy points per game. His rushing ability provides a dependable floor, and he now has the best play-caller and receiving corps of his career, unlocking the high ceiling we’ve anticipated since 2020.
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Willis has been a more effective passer than many realize. Over the past two seasons, he leads all quarterbacks in passer rating, completion percentage, expected points added per dropback, and success rate. His rushing ability is what will elevate his fantasy value. Since 2000, 44 quarterbacks have run 100-plus times in a season, with 60% of them averaging at least 20 fantasy points per game. All but five averaged 17.4 points per game, the threshold for being a QB1 in fantasy last season.
Hampton is poised for a breakout season in new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel’s system. McDaniel’s offenses target running backs at a significantly higher rate than former OC Greg Roman’s (16% compared to 12%). McDaniel also calls a higher volume of outside zone runs (61% during his tenure in Miami versus 47% for Roman). Hampton averaged 5.5 yards per carry on outside runs last season, the sixth-best mark among all running backs. He brings top-five overall upside in a high-scoring Chargers offense.
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Tuten combines the ideal blend of talent and opportunity. Last season, he ranked top two among qualified backs in percentage of yards after contact and missed tackles forced rate, while also posting the seventh-highest rush success rate. Additionally, I have strong confidence in the Liam Coen running back system. Last year, Travis Etienne Jr. saw 300 touches and delivered a league-winning performance. The year prior in Tampa Bay with Coen, Bucky Irving evolved from backup to league winner. Talent rises to the top, and Tuten is positioned to become this year’s edition of Coen’s league-winning back.
Henderson was my top pick last year, and despite an uneven season, he demonstrated his high-level capabilities. He amassed over 1,100 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns, yet his current average draft position is lower than it was before he ever took an NFL snap. Henderson averaged over 20 fantasy points per game when he received 15 or more touches. His explosive playmaking ability allows him to break out even within a committee approach, and he has league-winning upside if Rhamondre Stevenson were to miss time.
Brooks has seen his average draft position climb this summer, but he can still outperform his draft cost if he returns to his pre-injury form. Brooks rushed for over 1,100 yards and 10 touchdowns in just 10 games during his final college season in 2023. Limited action since then due to injuries has kept his profile low, but he is now healthy and expected to share work early on. Chuba Hubbard lost the starting job to Rico Dowdle last year, and if Brooks can seize the role, he offers RB1 upside at an RB3 price tag.
Croskey-Merritt ranked top 10 among running backs in explosive run rate, yards after contact per carry, and missed tackles forced rate—three crucial metrics for evaluating the position. I expect further development this year, with Jayden Daniels helping to create more running lanes. Rachaad White handling passing downs could cap his ceiling, but reports suggest Croskey-Merritt has improved in that area as well. He offers a high ceiling at a middle-round cost.
Nabers offers undeniable upside. His talent is exceptional, and I believe he belongs in the elite tier alongside Ja’Marr Chase and Justin Jefferson when healthy. Nabers has consistently commanded an elite target share when on the field, though concerns remain about his health and recovery timeline. I am willing to take the risk on one of the league’s most gifted receivers. He is my WR8 overall, with the potential to finish even higher.
Alongside Tuten, Moore is my top target this season. He should be a significantly better fit with Josh Allen and Joe Brady than he was in Chicago. Moore was the Bears’ primary target on passes where Caleb Williams held the ball for at least 2.5 seconds; Allen has never averaged less than 2.9 seconds to throw. Moore also has a strong track record with Brady, highlighted by his 163 targets in 2021. If Allen has a career year as a passer in a more aggressive offense, Moore could easily reach league-winning territory.
McConkey underperformed expectations last year but is set to rebound under new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel. In Miami, McDaniel consistently funneled targets to his top options, frequently setting them up for yards after the catch—McConkey’s strength, as shown by his top-15 ranking in YAC over expectation. He is also a more capable deep threat than he’s given credit for. McConkey breaks out as Justin Herbert delivers an MVP-caliber season.
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Watson has flashed high-level potential throughout his career and is coming off his best professional stretch. His role and route tree expanded last season, and he remains one of the league’s premier field-stretchers, ranking second in yards per target over the last two seasons. He should also see a larger target share with Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks now elsewhere. The Packers have expressed a desire to operate at a faster pace with a more pass-heavy approach. If that materializes and Watson stays healthy, his ceiling is a top-10 fantasy wide receiver.
McLaurin is coming off a down year, as both he and Jayden Daniels struggled with injuries. However, he finished as the WR7 overall in 2024, catching 12 of Daniels’ 25 passing touchdowns that season. McLaurin has been a top-25 fantasy receiver in four of the last six seasons. His current average draft position sits at WR23, a price closer to his floor than his ceiling. With Daniels healthy, his ceiling remains a top-10 fantasy receiver.
Bowers has the potential to redefine the tight end position this season. The Raiders’ offense is now under Klint Kubiak, who demonstrated in Seattle last season his willingness to feature his top target. Jaxon Smith-Njigba posted the highest target rate in the NFL by a wide margin (36%—no other player exceeded 31%). Kirk Cousins targeted tight ends at the highest rate in the league last season. Bowers in this setup could outscore the position by 100-plus points, dominating like Trey McBride did last year and Travis Kelce in his prime. My bold prediction: Bowers becomes the first 1,500-yard tight end in NFL history.
Likely is my breakout tight end selection for this season. In 2024, he ranked top seven among tight ends in fantasy points per target, yards per catch, and end zone targets. He also posted the fourth-highest passer rating when targeted on passes of 10-plus air yards over the last two years, demonstrating his downfield ability. He should be the Giants’ second option behind Nabers and see frequent red zone usage. He ranks as my TE9.
