As the end of August approaches, fantasy football drafts are heating up. Staying informed about the Average Draft Position (ADP) of players is crucial for making smart decisions. ADP reflects the average spot where a player is drafted, and significant shifts can signal changing expectations. This article, originally from Yahoo Sports, delves into the biggest ADP risers and fallers, providing insights to help you dominate your league. Understanding these trends can give you a competitive edge, ensuring you draft the right players at the right time.
In the ever-evolving landscape of fantasy football, player values fluctuate based on news, performance, and expert opinions. Identifying risers early allows you to capitalize on undervalued talent, while recognizing fallers helps you avoid overhyped players. With expert analysis, we break down the key ADP movements, offering actionable advice for your upcoming drafts. Stay tuned to uncover which players are climbing and which are plummeting, and how to adjust your strategy accordingly.
This article covers the most significant ADP risers, including players like Tyler Warren and Ricky Pearsall, who are gaining traction due to impressive performances and favorable situations. Conversely, it examines notable ADP fallers, such as David Montgomery and Justin Fields, whose values are declining for various reasons. By analyzing these shifts, we provide a comprehensive overview of the fantasy football landscape, empowering you to make informed decisions and draft a winning team. Let’s dive into the details and explore the players you need to watch.
Top 5 ADP Risers: August 2025
Identifying players whose draft stock is on the rise is crucial for capitalizing on potential value. Several players have seen significant ADP increases as the fantasy football season approaches. These risers often benefit from strong preseason performances, favorable news, or changing team dynamics. By targeting these players, you can secure undervalued assets that outperform their draft positions. Understanding the reasons behind their ascensions is key to making informed decisions.
Tyler Warren of the Indianapolis Colts is one such riser, with his ADP increasing by 10.05. This surge is attributed to the announcement that Daniel Jones will be the starting quarterback, benefiting Colts pass-catchers. Warren, a promising rookie tight end, is expected to have an immediate impact, potentially following in the footsteps of successful rookie tight ends like Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers. Fantasy managers are increasingly viewing him as a fringe TE1, making him a valuable mid-round pick.
Another notable riser is TreVeyon Henderson of the New England Patriots, whose ADP has jumped by 10.40. Henderson has consistently climbed the ADP charts after scoring in the first two preseason games and resting with the starters in the third. His explosive potential has made drafters realize the challenge Rhamondre Stevenson faces in holding onto the starting job. Henderson is now considered a potential RB2, and fantasy managers are advised to grab him at cost or even reach slightly to secure him in the early fourth round.
Ricky Pearsall of the San Francisco 49ers has also seen a consistent rise, climbing roughly 21 spots over the past few weeks. Pearsall, once drafted behind Jerry Jeudy and Jordan Addison, has clawed his way into WR3 range. This rise is fueled by his impressive preseason performance and Jauan Jennings’ uncertain status, potentially landing him on IR. Pearsall is now considered a strong option in the sixth round, offering considerable upside compared to other wide receivers being drafted around him.
Braelon Allen of the New York Jets is another significant riser, with his ADP increasing by 27.90. This surge is a countermeasure to Breece Hall’s earlier ADP fall. Allen’s strong preseason performance, outrushing Hall with an impressive 4.5 yards per carry, has made fantasy analysts contemplate a potential committee backfield in New York. While Allen is not expected to take the job outright, the gap is closing, drawing comparisons to the David Montgomery-Jahmyr Gibbs situation in Detroit.
Lastly, Jacory Croskey-Merritt of the Washington Commanders has seen the most dramatic ADP increase, jumping by 58.59. This rise is attributed to the Brian Robinson Jr. trade, launching Croskey-Merritt into the ADP stratosphere. However, despite the hype, the situation in Washington remains murky, with Austin Ekeler expected to be the primary pass-catching back and Chris Rodriguez Jr. still in consideration for early-down work. Fantasy managers are advised to be wary of drafting Croskey-Merritt too early, as the hype may have outpaced his actual value.
Top 5 ADP Fallers: August 2025
Identifying players whose draft stock is declining is equally important for avoiding potential busts. Several players have seen significant ADP decreases as the fantasy football season approaches. These fallers often face injury concerns, changing team dynamics, or disappointing preseason performances. By recognizing these players, you can avoid overpaying for assets that may not live up to expectations. Understanding the reasons behind their declines is key to making informed decisions.
Jayden Reed of the Green Bay Packers is the top ADP faller, with his ADP decreasing by 16.58. Since a decent start to the 2024 season, nothing has gone right for Reed’s fantasy prospects. The Packers drafted Matthew Golden in the first round, and Reed is now dealing with a sprained foot that could last through early September. Even when healthy, Reed is shaping up to be a secondary option in the receiving corps, making him a risky pick in the early double-digit rounds.
Justin Fields of the New York Jets is another notable faller, with his ADP decreasing by 11.03. Despite a lackluster preseason and frequent passing lowlights, Fields’ rushing upside makes him a valuable late-round QB option. Over the last three seasons, Fields has averaged 18.8 fantasy points per game when he’s the starter, making him a potential QB1. This drop in ADP makes the minimal risk even more palatable, as long as he doesn’t lose the starting job.
Brian Robinson Jr., now with the San Francisco 49ers, has seen his ADP decrease by 10.24. Acquired as additional depth behind Christian McCaffrey, Robinson’s fantasy shine has diminished significantly. He may vulture a touchdown or two and see a couple of short-yardage snaps, but his role is limited as long as McCaffrey is healthy. Despite this, Robinson remains relatively high in drafts, making him an avoidable pick unless his ADP drops further.
Jerry Jeudy of the Cleveland Browns has also seen his ADP decrease, falling by 3.75. This drop is likely due to concerns about the Browns’ quarterback situation. However, the emergence of Joe Flacco as the starting quarterback could actually benefit Jeudy. Flacco offers more fantasy upside than other options, potentially turning Jeudy into a valuable target-based asset in the middle rounds. This makes Jeudy a slightly better value on draft day.
David Montgomery of the Detroit Lions is another ADP faller, with his ADP decreasing by 5.20. This late move reflects concerns about the Lions’ offense following the departure of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and the loss of key offensive linemen. With Jahmyr Gibbs emerging as a premier back, Montgomery’s reliance on offensive dominance and touchdown opportunities may be diminished. Fantasy managers should be wary of drafting Montgomery in the late fifth round, as he may not return the expected value.
Honorable Mentions: Risers and Fallers
Several other players deserve mention for their ADP movements, though they didn’t crack the top five lists. Emeka Egbuka continues to climb after Jalen McMillan’s injury, potentially becoming a league-winning rookie. Nick Chubb is seeing a major spike due to the Joe Mixon injury situation. Stefon Diggs is experiencing a late bump as drafters realize he’s likely the WR1 for the New England offense. Tony Pollard is seeing a similar rise as the RB1 in Tennessee.
On the faller side, Joe Mixon (injury), Chris Godwin Jr. (injury), Rashee Rice (looming suspension), and Jauan Jennings (injury/holdout) are extremely volatile and should be approached with caution. Kalen Johnson has fallen a bit after leading the Steelers in carries during the preseason, while Courtland Sutton has dipped as hype builds around other Broncos receivers. Jonnu Smith is continuing to fall after his trade to Pittsburgh, making him a less attractive sleeper tight end.
Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
As you prepare for your fantasy football drafts, understanding ADP risers and fallers is essential for making informed decisions. Players like Tyler Warren, TreVeyon Henderson, and Ricky Pearsall are climbing the ADP charts due to strong performances and favorable situations, making them potential value picks. Conversely, players like Jayden Reed, Justin Fields, and Brian Robinson Jr. are falling due to injury concerns, changing team dynamics, or lackluster preseason performances, making them potential busts.
By identifying these trends, you can capitalize on undervalued talent and avoid overhyped players. Remember to monitor the latest news and expert opinions as draft day approaches, as ADP can change rapidly. Use this information to adjust your draft strategy and target players who offer the best combination of value and potential. Staying informed and adaptable will give you a significant edge in your fantasy football league.
In conclusion, the fantasy football landscape is ever-changing, and staying ahead of the curve requires constant vigilance. By understanding ADP movements and the reasons behind them, you can make smarter draft decisions and build a winning team. Use the insights provided in this article to guide your draft strategy, and remember to adapt as new information emerges. With careful planning and informed decision-making, you can dominate your league and achieve fantasy football success.
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