Fantasy Football Draft Landmines to Avoid

A clear look at which players analysts say to avoid in fantasy football drafts this season.

Fantasy Football Draft Landmines Analysts Avoid This Season

Analysts from Fitz, DBro, Erickson and Joe identify a short list of players they consider overvalued or best avoided in 2025 fantasy drafts. Fitz worries about how Lions changes at coach and center may affect JaMontgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs, noting Gibbs’ elite efficiency but the potential for fewer goal-line opportunities. DBro argues Tyreek Hill is priced too high after a down year in 2024 and questions whether Hill can sustain a top tier ceiling if target distribution shifts. Erickson flags Terry McLaurin’s contract holdout as a red flag and sees Deebo Samuel as a risk with health and role concerns as the 49ers adjust. Joe flags Brandon Aiyuk’s knee surgery recovery and surrounding depth in San Francisco as a reason to temper expectations and avoid a crowded target tree.

Taken together, the piece frames fantasy value as a balance between upside and certainty. Price tags matter, but so does a clear path to repeated touches and reliable health. The editors warn that early round bargains can turn into misses if a player’s role shifts or if injuries derail production. The overall message is a reminder that it pays to mix steady floors with calculated risk rather than chasing big weeks that may not come every week.

Behind the specifics, a broader trend emerges: coaching changes and injury histories are reshaping who can deliver week after week. The article on Gibbs, Hill, McLaurin, Samuel, and Aiyuk shows that fantasy success now favors players with clear paths to touches and durable health, not just high ceiling potential. This shift makes early picks riskier but also more nuanced for veterans who value reliability.

Another takeaway is the rise of price discipline. Analysts treat average draft position as a guide, not gospel, and encourage diversifying targets later in the draft. The result is a strategy that prizes flexibility, cross-position balance, and the willingness to pivot when early assumptions prove wrong.

Highlights

Smart drafting means balancing risk with reward as the season unfolds.