The 2024-25 NFL regular season has come to a close, and with that, the end of the fantasy season is here. This season, like never before, featured many players who exceeded their expectations, possibly giving you the league crown, as well as many players who fell short of expectations, possibly losing the league for you. (ADP: Average Draft Positions, via ESPN).
Some players missed high expectations the most this season, and may have been the difference between a successful and unsuccessful season for some fantasy managers.
One of those players was Christian McCaffrey, RB, San Francisco 49ers. (ADP: 1). Coming off a rushing title, Super Bowl Appearance, and an Offensive Player of the Year Award in 2023, it was widely expected McCaffrey would retake his throne as the best player in fantasy football, but a series of injuries held him out until week 10. He played only 4 games in the 2024-2025 season, averaging only 12 points until he was put on IR for the remainder of the season after a torn PCL in a week 13 loss against the Buffalo Bills.
Another player who was at the very top of the fantasy board following a stellar 2023-2024 season was Tyreek Hill, WR, Miami Dolphins (ADP: 5). Following his WR best fantasy football season, Hill was expected to have yet another dominant season. But injuries to QB Tua Tagovalioa, and general inconsistencies within the offense created a lackluster season for Hill, who wasn’t able to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the first time since the 2019-2020 season.
Next up, Travis Etienne, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars (ADP: 17). Showing his diversity on the ground and out of the backfield in 2023, he was a coveted draft pick in this year’s draft. Unfortunately, the Jaguars diverted to a pass heavy system, and Etienne’s receiving touches went down along with his rushing attempts. He had a very underwhelming season, averaging only 8.7 points per game
Another extreme disappointment, producing little to no fantasy points was Chris Olave, WR, New Orleans Saints (ADP: 18). A fairly consistent receiver and a clear cut WR1 on the Saints, Olave was a trustworthy pick coming into the year. Unfortunately, he surpassed over 5 points in only 5 of his 9 games, going for -0.5 in a game, before he was eventually injured for the remainder of the season.
Another player who did not meet expectations was Michael Pittman Jr WR, Indianapolis Colts (ADP: 19) Following a career best year, with over 100 receptions and 1000 yards, Pittman was expected to blossom once again with the return of the promising QB Anthony Richardson, but back injuries and an unstable QB room and passing game plagued Pittman’s season.
Coming in as one of the most touted WR’s in NFL Draft History was Marvin Harrison Jr, WR, Arizona Cardinals (ADP: 22.) Harrison disappointed only averaging 11.6 points per game.
Expectations were high, but Anthony Richardson, QB, Indianapolis Colts (ADP: 58), had a very disappointing season. After an injury filled rookie campaign in which he had a phenomenal short fantasy stint, Richardson had huge fantasy expectations with his rushing capabilities, but his ball security and league worst completion percentage led to his benching and a lackluster fantasy season.
The last disappointment was Zamir White RB, Las Vegas Raiders (ADP: 66) Expected to take over as Vegas’ clear cut RB1 following the departure of Josh Jacobs, Zamir White was practically a no show and flew off Las Vegas’ depth chart, averaging only 3.7 points per game.
Some players, while having high expectations or not, had great seasons, and proved to be very crucial pieces to a successful fantasy team.
Among these players was especially Ja’Marr Case WR, Cincinnati Bengals (ADP: 7). His holdout in preseason made many fantasy managers nervous, but Chase became only the 6th WR ever to win the Triple Crown, cementing a historic fantasy season.
Similar to Chase, Saquon Barkley, RB, Philadelphia Eagles (ADP: 10), had a season that was nearly one for the record books. In his first season with the Eagles, many feared his touchdown capabilities would be stolen by the “tush push”, but Barkley finished just 100 yards shy of the all-time rushing record, held by Erik Dickerson.
Entering his second year, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks (ADP:72). Despite his position as WR3, Smith-Njigba performed like the unanimous WR1on the Seahawks, with 100 catches and over 1100 yards, and a prow bowl appearance in a breakout fantasy season.
The next breakthrough fantasy performer of the year was Ladd McConkey WR, LA Chargers (ADP: 94). Entering the season as a rookie, questions to who would emerge as WR1 on the Chargers were prevalent, and McConkey broke out, taking the title by storm.
Similar to McConkey, WR Brian Thomas Jr, Jacksonville Jaguars (ADP: 96), broke onto the scene in his rookie year as an elite WR1 for any fantasy team. On a team with very little promise, the rookie proved to be a slam dunk pick in the first round posting well over 1000 yards with a messy QB room.
For Chase Brown RB, Cincinnati Bengals (ADP: 103), it was a slow start, but a monstrous finish to his season. Expected to split carries with Zack Moss, Chase Brown blossomed, scoring 10 TDs in his first starting campaign.
Similar to Barkley and Ja’Marr Chase, Brock Bowers, TE, Las Vegas Raiders (ADP: 111), also had a very strong season. Coming into his rookie season as one of the most talented TE’s the NFL Draft has ever seen, Brock Bowers did not disappoint, breaking the single season receiving yards NFL rookie record.
On a team with little expectations, Chuba Hubbard, RB, Carolina Panthers (ADP: 115) broke onto the scene as their star RB of the future. Expected to share touches with talented rookie Jonathan Brooks, Hubbard was Rb14 despite missing 2 games.
For this next player, the offseason was a mess, but his play on the field was not. Jerry Jeudy WR, Cleveland Browns (ADP: 125) After demanding out in a messy ending with the Broncos, Jeudy was WR11 in his first season in Cleveland despite disappointing QB play.
With an established running back already in Tampa, little to nothing was expected of Bucky Irving, RB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: 145). Coming into his rookie season as a 4th round pick, Irving earned the majority of carries and became a household name, rushing for over 1100 yards on only just over 200 carries.
