CeeDee Lamb, Jahmyr Gibbs or Saquon Barkley: Who to draft in first round of Fantasy Football drafts in 2025?

As fantasy managers prepare for the 2025 season, three elite players are dominating first-round conversations.

According to Sportskeeda’s Fantasy Football Analyzer, Dallas wide receiver CeeDee Lamb (348.4 PPR points), Detroit running back Jahmyr Gibbs (339.3), and Philadelphia running back Saquon Barkley (316.1) stand out as top-tier selections.

CeeDee Lamb's Fantasy Outlook

NFL: Dallas Cowboys Training Camp - Source: Imagn

Before Dak Prescott’s midseason hamstring injury, CeeDee Lamb averaged 18.9 points per game in PPR leagues, ranking fourth among all wide receivers behind only Ja’Marr Chase, Justin Jefferson and Chris Godwin. Once Prescott went down, Lamb’s production dropped to 16.5 points per game, tied with Terry McLaurin for 14th among receivers.

Dallas’s offensive efficiency also contributed to the dip. The Cowboys averaged 6.1 plays per drive, 29.3 net yards per drive, and 1.71 points per drive in 2024.

However, Prescott is back at full health, and the addition of George Pickens should pull defensive attention away from Lamb, making the receiver’s ceiling exceptionally high.

Jahmyr Gibbs' Fantasy Outlook

Syndication: Detroit Free Press - Source: Imagn

In 2024, Jahmyr Gibbs averaged 21.4 points per game in PPR drafts and had nine top-10 finishes, proving his value week in and week out. His workload also grew significantly, from 182 rushing attempts in 2023 to 250 last season.

He's among only a handful (along with LaDainian Tomlinson) of running backs who had two or more seasons with 50+ receptions, at least 10 rushing touchdowns, and a five-yard-per-carry average.

Even in games where he had sporadic touches or the team was script-restricted, such as in their Thanksgiving Day blowout over Chicago, he produced over 100 scrimmage yards.

Saquon Barkley's Fantasy Outlook

NFL: Cleveland Browns at Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Imagn

Saquon Barkley registered one of the most impressive seasons in NFL history, amassing over 2,000 rushing yards and leading Philadelphia to a Super Bowl victory. He broke his personal high in both overall gain average and 10-plus yard runs across 345 attempts.. Long-distance plays alone contributed nearly 63 fantasy points, outpacing Jonathan Taylor and Derrick Henry.

CeeDee Lamb, Jahmyr Gibbs or Saquon Barkley: Who should I draft in Fantasy Football 2025?

Sportskeeda’s projections place Lamb slightly ahead of Gibbs by 9.1 points and well above Saquon Barkley by 32.3 points. For managers prioritizing quarterback stability and wide receiver opportunity, Lamb presents the highest ceiling. However, running back scarcity may justify selecting Gibbs first, particularly in PPR leagues.