In 2025, fantasy football analysts have more statistics at their disposal than ever before. But despite the volume of available information, there are still players who are so polarizing that the brightest minds can’t agree on their projections. Here are seven players who have the widest range of projections from the companies who contribute to Yahoo Fantasy Plus.
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Saquon Barkley, Eagles
FTN projection: 243.33
Rotowire projection: 280.5
THE Blitz projection: 208.81
Why Barkley is polarizing: We know what a perfect season from Barkley looks like, since we saw it when he collected 2,283 scrimmage yards and 15 TDs last season. Anything similar to a repeat of the 2024 campaign will put the Penn State alum in the pole position to be the No. 1 fantasy asset. The pieces are in place to make it happen, as the Eagles are loaded with offensive talent and Barkley is a generational rusher. However, the eight players who previously recorded a 2,000-yard rushing season all finished with fewer than 1,500 rushing yards the following year. And half of them failed to reach 1,200 yards.
Verdict: Not only did Barkley log an eye-popping workload during the regular season, but he was also heavily used during the Eagles' Super Bowl run. The guess here is that the Eagles lessen his workload this season, and he disappoints those who are drafting him at his Yahoo ADP of 2.7.
Ashton Jeanty, Raiders
FTN projection: 258.71
Rotowire projection: 247
TEE Blitz projection: 192.74
Why Jeanty is polarizing: For starters, Jeanty is being drafted in the first round of fantasy drafts before playing his first NFL game. The rookie is coming off a memorable college career and is considered one of the top RB prospects in recent years. Playing RB tends to be a young man’s game, as there are many examples of rookies who have posted memorable stat lines. But Jeanty will be tasked with leading a Raiders' running game that finished last in the NFL last season and failed to produce a 500-yard rusher.
Verdict: Jeanty is going to be an immediate stud. His Yahoo ADP of pick 12.1 will prove to be too low, as the freshman has virtually no competition for carries and will receive plenty of targets in a passing game that should improve with Geno Smith under center and Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator.
Tyreek Hill/Jaylen Waddle, Dolphins
FTN projection: 166.85/152.26
Rotowire projection: 222.5/171.5
THE Blitz projection: 173.92/124.58
Why Hill and Waddle are polarizing: Polarizing could be Hill’s middle name, as he is one of the most talented players in the NFL and is coming off a tumultuous 2024 season that included a brush with the law, a sour attitude and disappointing performance. Add in the health risks associated with Dolphins QB Tua Tagovailoa, and there are plenty of ways that Hill could disappoint. On the flip side, Tagovailoa has been a prolific passer at times and could have great chemistry with Hill.
Waddle is somewhat along for the ride with his presence in this article, as his projections are heavily influenced by whether or not Hill remains happy and healthy all season.
Verdict: With a deep pool of WR options, Hill feels like a risk that isn’t worth taking this year. Conversely, Waddle is a solid value at his Yahoo ADP (67.8). He has a solid floor and could receive a large target share if Hill falls out of favor.
Tetairoa McMillan/Emeka Egbuka, Panthers/Bucs
FTN projection: 157.08/115.29
Rotowire projection: 177/147.5
THE Blitz projection: 132.87/118.69
Why McMillan and Egbuka are polarizing: As is the situation with Jeanty, it is difficult to project rookies. McMillan should be the alpha WR in Carolina, but the quality of the passing attack is up for debate, as QB Bryce Young was benched at times last year but finished strong. Egbuka is in a safer situation, as the Bucs already have a productive passing attack. But the projected target share for the Ohio State alum is up for debate, due to an uncertain timeline for Chris Godwin to return from his 2024 ankle injury.
Verdict: At their current Yahoo ADP (McMillan, 74.2; Egbuka, 98.6), these rookies are excellent value picks. They both have a good chance for 1,000-yard seasons, and it’s hard to see either one of them falling well short of that benchmark.
Isiah Pacheco, Chiefs
FTN projection: 168.9
Rotowire projection: 163.5
THE Blitz projection: 120.0
Why Pacheco is polarizing: As the lead back in one of football’s best offenses, Pacheco has plenty of upside. After all, he accumulated 1,179 scrimmage yards and nine TDs in 14 games in 2023. However, Pacheco suffered a fractured fibula in Week 2 last year and didn’t look like himself after returning on Nov. 29. If he doesn’t regain his peak form, head coach Andy Reid has options in veteran Kareem Hunt, offseason signee Elijah Mitchell and rookie Brashard Smith.
Verdict: This backfield feels too crowded for a significant draft investment making Pacheco someone to avoid at his current ADP of 64.7. D’Andre Swift and Aaron Jones are better options who are drafted later.
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