In July, we analyzed draft dilemmas among running back and wide receiver tiers for 2025 fantasy football drafts. Now that we're at crunch time, let's pit specific running backs and wide receivers against each other to see how they compare.
There are some excellent options in the second round. But who should you draft: Drake London or Bucky Irving? Each brings a different blend of upside, risk and context. Making the right call is a high-leverage fantasy decision, and one we practice for on the mock draft simulator that is part of the RotoWire draft kit.
By using that tool and others you get in the fantasy football draft kit at RotoWire, you'll be in great shape come draft day.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (ADP: 18)
Drake London found his rhythm late in 2024, closing with 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 catches. He dominated over his final six games, averaging 94 yards on 11.3 targets, and immediately clicked with rookie quarterback Michael Penix.
In the final three weeks with Penix, London averaged 117 yards and 0.67 touchdowns on 13 targets per game. He also ranked in the 90th percentile in team air yards share, reinforcing his alpha role in Atlanta's passing game.
But the early season production was inconsistent; London had just one 100-yard game through Week 16 and was held to less than six catches seven times. The volume spiked once Penix took over, and the gamble is that volume/production remain.
The bottom line
In July, we analyzed draft dilemmas among running back and wide receiver tiers for 2025 fantasy football drafts. Now that we're at crunch time, let's pit specific running backs and wide receivers against each other to see how they compare.
There are some excellent options in the second round. But who should you draft: Drake London or Bucky Irving? Each brings a different blend of upside, risk and context. Making the right call is a high-leverage fantasy decision, and one we practice for on the mock draft simulator that is part of the RotoWire draft kit.
By using that tool and others you get in the fantasy football draft kit at RotoWire, you'll be in great shape come draft day.
Drake London, Atlanta Falcons (ADP: 18)
Drake London found his rhythm late in 2024, closing with 1,271 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 catches. He dominated over his final six games, averaging 94 yards on 11.3 targets, and immediately clicked with rookie quarterback Michael Penix.
In the final three weeks with Penix, London averaged 117 yards and 0.67 touchdowns on 13 targets per game. He also ranked in the 90th percentile in team air yards share, reinforcing his alpha role in Atlanta's passing game.
But the early season production was inconsistent; London had just one 100-yard game through Week 16 and was held to less than six catches seven times. The volume spiked once Penix took over, and the gamble is that volume/production remain.
The bottom line: London has strong WR1 upside tied to his growing connection with Penix. He offers a great blend of role, draft pedigree and QB chemistry.
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Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (ADP: 22)
Bucky Irving exploded late in 2024, averaging 19 carries and more than 13.3 PPR points in each of his final eight full games. He racked up 1,132 rushing yards and showed elite efficiency across the board, ranking 88th percentile in broken tackles, 96th percentile in yards after contact and 93rd percentile in yards after the catch after taking over receiving-back duty midseason.
His breakout was aided by ideal conditions — a favorable offensive scheme and an uptick in opportunity after Rachaad White faded. With offensive coordinator Liam Coen no longer in Tampa Bay, it's possible the Buccaneers' offense takes a step back. A regression in scheme or usage could limit Irving's ability to live up to his RB9 NFL fantasy ADP.
Still, if Irving's second-half surge was a true reflection of his talent, he could make this ADP look like a steal. His all-around skill set and potential three-down role give him plenty of paths to smash expectations.
The bottom line: Irving is worth drafting at ADP 22 if you believe his breakout was real. But with an uncertain scheme or guaranteed volume, he's more volatile than his ADP suggests.
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