In the world of fantasy football, the quarterback (QB) position is always a focal point, and the debate over the top QB for the 2025 season is heating up. A bold projection from Sports Illustrated has sent shockwaves through the fantasy community, asserting that Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen is poised to reclaim the top fantasy QB crown, surpassing Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL MVP. This article analyzes the reasoning behind this surprising projection, examining the recent performances of both QBs, roster changes, and the potential impact on fantasy drafts.
Josh Allen’s Stellar Performance
Josh Allen, fresh off winning the 2024 NFL MVP award, has established himself as one of the league’s most versatile quarterbacks. His pinpoint passing combined with his rushing prowess makes him a true dual-threat QB. In the 2024 season, Allen recorded 3,731 passing yards, 28 passing touchdowns, and just 6 interceptions. Additionally, he has 65 rushing touchdowns in his career, more than any other QB in their first seven NFL seasons.
Allen’s consistent ability to rack up fantasy points through both passing and rushing makes him a top-tier option in fantasy football. According to Sports Illustrated’s Michael Fabiano, Allen is projected to be the first QB selected in most 2025 redraft fantasy leagues, thanks to his ability to produce massive stat lines even without elite receiving options.
Lamar Jackson: A Formidable Rival
Lamar Jackson, with two NFL MVP awards (2019 and 2023), has long been a fantasy football juggernaut due to his explosive playstyle. In 2024, Jackson threw for over 4,000 yards, notched 40+ passing touchdowns, and had only 4 interceptions. His signature rushing ability continues to torment opposing defenses, solidifying his status as one of the top fantasy QBs.
However, Sports Illustrated’s projection suggests that Jackson may be overtaken by Allen in the 2025 fantasy rankings. Part of the reasoning lies in Allen’s consistency in navigating roster challenges and his ability to maximize limited resources, something the Buffalo Bills have faced in recent seasons.
Roster Changes and Their Impact
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills enter the 2025 season with questions surrounding the offensive weapons around Allen. The addition of only Joshua Palmer at wide receiver and a lack of significant investment in pass-catchers during the 2025 NFL Draft have led some analysts to worry that the Bills are overly reliant on Allen. However, Allen has proven he can carry the offense, as evidenced in 2024 when he led the Bills to their fifth consecutive AFC East title despite losing key receivers.
Recent trade proposals and draft buzz suggest the Bills may add a speedy wide receiver from the SEC, such as Texas Longhorns’ Matthew Golden, who boasts an impressive 4.29-second 40-yard dash time. If successful, this could further elevate Allen’s fantasy potential.
Baltimore Ravens
Meanwhile, the Baltimore Ravens continue to build their roster around Jackson’s unique skill set. The Ravens’ offense is designed to maximize Jackson’s rushing and quick-passing abilities, with support from players like Mark Andrews and Zay Flowers. However, the predictability of some of Baltimore’s offensive plays may pose challenges against well-prepared defenses, potentially impacting Jackson’s fantasy output.
Why Josh Allen Is Projected to Prevail
Consistency and Durability: Allen has not missed a single game since becoming the Bills’ starting QB in 2018. His ability to maintain elite performance, even in challenging seasons, gives him an edge in fantasy football, where consistency is key.
Diverse Scoring Ability: With over 40 combined passing and rushing touchdowns in five consecutive seasons, Allen is a scoring machine. His ability to earn additional points via rushing sets him apart from QBs who primarily rely on passing.
Winning Mindset: After securing the 2024 NFL MVP and signing a 6-year, $330 million contract extension with $250 million guaranteed, Allen is at the peak of his confidence. Driven by the goal of leading the Bills to a Super Bowl, his motivation could translate into explosive on-field performances.
Roster Dynamics: While the Ravens boast a more balanced roster, the Bills’ reliance on Allen forces him to take on a larger role, leading to more opportunities to accumulate stats—a critical factor in fantasy football.
Impact on Fantasy Drafts
With this projection, fantasy football players should consider targeting Allen in the earliest rounds of 2025 drafts. His high scoring ceiling and reliability make him a safer pick compared to Jackson, who may face competition from emerging QBs like Justin Fields or Cam Ward. However, drafters should monitor Buffalo’s offseason moves to bolster their receiving corps, as this could further boost Allen’s fantasy value.
Conversely, Jackson remains a high-end QB1 option, particularly in leagues that reward rushing yards heavily. However, injury risks and reliance on rushing may cause some drafters to hesitate when compared to Allen’s durability.
Conclusion
The projection that Josh Allen will reclaim the top fantasy QB crown from Lamar Jackson is a bold claim, but it is backed by Allen’s recent dominance, adaptability to roster challenges, and versatile playstyle. While Jackson remains a formidable contender, Allen’s consistency and scoring potential position him as the frontrunner for the 2025 fantasy crown. As the season approaches, fantasy players should closely track roster updates and offensive schemes for both the Bills and Ravens to make informed draft decisions.