Welcome to the Fantasy Points Brain Trust — your weekly destination for expert takes from some of the sharpest minds in fantasy football. Each week, our team of writers and content creators will tackle some of the biggest questions in the game — giving you actionable insights to dominate your 2025 drafts and win your fantasy leagues.
In fantasy football, every season is different. There are new league winners, ADP busts, and sleepers who rise up and enter lineups. But despite the unique nature of this game of ours, history often finds a way of repeating itself. Situations are mirrored, and a player’s performance can closely resemble that of someone from a previous season.
One of the most popular ways to identify these parallels is by asking: “Who is this year’s version of…” — whether it’s based on ADP, team role, or projected usage. These comparisons help us spot players in 2025 who remind us of breakouts (or busts) from 2024, 2023, or even earlier seasons.
This Week’s Topic: Who is your favorite “This year’s version of…” in Fantasy Football 2025? We asked our staff, including Tom Brolley, Scott Barrett, and John Hansen, for their picks.
ADP Data from FFPC Big Gorilla $350 entry redraft leagues. All ADP Data courtesy of FantasyMojo.com, supporting every FFPC Format including Dynasty, Redraft, and Best Ball.
This year’s version of David Montgomery is Jordan Mason, RB, Minnesota Vikings
ADP: 86 overall
A running back joins an NFC North team, steps into one of the league’s best offenses, and takes his fantasy production to another level—putting up high-end RB2 numbers despite the presence of another high-scoring back. We’ve seen this story before. David Montgomery knocked on the door of RB1 territory for two consecutive seasons in Detroit during the Ben Johnson offensive fireworks era, following four solid (albeit unspectacular) years in Chicago.
History may repeat itself this season. Jordan Mason was traded to the Vikings this offseason without much fanfare, but slowly, more and more drafters are gravitating toward what could be an intriguing and potentially high-scoring situation. He’ll have to compete with Aaron Jones for touches, but there’s plenty to like. Jones is 31 years old—and Father Time is undefeated. At just 25, Mason could establish himself as the Vikings’ lead back heading into 2026.
He’ll benefit from running behind one of the league’s best offensive lines, plus the added bonus of Josh Oliver — one of the NFL’s premier blocking tight ends. Mason ranked fifth in the league in 20+ yard runs (9 total) despite logging only 153 carries, and 24.2% of his rush attempts resulted in first downs. We’ve seen backs like Raheem Mostert, Jamaal Williams, and LeGarrette Blount lead the league in rushing TDs while facing backfield competition—and all crushed their ADPs.
Draft some Jordan Mason this season… and enjoy the breakout.
- Theo Gremminger
BONUS: This year’s version of 2023 CeeDee Lamb is CeeDee Lamb, WR, Dallas Cowboys
ADP: 5 overall
We haven’t had a multiple-time WR1 finisher in quite some time — but CeeDee Lamb could make it two in three years. The stars are aligning for another smash season in Dallas. Lamb has been wildly productive for multiple seasons, with three straight campaigns of at least 101 catches and 1,194 yards.
Everything came together in 2023, when Lamb edged out Tyreek Hill to finish as the WR1 for the first time in his career. He averaged 23.7 PPG, led the NFL in catches and targets (181!), and finished second in both receiving yards and touchdowns.
Last year, the Cowboys’ offense regressed. Dak Prescott played only eight games, and Lamb’s production dipped — his PPG average fell to 17.6. But with Prescott fully healthy, there’s renewed optimism in Dallas’ passing attack. The addition of George Pickens adds another explosive element, which should keep defenses honest and allow Lamb to thrive.
Expect Lamb to command an alpha-level target share (at least 27% for three straight seasons), while the presence of Pickens should push his slot rate above 45%. Prescott and Lamb have already connected for 33 touchdowns in 57 career games—a number that should climb significantly this year.
Unlike last season, when drafters had to spend a top-three pick to get him, Lamb’s ADP is now locked in the mid-first round. At that price, he could once again become what he was in 2023: a league winner.
