Today, we’re breaking down the best value picks for division winners. Choosing division champs is one of the smartest ways to turn a small wager into a big payday. These three teams stand out as strong value plays for sports pickers.

Minnesota Vikings: NFC North (+280)

The Vikings caught a lot of people off guard in 2024, finishing 14-3 and falling just one game short of a division title. This year, they return a defense that ranked fifth in points allowed, second in rushing yards allowed, and third in fewest 10-plus yard runs. They also signed Jonathan Allen to a three-year, $60 million contract to strengthen an already strong front.

On offense, the Vikings are moving forward with second-year quarterback JJ McCarthy, replacing Sam Darnold. McCarthy, the 10th overall pick in 2024, missed last season due to a torn meniscus in the preseason. Now fully healthy, he should elevate the offense. He will have plenty of help, with a stacked wide receiver room and the addition of Jordan Mason in the backfield to handle short-yardage and goal-line situations.

With improvements on both sides of the ball, the Vikings offer strong value at +280 to win the NFC North.

Kansas City Chiefs: AFC West (-110)

Another strong NFL pick is the Kansas City Chiefs to win the AFC West. Kansas City has won the division nine years in a row, and there is no real reason to expect that streak to end anytime soon.

The team’s biggest offseason move was signing offensive tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year deal. While Moore served mostly as a backup in San Francisco, he brings depth and experience to an offensive line that struggled at times last season.

The Chiefs kept most of their core intact from a team that went 15-2 in 2024. On defense, Chris Jones remains one of the most dominant linemen in the league. In the secondary, Trent McDuffie is one of the top corners in the NFL. 

Offensively, they return superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and a loaded group of skill players, including Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce, Xavier Worthy, and Hollywood Brown. Isiah Pacheco is back from an injury that slowed him last year, and he will split time with Kareem Hunt, who signed to return to Kansas City this offseason. Rookie wideouts Breshard Smith and Jalen Royals could also impact what might be the most dangerous offense in the league.

Los Angeles Rams: NFC West (+180)

The Rams come into the season with the second-best odds to win the NFC West, trailing only the 49ers. That makes them one of the better value NFL picks among division winners. Los Angeles returns much of the team that won the division last year with a 10-7 record.

Most experts predicted the defense would fall apart after Aaron Donald retired at the end of the 2023 season. Instead, the Rams ended up around the middle of the pack in key categories like points and yards allowed. The defense lacks big-name talent, but their committee approach worked and should continue to keep them competitive.

On offense, the Rams could be among the best in the NFL. They signed Davante Adams in the offseason, pairing him with rising star Puka Nacua. That duo is easily the top three in the league. Veteran quarterback Matthew Stafford may be aging, but with weapons like Adams, Nacua, running back Kyren Williams, and rookie tight end Terrance Ferguson, this offense has serious upside.

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Q: Why are the Vikings a top value pick this season?
They nearly won the division last year and return a lockdown defense plus a healthy, dynamic offense led by JJ McCarthy.

Q: Can the Chiefs keep their AFC West streak alive?
With Mahomes, a stacked offense, and a strong defense, Kansas City is the favorite to win the AFC West again.

Q: What’s the outlook for the Rams this season?
Despite losing Aaron Donald, their defense stayed solid. Offensively, they boast weapons like Davante Adams and Matthew Stafford for big plays.

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The post Best 2025 NFL Picks for Division Winners appeared first on BullRush.

Have you been doing any mocks? If not, it’s not too late! Below, I’ll break down a mock NFL fantasy draft I participated in with other fantasy football experts using one of my favorite platforms. 

Fantasy Mock Draft Settings

This mock NFL fantasy draft followed the format of a 10-team, PPR scoring league. I drafted from the 1.10 position. The starting lineup included one quarterback, two running backs, two wide receivers, one tight end, and two FLEX spots. For those unfamiliar, the FLEX position can be filled by a running back, wide receiver, or tight end. The draft was 13 rounds in total. Follow along as I walk through each pick and explain my strategy.

Round 1: Christian McCaffrey

Christian McCaffrey had an injury-plagued 2024 season, which is likely why he was available at the end of the first round. When I draft, I want high-upside players who can win my league. McCaffrey fits that mold perfectly, having finished as a top-three running back four times in his career. At 1.10, he felt like a risk worth taking.

Round 2: Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry has dominated for the past six seasons, finishing as a top-10 running back every year except 2021, when he played only eight games due to injury. Now with Lamar Jackson in Baltimore, Henry put up 1,921 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns in 2024. As my RB2, that’s a home run.

Round 3: Trey McBride

My original plan was to get back-to-back wide receivers in Rounds 3 and 4, but that changed when I saw Trey McBride still on the board. In most fantasy football leagues, McBride typically goes in the late second or early third round, so this was a steal. He finished as the TE2 in 2024 despite catching only two touchdowns. He could easily be one of my most valuable players if that number jumps to six or more.

Round 4: Tyreek Hill

For my comp, I needed to secure a top-tier wide receiver, and I did just that with Dolphins WR Tyreek Hill. He had a tough 2024, dealing with injuries and off-field issues, but let’s not forget he was a top-10 wide receiver in six of the previous seven seasons. With Tua back healthy, Hill is poised to bounce back.

Rounds 5 and 6: Davante Adams and Courtland Sutton

Coming into Round 5, I realized I only have one receiver on my roster. That changed quickly as I grabbed Davante Adams, now with the Rams, and Courtland Sutton. Both could be their teams’ top receiving options in what should be upper-half offenses. Grabbing two potential WR1s this late was an easy decision.

Rounds 7 and 8: Tetairoa McMillan and Calvin Ridley

To keep the train rolling, I drafted Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers) and Calvin Ridley (Titans). Both are projected as the top targets in their respective offenses. I prefer to fill FLEX spots with wide receivers in full PPR formats, and these two give me big-time weekly upside.

Rounds 9 and 10: Jordan Mason and Bo Nix

At the turn, I wanted to shore up my RB and QB depth. I needed another option at running back with McCaffery and Henry being older. Jordan Mason joins the Vikings after starting in San Francisco before getting hurt. If Aaron Jones misses time, Mason could be a league-winner.

With my next pick, I addressed quarterback by drafting Bo Nix (Broncos). I love stacking players, so pairing Nix with Sutton gives me that QB-WR connection with massive upside.

Rounds 11, 12, & 13: Tre Harris, Javonte Williams, and Dak Prescott

The focus here is on high-upside players in favorable situations to close out the draft. That’s why I grabbed Tre Harris and Javonte Williams at the 11/12 turn. Harris, a second-round rookie out of Ole Miss, looks to take over as the WR2 in a solid Chargers offense. Williams is coming off a disappointing year, but he’s got the first crack at the RB1 role in Dallas. If he holds onto it, getting him in the 12th round could be the best value of the mock fantasy draft.

With my final pick, I locked in Dak Prescott. While I like Nix, there’s always a risk with young quarterbacks. Prescott is a proven veteran, finishing as a top-10 QB in every healthy season. As my QB2, he’s a perfect safety net.

Lock In on Social Media

Looking at the overall team comp, I’m pleased with the balance and depth of this team. At quarterback, I landed Nix and Prescott. My running backs are McCaffrey, Henry, Mason, and Williams. My wide receiver room is deep with Hill, Adams, Sutton, McMillan, Ridley, and Harris. At tight end, I landed a top-tier option in McBride.

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FAQs

Q: Why bother with mock drafts?
Because winging it on draft day is how you lose your league. Mock drafts help you test strategies, scout value picks, and avoid panic picks when the clock’s ticking.

Q: What’s a PPR league again?
PPR = Point Per Reception. Every catch your player makes adds a point. WRs and pass-catching RBs get a big boost in this format.

Q: Drafting late in a 10-team league: good or bad?
It’s not where you draft, it’s how you draft. Picking at the turn gives you the power to stack elite talent. Just be ready to zig when others zag.

Q: What’s this NFL Survivor?
It’s our 20-week pick’em comp. One-time $100 deposit, 100k fantasy bankroll, and a shot at $50,000. Pick games, props, overs/unders, outsmart the pack, win big.

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