The 2025 NFL season produced standout performances from several players, with their contributions to fantasy football often diverging from their PFF (Pro Football Focus) grades. This analysis focuses on how elite athletes like Matthew Stafford and Jaxson Dart have balanced fantasy success against their PFF evaluations, revealing insights for fantasy managers heading into the offseason.
PFF’s grading system evaluates each player’s contributions by analyzing their performance on every play. This method provides fantasy managers with vital scores that can inform drafting and waiver wire decisions. The following assessment highlights notable performers who either exceeded or fell short of their PFF grades during the 2025 season, utilizing data from Weeks 1-17 in half-point-per-reception (half-PPR) formats.
Quarterback Performances
Jaxson Dart, playing for the New York Giants, completed the season as the QB14, achieving nine QB1 finishes, including four in the top five. Despite this success, his PFF offense grade of 70.2 placed him 27th among 37 quarterbacks with at least 400 offensive snaps. Dart’s ability to rush significantly influenced his fantasy output, as he excelled in dual-threat scenarios. In Week 18, he earned an overall QB8 fantasy finish, further emphasizing his potential as a high-end QB1 moving forward.
Dart’s statistics paint a nuanced picture: he ranked 29th in yards per passing attempt at 6.7 and 27th in accuracy percentage at 59.6%. However, his rushing prowess was evident, as he scored rushing touchdowns in seven of his nine QB1 weekly finishes. Among quarterbacks, he ranked fifth in yards per rushing attempt at 5.7 and placed third in first-down or touchdown rates at 44.2%. These metrics illustrate that while Dart’s overall PFF score may not fully capture his impact, his unique skill set enables him to deliver elite fantasy results.
In contrast, Matthew Stafford of the Los Angeles Rams leveraged Week 18 to solidify his standing, finishing as the QB2 in season-long scoring by recording his fourth game with four or more passing touchdowns. Stafford’s PFF passing grade of 93.3 ranked first among quarterbacks, validating his exceptional performance. His season statistics included 4,707 passing yards and a league-leading 46 passing touchdowns. While his mobility was limited—he rushed 32 times for zero yards—his passing efficiency allowed him to thrive in fantasy football, showing a clear alignment between his PFF grade and fantasy success.
Wide Receiver Insights
Wide receiver Courtland Sutton of the Denver Broncos finished the season as the overall WR9, despite a PFF receiving grade of 77.6, which placed him 20th among receivers with at least 85 targets. Sutton’s role as a downfield possession receiver enabled him to surpass his PFF assessment, catching 73 of 118 targets for 1,012 yards and seven touchdowns. While he has demonstrated his capability to produce strong fantasy numbers, his underlying metrics suggest a potential decline in the 2026 season.
In contrast, Alec Pierce of the Indianapolis Colts made significant strides in Week 18, finishing as WR24 after an overall WR2 performance. With a PFF receiving grade of 81.0, he ranked 14th among receivers with at least 80 targets. Despite being ensnared in a volatile downfield role, Pierce excelled in key metrics, such as a 20.1 average depth of target (aDot) and a 38.1% contested catch rate. His performance indicates that a change in role could unlock even greater fantasy potential in 2026.
Running Back Analysis
On the running back front, Christian McCaffrey of the San Francisco 49ers concluded the season as the overall RB1, despite his PFF offense grade of 79.4, which ranks 11th among running backs with at least 175 touches. McCaffrey’s impressive touch volume, totaling 399, coupled with his exceptional receiving metrics, underlines his fantasy dominance. He led the league in targets, receptions, and receiving yards, generating a 91.6 PFF receiving grade.
While McCaffrey’s rushing metrics have dipped slightly, his ability to contribute as a receiver remains unparalleled, allowing him to maintain elite fantasy production. His overall performance illustrates the strong correlation between a player’s workload and their fantasy output, suggesting that high volume can offset less impressive efficiency metrics.
The analysis of these players reveals the complexity of translating PFF grades into fantasy football performance. Each athlete’s unique skills and team dynamics play a crucial role in their fantasy contributions. As the 2026 season approaches, understanding these nuances will be essential for fantasy managers looking to build competitive teams.
