In the thrilling world of **fantasy football**, few topics ignite more passionate discussions than the most **polarizing players**—those whose values swing wildly, sparking debates among experts and fans alike. These players often become the cornerstone of your fantasy squad, influencing whether you emerge as a contender or become a pretender.
In this article, we’ve gathered insights from our esteemed Featured Pros to dissect key players with a high standard deviation in rankings. From breakout stars you should target to risky selections you may want to avoid, our experts unveil their perspectives on who to draft and who to pass. Let’s dive into the most debated names as we gear up for the **2025 fantasy football season**!
Polarizing Fantasy Football Players: Draft or Pass?
Controversial Running Backs: Who to Trust?
Let’s focus on one running back with a high standard deviation that stands out this season.
Isiah Pacheco (RB – KC)
“Isiah Pacheco dazzled as the RB10 in fantasy points per game during the 2023 season. Although he battled a nagging injury last year, his current health suggests a strong comeback is on the horizon. Playing in one of the NFL’s premier offenses, Pacheco stands to benefit significantly from having Patrick Mahomes as his quarterback, particularly when it comes to goal-line opportunities. I truly believe Pacheco has the potential to be a **high-end RB2** with weekly RB1 upside.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)
Controversial Wide Receivers: The Case for Caution
Which wide receiver with a high standard deviation should you be wary of?
Jalen McMillan (WR – TB)
“Although Jalen McMillan earns a consensus ranking of WR55, which implies he’s worth drafting, I find it hard to envision him carving out a **fantasy-relevant role** this season. With both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin healthy and the addition of first-round pick Emeka Egbuka, McMillan’s path to relevance looks bleak. Scoring eight touchdowns as a rookie was impressive, but seven were during the final five games after Godwin’s injury. Averaging only 1.22 yards per route run doesn’t indicate a player on the verge of stardom. My advice? **Avoid wasting a draft pick** on him.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
Controversial Tight Ends: A Hidden Gem?
Who’s the tight end with a high standard deviation you should consider?
Zach Ertz (TE – WAS)
“If I decide to punt the tight end position during the draft and wait until the later rounds, Zach Ertz will likely be my target. While the 34-year-old might not receive much hype, he finished as TE7 in PPR scoring last season and had a fantastic finish, averaging **13.5 PPR points per game** from Week 11 onward. In Washington’s playoff loss to Philadelphia, he recorded 11 catches for 104 yards. Ertz developed a solid rapport with young quarterback Jayden Daniels in 2024, making it reasonable to expect similar performance from him in 2025, provided he remains healthy.”
– Pat Fitzmaurice (FantasyPros)
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