Almost every year, dynasty fantasy players overvalue rookie picks. However, everyone agrees that the 2025 draft class is significantly weaker than the ones in 2024 and 2023. Yet, the hype will pick up around these prospects as we get closer to the NFL Draft. While talent is the most important factor when evaluating a player, their landing spot plays a critical role, too.
Until the draft happens, we won’t know where these players will land. That’s the biggest reason fantasy leagues shouldn’t do a rookie draft until after the NFL Draft. As elite of a talent a player may be, they can’t score fantasy points if they aren’t on the field. Furthermore, they can’t score fantasy points if the quarterback struggles to complete a pass or the offensive line fails to block.
Much will change between today and the NFL Draft in late April. However, let’s look at the early pre-draft dynasty rookie draft ADP for superflex leagues and examine some takeaways.
- 2025 NFL Draft Guide
- 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
- 2025 NFL Mock Drafts
- Dynasty Mock Draft Simulator
Analyzing Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie ADP
ADP via Faceoff Sports Network
First Round
- 1.01 – Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State)
- 1.02 – Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona State)
- 1.03 – Cam Ward (QB – Miami)
- 1.04 – Omarion Hampton (RB – North Carolina)
- 1.05 – Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri)
- 1.06 – TreVeyon Henderson (RB – Ohio State)
- 1.07 – Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
- 1.08 – Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State)
- 1.09 – Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado)
- 1.10 – Travis Hunter (WR/CB – Colorado)
- 1.11 – Quinshon Judkins (RB – Ohio State)
- 1.12 – Kaleb Johnson (RB – Iowa)
Last year, the rookie class was headlined by three elite fantasy quarterbacks. Meanwhile, Ward and Sanders are the top two quarterbacks in the 2025 draft class. However, the former Miami star has pulled away as the top passer in the draft class, coming off the board as a top-three pick in the rookie ADP. After two productive seasons at Washington State, Ward had a breakout year at Miami in 2024, leading the ACC in passing touchdowns (39).
While Jeanty is the clear-cut 1.01 pick in dynasty rookie drafts, the 1.02 spot is up for grabs. Many fantasy players will likely pick between McMillan, Ward, and Hampton. However, Warren should be in consideration for that spot despite being a tight end. He is the best tight end prospect over the past several years, not named Brock Bowers. More importantly, Warren should have a role in the run game in the NFL after having success as a runner in college.
Hunter might be the most talented wide receiver in the draft class. However, fantasy players should avoid selecting him early in their rookie drafts. Reportedly, many NFL teams consider him a cornerback who can play some snaps on offense instead of a full-time pass catcher. Hunter would be the clear-cut 1.02 pick if he was a pure wide receiver. Instead, fantasy players have to weigh his upside with the risk of him possibly playing cornerback full-time in the NFL.
Second Round
- 2.01 – Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
- 2.02 – Tre Harris (WR – Ole Miss)
- 2.03 – Jalen Milroe (QB – Alabama)
- 2.04 – Devin Neal (RB – Kansas)
- 2.05 – Matthew Golden (WR – Texas)
- 2.06 – Jaxson Dart (QB – Ole Miss)
- 2.07 – Ollie Gordon (RB – Oklahoma State)
- 2.08 – Isaiah Bond (WR – Texas)
- 2.09 – Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – Bowling Green)
- 2.10 – Dylan Sampson (RB – Tennessee)
- 2.11 – Cam Skattebo (RB – Arizona State)
- 2.12 – Elic Ayomanor (WR – Stanford)
While Tyler Warren is the clear-cut TE1 in my dynasty rankings, I’m surprised Loveland doesn’t have a first-round rookie draft ADP. The former Michigan star has no rushing upside. However, Loveland is an excellent weapon in the passing game. Last year, he had 56 receptions on 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 10 games despite Michigan’s merry-go-round of awful quarterbacks. Don’t be surprised if Loveland has a Sam LaPorta-like rookie season if he lands in a fantasy-friendly offense.
Despite being the fifth wide receiver in the rookie ADP, Golden could be the first selected in the NFL Draft. The former Texas star has been one of the top risers since his impressive play during the College Football Playoffs. He was outstanding filling in for Bond as the Longhorns’ No. 1 wide receiver, totaling 58 receptions for 987 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. I expect Golden to be a top-seven dynasty rookie draft pick following the NFL Draft.
Skattebo was the best running back in college football, not named Ashton Jeanty last season. Yet, he is the ninth running back in the rookie ADP because many are worried about his transition to the NFL. Skattebo is far from the most athletic running back in the draft class. However, I won’t bet against the former Arizona State star. He could push into the early second-round ADP with an appealing landing spot and Day 2 draft capital.
Third Round
- 3.01 – Quinn Ewers (QB – Texas)
- 3.02 – Tez Johnson (WR – Oregon)
- 3.03 – Xavier Restrepo (WR – Miami)
- 3.04 – Jayden Higgins (WR – Iowa State)
- 3.05 – Bhayshul Tuten (RB – Virginia Tech)
- 3.06 – Jack Bech (WR – TCU)
- 3.07 – Jalen Royals (WR – Utah State)
- 3.08 – RJ Harvey (RB – UCF)
- 3.09 – Elijah Arroyo (TE – Miami)
- 3.10 – Savion Williams (WR – TCU)
- 3.11 – Mason Taylor (TE – LSU)
- 3.12 – Dillon Gabriel (QB – Oregon)
Many have low opinions of Ewers, as he is arguably the most polarizing quarterback in the draft class. Despite playing most of the season with a torn oblique, the former Texas star completed 65.8% of his pass attempts for 3,472 yards and 31 touchdowns in 2024. Quinn needs time to learn from the bench, ideally with an excellent offensive coaching staff. However, he will be my most drafted quarterback, especially if he lands with the Los Angeles Rams or Las Vegas Raiders.
Higgins is one of my favorite draft prospects. Last year, he had 87 receptions for 1,183 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. More importantly, Higgins can make plays at all three levels, including downfield, where his 4.47 40-yard dash speed and 6’4” frame make him a mismatch weapon. The former Iowa State star gives off similar vibes to Nico Collins coming out of Michigan in 2021. If he lands with a talented quarterback, Higgins will be a steal as a mid-third-round rookie draft pick.
While Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland are elite prospects, fantasy players should be intrigued by Arroyo. He had only one season of production at Miami, totaling 35 receptions for 590 receiving yards and seven touchdowns last year. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to 23 games over his first three seasons. However, Arroyo was one of the top players at the Senior Bowl and has significant athletic upside. He probably needs a year to develop, but could become a fantasy star in the NFL.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.