2025 Dynasty Mock Draft: Why the RB Class Changes Everything

2025 Dynasty Mock Draft: Why the RB Class Changes Everything

You’ve been waiting for a class like this. For years, dynasty managers have been force-fed "mediocre" running back prospects while wide receivers dominated the top of every board. Well, 2025 finally flipped the script. If you’re sitting on a mid-first-round pick in your 2025 dynasty mock draft, you aren't just getting a "guy"—you're getting a cornerstone.

Honestly, the hype around Ashton Jeanty isn't just noise. It’s a complete shift in how we’re valuing the early rounds of rookie drafts. We haven't seen a consensus RB1 this clear since Bijan Robinson, and even then, some people were skeptical about the workload. This year? The depth is wild.

The Top Tier: Jeanty and the Workhorse Renaissance

It’s Jeanty at 1.01. No debate. No "let's see the landing spot." He landed with the Las Vegas Raiders, and he’s essentially walking into a 300-touch role. In most 2025 dynasty mock draft scenarios, he’s going off the board before the ink even dries on the draft card. He’s 5'9", 215 pounds of pure contact balance. He finished his final college season with over 2,700 total yards. That's not a typo.

But the real story is Omarion Hampton.

Hampton went to the Los Angeles Chargers. Think about that for a second. Jim Harbaugh. Greg Roman. A team that wants to run the ball until the opponent's defensive line asks for a timeout. While Najee Harris is there to take some of the early-season heat, Hampton is the future. PFF gave him a 90.0+ rushing grade in back-to-back seasons. He’s the "Thunder" to the NFL's current "Lightnings."

Then you have the Ohio State duo. Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson. Judkins is now with the Cleveland Browns, while Henderson is a New England Patriot. It’s a bit of a crowded room in New England with Rhamondre Stevenson, but Henderson’s receiving floor makes him a PPR dream.

Wide Receivers: Size vs. The Two-Way Unicorn

If you aren't picking in the top three, you’re likely looking at Tetairoa McMillan or Travis Hunter.

McMillan is basically a skyscraper playing football. At 6'5", 212 pounds, he’s the "X" receiver the Carolina Panthers desperately needed. He isn't just a jump-ball specialist, though. His route running is surprisingly fluid for a guy that size. He’s the type of player you draft and then don't worry about your WR1 spot for the next eight years.

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And then there's Travis Hunter.

Hunter is the most polarizing player in any 2025 dynasty mock draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars took him in the top five. He wants to play both ways. As a dynasty manager, that scares the living daylights out of me. What happens if he gets hurt on a corner blitz? What if the Jaguars decide he's better at DB three years from now?

  • The Upside: He’s arguably the most talented athlete we've seen in a decade.
  • The Downside: The "ironman" snaps could lead to early burnout or frequent soft-tissue injuries.

Luther Burden III is the other name you need to know. He’s with the Chicago Bears now. Yes, it’s a crowded room with Rome Odunze and D.J. Moore, but Keenan Allen isn't getting any younger. Burden is a yards-after-catch monster. He’s the "safety valve" that can turn a five-yard slant into a 40-yard house call.

The Quarterback Conundrum in Superflex

If you're in a Superflex league, this is where it gets weird. This isn't the 2024 class. There is no Caleb Williams or Jayden Daniels here.

Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans) and Shedeur Sanders (Cleveland Browns) are the headliners. Ward is probably the most "fantasy-friendly" because of his rushing upside, but his decision-making can be... adventurous. Sanders is accurate and has the "clutch" gene, but the Cleveland landing spot is always a bit of a gamble given their offensive line struggles.

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Jalen Milroe went to the Seattle Seahawks. If he hits, he’s a top-five fantasy QB because of his legs. If he doesn't, he’s out of the league in four years. He's the ultimate "swing for the fences" pick at the end of the first round.

Tight Ends: A New Era?

Don't sleep on the tight ends. Tyler Warren (Indianapolis Colts) and Colston Loveland (Chicago Bears) are legitimately good prospects. Warren is 6'6" and 260 pounds—basically a moving wall. Anthony Richardson needs a big target over the middle, and Warren fits that perfectly.

Loveland is more of the "joker" TE. He’s mobile, has great hands, and will benefit from the attention defenses have to pay to the Bears' wideouts. In TE-premium leagues, he’s a mid-second-round steal.

Mock Draft 1.0: The First Round Flow

  1. Ashton Jeanty (RB, LV): The unquestioned 1.01.
  2. Omarion Hampton (RB, LAC): Best landing spot in the draft.
  3. Tetairoa McMillan (WR, CAR): Elite size and volume.
  4. Cam Ward (QB, TEN): Rushing floor gives him the edge in Superflex.
  5. Travis Hunter (WR/DB, JAX): High risk, astronomical ceiling.
  6. Shedeur Sanders (QB, CLE): Safe passing floor with some mobility.
  7. Luther Burden III (WR, CHI): YAC king in an ascending offense.
  8. TreVeyon Henderson (RB, NE): PPR gold if he wins the receiving role.
  9. Emeka Egbuka (WR, TB): Most "pro-ready" route runner.
  10. Quinshon Judkins (RB, CLE): Nick Chubb's eventual successor.
  11. Kaleb Johnson (RB, PIT): Under-the-radar workhorse potential.
  12. Tyler Warren (TE, IND): The security blanket for Richardson.

Strategy: What to Do With Your Picks

Kinda feels like the "zero-RB" strategy is dead for this year. If you have a top-three pick in your 2025 dynasty mock draft, you take the running back. Period. The drop-off after the top four backs is significant, whereas you can find solid WR production well into the third round.

If you’re rebuilding, try to trade back from the 1.04 or 1.05 to the 1.08 range. You can likely pick up an extra 2026 second-rounder and still land a guy like Henderson or Egbuka, who have high floors.

Keep an eye on the "disappointment" narrative too. Some of these guys, like J.J. McCarthy or even Ladd McConkey, had "meh" rookie years in 2024/2025. Don't let the shiny new rookies distract you from buying the dip on sophomores who just needed a year to acclimated to the league.

Actionable Steps for Your Dynasty League

  • Check the Chargers Backfield: If the Najee Harris manager is worried about Hampton, send a trade offer now. The window to buy Harris as a "short-term bridge" is closing, but Hampton is the guy you want for the next five years.
  • Value the 1.01 correctly: In a Superflex league, the 1.01 (Jeanty) is worth roughly the equivalent of a mid-tier QB1 (think Kyler Murray or Jordan Love) plus a second-round pick. Don't sell for less.
  • Target the TE "Fallers": In most drafts, Warren and Loveland will fall to the late second. If you need a TE, don't reach in the first; wait and snag the value in the 20s.
  • Watch the "Ironman" snaps: If Travis Hunter starts playing 90% of defensive snaps in the preseason, his value in dynasty should actually decrease slightly due to injury risk. Use that as a leverage point in trades.