Man, the 2025 rookie class is a weird one. If you’ve been scrolling through Twitter or checking Discord lately, you know the vibes are all over the place. For a while there, everyone was obsessed with the wide receivers, but now that we’ve actually seen these guys land on NFL rosters and get through a full season, the narrative has flipped. Hard.
Honestly? It's the year of the running back.
If you’re sitting on a 1.01 in your dynasty league right now, you aren't overthinking this. You're taking the guy from Boise State who basically broke college football. But as we get into this 2025 NFL dynasty rookie mock draft, you’ll see that the "safe" picks at the top of the board have some massive question marks that nobody wanted to talk about six months ago.
The Consensus Tier: No-Brainers at the Top
1.01: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
There is no debate here. None. If someone in your league tries to trade up for the 1.01 to take a receiver, let them, then laugh when they realize Jeanty is essentially a clone of peak Maurice Jones-Drew but with better contact balance. He landed in Las Vegas, a team that was a literal black hole for rushing efficiency the year before he arrived.
Jeanty led the FBS in yards after contact by a margin that felt like a typo—nearly 2,000 yards after he was actually touched by a defender. In dynasty, we crave volume. Jeanty is getting 20+ touches a game because the Raiders simply don't have anyone else to give the ball to. He’s the undisputed 1.01.
1.02: Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
People were trying to make the wide receivers happen at 1.02 for a long time. Then Jim Harbaugh drafted Hampton.
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Look, we know what Harbaugh wants to do. He wants to run the ball until the defense quits. Hampton is a physical freak who is currently sitting behind Najee Harris on the depth chart, but everyone knows that's a temporary arrangement. If you’re in a rebuild, this might feel like a "wait and see" pick, but Hampton's ceiling in that Chargers offense is a top-5 fantasy RB for the next half-decade.
The "Generational" Headache
1.03: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Okay, here is where it gets spicy. Travis Hunter is the most talented football player I’ve seen in my life. He won the Heisman. He plays more snaps than should be humanly possible. But for dynasty fantasy football? He’s a terrifying pick at 1.03.
The Jaguars traded a fortune to move up and get him. The problem is they keep talking about "versatility." If he’s playing 40 snaps at cornerback and 30 at wide receiver, his fantasy floor is lower than a pure WR1. You've got Brian Thomas Jr. already there taking targets. Hunter is a highlight reel waiting to happen, but his usage rate is the biggest wildcard in the entire 2025 NFL dynasty rookie mock draft.
1.04: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
Basically, he’s Drake London with a slightly higher vertical. He’s 6’4”, he’s got magnets for hands, and he’s stuck in Carolina.
Is Bryce Young the guy? Is he not? It doesn't really matter for McMillan's target share because he's the only person on that team who can consistently win 50/50 balls. He had a 304-yard game in college. That doesn't happen by accident. If you're "Zero-RB" and you missed the top two backs, Tetairoa is your consolation prize.
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The Mid-First Round Muck
This is where the draft starts to feel a bit gross. You’ve got the elite talent gone, and now you’re betting on landing spots and "potential."
1.05: TreVeyon Henderson (RB, NE) – He’s efficient, but he’s in a committee with Rhamondre Stevenson. It’s annoying for fantasy, but the talent is undeniable.
1.06: Emeka Egbuka (WR, TB) – The most "pro-ready" receiver. He won't give you 200-yard games, but he’ll give you 8 catches for 90 yards and a TD consistently.
1.07: Tyler Warren (TE, IND) – Yes, a tight end. The 2025 class is deep at TE, and Warren is a freak of nature who is basically a big slot receiver for Anthony Richardson.
What Most People Get Wrong About the QBs
Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders. Those are the names. But man, the dynasty community is divided.
Cam Ward went to the Titans. Brian Callahan is there, which is great for a QB's development. Ward has the "it" factor—he makes plays out of nothing. But he also takes some of the most boneheaded sacks you'll ever see. He’s the QB1 in this class because of the rushing floor, but he’s a 1.08 or 1.09 pick in Superflex, not a top-3 guy.
Then there’s Shedeur. He fell in the actual NFL draft and he's falling in dynasty drafts too. He ended up with the Browns, which... yikes. Between the offensive line issues and the constant media circus, he’s a risky bet. If you can get him in the early second round, do it. But don't burn a mid-first on him hoping he's the next CJ Stroud.
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The Sneaky Second Round Values
If you traded away your first-round pick, don't panic. The second round of a 2025 NFL dynasty rookie mock draft is actually where the "league winners" are hiding this year.
- Luther Burden III (WR, CHI): He fell to the second round in the NFL draft. Why? Probably because Missouri ran the ball 40 times a game. He's now in Chicago with Caleb Williams, DJ Moore, and Rome Odunze. It’s a crowded room, but Burden is the best "yards after catch" guy in the class. Think Deebo Samuel lite.
- RJ Harvey (RB, DEN): Sean Payton loves small, shifty backs. Harvey is 5'8" and 200 pounds of pure lightning. He’s going to be the "Jaleel McLaughlin plus" for Denver.
- Harold Fannin Jr. (TE, CLE): If you miss out on Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland, Fannin is the guy. He put up absurd numbers at Bowling Green and he’s a mismatch nightmare.
How to Actually Approach Your Draft
Stop chasing the "Ohtani of Football" hype with Travis Hunter unless you have a roster that can handle a zero. If Hunter ends up being 70% cornerback and 30% receiver, he’s a bust in fantasy.
Instead, hammer the running backs. This class is deep. Even guys like Kaleb Johnson in Pittsburgh (who is basically the Najee Harris replacement) or Jaydon Blue in Dallas are going to have immediate roles.
Next Steps:
- Check your league's scoring for return yards. If Travis Hunter is returning punts, his value skyrockets into the 1.02 conversation.
- Look for the "disappointing" receiver. Luther Burden's stock is low right now because of his landing spot. Try to trade a late first for an early second plus a veteran if you can snag him there.
- Tier your RBs. There is a massive drop-off after the top four (Jeanty, Hampton, Judkins, Henderson). If you don't have a pick in that range, start looking at the WRs.
The 2025 class isn't the 2024 class. There’s no Caleb Williams or Marvin Harrison Jr. here. It’s a grinder’s draft. Build through the backfield, take the value in the second round, and let your leaguemates reach for the flashy names.