The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft delivered a mix of expected picks, surprising trades, and a few head-scratching moments for fantasy football enthusiasts. While the quarterback class lacked the depth of 2024, the skill-position players selected on Day 1 offer intriguing upside for redraft and Dynasty Football leagues.
Here’s a breakdown of the fantasy-relevant picks, their landing spots, and what they mean for your 2025 fantasy football plans.
Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans (No. 1 Overall)
Tennessee made the expected move, selecting Miami’s Cam Ward to replace Will Levis and kickstart their rebuild. Ward, a 6-foot-2, 219-pound dual-threat quarterback, brings a gunslinger mentality and mobility that could translate to fantasy upside. His college tape showcased big-play ability, but poor decision-making under pressure and a tendency to play “hero ball” raise concerns about his immediate impact.
2025 Outlook: Tennessee’s offense lacks elite weapons, with aging veterans and an inconsistent offensive line. Ward’s mobility gives him a floor as a low-end QB2, but his ceiling depends on the Titans adding more playmakers. For redraft leagues, he’s a late-round flier with top-12 upside in the long term. In dynasty formats, he’s a top-tier rookie QB pick due to his starting role and athleticism.
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars (No. 2 Overall, via trade with Cleveland)
The Jaguars made a blockbuster move, trading up to snag the Heisman-winning two-way star from Colorado. Travis Hunter, who will primarily play wide receiver but see defensive snaps, instantly becomes the No. 2 option behind Brian Thomas Jr. in Jacksonville’s passing game. His elite athleticism and ability to draw single coverage due to Thomas’ presence make him a big-play threat. However, his dual-role usage raises durability concerns and could limit his offensive snap count.
2025 Outlook: Hunter’s landing spot with Trevor Lawrence is promising, but his fantasy value hinges on how often he’s used on offense. In smaller redraft leagues, he’s a WR3 with upside, while deeper leagues could see him as a borderline WR2 due to his big-play potential. Dynasty managers should view him as a high-upside WR2 with WR1 potential if he settles into a full-time offensive role. The durability question makes him a slight risk.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (No. 6 Overall)
Under new GM John Spytek and OC Chip Kelly, the new-look Raiders selected Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty, a dynamic running back who drew comparisons to Marshawn Lynch from coach Pete Carroll. Jeanty’s ridiculous contact balance, versatility in the passing game, and college production (second-most rushing yards in a single season) make him an instant fantasy darling. He lands in a run-centric, outside-zone scheme with Geno Smith at quarterback, ensuring defenses can’t stack the box.
2025 Outlook: Jeanty steps into a feature-back role, with Raheem Mostert as a mentor rather than a competitor. His three-down skill set and high-volume opportunity make him a top-12 RB candidate in redraft leagues. In dynasty, he’s the clear RB1 of the 2025 class and a potential top overall pick, even in Superflex.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers (No. 8 Overall)
Carolina, committed to building around QB Bryce Young, selected Arizona’s Tetairoa McMillan to bolster their receiving corps. McMillan, a big-bodied receiver with contested-catch ability, was Young’s preferred target in the draft process. While productive in college, he’s considered a project as a deep threat and true No. 1 receiver, which tempers immediate expectations.
2025 Outlook: McMillan joins a crowded Carolina receiving room with Xavier Legette, Adam Thielen, and Jalen Coker. That could limit his target share as a rookie. He’s a WR3/4 in redraft leagues with upside for more if he quickly develops chemistry with Young. Dynasty managers should view him as a WR1 with long-term WR1 potential, especially if the Panthers’ offense improves. The decision to pass on defensive help raises questions about Carolina’s balance, which could impact offensive efficiency.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears (No. 10 Overall)
The Bears surprised many by selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, a pick that drew mixed reactions for fantasy purposes. Loveland is a polished pass-catcher with long-term upside, but Chicago’s crowded offense—featuring DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet—limits his immediate target share. The Bears’ likely use of 12-personnel sets with Kmet further caps Loveland’s volume.
2025 Outlook: Loveland is a risky redraft pick due to his projected 70-target ceiling as a rookie. He’s a TE2 at best in 2025, with value in deeper leagues. In dynasty, his youth and skill set make him the TE1 of the class, but his path to consistent targets may take a year or two. The Bears’ investment in him signals a long-term plan, but fantasy managers should temper expectations for 2025.
Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts (No. 14 Overall)
It was a surprise to see Tyler Warren picked after Coltson Loveland. The Indianapolis Colts selected the Penn State tight end with the No. 14 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, addressing a glaring need at the position. Warren, the 2024 John Mackey Award winner, had a breakout senior season with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns, showcasing his versatility as a pass-catcher, blocker, and occasional rusher. His 6’5”, 256-pound frame and ability to line up inline, in the slot, or out wide make him a dynamic weapon for the Colts’ offense, which lacked tight end production in 2024.
2025 Fantasy Outlook: Warren’s fantasy potential is tempered by Indianapolis’ run-heavy offense and quarterback uncertainty with Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. Competing with Michael Pittman, Josh Downs, and Jonathan Taylor for targets, he’s projected for 70-83 targets, 48-55 receptions, 517-615 yards, and 3-4 touchdowns, making him a TE2 with upside. His versatility and red-zone potential give him TE1 upside by Year 2, especially in dynasty leagues where he’s a mid-first-round pick.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 19 Overall)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka with the 19th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, bolstering their already potent offense. Egbuka, a technically savvy slot receiver with 205 career collegiate receptions, joins stars Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan. His crisp route-running and reliable hands make him a quarterback-friendly target for Baker Mayfield.
2025 Outlook: For 2025 fantasy football, Egbuka’s rookie outlook is tempered by Tampa’s crowded receiver room, projecting around 46-47 catches, 589-605 yards, and 4-5 touchdowns. Dynasty managers should view him as a high-floor stash with WR2 potential long-term. As much as we love Egbuka’s potential, landing spot dictates he comes out of Round 1 as one of the fantasy football losers.
Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers (No. 22 Overall)
At 22, the Los Angeles Chargers selected North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton with the 22nd overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, addressing their need for a dynamic backfield presence. Hampton, a 6’0”, 221-pound workhorse, ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and posted back-to-back 1,500+ yard, 15-touchdown seasons, earning First-Team All-ACC honors. His downhill running style, contact balance, and reliable hands fit perfectly in Greg Roman’s power-gap scheme under Jim Harbaugh. Despite Najee Harris’s one-year deal, Hampton’s three-down skill set positions him as a potential day-one starter.
2025 Outlook: For 2025 fantasy football, Hampton projects as an RB2/RB3 with upside in PPR leagues. Initial projections estimate 211 carries for 949 yards, 6.7 rushing touchdowns, 32.3 receptions for 243 yards, and 1.2 receiving touchdowns over 17 games. The potential concern is a committee backfield with Harris, which would keep both backs in the RB2/3 discussion.
Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers (No. 23 Overall)
The Packers finally broke a long streak of not using a first-round pick on a wideout. Matthew Golden, from Texas, joins a crowded Green Bay receiving corps. Golden tied for the SEC lead with nine touchdowns in 2024 and boasts 4.29 speed. He’s the perfect fit in Green Bay and should be in the lineup immediately as Christian Watson is expected to miss a healthy chunk of the season.
2025 Outlook: His landing spot with a high-powered offense gives him upside, but consistency will be an issue. In dynasty, he’s a WR3 with WR2 potential if he carves out a larger role.
Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants (No. 25 Overall, via trade with Houston)
In a stunning move, the Giants traded up to select Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart, passing on the highly touted Shedeur Sanders, who fell out of the first round entirely. Dart, viewed as a tier below Ward and Sanders, offers pocket-passing ability and toughness, fitting new coach Aaron Glenn’s system. His college production was solid, but he lacks Ward’s athleticism, limiting his rushing upside.
2025 Outlook: Dart steps into a starting role with a decent supporting cast, including Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson, but the Giants’ offensive line remains a concern. He’s a QB2 in redraft leagues with low-end QB1 potential in plus matchups. Dynasty managers should view him as a QB3 with a narrow path to consistent fantasy relevance due to his limited ceiling.
Biggest Fantasy Winners and Losers
Winners
Ashton Jeanty (Raiders): Landing in a run-heavy scheme with a clear path to 250+ touches makes Jeanty the biggest fantasy winner of Day 1. His three-down ability and Chip Kelly’s system elevate him to RB1 status in dynasty and a top-12 redraft pick.
Tetairoa McMillan (Panthers): Bryce Young’s advocacy for McMillan ensures early chemistry, and his size gives him red-zone upside. He’s the top rookie WR in dynasty and a sneaky WR3/4 in redraft.
New York Giants: Securing Abdul Carter (No. 3) and Jaxson Dart (No. 25) gives the Giants defensive and offensive cornerstones, boosting their fantasy outlook indirectly by improving team competitiveness.
Losers
Shedeur Sanders (Undrafted in Round 1): The biggest shock of Day 1 was Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders falling out of the first round. His decision to skip the Shrine Bowl and combine, relying solely on college tape, backfired, with teams questioning his readiness. Sanders’ best-case comp is Bo Nix, but his worst-case is Kenny Pickett. He’s likely to go early on Day 2 (possibly to Cleveland at No. 33), but his fantasy stock takes a hit due to uncertainty about his landing spot.
Colston Loveland (Bears): While Loveland’s long-term outlook is bright, his immediate fantasy value is capped by Chicago’s crowded offense and 12-personnel usage. He’s a dynasty stash but a redraft fade.
Existing Raiders RBs: Jeanty’s arrival pushes veterans like Zamir White and Raheem Mostert to backup roles, rendering them fantasy irrelevant in 2025.
Best and Worst Picks for Fantasy
Best Pick: Ashton Jeanty to the Raiders. The fit is perfect: a workhorse back in a run-first offense with a creative play-caller in Chip Kelly. Jeanty’s immediate volume and long-term upside make this a home run for fantasy managers.
Worst Pick: Colston Loveland to the Bears. While Loveland is a talented prospect, the Bears’ crowded offense and existing tight end (Cole Kmet) limit his 2025 target share. Fantasy managers hoping for an instant TE1 are left disappointed.
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