The regular season has reached its close, and the CFP has nearly reached its conclusion. Most importantly, the fantasy season has ended, and the Dynasty Community directs its eyes toward the draft. So naturally, we're already witnessing sweeping generalizations, box score assumptions, and helmet scouting. So I'll give you my final SF billboard (in this series) and address those hot topics before you begin your journey towards the 2025 draft.
You're too Low on Harold Fannin Jr.
Tyler Warren is the new hotness. I get it. But how are we actively ignoring that Harold Fannin Jr. has quite literally had the greatest season by a college tight end ever?
Harold Fannin Jr's 2024 season:
— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) December 27, 2024
? 49.6% Rec Yards Market Share
? 49.6% Weighted Rec Dominator Rating
? 3.70 Rec Yards per Team Pass Att.
Fannin could become the ONLY drafted Tight End since 2013 to exceed 3.0 Rec Yards per Team Pass Attempt in a single season#2025NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/ixDyoefPzZ
I understand he goes to a G5 school and would weigh the lack of talent more heavily had he not posted 19 receptions, 284 yards, and two touchdowns during that back-to-back stretch. The kid can play.
NFL draft evaluators who value versatility as a blocker, like the 49ers and Steelers, will likely have someone like Tyler Warren closer to TE1 than finesse players like Fannin or Eli Stowers. But with the success of Brock Bowers and peak Travis Kelce, teams like the Rams, Patriots, Panthers, and Broncos will want their own dominant matchup nightmare as a Top-2 target. Moreover, that's why Harold Fannin Jr. should be the TE1 for your rookie drafts. You can draft a David Njoku/Kyle Pitts-type prospect that actually runs through routes (talking to you, Pitts) and isn't a Brown.
Furthermore, this is the best TE class I've ever witnessed. Colston Loveland, Warren, and Mason Taylor will all be big names, but Eli Stowers has a profile that models closer to Brock Bowers's NFL usage over any in the class other than Fannin. Luke Lachey was a solid blue-chip player who's been lost in the conversation despite being an Iowa TE. Take notice where these guys land and take shots where you can. The real value in this position will be the post-rookie draft waiver frenzy, where you can buy a few and stash them on your taxi squad while they carve out a role.
You Shouldn't Avoid QB
Kenny Pickett and Malik Willis can't hurt you anymore. Stop bringing them up to describe this quarterback class. I've expressed my concerns with how long Cam Ward holds the ball with his backyard plays style, and Shedeur Sanders sometimes fixates on his 1st read. Comparing either to Pickett or Willis is criminal.
Both Sanders and Ward have far superior arm talent and accuracy. Moreover, they have the tools to elevate an offense even when everything around them is a mess. Are they Caleb Williams or Drake Maye Level talent? No, but neither was Bo Nix nor Michael Penix Jr., and both have been easy values for their cost. I'd be especially bullish on Sanders if he were drafted to the Giants because I don't find Brian Daboll to be the issue in New York. Drew Allar has stated he's not returning to Penn State, but insiders think otherwise and would add higher value to rookie 1sts.
You should worry about Jalen Milroe, Kurtis Rourke, and Jaxon Dart. These are prospects with plenty of tools to love but too many questions to be key targets with your first two picks. Jaxson Dart flashes NFL playmaking, but I'm worried he'll be thrust into a suboptimal situation as a starter or a priority backup. However, Milroe and Rourke feel exactly like Willis and Pickett. I won't have many shares unless cheap and desperate.
Wide Receiver Isn't Weak
We've been as spoiled as gas station sushi regarding 2024 rookie wide receivers. It won't always be like that (until 2027), and it's crucial to identify the strengths of the individual receivers and how they transfer to NFL usage and draft accordingly. I'm comparing this class's depth to the 2023 Jaxon Smith-Njigba year when we were blessed with productive and valuable slot receivers, but this class has size and explosion instead of finesse and technique.
We have true blue chips in Tetairoa McMillan, Luther Burden, and Travis Hunter, depending on who you talk to. However, Elic Ayomanor, Ja'Corey Brooks, and Isaiah Bond are strong bets to be early day two picks at the least and should be priority tape viewing. We'll likely see more running backs rise into the 1st round of Superflex rookie drafts than average due to honest ELITE talent rather than the lack of receiving talent.
This Is a Deep RB Class, but Manage Your Expectations
In a perfect world, every one of our special little favorites will get day two draft capital as an instant starter or behind a vet who will 100% probably give up the starting job by Week 6. But we don't live in a perfect world. We don't have a fairy godmother, unicorns, or puppies that eat rainbows and poop skittles. This is Fantasy Football. She's a cruel and unloving mother like Livia Soprano, Norma Bates, or Selena Meyer.
I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cowboys bring in multiple backs this offseason including the draft. The rules are the same as they've always been: third and fourth-round rookie picks are coin flips. We'll likely only get three running backs with easy paths and three more with baggage or obstacles. Don't put all your eggs in one basket to fill roster needs.