The New Reality No.233: Early 2025 NFL Draft Prospects

With the fantasy football season complete and the NFL shifting firmly to playoff mode, dynasty teams shift to 2025 NFL Draft mode with rookie drafts in a few months as the next critical item on the to-do list. Here is an early look at the analytics of the 2025 class across the skill positions:

*Data included reference Chad Parsons' projection model, designed to improve the probability of predicting skill position prospects to produce fantasy starter seasons in the NFL*

With the declaration deadline not until mid-January, some of the non-senior prospects mentioned here may end up returning to school.

Quarterbacks

• Shedeur Sanders, Colorado

With Drew Allar (Penn State) returning to school, Shedeur Sanders projects as the top option in terms of passing score in the model at 98%. The key factor for Sanders from the fantasy lens will be rushing upside. Without it, Sanders will have a tough time competing with the top quarterbacks in the NFL. His 32% rushing score is significantly below the elite-ideal threshold historically of 60% to project a strong upside as an NFL runner. 

• Cam Ward, Miami
• Jaxson Dart, Mississippi
• Jalen Milroe, Alabama
• Carson Beck, Georgia
• Quinn Ewers, Texas

Cam Ward is a name consistently projected high in Round 1 by early pundits. Ward has a weak model score, however, as he checks none of the ideal boxes and lacks the rushing upside, just like Shedeur Sanders. If Ward were to go in the top 10 of the draft, he would be the weakest model prospect since Daniel Jones and Josh Rosen.

The rest are covered with warts with Jalen Milroe a rushing-centric but passing project if he comes out this year. Jaxson Dart is underrated, considering his lack of national media attention, but he has a quality combination of 74% passing score and 55% rushing score in the model. Carson Beck eroded this year to a 28% passing score, previously a quality passing-centric option. Beck looks like the classic Round 3-4 selection without much fantasy upside. Quinn Ewers is similar and also without rushing upside. 

Running Backs