This article will provide instant analysis on the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft selections. This analysis is intended for Dynasty football and their future outlook. There may be selections regarding immediate relevance, while others may need developmental years before their time comes. I will primarily talk about the incoming rookie, while also noting dynasty fallouts from the respective teams.
First Round - 2025 NFL Draft
1.01 – Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee
Cam Ward has a big arm and mobility to provide immediate production for dynasty, and subsequently, a unique skill set to develop for an NFL franchise. He can create within the offense's structure and has shown development in his processing speed. However, he is not a surefire prospect and will need to develop further into reading complex rotations and disguised looks from defenses.
Ward currently has WR Calvin Ridley and WR Tyler Lockett as his primary pass-catching weapons, with WR Treylon Burks and TE Chig Okonkwo adding their respective duties. I am interested in how Tennessee will operate the remainder of the 2025 NFL Draft after NFL free agency. They signed LT Dan Moore Jr. and RG Kevin Zeitler to bolster the offensive line.
- Upcoming selections
- Round 2: No. 35
- Round 4: No. 103
- Round 4: No. 120
Will Levis was not assumed to be the long-term option, and now finds himself as QB2. There were considerations that he could be traded, and the NFL Draft is not over. Ward is now the potential franchise quarterback in Tennessee and an upgrade over Levis.
Dynasty rookie selection: You can argue yourself into Ward being the 1.01 in Superflex formats. He is a top-three selection.
1.02 – Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
I don't think Jacksonville trades up to draft Travis Hunter if they don't primarily intend to utilize his receiving skill set. He will complement Brian Thomas Jr. and provide Trevor Lawrence with an additional weapon. I wouldn't worry about Hunter's landing spot; he will be a focal point and a top-two target in the offense.
It will be important to note comments surrounding Jacksonville's intentions for Hunter. I think he will primarily be a wide receiver, but I am not part of the NFL franchise. He is a dominant wide receiver and is the superior talent in the draft. Brian Thomas Jr. and Hunter will be a terrific wide receiver duo and can arguably develop into the best in the NFL. QB Trevor Lawrence is in an ideal situation to revitalize his career and future outlook.
Dynasty rookie selection: If you are risk-averse, it may be best to avoid Hunter. There is no denying his talent, and he would be the second overall selection if he were solely a wide receiver. I am not concerned, but your philosophy could be. Hunter should be a top-five selection; I'm comfortable with a pick at 1.02.
1.06 – Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty has officially cemented himself atop dynasty rankings. The new Las Vegas coaching staff has their workhorse in an offense to complement tight end Brock Bowers. Head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly have a favorable history and running back usage. Jeanty is a blue-chip talent and finds a great landing spot. Hopefully, Las Vegas extends Kolton Miller.
Jeanty has the immediate production and future outlook desired for a running back asset. It would not be surprising to see 300+ touches in his rookie season and throughout his rookie contract. Sincere McCormick had a respectful run to end the season and will provide relief for Jeanty alongside Raheem Mostert as needed.
Dynasty rookie selection: Jeanty is arguably the 1.01 in all league formats. Las Vegas is an ideal spot to showcase his talent.
1.10 – Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet's skill sets complement each other well. Loveland will be able to flex as a receiver, contrary to Kmet's Y-skill set. The Ben Johnson offense and his ability to scheme out his players' strengths mean I would not pigeonhole them to specific positions. Similarities exist for Detroit's roster construction during Johnson's tenure.
Loveland is a talented player with tremendous upside. It will be important to remember that his consistent fantasy production may not be there. Moore and Odunze are competing for targets in the offense, too. Loveland will offer boom weeks as a rookie, opposed to the immediate top-target opportunity Brock Bowers had in 2024. Loveland can develop into a top target for Chicago, beating out Odunze or waiting for Moore's departure.
Dynasty rookie selection: Loveland is a mid-first-round selection. I would temper expectations on immediate production. There is no denying his talent and upside in Johnson's offense with Caleb Williams under center. Loveland has a great receiving profile.
1.14 – Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
The first-round draft capital is intriguing, but the landing spot is not. Indianapolis has competent pass catchers in Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, with Adonai Mitchell developing and Alec Pierce being respected as a deep threat. The optimistic viewpoint for Warren is head coach Shane Steichen's favorable history with tight ends, as seen with Zach Ertz and Antonio Gates.
This tight end selection is slightly different than Chicago's, at least in the sense of having more capable receiving options (Mitchell, Pierce) for depth. I am curious if Pittman would be the odd man out for the future, as Downs solidified his talent in 2024 and Mitchell flashed his potential. Both wide receivers are at least four years younger than Pittman. Downs and Warren would be the top targets in this scenario.
The current quarterback play is in question. Talent does not change, while situations can. Warren may not provide immediate production; his development with Indianapolis is the objective. It should be noted that Warren is a fifth-year tight end who found production in his final college season.
Dynasty rookie selection: There is no denying Warren's physical traits despite an analytical viewpoint on his collegiate production. First-round NFL Draft capital is meaningful, and he has solidified himself as a mid-to-late first-round rookie selection.
1.19 – Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka may have been rated high for Tampa Bay. He will be the heir apparent to either Mike Evans' (31) or Chris Godwin's (29) role. Egbuka has the talent to play over the field and work all three levels, but his skill set more aligns with Godwin's. He does not have the same immediate gratification as Ja'Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson when they entered the NFL. This selection is a long-term investment for Tampa Bay and our dynasty teams.
Here is what our Joey Wright had to say about his team's selection:
WR Jalen McMillan is an immediate faller in his dynasty stock. He flashed potential but will be further buried for the foreseeable future. There is a chance he claims a role when Mike Evans and Chris Godwin depart. Egbuka is the superior young talent on the roster, and these are the risks involved when making dynasty transactions. TE Cade Otton will take a notable fall after finding success with the injury absence of Evans and Godwin in 2024, though Otton still provides meaningful snaps with his blocking ability.
Dynasty rookie selection: Egbuka is firmly a mid-to-late first-round selection. He has the talent to succeed; he will just need the opportunity. If Evans and Godwin are healthy this season, Egbuka's opportunity likely comes in 2026.
1.22 – Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers have shown their hand at the running back position. They invested in Omarion Hampton with first-round draft capital. They invested $1.5M guaranteed in signing Najee Harris. Head coach Jim Harbaugh has found his workhorse-preferred running back in Hampton. He has the physical tools necessary to succeed as a straight-line runner with excellent contact balance and serviceable receiving ability. Additionally, offensive coordinator Greg Roman's scheme is tailor-made for Hampton.
The Chargers have a solidified offensive line and scheme in place for immediate success. Hampton's skill set pairs nicely with the situation he has been drafted into. Harris' stock is down, but may find meaningful spike weeks in best-ball formats. It will be important to keep your running backs healthy. Additionally, Harris would be an immediate start if Hampton misses any games due to injury. There is potential for a committee to acclimate Hampton to the NFL.
Dynasty rookie selection: Hampton has solidified himself as a top selection in rookie drafts. You can make the argument to select him over Cam Ward, considering his development trajectory and Hampton's immediate production outlook. Hampton can be selected between 1.02 and 1.05, depending on your philosophy.
1.23 – Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
Green Bay is missing a true WR1. They took their home run swing with Matthew Golden, their first wide receiver drafted in the first round since 2002. He is not a surefire WR1 and, pre-draft, was perceived to be a complement to a team's WR1. There is a perceived crowded wide receiver room in Green Bay, but I wouldn't be concerned. This is a meaningful investment, and Golden should compete for the top target in the Packers' offense. Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks are more notable names than reliable assets in dynasty football.
This investment hurts Watson and Wicks on the outside, as Golden will take away some of their snaps. Reed does not play there, has manufactured touches, and can play the slot. Watson can maintain a deep-threat role. It does seem like a headache to predict target distribution, especially considering the presence of tight end Tucker Kraft. It will be important to note whether Green Bay trades one of its pass-catching options during the draft.
Golden will provide a threat to the intermediate and deep levels of the field. In 2024, he ranked first among wide receivers in receptions over 20 yards. Golden will need to develop his skill set to be a true WR1. What matters is that Green Bay believes Golden can be a difference-maker for the offense.
Dynasty rookie selection: It's hard to ignore his NFL draft capital, but I still may prefer second-round running backs and some wide receivers over Golden. He is a high upside asset. He should be firmly an early second-round selection. The immediate volume is there to earn, but the primary concern is if he can develop into a true WR1.
1.25 – Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants
First-round draft capital for a quarterback is a good thing! Not being a top selection is where the worry looms. Jaxson Dart is the latest first-round quarterback drafted since Jordan Love (26) in 2020. For reference, Mac Jones (15) and Kenny Pickett (20) went earlier. The Giants get five years of control with Dart and will have the benefit of developing behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. It's anyone's best guess how long Dart will wait to start. It could be in 2026; it could be after their 2025 bye week, depending on their overall record. There is no rush.
He has moderate physical tools and will need to develop his decision-making when under pressure and anticipating throws. His ability to escape the pocket is a bonus for production – he had 1,498 rushing yards at Ole Miss, and college counts sacks against rushing yards. Dart's talent to be a top quarterback is in question; however, in dynasty football, the production is all that is warranted given a first-round quarterback's assumed starting leash.
Dynasty rookie selection: Dart is a developmental selection. You cannot draft him and assume he will fix your quarterback room. I imagine he's now comfortably a late first-round selection in Superflex leagues. You would be lucky to have him available in the early second. This is for value purposes, especially in a trade-active league.
2025 First Round Selections
There were nine assets drafted in the first round.
- Two quarterbacks
- Two running backs
- Three wide receivers
- Two tight ends
For a thought exercise, this means that (in 12-team leagues) 9 out of 12 first-round dynasty rookie selections are solidified. First-round draft capital is not sufficient on its own for a dynasty outlook, but it does provide us with information to note. We know their NFL team believes in them, and we can start to identify their immediate and future outlook. Furthermore, they may have an insulated value compared to other rounds. For example, Dart should have a handful of years to prove he is the franchise quarterback when he becomes a starter. Zach Wilson and Mac Jones, respectively, had 2.5 years as starters.
Additionally, there may be selections from the second round who warrant a higher dynasty rookie selection. We have seen Tee Higgins and Ladd McConkey taken in the second round and bring value to their teams. Contrarily, we have seen Elijah Moore and Jonathan Mingo selected in the second round and bust. The draft capital is a larger piece of the equation, it still is important to analyze and understand the remaining portions (talent, scheme, etc.).
Notable Rookie Assets Remaining
- Quarterback
- Wide Receiver
- Running back
- Tight End
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