Seven rounds later in Green Bay and the NFL draft seeded teams with rookies. Rosters are relatively set, other than a few free agents that have yet to land. How did this draft compare to previous seasons?
Quarterbacks
This was considered a down year for the position and outside of Cameron Ward, there may be no Week 1 starters in the batch. 2024 was a great year for quarterbacks and early speculation is that 2026 will be a much better class than this year. This year was the weakest class of quarterbacks since 2022 when only Kenny Pickett was taken in the first two rounds and the only current starter from that class was Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy. There will be three or four of the rookie quarterbacks to see action this year, but only Ward is likely to carry any fantasy value.
Running Backs
As a sign of the resurgence of running backs, there were a high number selected but 19 of the 25 were taken on Day 3. It was considered to be one of the best crops of rookie rushers and five were taken by the end of the second round – none of the others in the last five years held more than three. And the only other backs taken in the first ten picks in the last ten years were all star players – Todd Gurley, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette, Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley and Bijan Robinson. Ashton Jeanty is in very good company for having a successful first year and beyond.
Tight Ends
The last two years served up Brock Bowers and Sam LaPorta and the position is making a resurgence in NFL offenses since wide receivers do not have the success they did in recent years. That showed up with two first rounders – very rare – and fivein the first two rounds. This was the earliest top tight ends were taken in many years.
Wide Receivers
The wide receivers this season were considered about average and they were selected at a lower rate in the first two rounds. Only two were taken in the first half of Round 1 but like any year, the top ten should all see playing opportunities.
Top 10 fantasy rookies
QB Shadeur Sanders, Colorado
Cleveland Browns 1.02, 6-1, 212 pounds, 4.75 40 time
Fresh from having his number retired by the Buffaloes, this slam-dunk star opens shop (literally) in the NFL ready to cash in on his fame and family. His legendary path to the NFL…wait…what?…WHAT??!?!
- RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Las Vegas Raiders 1.06, 5-9, 211 pounds, 4.45 40-time
No question that Jeanty will be the most coveted rookie running back, and likely overvalued from the hype but the history of running backs selected in the first ten picks is stellar as rookies and beyond. After a monster 397 touches in 14 games last year, he may be dialed back a bit this year as he learns the NFL, but this is the workhorse dual-threat monster that you want on your roster. - WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
Jacksonville Jaguars 1.02, 6-0, 188 pounds, 4.39 40-time
Hunter was considered the best wideout AND best cornerback in the NFL draft and he’s been vocal about wanting to continue his two-way playing time. At least for Year 1, the plan is to feature him primarily as a wideout and there’s plenty enough to learn there. Matched up with Trevor Lawrence and Brian Thomas Jr., the Jags passing game should take the next step this year. - RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Cleveland Browns, 6-0, 221 pounds, 4.48 40-time
Running backs are usually the best performers as rookies compared to other positions and Judkins steps into a very nice situation with the Browns. He has only Jerome Ford in the potential way for carries and Judkins can be a workhorse like the Browns typically prefer. Ford is likely to take a secondary role, if not be the third-down back and let Judkins enjoy what is always a solid offensive line on a team that loves to run the ball. - RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Los Angeles Chargers 1.22, 6-0, 222 pounds, 4.46 40-time
The rookie’s outlook may be complicated by the Chargers also acquiring 27-year-old Najee Harris, but Hampton was a workhorse for the Tarheels the last two seasons and prolific in yardage and scores. Both backs will play, and Hampton has a shot at supplanting Harris as the primary back at some point during the season. He was considered the second-best back in the draft by virtually all analysts. - WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
Carolina Panthers 1.08, 6-4, 219 pounds, 4.48 40-time
McMillan has a good shot at being the most productive rookie wideout this year. The Panthers only have aging Adam Thielen as a known factor and McMillan should step into a starting role. He was a star at the University of Arizona and brings a freakish set of physical gifts to the NFL as a monster-sized target with a huge wing span and yet serious jets for a receiver with his frame. Bryce Young should fall in love with this addition. - WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa Sate
Houston Texans 2.02, 6-4, 214 pounds, 4.47 40-time
While Nico Collins is the clear No. 1 wideout in Houston, Higgins should slide into the No. 2 role that the Texans needed and lost when Stefon Diggs left injured in 2024. He is another very tall target who can also tack on plenty of yards after the catch from his speed. John Metchie hasn’t inspired much confidence so far, and Higgins has an excellent shot at becoming the No. 2 receiver in a high-potential passing offense directed by C.J. Stroud. - RB RJ Harvey, Central Florida
Denver Broncos 2.28, 5-8, 207 pounds, 4.41 40-time
The Broncos cleared the deck by letting Javonte Williams go and the remaining backfield was just mixed and matched with minor effect last year. Harvey is a little smaller than most primary backs, but he was a beast for Central Florida for the last two years with over 1,400 rushing yards annually and 43 touchdowns in total. He has a great opportunity to become the primary back in Denver and could surprise. - RB TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
New England Patriots 2.06, 5-10, 202 pounds, 4.43 40-time
The dual-threat back should settle into a solid role for the Patriots’ backfield and is expected to become their third-down back with the bigger Rhamondre Stevenson there for all the heavy lifting. He’ll have to get past Antonio Gibson but he wasn’t very impressive last season and the Pats spent their 2.06 to improve their backfield. Stevenson also tends to get dinged up each year, offering more opportunities. - TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
Indianapolis Colts, 6-5, 256 pounds, 4.68 40-time (est.)
Warren was considered by most as the best rookie tight end prospect but Colston Loveland went first to the Bears and their crowded receiver room. Warren steps into what should quickly become the No. 1 tight end role. Make no mistake – Warren is just a giant-sized receiver who led Penn State with 104 catches for 1,233 yards as a senior. There is virtually no real competition from their tight end room that holds little more than 31-year-old Mo Alie-Cox. After back-to-back years of Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers as rookie phenoms, Warren has a decent shot at being the third straight fantasy surprise. - WR Matthew Golden, Texas
Green Bay Packers 1.23, 5-11, 191 pounds, 4.3 40-time
The Packers have lacked a true No. 1 receiver since Davante Adams left in 2022. They famously always scrimp on drafting a wideout but this year went with Golden as the fourth receiver taken in 2025 as the 1.23 pick. He’ll land in the grouping of Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson, and Dontayvion Wicks. Each of those have proven to be good and never great. This ex-Longhorn brings a scorching 4.29 40-time and a penchant for the big play. Jordan Love has done a nice job working with “what he’s got” but Golden gets a proven quarterback in an offense that stepped up in the hopes that Golden can lead the crew.
Top 10 dynasty rookies
- LV RB Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
- JAC WR Travis Hunter, Colorado
- LAC RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
- CLE RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
- CAR WR Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona
- WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
- TEN QB Cam Ward, Miami (Fla)
- TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
- WR Jayden Higgins, Iowa Sate
- WR Matthew Golden, Texas
January 1997 to April 2025. Hell of a ride. Thanks everyone. Time to change dealers. Good luck all.
