Quarterbacks:
- Shedeur Sanders, QB, Cleveland Browns
- Kyle McCord, QB, Philadelphia Eagles
- Will Howard, QB, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Riley Leonard, QB, Indianapolis Colts
- Graham Mertz, QB, Houston Texans
- Cam Miller, QB, Las Vegas Raiders
- Kurtis Rourke, QB, San Francisco 49ers
- Quinn Ewers, QB, Miami Dolphins
The free-fall finally ended when the Cleveland Browns selected Shedeur Sanders with the 144th overall pick. There is plenty of speculation as to why this was the case, but one thing is for sure, Cleveland got their guy. They made a huge move to move down in the 1st round, secured a safe pick at #5 overall, and still got the guy they were rumored to have wanted. It will be interesting to see the battle between Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, but one thing is for certain; there will be fireworks in Cleveland this year.
For the rest of the QB draft picks, the only remaining draft picks with immediate impact are Will Howard and potentially Riley Leonard. Will Howard figures to be the starter, at some point, this year for Pittsburgh but it remains to be seen how that experiment will work. Howard may have won a National Championship, but his combine was terrible. I’d expect low-end production if he wins the starting job. Take a wait and see approach with this one.
As for Leonard, his only saving grace is that he lands on a team with a huge question mark at quarterback. The Colts currently roster Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones and neither has instilled confidence that they can lead a team to a Super Bowl. Insert Leonard who is coming off a disappointing end to his college career falling just short of a National Championship. Wherever Leonard plays, he will give it 100%. The question is whether his 100% is enough. He should be off the fantasy radar for 2025 and is more of a dynasty play.
Running Backs:
- Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
- Trevor Etienne, RB, Carolina Panthers
- Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
- Jarquez Hunter, RB, Los Angeles Rams
- Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns
- Jordan James, RB, San Francisco 49ers
- Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys
- DJ Giddens, RB, Indianapolis Colts
- Ollie Gordon II, RB, Miami Dolphins
- Devin Neal, RB, New Orleans Saints
- Kalel Mullings, RB, Tennessee Titans
- Tahj Brooks, RB, Cincinnati Bengals
- Damien Martinez, RB, Seattle Seahawks
- Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
- Kyle Monangai, RB, Chicago Bears
- LeQuint Allen, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
- Phil Mafah, RB, Dallas Cowboys
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders
Bhayshul Tuten brings explosive ability but lands in a crowded Jaguars backfield behind Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. He’s likely a depth piece early, but he could carve out a rotational role if he impresses in camp. He is a deep stash in dynasty; waiver wire watchlist in redraft.
Cam Skattebo is tough and versatile, fitting Brian Daboll’s offense nicely as a change-of-pace or third-down option. However, with Devin Singletary and Eric Gray also competing, touches will be inconsistent. He’s worth a late-round PPR dart throw; better suited for best-ball formats.
Big opportunity here for Jaydon Blue. Dallas’ backfield is unsettled. Blue could legitimately compete for snaps behind or alongside Javonte Williams. He’s an upside handcuff and a strong camp performer away from flex consideration. His fantasy value falls as a sleeper in redraft; priority add in dynasty.
Huge talent, tricky situation. Ollie Gordon II will battle De’Von Achane and Jeff Wilson Jr. for touches. Mike McDaniel rotates backs, but Gordon’s raw ability could force him onto the field quickly, especially in goal-line situations. He’s a high-upside stash; RB3/flex potential if injuries hit Miami’s backfield.
Great landing spot long-term. Kamara is aging, and Jamaal Williams is a role player. If Devin Neal can quickly earn trust as a pass-catcher and between-the-tackles runner, he could be this year’s late-season breakout. A solid dynasty target; late-round speculative add in redraft.
Brashard Smith is a hybrid weapon but raw. Kansas City’s system favors multi-purpose backs, but with Isiah Pacheco, Kareem Hunt, and newcomer Elijah Mitchell still around, touches will be hard to predict. Special teams ability might keep him rostered. Monitor preseason usage; deep dynasty flier.
Kyle Monangai is a rugged downhill runner. The Bears have Roschon Johnson and D’Andre Swift, so Monangai faces an uphill battle for carries. He could emerge as a short-yardage specialist. He’s only worth a watchlist spot unless injuries clear a path.
Jacory Croskey-Merritt brings good vision but enters a messy depth chart with Brian Robinson Jr., Chris Rodriguez, and Austin Ekeler. Very hard path to immediate fantasy relevance unless he steals a goal-line role. He’s an emergency dynasty stash; likely waiver wire material early.
Kalel Mullings is a physical, north-south runner who fits Tennessee’s old-school identity, but behind Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears, opportunities might be limited. He could become a red-zone hammer. He’s a TD-dependent dart throw; not draftable in standard leagues yet.
Wide Receivers:
- Chimere Dike, WR, Tennessee Titans
- Don’t’e Thornton Jr., WR, Las Vegas Raiders
- Arian Smith, WR, New York Jets
- Jaylin Lane, WR, Washington Commanders
- Jalen Royals, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
- Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
- Jordan Watkins, WR, San Francisco 49ers
- KeAndre Lambert-Smith, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
- Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
- LaJohntay Wester, WR, Baltimore Ravens
- Jimmy Horn Jr., WR, Carolina Panthers
- Tommy Mellott, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
- Tez Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Ricky White III, WR, Seattle Seahawks
- Kaden Prather, WR, Buffalo Bills
- Konata Mumpfield, WR, Los Angeles Rams
- Dominic Lovett, WR, Detroit Lions
- Junior Bergen, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Chimere Dike is a polished route-runner who fits a possession receiver mold. With Tyler Lockett and Calvin Ridley aging and Treylon Burks struggling to stay healthy, Dike could carve out a WR3/4 role quickly. In PPR leagues, he’s a sneaky stash — especially if the Titans throw more under new offensive coordinator Brian Callahan
Arian Smith is blazing fast — a true deep threat. However, the Jets already have Garrett Wilson and Malachi Corley as primary targets, with a true wild card at quarterback in Justin Fields. Smith might have a few splash weeks (think: 2 catches, 85 yards, and a TD), but he’ll likely be frustrating to start regularly unless injuries strike.
Jalen Royals is intriguing — he’s a crisp separator, which is exactly what Patrick Mahomes needs. KC’s wide receiver room is very unsettled after Rashee Rice’s off-field issues. Royals has a real chance to rise quickly. He’s a deep sleeper who could become a waiver-wire must-add by midseason.
Elic Ayomanor is bigger-bodied and could be the Titans’ future at X receiver. Short-term, he’s probably behind Lockett, Ridley, and Burks, but long-term he’s a dynasty target. For redraft leagues, monitor his preseason usage — he could be an early-season waiver pickup if Tennessee’s WR depth chart gets shaken up.
This is one of the best landing spots for opportunity. KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s ability to create after the catch could get him immediate slot snaps albeit, he might be the 4th target to start out behind Ladd McConkey, Quentin Johnston, and fellow rookie Tre Harris. He’s a priority late-round target in PPR leagues and a potential rookie-year breakout candidate.
Tez Johnson is quick and twitchy — a great fit for underneath routes. However, with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and now Emeka Egbuka already in Tampa, his path to volume is narrow. He’ll need to earn a niche role (return game, gadget plays) before he’s a fantasy asset. Better for dynasty formats right now.
The Bills need wideouts. Point blank. Kaden Prather has size and contested-catch ability, making him a prime red-zone weapon. He could be Josh Allen’s WR3 behind Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir. He’s a high-upside sleeper who could deliver WR3/4 production this season if he wins a starting role.
Tight Ends:
- Gunnar Helm, TE, Tennessee Titans
- Mitchell Evans, TE, Carolina Panthers
- Oronde Gadsden II, TE, Los Angeles Chargers
- Jackson Hawes, TE, Buffalo Bills
- Robbie Ouzts, TE, Seattle Seahawks
- Gavin Bartholomew, TE, Minnesota Vikings
- Thomas Fidone II, TE, New York Giants
- Caleb Lohner, TE, Denver Broncos
- Moliki Matavao, TE, New Orleans Saints
- Luke Lachey, TE, Houston Texans
Mitchell Evans is a good inline blocker with soft hands — exactly what Bryce Young needs for quick outlets. The Panthers’ receiving room lacks proven weapons, so Evans could carve out a surprising red-zone role early. He will have to compete with Xavier Legette, Jalen Coker, and newcomer Tetairoa McMillan.
Oronde Gadsden is really more of a big slot receiver than a true tight end. In a Chargers offense desperate for pass-catchers, he could become a mismatch nightmare if they feature him creatively. Expect WR/TE hybrid usage. His upside is higher than most rookie TEs this year.
Caleb Lohner is a physical project — a converted basketball player type. He’s raw but intriguing. Denver’s TE room (Evan Engram, Adam Trautman) isn’t scary, but it’s crowded. It would take a big preseason for Lohner to matter in fantasy.
Moliki Matavao brings a good athletic profile but is extremely raw as a route runner. With Juwan Johnson, Foster Moreau, and Taysom Hill still in the mix, Matavao will likely redshirt year one unless he dominates camp.
Luke Lachey is one of the better rookie TEs in this class — excellent blocker, smart zone-beater, and has sneaky athleticism. Dalton Schultz is still there, but Lachey could force a timeshare late in the year. With C.J. Stroud ascending, Lachey is one of the best rookie TE bets for mid-to-late-season relevance.
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