5 Dynasty Rookie Draft Bust Candidates (2025 Fantasy Football)

We’ll have you covered as you prepare for your 2025 dynasty rookie drafts. In order to dominate your dynasty rookie draft, check out our expert consensus dynasty rookie draft rankings. And sync your dynasty league to practice with fast and free dynasty rookie mock drafts. Below, I share dynasty rookie draft picks I’m avoiding as bust candidates this year and beyond following the 2025 NFL Draft.

Dynasty Rookie Draft Bust Candidates

Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG)

Dynasty Rookie Draft Bust Candidates

Jaxson Dart (QB – NYG)

The Giants traded up to select Dart late in the first round of this year’s draft. It seems unlikely he’ll get significant Year 1 playing time behind Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, but who knows? If the Giants fall out of contention, Dart could play earlier than we expect. The positives: Dart has a solid NFL-caliber arm and a quick release, and he’s a willing and able runner. The negatives: If Dart can consistently read the entire field and work through his progressions, it didn’t show up often on his tape. There were too many instances of Dart vacating the pocket at the slightest hint of pressure. Dart didn’t fare especially well against the better defenses of the SEC, such as Georgia and Alabama. But Dart has draft capital in his favor, so he’ll be a first-round pick in the vast majority of superflex rookie drafts.

Matthew Golden (WR – GB)

Texas keeps churning out good NFL receiver prospects. Matthew Golden is a burner who runs crisp routes and has sure hands. It’s impressive how adroitly he works the sidelines. Film guys such as Mel Kiper Jr., Daniel Jeremiah and Dane Brugler love him and ranked him as a top-15 overall prospect in this year’s draft. But Golden’s college production profile raises some red flags. Golden has a chance to make an immediate impact for the Packers, who selected him 23rd overall in this year’s draft. Golden should be able to earn significant rookie-year targets among a group of receivers that includes Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. The Packers also have Christian Watson, but he might miss most of 2025 after sustaining a major knee injury late last year. Golden figures to go late in the first round of dynasty rookie drafts, and he’s a mid-rounder in redraft.

Luther Burden (WR – CHI)

The Bears spent an early second-round pick on Luther Burden, but how will they use him. Chicago already has WRs D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze, along with TEs Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet. A top-three recruit in the high school class of 2022, Burden showed off his electric playmaking skills with an 83-catch, 1,212-yard sophomore season in 2023. Burden wasn’t nearly as productive last fall, finishing with 676 receiving yards — second on his team behind Theo Wease. But the Mizzou offense struggled at times in 2024, especially when QB Brady Cook was hurt. Perhaps the best comp for Burden isn’t even a football comp. It’s Allen Iverson, the former NBA star. Burden has the same sort of lightning-quick first step, creating instant separation. When Burden has the ball in the open field, the air crackles with electricity. He’s as slippery as an eel and has surprising contact balance. Burden is like a smaller version of Deebo Samuel in terms of what he can do after the catch. Burden’s disappointing junior season suggests that he’s not a truly safe dynasty option, but the potential ceiling is lofty indeed.

Jayden Higgins (WR – HOU)

Jayden Higgins was the peanut butter to Jaylin Noel‘s jelly at Iowa State, and now the two former Cyclones will remain teammates in the NFL, with both being drafted by the Texans. The 6-4, 217-pound Higgins moves well for a bigger receiver and has sure hands. He had 87-1,183-9 receiving for Iowa State last fall. The issue isa that Houston already has a big physical receiver — established star Nico Collins. The presence of Collins could make it hard for Higgins to assert himself as a rookie.

Harold Fannin (TE – CLE)

Harold Fannin put up absurd numbers at Bowling Green last season: 117-1,555-10. That included big games against quality opponents Penn State and Texas A&M. Fannin’s hands and movement skills should translate to the NFL. The concern is that the 230-pound Fannin isn’t big enough to play in-line, which means he might not play a full complement of snaps in the NFL, potentially limiting his upside. The good news about his landing spot is that the Browns spent a third-round pick on him. The bad news is that Cleveland already has David Njoku as its primary tight end.

2025 Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings

Here are my latest Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings based on 2025 NFL Draft landing spots. You can find the latest Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings and sync your fantasy football league for specific advice.