The age-old question in dynasty fantasy football: does pure talent or landing spot matter more? Both are critical, but the answer is pure talent. It doesn’t matter if a player lands in the perfect landing spot if he has no skill. Meanwhile, a superstar talent will succeed despite landing in a less-than-ideal situation.
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Ideal NFL Draft Landing Spots
However, where a prospect lands during the NFL Draft will significantly impact their fantasy football value in 2025 and beyond. Fantasy players would love to see Ashton Jeanty land with the Denver Broncos. Yet, that is unlikely to happen.
Therefore, let’s look at the ideal realistic fantasy football landing spot for the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft at quarterback, running back, wide receiver, and tight end.
Cam Ward (QB – Miami) → Tennessee Titans
All signs point towards the Titans selecting Ward with the first overall pick, barring a last-minute blockbuster trade. While landing with Tennessee isn’t the ideal landing spot for the former Miami star, it’s a solid spot for his fantasy value. Brian Callahan is an offensive-minded head coach with success coaching former top picks. Furthermore, the Titans have significantly improved their offensive line over the past two offseasons. While he doesn’t have an outstanding set of weapons, Ward has enough to be fantasy-relevant as a rookie.
Shedeur Sanders (QB – Colorado) → New York Giants
Sanders’ draft range starts at second overall and ended early in the second round. However, the ideal landing spot for the former Colorado star is with the Giants, whether third overall or early on Day 2. While the team signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston in free agency, they are stop-gap quarterbacks. More importantly, Malik Nabers is one of the top young wide receivers in the NFL, giving Sanders a star to grow with over the next several years in New York.
Jaxson Dart (QB – Ole Miss) → New Orleans Saints
While fantasy players shouldn’t rule out the Saints using the ninth overall pick on Dart, it’s more likely that the former Ole Miss star lands in New Orleans early in the second round. Dart was one of the best passers in the SEC last season, leading college football in yards per attempt (10.8) and quarterback rating (180.7). More importantly, many scouts have compared him to Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott. They are two of the past three starting quarterbacks coached by Kellen Moore.
Ashton Jeanty (RB – Boise State) → Las Vegas Raiders
Ashton Jeanty was the top running back in college football last season. He led the country in rushing attempts (374), yards (2,601), and touchdowns (29). The Raiders would be the perfect landing spot for the superstar. is the team’s current starting running back, with as the No. 2 option. Meanwhile, head coach Pete Carroll made Marshawn Lynch the face of the offense during his time with the Seattle Seahawks. He will do the same with the former Boise State star.
Jeanty was the top running back in college football last season. He led the country in rushing attempts (374), yards (2,601), and touchdowns (29). The Raiders would be the perfect landing spot for the superstar. Raheem Mostert is the team’s current starting running back, with Zamir White as the No. 2 option. Meanwhile, head coach Pete Carroll made Marshawn Lynch the face of the offense during his time with the Seattle Seahawks. He will do the same with the former Boise State star.
Omarion Hampton (RB – UNC) → Denver Broncos
While he isn’t an elite prospect like Ashton Jeanty, Hampton could be a first-round pick in the NFL Draft. The former North Carolina star led the ACC in rushing attempts (281) and yards (1,660) last season. Despite losing Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine in free agency, the Broncos didn’t add anyone to their backfield. After using multiple inefficient running backs last season, expect Denver to spend an early pick on their backfield, with Hampton being a potential target in the first round.
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – Ohio State) → Washington Commanders
Ohio State had the best 1-2 punch at running back in college football last season. Despite splitting the backfield workload, Henderson had over 1,000 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Furthermore, he is a dangerous weapon in the passing game. Meanwhile, Washington had a solid backfield last season with Brian Robinson Jr. and Austin Ekeler. However, both running backs are heading into the final year of their contracts in 2025. Furthermore, they lack big-play upside. Henderson could become a star alongside Jayden Daniels.
Quinshon Judkins (RB – Ohio State) → Chicago Bears
Despite splitting the backfield work, Judkins had over 1,000 rushing yards and at least 14 touchdowns for the third consecutive season in 2024. He is a physical runner with underrated speed and explosiveness. Many think the Bears could use their first-round pick in the NFL Draft on a running back. However, they are more likely to take a running back with one of their two early second-round picks. Judkins would be perfect to fill the David Montgomery role in new head coach Ben Johnson’s offense.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona) → Carolina Panthers
Many have McMillan as the No. 1 wide receiver in the draft class after totaling over 1,300 receiving yards in back-to-back seasons. The Panthers held onto Adam Thielen this offseason but didn’t make any meaningful additions to their receiving core. Despite spending a first-round pick on Xavier Legette last year, Carolina still lacks a No. 1 caliber wide receiver. McMillan would provide Bryce Young with a go-to receiver while seeing the target volume needed to be a fantasy star as a rookie.
Matthew Golden (WR – Texas) → Green Bay Packers
Golden improved his draft stock more than any other wide receiver in the class since the start of the college football season. The former Texas star led the SEC in receiving touchdowns in 2024. Furthermore, Golden showed scouts he could play outside or in the slot. Meanwhile, the Packers lack a No. 1 wide receiver, especially on the outside, with Christian Watson injured. While Green Bay likely won’t draft Golden with their first-round pick, his 4.29 speed would be perfect in Matt LaFleur’s offense.
Emeka Egbuka (WR – Ohio State) → Houston Texans
Houston traded for Christian Kirk earlier this offseason. However, Tank Dell likely won’t play in 2025 because of a significant knee injury, while the Texans lost Stefon Diggs in free agency. Therefore, expect Houston to add a wide receiver early in the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Egbuka had 10 receiving touchdowns in two of the past three seasons, including in 2022 with C.J. Stroud under center. Don’t be surprised if Egbuka lands with the Texans and has significant fantasy value early in his career.
Luther Burden III (WR – Missouri) → Jacksonville Jaguars
Unfortunately, Burden’s draft stock took a hit after a disappointing 2024 season. However, he still could be a first-round pick and is a lock to be a top-40 selection. His ideal landing spot is with the Jaguars at the top of the second round. Jacksonville lacks options in the passing game behind Brian Thomas Jr. Meanwhile, new head coach Liam Coen’s offense made Chris Godwin and Mike Evans fantasy stars last year. He could do the same this season with Thomas and Burden.
Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State) → New York Jets
I would love to see Warren land with the Los Angeles Chargers. Unfortunately, that likely won’t happen without a blockbuster trade into the top 10. Instead, the ideal realistic landing spot is with the Jets. Justin Fields is far from the best passing quarterback in the NFL. Yet, he made Cole Kmet a top-seven tight end in 2023. More importantly, don’t make the same mistake many did last year with Brock Bowers and pass on an elite tight end because of the less-than-ideal quarterback situation.
Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan) → Los Angeles Chargers
While I would love to see the Chargers draft Tyler Warren, Loveland is a more likely target and an excellent consolation prize. Jim Harbaugh will likely jump at the chance to draft a former Michigan player, especially since Loveland was a star in his final season with the former head coach. More importantly, Los Angeles lacks options in the passing game behind Ladd McConkey. Last year, Justin Herbert made Will Dissly fantasy relevant for part of the season. Imagine what he could do with Loveland.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
