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 my must-have dynasty rookie draft targets.
Must-Have Dynasty Rookie Draft Targets
TreVeyon Henderson (RB – Ohio State)
TreVeyon Henderson probably isn’t cut out to be an NFL workhorse. He never had more than 183 carries in any of his three seasons at OSU. He split work with Quinshon Judkins as a senior and didn’t have more than 12 carries in any game last fall. But let’s face it: There aren’t many true workhorses in the NFL, anyway. Henderson is a sensational playmaker capable of making hay on 12-15 touches a game a la James Cook. Henderson has big-time speed, sports car acceleration and quick feet. He changes direction with minimal loss of speed, and his cutbacks are jaw-dropping. He’s useful in the passing game (11.1 yards per catch over his college career) and deadly on screens.
RJ Harvey (RB – UCF)
RJ Harvey is small (5-9, 208) and overaged (24). But holy-moly, what a fun player to watch. Harvey has outstanding quickness and lateral agility. His jump-cuts are something to behold. Harvey also has great vision, quickly discerning where holes are and decisively dashing through them. He’s also a capable pass catcher and a high academic achiever. The production at UCF the last two years was absurd: 42 touchdowns, just under 3,000 rushing yards, and more than 500 receiving yards. The ageists and sizeists aren’t going to like Harvey, but open-minded dynasty managers might fall in love with him.
Dylan Sampson (RB – Tennessee)
Blazing-fast with impressive lateral agility, Dylan Sampson will probably be a combine darling. But there’s more to Sampson’s game than pure speed and flashy moves. Sampson has good contact balance for a back who weighs barely 200 pounds. He’s surprisingly effective between the tackles, fighting for extra yardage. A patient runner who reads his blocks well, Sampson seems to understand the design of every play. He doesn’t panic when defenders get penetration, turning losses into gains with quick thinking and fleet feet. Sampson is a capable pass catcher and surprisingly adept as a pass blocker. He’s also a high-character kid who was a member of the Volunteers’ leadership council. There’s always a question about how Tennessee prospects will transition from Josh Heupel’s unique offensive system to an NFL scheme. But there’s a lot to like here.
Sampson has good contact balance for a back who weighs barely 200 pounds. He’s surprisingly effective between the tackles, fighting for extra yardage.
A patient runner who reads his blocks well, Sampson seems to understand the design of every play. He doesn’t panic when defenders get penetration, turning losses into gains with quick thinking and fleet feet.
Sampson is a capable pass catcher and surprisingly adept as a pass blocker. He’s also a high-character kid who was a member of the Volunteers’ leadership council. There’s always a question about how Tennessee prospects will transition from Josh Heupel’s unique offensive system to an NFL scheme. But, man, there’s a lot to like here.
Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Arizona)
A 6-foot-5 receiver who’s topped 1,300 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons? Yes, please. Tetairoa McMillan is a classic X receiver – although he can also be a matchup nightmare as a big slot receiver. He has a planetary catch radius and good, strong hands. A smooth mover for a big receiver, McMillan has advanced route-running chops. He has a good feel for attacking zone coverage, and he’s no shrinking violet when asked to go over the middle. Mike Evans comparisons are inevitable because of McMillan’s height. The comp that makes more sense to me is Tee Higgins, who’s 6-4. Like Higgins, McMillan comes down with more than his fair share of contested catches, but both players have much more to their games than just the ability to high-point the football.
Luther Burden (WR – Missouri)
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.
Jaylin Noel (WR – Iowa State)
Jaylin Noel isn’t big (5-11, 200) and doesn’t have great pure speed, but he’s an advanced route runner with good hands and the ability to do damage after the catch. Stopwatch speed can be overrated. Noel was a very good return man for the Cyclones, who were eager to get the ball in his hands as often as possible.
Colston Loveland (TE – Michigan)
Unlike Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland is a young TE prospect – he’ll turn 21 shortly before the draft. In his best college season (2023), Colston’s receiving numbers were about half of what Warren produced in 2024. But let’s consider the circumstances. Michigan’s offense was run-heavy in the Wolverines’ 2023 national championship season. In 2024, Michigan’s quarterbacking was awful. The 6-5, 245-pound Loveland is a freaky athlete with a huge catch radius and impressive route-running knowhow. His potential is immense.
Mason Taylor (TE – LSU)
The son of former Dolphins edge rusher extraordinaire Jason Taylor, Mason Taylor didn’t put up extraordinary numbers at LSU, but his size (6-5, 250), athleticism and versatility make him an intriguing three-down TE prospect.
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
