For redraft and dynasty managers alike, the NFL Draft is a pivotal moment of the offseason. The landing spots of these highly-touted prospects play a massive role in shaping volume distributions across the league. The blue-chip prospects, in which NFL teams have invested large draft capital, are likely to earn significant roles from opening week. Meanwhile, rookies selected in the later rounds often need more acclimation time before seeing steady volume. Nevertheless, these sneaky late-round selections often carve out prime roles in the latter half of their rookie seasons.

• Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
• Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
• DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers

From a fantasy football perspective, the ideal landing spots are those that are conducive to consistent volume. We’d like to see these young and talented players find their way onto rosters where they can climb the depth chart quickly. What’s more, the offensive ecosystem plays an integral role in determining how a rookie performs early in his career. Many of these prospects possess raw tools and athleticism that can become key building blocks with the right coaching. These players must be placed in systems that will make the most of their talents and allow them to reach their full potential.

Top NFL Draft Landing Spots

With the 2025 NFL draft now in the books, let’s review the players who were fortunate enough to land particularly favorable situations this past weekend.

Omarion Hampton (RB – LAC)

The Chargers’ offseason transactions suggest the team fully intends to instill a run-heavy offensive game plan in 2025. The loss of veteran wide receiver Josh Palmer in free agency worsens what was already an underwhelming pass-catching corps. Head coach Jim Harbaugh and offensive coordinator Greg Roman are both notorious for designing successful run-centric offensive systems. The selection of Omarion Hampton with the 22nd overall pick all but confirms that the Chargers will look to establish a physical brand of football in 2025.

Hampton joins a running back depth chart that is bereft of explosive weapons. While sophomore back Kimani Vidal showed flashes during his rookie season, he doesn’t figure to be anything more than a change-of-pace back in this system. On the other hand, the team invested a lucrative $5.25 million contract in veteran rusher Najee Harris. To his credit, Harris had been a steady contributor throughout his tenure as a Pittsburgh Steeler. The latter has accumulated a minimum of 1,000 rushing yards and six touchdowns in four consecutive seasons.

That said, Harris’ efficiency has left much to be desired. According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), he’s averaged a pedestrian 3.9 yards per carry and an elusive rating of 67.2 throughout his professional career. Simply put, he doesn’t have the game-breaking explosiveness the Chargers desperately need on offense.

Hampton’s tackle-breaking ability and elusiveness in space will be a coveted asset in Roman’s system. Among FBS running backs with a minimum of 100 carries, he ranked second in rushing yards, eighth in rushing grade and fifth in missed tackles forced in 2024, per PFF. He also excelled as a pass-catcher, accruing 38 receptions and 373 receiving yards throughout his final collegiate season. Given how impressive the rookie’s analytical profile is, I suspect he will usurp Harris as the unquestioned No. 1 RB in this backfield.

.@chargers @OmarionHampton is a BOLT. AN XXXplosive workhorse RB. Perfect fit for a HARBS Team. #bolts #nfldraft #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/bzoOzaBC3G

— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) April 25, 2025

Hampton has been presented with an incredible opportunity to be a key figure in an ascending offence. Justin Herbert remains one of the brightest young stars at the quarterback position. Roman and Harbaugh have consistently produced effective rushing attacks throughout their respective careers. As it currently stands, it appears as though Hampton will be a mainstay in fantasy lineups for the foreseeable future.

Tetairoa McMillan (WR – Carolina)

After an extremely tumultuous start to his career, quarterback Bryce Young enjoyed the best football of his career in the latter half of the 2024 season. He ended the season throwing a minimum of two touchdowns in three consecutive contests, with zero interceptions in that span. Dave Canales, who’s earned a reputation for helping signal-callers reach their maximum potential, has proved to be an extremely beneficial head coach appointment for Young and the Panthers as a whole.

What was perhaps most impressive about Young’s emergence was the fact he compiled impressive statistics despite the team boasting an uninspiring group of pass-catchers. None of the team’s primary receivers — Adam Thielen, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker — surpassed a PFF receiving grade of 76.5. Carolina desperately needed an alpha receiver to further continue the team’s offensive ascension.

For this reason, Tetairoa McMillan is an ideal fit for this roster. At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, the Arizona product profiles as the prototypical boundary receiver that will excel in contested catch situations. He immediately becomes this team’s bona fide No. 1 WR and will earn a plethora of targets from Week 1 of the 2025 season. From a fantasy football perspective, this clear path to volume is certainly intriguing.

McMillan’s final collegiate season was very impressive. Among FBS wide receivers with a minimum of 100 targets, he ranked fifth in receiving grade, fourth in yards per route run and fourth in contested catches in 2024, per PFF. He earned a minimum of 115 targets in two consecutive seasons, demonstrating his ability to create separation and command targets at an elite rate. Perhaps Canales can employ McMillan in a role similar to that of Mike Evans throughout his tenure as the Buccaneers’ offensive coordinator.

I expect McMillan to earn a healthy target share and to be used frequently in the red zone. If Bryce Young can continue his ascension into a franchise quarterback, this draft selection will prove to be beneficial for the Panthers and fantasy managers alike.

Kaleb Johnson (RB – PIT)

After losing starting running back Najee Harris in free agency, there was no doubt the Pittsburgh Steelers would address the position in the draft. While Jaylen Warren has proven to be an efficient change-of-pace back, his smaller frame suggests he isn’t built to handle a workhorse role. Warren hasn’t earned more than 160 carries in any of his three seasons in Pittsburgh.

For this reason, the team’s third-round selection of Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson is particularly enticing. Johnson was extremely productive in his final season as a Hawkeye. Per PFF, he averaged an outstanding 4.42 yards after contact per attempt and earned an elusive rating of 131.5. He possesses the tackle-breaking ability and explosiveness that is a coveted asset in Arthur Smith’s scheme.

Arthur Smith-led offenses are notorious for running the ball at an extremely high rate. In 2024, the Steelers ranked sixth in the NFL with 30.2 rushing attempts per game. What’s more, the Steelers’ quarterback situation remains ambiguous as we head deeper into the offseason.

While rumours of a potential union with veteran signal-caller Aaron Rodgers continue to circulate, the team’s current starting No. 1 QB is Mason Rudolph. In any case, this team’s offensive strength is unlikely to be its passing attack. With a defensive unit that continues to improve every year, it’s fair to project this team to employ a slow-paced, defensive brand of football.

Expect the Steelers to once again be among the league leaders in rush attempts per game in 2025. This will coincide with a significant workload for Johnson in his rookie year. He’s continuously shown the ability to take on a three-down workload and maintain productivity while doing so.

Kaleb Johnson 2024 per game averages #herewego

• 20 attempts
• 128.1 rushing yards
• 1.75 rushing TDs
• 6.4 YPC

Also caught 14.7% of Iowa’s completed passes

Workhorse. pic.twitter.com/lr0aik2ATH

— Trey (@TreyK_FB) April 26, 2025

RJ Harvey (RB – DEN)

The running back position has always been a staple of Sean Payton’s offenses. The well-decorated head coach has earned a reputation for maximizing the potential of his backs, using them heavily in both the run and passing game. In 2024, it was clear the Broncos did not boast a running back room to Payton’s liking. Jaleel McLaughlin, Javonte Williams and Audric Estime all had stints as the team’s starter, but none were able to gain a stranglehold on the job. The Broncos publicly highlighted running back as a position of need heading into the draft.

With the second-round selection of RJ Harvey, the team appears to have finally found their go-to back. Harvey’s analytical profile is quite impressive. He ranked third in rushing yards, second in touchdowns, 12th in rush grade and seventh in missed tackles forced among FBS backs with at least 100 carries in 2024. He also averaged a striking 1.39 yards per route run, 9.9 yards after catch per reception and 13.4 yards per reception, per PFF. He profiles as a true all-purpose back who can perhaps inherit a role similar to that of Alvin Kamara throughout Payton’s days as the New Orleans Saints head coach.

Harvey’s competition for touches shouldn’t be too much for the UCF product to overcome. For one, McLaughlin has typically operated as a secondary option in the Broncos’ system. He’s yet to surpass 500 rushing yards in a season. On the other hand, Estime failed to make an impact as a rookie. His PFF rush grade of 61.1 shed light on his struggles early in his career.

Harvey has a very clear path to earning volume in Denver. With a great offensive mind at head coach and a rising star at quarterback, this offense figures to be very fruitful from a fantasy football perspective. Harvey will be a highly coveted asset very soon.

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