The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, and with it, the fantasy football landscape has shifted dramatically. From promising rookies walking into dream scenarios to veteran players who saw their value plummet overnight, fantasy managers now face a critical window to re-evaluate rankings, depth charts, and draft boards. Whether you’re prepping for redraft season or knee-deep in dynasty rookie drafts, understanding which players gained or lost the most value is essential to gaining an edge.
In this article, we break down the biggest veteran NFL Draft winners for fantasy football, highlighting players such as Baker Mayfield and D’Andre Swift, who saw their fantasy stock rise based on what their team did or didn’t do at the draft. If you’re researching “NFL Draft winners and losers for fantasy” to identify post-draft risers, fallers, and sneaky value plays, you’re in the right place.
Let’s dive in.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
NFL Draft Veteran Winners for Fantasy Football
What veteran player walks away as the biggest winner based on the new addition(s) to his team and how does it affect how you value him this season?
Baker Mayfield (QB – TB)
“Baker Mayfield has got to be smiling pretty big after how the Buccaneers took care of him in this draft. The Bucs spent two of their six selections on wide receivers, namely at 19th overall when the Bucs selected Emeka Egbuka out of The Ohio State University. In the long run, this pick makes a ton of sense. Chris Godwin should be back fully healthy after his injury last year, and Mike Evans is entering the last year of his deal. If Evans does leave Tampa, here is his replacement in the Tampa passing game in Egbuka. However, in the short term, Mayfield has an absolute bevy of options to choose from. Mayfield was a great option before, now he is a fantastic option for 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
Jordan Love (QB – GB)
“Jordan Love only got one new addition to his receiving corps in free agency after the Packers signed Mecole Hardman, despite Christian Watson being expected to miss a significant chunk of the 2025 season with a torn ACL. However, he was a massive winner following the NFL Draft. Green Bay used their first three picks to improve his supporting cast, drafting Matthew Golden and Savion Williams to improve their receiving corps. Furthermore, the Packers spent their second-round pick on Anthony Belton, giving Love a big body protector in front of him. Love went from a mid-range QB2 I wasn’t targeting in redraft leagues to a likely low-end QB1 with meaningful upside.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
Javonte Williams (RB – DAL)
“Unfortunately, the answer is Javonte Williams. After signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys, we all thought they would draft a true future three-down back from a class bursting with talent at the position. Well, they did draft Jaydon Blue from Texas, but he’s more of a change-of-pace guy at his size. Miles Sanders is dust, so Williams, as of now, is the clear lead fantasy back of note in that backfield.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
D’Andre Swift (RB – CHI)
“D’Andre Swift was expected to be replaced by the offensive coordinator who jettisoned him from Detroit in new Bears head coach Ben Johnson. But now, with only Kyle Monangai brought into Chicago’s RB room, Swift is still set to lead the backfield. More importantly, he’s the best pass-catcher in the room, keeping him very fantasy relevant on an ascending offense. He’s a mid-range RB2 with RB1 upside if Roschon Johnson and Monangai can’t take significant work away from him.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
Chase Brown (RB – CIN)
“The Bengals added a couple of offensive linemen in their 2025 draft haul, but did nothing to add to the backfield until adding Tahj Brooks from Texas Tech in the sixth round. Coming off a season that saw him rush for just under 1,000 yards and adding 54 receptions and 360 yards through the air, Brown appears to have earned the coaching staff’s confidence. He should be an RB2 with upside this season.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
Drake Maye (QB – NE)
“The Patriots made four offensive selections during the first two days of the NFL Draft to provide QB Drake Maye the support he needs to take a sophomore leap. The Pats selected offensive tackle Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Kyle Williams and center Jared Wilson. Not only did they beef up the offensive line, but they added explosive playmakers that this New England offense has so severely lacked. With an improved supporting cast, improved coaching and rushing upside, Maye is my top target in the late-round QB territory after he finished as the QB15 in points per game in 2024.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Jayden Daniels (QB – WAS)
“For me, the biggest winner is someone most people probably won’t think of just because he’s already so talented, and that’s Jayden Daniels. Washington not only added OT Josh Conerly in the draft, but also brought in Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil in a trade with Houston, which gives the Commanders one of the best offensive lines they’ve fielded in years. They also traded a fifth-round pick for WR Deebo Samuel, whose YAC numbers (yards after catch) are one of the best in the league. The new fortified offensive line should propel not just Daniels but the entire Washington offense (Terry McLaurin, Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler, Zach Ertz, etc.) to even greater heights in 2025. Honorable mentions: Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, and Justin Fields.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
Caleb Williams (QB – CHI)
“Caleb Williams was far and away the most sacked QB last year with 68 sacks, a whopping 16 more than the next QB (C.J. Stroud with 52). The Bears organization responded by overhauling the entire O-Line by trading for Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson, signing Drew Dalman and drafting Ozzy Trapilo with the 56th pick. Additionally, they drafted additional starting power weapons in the form of WR Luther Burden III and TE Colston Loveland while keeping DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Cole Kmet. I expect Williams to have a monster year and finish well within the top 12 of QBs.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)
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