Using FantasyPros’ Draft Wizard, I set up a PPR dynasty rookie mock draft that was Superflex and TE-Premium. I was randomly slotted into the seventh overall pick, which gave me a great vantage point to build a balanced team while focusing on my favorite draft strategy — targeting upside and clear paths to playing time, especially in the later rounds where long-term payoff matters most.
This mock was done at the same time a handful of my dynasty leagues were holding rookie drafts. This allowed me to use different constructions during mock drafts and go outside my comfort zone. It also helped me to fight some of my biases when drafting. I can see the edges that this provided me in real time, which will hopefully help some of you when you enter your draft rooms.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft
Let’s dive into my picks and the reasoning behind each one.
1.07 – Travis Hunter (WR – JAX)
In this TE-Premium mock, both Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland were already off the board, making Travis Hunter a relatively easy — and somewhat surprising — selection. I didn’t expect him to fall this far, but his availability made the decision a no-brainer. While the Jaguars announced plans for him to contribute on both sides of the ball, they’ve since clarified that Hunter will primarily play wide receiver — a huge win for his fantasy outlook. That positional clarity removes any major usage concerns and solidifies his value.
Given the players left on the board, Hunter stood in a tier of his own. While backs like TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins and Kaleb Johnson landed in solid situations, none have the elite, difference-making profile Hunter brings. After racking up 153 receptions and 20 touchdowns over two seasons at Colorado, Hunter enters the league as one of the most dynamic young receivers in dynasty formats. Pairing him with Brian Thomas Jr. gives Trevor Lawrence two explosive weapons and gives fantasy managers a potential star with immediate and long-term upside.
2.07 – Tre Harris (WR – LAC)
Unless I have glaring roster holes or there’s a prospect I’m pounding the table for, my general rookie draft strategy is to let the board come to me. That paid off here. Just like Travis Hunter in the first round, seeing Tre Harris still available at this point was a pleasant surprise. Over the past two seasons, Harris emerged as one of the top deep threats in college football. Even after missing time last year, he still posted 1,030 receiving yards, averaging over 128 yards per game in Lane Kiffin’s offense.
From a fantasy perspective, Ladd McConkey projects as the Chargers’ No. 1 WR and should hold down the Z role in two-wide sets while sliding into the slot in three-wide formations. That opens the door for Harris to compete for the outside Z spot in three-receiver sets. While it’s possible he eventually challenges Quentin Johnston for the X role, the more likely path, at least initially, is stepping into Joshua Palmer‘s deep-threat role.
With his speed, vertical ability and a potentially wide-open receiver depth chart in 2025, Harris offers the kind of upside I’m targeting in the second round of rookie drafts. Harris isn’t a slam-dunk pick, but he’s a legit bet on talent and opportunity converging.
3.07 – Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAX)
Taking Bhayshul Tuten here means I’m heavily invested in the Jacksonville offense, but the upside makes it worth the risk. If he ends up being this year’s version of Bucky Irving — a mid-to-late round steal who earns meaningful touches — this pick could be one of the best values in the draft.
Tuten became a favorite among analytically-minded fantasy managers during the pre-draft process, and for good reason. He was one of the biggest combine risers, posting a 9.73 relative athletic score (RAS) out of 10, ranking 53rd out of 1,909 running backs evaluated from 1987 to 2015. His 4.32 speed and explosive athleticism should fit well in new head coach Liam Coen’s system, where he’ll be used to stretch defenses and create big plays.
The concern, of course, is volume. Jacksonville’s backfield is crowded. Travis Etienne could be a trade candidate with just one year left on his deal, but Tank Bigsby showed real progress in Year 2 and may have earned a larger role. That uncertainty is likely why Tuten is falling into this range, but that’s also what makes him a smart target. This part of the rookie draft is ideal for taking shots on athletic, high-upside running backs with a plausible path to opportunity. Tuten checks both boxes and is exactly the type of bet I want to make in the mid-to-late second round.
4.07 – Mitchell Evans (TE – CAR)
In a TE-Premium format, I wanted to make sure I left this draft with at least one tight end, and Mitchell Evans offers intriguing long-term upside at a discount. He’s not going to blow anyone away with elite athletic traits, but what he lacks in raw explosiveness, he makes up for with reliable hands and toughness at the catch point. Evans consistently won contested catches at Notre Dame and quietly led the team in receptions in both 2023 and 2024, despite missing significant time with an ACL tear in 2023.
His landing spot in Carolina is better than it might seem on the surface. Panthers tight ends Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders combined for 56 catches last season. Neither appears to have a firm grip on the starting role. Evans is already a more complete blocker than either, which could earn him early snaps and a steady presence in two-tight end sets.
That said, this is a long-term investment. Evans likely won’t offer much fantasy production in 2025, but he’s the type of stash worth targeting in the later rounds of a TE-Premium rookie draft. With the right development curve, he could emerge as a reliable low-end TE1 or high-end TE2 by 2026.
5.07 – Jordan James (RB – SF)
If taking a flier late in a rookie draft, taking one tied to the San Francisco offense is a smart decision. Over the past three seasons, the 49ers have gotten meaningful contributions from Jordan Mason (undrafted), Isaac Guerendo (fourth Round) and Elijah Mitchell (sixth Round). Guerendo is the only other back on the roster to compete to be the No. 2 RB for Christian McCaffery, making Jordan James a reasonable bet.
With McCaffery coming off an injury and heading into his age-28 season, you don’t need to squint too hard to see a scenario where James carves out a role this year. James could mix in as a change of pace or third-down back, as he is a capable receiver. When you’re in the fifth Round of a rookie draft, you take any type of upside you can get your hands on.
More Dynasty Rookie Mock Drafts
- How to Prepare for Your Dynasty Rookie Draft
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex, Four Rounds
- Dynasty Rookie Superflex Mock Draft: TE Premium
- Dynasty Rookie Superflex Mock Draft: Three Rounds
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Three Rounds
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: 12-Team, Superflex
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Superflex, TE Premium
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Picks to Target
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Half-PPR, Early Pick
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Late Pick, Five Rounds
- Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Standard, Early Pick
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Jason Kamlowsky is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Jason, check out his archive and follow him on Twitter @JasonKamlowsky.
