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, we dive into dynasty rookie draft picks our analysts are higher on compared to our expert consensus rankings.
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Dynasty Rookie Draft Advice
Emeka Egbuka lands in a crowded but intriguing spot in Tampa Bay after being selected 19th overall – a clear sign the Bucs believe in his long-term upside, even with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin still on the roster. A polished, reliable slot weapon, Egbuka became Ohio State’s all-time receptions leader and broke out as a sophomore after replacing Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2022. While he never truly operated as “the guy” in college, his consistent production alongside NFL-level talent speaks volumes. In the short term, target competition limits his redraft appeal, especially with Jalen McMillan also in the mix. But with both Evans and Godwin over 29 and dealing with durability concerns, Egbuka is one injury away from a clear path to fantasy relevance.
– Andrew Erickson
Harvey is set to explode in his rookie season. The runway is clear for takeoff. Sean Payton just put second-round capital behind a back that enters a room with Audric Estime, Jaleel McLaughlin, and J.K. Dobbins. No, I’m not worried about Estime or McLaughlin when they couldn’t carve out consistent roles last year with only the ghost of Javonte Williams standing in their way. Dobbins will assist Harvey on early downs so Denver doesn’t run their talented rookie into the ground, but I don’t project him taking away passing down work or high-leverage opportunities. It’s hard not to love a player like Harvey, who has ranked inside the top 20 among FBS running backs in each of the last two seasons in breakaway percentage and elusive rating (per PFF). Add in Payton’s running back usage, and Harvey looks primed to smash. Over the last two years, Payton has ranked fifth and first in running back target share. Harvey is a strong RB2 who could finish as an RB1 this season.
– Derek Brown
Hailing from noted football hotbed Medicine Hat, Alberta, Elic Ayomanor (pronounced “AY-o-manner”) is a lusty competitor who physically dominates cornerbacks and blocks his rear end off. Good luck trying to tackle him once Ayomanor gets the ball in his hands. He’s had some minor issues with drops. But if you have any questions about Ayomanor’s talent, ask Travis Hunter what he thinks of Ayomanor. When Stanford faced Colorado in 2023, Ayomanor lit up Hunter and the Buffaloes for 13 catches, 294 yards and three touchdowns in a 46-43 Stanford win. Ayomanor went to the Titans in the fourth round of the draft. He should have a chance to start right away and earn targets from fellow rookie Cam Ward.
– Pat Fitzmaurice
The Lions traded up to select Arkansas wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa in Round 3 of the NFL Draft – a clear sign they were determined to get their guy. A 6-foot-4, 214-pound athletic marvel, TeSlaa tested in the 88th percentile or better in the vertical jump, broad jump, and 20-yard shuttle, while also flashing 4.43 speed. Despite modest counting stats in the SEC, he was extremely efficient. TeSlaa posted the fourth-highest passer rating when targeted (145.5) in the FBS last year and earned a perfect rating on targets of 20+ air yards – a testament to his big-play ability. While immediate target volume may be tough to come by in Detroit’s loaded offense, he’s one injury away from stepping into a sizable role.
– Andrew Erickson
Smith was another talented victim of this deep running back class. He dropped all the way to the seventh round of the NFL Draft, which was surprising. The Chiefs added him to their already overstocked backfield. The Chiefs are no strangers to allowing a seventh-round running back a legit shot at starting (hi, Isiah Pacheco), so we can’t say that Smith has zero shot. I was enamored with Smith’s receiving ability as a converted wide receiver, his lightning quickness, and his possible upside as a rusher for a player who is still getting acclimated to the position. Last year, Smith ranked 34th in breakaway percentage, second in receiving grade, and 22nd in yards per route run (per PFF). Smith’s skill set is different from every other back in this depth chart. He could easily carve out a stand-alone role as Kansas City’s new Jerick McKinnon.
– Derek Brown
A talented rookie receiver headed to the Chiefs? Dynasty managers should probably take interest in fourth-round pick Jaylen Royals. A terrific route runner who’s lethal after the catch, Royals was wildly productive at Utah State, with 126 catches for 1,914 yards and 21 TDs over 20 games in his final two college seasons. He’s worth your attention in the second or third round of rookie drafts.
– Pat Fitzmaurice
A fifth-round selection of the Indianapolis Colts, D.J. Giddens becomes the handcuff to Colts lead back Jonathan Taylor. Giddens is a smart runner with good vision and patience. He’s a smooth mover who changes direction without gearing down. Giddens sets up linebackers with feints and dekes, then cuts sharply in the opposite direction once those LBs commit.
– Pat Fitzmaurice
Devin Neal went later than expected in the NFL Draft, slipping into the sixth round. But he landed in New Orleans, where he has a reasonable chance to be the No. 2 running back in a complementary role behind Alvin Kamara. Neal had more than 1,000 rushing yards and 20-plus catches for Kansas in each of his last three college seasons, averaging 6.0 yards per carry over that span. He had 16 TD runs in each of the last two years. Although his top-end speed isn’t great, Neal has terrific lateral agility and is a dangerous cutback runner. He can stop on a dime and then quickly re-accelerate. Neal also has good vision and patience.
– Pat Fitzmaurice
Jaylin Lane enters the NFL as a fourth-round pick by the Washington Commanders, initially expected to make his mark as the team’s starting punt returner. But don’t rule out a larger offensive role. With Terry McLaurin in the final year of his contract and Deebo Samuel on a one-year deal with an extensive injury history, Lane has a realistic path to becoming the starting slot receiver in Washington – especially with last year’s third-round pick Luke McCaffrey failing to impress. Lane is a dynamic playmaker and elite athlete. Measuring in at 5-foot-10, 191 pounds, he ran a sub-4.4 40, jumped at least 11’0? in the broad, and cleared 40? in the vertical, making him one of just eight WRs to hit all three athletic benchmarks since 2003. He ranked 4th in the 2025 class in YAC per reception (8.5) and has over 100 career kick/punt returns, reinforcing his playmaking ability in space.
– Andrew Erickson
Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB – WAS)
Croskey-Merritt was a predraft love lister for me. Sadley, he dropped all the way to the seventh round of the NFL Draft before the Commanders picked up the phone. If Croskey-Merritt hadn’t had his 2024 season cut off by an eligibility issue, he would have gone much higher than this. His 2023 season was excellent. He ranked 19th in yards after contact per attempt and 12th in elusive rating (per PFF). He’s a no-nonsense runner who makes one cut and gets downhill. He’ll have his work cut out for him to climb up a crowded running back depth chart, but he has the talent to do so. Pick him up with your final rookie pick (late fourth round or fifth round) or as a priority waiver/taxi squad add.
– Derek Brown
Here are our latest Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings from our consensus of fantasy football experts. You can find the latest Dynasty Rookie Draft Rankings and sync your fantasy football league for specific advice.
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