Team Fit: There is a small chance HC Brian Callahan
will claim that Ward will have to beat out Will Levis and Brandon Allen for the starting job this summer, but there is a zero percent
chance either one will start ahead of the rookie barring a preseason
injury. With Tyler Lockett joining Calvin Ridley and Chig Okonkwo,
Ward will have a much better chance of success than Levis did
- especially behind a much-improved offensive line. Ward will
draw the lazy Patrick Mahomes comp from some given his ability
and desire to throw from different arm angles, but he is not the
same kind of athlete. I liken him more to a young Ben Roethlisberger
given the similar arm strength and ability to shed tacklers in
the pocket.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Probably
mid-range QB2. Ward just does not offer enough with his legs to
overcome what is still an average supporting cast at best.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts?
In superflex leagues, the discussion can begin around 1.03. In
one-quarterback leagues, he could slide to the early or middle
part of the second round.
Team Fit: The Jags gave up a lot to move up three picks for Hunter,
so he will almost certainly be allowed to contribute as much as
humanly possible as a wide receiver and cornerback. He is needed
at both spots in Jacksonville, but we will stick to the receiver
part of his job description here as much as possible. With Brian
Thomas Jr. emerging as a rookie last season, the Jaguars were
one of the few realistic spots where Hunter could land that did
not need him as an alpha receiver. As a result, it would not be
shocking if Jacksonville takes its time loading Hunter's plate
and gives those extra reps to Dyami Brown and Parker Washington
early in the season. Such a decision would only be for a few weeks
with the hope they would be able to have him contribute more on
both sides of the ball later in the year. By the end of the 2025
season, it would not surprise me if the Jags view Thomas and Hunter
as 1A and 1B.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Hunter's stock in all
formats could vary greatly from day to day based solely on what
beat writers say about his usage in offseason work and training
camp. Promises of full-time receiver usage could mean fantasy
managers need to rank him inside the top 30 receivers. Reports
of sharing snaps with Brown and/or Washington could push into
the WR4/5 range.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts?
In superflex leagues, he is worth considering as early as 1.04
regardless of what the Jags say about his usage this spring and
summer. In one-quarterback leagues, he could go as early as 1.03
depending on team needs, although (again) much will depend on
offseason reports.
Team Fit: Jeanty joins a roster where the best pre-draft options
at running back were Raheem Mostert, Zamir White and Sincere McCormick.
It is safe to say he will be featured and handle 300-plus touches
as a rookie. Las Vegas still has much work to do before it can
maximize Jeanty's considerable skill, but the offseason additions
of OC Chip Kelly and Geno Smith should help minimize the Raiders'
offensive line and receiver issues. Mostert will be more involved
than many people might expect, but that is only because Kelly's
up-tempo offense should lead to more opportunities for everyone.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? The Raiders might not
have been the best offensive environment for Jeanty, but elite
talent and massive volume tend to cure most ills for fantasy running
backs. He should be considered a first-round lock in most drafts.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? In superflex
and one-quarterback leagues, he should go at 1.01 in most of them.
Team Fit: It was only about a month ago that HC Dave Canales
told reporters he still believed that Xavier Legette was "that
(No. 1) guy." He is no longer that guy. McMillan should be
considered the team's X receiver from the very moment he steps
on the field for his first practice. It is worth noting that at
least part of Canales' desire to draft him was likely to emulate
what he had with Mike Evans during his short tenure as the Bucs'
play-caller in 2023. McMillan profiles more like Larry Fitzgerald
than Evans in my opinion, but the bigger point is that the rookie
should not have to wait long to be the focal point of the passing
game. Furthermore, he will have the luxury of picking the brain
of Adam Thielen for at least a year.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Thielen's veteran savvy
might be enough to keep McMillan from being the team's alpha in
Week 1, but it should be only a matter of time until that transition
takes place. McMillan should be considered a strong WR3 option
with WR2 upside immediately.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? In one-quarterback
leagues, McMillan should be in play as early as 1.02. Positive
reports about Travis Hunter's receiver usage could cause T-Mac
to fall to 1.04 in-quarterback leagues and 1.05 in superflex formats.
Team Fit: Cole Kmet signed a four-year extension in the summer
of 2023, but his days are numbered in Chicago now. (The Bears
can net $8.4 million in cap savings if they cut him next offseason.)
Using the first pick of the Ben Johnson era on a move tight end
is a strong indication that the Bears view Loveland in a similar
light as Sam LaPorta. How Johnson plans to utilize Loveland and
Kmet in the meantime will be interesting. With that said, Loveland
will be the preferred option of the two right away and handle
most of the targets that went to Keenan Allen last season. The
upside with Loveland is that his presence changes the personnel
defenses will use against the Bears (likely keeping an extra safety
or linebacker on the field instead of a nickel corner). Being
the quintessential "too big for defensive backs and too fast
for linebackers" tight end that he is, Loveland will create
headaches for defensive coordinators who would rather focus on
trying to stop D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze week after week.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Loveland may not be
the 2025 version of LaPorta per se, but fantasy managers should
expect Johnson to use him the same way. He should be considered
a strong TE1 option right away.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? In superflex
and one-quarterback leagues, Loveland warrants consideration as
early as 1.06.
Team Fit: Indianapolis' long tight end nightmare is over. The
Colts have not had a noteworthy contributor at tight end since
Eric Ebron and Jack Doyle. They have not had a long-term answer
at the position since Dallas Clark. That all stops now after Indy
snagged the most complete tight end prospect in the draft. Warren's
arrival not only should make Anthony Richardson's (or Daniel Jones')
job easier by giving him a huge and trustworthy target over the
middle of the field, but it should also allow Jonathan Taylor
to break a few more big runs. While the Penn State product may
not stretch the field very often with his speed, he is a tone-setter
who plays a lot like the player he models his game after (George
Kittle) - even if he is not quite as athletic.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Given the uncertain
nature of the team's quarterback situation heading into the 2025
season, Warren should be considered a fringe TE1 option at best
for now.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Warren is
too good of a prospect to fall out of the first round of superflex
and one-quarterback leagues despite the Colts' quarterback situation.
He should be worthy of a pick in the late first round in both
formats.
Team Fit: At first glance, this appears to be the worst fit of
the first round. However, there are some likely explanations as
to why it was made. Mike Evans will turn 32 in late August and
cannot be expected to churn out 1,000-yard seasons much longer.
Chris Godwin suffered a dislocated ankle in Week 7 last season
and just turned 29 in late February. Jalen McMillan came on late
during his rookie season, but the Bucs probably had no desire
to go through another season in which they had to rely on Sterling
Shepard to play significant snaps. Regardless of some of his shortcomings,
Egbuka has been pro-ready for a few years as a route-runner and
proven to be the consummate teammate while deferring to the likes
of Marvin Harrison Jr., Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson and Jaxon
Smith-Njigba in recent years. Egbuka lived in the slot for most
of his Ohio State career and will likely take over that role in
Tampa Bay in the coming years.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Egbuka appears to be
blocked by Evans and Godwin at the moment and could end up sharing
snaps with McMillan initially, so he likely belongs in the WR5
conversation.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? The likelihood
was that Egbuka was not going to be an alpha regardless of where
he was drafted, so he entered the draft as a borderline first-round
pick in superflex and one-quarterback leagues. The Bucs provide
a fantasy-friendly offensive environment, but the presence of
Evans and Godwin significantly caps his upside in 2025 and possibly
2026. Thus, he could fall into the early second round in rookie
drafts.
Team Fit: There was always a chance that Los Angeles was going
to add a back in the draft to complement Najee Harris. Unfortunately
for the former Steeler, Hampton is not just another back. He figures
to take Harris' job sooner rather than later. Few coaches love
to pound the rock more than HC Jim Harbaugh or OC Greg Roman and
few backs in this draft are built to handle a heavy workload better
than Hampton. The North Carolina product bears a resemblance to
Jonathan Taylor and figures to be Harbaugh's primary back for
the rest of this decade. The Chargers may not have the receiving
weapons necessary to stretch the field yet, but almost everything
else (run-heavy scheme, good offensive line and great quarterback)
is in place to help Hampton thrive right away. Perhaps the only
thing that will keep it from happening is if Los Angeles gives
Harris the veteran nod for more than a few games.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Hampton will take over
this backfield sooner than later, although the coaching staff
could ease him in early in the season. That would only lower his
draft cost in fantasy drafts, however. For now, consider him a
potential RB1 who could be had at RB3 prices.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Regardless
of whether it is a superflex and one-quarterback league, Hampton
should be the second running back off the board in most leagues.
He should not last past the 1.05 pick in either format.
Team Fit: At least for 2025, Golden is a great fit for Green
Bay. Christian Watson is expected to miss most of the season with
a torn ACL, which left the Packers with no one capable of consistently
stretching the field. Golden's arrival probably means Watson will
be allowed to test the free-agent market in 2026. (Romeo Doubs
is also a free agent after this season as well.) While a case
could be made that Green Bay was a bit shortsighted with this
pick, the more likely scenario is that the team hopes Golden can
effectively replace Watson this year and emerge as the most productive
player in the position group by 2026. He could not ask for a much
better situation, however. HC Matt LaFleur is a brilliant play-caller,
the running game is good - if not great - and Jordan Love has
the arm strength to weaponize Golden's speed.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? There may be too many
cooks in the Green Bay receiver kitchen in 2025, although Golden
has as much upside as any of them. Still, he feels more like a
boom/bust WR4 than an every-week contributor this year.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Green Bay
is an attractive landing spot for any talented receiver, so Golden
will most likely go in the 1.06-1.09 range in most superflex and
one-quarterback leagues.
Team Fit: For the first time in years, New York might have a
decent plan at quarterback and maybe even some reason for hope
for the future. Russell Wilson gives the team a "safe"
Week 1 starter, while Jameis Winston should be a more-than-capable
backup for the next two seasons. In short, Dart does not need
to be rushed into the starting lineup. HC Brian Daboll likely
sees some of the same qualities in him that he did in Josh Allen
once upon a time, but Dart is less ready now than Allen was as
a rookie. The first-team All-SEC performer also does not possess
the same kind of physical gifts as Allen and will probably need
a redshirt year after playing in an RPO-heavy offense at Ole Miss.
What does it mean in redraft (12 teams)? Dart's ability to run
and desire to make plays with his legs gives him a chance of being
a QB2 at some point as a rookie, but it is a long shot because
he is not ready to be a weekly starter in the NFL yet.
Where should I expect him to go in my rookie drafts? Dart might
be worth taking near the end of the first round of superflex leagues,
although the need for quarterbacks in that format will probably
push him up into the 1.07-1.09 range. In one-quarterback leagues,
he will probably go no earlier than the middle part of the second
round.
Doug Orth has written for FF Today since 2006 and joined the
Fantasy Points website before the start of the 2024 season. He is
also a highly successful high-stakes player who often appears as
a guest analyst on Sirius XM. Doug is also a member of the Fantasy
Sports Writers Association. Please check him out on "The Football
Diehards" podcast with co-host JJ Wenner.