Fantasy spin for NFL Draft 1st round picks
Pick #1 – Tennessee Titans
QB - CAM WARD (Miami) 6’2” 223
FFC Player Take
Strong arm pocket passer. Surveys field well. Fearless in pocket even when it breaks down keeping eyes downfield. Will run if needed but not a running QB. Aggressive throws with nice touch and accuracy. Aggressive instincts and reliance on physical skills can lead to unnecessary plays & INTs. Out of all the QB prospects in this draft, Ward was my top choice and the only one I would consider a potential franchise QB.
NFL Comp = JORDAN LOVE
Fantasy Take
Titans are in a bit of a rebuild coming off a bad year offensively ranked 26th in ypg, 27th in ppg. The WR room is incomplete with CALVIN RIDLEY as the top option and not much exciting after that. The underperforming TREYLON BURKS and soon to be 33 year old TYLER LOCKETT are the other projected starting WRS with CHIG OKONKWO manning the TE position. The RB duo of TONY POLLARD and TYJAWE SPEARS aren’t exactly a “plan around these guys” type of run game. That said, I expect more offense to be added in the draft.
Ward is a good long term option and an early pick for dynasty SF rookie drafts. For redraft, Ward is not likely to make much of an impact as more than a flier QB2.
Pick #2 – Jacksonville Jaguars
TRAVIS HUNTER (Colorado) 6’1” 185 4.40/40
FFC Player Take
NFL Comp = DB CHAMP BAILEY / WR JAXON SMITH-NJIGBA
Fantasy Take
The Jaguars paid a bundle in draft capital to get Hunter. Hard to blame them for a athlete with his upside. The pick is outstanding news for TREVOR LAWRENCE who needs a big season. New hed coach Liam Coen appears committed to giving him that chance with this pick. BRIAN THOMAS JR is a rising star on the other side of the ball and the Jags added deep ball specialist DYAMI BROWN in free agency as a field stretcher that should help open up the field for Lawrence. Hunter works best underneath which should mean a lot of targets in this offense.
I see Hunter as a solid PPR option with WR2 upside in year one. He is likely to play the “Chris Godwin” role in Coen’s offense from his time in Tampa the past few seasons. This is the offense that made Baker Mayfield a top 10 fantasy QB 2 years in a row which bodes well for Lawrence, Thomas and Hunter. The fact that Hunter has some defensive upside is a bonus. And for IDP leaguers out there, if he is listed as a DB he is a must draft high player.
Pick #6 – Las Vegas Raiders
ASHTON JEANTY (Boise St) 5’9” 211 4.42/40
FFC Player Take
Elite 3 down back. Superior athlete. Fantastic vision and elusive in open space. Strong and bruising power & terrific contact balance. Not elite speed but an extra gear to breakaway and finish runs. He is built for the rigors of the NFL as an immediate impact starter and feature weapon in any offense.
NFL Comp = MARSHAWN LYNCH
Fantasy Take
Jeanty has been rumored to Las Vegas for some time and on draft day it became a reality. It is exactly what the Raiders needed with a league worst (79.8 ypg) run offense. In fact the run offense was so bad the 31st ranked run offense was closer to the 24th ranked run offense than the Raiders at 32. Jeanty will change that. The Raiders don’t have a great offensive line but Jeanty played with a mediocre line in college and still able to amass over 2700 yards and a whopping 30 TDs. He will be a bell cow in the Pete Carroll offense. The fact that he reminds me of Marshawn doesn’t surprise me that Carroll jumped at the chance to take him. His presence should help open up the pass game for new signal caller GENO SMITH, his star TE BROCK BOWERS and the overall offense.
Jeanty is the 1.01 in dynasty leagues regardless of formats and will be an immediate top 10 rated RB for the 2025 season. I think he’s a special player and would have no issues taking him as my RB1 in the back half of the 1st round or early 2nd round.
Pick #8 – Carolina Panthers
TETAIROA MCMILLAN (Arizona) 6’5” 212 4.48/40
FFC Player Take
Prototypical outside receiver. Has height to win 50-50 balls. Runs well outside and over the middle with underrated ability to change direction in the open field. He is a true WR1 and has the tools to be an immediate impact player.
NFL Comp = DRAKE LONDON
Fantasy Take
The Panthers are committed to developing a wealth of talent around BRYCE YOUNG. They drafted XAVIER LEGETTE in the first round last year and added JALEN COKER and tight end JA’TAVION SANDERS last year as well. Now with Tet in the mix the team has a full complement of young weapons. Cannales comes from Tampa Bay and knows the importance of an alpha big man like MIKE EVANS. Tet is a similar player that should make an immediate impact.
Tet will rival Travis Hunter as the top rookie WR off the board and part of the decision on draft largely depends on who you trust more between Trevor Lawrence and Bryce Young. I would take Hunter first because of his PPR and defensive bonus upside but Tet is a close second.
Pick #10 – Chicago Bears
COLSTON LOVELAND (Michigan) 6’5” 245 4.70/40
FFC Player Take
Tall & lean, terrific weapon at the TE position. Smooth in routes. Great hands. Underestimated speed. Uses height to box out defenders at point of attack. Doesn’t have the frame of a blocker but should make an immediate offensive impact.
NFL Comp = SAM LAPORTA
Fantasy Take
Another comp that has be not surprised at the landing spot. New head coach and offensive guru Ben Johnson came from the Lions and tasked with turning around the league’s worst offense from a year ago. The team was aggressive in free agency to rebuild the Bears offensive line. Now they add another weapon for CALEB WILLIAMS, pairing Loveland with DJ MOORE and ROME ODUNZE. I love the landing spot. It’s true that COLE KMET is still in the mix but Loveland is a true offensive threat. Keep in mind the TE position can take time to develop so may not be an elite option in year 1. But would gladly grab him as an upside TE2, especially in keeper leagues. As for dynasty, worthy of a mid first round pick.
Pick #14 – Indianapolis Colts
TYLER WARREN (Penn State) 6’6” 255 4.68/40
FFC Player Take
He’s an offensive weapon used extensively & all over the field. His highlight reel watches like a swiss army knife of offense. Plays like a big slot receiver as opposed to traditional TE. Athlete with great hands. Shows versatility in wildcat and gadget plays. He is a former High School QB and basketball player converted to TE in college. He’s a good blocker and still improving. He profiles as an immediate impact player
NFL Comp = MARK ANDREWS (with shades of TAYSOM HILL)
Fantasy Take
Tyler Warren the player is going to be a lot of fun in the NFL. The Colts have been linked to him for a while which not only speaks to the real need at the position but also their plans to utilize him. He was a whopping 43% of Penn State’s offensive production which gives an idea of his upside as a fantasy production monster. Don’t love the landing spot with DANIEL JONES and ANTHONY RICHARDSON at QB but both can use a guy like Warren. I have him just behind Loveland for redraft as a TE2 with year 1 upside. For dynasty, he’s a mid-first round pick with a bright fantasy future.
Pick #19 – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
EMEKA EGBUKA (Ohio State) 6’1” 205 4.46/40
FFC Player Take
Smooth fluid route runner. Can play inside out but primarily plays in slot. Well-developed route tree. Doesn’t have top end speed but makes up for it by knowing the defense & how to get open. Doesn’t project as a game changer but a reliable QB friendly day 1 starter.
NFL Comp = CHRIS GODWIN
Fantasy Take
Yet another player that my pro comparison lends itself to the NFL destination. Egbuka is a perfect fit for the Bucs offense. While he doesn’t profile as a WR1, I expect him to be a reliable WR2 for the next decade in what ended up a great landing spot. BAKER MAYFIELD has transformed into a top 10 fantasy QB in the bay. The short term concern with Egbuka is the competition for targets. MIKE EVANS remains the #1 in the offense and second year JALEN MCMILLAN figures to improve on his solid rookie season. The variable is CHRIS GODWIN.
Godwin suffered yet another major injury last season. It is possible the team has concerns the 29 year old may not be ready for the year. If that is the case, Egbuka could end up the top fantasy rookie. If Godwin is ready, Egbuka’s career will be off to a slower start. This could drop his ADP which would make him a great pick in keeper & dynasty leagues.
Pick #22 – Los Angeles Chargers
OMARION HAMPTON (North Carolina) 6’0” 220 4.46/40
FFC Player Take
Prototypical NFL workhorse back. Productive North-south power back & strong at the goal line. Lacks top end speed and open field elusiveness but considering his size, his speed is impressive. Hampton can be inserted into a starting lineup day 1. He could be paired with a passing down complement but considering his skillset I would expect him to have a change of pace complement, not a real time share. He’s built to be a featured runner in the NFL.
NFL Comp = DEMARCO MURRAY
Fantasy Take
Hampton landed in a great spot for fantasy. Jim Harbaugh’s offense is designed to be a smashmouth run early and always system. In free agency, the team signed NAJEE HARRIS to a low cost 1 year deal. It appears that now he will act as Hampton’s backup like GUS EDWARDS did for JK DOBBINS last year. In this case, both RBs are an upgrade. The Chargers don’t have an explosive pass attack with LADD MCCONKEY as the lone reliable weapon for JUSTIN HERBERT. Expect a lot of ground and pound. Harris is talented enough that he could siphon some work and scores from Hampton which caps his ceiling for year 1. Even with Harris in the mix, Hampton has RB2 with RB1 upside for year one and would put him as the 1.02 in dynasty rookie drafts.
Pick #23 – Green Bay Packers
MATTHEW GOLDEN (Texas) 5’11” 191 4.29/40
FFC Player Take
Deep play threat with elite straight-line speed. Broke the 4.3 barrier at the NFL combine. However rarely showed off speed to break away or finish. Lacks creativity or elusiveness after the catch. Not the most polished route runner but speed does offer nice separation ability combined with great hands. At worst can operate as a deep threat complement and at best can be a home run threat with a cannon arm QB to hit the deep shots.
NFL Comp = DARNELL MOONEY
Fantasy Take
I don’t love the player skillset but keep in mind TYREEK HILL wasn’t a well developed route runner in year one. The landing spot is great. JORDAN LOVE has a great arm and is the kind of QB that can hit deep shots. His presence will be a boost for Love and the offense. Golden must be respected deep which will open the field underneath for JAYDEN REED and TUCKER KRAFT. I don’t know he will be a big fantasy contributor in year one but could develop into a bigger part of the offense as his career progresses. Consider him a big play dependent weapon as a rookie for redraft.
Pick #25 – New York Giants
JAXSON DART (Ole Miss) 6’2” 225
FFC Player Take
Nice arm and can beat you deep but inconsistent. Struggles vs pressure and slower delivery on his throws. Not a dual threat QB but solid runner. Nothing jumps off as elite. Likely draft riser due to lack of position depth & importance of the position.
NFL Comp = KENNY PICKETT
Fantasy Take
The Giants trade up to get their QB of the future and didn’t pay a lot to do so. Dart lands in a terrific spot because RUSSELL WILSON has already been named the starter and JAMEIS WINSTON is the backup. There’s no expectation for Dart to play and he is a player that will benefit greatly by sitting as a rookie. As the Giants are still remaking their offense, I don’t see Dart with any fantasy value in 2025 even if he gets some action later in the season. For dynasty, he’s more of a late 1st early second in Superflex and later in standard leagues.
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