We have officially set the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. The first wave of landing spots has been locked in. Admittedly, there was more action with a few teams making trades to get the players they wanted. When preparing for the upcoming fantasy season, the NFL Draft is the beginning to find out what players you’ll be able to add to the premier players that have already established themselves in the NFL. Plenty of players who had some good outlooks that fantasy managers should be keeping tabs on, so let’s get right into the action that transpired on Day 1.
Day 1 Winners
Cam Ward, QB – Tennessee Titans
The Titans stood tall and waved off plenty of offers from other teams looking to move up to the number one overall spot to select Miami’s Cam Ward. Ward comes into a fluid situation with the Titans intent on moving on from quarterback Will Levis. Ward has enough weapons to have a good start with running back Tony Pollard and Calvin Ridley as the top wide receiver option. The Titans also recently added deep threat receiver and former Seattle Seahawk Tyler Lockett to the mix.
Ward’s ability to get the ball downfield and be a mobile threat will help him out at the NFL level. Ward isn’t afraid to throw over the middle of the field and has been successful throwing into tight windows at the college level Fantasy managers won’t be lining up to draft him in regular 1QB leagues but in dynasty formats, if you’re looking for a quarterback to invest in, Ward will be a solid addition and a low-end QB2 in 2QB formats.
Travis Hunter, WR/DB – Jacksonville Jaguars
I thought the Cleveland Browns were going to draft Travis Hunter before the draft started, but the Jacksonville Jaguars had other ideas. The Jags traded up to get their guy and added the dual-threat WR/DB to their ranks instead. With Hunter stating that the Jags are willing to use him on both sides of the ball, fantasy commissioners will have an interesting time adjusting league scoring settings this offseason. The 2024 Heisman winner finished his season with 1,258 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns and now will play in an offense that finished 13th in passing attempts last season.
A high-volume passing offense moving into a new direction with new head coach Liam Coen, who had success as the offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season, could all be factors allowing Travis Hunter to have a prominent rookie campaign. Having Brian Thomas Jr. as a running mate helps, too. Hunter has the potential to be a strong mid-range WR3 with WR2 upside as the season goes on and Hunter gets his feet firmly planted in that NFL soil.
Ashton Jeanty, RB – Las Vegas Raiders
Initial reports were that the Jaguars were targeting Ashton Jeanty before the draft got underway. But they opted to move in Travis Hunter’s direction. This allowed the Las Vegas Raiders to sit back and have Jeanty fall to them. The consensus number one running back in the 2025 NFL Draft, Jeanty is the total package, sporting versatility, speed, power, agility, and vision. Jeanty is all that and a bag of chips. Ashton Jeanty will have the backfield all to himself.
Last season, the Las Vegas Raiders were the worst rushing offense in the league. Ranking 32nd in rushing offense, new head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly look to establish the teams’ new identity as a faster-paced, rushing-focused offense. Jeanty certainly gives them that. Don’t be surprised if you see Ashton Jeanty go somewhere between the second and third rounds. With volume and third-down work on his side, Jeanty’s upside is looking up in a Raiders offense void of rushing talent behind him. Sorry, Zamir White truthers. We could see Jeanty pushing to the top 15 in fantasy among running backs this season.
Tyler Warren, TE – Indianapolis Colts
Shane Steichen has finally got his tight end. The problem is, he will have a quarterback who can get him the ball? While the Colts figure that out, Tyler Warren was the top tight end of the draft and has a good chance to catch on with the Colts. The Colts lacked weapons outside of slot receiver Josh Downs last season. Warren instantly gives whoever ends up being the quarterback a nice-sized target to hit in underneath routes. Warren also offers versatility as he was labeled a “Swiss army knife”, being able to line up at running back, wide receiver, and quarterback. Maybe Warren will be the next Colts QB??? (Ok, sorry.)
Warren finished his Penn State career with 25 total touchdowns and over 1,800 receiving yards on 153 receptions. I would temper expectations because of the Colts’ current QB situation, but I wouldn’t hesitate to take Tyler Warren in dynasty formats. Warren could be a nice stash play or a waiver wire pickup that could change the scope of a fantasy team.
Omarion Hampton, RB – Los Angeles Chargers
Najee Harris may be in his house somewhere, punching the air after the Los Angeles Chargers selected North Carolina’s Omarion Hampton with the 22nd pick in the draft. Omarion Hampton is everything Harris isn’t. Hampton is a better pass catcher, faster between the tackles, and can take a play to the house when the ball is in his hands. You get where I’m going. The Chargers signed Najee Harris to a one-year deal but expressed wanting to add an “explosive element” at running back in the draft. The Charges hit the motherload with Hampton.
Hampton ranked third in the country in yards after contact (1,026) and should look good in an offense that likes to run the ball under Greg Roman and Jim Harbaugh. Hampton may get off to a slow start because the Chargers may want to let Najee Harris lead off. That may not last long with what Hampton can do. I dare say, similar to Ashton Jeanty, Hampton may be vying for a top-15 running back finish this season if he can stay on the field. Hampton looks to have RB2 to RB1 upside in an offense that finished 12th in rushing attempts.
Matthew Golden, WR – Green Bay Packers
Josh Jacobs had his request answered. The Green Bay Packers drafted wide receiver Matthew Golden with the 23rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Golden brings with him tremendous speed as he ran the fastest 40-yard dash speed at the combine, running a 4.29-second time. Golden increases the big-play ability for the Packers’ offense and quarterback Jordan Love. Golden averaged 17 yards per reception with the Texas Longhorns and caught nine touchdowns. Golden allows his quarterback to drop the ball in front of him on long passes, allowing him to be a much greater threat after the catch with his get-away speed.
The Packers finished third in pass attempts last season with 479, but maybe with the addition of Matthew Golden, the Packers will be willing to throw the ball a bit more. The sooner Golden can establish himself as a reliable target for Jordan Love, the sooner Golden can be a fantasy asset. Matthew Golden should be viewed as a WR3 in most formats heading into fantasy drafts this season. The Packers have a ton of guys in front of Golden (for now), and injuries have been a running theme for a few of their guys. Stash Golden and stay ahead of the waiver wire rush.
Colston Loveland, TE – Chicago Bears
This pick was a bit of a puzzler. The Bears already have tight end Cole Kmet on the roster and signed him until 2028, where he can become a free agent. Considering how Ben Johnson used Sam LaPorta during his rookie season. The Lions also moved on from their tight end, TJ Hockenson via trade, to let LaPorta shine. While there have been no indications of the Bears brass moving on from Kmet, it could be happening behind the scenes.
For now, Colston Loveland will have to contend with Cole Kmet in some form while he’s on the roster. Loveland sits at 6’6″, 248 lbs, and is an effective route runner and a solid blocker on pass plays. Loveland has promise and should come off dynasty boards in the mid-range of the first round of rookie drafts. This could be a move that sees Cole Kmet’s role reduced at the expense of the new blood. With the investment of a top 10 draft pick, I can’t roll that out. You don’t take a tight end that high in the draft and not use him.
Day 1 Losers
Tetairoa McMillan, WR – Carolina Panthers
This is the player that I wanted for the Dallas Cowboys in the first round. Tetairoa McMillan was arguably the best wide receiver in the draft. Standing at 6’4″, 219lbs, McMillan is a big-bodied wide receiver who can high-point balls and use his body to gain leverage over defenders. McMillan doesn’t look fast on film, but seems to glide like a gazelle on the field, running a 4.48 at his Pro Day.
While McMillan is talented, landing with the Carolina Panthers knocks him down a bit for fantasy. There is a volume aspect to consider as Tetairoa McMillan becomes the new top target for quarterback Bryce Young. Last season, however, the Panthers’ passing attack will need to make vast improvements after finishing 30th overall last season. The Panthers were one of the worst scoring offenses in the league, ranking 10th worst among NFL offenses. McMillan should be one of the stronger WR3s to target later on in fantasy drafts.
Emeka Egbuka, WR – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A zone destroyer according to scouting reports, Emeka Egbuka is a talented wide receiver who can play strong out of the slot, similar to Chris Godwin. On top of being a clean route runner, Egbuka is no stranger to the end zone. During his college career, Egbuka posted two double digit touchdown years with the Ohio State Buckeyes. To go along with two double-digit touchdown seasons, Egbuka also added dual 1,000+ receiving yard seasons in 2022 and 2024.
For fantasy purposes, Egbuka looks to be a mid-first round pick in rookie drafts. While he may not have immediate impact in his rookie season as he’s behind three wide receivers on the Bucs roster in Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and second-year receiver Jalen McMillan, he’s still worth taking as a future investment. Should an injury occur, Egbuka’s rise could come even sooner. Mike Evans isn’t getting any younger and Chris Godwin already missed 10 games last season. For now, I’ll put him in the loser column because of immediate impact but that doesn’t mean you should sleep on him. Add him to the stash list in standard fantasy leagues especially if you have deep benches.
Jaxson Dart, QB – New York Giants
Similar to Emeka Egbuka, Jaxson Dart finds himself in a similar situation. This offseason the New York Giants opted to pick up two quarterbacks off the free agent pile in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston. Russell Wilson is expected to be the starter after signing a two-year deal with the team. The Giants traded back into the first round to take their quarterback of the future out of Ole Miss. Dart has a strong skill set, being able to make great throws with touch and displaying great timing and anticipation.
With the Giants set at quarterback with Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston there’s no need to rush Dart into the starting spotlight. Plus, the New York lights can be unkind to rookie quarterbacks when they are rushed into performing at the NFL level when they aren’t ready for it. The Giants have the luxury of having Dart get up to speed without having to push out, as long as the guys ahead of him can perform. In dynasty formats, if you need a quarterback, it shouldn’t cost you to take Jaxson Dart. Dart will be on the waiver wire in standard PPR leagues in 2025.
