Dynasty Winners & Losers - NFL Draft

Chew picks three winners and losers from the NFL Draft from a dynasty perspective.

The 2025 NFL Draft is over and our dynasty rookie drafts are around the corner if you aren’t already on the clock! The draft provides the final piece of the offseason transaction puzzle where NFL teams show us what positions/players they value and how much they value them. Some veterans are reassured that meaningful draft capital was not spent on their position and others could very well be cut candidates. With that in mind, here are a trio of winners and losers following the NFL Draft.

If you need a refresher on landing spots from the draft check out my recaps from days one, two and three of the draft. And for a background on the top few players at each position check out my comps and superlatives for running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks/tight ends.

WINNERS

Winners include rookies outside of the first round whose dynasty value improved from pre-draft value.

JACK BECH (WR) - 2nd Round - Las Vegas Raiders

Receivers like Bech are among the most enjoyable to watch, in my opinion. The big-bodied, physical receivers that plays with grit that earns them a chance to be on the field as much as possible. For a coach like Pete Carroll that emphasizes the rushing attack, Bech could not be a better fit.

With second round draft capital spent on Bech at a position the Raiders desperately needed to address, this gives me confidence in his opportunity to garner targets alongside Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers. Bech strikes me as a high-floor receiver for PPR purposes, as he is not likely to lead the team in targets by seasons end. But a weekly flow of targets with touchdown upside given his frame and ball skills make him an intriguing selection in the second round of dynasty rookie drafts.

R.J. HARVEY (RB) - 2nd Round - Denver Broncos

One of “my guys” heading into the draft (I know I’m not alone in that), Harvey got the draft capital and the landing spot that is hard to ignore. Before drafting Harvey the Broncos were poised to start some combination of Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Estimé. While I think both are fine players, the need to add talent to the position group was apparent.

There is of course concern with drafting a prospect at a position known for its short shelf life entering the NFL at age 24 but Harvey should have productive years throughout his rookie contract. Harvey uses his compact frame to blend power and agility to churn out yards and creativity in the open field to extend plays. What likely appealed to coach Sean Payton the most is his ability as a receiver, which gives him increased opportunity for fantasy production. Based on his skillset, draft capital, and landing spot, Harvey projects to be a late first, early second round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.

WILL HOWARD (QB) - 6th Round - Pittsburgh Steelers

Of the other quarterbacks in this draft, Will Howard was the one I was beating the drum for to land is a good spot and he certainly got it! While sixth round draft pick does not scream “franchise quarterback”, Howard enters a Steelers roster with only Mason Rudolph ahead of him. Aaron Rodgers may very well still sign in Pittsburgh but there is still a need to look toward the future at the position.

I would not consider him elite in any one category but given his experience, size, relative athleticism, and ample arm strength I believe he has a chance to develop into a starter. Not to mentioned Howard shows a toughness and leadership that I think will bode well for not only the quarterback position but the city of Pittsburgh as well. In a superflex league Howard is just the pick I am looking to make as early as the third round of dynasty rookie drafts for the possibility of having 1 of the 32 starting quarterbacks.

LOSERS

Losers include rookies outside of the first round whose dynasty value decreased from pre-draft value. I did not include Shedeur Sanders since that has been sufficiently covered by anyone and everyone.

TREVEYON HENDERSON (RB) - 2nd Round - New England Patriots

I thought that if Henderson got, at worst, second round draft capital that the landing spot did not much matter. Despite his smaller size I do think he is capable of being a three-down back in the right situation and that is not in New England. Henderson steps in to backfield where he is at least the 1B to Rhamondre Stevenson’s 1A and if that is how he is used that would be best for his longevity.

The Patriots’ offensive line is problematic and despite the selection of Will Campbell in the first round of the draft it looks to still be in the bottom third of the NFL. I do no think Henderson, nor many other backs, can overcome a bad offensive line and produce how fantasy managers would hope. Given his skillset and draft capital he still ends up being a mid-late first round pick in dynasty rookie drafts. But if there is another dynasty manager bullish on Henderson at that pick I would look to trade back.

QUINN EWERS (QB) - 7th Round - Miami Dolphins

I did not anticipate Ewers to fall to the final round of the NFL Draft. Hell, Ewers was taken a round later than Graham Mertz. No not that Graham Mertz, the other Graham Mertz. But I digress. Ewers was known for his intriguing arm talent and off-schedule playmaking ability that made for exciting TV. Unfortunately his processing and work from the pocket left much to be desired.

Ewers becomes the third quarterback on the Dolphins’ roster behind Tua Tagovailoa and Zach Wilson. With this quarterback room there is a real chance that Ewers develops into a solid backup capable of making spot starts. But for the sake of dynasty rookie drafts I would say he will be available during the season on the waiver wire.

TEZ JOHNSON (WR) - 7th Round - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The smaller receivers that boast track speed already have their share of concerns at the NFL level and unfortunately for Johnson he did not test well at the NFL Combine. I do understand the comparisons to Tank Dell as a shifty smaller receiver that uses short area quickness to generate production. But with Dell as the outlier I am finding it difficult to see a path forward for Johnson in terms of fantasy production.

The crowded Buccaneers’ receiver room got even more crowded with the addition of Emeka Egbuka in round one and of course Tez Johnson in round seven. Johnson does have the benefit of working as a returner but other than gadget plays I do not see him as a player worth selecting in dynasty rookie drafts.

So you made it this long and hopefully you enjoyed it (that’s what she said). If you wouldn’t mind sharing this in your group message with your fellow dynasty degenerates I would greatly appreciate it!