NFL Draft Day One: Dynasty Reaction

Chew reacts to Day One of the NFL draft and the impact on dynasty fantasy football.

It’s about time that we have something tangible to act on in dynasty! The NFL Draft is among us and the first round is in the books. There are another six whole rounds (and undrafted signings) to happen but in the meantime let’s recap and react to round one.

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*Rookie draft projections are based on a 12-Team, Superflex, PPR, No Tight End Premium league. Check out my comps for these running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks/tight ends.

ROUND ONE

PICK #1 - Cam Ward (QB) - Tennessee Titans

Dynasty Reaction: The chalkiest of all chalk… Ward officially lands on the Titans’ roster and will be spinning it to Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Chig Okonkwo and company! The Titans made a concerted effort to improve their offensive line and hopefully it is enough to allow their first round pick to keep his jersey clean. Ward can make every throw and navigate through the chaos so look for him to bring stability to the Titans’ offense and hopefully finish inside the top half of quarterbacks in fantasy.

Rookie Draft Round: Early 1st

PICK #2 - Travis Hunter (WR/CB) - Jacksonville Jaguars

Dynasty Reaction: The Jaguars made a bold trade up from the 5th pick to pair Hunter with Brian Thomas Jr. and/or their preferred cornerback. Does Hunter become a true two-way player in the NFL or does he default to one side of the ball? This will likely be determined throughout the offseason but maybe not before your rookie drafts. The Jaguars have needs at both positions so only time will tell!

Rookie Draft Round: Mid 1st (presumed two-way player, primarily WR)

PICK #6 - Ashton Jeanty (RB) - Las Vegas Raiders

Dynasty Reaction: The best running back prospect since (insert hall of famer), Jeanty seeks to become the best dynasty running back while teammate Brock Bowers holds the title for the tight end position. The Raiders have a new direction with running back-friendly coach Pete Carroll at the helm and Geno Smith now under center. Look for Jeanty to be one of the few true bell cow running backs in the NFL.

Rookie Draft Round: Early 1st

PICK #8 - Tetairoa McMillan (WR) - Carolina Panthers

Dynasty Reaction: The Panthers had a clear need in the pass-catcher department but it was still a surprise they did not go with a pass-rusher. McMillan represents the second consecutive year of the Panthers using a first round pick on a receiver and I have a better feeling about this one. As Adam Thielen is shifted into the slot and Xavier Legette mans the opposite sideline, look for McMillan to step in as the immediate target leader in Carolina.

Rookie Draft Round: Early-Mid 1st

PICK #10 - Colston Loveland (TE) - Chicago Bears

Dynasty Reaction: In 2023, the Bears signed Cole Kmet to an extension through the 2027 season. But when you have a quarterback on a rookie contract you surround him with weapons and Loveland is just that. The former Michigan Wolverine translate his basketball background into crisp routes and tremendous ball skills. New head coach Ben Johnson no doubt this decision with his proclivity to be creative offensively.

Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 1st

PICK #14 - Tyler Warren (TE) - Indianapolis Colts

Dynasty Reaction: While there is uncertainty around the quarterback position but the same cannot be said regarding the tight end! Warren steps in with an opportunity, if not expectation, to garner the second-most targets only behind lead receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Also look for Warren to be schemed touches in many ways, much like he did in college. I give Warren the edge over Loveland in dynasty due to a larger share of touches.

Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 1st

PICK #19 - Emeka Egbuka (WR) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dynasty Reaction: Well this is unexpected! Not only that Egbuka is the second receiver off the board but he enters a receiver room with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan on the roster. For dynasty this is good news for Baker Mayfield but so much for Egbuka as the competition for targets is fierce. Look for Ebguka to slide behind some second round receivers that profile as higher target options.

Rookie Draft Round: Early-Mid 2nd

PICK #22 - Omarion Hampton (RB) - Los Angeles Chargers

Dynasty Reaction: The Chargers going thunder and thunder with free agent addition Najee Harris and rookie draftee Omarion Hampton. Head coach Jim Harbaugh is no stranger to establishing the run and Hampton will be a crucial part of that process. I do not expect Hampton to step in a bell cow back but given his draft capital I expect him to have some weeks leading the Chargers’ backfield in touches.

Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 1st

PICK #23 - Matthew Golden (WR) - Green Bay Packers

Dynasty Reaction: Golden ran a surprising sub-4.30 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine which vaulted him into the first round discussion. The former Longhorn enters a relatively crowded receiver room but looking for someone to stand out. I have my doubts about Golden garnering the lion’s share of the targets in Green Bay but could he carve out a reasonable role? Certainly.

Rookie Draft Round: Late 1st-Early 2nd

PICK #25 - Jaxson Dart (QB) - New York Giants

Dynasty Reaction: There was a lot of mystery at the quarterback position after Cam Ward and the Giants trade back into the first round to snag Dart. I love this for both Dart and the Giants. Dart joins the quarterback room consisting of Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, so it is up to the Giants’ coaching staff as to when it makes sense to start Dart. The Giants’ offensive weapons are underrated and even if he holds the clipboard for some if not all of his first season, Dart should be a steady dynasty producer for years to come.

Rookie Draft Round: Early-Mid 1st

Stay tuned for reactions from the final two days of the 2025 NFL Draft!

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!