NFL Draft Day Three: Dynasty Reaction
Chew sums up Day Three of the NFL draft and the impact on dynasty fantasy football.
It’s the final countdown! The 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books and in case you missed it… nothing crazy happened, it was pretty chalky. With the draft behind us we can immediately get to our dynasty rookie drafts. But before that maybe you should have a quick refresher on the last four rounds. And while you’re at it, check out the dynasty impact from the first and second days.
Before we react to the final day of the NFL Draft, if you find this even mildly enjoyable consider subscribing. Do it now, shake my hand!
*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. The latest projection of “Rookie Draft Round” is “4th Round +”.
ROUND FOUR
PICK #103 - Chimere Dike (WR) - Tennessee Titans
Dynasty Reaction: A bit of a reach here with a number of other receivers on the board. Dike profiles as a burner but does have some drop issues to sort out. Adding to the Titans’ receiver room is needed but I’m just not sure this was the pick.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #104 - Bhayshul Tuten (RB) - Jacksonville Jaguars
Dynasty Reaction: Love to see a fellow Virginia Tech alum make it to the NFL! An absolutely electric running back, as he showed at the NFL Combine, Tuten brings a different element out of the backfield alongside Travis Etienne and Tank Bigsby. It may only limited touches but Tuten is a homerun threat whenever he has the ball in his hands.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
PICK #105 - Cam Skattebo (RB) - New York Giants
Dynasty Reaction: The Giants are building a versatile running back room with both Tyrone Tracy Jr. and newly-drafted Skattebo with skills as runners and pass-catchers. Skattebo offers a more sluggish but powerful approach but there is no doubt he is a real threat as a receiver. I like what the Giants are doing to build up this offense around their quarterback of the future in Jaxson Dart.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
PICK #108 - Dont’e Thornton Jr. (WR) - Las Vegas Raiders
Dynasty Reaction: A big vertical threat that fills a void for the Raiders’ receiver room. Thornton is not a high-volume receiver but does one thing well and can serve that role in the NFL.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #110 - Arian Smith (WR) - Green Bay Packers
Dynasty Reaction: Smith has a sprinting background and it shows. The frame is shorter and more slight than the prior pick of Thornton but the skillset is similar as a downfield threat. Again, not necessarily a high-volume receiver but runs fast for the strong-armed Jordan Love.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #114 - Trevor Etienne (RB) - Carolina Panthers
Dynasty Reaction: The Panthers have made a clear emphasis on the running game since Dave Canales and company entered the fold. Etienne profiles a solid rotational back but I do not anticipate he will overtake Chuba Hubbard or even Rico Dowdle, not to mention Jonathan Brooks.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #116 - Woody Marks (RB) - Houston Texans
Dynasty Reaction: Marks profiles and a patient back that doesn’t put the ball on the ground and can keep himself in the rotation with his receiving skills. This is good skillset for the Texans’ backfield but Marks is most certainly a rotational player at best.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #117 - Jarquez Hunter (RB) - Los Angeles Rams
Dynasty Reaction: Hunter offers an explosive element to the Rams’ backfield that is currently lacking. With Kyren Williams having a firm hold on the starting job in LA, Hunter will likely serve in a rotational role with the opportunity to show off his home run speed.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #120 - Gunnar Helm (TE) - Tennessee Titans
Dynasty Reaction: The Titans are bolstering to their pass-catching group around Cam Ward and Helm is welcomed addition. After veteran Chig Okonkwo flashed early in his career, it has been a series of up and down performances. Helm offers a fresh face to the tight end room that can contribute early, albeit in an ancillary role.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #126 - Dylan Sampson (RB) - Cleveland Browns
Dynasty Reaction: A smaller back that is explosive and crafty with the ball in space, Sampson adds a different element to the running back room than the day two selection Quinshon Judkins. Sampson slides in as a rotational back for the Browns but could take on a greater role as needed.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd-4th Round
PICK #128 - Jaylin Lane (WR) - Washington Commanders
Dynasty Reaction: Another Hokie joins the NFL! The Commanders add Lane who bring a speed element to the receiver room but also has experience as a returner. For day three running backs and receivers, contributing has a returner is key to sticking on rosters and getting more opportunities.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #133 - Jalen Royals (WR) - Kansas City Chiefs
Dynasty Reaction: A tantalizing prospect with the requisite size, speed and hands to become a great receiver. Unfortunately that story has been told many times, so how does the story end for Royals? With a quarterback in Patrick Mahomes and a coach in Andy Reid I would say Royals is in a good spot to tap into his upside.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #136 - Elic Ayomanor (WR) - Tennessee Titans
Dynasty Reaction: Ayomanor feels like the next Gabe Davis and that is not necessarily a bad thing. In terms of fantasy that is not necessarily a ringing endorsement as at best he could have boom weeks of production but overall he profiles as a better real football player than fantasy football player.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
ROUND FIVE
PICK #144 - Shedeur Sanders (QB) - Cleveland Browns
Dynasty Reaction: Welp the slide finally ended but is it a good thing? The Browns were in need of a quarterback of the future and drafted Dillon Gabriel two rounds ago. Sanders still has a clear opportunity to win the starting quarterback job as there is a lack of talent in that room but it is anyone’s guess how exactly that will shake out.
Rookie Draft Round: Go With What You Feel
PICK #147 - Jordan James (RB) - San Francisco 49ers
Dynasty Reaction: A running back on the 49ers always has value! Christian McCaffrey is reportedly healthy and ready to go but James could slot in behind Isaac Guerendo as a rotational back and, with injury, garner more touches.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #149 - Jaydon Blue (RB) - Dallas Cowboys
Dynasty Reaction: Blue is the Cowboys’ first running back drafted this year to join the free agent additions Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. What also benefits Blue is he offers home run speed that Williams and Sanders don’t exactly have in their arsenal.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #151 - D.J. Giddens (RB) - Indianapolis Colts
Dynasty Reaction: Upright is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Giddens’ work as a runner. With a taller frame this upright running could be an impediment to production; however, Giddens is elusive for his size and is a good enough rusher to serve as a rotational back.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #158 - KeAndre Lambert-Smith (WR) - Los Angeles Chargers
Dynasty Reaction: Like many before him and no doubt many after, Lambert-Smith does one thing pretty well and that is serve as a quick deep threat. This is an intriguing skillset for the strong-armed Justin Herbert and Lambert-Smith could work himself into a rotational role.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #163 - Mitchell Evans (TE) - Carolina Panthers
Dynasty Reaction: Injuries derailed the beginning of Evans’ career but he has the requisite size and quickness to be a rotational tight end in the NFL. I am a believer in Ja’Tavion Sanders for the Panthers but adding depth to the position alongside Tommy Tremble is necessary.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #165 - Oronde Gadsden II (TE) - Los Angeles Chargers
Dynasty Reaction: A former wide receiver, Gadsden is an intriguing tight end to develop behind Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #166 - Tory Horton (WR) - Seattle Seahawks
Dynasty Reaction: One of my favorite players in the draft and not a bad landing spot for Horton to have an opportunity to play in Seattle. I do not expect him to overtake Jaxon Smith-Njigba or Cooper Kupp; however, Horton has a chance to be a high-end WR-3 for the Seahawks.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #173 - Jackson Hawes (TE) - Buffalo Bills
Dynasty Reaction: A solid blocker in college and capable receiver, Hawes represents depth in a Bills’ tight end room led by Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. This is not viewed as a move for fantasy football and is instead a sound move for a real football team.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #175 - Robbie Ouzts (TE) - Seattle Seahawks
Dynasty Reaction: Teammate of day two quarterback Jalen Milroe, Ouzts is a big-bodied tight end that joins fellow rookie Elijah Arroyo and a few veterans. At this point I could believe the Seahawks could be looking to cut veteran Noah Fant for cap relief with the current cluster of tight ends.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
ROUND SIX
PICK #179 - Ollie Gordon II (RB) - Miami Dolphins
Dynasty Reaction: The definition of a north-south runner, Gordon is a bit different from the electric, dynamic skillset that the Dolphins usually look for in a running back. Gordon will likely only see work in a pinch but he at least offers a skillset different from what is on the roster.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #181 - Kyle McCord (QB) - Philadelphia Eagles
Dynasty Reaction: Hot take but I do think McCord will not threaten Jalen Hurts for the starting job. McCord could very well develop into a stable backup but it is unlikely that he is stepping into a starting role.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #184 - Devin Neal (RB) - New Orleans Saints
Dynasty Reaction: Love this landing spot for Neal as I have never really understood the allure of Kendre Miller. Alvin Kamara is still a superstar but Neal can offer a counterpart to handle touches while Kamara takes a breather or is injured.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #185 - Will Howard (QB) - Pittsburgh Steelers
Dynasty Reaction: I have been higher than most on Howard and oddly enough the top of the Steelers’ quarterback depth chart includes Mason Rudolph and Howard. I’m not sure what happens with Aaron Rodgers but there is a world where the Steelers go into the season with Rudolph as the starter and Howard could earn the starting role down the line.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #188 - Kalel Mullings (RB) - Tennessee Titans
Dynasty Reaction: Not quite as one-dimensional as a north-south running as the aforementioned Ollie Gordon but a similar skillset. Mullings has a bit more wiggle but hangs his hat on running with power. A rotational back at the NFL level.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #189 - Riley Leonard (QB) - Indianapolis Colts
Dynasty Reaction: Throw Leonard into the Colts’ quarterback competition! Well he should at least slot in as the third quarterback while Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson duke it out. Leonard profiles as a backup quarterback but has interesting athleticism as a runner.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #193 - Tahj Brooks (RB) - Cincinnati Bengals
Dynasty Reaction: Brooks is a dense back and a powerful runner, offering the power element counter to Chase Brown. With Zach Moss and Samaje Perine already on the roster, look for Brooks to battle to earn a spot in the rotation.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #197 - Graham Mertz (QB) - Houston Texans
Dynasty Reaction: Mertz dealt with injury in college but has a lot of snaps and strikes me as a backup quarterback that could bounce around from team to team. Will he be looked at to start multiple games? Not likely. But he’ll be a second or third quarterback in the NFL.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #202 - Gavin Bartholomew (TE) - Minnesota Vikings
Dynasty Reaction: A depth tight end with good hands and a solid frame. Bartholomew projects as the third tight end behind T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #203 - LaJohntay Wester (WR) - Baltimore Ravens
Dynasty Reaction: Wester has my dimensions, albeit as a much better athlete, which is a bit concerning. Wins with speed and elusiveness, which can be utilized as a returner. I am not too sure how Wester pans out as a receiver but his work as a returner earns him a roster spot.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #208 - Jimmy Horn Jr. (WR) - Carolina Panthers
Dynasty Reaction: The Panthers certainly need depth at the receiver position despite drafting their WR-1, Tetairoa McMillan, in the first round. Horn is slight but he plays with quickness and toughness that will serve him well. Work as a returner will earn him a roster spot and getting schemed touches will elevate his value.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #213 - Tommy Mellott (WR) - Las Vegas Raiders
Dynasty Reaction: Mellott is a dual threat quarterback looking to make the conversion to receiver on a team that is need of those services. As he is new to the receiver position there will be an adjustment period but he has the necessary size and athleticism to make it happen.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #215 - Cam Miller (QB) - Las Vegas Raiders
Dynasty Reaction: Miller is also an undersized, small-school quarterback but unlike his new teammate Tommy Mellott he is still listed as a quarterback in the NFL. Miller has a dual threat skillset that could be more gadget than starting quarterback.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
ROUND SEVEN
PICK #219 - Thomas Fidone II (TE) - New York Giants
Dynasty Reaction: Fidone is a bit slight but has athleticism at a position that values it. The Giants invested in the tight end position last year with Theo Johnson but the depth is more than welcome.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #223 - Damien Martinez (RB) - Seattle Seahawks
Dynasty Reaction: Martinez is a big yet nimble back that will likely struggle to find work with Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet ahead of him. But in terms of many scouts’ pre-draft evaluations it is a bit surprising Martinez fell this far in the draft.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK # - Kurtis Rourke (QB) - San Francisco 49ers
Dynasty Reaction: A multi-year starter with the requisite size and can read the field relatively well, Rourke was always going find an NFL roster. Will he ascend to a start? Not likely. But a productive college player that lands in the NFL.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #228 - Brashard Smith (RB) - Kansas City Chiefs
Dynasty Reaction: Another intriguing player for me and I really thought he would go a round or so sooner. The Chiefs have an interesting blend of players in their running back room and Smith boasts an lighting quick skillset that is currently lacking. Not to mentioned Smith adds experience as a returner to help him hold down a roster spot.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #231 - Quinn Ewers (QB) - Miami Dolphins
Dynasty Reaction: Better late than never and I’ll admit I didn’t expect Ewers to fall quite this far. The Dolphins are set at quarterback with Tua Tagovailoa but Ewers will battle with Zach Wilson for backup duties.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #233 - Kyle Monangai (RB) - Chicago Bears
Dynasty Reaction: The first two names on the Bears’ depth chart at running back are D’Andre Swift and Roschon Johnson. There is room for Monangai to grow his role in this offense although the draft capital is indicative of an uphill battle.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #235 - Tez Johnson (WR) - Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Dynasty Reaction: An undersized player that did not test as well as projected. Despite his small stature, Johnson is an effective returner has good short area quickness. In a crowded receiver room in Tampa Bay, Johnson will have to figure out how to grow his role.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #236 - LeQuint Allen (RB) - Jacksonville Jaguars
Dynasty Reaction: Allen has a big frame for a running back but runs with good vision and has dependable hands. There is not much overlap in skillset with the previously-drafted Bhayshul Tuten but simply was a good value for the Jaguars and their new offensive-minded head coach.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #238 - Ricky White III (WR) - Seattle Seahawks
Dynasty Reaction: A tall, slight frame with some drop issues but White is a versatile receiver that adds value as a special teams contributor. For real football that’s good, for fantasy not so much.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #240 - Kaden Prather (WR) - Buffalo Bills
Dynasty Reaction: Prather is an outside receiver that needs to fine tune his skills to earn a greater role and possible line up elsewhere in the formation. At this point in the draft Prather is the kind of project that makes sense but for fantasy he’s off the board.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round
PICK #242 - Konata Mumpfield (WR) - Los Angeles Rams
Dynasty Reaction: Not a winner with elite speed but Mumpfield has good short area quickness and hands, coupled with craftiness in the open field. I always keep an eye on the later-round receivers that the Rams draft and Mumpfield is another one that was not initially on my radar until now.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #244 - Dominic Lovett (WR) - Detroit Lions
Dynasty Reaction: In Lovett, the Lions add a slot receiver that does most of his work in the short-intermediate routes with upside after the catch. This is a skillset that also works as a returner, where he will likely have an opportunity to contribute.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #245 - Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB) - Washington Commanders
Dynasty Reaction: Croskey-Merritt does not have the complete running back skillset but he is an effective one-cut runner that finishes with power. A depth player in the running back room.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #248 - Moliki Matavao (TE) - New Orleans Saints
Dynasty Reaction: Matavao is built like a brick shit house and moves well for his size with above average hands. This is an intriguing player for a team in need of playmakers.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #252 - Junior Bergen (WR) - San Francisco 49ers
Dynasty Reaction: A slot receiver that has return experience and is creative in space. Does that sound like the perfect fit for a Kyle Shanahan offense? I would say so. Bergen is an intriguing project for the 49ers.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
PICK #255 - Luke Lachey (TE) - Houston Texans
Dynasty Reaction: Iowa is known for it’s tight ends and this one fell to the 7th round. The Texans have added a number of pass-catchers for C.J. Stroud through the offseason so Lachey is likely buried behind them.
Rookie Draft Round: 4th Round +
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!