NFL Draft Day Two: Dynasty Reaction
Chew recaps Day Two 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 three rounds are in the books. There is one more day of drafting left but in the meantime let’s recap and react to rounds two and three. And while you’re at it, check out the dynasty impact from the first round too.
Before we react to the second and third rounds, 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.
ROUND TWO
PICK #34 - Jayden Higgins (WR) - Houston Texans
Dynasty Reaction: One of my favorite receivers in the draft (Hint: the other one also played at Iowa State). Higgins fills the void on the outside opposite established receiver Nico Collins, with offseason addition Christian Kirk manning the slot. Higgins offers good athleticism and size to garner endzone scoring opportunities to bolster his fantasy value.
Rookie Draft Round: Early-Mid 2nd
PICK #36 - Quinshon Judkins (RB) - Cleveland Browns
Dynasty Reaction: Nick Chubb is out and Judkins is in! With the only real competition consisting of Jerome Ford, look for Judkins to take hold of the starting running back job in an offense in flux. Judkins is not the agile runner that his college counterpart is, but the former offers a punishing yet explosive skillset out of the backfield. One of the better spots for a running back thus far.
Rookie Draft Round: Late 1st - Early 2nd
PICK #38 - TreVeyon Henderson (RB) - New England Patriots
Dynasty Reaction: Second year quarterback Drake Maye gets his first weapon of the draft in Henderson. There are still tremendous concerns about the Patriots’ offensive line, which will hinder Henderson’s ability to churn out yards. However, Henderson has a three-down skillset despite being on the smaller side and has good vision and explosiveness to navigate what rushing lanes are available.
Rookie Draft Round: Early-Mid 2nd
PICK #39 - Luther Burden III (WR) - Chicago Bears
Dynasty Reaction: That late-night/early-morning workout clearly paid off as Burden found himself drafted six picks into the second round. This group of Bears’ pass-catchers is plentiful, so where exactly does Burden fit in? While Burden is more than a gadget player, look for him to get schemed touches early on with new head coach Ben Johnson salivating at the opportunity to draw up the plays.
Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 2nd
PICK #40 - Tyler Shough (QB) - New Orleans Saints
Dynasty Reaction: It’s a good thing Shough was drafted as he is getting dangerously close to having to get off his parents’ insurance. Jokes aside, there has been a lot of buzz about Shough throughout the pre-draft process. Admittedly I don’t understand it this early in the draft but given the Saints quarterback and cap situation this means Shough has value as one of the 32 potential starting quarterbacks.
Rookie Draft Round: Late 2nd - Early 3rd
PICK #42 - Mason Taylor (TE) - New York Jets
Dynasty Reaction: The Jets passed over tight end in round one, where some analysts expected them to take Tyler Warren. For me this is a great value for the Jets for this new-look offense. Taylor is not likely to become a focal point of the offense but he should settle into an ancillary role with certain weeks finishing as a top-12 tight end in fantasy.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
PICK #46 - Terrance Ferguson (TE) - Los Angeles Rams
Dynasty Reaction: Ferguson displayed above average athleticism at the NFL Combine amongst the tight ends that decided to participate. While not an imposing blocker, Ferguson could develop into an interesting option behind Tyler Higbee in the always exciting Sean McVay-orchestrated offense.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd-4th Round
PICK #50 - Elijah Arroyo (TE) - Seattle Seahawks
Dynasty Reaction: Arroyo is an intriguing athlete at a position that values such skills; however, his college career was marred by injury. The current depth chart includes veteran Noah Fant and second year player A.J. Barner. I am a fan of Barner but the tight end room had some space and you could do worse than Arroyo.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd-4th Round
PICK #55 - Tre Harris (WR) - Los Angeles Chargers
Dynasty Reaction: The Chargers are rounding out their offense after going running back in round one. After Ladd McConkey there are some question marks so look for Harris to compete for one of the outside receiver positions with Quentin Johnston and Mike Williams. Harris is not a threat to McConkey to lead in targets in the run-heavy offense; however, Harris could grow into a secondary option for Justin Herbert.
Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 2nd
PICK #58 - Jack Bech (WR) - Las Vegas Raiders
Dynasty Reaction: I love this landing spot for Bech as the Raiders are quickly turning around their offense after selecting Ashton Jeanty in round one and Brock Bowers entering his second season. Bech joins the Raiders as the second receiver alongside veteran Jakobi Meyers. Bech plays a physical brand of receiver that makes up for a lack in explosiveness and should become a dependable target for Geno Smith.
Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 2nd
PICK #60 - R.J. Harvey (RB) - Denver Broncos
Dynasty Reaction: After surprising many by passing on Omarion Hampton in round one, the Broncos nabbed one of my favorite running backs in this draft in Harvey. I like Jaleel McLaughlin as much as the next guy, but Harvey represents a clear upgrade at the running back position. Harvey is a short, compact, speedy back that should thrive in Sean Payton’s offense (cough, cough, Joker).
Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 2nd
ROUND THREE
PICK #67 - Harold Fannin Jr. (TE) - Cleveland Browns
Dynasty Reaction: A mixed bag in terms of athletic testing but there is not doubt Fannin was an uber-productive as the focal point of the Bowling Green offense. Fannin is squarely behind David Njoku in terms of the Browns’ depth chart but the NFL is no stranger to two tight end sets.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
PICK #69 - Kyle Williams (WR) - New England Patriots
Dynasty Reaction: Home run ability and separation is how Williams wins as a receiver. While these are important there is has still been some issues with consistency as a pass catcher. The Patriots have not had a great track record of drafting and developing receivers but with a new regime and a franchise quarterback the sky is the limit for Williams.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
PICK #70 - Isaac TeSlaa (WR) - Detroit Lions
Dynasty Reaction: NFL Combine darling TeSlaa joints the Lions as a a big-bodied burner to take the top off of defenses with Jameson Williams while Amon-Ra St. Brown and Sam LaPorta do everything else. Whether it is outside or as the big slot, TeSlaa is a versatile weapon for the Lions.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
PICK #74 - Pat Bryant (WR) - Denver Broncos
Dynasty Reaction: The Broncos to not boast a deep receiver group but Bryant may still struggle to get meaningful playing time. Bryant has ample experience as a starter and has versatility but he is a receiver with good ball skills that lacks explosiveness. Without tremendous production and some drop issues time will tell if he develops into a dependable target for franchise quarterback Bo Nix.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #79 - Jaylin Noel (WR) - Houston Texans
Dynasty Reaction: Noel, previously mentioned as my other favorite receiver, joins his college teammate Jayden Higgins in Houston. This receiver room is filling up quick, with Noel now battling with veteran Christian Kirk for slot duties. The benefit for Noel is his game mirrors Kirks and the latter is set to be a free agent after the 2025 season. Could Noel take the slot receiver job over by this time next year? Yup!
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
*****TAGS**** PICK #83 - Kaleb Johnson (RB) - Pittsburgh Steelers
Dynasty Reaction: The Steelers let for first round pick Najee Harris walk in free agency and they found their next physical running back much later in this years’ draft in Johnson. I’m not as high as most on Johnson but there is no doubt he has the requisite size and physicality to play the running back position. Will his upright running style and below average acceleration hinder his production? Only time will tell, but he will at the very least have ample opportunity based on the Steelers’ depth chart.
Rookie Draft Round: Mid-Late 2nd
PICK #87 - Savion Williams (WR) - Green Bay Packers
Dynasty Reaction: As Josh Jacobs indicated during the offseason, the Packers are in need of a “WR1”. After getting Matthew Golden and now Williams I would argue that is two whiffs on getting that leading receiver. Williams is another receiver that would thrive getting schemed touches and I do not see where he fits in this crowded receiver room.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
PICK #92 - Jalen Milroe (QB) - Seattle Seahawks
Dynasty Reaction: It is a head-scratcher that it took this long for Milroe to be drafted but he slots in behind the newly signed Sam Darnold in Seattle. The best rusher among this quarterback class and a powerful arm to boot, Milroe would do well to hone his craft and could take the reins in the future. He will require patience for any dynasty owner drafting him.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd Round
PICK #94 - Dillon Gabriel (QB) - Cleveland Browns
Dynasty Reaction: What did I miss? Anything interesting or possibly shocking? Guess not…. Gabriel steps into a lackluster quarterback room that is (gulp) led by Kenny Pickett. Are the Browns essentially just figuring out the quarterback position next year? It would certainly seem so.
Rookie Draft Round: 3rd - 4th Round
Stay tuned for reactions from the final day 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!