Big Blue View
A look at the top rookies in a Superflex Dynasty format
Welcome back readers! We’ve had a week to digest the NFL Draft, and to start analyzing its impact. I’m not a believer in handing out instant draft grades, but if you want to see how the “experts” graded your favorite team’s draft haul, you won’t have any problem finding it.
I do believe in trying to figure out the fantasy football impact of the NFL draft. In case you missed it, here are my 2025 NFL draft takeaways for fantasy football. That column focused mostly on a traditional “Redraft” fantasy format, where you draft a brand new team each season, typically around late August.
Today I’m giving you something different: My Top-20 players for Dynasty rookie drafts. For those who aren’t familiar, Dynasty is a version of fantasy football where you hold an initial draft of players in Year 1, and you keep your entire roster from season to season. You can acquire new players via the waiver wire and trades, but the principal avenue for restocking your shelves is an annual rookie draft, typically held in May. And right now, it’s May, so Dynasty leagues are into that annual exercise. If you’re looking for an even bigger time-suck than the season-long game, Dynasty is a fun format to try.
For today’s exercise, I’m assuming a “Superflex” format, which is a little more common in Dynasty than Redraft. In a Superflex, there are two flex spots, and you can start a quarterback in one of them, in addition to your QB1. This pushes up the value of QBs considerably. I’m also assuming Half-point PPR scoring.
Here are my Top-20 2025 rookies, for Dynasty fantasy football:
1. Ashton Jeanty (RB, LV). There are some years where there is debate about the top pick in Dynasty. This isn’t one of those years. Jeanty is the consensus #1 rookie for Dynasty, and with good reason. Stud running backs are the most valuable commodity in fantasy football, and he’s the best running back prospect since Saquon Barkley in 2018. He was selected in the Top-10 by a team with weak RB competition, so there will be plenty of opportunity right away. I’ll be stunned if he isn’t getting at least 15 touches per game right out of the gate. The Raiders also offer improvements at quarterback (Geno Smith), offensive coordinator (Chip Kelly), and on the O-line. This is a team with its arrow up, and Jeanty should grow into a three-down role over time. His immense talent and tackle-breaking ability is undeniable. Barring an insane haul, don’t trade out of the 1.01 if you’ve got this pick.
2. Cam Ward (QB, TEN). Has there ever been less fanfare around a No. 1 overall pick? Not that I can recall. Between the big trade up for Travis Hunter that happened right after he was taken and the breathtaking three-day slide of Shedeur Sanders, Ward going to the Titans in the top spot flew WAY...
