Fantasy Football Winners and Losers Following the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft brought a plethora of surprises to teams around the league, but it remains to be seen which stars will be put in the best situation. Can Caleb Williams see his stock fly with a revamped Chicago Bears receiving corps? Tera Roberts analyzes the Fantasy Football winners and losers after the draft.
Tera Roberts - May 1, 2025, 6:15 PM EDT
5 minFantasy Football Winners and Losers Following the 2025 NFL Draft
With the rookie landing spots locked in, who are the fantasy winners and losers? Which rookies are ready to hit the ground running and which veterans are they kicking out of the way?
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Fantasy Football Winners and Losers
Rookie Winners: Running backs land clear RB1 roles
- Ashton Jeanty
- Omarion Hampton
- Quinshon Judkins
- RJ Harvey
Heading into last year’s draft, we were excited for running backs like Trey Benson, Blake Corum and Marshawn Lloyd, only for them to get nuked behind incumbent RB1s who would not relinquish their jobs. This year, Jeanty, Hampton, Judkins and Harvey landed in backfields with direct paths to RB1. Jeanty’s dominance in the Las Vegas backfield is unquestioned, but some might hesitate to crown the other backs as winners.
Hampton lands in a Chargers’ backfield with newly signed Najee Harris. While Harris has been reliable, his upside is limited. We shouldn’t fear a $5M contract that is tied to five incentive tiers - none of which Harris has actually hit in the past three seasons.
Judkins' situation is more defined. The Browns used Jerome Ford as a fill-in RB1 with little success. Volume will aggressively favor Judkins, even if touchdown opportunities are scant.
With Javonte Williams in Dallas, Harvey should assume the lead back role with little competition. He could be Sean Payton’s new Alvin Kamara.
Bonus winner!
Tetairoa McMillan landed in the only clear WR1 situation. While skepticism of the Panthers and Bryce Young is understandable, the offense made strides in 2024 and Dave Canales knows exactly how to use a player like McMillan.
Rookie Losers: Top talent in crowded offenses
- Colston Loveland
- Emeka Egbuka
- Tyler Warren
It’s admirable that the Bears are surrounding Caleb Williams with as much talent as physically possible. However, it’s terrible for fantasy managers. Loveland, along with the rest of the Bears’ entire receiving corps, will be a weekly fantasy nightmare.
Egbuka suffered a similar fate. While I don’t believe his presence will significantly impact Chris Godwin or Mike Evans, Egbuka is rendered fantasy irrelevant without an injury. Look to 2026 for Egbuka’s Jaxson Smith-Njigba trajectory.
I’m far more optimistic about Warren's prospects in Indianapolis than most fantasy analysts. However, the volume of passes from a flailing Colts quarterback room and the number of solid receiving options don’t add up to enough receptions or touchdown opportunities for fantasy success.
Veteran Winners: Veteran QBs win BIG and surprising RBs keep their job
- Baker Mayfield
- Caleb Williams
- Trevor Lawrence
- Bryce Young
- D’Andre Swift
- Javonte Williams
The veteran winners are very straightforward. The Bears, Bucs and Jags aggressively stacked their receiving corps, and the Panthers gave their quarterback a true WR1.
The running back winners - Javonte Williams and Swift - are intriguing. Swift’s impending fantasy demise came to a screeching halt when the Raiders sniped Jeanty. Swift had 253 attempts last season. His only 2024 competition was Roschon Johnson, who failed to make an impact. While the Bengals drafted Kyle Monangai in the seventh, Swift should be clear for a continued lead back role.
Williams’ situation is a bit more nuanced. The Cowboys added two rookie backs in Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah. While their draft capital isn’t significant, Williams has struggled to thrive in a lead back role, and it’s very possible Blue or Mafah could carve out a significant role. Still, Williams wins as the current lead back.
Veteran Losers: Running backs down bad
- Rhamondre Stevenson
- Najee Harris
- Jaylen Warren
Aside from the Chicago pass catchers, quarterbacks and receivers went relatively unscathed. We already discussed the issue with Harris. For Stevenson, TreVeyon Henderson’s addition likely creates a committee. Stevenson should remain involved. However, Henderson would likely take the more fantasy-valuable work.
Bonus Losers!
The Green Bay receiving corps was put on notice (per Josh Jacobs) with a major investment in Matthew Golden. Reed struggled to separate himself as the clear WR1, and Golden is positioned to earn significant targets.
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