As we inch closer to the NFL Draft, there are a few rookies to keep an eye on as potential targets in the upcoming Dynasty rookie drafts.
The 2025 class is absolutely loaded with running backs who have the potential to be fantasy studs. Everyone knows about Ashton Jeanty—if you have the 1.01 pick in your rookie draft, you should be thrilled to land him. The two Ohio State backs, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, have also been widely discussed in the fantasy community. Both possess top-end speed and are excellent in the passing game.
However, the player I want to highlight is Dylan Sampson.
Dylan Sampson – Tennesee – 5’8″, 200 lbs
Sampson boasts elite speed, clocking a 4.42 in the 40-yard dash. According to the Two-Point Conversion Draft Guide, he has Madden-style moves and impressive contact balance for his size. His explosiveness provides significant fantasy upside, as he’s capable of breaking long runs.
In 2024, he averaged 5.8 yards per carry, a mark that will make him an attractive option for teams if translated to the NFL. He had 100+ yard performances against Alabama and Georgia, with long runs of 36 and 27 yards, respectively.
While he only recorded 20 receptions with limited usage in the passing game, he has the skill set to contribute as a pass catcher at the next level. In the right system, he has the potential to emerge as a fantasy stud—similar to De’Von Achane. Pre-draft dynasty rookie rankings have Sampson projected in the early-to-mid second round. If your rookie draft takes place before the NFL Draft, he could be a steal in the mid-second round. 2PC currently grades him as a second-round NFL Draft pick, which would further boost his fantasy value.
Two tight ends generating the most buzz are Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland.
- Tyler Warren is a do-it-all tight end who excels in blocking, pass-catching, and even contributing as a runner. In Tight End Premium leagues, he could easily be a mid-first-round pick in dynasty rookie drafts.
- Colston Loveland is a dynamic pass-catcher who creates separation and racks up yards after the catch. If he lands in the right offense, he could also push for first-round rookie draft capital.
However, there’s one sleeper tight end from the FBS level who deserves some attention as well.
Harold Fannin Jr. – Bowling Green – 6’3″, 241 lbs
Fannin Jr. had a monster season, hauling in 117 receptions for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. While he didn’t face elite competition most weeks, he delivered against tougher opponents:
- at Penn State – 11 receptions, 137 yards, 1 TD
- vat Texas A&M – 8 receptions, 145 yards, including a 65-yard touchdown where he juked a cornerback and broke a tackle. (He should have had another touchdown, but his quarterback overthrew him on a wide-open play.)
Fannin Jr. is a physical player who consistently breaks tackles and even has the ability to hurdle defenders. According to the 2PC Draft Guide, he’s projected as a late-day two pick in the NFL Draft and a potential steal. His main weakness is pass blocking and overall speed, but he’s still young, turning 21 in July. With time to develop, he could refine his blocking skills, and his impressive game tape helps offset concerns about his 40-time at the combine.
Fannin may end up as my TE3 in rookie rankings, though most analysts will likely have him closer to TE5. In the late third round of Dynasty rookie drafts—where picks often don’t pan out—Fannin is absolutely worth a shot. If he’s still available in the fourth round, he could be one of the best value picks at the position.
The wide receiver rookie landscape is still very much in flux for the Dynasty community. With uncertainty surrounding whether Travis Hunter will be a full-time wide receiver or cornerback, I still have him as my WR1 pre-draft. Tetairoa McMillan was initially ranked as the WR1 by some analysts, but recent rumblings suggest he could slide in the NFL Draft—which may cause his stock to drop in Dynasty rookie rankings as well.
Now, I want to highlight a player who has shot up the rankings after a standout performance at the combine.
Matthew Golden – Texas – 5’11”, 191 lbs
Golden has become a hot name in the fantasy world after posting a blazing 4.29 40-yard dash—the second-fastest time at the combine, behind only cornerback Maxwell Hairston. He’s been gaining first-round buzz since the end of the season and was mocked as high as pick 12 in the 2PC Mock Draft 1.0: The Defensive Revolution article.
Much like the speed threat mentioned earlier in Dylan Sampson, Golden brings explosive playmaking ability to the wide receiver position. But he’s far from a one-trick deep threat—he finds open space across the middle and shines in the red zone. Despite being just 5’11”, he consistently makes contested catches both in the end zone and along the sidelines at the sticks.
While Golden started the 2024 season slowly and didn’t record a 100-yard receiving game in the regular season, he closed the year with two standout performances:
- vs. Georgia (SEC Championship) – 8 receptions, 162 yards
- vs. Arizona State (CFP) – 7 receptions, 149 yards, 1 TD
Golden improved as the season progressed, and the hype is real heading into the NFL Draft. If he is selected in the first round, he could easily slot in as the WR3 or WR4 in dynasty rookie rankings. If he falls to the end of the first round in your rookie draft, he’s a fantastic pick for a playoff-contending team that needs a wide receiver boost. And if his stock continues to rise post-draft, he could become that home run swing in the mid-first—right after a few of the elite running backs are off the board.
