2025 Rookie Big Board

Kevin Coleman gives you his first 2025 Rookie Big Board of the season!

Welcome to my 2025 Big Board: Top 36 Prospects for Fantasy Football in 12-Team Superflex PPR TE Premium (1.50). This annual column I first originated has become a staple for managers looking to get a leg up in their rookie drafts. While you may see similar content elsewhere, I want you to know that this is the original blueprint for breaking down the upcoming draft class with actionable takeaways.

This Big Board is more than just a ranking. It’s a tool designed to help fantasy managers familiarize themselves with the prospects, understand positional tiers, and anticipate how rookie drafts might unfold. I’ll also dive into key takeaways from this initial board, offering insight into player value and draft capital projections. To top it off, I’ll include a look at 2025 pick values and trade strategies to help you navigate your leagues with confidence.

Whether you’re rebuilding, contending, or somewhere in between, this Big Board will give you the clarity you need to make informed decisions in the months leading up to your rookie drafts. Let's dive in!

Big Board Takeaways

Round 1 Tier Break

At this stage of the 2025 draft class evaluation, a clear tier break exists after the first two picks. The top prospects, Arizona WR Tetairoa McMillan and Boise State RB Ashton Jeanty, have separated themselves from the pack, and it’s not particularly close.

Tetairoa McMillan - 6’5”, 215 LBS (WR, Arizona)
McMillan has cemented his place as a top-tier prospect, showcasing an incredible collegiate career. He recently surpassed Bobby Wade as Arizona’s all-time receiving yards leader, amassing 3,365 yards and 25 touchdowns over three seasons. This year alone, he’s tallied 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and 7 TDs, despite playing on an underwhelming team. Highlights like his 304-yard, 4-TD game against New Mexico solidify his potential to be a top-10 NFL Draft pick. McMillan’s size, skill, and production scream long-term WR1 in fantasy football, and I compare him to Mike Evans—a dominant, reliable outside receiver. His positional value keeps him firmly in this tier.

Ashton Jeanty - 5’9”, 215 LBS (RB, Boise State)
Jeanty is a generational talent at running back and the likely 2024 Heisman Trophy winner. He’s the first RB since 2019 to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season and currently sits at 2,062 yards. Jeanty’s explosiveness was on full display with a 61-yard TD against Wyoming, and his consistent production has helped propel Boise State into College Football Playoff contention. With elite athleticism and vision, Jeanty’s skill set is perfectly suited for the NFL. His immediate fantasy upside should vault him into the Top 8 dynasty assets as soon as he’s drafted, making him a no-brainer in the top tier of this class.

These two players are not just the cream of the 2025 draft crop—they’re foundational pieces for dynasty managers. McMillan and Jeanty sit in a tier of their own, offering elite upside at premium fantasy positions.

The Quarterback Problem

The 2025 quarterback class is shaping up to be a serious headache for fantasy managers. With limited clarity and draft capital concerns, this group is far from inspiring confidence. Many of the top prospects are expected to return to school, and those who do declare face questions about their readiness. As it stands, I only have two quarterbacks in my top 36, and even they come with significant reservations: Colorado QB Shedeur Sanders and Miami QB Cam Ward.

Shedeur Sanders - 6’2”, 215 LBS (QB, Colorado)
Sanders is an accurate passer with a quick release, excelling in short-to-intermediate throws within Colorado's spread offense. Last season, he broke multiple school records, including passing yards (3,230), completion percentage (69.3%), and TD-to-INT ratio (27-3), despite subpar protection. This year, he’s built on that success with 3,222 yards, 27 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions while showing improved mechanics. However, Sanders' maturity and leadership remain big question marks. His ability to command an NFL locker room will likely be a critical factor for teams considering him in the draft.

Cam Ward - 6’2”, 223 LBS (QB, Miami)
Ward has been a revelation for Miami, rewriting their record books in just one season. With 3,774 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, and impressive work in a pro-style offense, Ward has shown the ability to read defenses, progress through options, and throw on the run. However, his decision-making under pressure remains inconsistent. Ward sometimes forces throws into tight windows, trusting his arm more than he should, which could lead to issues against faster NFL defenses. While his mechanics are solid, refining his situational awareness under pressure will be key to unlocking his potential.

Both Sanders and Ward bring valuable experience as multi-year starters, which should help ease their transitions to the next level. Still, their draft capital and landing spots will play a massive role in determining their fantasy value. For now, these two stand alone on the board, and I’m not entirely comfortable with either of them as cornerstone prospects.

Travis Hunter Dilemma

Travis Hunter - 6’1”, 185 LBS (WR/CB, Colorado)

Ranking Travis Hunter is one of the most challenging tasks for this Big Board. From a pure talent perspective, he absolutely deserves to be mentioned alongside Tetairoa McMillan and Ashton Jeanty—or maybe even above them. Hunter’s unique skill set as an elite two-way player makes him a rare prospect. The catch? His NFL future likely lies at cornerback, which creates uncertainty for fantasy managers.

Hunter recently declared for the 2025 NFL Draft while having a Heisman worthy season with Colorado, where he’s been the heart and soul of the team. As a wide receiver, he’s posted 82 catches for over 1,000 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the Big 12 in receiving. On defense, he’s just as impactful, with multiple interceptions to his name for the second straight season. His ability to dominate on both sides of the ball hasn’t been seen at this level since the days of Champ Bailey.

Despite his unmatched versatility and production, Hunter currently sits at 1.09 on my board. The concern isn’t his talent—it’s how NFL teams will deploy him. While he’s been a top receiver in college, his pro role might lean more heavily toward cornerback with limited opportunities on offense. Even if he’s used in special packages, fantasy managers may find it hard to trust him as a consistent lineup option.

You could argue Hunter’s ranking is too low, and I wouldn’t disagree if we were ranking purely on talent. But until we have clarity on his future usage in the NFL, there’s inherent risk in placing him any higher. Hunter is the ultimate wildcard in this class—a generational player whose versatility is both his greatest strength and his biggest question mark for fantasy purposes.

Running Back Depth

Every year, we talk about the depth of running back talent in the second and third rounds of rookie drafts. Sometimes it doesn’t pan out, but this year feels different. The 2025 running back class is loaded with players offering diverse skill sets, making it a potential turning point for replenishing dynasty rosters. While Ashton Jeanty stands alone in his own tier, the next tier could easily include nine backs—that’s how stacked this group is.

What makes this class stand out is the variety. It features receiving backs, three-down workhorses, early-down grinders, and versatile backs who can do it all at the next level. The second and third rounds will hold real value, and as always, we’ll see some of these names rise as the draft process unfolds.

Jordan James - 5’10”, 210 LBS (RB, Oregon)

One of my favorite backs in this class is Oregon’s Jordan James. A thousand-yard season is the benchmark for FBS running backs, and James has surpassed it in 2024 with 1,067 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 191 carries, plus 17 catches for 176 yards and another score. Leading the Ducks with 1,209 all-purpose yards, James is an all-around weapon. His running style is reminiscent of former Duck Bucky Irving—capable of carrying the load for an offense with his mix of vision, balance, and explosiveness. He’s someone I could see rising even higher on the board.

Raheim Sanders - 6’0”, 230 LBS (RB, South Carolina)

Raheim Sanders is another intriguing name. After a breakout sophomore year at Arkansas, injuries and weight issues caused his stock to drop last season. But a transfer to South Carolina has revitalized his career. In 2024, he’s put up 821 rushing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 268 receiving yards, showcasing the dual-threat abilities that once made him a top prospect.

Sanders blends size, power, and burst, excelling at finding running lanes and breaking through defenders. He’s proven his value as a pass-catcher, creating mismatches against linebackers. While consistency and injury history remain concerns, his bounce-back season positions him as a Day 3 pick with upside to climb higher. For devy managers, this is the kind of buy-low opportunity that can pay off big.

Let’s not forget the top-tier names like TreVeyon Henderson from Ohio State, Quinshon Judkins from Ohio State, and Omarion Hampton from North Carolina, all have the tools to be the best back in this class, underscoring just how talented this group is overall. Not to mention Nicholas Singleton from Penn State who could be a value in the second round. This group is uber-talented.

Tight End Talent

The 2025 tight end class features two standout names: Michigan’s Colston Loveland and Penn State’s Tyler Warren. While Warren might be the consensus TE1 for most, my lean is slightly toward Loveland—though it’s razor-thin. Both players offer unique skill sets that should translate well to the NFL.

Colston Loveland - 6’5”, 245 LBS (TE, Michigan)

Loveland has been a bright spot in Michigan’s run-heavy offense. This season, he set a Wolverines record for most catches by a tight end in a single year, finishing with 56 receptions for 582 yards and three touchdowns. His ability as a receiver is unmatched in this class.

Loveland excels with his route-running, contested catch ability, and ball skills. With a PFF receiving grade of 88.0, 7.1 average depth of target, and 2.67 yards per route run, he’s shown consistency with just two drops on the year—despite Michigan’s shaky quarterback situation.

As a “big slot” player rather than a traditional in-line tight end, Loveland’s skill set is tailor-made for modern NFL offenses that heavily utilize 12 personnel. His ability to create mismatches in coverage and win at all levels of the field makes him an immediate impact player for fantasy football. While his blocking remains a work in progress, his receiving upside makes him one of the safest TE prospects to bet on.

Tyler Warren - 6’6”, 257 LBS (TE, Penn State)

Tyler Warren brings a different flavor to the tight end position. With 75 catches for 910 yards and five touchdowns this season, plus 16 carries for 157 yards and four rushing touchdowns, Warren’s versatility jumps off the page. He’s a matchup nightmare who can line up all over the field, showcasing high football IQ and a knack for making big plays.

Warren’s size, athleticism, and ball-tracking ability allow him to high-point passes effectively and thrive as a red-zone target. His alignment versatility gives offensive coordinators the flexibility to scheme him into favorable situations, making him a valuable chess piece.

However, there’s still room for growth. Warren needs to refine his blocking technique and improve his functional strength to handle in-line responsibilities in the NFL. Even so, his ability to contribute as a receiver and occasional rusher sets him apart as a unique offensive weapon.

Harold Fannin Jr. - 6’4”, 235 LBS (TE, Bowling Green)

Outside of the top two, Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. is a name that deserves more attention. Playing in the MAC hasn’t stopped him from putting up elite production, with 1,295 receiving yards, nine touchdowns, and seven 100+ yard games this season. His ability to line up all over the field and dominate against top-tier opponents like Penn State and Texas A&M proves he belongs in the conversation.

Fannin’s versatility and pass-catching prowess make him a potential steal in the NFL Draft. While he’s not an elite blocker and could use more explosiveness, his production and ability to win matchups speak volumes about his upside.

This tight end class brings a mix of high-end talent and intriguing depth. Loveland is the elite receiver, Warren offers rare versatility, and Fannin has the potential to be a sleeper with significant upside. Dynasty managers should take notice, as these players could reshape the TE landscape in the years to come.

*Player Grades are from PFF

Best of the Rest

While the following players didn’t make the list this time, that doesn’t mean they can’t climb their way into the conversation. For now, they’re on the outside looking in, but we’ll continue to monitor their progress as we update the big board monthly. Some of these players are pegged to return to college football next season, which is why they didn’t crack the list right now. Keep an eye on these names—they’re just a breakout or a decision away from making an impact.

• Texas QB Quinn Ewers

• Alabama QB Jalen Milroe

• LSU QB Garrett Nussmeier

• Penn State QB Drew Allar

• Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart

• UCF RB RJ Harvey

• Washington RB Jonah Coleman

• Michigan RB Kalel Mullings

• Miami RB Damian Martinez

• Texas A&M RB Le’Veon Moss

• Penn State RB Kaytron Allen

• Clemson RB Phil Mafah

• Virginia Tech RB Bhayshul Tuten

• USF RB Nay’Quan Wright

• SMU RB Brashard Smith

• Michigan RB Donovan Edwards

• Auburn RB Jarquez Hunter

• Texas RB Jaydon Blue

• Utah State WR Jalen Royals

• Colorado State WR Tory Horton

• UNLV WR Ricky White

• Indiana WR Elijah Sarratt

• Kentucky WR Dane Key

• Kentucky WR Barion Brown

• Alabama WR Germie Bernard

• Maryland WR Tai Felton

• Illinois WR Pat Bryant

• Texas TE Gunnar Helm

• Iowa TE Luke Lachey

• Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden II

• North Carolina TE Bryson Nesbit

• Clemson TE Jake Briningstool

• Oregon TE Terrance Ferguson

• Michigan STate TE Jack Velling

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2025 Draft Pick Values

When looking at the 2025 draft, it's essential to assess pick values relative to actual players in dynasty leagues. I dig into dynasty rankings, recent trades, and player performance to help you gauge the worth of these picks and uncover potential trade opportunities. Whether you're considering trading for picks or leveraging them in deals, understanding the current landscape is key to maximizing value.

Here are some takeaways: