2025 NFL Draft Notebook: Uncover This Season’s Hidden Fantasy Football Gems Before Everyone Else Does

When the NFL Draft rolls around each year, it’s like unwrapping a mystery box filled with both gold and gravel — and this 2025 class is no exception. I’ve sifted through the buzz, the stats, and the endless highlight reels to give you a real, no-BS take on the fantasy prospects emerging from this draft crop. Whether it’s those sneaky day two and three running backs carving out paths or first-round wideouts shaking up decades-old team templates, there’s plenty to dissect here. The landscape is shifting fast, and if you’re looking to get ahead in your fantasy leagues, you’ll want to understand not just the shiny upside, but the gritty underbelly of these picks. So buckle up — we’re diving into who’s set to ignite, who’ll sputter out, and who might just surprise us all in 2025’s fantasy football scene.

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Day 2 and 3 running backs

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Meanwhile, Young averaged 26.8 fantasy points over the final three games last season, and he ranked #1 in Big Time Throw Rate after taking back over in Week 8. McMillan may not help Carolina’s lack of separation problem, but he’s another weapon for Young to build on last season’s second half breakout.AdvertisementWinners: Chase Brown, D’Andre Swift, Brian Robinson/Austin Ekeler, C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, Caleb Williams, Justin Fields, CeeDee Lamb, Cedric Tillman

Shedeur Sanders’ fall not a huge surprise

Brian Thomas Jr. is the clear alpha in Jacksonville*, but targets are wide open afterward, and Hunter will surely be utilized; GM James Gladstone said Hunter will start with a “heavy dose on offense,” and coach Liam Cohen said Hunter is an offensive player first. The math says Malik Nabers would’ve still been a top-20 fantasy WR last season even if his route share dropped to 75%, and Hunter looks like another special talent with a better quarterback.

Other Draft Day Winners and Losers

Cam Skattebo had a highly productive college career, when he became one of only two players in CFB history with 1,600 rushing yards and 600 receiving yards in the same season (Christian McCaffrey is the other). Only Jeanty averaged more fantasy points among this year’s RB draft class. Tyrone Tracy Jr. impressed as a rookie and Skattebo was taken in the fourth round, so expect a timeshare in New York’s backfield.Jarquez Hunter is a fantasy sleeper landing with the Rams. Sean McVay loves Kyren Williams, but Blake Corum should be easy to leap. Hunter brings explosion that’s missing from Los Angeles’ backfield, and he’ll be