Man, looking back at the 2025 draft cycle feels like a fever dream now that we're deep into 2026. Everyone thought they had the 2025 rookie mock draft science figured out by February, but then the actual April weekend in Green Bay happened and basically set every expert’s spreadsheet on fire. If you were playing dynasty fantasy football or just obsessing over the NFL's next wave, you remember the chaos. Tennessee taking Cam Ward at one? Bold. Travis Hunter going to Jacksonville after a massive trade up? Absolutely wild.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people made was treating this class like the quarterback-heavy groups of years past. It wasn't that. It was the year of the "Unicorns" and the "Trench Monsters."
Why the Cam Ward Hype Was Actually Real
When we were looking at 2025 rookie mock draft projections early on, Cam Ward was the ultimate "love him or hate him" prospect. He had that backyard football style that makes scouts sweat and fans drool. The Tennessee Titans didn't care about the turnover-worthy play rates that PFF was screaming about. They saw a kid who could make every throw from every platform.
He basically forced his way to the 1.01 because the other options felt safe but low-ceiling. You’ve got to admire the guts it took to pass on a "generational" defender for a guy who spent time at Incarnate Word and Washington State before hitting it big at Miami. It sort of redefined how we value late-bloomers. In most dynasty rookie drafts, Ward became the de facto 1.01 in Superflex, even if people were worried he’d be the next "all or nothing" gunslinger.
The Travis Hunter Dilemma
Jacksonville trading up to snag Travis Hunter at number two was the move that broke the internet. For months, the debate was: Is he a corner? Is he a receiver? Can he actually do both in the pros?
Most 2025 rookie mock draft boards had him listed as a "WR/CB" which is basically code for "we have no idea where to put him." In Jacksonville, he’s been trying to juggle both, though a knee injury during his rookie year definitely sparked some "I told you so" comments from the skeptics who thought his snap count was unsustainable. But when he’s on? He’s Garrett Wilson on offense and a prime lockdown corner on defense.
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If you took him in a fantasy draft, you probably took him as a wideout. He led the Big 12 in catches and scores, so the production was there. But the risk was—and still is—that his team might eventually decide he’s too valuable on defense to let him take hits as a slot receiver.
Running Backs Saved Dynasty Teams
If you were picking in the middle of the first round of your rookie draft, you were probably doing a celebratory dance. This running back class was loaded. Ashton Jeanty out of Boise State wasn't just a "good" prospect; he was statistically one of the best we’ve seen in a decade.
The Las Vegas Raiders took him at six, and he immediately looked like the next Saquon Barkley. Compact, powerful, and catches everything. Behind him, you had Omarion Hampton going to the Chargers at 22. Honestly, Hampton might be the "steal" in hindsight. He’s a big, chiseled dude who runs sub-4.5. He’s been a workhorse for Jim Harbaugh, which surprised exactly nobody who watched his North Carolina tape.
Then you had the Tier 2 guys:
- Kaleb Johnson (Iowa): Ended up in Pittsburgh. A patient, patient runner.
- TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State): Landed in New England to help Drake Maye.
- Quinshon Judkins (Ohio State): Went to Cleveland in the third round.
It’s rare to see a draft where you can get a potential RB1 in the middle of the second round of a rookie mock, but 2025 delivered exactly that.
The Tight End Renaissance
Can we talk about Tyler Warren for a second? The Colts taking him at 14 was the smartest move of the first round. Everyone was obsessed with Colston Loveland—who is great, don't get me wrong—but Warren is a literal mountain of a human.
Most 2025 rookie mock draft experts had Loveland as the TE1 for months because of the Michigan pedigree. But Warren’s versatility at Penn State was undeniable. He’s essentially a sixth offensive lineman who can also run a 12-yard out route and moss a safety. In Indianapolis, he became Anthony Richardson’s best friend almost overnight.
What Most People Got Wrong
The biggest miss? The offensive line depth. We saw Will Campbell (LSU) and Kelvin Banks Jr. (Texas) go in the top ten, which we expected. But guys like Armand Membou and Grey Zabel proved that the "small school" or "undervalued" blockers were the real foundation of this class.
Also, the "Shedeur Sanders Slide" was something nobody saw coming. There was so much talk about him being a top-five pick, and then he just... fell. Teams got worried about the pressure he took and the "celebrity" aspect of his brand. He didn't even go in the first few rounds. It’s a reminder that the NFL cares way more about "processing under fire" than Instagram followers.
Actionable Advice for Your Next Steps
If you're still looking back at this class to figure out your 2026 strategy, here's the deal:
Watch the workload metrics. Ashton Jeanty had nearly 400 touches in college. While he’s a beast, that kind of mileage is a red flag for long-term dynasty value. Contrast that with someone like Omarion Hampton, who has the frame to carry the load but slightly fresher legs.
Prioritize "Air Yards" over "Hype." Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina) wasn't the fastest receiver in the 2025 class, but his catch radius made him a target monster for Bryce Young. In your future mocks, don't get blinded by 40-times; look for the guys who actually win the ball in the air.
Don't ignore the "Boring" picks. Offensive line and interior defensive line (like Mason Graham) don't win you fantasy trophies, but they dictate which quarterbacks and running backs actually succeed. If a team invests a top-10 pick in a tackle, that’s your cue to buy their RB.
Keep an eye on the 2026 sophomores as they head into their second year. The "jump" from year one to year two is where the real money is made in player evaluation. Look for guys who had high PFF grades but low "box score" stats in 2025—they are usually the prime breakout candidates for the upcoming season.
Check the injury recovery of Mykel Williams and Travis Hunter as we head into the 2026 preseason. Their health will determine the power balance of their respective divisions.
Analyze the snap counts for the "hybrid" players. If Travis Hunter's defensive snaps continue to outweigh his offensive ones, it's time to adjust his value in IDP (Individual Defensive Player) leagues versus standard formats.