The 2025 NFL Draft has come and gone, and with it, the fantasy football landscape has shifted dramatically. From promising rookies walking into dream scenarios to veteran players who saw their value plummet overnight, fantasy managers now face a critical window to re-evaluate rankings, depth charts, and draft boards. Whether you’re prepping for redraft season or knee-deep in dynasty rookie drafts, understanding which players gained or lost the most value is essential to gaining an edge.
In this article, we break down the biggest NFL Draft winners and losers for fantasy football, highlighting rookies like RJ Harvey and Travis Hunter who landed in prime positions to shine, and veterans like Najee Harris and Cole Kmet who may have lost their grip on fantasy relevance. If you’re researching “NFL Draft winners and losers for fantasy” to identify post-draft risers, fallers, and sneaky value plays-you’re in the right place.
Let’s dive in.
NFL Draft Winners & Losers for Fantasy Football
1. Who is the rookie whose stock is on the rise the most by virtue of the situation he walks into (team/depth/etc) and why? Also, how early should he go in a rookie draft?
“RJ Harvey hit the lottery after he was drafted by the Denver Broncos. Harvey has the opportunity to win this job immediately, competing with Jaleel McLaughlin and Audric Esteme. The only questions that surround Harvey are related to his size, but that shouldn’t matter much here. He is going into an offense conducted by Sean Payton, who loves running backs with top notch vision and can catch the ball. Harvey is that guy, and can very easily be the leader in carries this season for the Broncos. Harvey is my 9th overall player in my rookie rankings, making him a lean 1st round selection in rookie drafts and a great sleeper in all redraft formats. ”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“I don’t think any RB arguably saw a bigger bump post-draft than former UCF RB R.J. Harvey. Denver selected him in the second round, well ahead of where he was mocked pre-draft. Harvey is a super explosive running back and was highly efficient at the college level. He finished in the top 10 in the FBS in forced missed tackles, trailing only Ashton Jeanty in rushes of 10+ yards. Harvey landed on a team with a wide-open backfield where he can establish himself as the lead back, or at least the 1A, if not the clear-cut No. 1 RB for the Broncos. That cements him firmly at the end of Round 1 rookie drafts.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“While Jaydon Blue was a fifth-round pick in the NFL Draft, the former Texas star is one of my favorite rookie draft targets this year. He landed in an excellent situation for his fantasy value. The Cowboys lack a clear-cut starter on the roster, with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders struggling the past few years. Furthermore, the team spent two picks improving their offensive line, including their top selection on Tyler Booker. More importantly, Blue is an explosive runner who can have a massive impact in the passing game. No one should be surprised if he ranks along the league leaders in receptions by a running back, given Dallas’ lack of proven pass catchers. I would draft Blue in the late second round of superflex rookie drafts.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Kaleb Johnson is the perfect bruising RB the Steelers needed with the departure of Najee Harris. Johnson may not have that top shelf speed, but he’s a physical back who should adapt well the the offense and environment where Pittsburgh will run early and often. Although Jaylen Warren still looms, his reoccurring injury issues open a huge path for Johnson to have more of a 70/30 split of the carries for Pittsburgh. ”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
“It’s Kyle Williams. Although Chris Simms was on Williams from the jump, many other NFL and fantasy analysts didn’t even have Williams on their board. In my Adjust the Ranks expert mocks this offseason, Williams wasn’t even considered until the end of March and ended up as the consensus 41st player off the board as a result. Now, despite being buried in ADP, Williams is a late 2nd round pick in a wide open WR room in New England. Scroll down the rankings and lock him up if he falls any further in your drafts.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
“The Browns told us which direction they were going on draft day when they took two running backs in the first four rounds. Judkins should immediately get the early down work and could push for 225-plus carries as a rookie. His physical run style will make a feature in goal-line situations. Look for Judkins at the 4-5 turn in redraft leagues. ”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
“Without a doubt, it’s Travis Hunter. A lot of NFL teams viewed Hunter solely as a CB, which would have made him useless in most fantasy football leagues, with the exception being IDP leagues. However, the Jaguars said they wanted TDs and plan on using Hunter plenty at WR. Hunter is arguably the best WR in the draft, and the mere fact that Jacksonville is willing to use him at WR, vaults him to the early part of the first round in rookie drafts. Ringo’s comp: Travis Hunter reminds me of a lighter version of Ja’Marr Chase at WR and former Heisman Trophy winner, Charles Woodson, at CB.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
What veteran player walks away as the biggest winner based on the new addition(s) to his team and how does it affect how you value him this season?
“Baker Mayfield has got to be smiling pretty big after how the Buccaneers took care of him in this draft. The Bucs spent two of their six selections on wide receivers, namely at 19th overall when the Bucs selected Emeka Egbuka out of The Ohio State University. In the long run, this pick makes a ton of sense. Chris Godwin should be back fully healthy after his injury last year, and Mike Evans is entering the last year of his deal. If Evans does leave Tampa, here is his replacement in the Tampa passing game in Egbuka. However in the short term, Baker Mayfield has an absolute bevy of options to choose from. Mayfield was a great option before, now he is a fantastic option for 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“Jordan Love only got one new addition to his receiving core in free agency after the Packers signed Mecole Hardman, despite Christian Watson expected to miss a significant chunk of the 2025 season with a torn ACL. However, he was a massive winner following the NFL Draft. Green Bay used their first three picks to improve his supporting cast, drafting Matthew Golden and Savion Williams to improve their receiving core. Furthermore, the Packers spent their second-round pick on Anthony Belton, giving Love a big body protector in front of him. Love went from a mid-range QB2 I wasn’t targeting in redraft leagues to a likely low-end QB1 with meaningful upside.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Unfortunately, the answer is Javonte Williams. After signing a one-year deal with the Cowboys, we all thought they would draft a true future three-down back from a class bursting with talent at the position. Well, they did draft Jaydon Blue from Texas, but he’s more of a change-of-pace guy at his size. Miles Sanders is dust, so Williams, as of now, is the clear lead fantasy back of note in that backfield.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
“D’Andre Swift was expected to be replaced by the offensive coordinator who basically jettisoned him from Detriot in new Bears Head Coach Ben Johnson. But now, with only Kyle Monangai brought into Chicago’s RB room, Swift is still set to lead the backfield. More importantly, he’s clearly the best pass catcher in the room, keeping him very fantasy relevant on an ascending offense. He’s a mid-range RB2 with RB1 upside if Roschon Johnson and Monangai can’t take significant work away from him.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
“The Bengals added a couple of offensive linemen in their 2025 draft haul, but did nothing to add to the backfield until adding Tahj Brooks from Texas Tech in the sixth round. Coming off a season that saw him rush for just under 1,000 yards and adding 54 receptions and 360 yards through the air, Brown appears to have earned the coaching staff’s confidence. He should be an RB2 with upside this season.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
“The Patriots made four offensive selections during the first two days of the NFL Draft to provide QB Drake Maye the support he needs to take a sophomore leap. The Pats selected offensive tackle Will Campbell, running back TreVeyon Henderson, wide receiver Kyle Williams and center Jared Wilson. Not only did they beef up the offensive line, but they added explosive playmakers that this New England offense has so severely lacked. With an improved supporting cast, improved coaching and rushing upside, Maye is my top target in the late-round QB territory after he finished as the QB15 in points per game in 2024.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“For me, the biggest winner is someone most people probably won’t think of just because he’s already so talented, and that’s Jayden Daniels. Washington not only added OT Josh Conerly in the draft, but also brought in Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil in a trade with Houston, which give the Commanders one of the best offensive lines they’ve fielded in years. They also traded a fifth-round pick for WR Deebo Samuel, whose YAC (yards after catch) is one of the best in the league. The new fortified offensive line should propel not just Daniels but the entire Washington offense (McLaurin, Brian Robinson Jr., Ekeler, Ertz, etc.) to even greater heights in 2025. Honorable mentions: Caleb Williams, Trevor Lawrence, Drake Maye, and Justin Fields.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
“Caleb Williams was far and away the most sacked QB last year with 68 sacks, a whopping 16 more than the next QB (C.J. Shroud with 52). The Bears organization responded by overhauling the entire O-Line by trading for Joe Thuney (KC) and Jonah Jackson (LAR), signing Drew Dalman (ATL), and drafting Ozzy Trapilo with the 56th pick in this years draft. Additionally, they drafted additional start power weapons in the form of WR Luther Burden III and TE Colston Loveland while keeping DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. I expect Caleb Williams to have a monster year and finish well within the top 12 of QBs.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)
What veteran player walks away as the biggest loser based on the new addition(s) to his team and how does it affect how you value him this season?
“After signing a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers, many had Najee Harris on their fantasy draft boards for 2025. Now, yuck. It certainly feels like the Chargers, mainly OC Greg Roman, will be operating with a committee after the team used the 22nd overall selection on former UNC Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton. Hampton is the future for the Chargers, while Najee most certainly feels like a lame duck in that running back room. Harris cannot be drafted as anything more than a low-ceiling flex option for 2025.”
– Ed Birdsall (Talking Points Sports)
“While Najee Harris has never been the sexiest fantasy pick, his durability (he has never missed a game) and reliability (he has only fumbled three times in his career) have made him a go-to RB2. Putting him in Jim Harbaugh’s offense with the Chargers, behind a solid offensive line, looked like a home run. Enter dynamic rookie running back Omarion Hampton. While Harris should still be a solid football option, his fantasy value has taken a massive hit after the draft.”
– Lee Wehry (FantasyPros)
“The Chargers drafted North Carolina RB Omarion Hampton 22nd overall to be their future bell cow. Najee Harris is on a one-year deal. I could see Hampton and Harris splitting work to some extent in 2025, but we know which running back will be spearheading this team at the end of the season and in 2026. Even if it might be annoying at times during the start of the 2025 season, drafting Hampton should pay off in the long run. That makes Harris nothing more than an early-season zero-RB target that can help provide some early-season production as Hampton gets brought up to speed. Keep in mind that LA re-signing J.K. Dobbins is also a likely outcome, given that the team placed the unrestricted free agent tender on him to give them exclusive negotiating rights if he doesn’t sign with another team before training camp. Considering his laundry list of injuries and the lack of general interest in veteran RB market this offseason, don’t be shocked if Dobbins returns to LA.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
“Cole Kmet was going to be a popular sleeper tight end in redraft leagues this year after the Bears hired Ben Johnson as their new head coach. Many were ready to call for a big season from Kmet as Johnson’s new Sam LaPorta. However, Chicago crushed his fantasy value during the NFL Draft. First, they drafted Colston Loveland in the first round. Yet, Kmet still had meaningful fantasy value. Unfortunately, the Bears used their next pick on Luther Burden III, who some believe will fill the Amon-Ra St. Brown role in Johnson’s offense. Two weeks ago, Kmet had a chance to be third on the team in targets. Now, he is barely worth drafting in the later rounds of deeper or tight end premium leagues.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Rhamondre Stevenson fumbled 7 times last year, was being benched down the stretch, and that long-term deal he signed means very little to the incoming coaching staff. The Patriots’ drafting of TreVeyon Henderson, who’s a great pass blocker and far more explosive back, could mean a dwindling timeshare for carries as the season progresses for Stevenson in the New England backfield. Perhaps sooner than later, too.”
– Joe Pisapia (FantasyPros)
“It shouldn’t be a surprise, but any value Jerome Ford was hanging on to was nuked in the draft. While other draft-day losers like Najee Harris should still retain a decent workload in LA for now, the combination of Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson should relegate Ford to the bench almost immediately. If you can somehow move him now, do it. Ford’s value is tanking but it will never recover. Sadly, the former RB2 is now fantasy dead.”
– Jeremy Shulman (Fantasy Football Universe)
“It’s not only Kenneth Walker III, but the entire Seattle offense who could be in trouble. The Sam Darnold, I know and love, finally showed up last year and saw ghosts in the playoffs, when the Vikings got smoked by the Rams in Arizona, even with a partisan Vikings’ crowd cheering them on. Seattle coughed up $100 million for Darnold, which is a huge gamble considering how bad he looked in the playoffs. Without the stout Vikings’ defense, offensive line, and weather-controlled climate to support him, I think Darnold will find the going to be a lot tougher in Seattle. That’s bad news for the Seahawks’ offense, where Kenneth Walker III needs a lot of TDs to justify his current, lofty ranking at RB 16, and I don’t see that happening. Honorable mentions: Najee Harris, Tyrone Tracy, Cooper Kupp, and C.J. Stroud.”
– Mark Ringo (Sleepers and Busts)
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