2025 NFL Draft: Surprising poll results show complete lack of consensus on the top incoming rookies for fantasy football

As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches consensus is beginning to emerge on the very top incoming rookies, but outside of a few key names there's still plenty of uncertainty. And when it comes to fantasy football specifically, the consensus drops off even faster among the top options.Some of you may not participate in dynasty fantasy […]

Travis May — College Football Managing Editor
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Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State
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As the 2025 NFL Draft approaches consensus is beginning to emerge on the very top incoming rookies, but outside of a few key names there's still plenty of uncertainty. And when it comes to fantasy football specifically, the consensus drops off even faster among the top options.

Some of you may not participate in dynasty fantasy football, but the "wisdom of the crowd" in that community has continually improved their hit rates for predicting future NFL success collectively over the last decade. One of the best ways to test this is via crowdsourcing large sample opinions from poll data.

Over the last decade I have conducted a series of polls on X (Twitter) to find consensus on incoming rookie classes. When this exercise began, the results were a bit disappointing in terms of predictive value. However, over the last 4-5 years the results from early polling have nearly outperformed draft capital expectations for future NFL success.

Below you'll find this year's early edition of the Rookie Poll Mock series, which will inform the remainder of this column, breaking down each selection and incoming NFL rookie for fantasy football in the 2025 NFL Draft.

For those who care about such things, each round is twelve picks to signify the number of teams in a dynasty fantasy football league. The format assumed is "superflex", which means you can start multiple quarterbacks (propping up QB value more adequately). Without further ado, let's dive into these surprising poll results on the top incoming rookies in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Round 1

1.01 – Ashton Jeanty, RB Boise State

Ashton Jeanty was one of the few "consensus" picks in the entire series of polls this year. After his unbelievable season with 2700+ yards from scrimmage and 30 touchdowns Jeanty emerged as the clear RB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft. It is assumed he'll be an early to mid first round draft pick this April.

Thus, the dynasty fantasy football community is extremely high on him. Jeanty garnered nearly 69% of the vote on the poll for the 1.01 and that likely won't change much between now and after the 2025 NFL Draft.

1.02 – Tetairoa McMillan, WR Arizona

Tetairoa McMillan is certainly the consensus WR1 in the 2025 NFL Draft class thanks to his tantalizing blend of size, speed, ball skills, and an immaculate production profile (via meaningful predictive metrics, not just volume). However, he just barely edged out Cam Ward (QB, Miami) to win the vote on the 1.02 (45% to 42%). If McMillan doesn't get the Top 10 capital he's currently projected to receive he may still drop below both quarterbacks later this spring.

1.03 – Cam Ward, QB Miami

There has been some emerging consensus in recent weeks among those in the NFL Draft community that Cam Ward should be considered the QB1 in the 2025 NFL Draft class. This was reflected in dramatic fashion here as Ward took down 70% of the vote for the 1.03 (in a poll that included Shedeur Sanders).

After talking with multiple scouts and sources at the Senior Bowl, Cam Ward is almost assuredly going to be the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft regardless of which team ends up actually making that selection. If that holds true Ward will end up as the 1.03 at worst, but could go first overall in many dynasty fantasy football rookie drafts this year.

1.04 – Shedeur Sanders, QB Colorado

Shedeur Sanders was one of the last true consensus picks in the entire series of polls as he garnered 45% of the total votes over Luther Burden (WR, Missouri), Travis Hunter (CB/WR Colorado), and Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State).

Sanders is still widely considered the QB2 in the 2025 NFL Draft class, although multiple NFL teams have confirmed with A to Z Sports that they have Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss as their second ranked quarterback. If Sanders gets Top 10 NFL Draft capital, the 1.04 range in dynasty rookie drafts seems like his most appropriate spot.

1.05 – Luther Burden, WR Missouri

Luther Burden had a down year production-wise thanks to the Missouri offense collapsing in on itself for much of the year, but he's still considered a first round projection and a potential WR2 in the class. Burden only managed 35% of the vote on the poll for the 1.05, beating Omarion Hampton by about 11% overall, but this is clearly where consensus surprisingly begins to completely go out the window in dynasty rookie draft value.

1.06 – Omarion Hampton, RB North Carolina

Omarion Hampton is apparently the RB2 of the class as of this writing, although his projected 2025 NFL Draft capital via recent large sample mock drafts (A to Z's internal data as well) puts him closer to RB3 or RB4.

Hampton's elite burst, vision, and consistent production with back to back seasons of 1500+ rushing yards likely pushed him over the top for many voters. But Hampton only managed 31% of the vote, winning by a very thin margin here, defeating Emeka Egbuka (WR, Ohio State) by just 3% of the vote. 

1.07 – Emeka Egbuka, WR Ohio State

Emeka Egbuka has not gotten the credit he deserves throughout his Ohio State career as he's played second fiddle to some of the first round talents around him like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Jeremiah Smith. That lack of hype may make Egbuka a value this year as he's still available past the midpoint of the first round here.

Egbuka is good at everything, while not necessarily elite at anything, but he does have an early breakout season on his resume with a strong overall production profile despite the lack of extremely high raw volume stats. Egbuka handily won here, taking down about 44% of the vote, but some leagues may let him slide further.

1.08 – Kaleb Johnson, RB Iowa

Kaleb Johnson didn't completely come out of nowhere since he did impress as a true freshman back in 2022, but after struggling in 2023 no one expected over 1700 yards out of him and All-American status. Johnson's improved efficiency, strength, and newfound value as a receiver has many expecting great things. He just barely won the vote here, pulling just 3% more of the vote than Travis Hunter, 9% more than TreVeyon Henderson.

1.09 – TreVeyon Henderson, RB Ohio State

Thanks to his College Football Playoff heroics in a few key moments for Ohio State, TreVeyon Henderson has reemerged as a potential RB2 candidate for many. It was only a few short years ago following his 1500+ yard true freshman season that many assumed he was going to be the slam dunk RB1 when he declared for the draft. He's RB4 at the moment, but with a strong NFL Combine he could skyrocket past both Omarion Hampton and Kaleb Johnson.

1.10 – Travis Hunter, CB/WR Colorado

Travis Hunter is obviously a weird evaluation for fantasy football purposes. If a team doesn't truly go all-in on allowing him to play both cornerback and wide receiver then he could be a complete bust for fantasy. That's likely why a player who may be the best WR in the class (if a team let him play the position) is going 10th overall. Scouts and experts are still torn on where he should play.

1.11 – Quinshon Judkins, RB Ohio State

Three seasons of 1200+ yards and 16+ touchdowns, yet Quinshon Judkins is somehow valued as a fringe first round rookie pick. That's a bold choice from the dynasty fantasy football community, but in a class with several strong running backs this could actually make sense. Judkins shockingly just barely defeated Penn State tight end Tyler Warren by less than 5% of the vote.

1.12 – Tyler Warren, TE Penn State

There was some healthy TE1 debate for a long while between Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland, but not anymore. Warren put up an absurd 1,451 receiving yards as the de facto WR1 for Penn State last year and is expected to be an early first round 2025 NFL Draft selection. He likely needs to test well at the NFL Combine to solidify this pick range, but Penn State's top tier strength and conditioning program always gets their guys ready.

Round 2

2.01 – Colston Loveland, TE Michigan

Colston Loveland nearly outproduced the entire Michigan wide receiver group in 2024 thanks to his otherworldly skills. He needs to improve as a blocker, but first round draft capital is still expected. Pick 23 is currently his projected midpoint of potential selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. He just barely beat out Matthew Golden (WR, Texas) here to win the 2.01 poll, kicking off round two.

2.02 – Jaxson Dart, QB Ole Miss

There continues to be hot debate over where Jaxson Dart truly belongs in the 2025 NFL Draft class. Could he be QB2? Is he even QB3? Is he a first round quarterback? Or will he even go inside round three? When a talented quarterback finishes Top 5 by virtually every single meaningful statistical measure in his final season good things usually happen. However, given the up-in-the-air status of his expected draft capital, the 2.02 makes sense.

2.03 – Matthew Golden, WR Texas

Matthew Golden has been one of the fastest risers in the NFL Draft space for months now. After transferring from Houston he became the WR1 for Texas this past season as the Longhorns made it all the way to the semifinals of the College Football Playoff. Many believe he could sneak into the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. If that happens he might go earlier than the 2.03.

2.04 – Cam Skattebo, RB Arizona State

This is the range at which running backs start getting reached for every single year and 2025 is no exception. Cam Skattebo had a phenomenal season with Arizona State, he runs angry, and he's a fun long shot story worth rooting for, but he might not even get Day 2 draft capital. Still, the community voted him through to win here with 38% of the vote.

2.05 – Ollie Gordon, RB Oklahoma State

Ollie Gordon is massive potential feature back at 6'2", nearly 230 pounds. He posted a wildly impressive 2023 season with over 2000 yards from scrimmage, finishing 7th in the Heisman voting, earning All-American Honors. Then 2024 happened. It was a horrendous year for Gordon and Oklahoma State, but he's still in the mix for round three 2025 NFL Draft capital. His size and production had the fantasy football community just interested enough here as he won the popular vote by 2%.

2.06 – Tre Harris, WR Ole MIss

This is probably the steal of the draft if Tre Harris makes it to the 2.06. He posted an absolutely crazy 5+ yards per route run mark last fall as he was on record-setting pace prior to getting injured with Ole Miss. Harris is a bit of an older prospect, which some do not like (rightfully so), but that shouldn't have pushed him all the way to pick 18. Once he gets Top 40 capital he probably goes earlier than this.

2.07 – Jalen Milroe, QB Alabama

Jalen Milroe went from potential first overall pick prior to last season to a player who could drop out of the first two rounds entirely. Milroe's inconsistencies with accuracy on anything but a deep ball have many befuddled. However, his raw athleticism is too appealing to let him fall any further than this pick. The community gave him 33% of the vote, just narrowly winning by 1% over Harold Fannin Jr. of Bowling Green.

2.08 – Harold Fannin Jr., TE Bowling Green

This pick marks the barrier before all consensus is completely gone on incoming rookie picks. Harold Fannin Jr. tested as a 100th percentile on-field athlete at the Senior Bowl and just set the all-time single season record for receiving yards last fall at Bowling Green. He's been constantly rising up NFL Draft boards for months and could end up going a bit earlier if he tests like we believe he will at the NFL Combine. Beyond this point there are no truly "safe" bets for Top 75 capital in the 2025 NFL Draft.

2.09 – Elic Ayomanor, WR Stanford

Elic Ayomanor was a bit of a surprise when he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. Only a redshirt sophomore last fall, Ayomanor was quite raw as a route runner, but used his physicality to dominate defensive backs week in and week out. Some NFL team is going to fall in love with his style of play and draft him earlier than he deserves. Ayomanor just barely won the vote here by less than 3%.

2.10 – Devin Neal, RB Kansas

Devin Neal is the perfect example of a running back that the fantasy football community values more than the real NFL Draft folks do, but it's hard to argue with his production. Three straight seasons of 1200+ yards and double-digit touchdowns, and he did it with the Kansas Jayhawks. Neal needs to land in the right spot, but he is fan-favorite for many and might go earlier than this if he gets round three capital.

2.11 – Jayden Higgins, WR Iowa State

For those on #TeamBigWR, Jayden Higgins is impossible not to love. He emerged alongside Jaylin Noel at Iowa State as one of the most productive wide receivers in the nation last season and impressed at the Senior Bowl. Higgins has much faster feat than a 6'4" wide receiver should and thus likely gets selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft.

2.12 – Tez Johnson, WR Oregon

Tez Johnson was just always open at the Senior Bowl here recently and for much of his college football career. Johnson's speed, agility, flexibility, and talents likely get him drafted inside round three despite being extremely tiny. He just barely beat out Xavier Restrepo (WR, Miami), Isaiah Bond (WR, Texas), and Trevor Etienne (RB, Georgia) to wrap up this series of incoming rookie polls for dynasty fantasy football.

Elijah Arroyo (TE, Miami), DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State), Mason Taylor (TE LSU), Jalen Royals (WR, Utah State), and Jack Bech (WR, TCU) also received votes as a part of this poll series, but look like they're among the first names out for now.

I'll conduct a similar exercise following the 2025 NFL Draft, but for now one thing is clear. There's surprisingly virtually zero consensus on this incoming rookie class outside of the top few options. We'll see if that changes in the near future.

We'll be back with more NFL Draft coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!

And if you want to see why running back Ashton Jeanty is still going before the quarterbacks in superflex dynasty fantasy football rookie drafts just check out some of his highlights in the video below!

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