Comparing players from different draft classes in fantasy football can get a bit tricky. These players are at different stages in their careers and sometimes need to be evaluated differently based on team situation, opportunity, and competition for volume.
In this article, we will be creating a combined ranking of players from the 2024 and 2025 NFL Draft that are considered fantasy-relevant, as well as deciding which draft class provided better value in each rookie draft round at the time based on preseason ADP. These rankings will be based on how these players were valued as prospects within the world of dynasty fantasy football.
We’ll be using the FantasyPros Rookie Draft ADP as our source for this information. Format: 1QB, PPR
1. Ashton Jeanty
(RB, LV)
2. Marvin Harrison Jr
(WR, ARI)
3. Malik Nabers
(WR, NYG)
4. Brock Bowers
(TE, LV)
5. Rome Odunze
(WR, CHI)
6. Caleb Williams
(QB, CHI)
7. Brian Thomas Jr
(WR, JAX)
8. Omarion Hampton
(RB, LAC)
9. Jayden Daniels
(QB, WAS)
10. Tetairoa McMillan
(WR, CAR)
11. Travis Hunter
(WR/CB, JAX)
12. Xavier Worthy
(WR, KC)
Round 1 Value: 2024
It’s easy to look back and say that last year’s rookie class was significantly better than this year’s just because they’ve had an actual season of NFL action. However, it’s impossible to deny that several generational players were drafted in the first round of 2024 dynasty rookie drafts. These players very clearly separate the 2024 class from 2025.
Malik Nabers, Brock Bowers, Jayden Daniels, and Brian Thomas Jr. all excelled in their rookie seasons, becoming some of the best players in the entire NFL. Players Marvin Harrison Jr, Ladd McConkey, Drake Maye, and Caleb Williams were all great prospects with super high ceilings. The high-end talent was apparent in this draft class from the time they entered the league as draft prospects. It didn’t take long for them to climb to the top of the NFL.
There’s definitely a chance that 2025 overtakes 2024 in this ranking, especially if Ashton Jeanty, Travis Hunter, and Tetairoa McMillan prove the dynasty community correct as absolute game-changers in their rookie seasons. Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, Quinshon Judkins, Kaleb Johnson, and R.J. Harvey are just a few of the running backs set to contribute early on as well.
This year’s running back class might be among the best in NFL history in terms of talent and depth, marking a stark difference from the 2024 class. However, last year’s class featured perhaps the greatest rookie wide receiver class in league history, as well as an elite group of quarterbacks.
Overall, the 2024 NFL Draft class had a better group of first-round dynasty prospects than this year’s group.
13. Keon Coleman
(WR, BUF)
14. Ladd McConkey
(WR, LAC)
15. TreVeyon Henderson
(RB, NE)
16. Drake Maye
(QB, NE)
17. TreVeyon Henderson
(RB, NE)
18. Tyler Warren
(TE, IND)
19. Colston Loveland
(TE, CHI)
20. Kaleb Johnson
(RB, PIT)
21. Quinshon Judkins
(RB, CLE)
22. Matthew Golden
(WR, GB)
23. Emeka Egbuka
(WR, TB)
24. Bo Nix
(QB, DEN)
Round 2 Value: 2025
This one is less of a debate. This year’s rookie class is much deeper at first glance than last year's, providing names like Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, Jayden Higgins, Cam Ward, Tre Harris, and many more. While the high-end talent was definitely more present in the 2024 rookie class, the second round of 2025 dynasty rookie drafts is filled with players who all had an argument to go in the first round.
Colston Loveland was a top-ten pick in this year’s draft and will be catching passes from Caleb Williams. He has a receiver-like skill set in terms of route-running, and his hands are very reliable. Even in a crowded offense, I expect Loveland to be able to produce in his rookie season. He was obviously brought in to be head coach Ben Johnson’s new Sam LaPorta.
Cam Ward was the first-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and is going in the first round of many rookie drafts. However, he is slipping to the second in several leagues due to the fact that this year’s quarterback class is weaker than last year’s. He has a ridiculous arm and can hit any tight-window throw, making him a great prospect in the late first or early second round.
Jayden Higgins is a high-floor receiver who ended up in a great landing spot. He has a clear role as Houston’s second receiver and will line up opposite Nico Collins this season.
When considering the value of each round, it’s hard to argue that there are many classes with a deeper second round than the 2025 class.
24. Michael Penix Jr.
(QB, ATL)
25. Cam Ward
(QB, TEN)
26. Jayden Higgins
(WR, HOU)
27. R.J. Harvey
(RB, DEN)
28. J.J. McCarthy
(QB, MIN)
29. Luther Burden III
(WR, CHI)
30. Tre Harris
(WR, LAC)
31. Jack Bech
(WR, LV)
32. Mason Taylor
(TE, NYJ)
33. Cam Skattebo
(RB, NYG)
34. Bucky Irving
(RB, TB)
35. Kyle Williams
(WR, NE)
36. Tyrone Tracy Jr.
(RB, NYG)
Round 3 Value: 2024
This comes with a real argument, and was a lot closer in my opinion. 2025 boasts players in this round like Mason Taylor, Jaxson Dart, Shedeur Sanders, Terrance Ferguson, and Elijah Arroyo. 2024 has a solid group with Michael Penix Jr, Bucky Irving, Jalen McMillan, Tyrone Tracy Jr., and Braelon Allen. However, I think 2024’s class included more quality over quantity in the third round.
Multiple players drafted in the third round of 2024 rookie drafts were players that should’ve gone in the second round. Michael Penix Jr., Braleon Allen, and Bucky Irving are great examples of players who were fantastic prospects available in this round, again, focusing on them in terms of their value before the season. While 2025 has a very good group of tight ends, the third round of 2024 has provided multiple starting running backs and backfield contributors, as well as some decent receivers.
As I said, this was a very close race. The third round was filled with value selections on both sides. However, when considering the overall group of players at the end of rookie drafts, it was hard to ignore the 2024 class as the better option. Similarly to the other portions of this list, however, these rankings could change with time.