A pick-by-pick guide to the first round of a dynasty league SuperFlex rookie draft

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The NFL draft is right around the corner, which means it’s my favorite time of the year to talk dynasty.

In this piece, I’m taking you pick-by-pick through the first round of upcoming dynasty rookie drafts to let you in on my strategy for each selection. Each draft season has nuance, and 2025 is no exception. The strategy default is for SuperFlex formats. Simply kick the quarterbacks down a round or so if you are playing in a single-QB setup.

One note before beginning: Please check out my rookie and dynasty rankings here on Fantasy Pros.

Round 1 Strategy

Pick: 1.01

Pick Projection: Ashton Jeanty, RB

Jeanty is as close to a can’t-miss prospect as you’ll find. Whether he’s “generational” is debatable, but he checks all the boxes in my definition. If this had been a stronger quarterback class, the gap might have been closer, but 2025 is not that year. If Jeanty is selected by the New York Giants, though, my confidence could be shaken.

The 1.01 selection should yield 2.5 first-round assets in return in normal years, but Jeanty is so strong as a prospect that I believe the compensation would be three first-round assets in return. Make sure at least one is a known productive asset. The likelihood of my trading this selection is very low.

Pick: 1.02

Pick Projection: Omarion Hampton, RB

If not for Jeanty, Hampton would be flying high as my 1.01 projection. I like him equally, and it’s not out of the question that a surprise poor drafted situation for Jeanty (Giants, who pick third overall), coupled with Hampton falling to the Dallas Cowboys, could alter my strategy.

I won’t be prioritizing quarterback with this pick, though there will be plenty of dynasty managers looking to add Cam Ward here. I’m an outlier, ranking Hampton as my 1.02. Rookie quarterbacks have typically not fared well in the NFL, and Ward would not be the top prospect in most years. For that reason, I’ll take the historically high athletic score of Hampton.

Hampton does not possess the premium that Jeanty does at the 1.01, so you’d likely only receive two first-round assets in return for the selection. If trading away this pick, I’m targeting a return pick in the top five plus a “known” starter.

Pick: 1.03

Pick Projection: Cam Ward, QB

Ward’s selection at the top of the NFL draft has been all but solidified. The Tennessee Titans have done their homework and seem to be comfortable with him. Whether Ward is a typical 1.01 NFL selection is debatable, with most believing he’s simply the best prospect in a weak class. I’m of that mindset as well.

This presents some interesting trade opportunities unless you have a dire need at quarterback, in which case a selection of Ward is warranted. Absent that need, I’d be looking to trade this selection in a similar fashion to 1.02, dropping back no more than three selections and looking for a known asset in return.

The existence of Shedeur Sanders and Jaxon Dart is lessening the premium attached to Ward.

Pick: 1.04

Pick Projection: TreVeyon Henderson, RB

Some prefer Henderson over Hampton, seeking the 2025 version of Jahmyr Gibbs. The 1.04 selection is interesting. Managers may seek to take the first receiver off the board at this spot, though I believe 1.05 is better suited for such a play. With the right drafted situation, Henderson could be highly sought after, especially should he sneak into the bottom of Round 1 to the Chiefs.

Henderson’s profile is a short stone’s throw from that of Gibbs and, thus, may command a premium in trade. If you’re flush at running back, there may be an opportunity to trade back, picking up a later first-rounder and a player in return. Henderson or fellow OSU back Quinshon Judkins will likely fall to a less-than-ideal situation, providing more premium for this selection. I’m likely to stick-and-pick with Henderson as my target, letting Sanders fall, but I will entertain offers. I believe there is a high likelihood that the first four picks will comprise the four players I have outlined here, though not necessarily in this order, depending on the team’s quarterback need.

Pick: 1.05

Pick Projection: Tetairoa McMillan, WR

This is where the draft starts with four players clearly in play at this selection, depending on the team’s need. I have McMillan and Judkins equally ranked here. The drafted situation will be key in determining which player is off the board first.

The 1.05 spot is clearly a make-me-an-offer selection. The rights for the first receiver off the board should provide a premium, as would the second quarterback selection. The fourth running back, Judkins, may be situation-dependent given his profile. The wild cards in this round are the landing spots for tight end Tyler Warren and receiver Matthew Golden. There’s also an anomaly here in that I have Emeka Egbuka ranked higher than Golden, something you won’t see often in the rankings of others. I’m in the market for a known-asset trade here, but I would draft based on need otherwise.

Pick: 1.06

Pick Projection: Shedeur Sanders, QB

If there’s a need at quarterback, it’s hard not to select Sanders this late in the first. He possesses a high ceiling and low floor, in my opinion, but when in need, you have few choices in this format.

I’ll be looking to get out of 1.06 if I don’t have a dire quarterback need. The farther Sanders falls, the more offers you should receive for the selection. Work the trade wires hard, looking to trade back one to three selections while picking up additional assets.

Pick: 1.07

Pick Projection: Quinshon Judkins, RB

There’s a lot of pick flux here with Judkins, based on drafted situation and quarterback needs of other managers. In a good situation, he could go as high as 1.05. In a projected backfield time-share role, he may fall to 1.10 or 1.11.

I’m high on Judkins’ profile. If he’s available, I’m likely to make the selection. At this point in the draft, I’m always willing to trade back one or two selections if it means also picking up a second-round selection in return. My target would still be Judkins, so any trade made here would only be finalized if my confidence in Judkins wanes.

Pick: 1.08

Pick Projection: Tyler Warren, TE

Warren should be neck-and-neck with Golden coming off the board. Warren projects as a Day 1 impact player in the NFL, with some looking for Sam LaPorta rookie numbers. After Sanders leaves the board, the pick premium will dip, though a good opportunity for Jaxson Dart could increase the intrigue.

I have my doubts about Golden in the NFL, but Warren projects well. Like pick 1.06, I’m fielding offers. I’ll be looking to trade back, or out of the first round entirely, in return for a known quantity. In the absence of that, I’ll drop back one to three selections if I can pick up a high second-rounder.

Pick: 1.09

Pick Projection: Matthew Golden, WR

As mentioned, most rank Golden far higher than I do, and there’s potential for him to be the first receiver selected, ahead of McMillan, who is occupying the 1.05 slot here. There’s no clear-cut WR1 in this draft, but there is potential.

I often remind myself not to fall in love with players, but instead, allow other managers to do so, which creates an intriguing arbitrage opportunity. Working in your favor may be the desire for QB3 Dart. I tend to prefer picking at 1.08, often securing better quality players, while managers, instead, give greater priority to where a player is going in the NFL. Because of the quality of players available later in the first round, I’ll likely be making this pick unless I’m blown away with an offer. Golden, Egbuka and Dart are all in play, though Dart is ranked decidedly lower in my rankings.

Pick: 1.10

Pick Projection: Jaxson Dart, QB

In SuperFlex leagues, quarterbacks are the coin of the realm, even if they are the QB3 and possess a lot of risk, which is the case here.

The strategy is simply peddling the pick to a quarterback-needy team with few options. Look to pick up a second-rounder and/or a future first-rounder for the right to select Dart. If the team is needy, you can drive even more premium into the selection. For less risk, target a known asset with youth on his side. If you end up making this pick and don’t need a quarterback, I favor Egbuka, a receiver in the mold of Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Pick: 1.11

Pick Projection: Travis Hunter, WR

There’s arguably no greater wild-card selection in 2025 than Hunter. If he’s labeled as a receiver by his selecting team, he projects as this year’s risk-on WR1, or no less than the WR2.

Given the risk, a selecting manager must acknowledge that this selection could bust due to limited offensive snaps. If playing in an IDP league, he’s in play as the 1.02. If available at 1.10, I’m hard-pressed not to make the selection here and take the risk he’s a long-term WR1 with limited defensive snaps. That type of upside is tough to pass up late in the first round.

Pick: 1.12

Pick Projection: Emeka Egbuka, WR

Egbuka gives off a lot of Smith-Njigba vibes, and it would be hard to pass on the opportunity to add him, especially if selected late in the first round of the NFL draft into a quality quarterback situation. He’s not as sudden or crafty as JSN, but he possesses a high WR-IQ and has NFL upside.

If in the 12-hole, I’m seeking to trade out, either for a 2026 first-round selection or a mid-career productive veteran. Every year, some productive players face a social herd mentality fade. This year, players like Najee Harris, George Pickens, Terry McLaurin, Chris Olave and Kyle Pitts are just some of the names that make for an intriguing addition in return for a late-round selection. The availability of Egbuka here makes for a fine fall-back plan.

I hope you enjoyed this look at my strategy for Round 1 of 2025 dynasty rookie drafts. In a week, I will provide the final piece of the puzzle, and my rankings will soon follow.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to leave them below. I look forward to interacting with my readers. Please follow me on Twitter and Threads: @DLF_Jeff.

Be happy, be well, and please, be good to each other!

(Top photo of Jaxson Dart: Justin Ford / Getty Images)

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