Player Profiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out! Below, Aaron St. Denis looks at the Mixed IDP/Offense Rookie Draft Tiers (1-9).
The 2025 Dynasty Season is in full swing in the fantasy community. After weeks of Rookie Mock Draft and rookie rankings and tiers that featured only offensive players, we thought now was a great time to do the Mixed IDP/OFF Rookie Draft Tiers of the season that features both offensive and defensive rookies. Welcome to Part 2 of this 2 two-part series where we take a look at the top prospects in the 2025 rookie class.
These Draft Tiers will feature the top nine tiers of rookies between the two sides of the ball. The tiers assume generic roster settings of one quarterback, two running backs, three wide receivers, one tight end, and a superflex position. On the IDP side, it assumes two defensive tackles, two defensive ends, two safeties, two cornerbacks, and two linebackers.
The tiers are for 12-team superflex leagues with one point per reception, with an extra 0.5-point premium for tight ends. It also assumes 0.5 points per first down and six points for all touchdowns. As for the defensive scoring, it assumes one point for tackles, four points for sacks, five points for interceptions, two points for fumbles forced and recovered, six points for safeties, and two points for a blocked kick.
In each tier, I will highlight one player that I feel has particular significance and will dive deeper into that player. In some cases, it will be my favorite target in the tier, while in other cases may be the most noteworthy player.
Tier 9- Opportunity-Driven Stashes
Rookies whose value depends on injuries or roster changes, like a backup defensive end or third-string linebacker. They’re low-floor but could spike with the right situation.
Value: Late fourth-round to early fifth-round picks, speculative dynasty adds.
Oluwafemi Oladejo, Titans (DE)
Cody Simon, Cardinals (LB)
Kevin Winston Jr., Titans (S)
Ashton Gillotte, Chiefs (DE)
<Jack Kiser, Jaguars (LB)
Jonas Sanker, Saints (S)
Jahdae Barron, Broncos (CB)
Jahdae Barron Advanced Stats & MetricsThis is a tough spot in mixed drafts. I’m typically targeting IDP players here as the value is much better. Having said that, this is a tough pick to make as Barron has no guarantee of immediate fantasy production. Barron is likely to operate as the Broncos’ nickelback, with Patrick Surtain and Riley Moss serving as the team’s starting cornerbacks, but there is still some value there.It is not immediately the ideal situation, but Barron getting on the field as a rookie should be viewed as a big deal. Any significant playing time will allow him to carve out a significant role and become a consistent fantasy producer. Be warned, this pick could take some time to develop.
Tier 8- Developmental Stashes
Raw rookies with elite traits but clear weaknesses, like an athletic linebacker or undersized defensive lineman. They need coaching and time to become starters, offering massive upside for patient owners.
Value: Mid-to-late fourth-round picks, best for long-term dynasty investment.
J..T Tuimoloau, Colts (DE)
Danny Stutsman, Saints (LB)
Chris Paul, Rams (LB)
Andrew Mukuba, Eagles (S)
Walter Nolen, Cardinals (DT)
Walter Nolen Advanced Stats & Metrics
Again, we find ourselves dipping into the IDP pool as the offensive side of the ball dries up much quicker. Nolan isn’t likely to be a starter from Day 1 the potential to work his way up the depth chart is there.
He is certainly not the pick in this tier with the most upside for 2025, but in dynasty leagues, the value is only going to increase as his career moves. Calais Campbell is currently 38 years old and is the immediate roadblock to Nolen’s success. So, a shot on a rookie with tons of upside behind an aging veteran is always a solid play. This job could be his at any moment. Once he gets the job, he will never give it back.
Tier 7- Situational Potential
Rookies with niche roles, like high upside safeties or pass-rush specialists, who produce in specific scenarios but lack every-down potential. They’re valuable in deep leagues for situational points.
Nick Martin, 49ers (LB)
Xavier Watts, Falcons (S)
Xavier Watts Advanced Stats & MetricsWatts has Pro-Bowl level talent, but finds himself buried behind some high-level players. This is yet another draft pick where we are prioritizing the potential long-term IDP value, after the majority of the offensive talent has dried up. The majority of the players on this defense are creeping eerily close to the 30-year-old mark, so whether it comes in 2025 or 2026, Watts is eventually going to be the heir to the Falcons’ defensive throne.
Watts, paired with rookie James Pearce Jr, and Jalon Walker figure to form their own version of The Legion of Boom. They may not assemble this season, but when they do, they will be formidable and productive for fantasy football.
Tier 6- High Upside Depth
Talented rookies buried on depth charts, like a third-string running back or rotational defensive lineman. They have the skills to produce if given a chance, offering big payoffs for patient owners.
Value: Third-round picks, ideal for dynasty rosters banking on future roles.
Mykel Williams, 49ers (DE)
Donovan Ezeiruaku, Cowboys (DE)
Mike Green, Ravens (LB)
Malaki Starks, Ravens (S)
Nic Scourton, Panthers (LB)
Jayden Higgins, Texans (WR)
Cam Skattebo, Giants (RB)
Jaxson Dart, Giants (QB)
Jack Bech, Raiders (WR)
Kyle Williams, Patriots (WR)
Jalen Milroe, Seahawks (QB)
Jalen Milroe Advanced Stats & Metrics
Milroe is the ultimate upside pick who admittedly has more downside than most. He has rushing upside that is matched by only Lamar Jackson. The problem is he profiles much closer to Anthony Richardson than Jackson. He has a more accurate arm than Richardson, but that isn’t saying much. I see Milroe as a better version of Justin Fields. He has immense upside as a rusher, and if he can just be a serviceable passer, he is the one quarterback in this draft who has QB1 overall upside.
That outcome is not the likeliest, and he is much more likely to be a bust, but the reward is worth the risk. Milroe could very easily have a similar career path to Fields in the sense that his rushing ability could see him finish as a Top 5 fantasy quarterback, only to see his passing inefficiency cost him his starting job not too long after.
Tier 5- Breakout Candidates
Rookies with high upside but reliant on specific circumstances, like a wide receiver on an unproven depth chart or a defensive back in a pass-heavy scheme. They could explode with opportunity but carry moderate risk.
Value: Late second-round to early third-round picks, high-reward stashes.
Shemar Stewart, Bengals (DE)
Matthew Golden, Packers (WR)
Luther Burden III, Bears (WR)
Tre Harris, Chargers (WR)
Demetrius Knight Jr, Bengals (LB)
Nick Emmanwori, Seahawks (S)
Kaleb Johnson, Steelers (RB)
Kaleb Johnson Advanced Stats & Metrics
The Pittsburgh Steelers have traditionally been a team that has been able to run the ball successfully, and Mike Tomlin has shown the willingness to give one back the workload. The Steelers’ current starter is Jaylen Warren, and while I’m typically not a fan of dismissing the veteran in favor of the notion that the rookie is going to immediately take over, I’m willing to take a leap of faith in this case. Warren has gotten less efficient the more his workload increased and is ripe to be ousted as the starter.
Johnson wasn’t one of my favorite running backs in this loaded draft class, but he was high enough up my board that the opportunity makes him an investment I’m willing to make. I think Johnson is more likely to finish the season as his team’s lead back than higher-ranked running backs like Omarion Hampton, TreVeyon Henderson, and Quinshon Judkins
Tier 4- Safe Starters
Reliable rookies with defined roles, like slot wide receivers or rotational linebackers, who produce steady, if unspectacular, stats. They lack elite upside but provide consistent points, making them valuable for immediate roster depth.
Value: Mid-second-round picks, dependable starters in most formats.
Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers (WR)
Jihaad Campbell, Eagles (LB)
Jalon Walker, Falcons (LB)
RJ Harvey, Broncos (RB)
RJ Harvey Advanced Stats & Metrics
Here we see another running back who was selected on Day 2 of the NFL Draft and walks into an open backfield, but in this case, it’s a wide-open backfield. While Johnson has the potential to usurp Warren in Pittsburgh, Harvey doesn’t have a veteran in front of him to beat out. Sophomore running back Audric Estime and undersized Jaleel McLaughlin are his competition. As I stated before, I don’t typically project rookie running backs to be Day 1 bellcows, but the potential is here for that.
Denver may decide to operate a committee approach, but Sean Payton has typically been able to have two productive running backs in all of his offenses. Are Harvey and Estime likely to be Kamara and Mark Ingram? No, but there is a pathway to an immediate fantasy impact. With that in mind, if he does produce as a rookie, he may be a good target to trade away in the offseason, as his value is going to be opportunity-driven.
Tier 3- Potential Stars
Talented rookies with starter potential but needing refinement or opportunity. These players, like developmental quarterbacks or linebackers, may take half a season to shine but have star upside. They’re high-ceiling picks with some risk.
Value: Late first-round to early second-round dynasty selections.
Tyler Shough, Saints (QB)
Tyler Warren, Colts (TE)
Mason Graham, Browns (DT)
Abdul Carter, Giants (DL)
James Pearce Jr., Falcons (DE)
Carson Schwesinger, Browns (LB)
Colston Loveland, Bears (TE)
Colston Loveland Advanced Stats & Metrics
A friend recently told me, If you thought Tyler Warren was a better college tight end than Colston Loveland, you weren’t paying attention. I’m onboard with that sentiment and believe that his talent is simply too great not to succeed. The “too many mouths to feed” narrative has helped to suppress Loveland’s value and makes him an ideal target in this tier.
He is certain to render Cole Kmet irrelevant and seems like the kind of player that will mesh well with Caleb Williams. Anticipate Loveland finishing his rookie season as a mid to low-end TE1, with his fantasy finishes only going up from there. There is a TE1 overall finish in Loveland’s future; get him now while he’s cheap.
Tier 2- Blue Chip Prospects
High-pedigree rookies with excellent skills and clear paths to significant roles. Think top wide receivers or edge rushers with high floors and ceilings. They may not start as elite producers but have Pro Bowl potential, offering early production and long-term stardom.
Value: Early-to-mid first-round dynasty picks.
Omarion Hampton, Chargers (RB)
Tetairoa McMillan, Bears (WR)
TreVeyon Henderson, Patriots (RB)
Quinshon Judkins, Browns (RB)
Cam Ward, Titans (QB)
Cam Ward Advanced Stats & Metrics
In a tier populated by potentially elite running backs and wide receivers, the only quarterback with an elite profile is the one to target in superflex leagues.
Ward was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft and goes to a Titans team that is all but certain to start him from Day One. He lacks high-end offensive weapons, but the Titans are likely to have a long leash with him, which cements his value in Superflex leagues and will prevent him from being a bust even if he disappoints as a rookie.
It’s easy to see in the past that even total busts like Zach Wilson maintain their value for several years based on draft capital alone. Ward is the safest pick in this tier and, as a quarterback, is the only player who has the potential to be a first-round Superflex dynasty pick by this time next season. He is by no means a lock to climb that high, but typically, the quarterbacks are the most likely to achieve that bar in superflex leagues.
Tier 1- Elite Cornerstones
Rookies with immediate star potential, drafted to be franchise cornerstones. These players, like top quarterback or running back prospects, start right away, delivering high-end production. They’re rare, safe bets with elite upside, making them early first-round dynasty picks with elite potential.
Value: Premium assets, immediate impact.
Ashton Jeanty– Raiders (RB)
Travis Hunter, Jaguars (WR/CB)
Travis Hunter‘s Advanced Stats & Metrics
Hunter is the Holy Grail of IDP leagues and thus takes the top spot over Ashton Jeanty, who would claim it in all other formats. There’s no guarantee that Hunter plays a full allotment of offensive or defensive snaps, but the potential of a player who can score you points on both sides of the ball is a Unicorn that simply cannot be overlooked. It should be noted that if your league forces players to only score points on one side of the ball each week, Hunter moves below Jeanty.
That concludes Mixed IDP/OFF Rookie Draft Tiers 1-9. Our complete 2025 rankings for all formats are available on the Player Profiler Rankings Page, or check out The Dynasty Deluxe Package for all your draft needs.
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Aaron St. Denis is a fantasy football contributor for PlayerProfiler. Find him on Twitter @FFMadScientist for more fantasy content or to ask questions.
