2025 NFL Draft: NFC Winners & Losers (Fantasy Football)

Every season the NFL Draft builds like a storm and passes through in the blink of an eye, leaving fantasy managers to assess the damage it does to their rosters after the fact. The Ballers are working through every team in the league to find who’s better or worse off for fantasy after the rookie additions were made. With the AFC teams already out of the way, it’s the NFC’s turn for a deep dive!

To see Andy, Mike and Jason’s full breakout of NFC Winners and Losers, watch the May 1 episode of the podcast!

NFC South

Carolina Panthers

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Tetairoa McMillan	WR
2	Nic Scourton	EDGE
3	Princely Umanmielen	EDGE
4	Trevor Etienne	RB
4	Lathan Ransom	S
5	Cam Jackson	DL
5	Mitchell Evans	TE
6	Jimmy Horn Jr.	WR

Fantasy Winner

Bryce Young (QB)

With an encouraging end to his sophomore season, the Panthers elected to work to equip Bryce Young with more weapons around him to give him a chance to validate being the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. When Young returned to the starting lineup for Carolina last season after being benched from Weeks 3 -6, there were signs of the QB who was considered a great prospect just two years ago. The addition of what could be a true alpha WR in Tetairoa McMillan should give Young a much-needed proper WR on the outside who can make plays in the passing game. 

New Orleans Saints

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Kelvin Banks Jr	OT
2	Tyler Shough	QB
3	Vernon Broughton	DL
3	Jonas Sanker	S
4	Danny Stutsman	LB
4	Quincy Riley	CB
6	Devin Neal	RB
7	Moliki Matavao	TE
7	Fadil Diggs	EDGE

Fantasy Winner

Alvin Kamara (RB)

Despite heading into his age 30 season, Alvin Kamara came out of the NFL Draft with little added competition in the Saints backfield. Kamara was as consistent as ever in 2024, finishing the season as the RB12 despite missing the last three games of the season to injury. While there should be plenty of questions around the New Orleans offense as a whole with Derek Carr’s status for the season already in question, the one consistent force for the team should be Kamara. Unless something drastically changes, fantasy managers should be able to get at least another top-24 RB season out of one of the best fantasy RBs over the last ten seasons.

Fantasy Loser

Spencer Rattler (QB)

The plans for the Saints starting QB may still be unknown, but the draft wasn’t helpful for Spencer Rattler’s argument to be their starter for 2025. The selection of QB Tyler Shough in the 2nd-Round of the draft should put Rattler down the depth chart and completely tank any potential fantasy relevance he could have had if Derek Carr isn’t ready to go to start the season. In the seven games where Rattler took the majority of the snaps for the Saints in 2024, New Orleans was 0-7 and he never finished higher than the QB16. Overall, any chance for fantasy relevance is probably over for Rattler going forward.

Atlanta Falcons

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Jalon Walker	EDGE
1	James Pearce Jr	EDGE
3	Xavier Watts	S
4	Billy Bowman Jr	S
7	Jack Nelson	OT

Fantasy Winner

Kyle Pitts (TE)

Entering the final season of his rookie contract, it seems Kyle Pitts won’t have to beat a younger TE out for the primary role in Atlanta. Pitts has never lived up to the expectation fantasy managers had for him after being drafted 4th-overall by the Falcons in 2021, though he did tease us last season with a strong start to the season finishing as a top-12 TE in 5 of his first 8 games. What will happen with Pitts long term is up in the air with the Falcons, but there may be hope that any progress from QB Michael Pennix could be what the TE needs to be able to take a step forward for more consistent fantasy production.

Fantasy Loser

Kirk Cousins (QB)

Maybe the most hopeful window for a trade of Kirk Cousins came and went with the NFL Draft. It’s been made clear by the front office in Atlanta that Cousins is their second string QB, but his large contract may be what’s making a potential deal to another team more difficult to pull off. There’s a chance that Cousins still finds a new home, but at this point it may come at the expense of a QB injury on a team that feels he’s a better option than their current backup.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Emeka Egbuka	WR
2	Benjamin Morrison	CB
3	Jacob Parrish	CB
4	David Walker	EDGE
5	Elijah Roberts	EDGE
7	Tez Johnson	WR

Fantasy Winner

Baker Mayfield (QB)

Tampa Bay spent their 1st-Round pick on yet another weapon in the receiving arsenal for Baker Mayfield, adding to an already potent passing attack from 2024. Mayfield finished 2024 with the third-most passing yards and passing TDs in the league and the Bucs will bring back all of his leading WRs from last season while adding the talented Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka to the roster. There could be some concern that yet another Offensive Coordinator change in Tampa Bay could disrupt what was a great fantasy offense again last season, but the team has done everything they can to equip Mayfield to continue the success he’s managed over the last two years.

Fantasy Loser

Jalen McMillan (WR)

After a breakout season as a rookie, Jalen McMillan may find it more difficult to repeat the success he found down the stretch of the year. From Week 14-18 last year, McMillian finished as a top-24 each week and was on a 17-game pace of 81 receptions, 1074 yards and 23 TDs. While that type of TD pace isn’t realistic, McMillan’s integration into the Bucs offense had some fantasy managers looking for him to take a real step forward in his sophomore season – a task is much more difficult now with the resigning of Chris Godwin and another 1st-Round pick at WR in Emeka Egbuka coming to town.

Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

NFC North

Chicago Bears

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Colston Loveland	TE
2	Luther Burden III	WR
2	Ozzy Trapilo	OT
3	Shemar Turner	DL
4	Ruben Hyppolite II	LB
5	Zah Frazier	CB
6	Luke Newman	OT
7	Kyle Monangai	RB

Fantasy Winner

D’Andre Swift (RB)

The Bears were linked all draft season to high-profile RBs in this draft class, only to pass on addressing the position until the 7th-Round which counts as a huge win for D’Andre Swift. Swift signed a three-year $24 million contract with Chicago last off-season in their attempt to surround rookie QB Caleb Williams with as much talent as possible. The addition of new Head Coach Ben Johnson though had many speculating that Swift’s days may be numbered in Chicago, but it seems that he’ll get a chance to prove himself in what could be one of the most improved offenses in the league next season and one that fantasy managers are sure to want a piece of.

Caleb Williams (QB)

Regardless of the results so far, the Bears appear to have done a great job working to give Caleb Williams every weapon possible to be successful as their QB. For the second-straight season, Chicago spent a top-10 draft pick on a pass-catching option, this year taking the first TE off the board with Colston Loveland. The Bears double-dipped in the passing game taking the polarizing WR Luther Burden III in the 2nd-Round. With one of the best play-callers in the league taking the reins in Chicago, Williams will have few excuses to find success early in 2025.

Fantasy Loser

Cole Kmet (TE)

Easily the biggest loser of the draft for the Bears was Cole Kmet, after the team spent elite draft capital on a rookie TE in Coltson Loveland. Kmet has been a consistent presence in Chicago’s passing game over the last four seasons, finishing as the TE7 in back-to-back years from 2022-2023. The addition of Loveland though could muddy the waters for the veteran TE and may signal the team’s desire to move on sooner than later in favor of their new rookie option.

Green Bay Packers

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Matthew Golden	WR
2	Anthony Belton	IOL
3	Savion Williams	WR
4	Barryn Sorrell	EDGE
5	Collin Oliver	LB
6	Warren Brinson	DL
7	Micah Robinson	CB
7	John Williams	OT

Fantasy Winner

Jordan Love (QB)

At long last, the Packers invest a 1st-Round pick at WR possibly signaling their awareness of needing a true number one WR. The addition of Matthew Golden gives Love a player with elite speed in the offense, though his ability to be an alpha in an NFL offense is still debatable. Third-round WR selection, Savion Williams also brings a lot of speed to the table to pair with his 6’4” size. Love’s passing production took a step back in 2024, throwing for 770 less yards and 7 fewer TDs on the year. If anything, the Packers are giving Love more weapons to help give their passing game the boost it didn’t have last season.

Fantasy Loser

Packers WR Room

While the Packers adding multiple WRs is a win for their QB, it really muddies the water for fantasy managers trying to choose which player they’ll invest in for 2025. Green Bay spent two of their first three picks on WRs, adding to a crowded room of players who have shown they can contribute to their offense over the last several seasons. With Christian Watson likely to miss significant time due to a late-season ACL tear, both of their rookies should have an opportunity to see the field early in the year, making the roles for Jayden Reed, Dontavious Wicks and Romeo Doubs (who’s in the last year of his rookie deal) up in the air.

Minnesota Vikings

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Donovan Jackson	IOL
3	Tai Felton	WR
5	Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins	DL
6	Kobe King	LB
6	Gavin Bartholomew	TE

Fantasy Loser

Jalen Nailor (WR)

After a surprisingly solid season as the third WR in the Vikings offense, the role for Jalen Nailor in Minnesota could be questionable after the team drafted Tai Felton in the 3rd-Round of the draft. Felton brings a lot of speed to the table, running a 4.31 40-yard dash at the combine this year. While Nailor had his moments of fantasy relevance, he couldn’t consistently find targets for in the Vikings passing game which could open the door for Felton to really compete for snaps and evaporate his fantasy opportunity going forward.

Detroit Lions

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Tyleik Williams	DL
2	Tate Ratledge	IOL
3	Isaac TeSlaa	WR
5	Miles Frazier	IOL
6	Ahmed Hassanein	EDGE
7	Dan Jackson	S
7	Dominic Lovett	WR

Fantasy Loser

Tim Patrick (WR)

After finding a role late in the 2024 season for Detroit, Tim Patrick may be the odd man out in the Lions passing game after the team traded multiple 3rd-Round picks to move up and get WR Isaac TeSlaa. TeSlaa brings a combination of size (6’4”) and speed (4.3 40-yard dash) to the table, which profiles closely to what Patrick has been able to do throughout his career to earn targets. There is still some question as to Jameson Williams’ role in the new Lions offense, so there could still be room for both TeSlaa and Patrick, but the consensus to start the season will be one of these WRs could be on the outside looking in.

NFC East

New York Giants

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Abdul Carter	EDGE
1	Jaxson Dart	QB
3	Darius Alexander	DL
4	Cameron Skattebo	RB
5	Marcus Mbow	OT
7	Thomas Fidone II	TE
7	Korie Black	CB

Fantasy Winner

Giants WRs Not Named Malik Nabers

It’s a given that Malik Nabers is the top receiving option in New York, but the Giants not picking a single WR in the 2025 Draft it is a win for the remaining options in the WR room. Outside of Nabers, some combination of Wan’Dale Robins, Darius Slayton and Jalin Hyatt should find their way into the WR2 and WR3 roles for the Giants. One thing remains for certain, Nabers will gobble up targets in this offense with very little threat of competition elsewhere.

Al Bello/Getty Images

Fantasy Losers

Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston (QB)

New York made a big move to get back into the 1st-Round of the draft and take QB Jaxson Dart to be their QB for the future. While it’s still likely that Russell Wilson begins the season as the starter, the clock will be ticking for both veteran QBs on the roster as Dart gets up to speed in the NFL. Based on what the Giants front office has said though, Wilson or Jameis Winston will be the only QBs taking snaps if they have it their way this season, letting Dart sit back and learn as long as he can. Still, the life cycle for the veteran QBs on this roster as starters won’t go past this season if Dart is who the Giants think he is as a player.

Tyrone Tracy (RB)

While Tyrone Tracy managed to avoid being completely torpedoed by an early RB selection, the addition of a bruising RB in Cameron Skattebo should be a cause for concern for his fantasy value. Tracy completely took over the starting RB role for the Giants last season, finishing just outside the top-24 on the year after only really playing significant time starting in Week 5. Where Tracy excels is in the passing game, catching 38 passes last season on a very limited offense. Skattebo has a very good receiving profile – one of the best in this very deep RB class – and should push Tracy for playing time early in the year.

Dallas Cowboys

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Tyler Booker	IOL
2	Donovan Ezeiruaku	EDGE
3	Shavon Revel	CB
5	Jaydon Blue	RB
5	Shemar James	LB
6	Ajani Cornelius	IOL
7	Jay Toia	DL
7	Phil Mafah	RB
7	Tommy Akingbesote	DL

Fantasy Winners

Javonte Williams & Miles Sanders (RB)

One of the most mocked destinations for an early RB was Dallas, who disappointed fantasy managers by waiting until Day 3 of the draft to invest in their backfield. While fantasy managers may be let down, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders’ stocks saw a big uptick in value as potential significant roles could be ahead in one of fantasy’s coveted RB roles. It’s unlikely that both Sanders and Williams are able to give fantasy managers real production this season, but each should be viewed as a lottery ticket for a RB2 on rosters.

Washington Commanders

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Josh Conerly Jr	OT
2	Trey Amos	CB
4	Jaylin Lane	WR
6	Kain Medrano	LB
7	Jacory Croskey-Merrit	RB

Fantasy Winner

Austin Ekeler & Brian Robinson Jr (RB)

The Commanders have been very aggressive this offseason trying to bolster the pieces around QB Jayden Daniels after his stellar rookie season, but with Washington not using any significant draft picks on a RB is a win for Brian Robinson Jr and Austin Ekeler. Robinson was maybe the most boring RB2 to have on a fantasy roster, starting 2024 by finishing as a top-24 RB in nine of his first eleven games played. Ekeler seemed to find new life alongside his rookie QB, providing valuable FLEX weeks on fantasy rosters down the stretch of the year. Both Robinson and Ekeler now seem poised to reprise their roles for Washington’s offense and could present a real value come draft season.

Philadelphia Eagles

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Jihaad Campbell	LB
2	Andrew Mukuba	S
4	Ty Robinson	DL
5	Mac McWilliams	CB
5	Smael Mondon Jr	LB
5	Drew Kendall	IOL
6	Kyle McCord	QB
6	Myles Hinton	OT
6	Cameron Williams	OT
6	Antwaun Powell-Ryland	EDGE

Fantasy Winner

Dallas Goedert (TE)

Despite their TEN draft selections, Philadelphia only used one pick on an offensive skill position player and that was a backup QB in the 6th-Round. With such a deep draft class at TE, Dallas Goedert seems like a big winner – for now. Goedert is going into his final season under contract with the Eagles, but GM Howie Rosman hasn’t been overly positive about the TE sticking around with his recent comments about his future with the team going forward. It may still be a “wait and see” approach that’s needed regarding Goedert, but for now it feels like a positive until something changes.

NFC West

San Francisco 49ers

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Mykel Williams	EDGE
2	Alfred Collins	DL
3	Nick Martin	LB
3	Upton Stout	CB
4	CJ West	DL
4	Jordan Watkins	WR
5	Jordan James	RB
5	Marques Sigle	S
7	Kurtis Rourke	QB
7	Connor Colby	IOL
7	Junior Bergen	WR

Fantasy Winner

Isaac Guerendo (RB)

After establishing himself as a strong backup to Christian McCaffrey in his rookie season, Isaac Guerendo could find himself as the primary backup again for the 49ers. San Francisco did take RB Jordan James in the 5th-Round, so Guerendo isn’t completely in the clear, but when given a chance in 2024 he was a solid choice for fantasy managers. In the five games where Guerendo saw at least 9 carries last season, he finished as a top-24 RB four times, including three top-12 finishes. Given the injury history with CMC, Guerendo figures to open the season as one of the more valuable handcuff RBs for fantasy managers to grab.

Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

Arizona Cardinals

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Walter Nolen	DL
2	Will Johnson	CB
3	Jordan Burch	DL
4	Cody Simon	LB
5	Denzel Burke	CB
6	Hayden Conner	IOL
7	Kitan Crawford	S

Fantasy Winner

Michael Wilson (WR)

The Cardinals spent six of their seven draft picks on defensive players, which is a win for WR2 Michael Wilson. Wilson struggled along with the rest of the Cardinals passing game in 2024, but the second-year WR maintained a consistent role in the offense alongside rookie WR Marvin Harrison Jr. While Wilson is clearly behind Harrison and Trey McBride in the pecking order for Arizona’s passing game, the lack of competition added through the draft could buy him another year to establish himself as a FLEX type play for fantasy managers.

Seattle Seahawks

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
1	Grey Zabel	OL
2	Nick Emmanqori	S
2	Elijah Arroyo	TE
3	Jalen Milroe	QB
5	Rylie Mills	DL
5	Tory Horton	WR
5	Robbie Ouzts	TE
6	Bryce Cabeldue	OT
7	Damien Martinez	RB
7	Mason Richman	OT
7	Ricky White III	WR

Fantasy Winner

Kenneth Walker III (RB)

A lot has been made about the Seahawks want to really establish the run game under new Offensive Coordinator Klint Kubiak, and the team’s investment along the offensive line with their top pick backs up those claims. If there’s a winner for fantasy given the new mindset change for Seattle, it continues to be Kenneth Walker III, who was one of the most consistent fantasy RBs in the game last season until injuries derailed the last month of the season for him. With no new added significant competition for touches, Walker could be in line for a big year if he can stay healthy.

Fantasy Loser

Sam Darnold (QB)

The future at QB in Seattle got a little more fuzzy with the team’s selection of Jalen Milroe in the 3rd-Round of the draft. Sam Darnold was the Seahawks big offseason signing after trading Geno Smith to the Raiders, positioning Darnold to be the starting QB for several seasons. Seattle’s selection of Milroe gives the team a safety valve if they end up getting New York Jets Darnold instead of Minnesota Vikings Darnold. 

Noah Fant & AJ Barner (TE)

Not that there was much fantasy relevance there, but Noah Fant and AJ Barner’s days may be numbered for fantasy. Seattle grabbed a dynamic TE in Elijah Arroyo in the 2nd-Round of the draft, adding a dangerous pass-catching TE to their offense. In college, 53% of Arroyo’s targets resulted in a first down or TD, the highest rate in this draft class.

Los Angeles Rams

2025 Draft Picks
Round	Player	Position
2	Terrance Ferguson	TE
3	Josaiah Stewart	EDGE
4	Jarquez Hunter	RB
5	Ty Hamilton	DL
5	Chris Paul Jr.	LB
7	Konata Mumpfield	WR

Fantasy Loser

Tyler Higbee & Colby Parkinson (TE)

Another pair of TEs who’s days may be numbered for any fantasy relevance are Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson after the Rams used a 2nd-Round pick on TE Terrance Ferguson. Ferguson got a huge boost from his combine performance, running a 4.63 40-yard dash and posting a 9.81 RAS. In college, Ferguson gained 24% of his receiving yards on screens, the highest percentage for a TE in this draft class. Sean McVay has been great at getting TEs like Higbee involved in his offenses in years past, and Ferguson may be athletic enough to find a strong role behind Puka Nacua and Davante Adams for LA.

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