With only the Super Bowl remaining, we can finally turn the page on the 2024 NFL season and shift our full attention to 2025. The deep dive into the incoming rookie class begins in earnest this month. Footballguys will soon be releasing its Rookie Guide, and having seen some previews and the work going on behind the scenes, I'm excited about this invaluable resource for evaluating the next wave of NFL talent.

In this month's article, I want to highlight the value of best ball average draft position (ADP) as a powerful tool for gaining an edge in dynasty leagues. Underdog has already launched its pre-draft 2025 best ball tournaments, with drafts kicking off in late January and running through the NFL Draft in April. These early drafts provide a unique opportunity to gauge how the fantasy community values veterans and rookies months before traditional redraft leagues take shape.

Thousands of real-money drafts have already occurred, with some of the sharpest and most engaged fantasy players weighing the risks and rewards of drafting returning veterans and incoming rookies. Analyzing these early ADPs helps us track trends and spot potential buying opportunities before dynasty ADP fully adjusts to the evolving 2025 fantasy landscape.

A major focus of this month's article is the 2025 rookie class, using Underdog's ADP as a key reference point for assessing prospect values. This is the most robust source of early market consensus on rookie rankings, giving us a strong foundation for identifying the key players to study over the next few months as we prepare for rookie draft season. We'll start with a position-by-position breakdown of the incoming rookies before shifting our focus to veteran players and how their values are evolving heading into 2025. 

Veteran player values will be included at the bottom of the article in a single table. Please remember that these values are not updated throughout the month but are constantly updated in the Dynasty Trade Value Chart tool. 

Early Rookie Player Values

In the tables below, the incoming 2025 rookie class is ranked based on their early best ball ADP from Underdog Fantasy, which is listed in the "ADP" column. I have also included my estimated dynasty trade value for each player (for one-quarterback leagues). These values provide a useful guide for assessing individual rookie pick values and comparing incoming rookies to veterans in early startup drafts that include rookies.

• Based on the expectations of best ball drafters, Ashton Jeanty is projected to enter the league as the dynasty RB3 (behind only Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs). He is being drafted at the top of the second round on Underdog, with the consensus expectation that he will step in as a fantasy RB1 from day one.

• If Tetairoa McMillan were a lock to go in the top six overall, his ADP would likely be inside the top 30. If he were guaranteed to go in the mid-first round, his ADP would likely be in the 60s. Best ball drafters seem to be splitting the difference, hedging their bets on whether he will be a very high pick or more in line with a typical mid-first-round rookie.

• There is a clear second tier of four running backs being drafted well behind Jeanty but significantly ahead of anyone else at the position: Omarion Hampton, Kaleb Johnson, and Quinshon Judkins.

• While there is a bit less separation at wide receiver, Luther Burden, Emeka Egbuka, and Matthew Golden have started to distinguish themselves as the second tier at the position.

• Travis Hunter is the biggest wild card in this draft class. If he were guaranteed to be a full-time wide receiver, he would likely be going inside the top 50 overall, right alongside McMillan. Instead, drafters are hedging their bets, acknowledging the risk that he may primarily line up at cornerback.

• In Superflex leagues, a clear top 15 includes the dozen players listed in the first group, along with Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, and Colston Loveland. There is a noticeable drop-off after this tier, though a few more players could emerge as hot commodities by the end of the draft process.

• Jaxson Dart and Jalen Milroe are two potential risers if a team falls in love with their skill set and selects them inside the top 40 overall.

• We will likely see a couple of running backs outside the current top five slide into the late second or early third round. Some of the leading candidates are on the list above.

• That said, the overall weakness of the 2025 class becomes evident when looking at the early redraft ADPs and dynasty trade values of this group. Second-round rookie picks feel less valuable now than they did ahead of the 2024 rookie drafts.

• One of the under-the-radar storylines emerging from the college all-star games is the strength of this rookie tight end class. While it won't generate as much hype as the 2023 class, it appears to be just as deep and at least as talented at the top.

• Harold Fannin Jr. is a name to watch, as he could see a significant rise in value over the next few months, especially in TE-premium formats.

The group above includes several Senior Bowl standouts, with Jaylin Noel, Elijah Arroyo, Bhaysul Tuten, and Trevor Etienne among the players who boosted their stock in Mobile.

• Keep an eye on Will Howard. He has the size and athleticism NFL teams crave.

• One exciting aspect of the 2025 class is the sheer depth. We could easily go past 72 names but will stop here for now. Players like Jacory Croskey-Merritt and Marcus Yarns, who are flying well under the radar as we enter February, are part of this deep group of intriguing incoming rookies with legitimate fantasy upside.

Quarterbacks

Jayden Daniels (37.7 ADP) is being drafted as the QB3 and is going off the board within 10 spots of Josh Allen (27.9 ADP), the current QB1. Given Daniels' age, don't be surprised if he emerges as the consensus dynasty QB1 by the summer.

Bo Nix (87.5 ADP) is being drafted as the QB7 in best ball drafts, going well ahead of players like Drake Maye (119.5 ADP), C.J. Stroud (126.9 ADP), Justin Herbert (112.7 ADP), and Caleb Williams (103.8 ADP)—all of whom are valued higher than Nix on KeepTradeCut. It will be interesting to see if Nix's dynasty value rises if he continues to be this hot a commodity in redraft leagues.

Running Backs

Is Bucky Irving's (23.3 ADP) dynasty valuation of RB6 (per KeepTradeCut) too high? When you factor in both his age and early 2025 redraft ADP, you could actually argue that Irving is undervalued in dynasty if best ball drafters are correct in valuing him ahead of Rachaad White (148.5 ADP). The expected touch split between the two will be one of the biggest fantasy questions in 2025.

Chase Brown (29.5 ADP) is appropriately valued in early best ball drafts, yet he isn't garnering the same respect in the dynasty community for some reason (anchoring due to draft capital?). He's still going off the board later in dynasty drafts than players of the same age with much lower redraft ADPs. Some dynasty managers might be hesitant due to concerns that Cincinnati will bring in competition through the draft or free agency, but I don't see it. The Bengals need to allocate major cap space to their stars at quarterback, wide receiver, and defensive end, while early draft capital and free agency money will likely be used to improve the offensive line and defense. The most likely scenario is that Brown reprises his role as the workhorse back, with only a late-round rookie or inexpensive veteran backing him up. Considering the upside of the Bengals' offense, Brown's receiving role, goal-line usage, and big-play ability, it's reasonable to view him as a legitimate RB1 for 2025 and beyond.

Ken Walker III (57.6 ADP) is ranked as RB11 on KeepTradeCut, just one spot ahead of Brown. This is a situation where best ball drafters are probably ahead of where the dynasty community will land later this offseason. Walker is the same age as Brown but faces much stiffer competition for touches. Zach Charbonnet (101.8 ADP) is going just four rounds behind him, while Brown is in a much better offense—Cincinnati scored 45% more offensive touchdowns than Seattle last season.

Wide Receivers

Ladd McConkey (19.1 ADP) is already highly valued in dynasty leagues, but his price could continue to rise throughout the offseason based on his early redraft ADP. Second-year wide receivers being drafted in the middle of the second round of redraft leagues are typically seen as elite dynasty assets, yet McConkey isn't quite viewed at that level—at least not yet. While his value could still fluctuate depending on how the Chargers build out their offense this offseason, he should emerge from it in a strong position. Either the Chargers add an outside threat who helps take defensive attention away, improving McConkey's efficiency, or he remains the clear top option and sees massive target volume. If you landed McConkey in the late first or early second round of a Superflex rookie draft last offseason, you have to feel great about it.

Tee Higgins (24.0 ADP) is being drafted as a top-12 wide receiver for 2025 and just turned 26 in January. While there is a clear gap between the top 10 dynasty wide receivers and everyone else, Higgins remains near the top of the next tier. He's a safe bet for four-plus years of strong fantasy production and will either continue as the No. 2 option in an elite Bengals passing attack or land elsewhere as a clear WR1. Either scenario is attractive for his long-term value.

Xavier Worthy (39.7 ADP) is a top-20 redraft wide receiver but is currently ranked outside the top 20 on KeepTradeCut. That discrepancy doesn't make much sense for a player who doesn't even turn 22 until April. In a recent startup, players like Jaylen Waddle, DK Metcalf, and Chris Olave—all multiple years older than Worthy—went ahead of him, despite each going at least a round later in best ball drafts. This is another case where best ball drafters seem to be ahead of the dynasty community. Expect Worthy's dynasty value to rise.

Jameson Williams (45.0 ADP) doesn't turn 24 until March and is already going in the fourth round of 2025 redraft leagues. Typically, that profile would have dynasty managers eager to acquire him, yet his startup ADP remains low—he fell to the middle of the seventh round in my recent dynasty draft. Williams was a major target of mine last offseason based on glowing reports from camp, and based on early 2025 valuations, he still looks undervalued.

Jaylen Waddle (55.2 ADP) is 26 years old and has seen his production decline in back-to-back seasons. His dynasty value could rise if Tyreek Hill is eventually traded, but early indications suggest Miami and Hill will run it back for another year. Waddle could become a buy-low target later this summer, but for now, his value feels more likely to drop before it rebounds.

Chris Olave (57.5 ADP) is being drafted as the WR32 for redraft. While still relatively young at 25, his concussion history adds more risk than a typical player his age. Like Waddle, he could emerge as a buy-low candidate later in the offseason, but for now, his dynasty value appears likely to fall as the community adjusts to his expected 2025 production.

Michael Pittman Jr. (109.8 ADP) was overvalued in dynasty last offseason, and his stock has since plummeted. Now 27 years old, he's being drafted as the WR53 in redraft. Even if best ball drafters are slightly underrating him, he would still be, at best, an aging fantasy WR4. That puts him in dynasty no-man's land—too old for rebuilding teams and not reliable enough to be a priority for contenders.

Marvin Mims Jr. (114.3 ADP) stands out as an undervalued dynasty asset if best ball drafters are accurately weighing his upside. He is ranked WR52 on KeepTradeCut (not including rookies) and WR55 in redraft ADP despite being just 22 years old. Underdog drafters took note of his increased playing time late in the season and are betting on a Year 3 leap. Dynasty managers should be doing the same.

Tight Ends

Tucker Kraft (119.0 ADP) is being drafted as a top-12 tight end in early best ball drafts but is still going later in dynasty drafts than some slightly older players with less short-term fantasy value. He is my favorite dynasty target at the position. While early breakouts at tight end are becoming more common, the majority still emerge in Year 3 or later. Kraft enters his third season with a chance to become the focal point of Green Bay's passing offense.

Dalton Kincaid (130.4 ADP) remains a top-six dynasty tight end, but his projected 2025 redraft value makes it harder to justify that ranking. The Bills' offense has shifted to a more run-heavy approach, and they appear comfortable spreading the ball around. Unless Buffalo drastically changes its offensive philosophy, Kincaid lacks the target volume to become a true impact fantasy asset.

Kyle Pitts (148.5 ADP) has finally fallen out of favor in best ball drafts, yet his dynasty value remains high. In my most recent startup, he was drafted as TE8, ahead of more reliable options like George Kittle, Tucker Kraft, Colston Loveland, and David Njoku. Dynasty managers still clinging to his upside may need to adjust expectations.

Dynasty Trade Value Chart