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Dave's top 6 dynasty fantasy football veteran risers following Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft. His top players for dynasty fantasy football drafts after round 1.
Round 1 of the 2025 NFL Draft is officially in the books. We saw a few surprise picks as well as some that were expected. The NFL Draft always has fantasy football implications for veteran players. Following last night, there were players who dodged major bullets, while others' fantasy football values took a hit.
While several veterans survived Day 1, it doesn’t mean they’re completely out of the woods. Still, a few players have emerged from Round 1 of the NFL Draft as winners. Let’s take a few minutes and discuss them.
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Travis Etienne Jr./Tank Bigsby - RBs, Jacksonville Jaguars
Both Jacksonville running backs dodged a major bullet in the form of Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. He was rumored to be the apple of Jacksonville’s eye, and reports that the team would select Jeanty seemed to multiply with each passing day.
However, Jacksonville wound up making a trade with the Cleveland Browns to select wide receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter.
We have drafted WR/DB Travis Hunter with the No. 2 overall pick!@FieldsCadillac | #DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/dGIowuIuST
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) April 25, 2025
This was great news for Etienne and Bigsby. The Jaguars also gave up this year’s second-round pick in the deal to acquire Hunter. That means it is less likely the team will make a significant investment in the running back position for the remainder of the draft. The Jaguars could still take another rusher in the later rounds, but this player is unlikely to threaten Etienne or Bigbsy at the top of the depth chart.
While Etienne survived Day 1 of the draft, he still faces major competition in the form of Bigsby and must also prove himself to a new coaching staff with zero ties to him. The former 2021 first-round pick struggled mightily in 2024. It opened the door for Bigsby to prove himself as a rusher, and the former Auburn Tiger did just that. If Etienne struggles again to start the 2025 season, the Jaguars' new coaching staff may not hesitate to turn the backfield over to Bigsby.
Derek Carr - QB, New Orleans Saints
New Orleans was rumored to select quarterback Shedeur Sanders with the ninth overall pick. However, they wound up taking former Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. While this was good news for Carr, his status for 2025 remains up in the air. General manager Mickey Loomis confirmed this week that Carr is working through a shoulder injury, but declined to further comment on the injury.
Carr is not on the dynasty radar outside of being a backend QB2 or QB3 in superflex leagues or a spot starter in single quarterback leagues. So the fantasy impact of him remaining the Saints' starter is minimal. However, his presence would be good news for Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and the other Saints skill players.
Jerry Jeudy- WR, Cleveland Browns
With the Browns seemingly poised to take Travis Hunter with the second overall pick, Jeudy was one of the biggest dynasty sells of the offseason. However, that all changed when the Browns traded back and took defensive lineman Mason Graham with the fifth overall pick.
Getting STRONGER in the trenches 💪
Welcome to Cleveland, Mason Graham! pic.twitter.com/r0t0I5kBsv
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) April 25, 2025
That means Jeudy is still the Browns' WR1. He is coming off a career year in 2025, where he posted a 90-1229-4 line and finished 2025 as the PPR WR12.
JERRY JEUDY 70-YARD TD IN HIS RETURN TO DENVER 🔥 pic.twitter.com/1J2KX1oAY3
— ESPN (@espn) December 3, 2024
Cleveland did acquire a few more picks in the trade with Jacksonville, including the Jaguars' 2025 second-round pick (36th overall). The Browns could still use this pick to select a wide receiver.
Jeudy prevailed from night one unscathed, but dynasty gamers should be careful not to celebrate too soon. Cleveland still has a lot of openings in their wide receiver room, and it's a good bet they will add someone on Day 2 that could challenge Jeudy’s status as the team’s WR1.
Javonte Williams - Dallas Cowboys
Dallas decided to pass on a running back with the 12th overall pick last night. The team opted to take guard Tyler Booker instead to revamp their offensive line.
The newest Cowboy Tyler Booker is a mood 😂@Iamtylerbooker | @DallasCowboys
📺: #NFLDraft on NFLN/ESPN/ABC
📱: Stream on @NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/mbbpHLmRse— NFL (@NFL) April 25, 2025
For now, that leaves Williams atop the Dallas depth chart. While that might seem like good news, we have to remember that Williams was absolutely awful last year. Among 46 running backs with 100+ carries, he finished 45th in Next Gen Stats rush yards over expected (RYOE) and 46th in PFF rushing grade. Dallas still needs to upgrade their running back room.
Don’t be fooled by the Cowboys’ first-round selection. They are still very much in the market for a running back in this draft.
The Dallas Cowboys have spent 7 of their top 30 visits on RBs 👀
Safe to say, it looks like they’re taking a running back in the early rounds of this draft.
Something to keep in mind for your #dynasty #fantasyfootball leagues.#fantasyfootballadvice #NFLDraft2025
— Dave Ventresca (@FF_Stallion) April 11, 2025
Dallas will surely address the running back position tonight in Round 2 or Round 3. If you can find someone in your league who actually believes last night was good news for Williams, you'd better work fast to get him off your roster. The victory lap will be short-lived, and it’s only a matter of time before Dallas finds their true RB1.
Jaylen Warren - RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh took former Oregon defensive tackle Derrick Harmon with the 21st overall pick. This was great news for Warren, as Pittsburgh was reportedly in the market for a running back during Round 1. Instead, they ultimately chose to further strengthen their defense with a solid pick.
The Steelers do not pick again until Round 3 at pick 83. There is now a decent chance that Warren will emerge unscathed and start 2025 as the Steelers’ RB1. Warren had a down 2024, but his prior two seasons were very good, and he scored well in a variety of metrics. He could be in line for a big season if the Steelers fully commit to him as their top back.
Jaylen Warren goes 74 yards!
📺: #PITvsCLE on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/jckqnJwdb2 pic.twitter.com/mo99RyYIFK— NFL (@NFL) November 19, 2023
This is a tough call regarding what to do with Warren. Pittsburgh could be in play for a back in the third round, but they could choose to address other needs. If you’ve got Warren, it’s probably best to hold and see what happens tonight. If you want to buy him following last night, don’t give up too much in a trade. He’s in a good spot, but there is still a chance he could face major competition if the team adds a strong back in Round 3.
Tyrone Tracy Jr. - RB, New York Giants
After the Giants traded back into the first round to take quarterback Jaxson Dart, Tracy’s standing atop the depth chart is on much better footing than when the NFL Draft began. New York traded their second-round pick (34th overall) as well as the 99th overall pick (and a 2026 third-round pick) to select Dart.
THE MOMENT:
Jaxson Dart is a New York Giant pic.twitter.com/5V0IXYR2ry
— Everything Ole Miss (@EverythingRebs) April 25, 2025
This is certainly good news for Tracy as the Giants are now without a pick until the start of the third round. However, this remains a very talented running back class, and we only saw two backs go on Day 1. New York did a lot of research on running backs in the lead-up to the NFL Draft. They could easily take one at the top of the third round.
Tracy’s dynasty value rebounded quite a bit after Round 1, but he still has to survive tonight. He still feels like a sell given the depth of the running back class. However, Tracy does become an intriguing potential buy given how New York’s first round played out. Consider Tracy a hold for now, but be very open to moving him if you receive an offer to your liking.
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