Five-Round Fantasy Football Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft: Single-QB, Tight End Premium

May 17, 2025

Chris Gregory's dynasty fantasy football rookie mock draft for tight end-premium leagues. His five-round rookie mock draft for the top 2025 NFL Draft rookies.

In the ever-growing field of dynasty fantasy football, there are an endless number of tweaks, settings, and formats available to make things more interesting or balanced. Those tweaks include adding defender positions (IDP) or a Superflex (QB/RB/WR/TE) spot, awarding bonus points for long runs or receptions, and/or utilizing Tight End Premium scoring.

This year, we are doing one-man rookie mocks for the TE Premium aficionados because it is one of the two fastest-growing formats in dynasty. In fact, it is the most common request when setting up or making changes to the dynasty leagues that I run. The format helps elevate the TE position’s importance, bringing it more in line with the value of QBs, RBs, and WRs.

This mock will specifically address the TE Premium format in non-Superflex leagues. Scoring for this mock will be TE Premium’s most common: one-point full PPR with a 0.5-point bonus for TE receptions. Also, remember that this mock is meant to reflect what you can expect in your drafts, with my rankings playing tiebreaker and my analysis offered after each round.

Round 1

Rankings v. ADP: There’s almost a universal consensus that Ashton Jeanty should be the top pick in nearly every dynasty rookie draft, regardless of format. After Jeanty, every pick becomes a debate of personal preference and need. Rarely do we see the average draft position (ADP) of rookies come quite this close across the board, from 1.02 to 4.12 overall.

One shining example of this is at 1.02, where Omarion Hampton is the most common pick at 1.02 on average, yet managers use that pick on Travis Hunter just as often as Hampton. What separates the two is the fact that Hunter falls further than he should in some drafts because managers are worried about his workload. As you can see, Hunter is the winner of that debate on my board.

Another ADP enigma involves Colston Loveland. One would think a tight end with Travis Kelce comps, top-10 pedigree, and Ben Johnson as his play-caller would be an easy pick at 1.05 in TE Premium. However, the Wolverine’s ADP is behind Tetairoa McMillan and in a dead heat with Quinshon Judkins and Emeka Egbuka. In TE Premium, Loveland should be atop that group.

Love is Golden: Matthew Golden is typically drafted at 1.12 in non-Superflex leagues, but he can slip as far as 2.02 in TE Premium drafts. Either way, he is a bargain at his ADP. While Green Bay’s receiver room is deep and Jordan Love likes to spread the ball around, no Packers pass-catcher has Golden’s combination of strong hands, smooth movement, and deep speed.

Matthew Golden’s Advanced Analytics:

➖HIGHER Y/Rec than Tetairoa McMillan (17.0)
➖HIGHER CTC % than Emeka Egbuka (61.1%)
➖LOWER Drop Rate than Tre Harris (6.5%)

Golden had 7 Formal Meetings including the Bills, Packers, Bengals, Cardinals, Steelers, Rams, and the Cowboys.. pic.twitter.com/3PobsbUkEk

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) April 3, 2025

There is 120+ target potential in the Golden/Love pairing.

First Round Gambles: Chris Godwin, Jalen McMillan, and Emeka Egbuka are all versatile players, but they are all ideally suited for the slot. Mike Evans is also a virtual lock to receive 100+ targets. With that in mind, the Ohio State product could be in for a slow rookie season. You may be better served trading for him in 2026, rather than taking him at 1.06 or 1.07 this year.

As for Harvey, his tape is exciting. He has good lateral agility, soft hands, and the quickness to break big runs around the edge. The UCF alum also lands in a favorable spot with the Broncos, where he faces little competition for touches. I just cannot get over the fact he is an undersized back going ahead of Tyler Warren in TE Premium.

This mock reflects Warren going ahead of Harvey because that’s how it should be in this particular format, but the two are neck-and-neck in ADP.

Round 2

Bearing the Burden: Luther Burden III remains one of the most popular players in dynasty circles, but his ADP does not yet reflect the character/consistency concerns some NFL scouts have. While Burden is talented enough to go in the first round and his spot at 2.01 here is what you should expect, know that Jack Bech and Jayden Higgins are safer bets to succeed in the NFL.

TE Roundup in Round 2: As you will notice, three tight ends go in the second round of this mock. That is not exactly consistent with ADP, but it is a trend you might see in TE Premium. Mason Taylor and Elijah Arroyo have the skills to become top-tier fantasy tight ends, while dynasty managers love Harold Fannin Jr. enough that he could go as high as 24^th overall.

While the tight ends in this class deserve consideration like they get in this mock, where they go in your league will vary. Know if your league mates need a TE or if they’ve been burned using a high pick on a tight end before. Only then will you know if these TEs are likely to fall, or if Tre Harris and Jack Bech could go ahead of them.

Betting on Bech: Speaking of Jack Bech, you will note he goes higher than consensus in this mock, and yours truly may even draft him earlier than this. As readers of my columns will note, I have been high on Bech throughout this process. No dynasty mocks or articles even mentioned him in January, yet he made my columns and feeds before Christmas.

Raiders WR Jack Bech Scouting Report:

•outstanding ball skills
•hands are sticky and strong with elite catch focus from any spot on the field
•pro-ready toughness and ball skills
•razor-sharp catch focus downfield
•uses strength to break tackles
•2025 Senior Bowl MVP pic.twitter.com/Nc2IA8q8u1

— Keith Ricci (@KeithRicci) April 26, 2025

There is also a certain logic to trading back from 2.01 to 2.03 to take the Senior Bowl MVP instead of Tre Harris or Burden. The TCU alum has the professionalism, route running, and hands of a 10-year NFL starter, giving him a high floor. Throw in the likelihood Bech sees more volume than most rookie WRs this year, and you might even flip him for Burden-plus in 2026.

Round 3

Proof of an Elite TE Class: Terrance Ferguson was a reach where the Rams drafted him, but that reach suggests they see the former Duck as a potential key piece in their offense. Ferguson ran the fastest 40 of all tight ends at the combine and is the best athlete Sean McVay has had at tight end since Gerald Everett, but he's a more natural receiver than Everett.

Backup Backs with Top-12 Potential: Back in 2021, I wrote in this same space that Elijah Mitchell was a bargain dynasty asset because he was a better fit for the 49ers’ scheme than Trey Sermon. That prediction bore fruit much faster than expected.

San Francisco is now in a similar spot, with Jordan James possessing worse measurables and less draft capital than Isaac Guerendo, yet he’s a better fit for what the 49ers do. On tape, James is a much more instinctive back who runs with better patience and feel than Guerendo. Do not be surprised if the Duck leads San Fran in carries if Christian McCaffrey goes down again.

Another intriguing back who was drafted far too late is DJ Giddens. The film on Giddens is enthralling, with the former Wildcat showing more speed and better open-field moves than Kaleb Johnson. While Jonathan Taylor isn’t losing his job without age or injury playing a part, Taylor has had his share of injuries, and his punishing play style could give Giddens an opening.

With the 151st pick, the #colts select DJ Giddens:

I couldn't believe that DJ Giddens lasted this long.

• Back-to-back seasons over 1,500 yards
• 11.7 yards per reception across all 3 seasons
• Size, speed, film, and dominated the combine.

GREAT pick for the Colts. pic.twitter.com/bPA4AtWf7D

— Ryan Van Dever (@HZSRyanVanDever) April 26, 2025

QB Upside: Your opportunities to roster a good quarterback in Superflex leagues are slim, so you value consistency over a gamble. The opposite is true in non-Superflex, where the position is so deep that drafting a guy like Jalen Milroe won’t cost you much if he busts. The Alabama alum’s intermediate and short accuracy are abysmal, but his physical tools are special.

Round 4

Bargain Opportunities in Round 4: Devin Neal could be a bargain if he falls into the fourth round of non-Superflex drafts. Neal was a better runner and receiver on film than his draft capital suggests, plus Alvin Kamara is bound to hit the wall soon. Neal is a more instinctive runner and better receiver than Kendre Miller, his primary competition for the backup role behind Kamara.

Another intriguing late-round option is Tory Horton, a third-round prospect on many draft boards. Seattle's top two receivers are best used in the slot, but Horton has the length and height to stay on the boundary long-term. He also shows good wiggle in open space, making him a prime candidate to become WR2 in Seattle when Cooper Kupp declines or is injured.

More Bust Than Boom: Savion Williams is an electric athlete, with the size and speed to become Deebo Samuel Sr. on steroids. Unfortunately, Williams isn't nearly the tackle-breaking menace that Samuel was at South Carolina or with the 49ers. Williams also has some of the worst hands in this class.

Savion Williams

Incredible playmaker.

The easiest 3rd/4th round rookie pick you will ever spend.

Tap link in comments to see my full breakdown on him.pic.twitter.com/OoHp37nulI

— Elite Drafters (@Elite_Drafters) May 6, 2025

Maybe he becomes a multi-position streamer, but don't expect more and don’t draft him over players like Horton or Jaylin Lane.

Round 5

Fifth-Round Dart Throws: Detroit used considerable draft capital on Isaac TeSlaa, and he is an intriguing slot option with size. Were the Lions to lose one of their key pass-catchers, TeSlaa could be in line to take on a surprising role on a good offense.

The fourth/fifth round is also home to three intriguing flyers at running back. Brashard Smith presents real PPR upside as a former receiver lining up in the Chiefs backfield. Meanwhile, LeQuint Allen is a natural pass-catcher who could compete for passing downs work in Jacksonville, and Tahj Brooks should be Chase Brown’s primary backup in Cincinnati.

Syracuse RB LeQuint Allen led all FBS backs with 64 catches this season.

He’s a menace on options routes. Also thrived in a variety of different screens at Syracuse.

On the short list for best pass-catching backs in the draft. pic.twitter.com/gFEdoxQxBF

— Field Yates (@FieldYates) January 18, 2025

A Noteworthy Name: Tez Johnson exited the Senior Bowl as a third-round prospect, but his performance at the combine (a 4.51-second 40-yard dash at 154 lbs.) tanked his stock. The fact that Johnson ran so slow while weighing in at a nearly unprecedented weight means he would have to be a true outlier to succeed in the NFL.

That said, Johnson is a well-known asset whose separation skills on tape and at the Senior Bowl were tremendous. Do not be surprised if some dynasty managers take him on name value alone in the fourth round, and he’s worth a fifth-round flyer in the hopes he becomes a true outlier.

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