2025 Pre-Draft NFL Rookie Rankings: QB and TE

Quarterbacks:
1. Cameron Ward, Miami:
Ward is likely the top QB taken in the draft and should be a top 5 pick. He has a good arm and solid mobility and has really developed as a more accurate passer. Of any QB in this class, he has the best chance to start from day 1 and be a productive starter as a rookie. Now, from a fantasy perspective, he’s probably no better than a QB15-20 type year, with most of his best fantasy games in the low 20s range (think C.J. Stroud this past season).
Now landing spot could help him of course, and the talent around him, but for right now he’s going maybe a bit too high, ahead of Penix, Darnold, and Stafford (though there is some retirement risk). Unlike most of the QBs on this list we can at least project a pretty full starting role as a rookie for Ward.
2. Shedeur Sanders, Colorado:
Sanders is battling Ward for the top QB spot, but even if he finishes 2nd he will likely be a top-10 pick with a pretty clear path to starting. Sanders in many ways, mirrors offensive rookie of the year Jayden Daniels, with an undersized leaner build and just okay arm strength, but a level of confidence, leadership, big moment ability, and accuracy.
Unfortunately, Sanders lacks one of Daniels’ biggest calling cards, his dynamic rushing ability. That is going to be a slight knock to his NFL ability, but a major blow to his Fantasy Football outlook. Similar to Ward he’s likely being a little overdrafted, but he’s a good bet to start most of the year and could do well in the right system.
3. Jalen Milroe, Alabama:
From a running standpoint and arm strength, Milroe is a 1st round talent and a potential fantasy star. Unfortunately, Milroe is raw with his accuracy and consistency, and he needs a lot of development time. Think Anthony Richardson (though probably a bit better-rounded). If he ends up on the field he could still get you some fantasy production, but for the long-term development of Milroe, he should probably be developed.
Generally, I’m not going to take too much Milroe, but if he continues to trend as QB 3, and a potential 1st-round pick, he’s worth a last-round shot in Big Boards with extra draft picks.
4. Jaxson Dart, Mississippi:
Dart can be a polarizing prospect, he’s a 3-year starter who has gotten better every year. He is a good runner and has one of the best arms in this class. The concern is coming from playing in a Mississippi offense that doesn’t fully translate well. He needs to do a better job feeling pressure and throwing guys open.
That all being said, if he has a great Senior Bowl and offseason he could be QB 3 in this class and find himself in a better landing spot. With his big arm and athleticism, he could be a spike week guy in fantasy football, but odds are he isn’t playing a full or even majority season next year.
5. Quinn Ewers, Texas:
Ewers has clear upside and has a good combination of arm talent and throwing with anticipation. At the same time, he’s more inconsistent than you’d like and probably needs time to sit at the next level. Now, if he rises up draft rankings, and it looks like he is going as QB,3 then maybe he will have a clear starting role. Otherwise, I don’t see him worth drafting in the Big Board.
6. Will Howard, Ohio State:
Likely a 2nd or 3rd-round pick, Howard probably won’t have a clear path to starting as a rookie. He offers a high floor with mobility and good size to go along with plenty of experience. We’ve seen experienced QBs outperform their projections in recent years, but it will still take a great landing spot to count on Howard.
Right now he should be undraftable in the Big Board, but if he has a strong Senior Bowl/Combine that could change as we get closer to the draft.
Tight Ends:
1. Tyler Warren, Penn State:
Warren has the chance to be just special not just as an NFL player, but as a fantasy stud. Warren has had to split time with Brenton Strange and Theo Johnson the past two seasons, but he finally got the chance to be a full-time starter this year at the same time Penn State got an offensive coordinator upgrade.
The result was a massive season with over 100 catches, 1,200 yards, and 8 TDs. Warren added another 200+ rushing yards on 26 carries and another 4 TDs. This is what makes Warren so unique, he can be like Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers from the past two seasons and a major focal point of a passing offense, but he also offers real rushing ability, including short-yardage ability. Not only should he be a major red zone weapon in the passing game with his 6’6″ frame, but expect him to add some rushing TDs as well.
Right now Warren is going as TE 10 with an ADP 98. Now since we don’t know the landing spot that is fair, but honestly I have no issue being overweight on him. If he gets a favorable landing spot, his ADP should rise, and even if it’s undesirable, I don’t think he slides too much. Bowers went to the Raiders, and finished as TE 1.
2. Colston Loveland, Michigan:
Very good all-around TE, who came from a pro-style system and is an NFL-ready starter day 1. That’s even more impressive given that he’s an underclassman and had to split some work at Michigan. He could be drafted late round 1, and see him as a good fantasy player. Down the road he may be a true fantasy difference-maker, but even as a rookie, I’d expect him to have quality starting numbers. Landing spot will matter of course, but even without knowing where he’s going, I’m fine investing at his current ADP.
3. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green:
Fannin Jr. is an undersized TE, but an incredibly productive receiving TE. He won’t fit in every system, and probably isn’t a guy you want to play inline. As a slot option or even out wide he’s extremely capable, with great deep speed. He’s going to threaten vertically and down the field.
He’s probably a round 2 pick, and has a pretty good chance to be a team’s top-receiving TE. Where he’s going in drafts I’m happy to have a solid share of him, as the upside is very high from a fantasy perspective.
4. Elijah Arroyo, Miami:
Arroyo really had a breakout year as a receiver in Miami’s offense with Cam Ward. He can be dynamic after the catch and is a true vertical option. The biggest question is landing spot, because it’s possible he’s not a starter as a rookie. Happy to take some shots on him because the upside is there.
5. Gunnar Helm, Texas:
Helm had a breakout year at Texas and could work his way into the Round 2 and 3 area. He’s really developed as a receiver and showed good route running ability, strong hands, and the ability to make big plays after the catch. With a good landing spot he could start as a rookie, but that is far from certain. Still, he’s worth taking in the final couple rounds as your TE 3.
6. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse:
Gadsden is a fascinating player to watch in this process, especially given his TE designation by Underdog. Gadsden was basically a WR lining up at TE in college and likely would have moved back to WR at the NFL level. This could make him a potential steal if NFL teams treat him like a big slot WR, and draft him with that mindset. He did bulk-up some for the East/West Game so it will be interesting to see what NFL teams view him as. He’s a very talented receiver with NFL bloodlines and good size, but how he will be deployed will be anyone’s guess.
Given some potential of getting a WR at the TE position, he’s worth taking some in the late rounds, but be aware he could also end up as a practice squad guy who needs to develop as a TE.
7. Mason Taylor, LSU:
Taylor has solid size and was productive each of the last two years, he also has strong NFL bloodlines. He’s a good receiving TE, but he is more of a jack-of-all-trades master of none type. Likely a 3rd round pick, if the landing spot is good maybe he has a chance to be a starter.
He probably needs a year of development, so I’ll mainly be out on him at the end of Big Board drafts.
8. Luke Lachey, Iowa:
Lachey comes from the NFL TE factory of Iowa and an NFL pedigree. He’s likely not going to have a big fantasy impact as a rookie, as he probably won’t be selected until day 3. Expect him to spend a year or two early in his career as a number 2 TE, maybe he eventually develop as the starter, but from a fantasy perspective, he’s not really on my radar this year. You will see him selected in the final round of drafts, but he’s not someone I will likely take.