Throughout the NCAA Football season, I’ll be checking in weekly to see how the 2025 NFL Draft prospects are performing. To kick off this weekly series, I’ve assembled a very early 2025 Dynasty Rookie Mock Draft. With each pick in this Superflex mock, I’ll give one thing I’ll be watching for with each player this season that could significantly alter their placement in dynasty rookie drafts next year

Round 1

1.01 - Luther Burden, Missouri (WR)

Burden can hold this position by maintaining the dominant production he saw last year. His production did come primarily on screens and go-routes, so I’ll be watching to see if Burden can diversify his route tree and become more consistent with in-breaking routes like digs and slants. If he can do that, I’ll be much more confident in his ability to be a dominant top receiver in the NFL.

1.02 – Tetairoa McMillan, Arizona (WR)

McMillan’s size at 6’5 and 212 lbs is overwhelming for college defenders, but his lack of top-end speed has limited his ability to win consistently on his deep routes. I’ll be watching to see if McMillan can use his size and quickness to beat defenders deep and consistently earn targets in that area of the field. If so, he’ll lock himself into the early portion of the NFL Draft’s 1st round and find himself near the top of rookie drafts.

1.03 – Conner Weigman, Texas A&M (QB)

Weigman has possibly the most to gain in 2024 in terms of his NFL draft stock. A strong, healthy season could have Weigman chosen as a top pick in 2025. Beyond the general importance of a larger sample size, I’ll be watching to see if Weigman can improve his throwing mechanics while moving outside of the pocket. He has the athleticism and awareness to get outside the pocket while keeping his eyes downfield, but too often, his mechanics, and therefore accuracy, suffer on those throws.

1.04 – Carson Beck, Georgia (QB)

Beck is likely the favorite to be the top quarterback selected in the 2025 NFL Draft after leading Georgia to a 12-0 start before falling to Alabama in the SEC Championship. Beck’s ability to throw on the run and make short, accurate passes to his playmakers led them to that 12-0 start. I’ll be watching to see if Beck can push the ball downfield more in 2024 and maintain his composure under pressure.

1.05 – Ashton Jeanty, Boise State (RB)

Playing in the Mountain West Conference and being only 5’9 seems to have Dynasty scouters down on the best receiving back in college football last year. Ten years ago, I may have agreed with the skepticism around Jeanty, but in this modern NFL, Jeanty could be the next Jahmyr Gibbs. I’ll be watching to see if Jeanty can maintain his elite efficiency and continue to break tackles at a great rate, particularly when playing higher competition.

1.06 – Ollie Gordon, Oklahoma State (RB)

Gordon was one of the most productive running backs in college football last season. He’s shown he can win between the tackles, on outside runs, and in space as a pass catcher. I’ll be watching to see if he can further improve as a route runner out of the backfield. If he can do that, Gordon has a very good shot at being the top running back taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.

1.07 – Elic Ayomanor, Stanford (WR)

Ayomanor broke out in the 2nd half of the 2023 season after missing all of 2022 with a knee injury. With only one season of production to evaluate, Ayomanor has a lot to prove in 2024. A great physical profile and some outstanding games in his first college season means there is a lot of potential. I’ll be watching to see if he can improve his route running and be a more consistent target in 2024 rather than relying on a couple of big plays downfield for the majority of his production.

1.08 – Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State (RB)

Judkins is an aggressive between-the-tackles runner who has transferred to Ohio State and will split the backfield with fellow 2025 NFL Draft prospect TreVeyon Henderson. Judkins had a down-efficiency year last year after a great freshman season. Henderson profiles more as an outside runner and pass catcher than Judkins, so I’ll be watching to see if Judkins is limited to a between-the-tackles role. If his role is limited for Ohio State compared to his time with Ole Miss, he’ll likely fall down NFL Draft boards.

1.09 – Omarion Hampton, North Carolina (RB)

Hampton showed last season that he can be a very effective runner between the tackles. The question now is if he can make explosive plays out in space that the NFL loves. I’ll be watching to see if Hampton can expand his ability as a route runner out of the backfield and show more explosiveness in the open field.

1.10 – Shedeur Sanders, Colorado (QB)

Sanders is one of the more controversial prospects in college football. He’s shown some moments of absolute brilliance but has also looked out of place at times. Investments in the offensive line should allow a better view of what Sanders can do. I’ll be watching to see if Sanders can make his progressions quicker and operate a more consistent offense.

1.11 – Colston Loveland, Michigan (TE)

Loveland has a good case to be the top tight end drafted in 2025 following a productive sophomore season on a run-first Michigan offense. With most of Michigan’s key offensive personnel moving on in 2025, I’ll be watching to see if Loveland can expand his usage to be a more consistent pass catcher in this offense.

1.12 – TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State (RB)

Henderson returns to Ohio State with added backfield competition in Quinshon Judkins. Henderson’s draft stock will depend heavily on what type of role he has. If Henderson can maintain the majority of the workload, including passing game work, he could surpass Judkins on NFL Draft boards. I’ll be watching to see how Ohio State splits touches in the backfield.

Round 2

2.01 – Jaydn Ott, California (RB)

Ott showed he can handle a large workload in his 2nd year at California. In two seasons he’s managed to bring in 71 receptions, showing his reliable hands out of the backfield. Ott’s explosive burst through the hole and pass-catching ability could make him a very intriguing fantasy prospect on the right team. I’ll be watching to see if Ott can improve his vision in the backfield as he occasionally fails to take what his blockers give him.

2.02 – Devin Neal, Kansas (RB)

Neal’s elusiveness and quick change of direction ability had him tied for 6th in rushing touchdowns among FBS rushers. He is also an effective pass catcher who regularly makes things happen when getting the ball in open space. Questions remain as to whether he can handle an NFL workload. I’ll be watching to see if Neal is given a larger share of the rushing opportunities in Kansas and if he can maintain his efficiency with that larger share.

2.03 – Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State (WR)

Egbuka followed up an amazing sophomore breakout with a very disappointing season last year. Going from CJ Stroud to Kyle McCord didn’t stop a generational talent in Marvin Harrison from putting up incredible numbers, but it came at a steep cost for Egbuka, who was surpassed by Tight End Cade Stover in receiving yards. I’ll be watching to see if Egbuka can take over the Ohio State passing game with his biggest competition gone. If Egbuka struggles to regain the success from his sophomore season, he could fall out of Day 2 consideration for the NFL Draft.

2.04 – Antwane Wells, Ole Miss (WR)

Wells showed some of the tools needed to be an X receiver at the next level during his time with South Carolina, along with the physical profile. After his 2023 season was cut short due to injury, he’ll have a chance to show those skills at Ole Miss. I’ll be watching to see if Wells can create enough separation on his routes to consistently draw targets.

2.05 – Isaiah Bond, Texas (WR)

The speedy Bond has a chance to break out after his transfer to Texas for this season. I’ll be watching to see if Bond can expand his production beyond primarily vertical routes and screens in a new system.

2.06 – Quinn Ewers, Texas (QB)

Despite a dynamic supporting cast, Ewers failed to stand out with his play in 2023 despite some exciting moments. While his star certainly isn’t shining as bright as it was entering last season, he’ll have a chance to re-establish himself as a potential NFL starter this season. I’ll be watching to see if Ewers can improve his accuracy and better progress through his reads.

2.07 – Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech (RB)

Brooks is a powerful between-the-tackles runner who led all FBS rushers in missed tackles forced last season. Brooks profiles as a runner who could find a role on an NFL offense but will struggle to be relevant for fantasy, given his lack of explosiveness and pass-catching ability. I’ll be watching to see if Brooks can improve as a pass catcher. Developing the level of explosiveness needed to transfer to the NFL is extremely uncommon for a running back entering his 5thyear of college, so he’ll need to develop as a pass catcher to be more than a situational back at the next level.

2.08 – Graham Mertz, Florida (QB)

Mertz had a resurgent 2023 season after transferring to Florida. Although he had one of the highest completion percentages in college football, it came alongside one of the lowest average depths of target. I’ll be watching to see if Mertz can more consistently push the ball downfield and prove himself to be a Day 2 NFL Draft talent.

2.09 – Oscar Delp, Georgia (TE)

Delp was overshadowed by the generational tight-end prospect Brock Bowers last year. With Bowers now in the NFL, Delp will have a chance to take over as not only the starting tight end but a potential focal point in Georgia’s passing game. I’ll be watching to see if Delp can expand his receiving role beyond that of a traditional in-line tight end with Bowers gone.

2.10 – Donovan Edwards, Michigan (RB)

With Blake Corum off to the NFL, Edwards will have a chance to see an expanded role in 2024. With significant turnover all around in Michigan, Edwards will have a chance to chart his own path. I’ll be watching to see if Edwards is given a heavier role in 2024 and improves on a down-efficiency year despite the larger workload.

2.11 – Jalen Milroe, Alabama (QB)

Everyone who has watched Milroe play knows that his athleticism in the open field, combined with his ability (and willingness) to escape the pocket, would make him a fantasy football darling. In order to do so, though, he’d need an NFL team to believe in him as a starting quarterback. I’ll be watching to see if Milroe can improve his processing and look to pass when escaping the pocket rather than run. If he can improve as a passer and NFL teams see him as a possible starting quarterback, then he’ll shoot up these mock drafts into the 1stround.

2.12 – Nic Anderson, Oklahoma (WR)

Anderson is still a raw receiver, but his intriguing production, paired with his elite physical measurements, makes him a prospect to keep an eye on. Anderson may not declare in 2025, but another big season this year could have him enter the NFL Draft with a lot of interest. I’ll be watching to see if Anderson can refine his route running to allow him a more diverse route tree rather than just be used as a downfield threat reliant on elite athleticism.