We're into the heart of 2025 dynasty rookie hype, with the Combine in the rear-view mirror, free agency in full swing (shifting the landing spot landscape), and the draft just one flip of the calendar away. Whether you've been following these prospects for years or are just now coming out of post-Super Bowl hibernation to learn their names, we're here to bring you a mid-March temperature check and help you lay a decent foundation for your rookie drafts.
This will be the first article in a six-part series covering the relevant names in the class, with one each on the quarterbacks and tight ends and two each on the running backs and wide receivers. Most specifically, we'll be painting this year's prospects in the context of previous classes — granting you a helpful point of reference for each position — but you'll also find scouting reports, expectations, projections, and more.
Without further ado, let's dive in, starting at the position every NFL team starts at... quarterback.
Previous Class Grades
Before we dive into the names on 2025 draft boards, let's set the scene with a quick look at recent classes.
| Class |
Notable Players |
Grade |
| 2024 |
Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, Drake Maye, Bo Nix, Michael Penix, JJ McCarthy |
A+ |
| 2023 |
CJ Stroud, Bryce Young, Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, Aidan O'Connell |
B- |
| 2022 |
Brock Purdy, Kenny Pickett, Desmond Ridder, Sam Howell |
D |
| 2021 |
Trevor Lawrence, Justin Fields, Zach Wilson, Mac Jones, Trey Lance |
D+ |
| 2020 |
Joe Burrow, Jalen Hurts, Tua Tagovailoa, Justin Herbert, Jordan Love |
A+ |
First lesson: let's not get spoiled by the 2024 class. They were historically productive, combining for 17,897 offensive yards (passing and rushing) and 111 offensive touchdowns. The only class in NFL history to top either of those numbers was 2012, when Russell Wilson, Andrew Luck, and Robert Griffin III led a monster rookie group that also produced Super Bowl champion Nick Foles and perennial starters Kirk Cousins and Ryan Tannehill.
Prior to last year's group, we had experienced a stretch of "meh" going back three years. The 2023 class was largely rescued by CJ Stroud (at least as a rookie), but Bryce Young has been a disappointing number-one pick, Anthony Richardson has flashed for fantasy but spent too much time injured or benched, and the class fell off a cliff after those three. The 2022 class was arguably one of the worst we've ever seen, with instant bust Kenny Pickett "earning" the only round one or two selection (20th overall). The only reason it doesn't earn an "F" grade is the complete anomaly of Mr. Irrelevant, Brock Purdy, who's put together a couple of fantasy-relevant seasons out of absolutely nowhere. And the 2021 class might be arguably one of the most disappointing we've ever seen, with only one of the five QBs selected inside the top 15 — Trevor Lawrence — still secure in a starting job.
Eventually, you get back to 2020, which gave us five legitimate stars and could eventually go down as one of the greatest classes ever. Joe Burrow and Jalen Hurts are perennial contenders for fantasy QB1 overall, while Justin Herbert and Jordan Love sit comfortably in the top-ten conversation and even Tua Tagovailoa remains a valuable asset (particularly in superflex formats).
So where does the 2025 class stack up? We're going to have to dive in to find out.
Meet the Prospects
