2025 NFL Draft: What We Expect from Day Two
The first round of the 2025 NFL Draft was as exciting as billed, especially once we started getting towards the back end of the first. Unexpected trades, values falling to playoff teams, and a constant look at Shedeur Sanders pretending not to be upset. But day two is when it really kicks off for fantasy.
Which rookies will find the perfect home and which veterans are about to see their value crash and burn?
Quarterback
We all knew that it was going to be Cam Ward at one overall, then a long old wait for QB2. That didn’t stop the broadcast from mentioning Sanders at every single opportunity.
When we finally got to the QB2, it wasn’t even Sanders. Jaxson Dart was the pick at 25 when the New York Giants traded back in, leaving Sanders to wait even longer.
The next few QBs shouldn’t have to wait long. With the Browns picking at the top of the second, you’d assume one of them will find a home immediately. After that, they may have a little longer to wait, but we should easily see three QBs go on day two, with at least one stepping in as a day one starter in Cleveland, Pittsburgh or New Orleans.
Sanders will be the biggest name to keep an eye on, but the NFL has already told us what it thinks of him. However, he still has a chance to go to a nice landing spot where he can start day one. Per Mock Draft Database, the other two QBs we should see day two are Jalen Milroe and Tyler Shough, both of whom had some real round one buzz.
There could be a surprise, with someone like Will Howard or Quinn Ewers going towards the back of the third, but that’s looking entirely at backup territory.
Quarterbacks to watch on day two:
- Shedeur Sanders
- Jalen Milroe
- Tyler Shough
Running back
Ashton Jeanty going sixth overall to the Raiders was pretty much as expected. There were debates about Jacksonville, New England, or even Cleveland after they traded down, but ultimately Las Vegas was always the likely spot.
Omarion Hampton then went off the board at 22 to the LA Chargers, a fantastic landing spot even if it could be an issue in year one with Najee Harris splitting touches.
Day two should be huge for running backs. We still have a huge array of backs on the board, and I’m betting we see more get drafted than we think. You have the obvious names who shouldn’t make it out of the top ten picks of the second round, like the explosive TreVeyon Henderson and the combine-crusher Quinshon Judkins. You have some of the consensus RB1s, like Kaleb Johnson and Cam Skattebo. Then it’s basically dealer’s choice – I’ve listed those below that I can see going today, but I bet there are a couple of names who no one is expecting.
Running backs to watch on day two:
- TreVeyon Henderson
- Quinshon Judkins
- Kaleb Johnson
- Cam Skattebo
- Dylan Sampson
- Bhayshul Tuten
- Damien Martinez
- RJ Harvey
- DJ Giddens
Wide receivers
The first big shock of the draft came with the selection of Travis Hunter at number two overall. But not to the Browns. The Jaguars traded up to second overall to take Hunter, sending away their 2026 first-round pick in the process. The Jaguars are a fantastic landing spot for Hunter, with a good to great quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, a creative playcaller in Liam Coen, and a clear role for Hunter at WR opposite stud sophomore Brian Thomas Jr.
Talking of which, it was great to see prospect fatigue was all false with Tetairoa McMillan. He went at eight overall to the Panthers, which might have been the best possible landing spot for him. He fills a huge need for Carolina as an alpha receiver who can line up all over the field, providing Bryce Young with a great option to help him continue to develop.
One of the bigger shocks was that Emeka Egbuka was WR2 (ish) to the Buccaneers. He’ll be the heir apparent to Chris Godwin but it’s not great for his day one value. He was followed by Matthew Golden to the Packers at 23.
It’s likely that we see close to double-digit wide receivers fly off the board on day two, probably pretty early. We’ve known for a while that this WR class was deep rather than top-heavy, so teams will be able to get some exciting players throughout the next two rounds.
Luther Burden started the draft process in conversation for the WR1, but ultimately dropped out of round one entirely. Despite character and versatility concerns, a team could get a steal early on day two.
The two Iowa State receivers should fly off the board pretty early, with the huge Jayden Higgins and speedy Jaylin Noel providing WR2 value immediately, both being rumoured to hit the first round.
After that, consensus goes out the window once again. There are a lot of different types of receiver in this class, so don’t be surprised when teams seem to reach on players who aren’t being mocked in this range. Particularly Kyle Williams, who has been a late riser, and could go within the first few picks of day two.
Wide receivers to watch on day two:
- Luther Burden
- Jayden Higgins
- Jaylin Noel
- Jalen Royals
- Tre Harris
- Jack Bech
- Elic Ayomanor
- Kyle Williams
- Savion Williams
- Tory Horton
- Isaac TeSlaa
Tight end
The top two tight ends went in the first half of the first round, but not in the order that most people would have predicted – although I’ve been on the Loveland TE1 train for a while now.
Colston Loveland lands in Chicago as a top-five dynasty tight end from day one. Sure, he has Cole Kmet to contend with, but you don’t draft a TE top ten just to bench him for Kmet. Ben Johnson will know how to get the best out of him, especially with Sam LaPorta as my comparison for Loveland’s play style. He’ll likely creep towards the top half of rookie drafts, especially in TEP leagues, with draft capital and a great landing spot.
Tyler Warren, however, didn’t have the same great landing spot. Being taken by the Colts at 14, he lands as the clear top tight end on the depth chart, but in an offense that is already struggling to passing the ball. With Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones throwing to him, year one might not be pretty for Warren, but he’ll have a chance to contribute with his strong YAC ability and playmaking. If all else fails, he might have to use his skills as a high school quarterback.
Day two should be an interesting day for tight ends. There are three clear options at the top, but there will probably be a gap between them.
Mason Taylor was seen as a fringe round one prospect. A team taking him day one should have a day one starter as a big slot who can make an impact in the receiving game.
Elijah Arroyo is a more developmental piece, who’s shown flashes but had huge injury issues in college. That could be enough to force him down, but his athletic gifts may be enough for him to go day two.
Harold Fannin Jr might be the most dividing prospect in the entire draft. Is the receiving profile a sign of future stardom? Is the lack of size and fluidity a sign of future bustdom (should be a word)? It’ll be fascinating to see where he goes.
Tight ends to watch on day two:
- Mason Taylor
- Elijah Arroyo
- Harold Fannin Jr
- Terrance Ferguson
- Gunnar Helm
You can hear more from Lewis on his YouTube channel 'Fantasy Pancake' https://youtube.com/@fantasypancake?si=U7BLlUCqY38dTsEv
- 2025 NFL Draft: What We Expect from Day Two - April 25, 2025
- 2025 NFL Draft: What We Expect from Day One - April 24, 2025
- 2025 Dynasty Fantasy Football Rookie Drafts: A View from the 1.02 - April 20, 2025
