2025 Dynasty Rookie Draft: Veteran Trade Edition, Round One

Jayden Daniels | Credit: USA Today

Ken Kelly Posted On April 28, 2025

With rookie drafts now underway, I came up with an idea I wanted to explore further. Over the years, we’ve had tons of questions (literally tons if I were to print them all and weigh them) in regards to draft pick trade value. In fact, we got so many we decided to create the Dynasty Trade Analyzer to help you out.

However, this still remains a relevant topic, and I was curious about one thing myself last year – what would a rookie draft look like if every pick was traded for a veteran player? In other words, no rookies could actually be taken, and every pick would have to be traded for an established player based on its perceived value. It went over well last season, so let’s re-explore!

With that in mind, I used our Dynasty Trade Analyzer to determine just what these draft picks may be worth and to give you an idea of what kind of veteran player you could expect to get with each pick. If you have one of these rookie picks, this is extremely valuable information to know, as you can evaluate your risk tolerance and prepare accurately for your draft. With that in mind, here’s round one of our “Veteran Trade Edition Rookie Draft,” designed to give you a clearer look at just what you may be able to get with each of the rookie picks you may have.

1.01 = AJ Brown, WR PHI

Rookie options: Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Travis Hunter
Other options: Ladd McConkey, Saquon Barkley, Jaxon Smith-Njigba

The top pick in most conventional rookie drafts is going to be Ashton Jeanty, regardless of format. He has the looks of a long-term uber stud, and that’s tough to pass on. However, if you are really risk-averse, you could realistically get players back like McConkey, Barkley, or JSN. My choice with the pick would actually be AJ Brown. McConkey is still a bit unproven, I’d rather have the younger running back, and we need to see more from JSN before putting him quite in the same class as Brown, who may be aging a little, but is still squarely in his prime. This would be a tough trade to make but that’s the point of this exercise – finding the right kind of value to know what you could possibly get if you chose to move the pick.

1.02 = Breece Hall, RB NYJ

Rookie options: Omarion Hampton, Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan
Other options: DeVonta Smith, Jonathan Taylor

Most 1QB rookie drafts are going to start out with Jeanty and Hampton, but this year is unique as the pair is likely going to go 1-2 in Superflex options as well. While this exercise is done with a 1QB league in mind, you get the point. If you want a more proven running back who still has youth on his side, a virtual trade of Hampton for Hall could be your jam.

1.03 = Rome Odunze, WR CHI

Rookie options: Travis Hunter, Tetairoa McMillan, Quinshon Judkins
Other options: Jonathan Taylor, Josh Allen

With the two stud running backs off the board, most dynasty managers are going to have to choose their favorite receiver between Hunter and McMillan. If you’re not sold on either, Odunze could be a good pick as he looks poised to make a second year leap with Keenan Allen gone this year in Chicago. If not, you could also pick up what could be the QB1 each and every season in Allen, who should still have a good runway left in his career.

1.04 = Xavier Worthy, WR KC

Rookie options: Tetairoa McMillan, Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson
Other options: Josh Allen, Zay Flowers, Lamar Jackson

If this were a 1QB rookie draft, you’re going to be getting the last player in the top tier between Jeanty, Hampton, Hunter, and McMillan. If you’re not sold on any of those players, Allen or Lamar Jackson could fill your quarterback need. If you need a pass catcher, Zay Flowers or my choice in Xavier Worthy can give you a youthful receiver who has already proven themselves in the league, mitigating risk in the process.

1.05 = Kyren Williams, RB LAR

Rookie options: Quinshon Judkins, TreVeyon Henderson, Tyler Warren
Other options: Jaylen Waddle, Lamar Jackson, Jayden Daniels

With 1.05, you’re going to likely need to choose which of the two Ohio State running backs you like best between Judkins and Henderson or take the plunge a pick or two early on a tight end. If you want a running back who you know can be a game-changer, Williams could be your guy.

1.06 = Jayden Daniels, QB WAS

Rookie options: TreVeyon Henderson, Tyler Warren, Emeka Egbuka
Other options: Jaylen Waddle, Jordan Addison

If you were hoping for one of the Ohio State running backs, only to see him go one pick ahead of you, all is not lost. You can get solid receivers like Waddle or Addison or an elite-level quarterback like Daniels, who could lead your dynasty team for years to come.

1.07 = Sam LaPorta, TE DET

Rookie options: Tyler Warren, Emeka Egbuka, Colston Loveland
Other options: Jalen Hurts, Kenneth Walker

To me, this is really interesting. If you sit at 1.07, you have little chance at any of the top four running backs or the two top receivers – this leaves you looking at tight end. Sure, Warren and Loveland look like elite-level prospects who could be TE1s for a long time. However, why not trade the pick for a sure thing like LaPorta, who may not have had the season we all wanted last year, but has shown the ability to be the overall TE1 in any given season.

1.08 = Chase Brown, RB CIN

Rookie options: Emeka Egbuka, Colston Loveland, Matthew Golden
Other options: Joe Burrow, Christian McCaffrey, Terry McLaurin

Again, this is a rich running back class, but the drop-off between the group of Judkins and Henderson compared to the group of Kaleb Johnson and RJ Harvey is extreme, meaning you’d be reaching for either of them in this range. Instead, you could possibly swing the pick for a veteran like McCaffrey or roll with a younger option like Chase Brown, who still could be on the way up in terms of his production.

1.09 = Brandon Aiyuk, WR SF

Rookie options: Colston Loveland, Matthew Golden, Kaleb Johnson
Other options: George Pickens, DK Metcalf, Patrick Mahomes

Loveland certainly has upside, and so do Golden and Johnson. Much of your decision here may depend on what your team’s needs are. However, we already know players like Pickens, Metcalf, and Aiyuk are productive and dependable. The bust factor for late first round picks here is starting to increase, and a savvy manager should be evaluating what’s best here.

1.10 = Josh Jacobs, RB GB

Rookie options: Matthew Golden, Kaleb Johnson, RJ Harvey
Other options: Caleb Williams, Tyreek Hill, Chris Godwin

I really love this exercise because there’s so much strategy involved. If you’re sitting at 1.10, you have a team that’s likely competing for a dynasty championship. If you’re one piece away, a player like Godwin or Hill could conceivably get you over the top, depending on what holes you have on your roster and what position you need. If you need a running back, Jacobs could be a great option for a late first rounder, as it’s going to be very difficult to find any rookie in this range who could help you more statistically next season.

1.11 = Caleb Williams, QB CHI

Rookie options: Kaleb Johnson, RJ Harvey, Jayden Higgins
Other options: Tyreek Hill, Chris Godwin, Jameson Williams

Again, someone with the 1.11 is in all likelihood the runner-up from last year in your dynasty league. This is a great spot to be in if you want to take a young player who you can wait on like Johnson, Harvey, or Higgins. This could also be a great spot to move the pick for a veteran who can keep you right in the mix. Do you want to sell out to knock off the top team or continue stockpiling young talent to stay in contention longer? The choice is going to be there at #11 for you to choose your own adventure.

1.12 = TJ Hockenson, TE MIN

Rookie options: RJ Harvey, Jayden Higgins, Luther Burden
Other options: Jayden Reed, Davante Adams, George Kittle

If you have the 1.12, you likely won your dynasty league last year. If you want to add a running back with upside, you should have a shot at either Kaleb Williams or RJ Harvey. If you want to stay on top and grab a veteran for the pick, it’s hard to argue that adding Adams or Kittle wouldn’t help any team, even one that may have won the title last season.

I’ll be back with round two!

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Ken Kelly

Co-Founder at DynastyLeagueFootball

Ken is a corporate trainer by day an a tireless editor of dynasty content by night. His passion for the World Champion Seattle Seahawks is second only to his love of fantasy football and the dynasty format.

Ken is on Twitter at DLF_KenK