The Ideal Rookie Fantasy Football Mock Draft from 1st Overall

Jeremiyah Love topples this 4-round rookie-only fantasy football mock draft.

Oct 18, 2025; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) celebrates his touchdown in the first half against the Southern California Trojans at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images | Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images

The NFL Draft has concluded, and the rookie class now looks to enter offseason programs with a chip on their shoulder. In our world of fantasy football, the focus is heavily on one thing — upside. Which player is not only primed for quick success but also primed for long-term growth? Who can take advantage of a weak situation? All things considered, this is the ideal rookie mock draft from pick no. 1.

1.1 — Jeremiyah Love

Concerns are warranted for picking Love at 1st overall. He will not have a clear path to a heavy workload, as he will be competing with Tyler Allgeier and James Conner. However, the expectation is that Love will earn his workload, which is well over 50% of running back touches. The floor is probably only 40%, while the ceiling is 75%. No other player at any position has a usage projection that can contest Love's. Expect 15+ touches per game, and with his explosion, Love can reach Jahmyr Gibbs' levels of production.

2.1 — Denzel Boston

In our linear mock draft, Boston finds itself to be the best option in the 2nd round. The Browns offer competition to Boston in the wide receiver room, but he perhaps has the highest ceiling of the bunch. Jerry Jeudy is one year older and unproven to his 1st-round compared status years ago. The team drafted Boston with KC Concepcion, and the duo does work to somewhat of a different route tree.

Boston plays lanky on the outside, while Concepcion plays shift in the slot. The offense expects to feed both of them. If Deshaun Watson can play as well as advertised in the Browns' quarterback competition, Boston could have a top-20 wide receiver ceiling in fantasy football. Surely, his target share should not be worse than 15%, and is very likely above 20%.

3.1 — Zachariah Branch

Branch stays at home in Georgia, and he can take full advantage of the Falcons' depth chart, outside of Drake London, the team fields Jahan Dotson and Olamide Zaccheaus. While both are solid, they are nothing more than NFL WR3's. Branch is the shiftiest and fastest wide receiver in this class. Kevin Stefanski will aim to work Branch into a hard-to-defend role, much like prime Deebo Samuel or Mecole Hardman, but with a DeSean Jackson ceiling.

4.1 — Ja'Kobi Lane

Much like Branch, Lane has a role for the taking in Baltimore. The team fields Zay Flowers, then Rashod Bateman, and Devontez Walker. Neither of these players has been gained by the current staff, led by Jesse Minter. That always gives hesitation where a coach could favor his new guys over the existing — Lane and Elijah Saratt. If Lamar Jackson can get back to MVP form, the 4th round rookie draft pick is well worth the potential returns.