Welcome to my second (now annual) rookie draft article. This year has a clear theme: The Year of the Running Back. While there are plenty of other players worth drafting, running backs dominate the early rounds—depth seems to extend to around pick 2.06.
A Parks and Rec-Inspired Rant
I’m a big fan of Parks and Recreation—especially the Rob Lowe years. There’s an episode in Season 2 called “Sister City” where Fred Armisen plays a South American parks official visiting Pawnee. He launches into a hilarious bit comparing laws in his country to America’s. If you haven’t seen the “Right to Jail” scene, watch this 46-second clip:
That scene inspired my current mindset—trading frustrations. So, in the spirit of Armisen’s sketch, here are a few trade behaviors that send you… right to jail:
Trade Habits That Drive Me Crazy (and Yes, I’m Guilty Too)
- You send a screenshot from your trade calculator… Right to jail.
- You offer 12 players (or even 4) for one stud to “balance” the trade… Jail.
- You try to sneak your roster trash into the deal… Right to jail. Take out your own trash!
- You insist you win the trade by a landslide… Right to jail.
- You don’t even look at my roster before offering… Right to jail.
- You try to pass off broken-down players at full value… Right to jail. I read NFL news too.
- You let a trade offer expire without any response… Jail.
Some Friendly Trading Tips
- Try to make trades that work for both teams.
- Build trading relationships—even if a deal doesn’t happen this time.
- Remember: we all value players differently. No need to rage.
- Include a quick explanation with your offer—why should it work for both sides?
- If you reject a trade, say why. (I admit, I’m bad at this. I get salty and just decline.)
- Don’t be afraid to trade. Some will work, some won’t. That’s the game.
- Ask yourself: If this same offer came to me with my trade partner’s roster, would I accept it?
Rookies, Finally!
Back to the reason for this article—rookies! I’ve grouped my rankings into four tiers. As mentioned, RBs are strong up top, with some appealing TEs in the middle, and WR depth in tier 4.
| Rank | Name | Pos | Age | Tier |
| 1 | Ashton Jeanty | RB | 21 | 1 |
| 2 | Travis Hunter | WR | 22 | 1 |
| 3 | TreVeyon Henderson | RB | 22 | 2 |
| 4 | Omarion Hampton | RB | 22 | 2 |
| 5 | Quinshon Judkins | RB | 21 | 2 |
| 6 | RJ Harvey | RB | 24 | 2 |
| 7 | Tetairoa McMillian | WR | 22 | 3 |
| 8 | Kaleb Johnson | RB | 21 | 3 |
| 9 | Emeka Egbuka | WR | 22 | 3 |
| 10 | Colston Loveland | TE | 21 | 3 |
| 11 | Tyler Warren | TE | 23 | 3 |
| 12 | Cam Ward | QB | 23 | 4 |
| 13 | Jayden Higgins | WR | 22 | 4 |
| 14 | Luther Burden | WR | 21 | 4 |
| 15 | Matthew Golden | WR | 21 | 4 |
| 16 | Tre Harris | WR | 23 | 4 |
| 17 | Cam Skattebo | RB | 23 | 4 |
| 18 | Jack Bech | WR | 22 | 4 |
My Season in 2025
In 2025, I’ll be managing 16 teams, up from 15 last year. My all-time high is 26. For some, 16 teams is nothing. For others, it’s lunacy. Personally, I’ve found 12–15 to be my sweet spot.
All my leagues are Dynasty and hosted on Dataforce. On average, I win a few leagues per year—which keeps it fun. Because at the end of the day, I play to win, but I’m here for enjoyment.
Rookie Draft Thoughts – Chill Out!
First rule of rookie drafts: enjoy them. If someone takes hours to pick, don’t rage—offer a trade if you’re that impatient. They might be waiting to see who gets desperate enough to move up. Or maybe they just need time. It happens. This is one of the most fun two weeks of the fantasy year—don’t rush it. You’ll miss it when it’s over.
Drafting Advice
Understanding the Talent Pool
Start with thorough research—college stats, scouting reports, pre-draft buzz. Look at position depth. Use ADP as a guide, but if you love a player, consider drafting them a round earlier than consensus.
Crafting Your Strategy
- Know Your Roster: Are you rebuilding or contending? Prioritize accordingly.
- Value-Based Drafting: Don’t draft for need if better talent is available.
- Trade Up/Down: Move up for targets, or trade down to build depth. Know the market.
- Target Under-Valued Players: Trust your research. Find hidden gems others might miss.
- Plan Ahead: Dynasty is about the long game. Build your bench with youth and upside.
Navigating Each Round
- 1st Round: Go for blue-chip talent with immediate opportunity.
- 2nd–3rd Rounds: Look for upside—players who may need a break to shine.
- 4th–5th Rounds: Take risks, but don’t cut higher-upside players just to draft here. You can always trade these picks for future assets.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 rookie draft is loaded with potential. Smart managers will use this opportunity to build not just for this season, but for years to come. With preparation, thoughtful trading, and a flexible strategy, you can draft the future of your dynasty team.
Big shoutout to Big Brother Rick and Johnny G for getting me into the obsession-I mean hobby-in 1994.
Stay sharp, trust your gut, and most of all—have fun. Good luck in rookie draft season and watch out for those whammies!
Got any “Right to Jail” trade stories? We’re all ears—and ready to hand out some fantasy justice.
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Tim Bates
Fantasy Fanatic