How the 2025 NFL Draft Impacts Veteran Fantasy Rankings

As the rookie hype begins to unfold and we start adding these 2025 rookies to our ranks, established veterans begin to fall, their starting jobs on the line. On the other side of the coin, some veterans felt no impact from the draft. No rookies added, and their value arrow is heading nowhere but up.

Let’s break it all down.

Learn More About The Rookie Scouting Guide

How the NFL Draft Shifts Veteran Fantasy Rankings

Post-Draft Risers

D’Andre Swift, RB, Chicago Bears

Pre-draft rank: RB35
Post-draft rank: RB26

CHICAGO, IL - NOVEMBER 24: Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift (4) reacts after a play during a regular season game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears on November 24, 2024, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire) — CHICAGO, IL – NOVEMBER 24: Chicago Bears running back D’Andre Swift (4) reacts after a play during a regular season game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Chicago Bears on November 24, 2024, at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire)

Swift may have started his career as a rotational back in Detroit, but he has enjoyed playing the bell cow role over the last two years in Philadelphia and Chicago. That bell cow role was very much in doubt heading into the 2025 season with new head coach Ben Johnson in town. The Bears were a favorite to land Ashton Jeanty, which would have all but sent Swift’s fantasy value into oblivion.

That was anything but the case after the 2025 NFL Draft, with the Bears selecting only one running back in Kyle Monangai in the seventh round. Swift’s lead-back role appears to be quite safe heading into the 2025 season. There is no reason Swift cannot see another 250 carries and 50 targets, making him a prime RB2 candidate.

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Brian Robinson Jr., RB, Washington Commanders

Pre-draft rank: RB30
Post-draft rank: RB24

Much like Swift, there was some fear Brian Robinson Jr. would be losing his job to a laundry list of talented running backs in this 2025 rookie class. Robinson is a good-not-great running back who was primed to lose his role if the Commanders decided to take a swing on Day 2, considering Robinson is a free agent in 2026.

Even if they trusted Robinson, you’d think they’d bring in a rookie to at least push Austin Ekeler. Much like the Bears, they chose to select a rookie in the seventh round (Jacory Croskey-Merritt), giving us almost zero concerns that Robinson or even Ekeler are at risk of losing a job this coming season. Robinson should be the lead back again this season on a high-flying offense led by sophomore phenom Jayden Daniels. Robinson is set up to be a fantasy contributor once again.

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