2025 NFL Draft Fantasy Recap | third-Round Fallout
Round 3 is where the spotlight fades and the scouting departments start to flex. The names get a little more obscure, the roles a little less defined — but make no mistake, these are still highly valuable NFL assets with real paths to fantasy relevance.
Draft capital still matters here, and every pick offers clues about how a team views its future. Whether it’s a stash-worthy QB or a buried WR with upside — this is where dynasty managers find their edge. Let’s break down each pick and figure out who’s just smoke and who might be your next big value steal.
Harold Fannin Jr – 3.67 | Cleveland Browns
There were a lot of eyes glued to Harold Fannin Jr’s landing spot, and this one… isn’t it. Cleveland adds the versatile TE/WR hybrid, but it’s hard to get excited about the short-term outlook. He’s buried behind David Njoku on the depth chart and stuck in a low volume passing offense. The Browns are a run-heavy team, and Fannin’s path to meaningful snaps is crowded.
Still, the draft capital isn’t bad, and the production profile is legit. If Cleveland develops him — and that’s a big if — Fannin could turn into a unique offensive weapon. But this isn’t a player you plug in early. He’s a long-term bet on athleticism and offensive evolution.
Draft Range
Superflex: Mid 3rd – Late 3rd
Standard: 4th
TE Prem: 3rd
Verdict:
Project stash with upside. Fannin has the tools but needs patience and opportunity to hit. A classic “see you in 2027” dynasty dart throw.
Kyle Williams – 3.69 | New England Patriots
A late hype darling, Kyle Williams’ name started bubbling up in dynasty circles as the draft approached — and now we’ve got confirmation it wasn’t just smoke. The Patriots snag him as the 8th WR off the board, signaling a shift toward investing in real offensive weapons. While the New England WR room is far from intimidating, that’s precisely what gives Williams a runway to emerge.
He brings some juice to a stale offense, and there’s a path to targets if he can outshine the likes of Polk, Baker, and whoever else is still lingering in that depth chart. This is the kind of pick that could go from underwhelming to “how did we miss that?” if he flashes in camp. Don’t overpay, but don’t ignore him either.
Draft Range
Superflex: Mid 3rd
Standard: Early 3rd
Verdict:
Late-round gem watchlist. Williams is raw but intriguing, and in New England’s rebuilding offense, he could crack relevance early if he seizes the moment.
Isaac TeSlaa – 3.70 | Detroit Lions
I didn’t have this one on my bingo card. TeSlaa going this early raised some eyebrows, but the Lions have never been shy about pounding the table for “their guy” — and TeSlaa fit their mold. Athletic, physical, and a grinder-type mentality that Dan Campbell will love. But from a fantasy lens? It’s murky.
Detroit’s offense is loaded with established weapons, and even with Ben Johnson gone, there are still target pecking orders to sort out. This feels like a “football guy” pick more than a “fantasy guy” pick. Maybe it works long-term, but don’t count on rookie-year relevance unless the depth chart thins out.
Draft Range
Superflex: 4th
Standard: 4th
Verdict:
Culture fit > fantasy fit. Intriguing stash in deep leagues, but he’s buried for now. Taxi this name with long-term upside if the Lions see something we don’t.
Pat Bryant – 3.74 | Denver Broncos
Another curveball from Sean Payton, however, this one feels intentional. Bryant wasn’t high on many fantasy boards, but Payton saw something the community didn’t. He’s a bigger-bodied receiver who wins with savvy route-running and field awareness rather than burst or twitch. It’s not flashy, but it is functional.
Bryant steadily improved each year in college, and that developmental arc could continue under a coach who prides himself on refining raw talent. He won’t blow past anyone, but he might carve out a role faster than people expect, especially in a Denver WR room that still feels unsettled. Don’t be shocked if he ends up sticking.
Draft Range
Superflex: 4th
Standard: 4th
Verdict:
Unsexy but useful. Payton hand-picked him for a reason, and Bryant’s football IQ might earn him meaningful snaps before the fantasy world catches on.
Jaylin Noel – 3.79 | Houston Texans
Sneaky-good situation here, but a room that got crowded quickly. The Texans double-dipped at WR, grabbing Noel’s college teammate at 34 overall and swinging back for him later in the third. That’s a clear signal: they’re building a versatile, explosive receiver room around Stroud — and they want chemistry built in.
Noel’s ceiling is capped without an injury ahead of him, but his skill set offers something unique: juice. He can rip off chunk plays and make the most of limited snaps. Don’t be surprised if he has a random WR2 week early in the season, causing everyone to run to the wire or regret passing on him in Round 4.
Draft Range
Superflex: 4th
Standard: 4th
Verdict:
Explosive depth piece with chemistry built in. The path to volume isn’t clean, but the spike week potential and ascending offense give Noel some juicy upside in deeper formats.
Kaleb Johnson – 3.83 | Pittsburgh Steelers
This is the kind of landing spot that launches a Round 3 pick into the late first round of rookie drafts. Kaleb Johnson didn’t just need draft capital — he needed a team ready to commit. Enter the Steelers. With Arthur Smith at OC and Mike Tomlin doing his thing (feeding one dude 20+ touches a game), Johnson is walking into a real opportunity.
Jaylen Warren is still around, but he’s a change-of-pace guy. Johnson? He’s built for volume. Power and no-nonsense decision-making that fits the Steelers’ identity like a glove. If they trust him early, we could be looking at one of the biggest risers in this entire class.
Draft Range
Superflex: 1.09 - 2.01
Standard: 1.08 - 1.12
Verdict:
Prime volume trapdoor. If he wins the job, he smashes. Kaleb just became the dark horse RB1 candidate nobody saw coming — until now.
Savion Williams – 3.87 | Green Bay Packers
This one raised eyebrows. Savion was mostly seen as a gadget-type prospect, not someone expected to go this high. But the Packers saw enough to spend Day 2 capital, and now he’s officially on the fantasy radar. The only problem? That radar is cluttered.
Green Bay already has a packed receiver room with young talent across the board, and there’s no clear path for Williams to earn consistent volume. He’ll get schemed touches, maybe even a highlight or two, but banking on anything beyond that feels like a reach.
Draft Range
Superflex: 4th - Undrafted
Standard: 4th - Undrafted
Verdict:
Fun player, tricky situation. Williams might pop for a big play now and then, but without a defined role, he’s more DFS dart than dynasty staple.
Jalen Milroe – 3.92 | Seattle Seahawks
Now this is a wildcard. Milroe landing in Seattle behind Sam Darnold might not spark immediate buzz but make no mistake — the upside is outrageous. This is the kind of talent you build an offense around. We’re talking rare tools, game-breaking mobility, and a cannon for an arm. If it works? We’re talking Lamar-level fantasy cheat code. If not? Trey Lance, chapter two.
Seattle feels like a soft landing spot — low pressure, good infrastructure, and a coaching staff that could get creative. The odds are long, but the reward is massive. In Superflex leagues, this is the kind of lotto ticket that wins you titles if it cashes.
Draft Range
Superflex: Late 2nd - Early 3rd
Standard: 4th - Undrafted
Verdict:
Boom-or-bust QB weapon. Milroe could flame out... or break fantasy. In Superflex? You have to take the shot.
Dillon Gabriel – 3.94 | Cleveland Browns
Just when you thought it was finally Shedeur time… boom, Dillon Gabriel sneaks in and steals the card. This one screams “culture fit” over ceiling — the kind of pick that makes NFL coaches nod solemnly while fantasy managers slam their keyboards.
Gabriel’s game is steady, not electric. He’s smart, efficient, and experienced — a clipboard QB who might float around the league for a decade without becoming relevant in your starting lineup. In Superflex leagues, he’s a warm body. In Standard leagues, he’s a warm waiver.
Draft Range
Superflex: 4th
Standard: Undrafted
Verdict:
Backup with job security vibes. Gabriel’s path to fantasy production is paved with injuries, coaching politics, and probably some prayers. Hard pass unless you’re in a 14-team Superflex.
Round 4-7 Coming Soon…..
