Fantasy Football Today – Episode: FFT Dynasty - 2025 Rookie Class Breakdown: Sanders vs Ward, Jeanty, & More! (1/17)
Release Date: January 17, 2025
Hosts: Heath Cummings, Matt Cooper, Matthew Rupert
Guests: Matt Cooper (@CouchScoutsFF), Matthew Rupert (@MatthewRupertFF) from Couch Scouts Fantasy Football

Introduction

In the inaugural episode of the FFT Dynasty series, Heath Cummings welcomes Matt Cooper and Matthew Rupert from Couch Scouts Fantasy Football to dissect the highly anticipated 2025 rookie class. The discussion centers around key prospects, positional depth, draft strategies, and insights tailored for dynasty league enthusiasts aiming to elevate their teams.

Overview of the 2025 Rookie Class

Matthew Rupert opens the conversation by contrasting the 2025 class with the previous year's, highlighting a significant depth surge, especially at the running back (RB) position.

[07:05] Matthew Rupert: “I do think it's deeper and it's deeper in different ways... this year it's going to be much more deep in running back.”

Rupert emphasizes that while the elite tier may not be as pronounced as 2024, the overall depth provides managers with valuable options in the middle rounds, fostering robust team-building opportunities.

Evaluation Criteria and Undervalued Aspects

The duo delves into their scouting philosophy, stressing the importance of understanding how a player achieves success on the field rather than merely celebrating athletic prowess.

[08:18] Matthew Rupert: “You have to really look at and examine like how did they get to this win?”

This approach ensures that selected rookies possess skills and techniques that translate effectively to the NFL, providing sustained value in dynasty formats.

Position-Specific Analysis

Running Backs: A Top-Heavy and Deep Class

Matt Cooper and Matthew Rupert concur that the 2025 RB class is both top-heavy and deep, offering several high-potential picks beyond the first few slots.

[12:38] Matt Cooper: “It's a deep and top heavy running back class... Ashton Genti is going to be a full 10 points ahead of my RB1 in last year's class.”

Key Prospects:

• Ashton Genti: Seen as the premier RB prospect, Rupert justifies his top-tier ranking, especially if he lands with a team needing a workhorse back.

  [14:10] Matthew Rupert: “If he goes somewhere where I just don't like it, then I can see putting them outside the top five... But if he goes to a spot like Minnesota or the Cowboys, I can totally justify put them in the top five.”

• Omarion Hampton: Valued for his power and explosiveness.

  [15:19] Matt Cooper: “He sheds so many tackles. He's so much fun to watch... his run style... really fun to watch.”

• Cam Scatibo: Identified as a sleeper with strong contact balance and vision.

  [15:19] Matt Cooper: “Cam Scatibo out of Arizona State... really in love with what we saw.”

Quarterbacks: Limited Depth with High Stakes

The conversation pivots to quarterbacks (QBs), where depth remains scarce despite the high impact on dynasty teams.

[20:35] Matthew Rupert: “to me, it's still Cam Ward.”

Top QB Prospects:

• Cam Ward: Offers significant upside, especially if paired with a strong coaching staff.

  [21:12] Matthew Rupert: “He showed me the ability to do that... he has a lot of intriguing aspects to his game.”

• Shador Sanders: Viewed as a game manager with limited mobility and arm strength.

  [24:26] Matt Cooper: “Shador Sanders is not that mobile... he's kind of looking to escape to throw."

Other QBs like Jackson Dart show potential but are not deemed significant for most fantasy purposes.

Wide Receivers: Emerging Talent and Strategic Value

The WR class features several players poised to break into top dynasty rankings.

[26:36] Matt Cooper: “Travis Hunter, Ted McMillan, and Luther Burden all have a pretty good shot at that.”

Notable Wide Receivers:

• Travis Hunter: High-grade prospect with explosive play potential.
• Ted McMillan & Luther Burden: Dependent on landing spots but carry substantial upside.
• Isaiah Bond: Fast and explosive, could insert into top-tier with the right team.

Sleeper Picks:

• Jalen Noel (Iowa State): Praised for route-running and versatility.

  [30:12] Matt Cooper: “He plays bigger than he is... really like this game.”

• Kyron Lacey (LSU): Combines height and athleticism, offering deep route-running skills.

[31:05] Matt Cooper: “He's worthy of a top 10 pick in the NFL draft... he started playing wide receiver in 2022.”

Tight Ends: Awaiting the Next Brock Bowers

While the class lacks a Brock Bowers equivalent, top TE prospects present solid value.

[32:09] Matthew Rupert: “the top two guys, Colson Loveland from Michigan and Tower Warren from Penn State... really need to reload our rosters.”

Key Tight Ends:

• Colston Loveland (Michigan): Exceptional route runner with contested catch capabilities.
• Tower Warren (Penn State): Versatile with skills akin to T.J. Hockenson.

Roster Building and Draft Strategies

Heath Cummings and his guests discuss optimal timing and methods for integrating rookies into new dynasty leagues.

[35:06] Matthew Rupert: “I want to do the rookie draft like literally the next day after the actual NFL draft wraps up.”

Matt Cooper suggests innovative approaches like using kicker slots as placeholders to add flexibility in rookie trading.

[36:05] Matt Cooper: “If you wanted to take a rookie pick, you would take a kicker as a placeholder... it creates some fun because you can trade up and down later in the rookie draft.”

Trade and League Dynamics

The episode addresses trade strategies tailored to team competitiveness, distinguishing between contenders and rebuilders.

[39:30] Matthew Rupert: “If you're a contender, then maybe someone like a TJ Hawkinson... If you're a rebuilder, I would be looking for a top 15 pick.”

Discussions include evaluating player value based on team strategy, and how to leverage high-potential rookies in trades.

Viewer Questions and Mailbag

Heath engages with audience queries, offering personalized advice on topics like:

• Rookie Draft Timing: Preferences for linear vs. snake drafts based on league objectives.

• Player Trades: Evaluating when to trade seasoned players like Marvin Harrison Jr. or A.J. Brown for future assets.

  [45:06] James in D.C.: "Would you just take Genty or consider McMillan with the first pick?"

Heath advises prioritizing generational talents like Ashton Genti for immediate impact over depth options.

Conclusion and Additional Resources

The episode wraps with Matt Cooper promoting Couch Scouts' resources, including their website, all 22 film room, rookie guides, bonus podcasts, and a free Discord community for ongoing support and discussions.

[38:04] Matt Cooper: “We have a free discord... it'd be a good community.”

Heath encourages listeners to subscribe and engage with Couch Scouts to maximize their dynasty league success.

Notable Quotes

• Matthew Rupert [07:05]: “There’s a lot of guys that you can get in the third round of this draft or the back end of the second round that you're going to be very happy with.”

• Matt Cooper [12:38]: “It's a deep and top heavy running back class... Ashton Genti is going to be a full 10 points ahead of my RB1 in last year's class.”

• Matthew Rupert [08:18]: “You have to really look at and examine like how did they get to this win?”

• Matt Cooper [32:09]: “Somebody else, Jared McBride... I think tower Warren is a big play.”

Resources

• Couch Scouts Fantasy Football
  Website: couchscouts.com
  Discord: Link available in show notes
  Promotion: Use code FFT for 50% off annual packages (first 50 subscribers)

For dynasty managers looking to harness the depth of the 2025 rookie class and refine their draft strategies, this episode of Fantasy Football Today offers invaluable insights and actionable advice.