Rich Cooling advised steering clear of almost every Saint in season-long drafts. He pointed to three red flags: 1) an unsettled quarterback room that now includes Tyler Shough and Spencer Rattler, 2) a bottom-eight offensive line that already ranked 22nd in PFF grade last year and lost talent over the offseason, and 3) a complete coaching overhaul that leaves play-calling and scheme totally unknown. Cooling added that Kellen Moore’s history of pushing pace with the Chargers, Cowboys and Eagles might actually worsen protection issues, making it hard to generate a reliable rushing attack or sustain drives. He even floated Alvin Kamara’s freshly re-worked contract as a trade-deadline tell, making the veteran back an unnecessary risk at current ADP. In short, Cooling wants other managers to take the plunge whenever a Saint becomes the top player in the queue.

Rich Cooling likes the OVER on Breece Hall’s 5.5 rushing-touchdown line. Hall would have cleared the mark last season if Aaron Rodgers hadn’t monopolized red-zone passing, and Cooling believes Justin Fields’ mobility will create wider running lanes plus more red-zone rush attempts. Even in a committee, Hall’s big-play ability and an expected efficiency bump lead Cooling to project six or more rushing scores, making the over an attractive early offseason wager.

Rich Cooling endorsed Justin Fields at a QB14 draft cost, stressing that New York has already committed to him as a 17-game starter. Fields has averaged more than 18 fantasy points per start in each of the last three seasons, numbers Cooling expects to hold thanks to elite rushing volume in a Jets offense projected to lean heavily on the ground game. With no real threat behind him on the depth chart, Cooling sees a rock-solid floor and week-winning spikes, making Fields one of the best mid-round quarterback targets in both seasonal leagues and best ball.

Rich Cooling said he is happy scooping Cedric Tillman at WR61 in early drafts, calling it a cheap shot at outside-receiver upside. Cooling reminded listeners that Tillman posted a three-game run of top-12 fantasy finishes when Jameis Winston stepped in last season, proof the second-year wideout can spike even with questionable quarterback play. Because the Browns could be cycling through passers again, Cooling wants the 6-foot-3 contested-catch specialist who can win on jump balls and bail out erratic throws. At WR61 you are paying virtually nothing for a ceiling Tillman has already flashed, making him a late-round priority in best-ball tournaments and deep seasonal leagues.

Rich Cooling is buying Caleb Johnson at RB27, stressing that his viability hinges on who actually controls the Steelers’ offense. If Arthur Smith’s zone-heavy scheme (74 % zone run rate last year) wins out, Johnson slots perfectly into a line that grades better in run blocking than pass pro. Even if Rodgers overrides Smith, Cooling still sees PPR juice: Rodgers showed a high check-down rate with the Jets, and Mike Tomlin has a long history of turning short throws into fantasy gold (Najee Harris’s 74-catch season; Le’Veon Bell before him). Cooling concedes the Rodgers red-zone takeover could cap TDs, but he thinks Johnson’s long-run ability in outside-zone plus 50-reception upside at his price makes him one of the better mid-round swings.

Rich Cooling labeled DK Metcalf a screaming fade at WR23 after the Seahawk’s shock trade to Pittsburgh. Cooling noted Aaron Rodgers locks onto three concepts—slant/flat, slot fade, and back-shoulder comebacks—none of which play to Metcalf’s strength as a linear, down-the-field, outside-the-numbers weapon. He added that preseason chemistry videos mean little when Rodgers is already showing erosion: 23 interceptions over his last two seasons after posting just 22 in the previous five combined. With Rodgers expected to run a pass-first offense that stalls in the red zone (top-7 in attempts inside the 20 but league-bottom in efficiency with the Jets), Cooling believes Metcalf will struggle to command consistent volume and is wildly overpriced on what he calls a "bad, ceiling-less offense."

Rich Cooling called Tucker Kraft a slam-dunk pick at his current TE12 ADP, predicting he can jump into the elite tight-end tier. Kraft already led Green Bay with seven touchdown catches last year—just one fewer than George Kittle and three fewer than Mark Andrews—and paced all TEs with at least 50 targets in yards after the catch at 9.38 per reception. Cooling stressed that Kraft outplayed Luke Musgrave despite being drafted 60 spots later and believes Jordan Love clearly trusts him in high-leverage situations. Even if some of the big-play YAC regresses, the combination of red-zone usage, athleticism, and a vacancy atop Green Bay’s target totem pole makes Kraft a strong bet to beat cost in both redraft and best-ball formats.

Rich Cooling warned drafters off Anthony Richardson, citing brutally poor passing numbers. Richardson completed only 47.7% of his throws, making him one of just three quarterbacks since 2001 with 250-plus dropbacks and sub-50% accuracy—joining JaMarcus Russell (2009) and Tim Tebow (2011), neither of whom remained starters afterward. Cooling doubts there is a realistic path to Richardson reclaiming the job and prefers targeting Daniel Jones or simply fading the spot entirely in redraft formats.

Rich Cooling highlighted rookie Tyler Warren as the latest undervalued first-year tight end who can immediately matter in fantasy. Warren scored 20 touchdowns over the past two collegiate seasons and was regularly used in wildcat and short-yardage formations, skills Cooling thinks the Colts will tap after watching quarterback goal-line runs derail 2024. With Warren going off the board at TE11, Cooling sees multi-touchdown spike weeks well within his range of outcomes and recommended drafting him wherever managers punted the position.

Rich Cooling touted Khalil Shakir as a dependable WR3 for managers who loaded up on volatility elsewhere. Shakir averaged 12.2 PPR points per game in 2024, logged only three games below 10 points, and projects for a locked-in slot role that should yield 5–6 targets weekly in a Josh Allen led offense that finished top-two in passing DVOA. While Cooling concedes Shakir lacks true week-winning upside, he believes the floor and consistency are perfect for redraft rosters that already feature high-ceiling, low-stability options at other positions.

Rich Cooling advised treating Brock Purdy as a late-round quarterback who can finish inside the top five. Purdy has topped 3,800 passing yards and 8.5 yards per attempt in back-to-back seasons, added rushing production in 2024, and did it despite an injury-ravaged offensive line and stretches without Christian McCaffrey or his starting receivers. With all five linemen and the skill group returning healthy, Cooling believes Purdy’s efficiency can translate into elite fantasy totals, making him the ‘dart throw’ to stash if you wait on quarterback in 12-team redraft formats.

Rich Cooling urged managers to grab Marcus Mariota off waivers now, calling him "one of the 32 best quarterbacks" who should be starting somewhere. If rookie Jayden Daniels gets banged up, Mariota would step into Kliff Kingsbury’s up-tempo Washington offense and immediately offer 4–5 designed runs plus every drop-back, giving him an automatic QB2 floor with upside. Cooling thinks a four-week audition could triple Mariota’s value—either via mid-season trades for a second- or third-round pick or by earning a 2025 bridge-starter role for another team. Because his current cost is a zero-dollar FAAB bid or a throw-in piece, the risk-reward profile is nearly all upside.

Rich Cooling warned that selecting DeAndre Hopkins in the double-digit rounds of a startup—after you have already pushed all your chips in on older producers—actually hurts the win-now plan. Hopkins is a 32-year-old wideout entering a new system with target competition from Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews, making a 25-percent target share extremely unlikely. Cooling noted that if Hopkins fails to crack your starting lineup this season, he instantly becomes a droppable roster clogger with zero trade market next summer. Those late picks should instead be pointed at rookie swing types who can either appreciate in value or slide into lineup spots during the stretch run. Hopkins offers neither upside nor liquidity, so Cooling recommends passing unless you are getting him for literal throw-in value during the season when bye-weeks force start/sit desperation on another manager.

Rich Cooling said Tyrod Taylor is the exact type of quarterback he wants clogging the very last spot on a dynasty bench. Taylor is one injury away from inheriting every drop-back and short-yardage scramble in a Nathaniel Hackett offense that already propped up league-average QB2 numbers for Zach Wilson last year. Quarterback is a pure volume position—whoever starts will post fantasy points—so Cooling prefers rostering Taylor over a low-ceiling WR6. If Justin Fields were to miss time, Taylor would walk into 30+ attempts and 4–5 designed runs per game, immediately becoming a startable bye-week option or a flip candidate for a 2026 third-round rookie pick. Cooling’s larger point is that backup QBs with a clear path to starts are the most efficient use of churn spots because they either help you survive a multi-week injury or buy another future dart throw once they spike in value.

Rich Cooling advised dynasty managers not to panic about an ugly RB2 slot before Week 1 because veteran volume backs such as Alvin Kamara inevitably become cheap around mid-season. He pointed out that by Week 7 managers chasing wins are usually willing to unload Kamara for a single second-round pick. Kamara’s weekly workload (15-18 touches with passing-game involvement) keeps him in the RB12-RB16 window whenever he is active, and the Saints still lean on him at the goal line. Cooling’s plan is to ride replacement-level options early, then spend that second-rounder on Kamara once bye weeks hit and his current manager gets nervous about age or injuries, securing reliable production for the stretch run without tying up offseason capital.

Rich Cooling cautioned that contending rosters should trim volatility by moving high-ceiling but riskier assets like Jalen Waddle. Waddle’s value still bakes in his rookie-year top-10 finish, yet his week-to-week target share fluctuated dramatically in 2023 and the Dolphins remain one of the league’s most concentrated offenses around Tyreek Hill. Cooling prefers pivoting to steadier wideouts such as DeVonta Smith or Terry McLaurin—players with similar seasonal projections but narrower range-of-outcomes—while picking up an extra piece (second-rounder or usable depth) in the trade. The goal is to lock in reliable production during the playoff push rather than riding the roller-coaster of boom-bust profiles.

Rich Cooling advised dynasty rebuilders to exploit offseason apathy toward "stinky" veterans such as Travis Kelce. He has seen Kelce traded for as little as a third-round rookie pick simply because managers assume the tight end has only one year left. Cooling argues that acquiring a future Hall-of-Famer at that price is nearly zero-risk: if Kelce produces yet another top-three TE season, you either harvest elite points or resell him for a premium once contenders realize they need the weekly advantage. If the cliff finally arrives, you are out only a late asset and have merely extended the rebuild timeline by a few months. The key is taking calculated risks on discounted vets when other managers are desperate to get younger.

Rich Cooling called Geno Smith a screaming value at QB28 on DLF, noting that managers can acquire him for a mid-second in superflex formats. Smith just signed a fresh deal and enters a Chip Kelly offense loaded with weapons—Brock Bowers, Davante Adams, Jakobi Meyers—and an above-average run scheme that should keep defenses honest. Cooling believes the combination of scheme and talent locks Smith into top-24 fantasy production for at least the next two, and likely three, seasons. That profile makes him the perfect "bridge" QB3 for contenders who already roster a high-variance QB2 like Jordan Love or Michael Penix. Cooling’s rule of thumb is that any quarterback with three guaranteed starting seasons is worth a future 1st; since Smith costs half that, he views the move as a boring but championship-winning arbitrage play even though resale value will be minimal.

Rich Cooling said Michael Mayer is a no-brainer dynasty add wherever he is still cheap or even sitting on waivers in tight-end-premium leagues. Cooling argued that Mayer is quietly one of the Raiders’ three best pass-catchers and should see his route share climb in Chip Kelly’s 12-personnel scheme. He advised managers to track Mayer’s weekly snap rate: if it trends up, that is the signal to buy before the box-score catches up. The upside kicker is a possible in-season trade once Las Vegas confirms Brock Bowers as the focal point, giving Mayer a second path to a value spike. Cooling grabbed him immediately after inheriting an orphan and is comfortable paying any late 3rd-round rookie pick for a low-risk, high-upside stash who could triple in price with regular snaps.

Rich Cooling pushed back on the Mixon enthusiasm, listing three red flags. First, Mixon is still in a walking boot and skipped OTAs, raising the odds a minor ankle issue eats into his only guaranteed season of production. Second, Houston added Nick Chubb on a cheap deal and drafted receiving-specialist Woody Marks, two moves that could siphon early-down and pass-game snaps. Third, Mixon’s 2025 cap hit is $10.5M while the Texans can save $8.5M by cutting him—a likely scenario once extensions for Nico Collins, CJ Stroud and Will Anderson loom. Cooling compared price-adjacent backs—James Conner, David Montgomery, Aaron Jones, DAndre Swift, Tony Pollard, and especially Javonte Williams—arguing each carries less competition and similar or longer runway. He would rather flip Mixon for any of those RBs plus a sweetener, or avoid paying the mid-second outright.

Rich Cooling said dynasty managers should keep prying for Marvin Harrison Jr. even though the current holders will not discount him. Cooling argued the rookie stat line—62 catches, 885 yards and 8 TDs—was "pretty solid" given Arizona forced him to run pure X-receiver routes from day one. He expects a second-year leap because (1) Harrison has bulked up after getting "man-handled" early, (2) an entire offseason with Kyler Murray should iron out timing issues on comeback and dig routes, and (3) the coaching staff has already hinted they will add more crossers, posts and manufactured touches instead of only 90-degree breaks. Cooling thinks the combination of easier looks plus red-zone chemistry can push Harrison into the top-12, maybe top-8, wide-receiver range. He advised sending aggressive offers—multiple future firsts or an elite veteran WR—before camp clips of the new usage make him completely unattainable.

Rich Cooling advised dynasty managers—especially in Superflex—to capitalize on the gap between Patrick Mahomes’ actual worth and public perception. Cooling called the 2024 Chiefs passing corps a top-12 unit featuring Xavier Worthy (elite speed), Rashee Rice (zone-beating monster), Travis Kelce, and Hollywood Brown. That upgrade removes the two-high safety excuse that capped splash plays the past two years. From a pure value standpoint, Cooling places Mahomes at 88 of 100 on his trade chart, equivalent to three first-round picks plus a second. Yet Keep-Trade-Cut suggests a mid-first and mid-second are enough. Cooling noted that even if Mahomes only produces QB10-QB15 numbers for the next decade, the longevity and weekly floor justify paying that premium. He urged managers to ignore one-QB aggregated rankings and treat Mahomes as a unique, near irreplaceable Superflex asset—willing to give two firsts plus a young QB like Bryce Young or JJ McCarthy without hesitation.

Rich Cooling encouraged managers who are a step below the league favorites to trade for Chris Olave despite his concussion red flags. Cooling emphasized that Olave’s value has been "depleted" even though his range of outcomes still includes a top-five wide receiver season—he already owns a 28% target share and showed week-winning spike weeks in 2023. Because elite teams don’t need to gamble, Cooling said lesser contenders must lean into variance, and landing Olave at a WR2 price is the type of risk that can flip playoff odds without surrendering multiple first-round picks.

Rich Cooling advised dynasty managers in the "good-but-not-great" tier to acquire Jaylen Waddle while the market fixates on his two down seasons. Cooling noted Waddle’s first two years were “mind-blowing,” and if the 100th-percentile outcome hits—Miami leans even harder into the pass or Tyreek Hill misses time—Waddle’s proven efficiency (back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, 25% target share as a rookie) gives him a realistic path to a top-five WR finish. Because those same managers are unlikely to outgun loaded rosters by playing it safe, Cooling framed Waddle as a discounted swing that can actually move the championship needle.

Rich Cooling said second-tier contenders should kick the tires on Rashee Rice because his current dynasty price bakes in every bit of off-field and usage risk but almost none of the ceiling. Rice’s value has been "depleted" after the offseason headlines and uncertainty about how Kansas City will spread targets, yet Cooling reminded listeners the wideout already produced WR1 stretches as a rookie and would vault into the top-five conversation if he captures Patrick Mahomes’ undisputed WR1 role. For rosters that are one tier below the true juggernauts, Cooling argued the asymmetric payoff—top-five upside at a mid-WR3 acquisition cost—is worth embracing the suspension or volatility risk.

Rich Cooling highlighted Tyreek Hill as a rare opportunity to add elite production at a non-elite Dynasty price. Rookie fever has pushed Hill’s cost down to the point that some managers are willing to move him for a single future first plus a sweetener, despite the fact he just posted 1,799 yards and 12 TDs while leading the league in yards per route run (3.82). Cooling emphasized that nothing in Hill’s underlying profile suggests imminent decline—he is top-three in team target share (31%) and air-yard share (39%), and the Dolphins ranked first in neutral-situation pass EPA. He cautioned that this discount will evaporate once redraft season arrives and everyone realizes Hill is still a top-3 wideout in weekly rankings. Contenders should pounce now, locking in a 20-point-per-game WR1 without sacrificing a 2027 first-rounder.

Rich Cooling advised managers to hold Derrick Henry rather than dumping him for the going rate of a mid-to-late second-round rookie pick. Cooling pointed out that a second has only a 10-15% chance of producing multiple top-24 seasons, whereas Henry is still the clear lead back in Baltimore and a strong favorite to deliver top-24 RB production in 2025. Because contending dynasty teams are better off banking Henry’s likely weekly RB1/RB2 output than converting him into a low-probability rookie lottery ticket, Cooling warned that selling now would actually shorten the championship window for win-now rosters built around aging stars.

Rich Cooling advised managers to hold Derrick Henry rather than dumping him for the going rate of a mid-to-late second-round rookie pick. Cooling pointed out that a second has only a 10-15% chance of producing multiple top-24 seasons, whereas Henry is still the clear lead back in Baltimore and a strong favorite to deliver top-24 RB production in 2025. Because contending dynasty teams are better off banking Henry’s likely weekly RB1/RB2 output than converting him into a low-probability rookie lottery ticket, Cooling warned that selling now would actually shorten the championship window for win-now rosters built around aging stars.

Rich Cooling urged dynasty managers to pounce on Dak Prescott right now, calling his current QB19 ADP “absolutely insane.” Cooling argued that the offseason is always the softest point in the quarterback market because managers convince themselves they are set at the position until bye weeks and injuries hit in October. Prescott just led the NFL in touchdown passes and finished as a top-3 fantasy quarterback last season, yet managers are pricing him behind fringe QB2s. Cooling’s strategy for contending rosters is to roster four or five NFL starters before Week 1; once quarterbacks start going down, that depth becomes scarce and rival managers will pay premium prices. Buying Prescott now locks in a weekly starter for 2024 and gives you a chip you can flip later for extra first-round capital if you need flexibility.

Rich Cooling advised fading Jameson Williams at his current WR33, 88th-overall dynasty startup price. He expects Detroit’s target hierarchy to remain firmly anchored by Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam LaPorta, leaving Williams as the fourth option—and in a run-first attack. Cooling acknowledged the Lions schemed more crossers and RAC opportunities for Williams last year, but still sees a volatile deep-threat who will deliver only a handful of unpredictable spike weeks. Without an injury to St. Brown, the volume path to consistent WR2 numbers does not exist. Paying a top-100 pick for a flex-only boom-bust asset is too risky, so Cooling is opting out at cost.

Rich Cooling warned that Caleb Williams is priced at his fantasy ceiling in startups. Cooling does not see a path for Williams to join the Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, Jalen Hurts, or Jayden Daniels tier because the rookie lacks a top-end rushing profile. He cited Williams’ 28.2% pressure-to-sack rate as a fundamental pocket-awareness flaw that Ben Johnson will not fix overnight, and argued that if the Bears’ upgraded line and weaponry don’t lead to an immediate QB1 season, Williams’ market value could crash. Cooling would rather take Dak Prescott two rounds later for similar production security or swing on higher-ceiling bets like Kyler Murray or Jordan Love. Until Williams slips into the fourth round, Cooling is passing.

Rich Cooling could not fathom Dak Prescott falling to QB17 (39 overall) in Superflex startups. Prescott has averaged 20+ fantasy points per game in six straight seasons and remains tethered to Dallas through at least 2027 thanks to a $108 million dead-cap hit that makes him virtually uncuttable. That three-year runway of job security, plus an offense still anchored by CeeDee Lamb, allows drafters to open RB/WR heavy and scoop Prescott in the fourth round as a high-floor QB2—or even a back-end QB1—who rarely busts. Cooling emphasized how difficult it is for rookie quarterbacks to reach a second contract with their original team, making Prescott’s contractual stability and proven production an undervalued asset in dynasty startup rooms.

Rich Cooling identified RJ Harvey as the top remaining prospect on his board at 1.09 and pulled the trigger because the pick simultaneously shores up his paper-thin running-back room. He called it "the perfect situation where need aligns with value," noting Harvey’s upside to seize a workhorse role and the scarcity of backs with that kind of ceiling this late in the first round.

Rich Cooling called Quinshon Judkins a smash pick at 1.09 in his second rookie draft of the offseason, arguing the Ole Miss back should never fall out of the mid-first. Cooling explained that Richard Young going 1.06 created an unexpected value pocket, pushing Judkins three spots below where he had already graded him a tier above the rest of the board. Because his roster is flush at quarterback (Jalen Hurts and Patrick Mahomes) and tight end in a premium format (George Kittle, David Njoku, Evan Engram), Cooling said any running back with Judkins’ size, burst and three-down ceiling immediately upgrades both his weekly lineup and trade leverage. He noted that running back scarcity is amplified in dynasty superflex, making Judkins’ projected workhorse role and pass-game chops a potential league-winning swing for a team light on proven RB production. Cooling plans to chase veteran receivers later or on the trade market, confident that locking in Judkins here maximizes value while still keeping the roster competitive this season.

Rich Cooling grabbed Quinshon Judkins at 1.07, calling him "a tier above any other player left." The draft had followed chalk, letting Judkins fall into the late first where Cooling’s roster also happened to be light at running back. He highlighted Judkins’ size, burst and receiving chops as reasons the back can immediately boost both lineup production and trade value—making him the clear best player available and a perfect intersection of need and value.

Rich Cooling stayed true to his board and selected Cam Ward with the 1.02, even though he already rosters Drake Maye and Jordan Love. He has Hampton, McMillan and Ward in the same post-Jeanty tier but stressed that Superflex value is driven by quarterbacks. Ward gives him a third quality starter or a highly liquid trade chip. Cooling cautioned listeners not to pass on a top-tier quarterback for positional need because QB assets retain value better than any other position in dynasty.

Rich Cooling bypassed the safer Tet McMillan at 1.04 and drafted Travis Hunter because his rebuilding roster could afford to chase ceiling. Cooling believes Hunter owns true league-winning upside, projecting him to potentially finish as a top-12 dynasty wide receiver—an outcome he does not see for McMillan. If Hunter hits, Cooling can either build around him or flip him for a haul, dramatically accelerating the rebuild. The pick illustrates his philosophy that struggling teams should favor maximum upside over floor in the early first round.

Rich Cooling said he purposely traded back from the 1.02 to the 1.04 because his board grades Omarion Hampton and Tet McMillan almost identically. By moving down he picked up J.J. McCarthy and the 2.02, then still landed Hampton, the three-down running back his roster desperately lacked. Cooling expected the managers at 1.02 and 1.03 to chase quarterback and wide receiver, allowing Hampton to slide. He argued that in Superflex rookie drafts you can exploit that positional demand, add extra pieces, and still secure Hampton—whose scarcity at running back gives him more immediate lineup utility.

Rich Cooling selected tight end Terrance Ferguson at 2.12, passing on quarterback Shedeur Sanders even though he admitted the roster is "absolutely desperate" for a second signal-caller behind Josh Allen. Cooling said his draft board and personal rankings had Ferguson as the best remaining player, citing his "draft for talent, not need" philosophy—especially in a league with 0.5-point TE premium scoring. He noted that every manager declined his attempts to trade up for Tyler Shough in the previous five picks, confirming that league-mates were aware of his QB hunt. Cooling believes Ferguson adds depth to a decent tight-end room (Dallas Goedert, Cade Otton, Hunter Henry, Michael Mayer) and expects to pursue a quarterback through the trade market rather than reach for one here.

Rich Cooling advised taking wide receiver Jayden Higgins at the 1.13 spot of a 14-team superflex, 0.5-TE-premium dynasty rookie draft. He explained that his roster is already anchored by Josh Allen and several strong running backs but is thin at wide receiver, making Higgins the best immediate value on the board. Cooling had tried—and failed—to flip the pick straight up for a second quarterback or to trade back, indicating the QB market was frozen. Rather than force a need pick, he opted for Higgins, whom he ranked highest among the remaining players (ahead of Luther Burden, Howard Fanning, and Caleb Johnson) and labeled "the best talent on the board." Cooling plans to hunt for a quarterback via trade in the coming weeks, but believes Higgins offers the combination of talent and draft-slot value he could not pass up.

Placed at 1.04, Omarion Hampton drew praise for his explosion and ideal fit in Greg Roman’s run-heavy system. Cooling is unconcerned about Najee Harris, predicting Harris fades into a complementary role while Hampton grabs most of the early-down and goal-line touches by season’s end. The blend of Roman’s willingness to feed a bell-cow and Hampton’s big-play profile makes him Cooling’s favorite running back value after Jeanty.

Taken at 1.09, Harvey carries a scary floor, but Cooling trusts Sean Payton’s track record of squeezing RB1 seasons out of explosive, pass-catching runners. Harvey posted elite breakaway numbers in college and could seize the Broncos backfield if his vision translates. Cooling suggested dangling the pick for a future first; if no takers, Harvey is the home-run swing that could tilt titles.

Cooling called McWillen a textbook boundary alpha and plugged him in at 1.03. With Bryce Young lacking a true outside weapon, Cooling expects McWillen to command an immediate, high-volume role. He highlighted McWillen’s NFL-ready route tree and contested-catch chops, forecasting WR2 numbers as early as year one and long-term WR1 upside once Young settles into the new offense.

Rich Cooling said Ashton Jeanty is the lone five-star, 99th-percentile prospect in his entire rookie model. Despite what he called an "average" landing spot, Dentee received elite draft capital and profiles as a day-one workhorse who should score like an immediate RB1 in any dynasty format. Cooling labeled him the only true generational talent in this class and insisted managers should not overthink the 1.01—take Dentee and lock in year-one production plus long-term ceiling.

Cooling slotted Cam Ward at 1.02 in Superflex, pointing to the infrastructure Tennessee has quietly built around him. He projects Ward as an immediate back-end QB2 thanks to solid weapons and offensive line additions, while noting Ward’s rushing juice creates top-12 weekly upside. The Titans’ first-round investment and Cooling’s Superflex premium philosophy make Ward the safest non-Dentee pick in rookie drafts.

Although Tyler Warren sneaks inside Cooling’s top-12, he called the profile shaky. Anthony Richardson’s accuracy issues, the possibility that Shane Steichen is fired, and Warren’s questionable in-line blocking ability all threaten immediate snaps. Cooling warned that Warren may struggle to earn consistent routes, advising dynasty managers to trade out of the 1.11 if they cannot stomach a multiyear wait for production.

Courtland Loveland became Cooling’s TE1 and the 1.08 overall pick because he lands with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson— the same play-caller who unlocked Sam LaPorta. Cooling loves Loveland’s athletic profile and route-running polish, projecting immediate red-zone involvement and a fast path to top-6 dynasty tight-end status. He sees the Johnson scheme as a tiebreaker over every other rookie tight end.

Cooling slotted Travis Hunter at 1.05 but admitted he would take him as high as 1.02 if willing to gamble. The risk: Hunter may never become a full-time offensive player. The reward: his two-way athleticism and playmaking could turn him into a fantasy cheat code. Cooling advised managers to assess their roster’s tolerance for variance—contenders should pass, rebuilders should swing for Hunter’s league-winning upside.