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.