The 2025 NFL Draft produced its fair proportion of storylines, as loads of offensive superstars entered the league trying to make a reputation for themselves. From Cam Ward at first general, to Travis Hunter being a shock trade-up for the Jacksonville Jaguars, to Ashton Jeanty donning the black and silver, there may be loads of pleasure for each the 2025 NFL and fantasy soccer seasons.
However storylines don’t win fantasy soccer championships. Let’s check out the rookie-year roles for the core working backs, huge receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends to provide you an early have a look at which gamers you must (and shouldn’t goal) in your fantasy soccer drafts.
Any mentions of common draft place (ADP) refers back to the 2025 Sleeper ADP rankings.
Working Backs
Ashton Jeanty – RB
Las Vegas Raiders
It’s undoubtedly that Jeanty might be in rivalry to be the primary rookie drafted in a variety of drafts this season. Competing with Hunter for that prime spot, Jeanty has no actual competitors within the backfield for the Las Vegas Raiders.
With Zamir White and Raheem Mostert the opposite names that seemingly will see work, Jeanty will instantly turn out to be RB1 for the Raiders. Nevertheless, whilst you could also be tempted to worth Jeanty as a first-round choose in your fantasy soccer drafts, you must pump the brakes on his inventory, at the least for one season.
Whereas the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs all recorded top-10 finishes at RB of their inaugural seasons, the flip facet is the primary years that De’Von Achane (RB24), Josh Jacobs (RB21), and Kenneth Walker III (RB18) put up. Evaluating Jeanty to a few of these backs is not honest, however the level stays; you possibly can elevate Jeanty’s draft inventory into even an early second rounder, however tread evenly if placing him into round-one conversations.
Prediction: Jeanty is as marketed, as he scores double-digit touchdowns and racks up 1,000 all-purpose yards on his technique to being a high-end RB2 in 2025.
Omarion Hampton – RB
Los Angeles Chargers
Preventing with Najee Harris (and probably JK Dobbins too) cloudies the rookie marketing campaign for Omarion Hamption. Whereas the Los Angeles Chargers used their first-round choice on the North Carolina working again, he isn’t the clear clubhouse chief like Jeanty is.
Working with a run-focused offensive assault offers Hampton with a stronger flooring than others in a two-RB secure, however Harris is bruiser that hardly ever offers with accidents, not portray an optimistic image for Hampton’s first season. Don’t be afraid to seize him within the center rounds, nevertheless it may be a slower begin to the season than you’d like.
Hampton’s assumption into the RB1 function doesn’t occur in 2025, as he fills the sideshow function behind Najee Harris; whereas nonetheless dashing for 400 yards and three scores, his rookie season is quieter than hoped.
TreVeyon Henderson – RB
New England Patriots
It was a little bit of a shock to see the New England Patriots take a working again so excessive, particularly after signing Rhamondre Stevenson to a four-year extension. However they thought very extremely of TreVeyon Henderson, who will compete with Stevenson and Antonio Gibson for a backfield function.
Henderson is the most suitable choice of the three, as he’s a multi-faceted RB with potential to assist out in all three areas of the offense. He’s a powerful runner with the soccer, bodily on the level of assault however fluid sufficient to make defenders miss; his pass-catching talents (77 receptions in 4 seasons) fall underneath the radar however he has mushy fingers and presents a mismatch for linebackers; however most significantly, his pass-blocking acumen will assist him see the sphere early on, as he often would stonewall a blitzer in his tracks, serving to maintain his QB upright.
Henderson is the complete bundle and a fantastic match for the Patriots offense, it simply may take a bit to have the pecking order discovered in Foxborough.
Henderson comes out of the gate slowly however ultimately jumps Stevenson on the depth chart; the OSU rookie assumes the RB1 after the bye week, discovering the tip zone six occasions in whole in 2025.
Quinshon Judkins – RB
Cleveland Browns
The inheritor to the throne as soon as held by Nick Chubb, Quinshon Judkins, doesn’t have to maneuver far for his NFL workforce. After pairing up with Henderson in a 1-2 combo with the Ohio State Buckeyes, Judkins has his eyes on a clear backfield with the Cleveland Browns.
Judkins was the second of the 2 OSU backs drafted, however profiles as the higher prospect, as he’s extra of a bodily risk. Having recorded double-digit dashing touchdowns in every of his three collegiate seasons, Judkins is the primary man for the Browns, with Jerome Ford and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson the depth behind him. Anticipate an enormous yr for Judkins, who may threaten Jeanty for the top-producing rookie again in 2025.
Judkins is precisely what the Browns wanted for his or her backfield, dashing for over 1,000 yards and discovering the tip zone eight whole occasions (two receiving), ending because the second-best rookie RB in 2025.
Kaleb Johnson – RB
Pittsburgh Steelers
With Najee Harris now not within the fold, it falls to rookie Kaleb Johnson to pair with Jayeln Warren. Johnson is a multi-dimensional runner who didn’t get a large probability to showcase his passing-game talents at Iowa.
Most of Johnson’s tape exhibits his working talents between the tackles, which paints an image of a bodily working again not afraid to run you over. That bodily fashion will translate extraordinarily effectively for Mike Tomlin and Arthur Smith, so search for Johnson to play the 1B function alongside Warren in his rookie marketing campaign.
Johnson performs second fiddle to Warren, failing to construct off of his pre-draft hype, however nonetheless is an every-week FLEX possibility, simply with a decrease ceiling.
RJ Harvey – RB
Denver Broncos
The ultimate RB underneath the microscope on this 2025 preview is RJ Harvey, who fell into a fantastic spot with the Denver Broncos. Sean Payton appeared extremely sad along with his RB group final yr, with Jaleel McLaughlin, Audric Estime, and Javonte Williams incomes appreciable burn.
However with Williams out of the image, Harvey joins the get together as Payton’s first hand-picked again. Harvey has the abilities to exceed among the names forward of him on this listing, simply primarily based on his function in an above-average offense. Needing so as to add a stable dashing risk to assist Bo Nix, Harvey may very effectively be the steal of this RB rookie class.
Harvey takes maintain of the RB1 function in Denver, incomes 160+ carries, racking up 900 whole yards, and filling the function of an RB2.
Large Receivers
Travis Hunter – WR/CB
Jacksonville Jaguars
The 2-way famous person landed in most likely one of the best location attainable, as Travis Hunter will get to line up reverse Brian Thomas Jr. and catch passes from Trevor Lawrence. Whereas the dialog of how a lot time Hunter will see defensively, conversations to date present that he’ll focally be a receiver, nice information for brand spanking new head coach Liam Coen.
Final yr, the highest wideout drafted (Marvin Harrison Jr.) failed to fulfill the excessive ranges the fantasy soccer group anticipated from him, so expectations might must be tempered a bit for Hunter. However don’t let that steer you away from drafting him, as his ceiling is the very best of all rookie WRs of their first season.
Hunter kinds a stable pairing with Thomas, racking up 65 catches for 850+ yards and 6 TDs, enjoying offense on greater than 80 p.c of his snaps.
Tetairoa McMillan – WR
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Younger lastly has his WR1, as Tetairoa McMillan fills a obtrusive gap on offense for the Carolina Panthers. Rebuilding the offense has had its fair proportion of bumps within the highway, however head coach Dave Canales seems to be prepared to assist this unit take one other step ahead.
McMillan is an enormous title and sure will see an inflated ADP due to it, however you may need to steer away from the Arizona Wildcat product, because the Carolina offense seemingly might be a unit to not closely put money into.
McMillan turns into Younger’s favourite goal, incomes 65 receptions, over 900 receiving yards, and 6 TDs, on his technique to a powerful rookie season.
Emeka Egbuka – WR
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It’s an unlucky touchdown spot, fantasy football-wise, for Emeka Egbuka, as the previous Buckeye wideout has no clear path to a sustained goal share with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With Mike Evans and Chris Godwin each nonetheless within the fold, Egbuka might be combating Jalen McMillan for snaps and targets, despite the fact that Egbuka is the higher expertise.
The ages of each Evans (31) and Godwin (29) present reasoning for why GM Jason Licht and his scouting division chosen Egbuka, however his fantasy inventory in his rookie season is tough to really feel optimistic about.
Egbuka takes a backseat in his rookie marketing campaign, struggling to make a dent on the depth chart – the previous OSU prospect fails to his 35 receptions or 400 yards.
Matthew Golden – WR
Inexperienced Bay Packers
With the kind of high-powered offense the Inexperienced Bay Packers run, you’ll suppose that at the least one in every of their receivers could be a fantasy-relevant goal, however that’s but to be seen frequently. The hope is that Matthew Golden helps change that narrative, as the previous Texas Longhorn has velocity for days, hopefully positioning him to turn out to be Jordan Love’s prime goal.
Preventing Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, and Dontayvion Wicks proper out of the gate for snaps, Golden may need a growth/bust first season within the NFL. These gamers are robust to belief in your fantasy soccer rosters, however his ceiling alone and what offense he is part of what offers him worth you can contemplate later in your drafts, as he’s in an ideal place to hit on the growth a part of issues.
Associated InformationArticle continues beneath
Golden turns into the lacking hyperlink within the Inexperienced Bay offense, changing into the deep risk Love wants – he hauls in six touchdowns and over 50 receptions on the yr, ending the yr in WR2 territory in fantasy soccer.
Tre Harris – WR
Los Angeles Chargers
It’s secure to say that the passing assault for the Los Angeles Chargers ought to tackle a bigger significance this season – ought to. Final yr’s breakout rookie Ladd McConkey and middling first-rounder Quentin Johnston are actually joined by Ole Miss rookie Tre Harris to type a stable trio of targets for Justin Herbert.
The dashing assault, with Hampton and Tre Harris, will nonetheless seemingly be the focal technique of transferring the soccer for the Chargers offense, however the passing assault ought to take a step ahead in 2025. Herbert was robust to belief final season due to the run-heavy assault, however Tre Harris will hopefully carve out a secondary function that makes him a related possibility in his first season.
Tre Harris earns the WR2 on the depth chart however struggles to make an impression resulting from a run-focused method, racking up over 400 yards and 4 TDs.
Jayden Higgins – WR
Houston Texans
The depth chart behind Nico Collins is fairly questionable for the Houston Texans, which is smart why they added each Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel from Iowa State. Higgins is the higher prospect of the 2, as he did obtain greater draft capital.
Even after including Christian Kirk, Higgins ought to have the within observe to take over because the WR2 in Houston’s offense. Whereas many within the fantasy soccer group know Higgins, his workload and stat line may shock a number of when wanting again after the season wraps up.
Higgins begins the yr because the WR3 however turns into a trusted goal for Stroud, going for 350 receiving yards and a number of scores.
Quarterbacks
Cam Ward – QB
Tennessee Titans
The beginning quarterback job for the Tennessee Titans is being handed to Cam Ward proper out of the gate, full cease. Any type of Will Levis discuss received’t final and may solely be seen as coach communicate as offseason work begins.
With that being stated, the Titans offense is missing in expertise. Whereas the two-headed backfield of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears stays, as does WR1 Calvin Ridley, rolling Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson, Treylon Burks and rookie Elic Ayomanor out at wideout doesn’t do sufficient to excite.
It’s going to seemingly be a tough begin to his NFL profession, however Ward ought to be capable of flip issues across the extra he will get snug. For those who want an additional QB or a bye week fill-in, Ward can completely fill that function in your roster – simply not as an every-week starter.
Ward struggles out of the gate however rounds right into a serviceable QB to finish the season, throwing for 20 TDs and 15 INTs.
Tyler Shough
New Orleans Saints
With Jaxson Dart seemingly utilizing 2025 as a redshirt season with each Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston incomes snaps, Tyler Shough turns into the subsequent likeliest rookie QB to earn vital enjoying time this season. Derek Carr has determined to retire, leaving Shough and second-year incumbent Spencer Rattler as the 2 combating for the beginning job.
Shough’s age (25) means he completely has to hit the bottom working if he needs an opportunity on the beginning job. Even when he does earn the QB1 function for Kellen Moore, exterior of Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave, the New Orleans offense doesn’t have a ton of expertise on it. It’s robust to belief many items on this offense, so keep away.
Shough earns the nod (over Rattler) in a bridge yr for the Saints, however struggles, throwing double-digit INTs earlier than giving technique to Rattler to shut out the season.
Tight Ends
Colston Loveland – TE
Chicago Bears
It’s clear that the Chicago Bears had been prioritizing offensive firepower of their 2025 NFL Draft class, and Colston Loveland helped kick that off for them within the first spherical. Seen as a 1A/1B dialog between Loveland and Tyler Warren, the previous Michigan Wolverine received out, as his route-running talents leap off the web page.
Loveland will be part of Cole Kmet within the tight finish room for the Bears, which muddies the shares of each gamers. Nevertheless, it’s clear that Ben Johnson has a plan for Loveland, so it will be the safer guess to imagine the top-10 choose might be featured closely within the offense.
Loveland makes a reputation for himself within the offense, changing into Caleb Williams’ favourite red-zone goal, catching five-plus TDs.
Tyler Warren – TE
Indianapolis Colts
For a lot too lengthy, the tight finish place has been a black gap for the Indianapolis Colts – hopefully Warren might be the rationale that dialog is put to mattress. The Penn State TE could be a Swiss Military Knife for the Colts, as he spent loads of time receiving handoffs and underneath heart in school, which might flip into stable fantasy soccer manufacturing.
The QB debacle between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones makes any predictions concerning the Colts offense robust, however Warren’s expertise ought to assist him be hyper-targeted in passing conditions. Plus, if the QB scenario turns into the workforce enjoying from behind usually, that will assist give Warren a safer flooring of passing-game work.
Warren exhibits he’s QB-proof, as he leads all rookie tight ends in receptions, receiving yards, and whole TDs, on his technique to a top-six general end on the TE place.
Mason Taylor – TE
New York Jets
As the primary of three tight ends drafted within the second spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft, Mason Taylor finds himself in one of many higher fantasy soccer conditions, with the New York Jets. Garrett Wilson is the one solidified goal for Justin Fields, giving Taylor a fantastic shot at having an impactful begin to his profession.
Malachi Corley, Xavier Gipson, Josh Reynolds, and rookie Arian Smith are anticipated to issue into the passing sport for the Jets, and none of those names are tremendous thrilling. Taylor’s dad, former Miami Dolphins legend Jason Taylor, has a fantastic shot at holding an necessary function for the Jets, and he may very effectively turn out to be the third-best TE on this yr’s class and have a protracted profession.
Taylor has a sluggish acclimation course of however turns into Fields’ security valve to finish the season, incomes 50-plus targets and 35-plus catches.