Jayden Daniels. Drake Maye. Bo Nix. Malik Nabers. Brian Thomas Jr. Ladd McConkey. Brock Bowers. Bucky Irving.

Last year proved how the right NFL rookie could instantly tilt a fantasy football league in your favor. This 2025 class brings in fresh players we expect to make similar impacts. In this article, we'll discuss some of the guys who you can target late in your drafts who could possess league-winning upside.

RELATED: See NFL Rookies Who Will Make Immediate Impacts here.

All of these scouting reports have been pulled directly from our Rookie Draft Guide. Jeff Bell, Alfredo Brown, Mike Kashuba, and I released three versions this offseason: Post-Super Bowl, Post-Combine, and Post-Draft. This is a free guide for all of our premium subscribers loaded with scouting reports, fantasy impacts, stats, player comps, athletic measurables, and much more, covering over 130 incoming rookies.

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Rookies Worth Keeping An Eye On

Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans

The Titans selected Cam Ward with the first overall pick. All expectations are that Ward will start Week 1. He has just enough wiggle and grit to raise his floor and ceiling in fantasy with scrambling upside akin to Patrick Mahomes II or early-career Aaron Rodgers. He doesn't have the arm talent of those two future Hall of Famers, but he has the strength to force defenses to honor the deep ball. The pass-catching corps in Tennessee is a mix of veterans, rookies, and even familiar faces from college. Head coach Brian Callahan played a big hand in the development of Joe Burrow, and he hopes to recreate the magic with Ward. His rookie season could be bumpy as the Titans patch together their rebuild. Still, Ward’s athleticism and the allure of the unknown make him a worthwhile late-round flyer, especially in two-QB builds.

Here's a free preview of our Rookie Draft Guide

Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears

Luther Burden III joins a Bears offense now loaded with weapons under new offensive-minded head coach Ben Johnson. In 2024, Burden ran over 85% of his routes from the slot, so it's fair to assume that will be his natural home with the Bears. The good news is that Ben Johnson's offenses are known for heavily targeting slot receivers. His history includes Amon-Ra St. Brown in Detroit and Jarvis Landry and Danny Amendola in Miami. Despite an offense full of pass-catchers, this is an ideal landing spot for Burden to get schemed opportunities in space without drawing the toughest coverage from opposing defenses. Expect Burden to receive a good amount of touches behind the line of scrimmage and out of the backfield. His athleticism, combined with an improved offensive environment, sets him up for a high ceiling.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka snuck inside the top 20 of the NFL Draft, landing in a prolific Buccaneers passing offense. The big hurdle, of course, will be the current depth chart. Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are among the league's best receiver duos. Egbuka's landing spot is reminiscent of Rome Odunze in 2024 and Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023, where a very talented prospect landed in a crowded receiver room. The good news is that the Buccaneers deploy 3-WR sets at one of the league's highest rates. Egbuka profiles as the slot receiver, a role that could provide many targets. While short-term production may be inconsistent for Egbuka due to the crowded depth chart, he has the talent to make an impact. And an injury to a teammate could push him into a larger-than-expected role.

Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers

Golden landed coveted first-round draft capital, becoming the first wide receiver the Packers have taken in Round 1 since Javon Walker in 2002. The Packers operated primarily in base 3-WR sets, ranking 11th in the league in that personnel grouping. Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, and Romeo Doubs all saw between 76 and 72 targets, with Christian Watson's 53 the only other receiver over 20. Watson suffered a torn ACL in January, putting his 2025 season in question. Golden is the most qualified field stretcher in the wide receiver corps and has a path to immediate contributions. While each of the incumbent receivers has shown flashes, no one has established themselves as the top target. Golden's ceiling is the top receiving option in this rotation. Packers coach Matt LaFleur was the quarterback coach for a Washington team that featured Santana Moss as their leading receiver in 2010, and Golden has a similar playing style. Despite the depth at receiver, the Packers did not have anyone like Golden.

Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

The Bears drafted Colston Loveland tenth overall. The comparisons to the role Sam LaPorta rode to the top of tight end scoring rankings as a rookie in new Bears coach Ben Johnson's offense are easy to see. The Chicago target tree is crowded with Loveland and fellow rookie Luther Burden III joining D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Cole Kmet. Loveland's top-10 draft capital and versatile game should still make him an every-down player. When healthy, LaPorta has routinely played above a 90% snap share since the midway point of his rookie season. Johnson has experience integrating a rookie at the position, a significant boost for Loveland. Detroit ran 2-TE sets 37.2% of the time in 2024, the third-highest rate in the NFL. Expect Loveland to be on the field early and often as a rookie.

Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren earned elite draft capital for a tight end, going 15th to the Colts. Unfortunately, the passing offense in Indianapolis may cause headaches. Whether it's Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson Sr., the expectations for volume in Indianapolis will be minimal. Warren is a good enough athlete to have some exciting spike weeks, and Shane Steichen knew how to use tight ends well in Philadelphia. However, the lack of week-to-week consistency might frustrate fantasy managers. In the best-case scenario, Warren is a valuable piece in the development who could sneak into the top 10 tight ends for 2025. In the worst-case scenario, the rookie becomes a DFS target later in the season.

Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars

Bhayshul Tuten was selected early in Round 4 by the Jaguars. Unfortunately, he finds himself in a crowded backfield. There was some Day 2 buzz around Tuten after the NFL Combine, but with the depth at the running back position, he was pushed to pick 104. Neither Tank Bigsby nor Travis Etienne Jr. could hold on to the lead role for Jacksonville in 2024, and the Jaguars brought in new head coach Liam Coen. There will be a lot of parallels drawn between Tuten and 2024 rookie Bucky Irving, and Coen has shown that he's willing to give the ball to his most talented players. Tuten could be a massive riser throughout training camp. Until then, he's a dart throw in a committee.

Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants

Cam Skattebo was an early Round 4 selection for the Giants. Their backfield is one to monitor throughout the offseason. Tyrone Tracy Jr. enters as the incumbent back, and Devin Singletary is the only other back that Skattebo will have to compete with for a significant role. If he bypasses Singletary, Skattebo can, at worst, enter the season as a reliable backup for New York, and his skill set will complement Tracy's nicely. In that scenario, Skattebo will at least be a handcuff with upside for 2025. Given their different skill sets, there's a world where Tracy and Skattebo are the Walmart brand thunder-lightning duo that other teams often use. There's also a world where Tracy's fumble history can give Skattebo more opportunities as the season progresses.

Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers, WR

The Chargers selected Tre Harris in Round 2. There are questions about his versatility, as usage at Ole Miss was severely streamlined. He was vertical or in-breaking on 91.7% of his routes last year. Is Harris limited, or did his role dictate limited usage? It's tough to tell. Either way, the presence of Ladd McConkey gives the Chargers the luxury to slow-roll Harris's development if that's what's required. Harris is a phenomenal run blocker, and his contributions in that area should get him on the field immediately. Eager blocking will catch the eyes of Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman in camp. His fantasy relevance will hinge on his ability to overtake Quentin Johnston. But Harris has the size, athleticism, and ball skills to develop into Justin Herbert's secondary option.

Here's a free preview of our Rookie Draft Guide

Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans

Jayden Higgins was a priority second-round target for the Texans. He lands in a great spot alongside his lowa State teammate, Jaylin Noel. The Texans saw what life without Nico Collins looked like last year and decided never to let that happen again. They attacked the wide receiver position, and now Higgins is in a great spot to be the No. 2 option for C.J. Stroud heading into Year 3. With Collins' injury history and the lack of size among the rest of his teammates, Higgins will have a straightforward role early and is worth a late-round shot in fantasy leagues.

Kyle Williams, WR, New England Patriots

Williams was a surprise riser for some, being selected by the Patriots at the top of Round 3. There may not have been a better landing spot. The Patriots invested heavily in Stefon Diggs in free agency, but with his age-31 season approaching and coming off an ACL injury that ended his 2024 season, his return is a question. Mack Hollins was also added, but he’s known more for his blocking than receiving. The rest of the roster is the young core that Drake Maye played with in 2024, which lacked a true breakout performer. Josh McDaniels returns for his third stint as Patriots offensive coordinator, and smaller receivers specializing in route running have found the most success in his scheme. Williams has an opportunity to immediately establish himself as Maye's go-to receiver, returning tremendous value.

Jack Bech, WR, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders selected Jack Bech with their second-round pick. He walks into a wide-open pass-catching room with Brock Bowers, Jakobi Meyers, and not much else. Although the Raiders offense will likely go through Ashton Jeanty in 2025, Geno Smith will still drop back plenty. Bech fits the mold of a talented prospect in a high-volume situation, similar to Ladd McConkey last season. General Manager John Spytek was a part of the Buccaneers organization when they drafted Chris Godwin, whom Bech also compares favorably to. Head coach Pete Carroll also has a good history of drafting receivers early in the draft (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Golden Tate). Bech should be an immediate starter as a rookie and could see a significant role in this offense.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Jaydon Blue was a Day 3 selection for the Cowboys. The draft capital isn't flashy, but the landing spot will make him a name to know in 2025. Blue is one of the most explosive rushers in the draft, but his unreliable vision and lack of nuance between the tackles could limit his volume in the offense. What's good about the Cowboys' landing spot is that they don't have a pass-catching back on their roster. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders can be checkdown options, but Blue brings another element to this offense. His projected role and speed will cause unpredictable spike weeks and a nonexistent floor. He’s worth a late-round dart throw.

Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets

A significant offseason riser, Mason Taylor was drafted in Round 2 by the Jets. The Jets are desperate for a secondary pass-catcher behind Garrett Wilson. Allen Lazard is the current WR2. Jeremy Ruckert was listed as their starting tight end. And by default, Breece Hall would have likely been second in targets. There's a massive opportunity for the taking. However, new head coach Aaron Glenn is expected to implement a run-heavy approach with Justin Fields. And Fields' limitations as a passer and penchant for staying on his first read could limit the ceiling for secondary weapons. Still just 20 years old, Taylor has room for physical growth and mental development. He is obviously a risk, but worth considering, especially in two-TE builds.

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And check out a new episode of The Footballguys Fantasy Football Show, where Alfredo Brown and I discuss some of these players even more in-depth.