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 plug-and-play rookies who should have immediate roles on their respective teams. These guys won't come cheap in your drafts, but their upside makes them worth the cost.
RELATED: See NFL Rookies Worth Keeping An Eye On This Preseason 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 Who Could Make Immediate Impacts
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
After being selected sixth overall by the Raiders, Ashton Jeanty joins a list of just six running backs drafted inside the top 10 over the last decade. All of those running backs quickly became top-five fantasy options. With Pete Carroll at head coach and Chip Kelly at offensive coordinator, it's evident the Raiders will install an offense that focuses on a stout run game and read-option. The coaches are aligned philosophically, and a three-down back has been a constant for both. The other running backs in the current Raiders room hardly qualify as competition for Jeanty. Expect him to get an immediate workhorse role right out of the gate. Jeanty is worth a first-round draft pick in fantasy leagues.
Here's a free preview of our Rookie Draft Guide
Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton was selected 22nd overall by the Chargers, joining Ashton Jeanty as the only other first-round running back in the Draft. Hampton is a prototypical NFL running back, possessing a massive frame and a punishing downhill tendency. He's also capable in the receiving game. For his rookie season, though, it's tough to get a read on what his usage will look like. Najee Harris will assuredly serve a larger role than a first-rounder's teammate typically sees. The two backs have very similar play styles. But Hampton possesses a speed through the secondary that Harris does not. The long-term outlook for Hampton in a Greg Roman offense is incredible. And even with competition in the backfield, he has the talent to carve out a valuable role.
RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
The Broncos drafted RJ Harvey late in Round 2, a relatively significant investment for the position. Sean Payton's offenses have typically featured a thunder-lightning approach. Think of Deuce McAllister and Mark Ingram II as the thunder, with Alvin Kamara, Darren Sproles, and Reggie Bush as the lightning. Harvey fits the archetype of the latter. He's a compact and fast runner who was second in NCAA breakaway run rate last year behind only Ashton Jeanty. He's a home run hitter who can be helpful in the passing game. The current depth chart will be easy for Harvey to climb. While his size could limit his upside, we've seen small backs flourish under Payton in the past. Harvey will likely be drafted in the fantasy RB2 range this year. His ceiling makes him worth the investment.
Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars made the most aggressive move of the 2025 Draft, trading from Pick 5 to 2 to select Travis Hunter. While Brian Thomas Jr. is the clear top receiving option, the rest of the target tree is wide open. In Liam Coen's Tampa Bay offense, Mike Evans ran a bit deeper. He gave Chris Godwin ample opportunity to create after the catch. Hunter and Thomas are both more versatile weapons. While Coen locked Evans and Godwin into their respective roles, he can now flip between Thomas and Hunter as the passing attack focal points. Hunter has the ceiling to break out in fantasy, even if it's as the second option behind Thomas. And be sure to check your league's scoring settings, where there could be extra points in leagues with IDP scoring.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
Quinshon Judkins was a Round 2 pick by the Browns and the third running back drafted overall. He joins an open backfield with Jerome Ford, Pierre Strong Jr, and fellow rookie Dylan Sampson, who was drafted in Round 4. Judkins should see the majority of the carries in Kevin Stefanski's offense this season. NFL teams don't typically spend top-40 draft capital on a player to put them in a timeshare. The quarterback uncertainty in Cleveland warrants some concern. And while there may not be much scoring going on in Cleveland this year, the projected volume alone should put Judkins in the top-30 fantasy running backs in 2025.
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots
TreVeyon Henderson was selected 38th overall by the Patriots, joining Rhamondre Stevenson. Because of Stevenson's presence, it's hard to picture Henderson in a workhorse role. Mike Vrabel and Josh McDaniels may return to their roots by employing a committee approach in the backfield. But Henderson's forte is in open space. And you can expect him to get the passing-down work. He possesses the breakaway speed to rip off chunk plays. While there could be some split usage in the backfield, Stevenson will probably get the low-value touches. Henderson's big-play abilities and pass-catching upside could be especially beneficial for fantasy football.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
McMillan drew coveted top-10 draft capital and will instantly step in as Carolina's No. 1 receiver. The parallels to Mike Evans, who posted one of his best career seasons under head coach Dave Canales, are easy to see. The Panthers have targeted big-bodied receivers to compensate for Bryce Young's size, with McMillan joining the towering duo of Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. Canales flips his receivers, with Coker, Legette, and Adam Thielen all seeing time in the slot and outside. McMillan can seamlessly fit into this scheme, sliding in as a power slot or a traditional X. Young's average pass last year went downfield at the sixth-highest depth. And McMillan can make plays on vertical balls in the air, a key element in this passing scheme.
Here's a free preview of our Rookie Draft Guide
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers selected Kaleb Johnson with their third-round pick, just their second selection after trading away a second-rounder for DK Metcalf. With similarities to both Derrick Henry and Tyler Allgeier, Johnson is a perfect fit for Arthur Smith's zone running scheme, which allows him to make reads, get downhill, and pick up speed in the second level of the defense. Johnson should be dropped right into the role Najee Harris vacated. But the outlook in an offense run by Aaron Rodgers, coupled with Johnson's speed, could set him up for an even higher ceiling.
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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.
