-
Matt Bowen
Now that we’re into the summer season months, let’s revisit the rookie class and get a leap on our fantasy football draft prep for the 2025 season.
The traits, the scheme suits, the potential utilization. There’s a lot to get into right here. Plus, after operating by way of mock drafts over the previous couple of weeks with our group at ESPN Fantasy, I am beginning to see how these rookies are seen when it comes to their draft worth and general upside.
For this train, the main target is on redraft codecs in 10-team PPR leagues, which is the usual setup at ESPN. Under, the highest 20 rookies are ranked, together with the rounds they need to be focused. And to complete up, there are a handful of extra names to think about for managers who play in 12-team leagues.
It is by no means too early to begin planning for the fantasy season. In spite of everything, we’re lower than 100 days from opening night time in Philly.
1. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
When to focus on him: Spherical 1 or 2
A difference-maker with house run capability and elite contact steadiness, Jeanty steps into the lead position within the Raiders’ backfield below offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. In his ultimate season at Boise State, Jeanty’s 2,601 dashing yards and 126 compelled missed tackles led the nation, and he ought to see constant utilization as a receiver on backfield releases. Given his high-end traits and the anticipated weekly quantity in Vegas, Jeanty is able to produce RB1 numbers as a rookie.
2. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
When to focus on him: Spherical 5
Hampton delivers physique punches at 6-foot, 221 kilos, and he can get rolling together with his pads sq. on a downhill observe. The lower-body energy is there to run by way of contact and push the pile, and he can reduce to sunlight when the partitions begin to shut. A succesful receiver who produced massive performs on screens and swings at North Carolina, Hampton can put up lower-end RB2 numbers this season in a backfield timeshare with Najee Harris.
3. RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
When to focus on him: Spherical 5 or 6
Harvey is decisive with the ball, utilizing his compact, 5-foot-8, 205-pound body and call steadiness to run by way of defenders. Plus, Harvey ran a 4.40 40-yard sprint on the mix. He is acquired some juice. And do not forget about coach Sean Payton’s capability to scheme for the operating again within the move sport. Harvey has the make-up of an RB2 in his rookie season.
4. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
When to focus on him: Spherical 5 or 6
Judkins is a bodily runner who can drop the hammer on contact together with his 221-pound body. In Cleveland’s system, Judkins can get north/south in hole schemes, plus he has the imaginative and prescient and lateral quickness to choose his lanes on zone ideas. He is constructed for the objective line, too, with the short-area burst to dart by way of cracks. Judkins ought to take over because the lead runner, which places him on a path to provide RB2 numbers.
5. Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
When to focus on him: Spherical 7
Hunter brings a real playmaking component to Liam Coen’s system. A sudden mover after the catch with electrical capability within the open subject, Hunter additionally has elite ball expertise and physique management on the catch level. Working reverse of Brian Thomas Jr., Hunter has the traits to raise the Jags’ offense. Whereas his complete snap depend on offense continues to be to be decided, Hunter suits as a WR3 who might produce some WR2 weeks together with his capability to flip the sector.
6. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
When to focus on him: Spherical 7
Extra clean than quick, McMillan can play as a boundary X in Carolina or create inside matchups from the slot. Along with his 6-4 body, he can play above the rim on contested throws, and he has a very good really feel for locating open voids versus zone ideas. McMillan will play a quantity position as a rookie, which creates a WR3 flooring.
7. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
When to focus on him: Spherical 8
At 6-1 and 224 kilos, with straight-line acceleration and imaginative and prescient, Johnson is a simple match for the surface zone scheme in Pittsburgh. He had 21 rushes of 20 or extra yards final season at Iowa, the second most within the nation behind Jeanty, and he can put up receiving numbers on swings, screens and unders. Johnson will share the backfield with Jaylen Warren, however the early-down quantity can push him into the RB2 ranks.
8. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots
When to focus on him: Spherical 8
A slasher with big-play juice and the pass-catching expertise to provide on third downs, Henderson will share the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson in New England. Henderson caught 46 passes over his ultimate two seasons at Ohio State, and he can function as a matchup goal for quarterback Drake Maye. With the anticipated quantity right here, Henderson has upside as a RB2/flex play this season.
9. Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
When to focus on him: Spherical 8
Along with his 4.29 velocity and ball-tracking capability, Golden brings a playmaking ability set to Matt LaFleur’s offense. Final season at Texas, Golden led the nation with 23 receptions of 20 or extra yards, plus he can work the beneath ranges of the route tree from a number of alignments. With Christian Watson nonetheless recovering from a knee harm, Golden can emerge rapidly as a goal for quarterback Jordan Love. Golden tasks as an upside WR3.
10. Cam Skattebo, RB, New York Giants
When to focus on him: Spherical 9 or 10
Skattebo can have a chance to maneuver previous Devin Singletary and tackle the No. 2 position within the Giants’ backfield behind starter Tyrone Tracy Jr. Skattebo makes up for his lack of top-end velocity with glorious contact steadiness and foot quickness to increase performs on the bottom. He additionally added 605 yards on 45 receptions at Arizona State final season. Skattebo can have fantasy worth as a rookie if he works his method into the rotation.
11. Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
When to focus on him: Spherical 10 or 11
At 6-6 and 248 kilos, Loveland makes use of his foot quickness and route-running expertise to work each a part of the sector, and he presents points for opposing defenses out of a slot alignment. Search for Ben Johnson to scheme matchups for Loveland, who suits as a fringe TE1 in Chicago’s upgraded offense.
12. Jack Bech, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
When to focus on him: Spherical 11
Bech is a savvy route runner with the energy to play by way of contact in any respect three ranges, and he can rip by way of tacklers after the catch. Bech will see targets because the third choice within the move sport reverse Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, however the Raiders’ run-heavy strategy might restrict his season totals.
13. Jaydon Blue, RB, Dallas Cowboys
When to focus on him: Spherical 11
The Cowboys signed veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders this offseason. Nonetheless, Blue’s 4.38 velocity and matchup capability as a receiver might permit him to see reps within the Dallas backfield. At 5-9 and 196 kilos, Blue is finest suited to press the ball to the perimeters as a runner, whereas he wins on backfield releases. He is a late-round goal with upside in PPR leagues.
14. Bhayshul Tuten, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
When to focus on him: Spherical 11 or 12
Drafted by the brand new teaching workers in Jacksonville, Tuten joins Travis Etienne Jr. and Tank Bigsby within the Jags’ operating again room. If Tuten can emerge in camp and create an outlined position, he’s a reputation to watch given his 4.32 velocity and residential run capability.
15. Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans
When to focus on him: Spherical 12
Higgins (6-4, 214 kilos) has the formation flexibility to play on the perimeter or align within the slot. He is a pure hands-catcher and shows the physique management to complete performs. Higgins additionally had eight crimson zone landing grabs final season at Iowa State. The Texans signed Christian Kirk in free company, and we all know Nico Collins is the highest goal. However with Tank Dell recovering from a knee harm, Higgins might work his method into the rotation in three-WR units.
16. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When to focus on him: Spherical 12
A receiver with inside/outdoors flexibility, Egbuka is a clean route runner who can get open and make himself out there to the quarterback. Plus, he’s aggressive after the catch. The early-season standing of Chris Godwin (ankle) might create extra alternative for Egbuka, however Mike Evans continues to be a premier goal in Tampa, whereas Jalen McMillan caught eight touchdowns as a rookie in 2024. This might restrict his quantity, however Egbuka continues to be value a late-round choose.
17. Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
When to focus on him: Spherical 13 or 14
A bodily and rugged mover who can work the center of the sector and produce after the catch, Warren can impression the Colts’ move sport from a wide range of presnap alignments. He might be focused as an beneath outlet and work the inside seams. Warren must be seen as a rock-solid dynasty choose, however the quarterback scenario in Indianapolis lowers his flooring in redraft codecs. Nonetheless, for those who wait on the place in drafts, or carry two tight ends, Warren is an upside play late as a result of his bodily profile.
18. Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears
When to focus on him: Spherical 13 or 14
Burden has upper-tier catch-and-run expertise and might be schemed up in Ben Johnson’s offense. Along with operating multilevel routes from the slot and perimeter, Burden can produce on screens and fly sweeps. He must compete for targets with DJ Moore, Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland, however he has the playmaking expertise to put up breakout weeks.
19. Tre Harris, WR, Los Angeles Chargers
When to focus on him: Spherical 14
Harris (6-2, 205 kilos) has the profile to play on the boundary as an X receiver. He’s a vertical glider on deep-ball throws, and he can win beneath on three-step ideas, utilizing his bodily play model after the catch to maneuver the chains. If Harris can transfer previous veteran Mike Williams, he’ll carry some late-round worth in drafts.
20. Woody Marks, RB, Houston Texans
When to focus on him: Spherical 14
Marks has the elusive capability to seek out openings in tight quarters, whereas making defenders miss in house. Nevertheless it’s his receiving expertise that put him on the fantasy radar because the potential No. 2 behind Joe Mixon. Marks, who caught 47 passes final season at USC, is value a late-round flier as an insurance coverage again for those who roster Mixon.
Targets for 12-team leagues
In the event you play in a 12-team format, listed here are extra rookies to placed on the fantasy radar this summer season as late-round additions.
Kyle Williams, WR, New England Patriots
Williams is a dynamic participant who brings some much-needed juice to New England. He can get excessive of defensive backs and is a fast accelerator beneath on catch-and-run throws. Sure, the Patriots have a crowded extensive receiver room, however Williams is definitely worth the late-round choose given his playmaking expertise.
Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns
Sampson is an instinctive runner who can emerge as a change-of-pace slasher in Cleveland. Regardless of his smaller body at 5-8 and 200 kilos, Sampson led the SEC with 22 touchdowns and is decisive close to the objective line. He might want to develop his route tree as a professional, however he might earn early touches in Cleveland behind Judkins and Jerome Ford. Maintain Sampson on the fantasy radar within the late rounds.
DJ Giddens, RB, Indianapolis Colts
A affected person and managed runner with professional dimension (6-foot, 212 kilos), Giddens makes use of his imaginative and prescient and lateral quickness to create in tight quarters. He must present extra energy on contact as a professional, however he has the traits to be a productive NFL runner. Giddens will carry late-round worth if he can win the No. 2 position behind Jonathan Taylor in Indy.
Pat Bryant, WR, Denver Broncos
A bodily, 6-2 receiver who can play by way of contact, Bryant is a excessive riser with big-time ball expertise from slot and perimeter alignments. He does not have elite top-end velocity, however he did catch 10 touchdowns final season at Illinois. Bryant can have late-round worth if he can win a job in camp, placing him within the combine to play a task as a slot goal in Sean Payton’s offense.
Jaylin Noel, WR, Houston Texans
Noel has the lateral quickness to beat press protection, and his play velocity jumps on crossers and over routes. Noel is a simple mover out of the slot who can create splash performs together with his separation capability. And within the Texans’ new offensive system, he’ll get extra free entry off the ball. Noel must earn reps and targets, however he has upside as a big-play choice within the move sport.