10 Best Fantasy Football Rookies to Draft This Year

Michael Fabiano | Aug 23, 2025

Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty will be the first rookie selected in the majority of 2025 fantasy football drafts. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

First-year players (rookies) have become far more valuable in the world of fantasy football in recent seasons. That trend continued last year with the likes of Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Bucky Irving, Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers (among others) putting up monster totals. If you pick the right rookies, you could have a huge advantage.

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So, which Year 1 players might follow in footsteps of those five stars and put up monster numbers not only for their respective NFL teams, but for fantasy managers as well? Here’s a list of my top 10 rookies to target in draft (with FantasyPros ADP).

Best Fantasy Football Rookie Deep Sleepers

1. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders (ADP – 12): Jeanty is going to be a first-round pick in most seasonal leagues, as he projects to be a three-down fantasy workhorse in his rookie year. A versatile back with the tools to be a true featured back at the NFL level, Jeanty has a pretty high ceiling as the new centerpiece of the Raiders backfield.

2. Omarion Hampton, RB, Chargers (ADP – 40): Hampton’s stock is on the rise with the status of Najee Harris (eye) in question for the start of the season. He’s a big, bruising back who can also catch the ball out of the backfield, making Hampton a great fit for the run-based offense of coordinator Greg Roman. He has RB1 upside.

3. RJ Harvey, RB, Broncos (ADP – 66): Harvey, a second-round pick of the Broncos, figures to be a prominent player in a backfield committee with J.K. Dobbins. While that might hurt his ceiling a bit, keep in mind that two backs have found success in past seasons under the watch of coach Sean Payton. Harvey will be drafted as a RB3/flex.

4. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Panthers (ADP – 60): McMillan was the top true wide receiver prospect in the 2025 class, and he projects to be the new alpha wideout in the Carolina pass attack. A big, physical target at 6-foot-5 and 212 pounds, McMillan will be a popular target for Bryce Young all over the field. Draft him as a WR3/flex.

5. Travis Hunter, WR, Jaguars (ADP – 69): Hunter is maybe the most intriguing prospect ever, as he projects to play both wide receiver and cornerback. That hurts his fantasy stock a bit though, as managers must wonder if Hunter can play both ways full-time. His talent is obvious, so look for the rookie to be picked as a WR3/flex starter.

6. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers (ADP – 104): Egbuka has been the talk of Tampa’s training camp, as he’s earned praise from coaches and Baker Mayfield alike. With Chris Godwin’s status up in the air for the start of the season and Jalen McMillan expected to miss several weeks with a neck injury, Egbuka could play a big role in the offense right out of the gate. Draft him as a WR3 with upside.

7. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Patriots (ADP – 51): Henderson has gained rave reviews in camp, most notably for his skills as a pass catcher out of the backfield. That makes him an interesting fantasy prospect, though he’ll have to share the workload with Rhamondre Stevenson. Still, Henderson has standalone flex potential.

8. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Steelers (ADP – 76): Johnson is a big back at 6-foot-1 and 224 pounds, and he projects to fill the role Najee Harris vacated when he left for Hollywood. I have him ranked behind Jaylen Warren due to questions about his pass protection, but the rookie should still see enough work to be fantasy viable.

9. Quinshon Judkins, RB, Browns (ADP – 92): Judkins’ stock had fallen after an ugly off-field incident that has kept him from signing with the Browns. Once he does join the team, the second-round pick should have every chance to earn the starting role ahead of Jerome Ford. Judkins is a major risk-reward pick for fantasy fans.

10. Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Commanders (ADP – 223): Croskey-Merritt has come out of nowhere to have a shot to start for the Commanders. He's been so good that the team has moved away from Brian Robinson Jr., and the rookie is now in my top 40 running backs. He'll likely still be in a committee, but this kid's rising.

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