The 2025 NFL rookie class is loaded with talent, and a few first-year stars are already climbing fantasy football draft boards. Whether you're looking for an instant-impact RB, a sleeper WR, or a rookie QB with upside, grabbing the right rookies can be the edge that sets your team apart.
Below, we’ve highlighted 4 of the best fantasy football rookies to draft in 2025, complete with season-long stat projections from PrizePicks’ NFLSZN game — the no-draft, no-management fantasy game built for real money action.
Just pick your rookie projections, lock in your Lineup, and ride your takes all season long. Ready to build your fantasy football squad? Head to the NFLSZN board and get $50 in Lineups instantly after your first $5+ Lineup with promo code PLAYBOOK.
Top Fantasy Football Rookies for 2025
Here are four NFL rookies to target in fantasy football drafts in 2025, including season-long projections for each rookie via the PrizePicks NFLSZN board.
Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty
The Raiders desperately needed to draft a running back after the lack of a run game last season. In 2024, they needed to find a replacement for Josh Jacobs after he left in free agency. Zamir White had a nice finish to the 2023 season and was expected to take over the starting job in 2024. Unfortunately, after rushing for 19 yards on 11 carries in the first two games, it became a committee that featured White, Alexander Mattison, Ameer Abdullah, and Sincere McCormick, but no one was good enough to lean on.
Las Vegas finished last in almost every major rushing category, including rushing yards (1,357), yards per carry (3.6), first downs by rush (78), and were second to last in 20+ yard carries (4) and rushing touchdowns (10).
This is why the Raiders did not hesitate to take Jeanty with the No. 6 overall pick. He has the potential to be a generational player when you look at the 2024 season he had at Boise State. He put up some historical numbers, including 2,601 rushing yards, only behind Barry Sanders (2,628) for the most in a season, along with 29 touchdowns.
He will immediately be the featured running back in the offense and could be leaned on for 20+ touches per game. He has that balance of power and can continue to push forward after making initial contact, but also the elusive ability to move between the tackles and break off big runs.
Jeanty is the No. 6 ranked running back in our fantasy football rankings this year, and is going in the first round of fantasy football drafts.
Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter
The intriguing situation with Hunter makes his potential even better in fantasy. The Jaguars went all in to bring Hunter to Jacksonville as they traded up to the No. 2 pick to get the dual-threat.
The recent Heisman Trophy winner brings a situation that no other player has ever brought to the league: the ability to contribute on offense and defense. Throughout his college career at Jackson State and Colorado, he played full time at cornerback and wide receiver, something that hadn’t been done in modern football. Last year, he caught 1,258 passes and 15 touchdowns along with four interceptions. Now he plans to do the same at the top level.
If he can find moderate success on both sides of the ball, he would be a great pick for leagues that have scoring for defensive plays (IDP).
Hunter is the No. 34 ranked wide receiver in our fantasy football rankings for 2025, and is currently the 33rd WR off the board via FantasyPros ADP.
Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan
Towards the end of the last season, we might have seen the Bryce Young the Panthers were expecting when they drafted him No. 1 overall. After being benched, he returned and played the best football of his professional career. From Week 8 through 18, he had a 61.8% completion rate and 15 touchdowns to just six interceptions.
Young has not had that definitive top target, and that’s why Carolina got their guy. McMillan is a true wideout with speed and route-running ability to help stretch the field. Last season, he led the Big 12 with 1,319 receiving yards on 15.7 yards per reception and 5.5 yards after the reception.
Young will finally have a playmaker, and he should dominate the target share.
McMillan is the No. 33 ranked wide receiver in our fantasy football rankings for 2025, and is currently the 26th WR off the board via FantasyPros ADP.
Titans QB Cam Ward
The Titans have had bad luck drafting quarterbacks recently. In 2022, they drafted Malik Willis in the third round, and after one year, they decided he wasn’t their franchise quarterback. In 2023, they picked Will Levis in the second round, and he only had one full season as a starter before Tennessee decided to move.
The Titans went all in and grabbed the Miami quarterback with the No. 1 overall pick. If he can play up to his potential, he could become their long-term solution. Ward showed off his strong arm in his lone season with the Hurricanes, thanks to 9.5 yards per attempt, and Miami’s offense led the country with 536.2 offensive yards per game. He also possesses intangibles of a high football IQ and leadership skills, and we saw him lead several comebacks for the Hurricanes last season.
They’re not expected to be a contender this season, especially with a projected below-average defense, which could force Ward to make this a pass-heavy offense.
Ward is not ranked in our 2025 fantasy football QB rankings, but he is the 24th QB in average draft position, via FantasyPros.
Pick Top NFL Rookies on PrizePicks NFLSZN
The 2025 antasy football season is officially here, as fantasy football drafts are in full swing.
That wraps up our list of the top fantasy football rookies to draft in 2025 — each with a shot to break out and deliver big-time value in fantasy football this season.
If you believe in these rookies or have other NFL predictions, lock in your takes with PrizePicks NFLSZN — the simplest way to play season-long fantasy football. No drafts. No trades. No waivers.
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