2025 Fantasy Football: Rookie Dynasty Players

RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders struggled with their ground game last season, ranking last in rushing yards (331 carries for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns). Their running backs contributed 89 receptions for 614 yards and two scores. Jeanty enters a high-volume role with three-down potential. His 2024 college season at Boise State (374 carries, 2,601 yards, and 29 touchdowns, plus 23 catches for 138 yards and one touchdown) highlights his elite upside. In redraft leagues, he’s a late first-round pick, with significant dynasty value.

RB Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers

Hampton joins a crowded backfield with Najee Harris, limiting his immediate role. His power-running style and pass-catching ability (comparable to Nick Chubb with better receiving skills) make him a mid-tier RB2 in PPR formats, ranked 18th in high-stakes markets. In 2024, the Chargers’ running backs had minimal receiving production (43 catches, 270 yards, and two touchdowns on 55 targets). For Hampton to thrive, the team must increase backfield targets. He’s a long-term RB1 candidate in dynasty formats.

WR Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers

The Panthers, haunted by Mike Evans’ dominance (118 catches, 1,695 yards, and 14 touchdowns over 21 games), drafted McMillan for his size (6’4”, 220 lbs.) and speed (4.50 40-yard dash). He’s a red-zone weapon for Bryce Young and projects as a WR2/WR3 in his rookie season. In 2024, Carolina’s wide receivers recorded 210 receptions for 2,453 yards and 18 touchdowns on 339 targets. McMillan’s big-play ability enhances their passing game.

QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans

Ward’s landing spot lacks elite receiving talent, tempering his immediate fantasy value (backend QB2). However, his high-volume passing and dual-threat ability (rushing and goal-line scoring) offer long-term upside. In dynasty leagues, he’s a valuable pick for teams set at other positions, with his ceiling projecting to emerge in a few seasons.

RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos

Despite mock drafts projecting a first-round running back for Denver, the Broncos selected CB Jahdae Barron and chose Harvey in the second round. His two-year UCF stats (458 carries, 2,993 yards, and 38 touchdowns, plus 39 catches for 505 yards and five scores) showcase his speed (4.40 40-yard dash) despite a smaller frame (5’8”, 205 lbs.). In 2024, Denver’s backs ranked fourth in catches (96) and eighth in receiving fantasy points (172.80), but their rushing was below average (365 carries, 1,473 yards, and nine touchdowns). Harvey is a dynasty stash, though Quinshon Judkins and Treveyon Henderson may outshine him long-term.

TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Warren’s rookie outlook is uncertain due to the Colts’ run-heavy offense and minimal tight end usage (39 catches, 467 yards, two touchdowns on 76 targets in 2024). His stellar 2024 season at Penn State (104 catches, 1,233 yards, eight touchdowns on 137 targets) highlights his potential, but Indy’s crowded receiving corps and mobile quarterback limit his early role. Dynasty owners with tight end needs should invest, though his breakout may take time.

RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ rushing attack faltered last season without Nick Chubb, ranking last in attempts (312) and 31st in yards (1,253) with a 4.0 yards-per-carry average and seven touchdowns. Their backs caught 63 passes for 429 yards and one score on 87 targets. Judkins, a prolific scorer at Ohio State (50 touchdowns over 42 games), steps into a starting role. Despite fewer carries in 2024 (194) compared to prior years (274 and 271), he maintained a high scoring floor and added 59 catches for 442 yards and five touchdowns on 72 career targets. At age 20, he’s younger than RJ Harvey (24) and projects to handle most early-down carries, sharing passing-down duties with Jerome Ford. Judkins is a strong dynasty asset with immediate RB2 potential.

WR Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars

Hunter’s dual-threat ability (offense and defense) creates uncertainty, but he’s listed as the Jaguars’ WR2, bolstered by Gabe Davis’ release. In 2024, at Colorado, he caught 96 of 125 targets (76.8%) for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns. Jacksonville’s wide receivers had 183 catches for 2,461 yards and 16 touchdowns on 302 targets last season. Hunter’s vision, quickness, and ball skills draw Antonio Brown comparisons, though he needs to refine his release against physical corners. His defensive role is unclear, but his offensive ceiling is high. Expect him to exceed expectations as a WR2/WR3 in year one, making him a dynasty steal.

RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

Henderson’s freshman year (184 carries, 1,255 yards, 15 touchdowns, plus 27 catches for 312 yards and four scores) was electric, but injuries and a shared role with Quinshon Judkins limited him thereafter. His career pass-catching stats (77 catches, 853 yards, six touchdowns on 95 targets) and 4.43 40-yard dash highlight his upside. In 2024, the Patriots’ backs averaged 4.5 yards per carry with 11 touchdowns but ranked 28th in attempts (334/1,507). They caught 66 passes for 433 yards and two scores on 83 targets. Henderson projects as a change-of-pace back with receiving value, but Rhamondre Stevenson’s presence caps his ceiling. He’s a tricky redraft pick but a solid dynasty stash.

WR Jayden Higgins, Houston Texans

Houston’s deep wide receiver room (five viable options) clouds Higgins’ role behind Nico Collins. In 2024, their wideouts had 214 catches for 2,616 yards and 16 touchdowns on 325 targets, though injuries hurt production. Higgins, a 6’4”, 215-pound receiver, progressed from Eastern Kentucky to Iowa State, posting 87 catches for 1,183 yards and nine touchdowns in his final college season. His 4.47 40-yard dash and hands-catching ability make him a mismatch threat, though he struggles with quick direction changes. With Tank Dell’s recovery uncertain, Higgins could emerge as a WR3 in 2025, offering dynasty upside.

TE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Selected 10th overall, Loveland joins a Bears offense prioritizing weapons for Caleb Williams. Chicago’s tight ends, led by Cole Kmet, underwhelmed in 2024 (56 catches, 512 yards, four touchdowns on 69 targets). Loveland’s final Michigan season (56 catches, 582 yards, five touchdowns) showcased his physicality and strong hands, though his stats were modest. He excels in short areas and has the agility to exploit coverage gaps, but needs to improve his release off the line. With competition from Kmet, his 2025 role is limited, making him a backend TE1 prospect in dynasty formats down the road.

RB Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers’ backs struggled in 2024, averaging 4.0 yards per carry with seven touchdowns despite ranking fifth in attempts (428). They caught 86 passes for 673 yards and one score on 110 targets. Johnson, a 6’1”, 225-pound power runner, rebounded from an injury-plagued 2023 to post 240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns in 2024, plus 22 catches for 188 yards and two scores. His 4.57 40-yard dash limits his breakaway speed, but his vision and patience suit short-yardage and goal-line roles. Used rotationally on early downs, Johnson is a touchdown-dependent RB3 with limited dynasty appeal due to minimal pass-catching upside.