The 2025 NFL Draft is just about a week away. And with each passing day that passes between now and the big day(s), discussion and speculation about what's going to happen in Green Bay from April 24 through April 26.
Of course, what happens at the 2025 NFL draft is only the beginning of the story for fantasy managers where this year's rookie class is concerned. Sure, knowing who will begin their careers is one part of the puzzle. But there are still a number of factors that will determine whether or not a rookie has a successful first professional season. The supporting cast around them, How those first-year players adjust to life in the NFL. Plain old-fashioned luck (or lack thereof).
But we're not going to let such trivialities as facts and information get in the way of wild conjecture. Before the draft even happens, it's time to plant some flags. To single out some first-year players who are about to blow up for fantasy managers in 2025. Guys you absolutely want on your roster.
With that said, there is one name you won't see here—Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is the no-doubt, undisputed 1.01 in dynasty rookie drafts this summer. By all accounts, he's a generational prospect in the backfield, drawing comparisons to Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Dedicating three paragraphs to how Jeanty will be a valuable fantasy asset in 2025 feels lazy—even for me.
QB Cam Ward, Miami
The Class of 2025 isn't considered especially strong at quarterback, but from all indications, Ward is the unquestioned top prospect at the position and the likely first-overall pick of the Tennessee Titans. As a matter of fact, ESPN's Dianna Russini reported that barring a miracle, Ward's name will be called first by Roger Goodell.
"Cam Ward, all signs point to it," she said. "I haven't found anyone in football right now that has said to me, 'Oh, be careful, they may just be doing all of this to see if New York will come up and make some historic trade to get up there, and I think that's what it would take. If it were to ever get to that point, it would have to be something we've almost never seen before."
You can debate Ward's fit on a Titans team that isn't replete with skill-position weapons. But what you can't debate is that Ward is all but certainly going to be a starter from the jump. He's the best scrambler in the class. And the Titans will be playing from behind with regularity. Hello, garbage time.
Ward won't be Jayden Daniels. But top-12 fantasy numbers aren't outside the realm of reason.
RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
Jeanty isn't the only running back expected to hear his name called in Round 1—after topping 1,500 total yards and averaging 5.9 yards per carry each of the past two years, Hampton is also widely viewed as a first-round pick. In fact, Mel Kiper's latest mock draft at ESPN has Hampton going 12th overall to the Dallas Cowboys.
"I see the Cowboys trying to improve the run game, which managed 4.0 yards per carry and a league-low six TDs last season," he said. "They have thus far replaced Rico Dowdle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither new back has the home run ability of Hampton, who can scoot through holes and take off despite his 221-pound build. I've never been an advocate of the first-round running back, but team owner Jerry Jones isn't afraid to address the position on Day 1."
Hampton has all the skills necessary to be a three-down workhorse in the pros, and he has shown that he can shoulder a large workload. It might be something of a stretch if Hampton goes in the top 12, but he's easily the best bet to challenge Jeanty as the top rookie back in fantasy football in 2025.
RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Judkins' 1,060 rushing yards last year were actually the fewest of his collegiate career. But Judkins averaged 5.5 yards per carry and was the hero of Ohio State's championship game win over Notre Dame, finding the end zone three times. Rob Gregson of A to Z Sports ranked Judkins as one of the three best backs in this class.
"He's a power back with home run potential, evidenced by his 40-yard dash," he wrote. "Sure, he needs a runway. He's not going to make a lot of people miss behind the line of scrimmage, and he doesn't have the quickest feet or most agile hips. But he's powerful, he's big at 6-0, 220 pounds, and he plays bully ball. I believe in bell cows, in lead backs. The NFL, in its cyclical nature, is starting to get back to that very process. The two best backs in the league last year were Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, who are utilized as primary ball carriers. It would be rich to assume Judkins is of that caliber, but I see a more explosive Najee Harris. All he did was rush for over 1,000 yards and five-plus touchdowns every year in Pittsburgh, all behind a putrid offensive line. Judkins can do that and more in the right system."
This writer watched every snap Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson played last year. And while Henderson is more explosive, he's also a smaller back with an injury history. Judkins can be an every-down back in the NFL. And in the right landing spot (say Cleveland, for instance, as a replacement for Nick Chubb), he could quickly become a valuable fantasy asset.