Fantasy football rankings 2025: Ashton Jeanty among breakout rookies to target
The 2025 NFL Draft is now in the books, and fantasy football fans can finally start looking ahead to the upcoming season in earnest.
At this point, most of the NFL's 90-man rosters are set for offseason activities. There are still a handful of impactful veterans available in free agency – namely quarterback Aaron Rodgers – and there will still be some minor, back-end roster shuffling over the months leading up to training camp.
That said, most depth charts will remain relatively consistent from here on out. That will allow fantasy football aficionados to find their favorite sleepers, assess which players can become value picks and determine which rookies are primed for early-career success.
The 2025 NFL Draft class was loaded with impact rookies at the running back position and a handful of quality players at other important fantasy positions. Below is a look at the 10 top candidates to enjoy fantasy breakouts as their NFL careers begin.
Fantasy football rankings 2025: Breakout rookies
Honorable mentions: Jack Bech, WR, Raiders; Jaydon Blue, RB, Cowboys; Jayden Higgins, WR, Texans; Colston Loveland, TE, Bears; Mason Taylor, TE, Jets; Kyle Williams, WR, Patriots.
10. Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans
Ward is the only rookie quarterback effectively locked into a starting job for 2025. The Miami product had a quality college career playing at three schools, and that should prepare him to transition easily into Tennessee's offense.
Ward has a good arm and solid mobility, so he could end up being a playmaker during his rookie season. His ability to become a true fantasy QB1 may depend on his passing volume; given the weapons with which the Titans have surrounded him (Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, etc.), taking a gamble on Ward as a fantasy backup with starter potential is more than reasonable.
9. Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
The downside with Warren is that he has Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones throwing him the ball. Jones ranked 26th in completion percentage last season (63.3%) while Richardson completed just 47.7% of his passes, good for dead last among 36 qualified quarterbacks.
The good news? Warren should immediately slot in atop the Colts' tight end depth chart and can be used in a variety of ways. Shane Steichen should find creative ways to get the ball into Warren's hands, and it's possible either Richardson or Jones will develop good chemistry with him over the middle of the field.
8. TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots
For anyone worried about the impact Rhamondre Stevenson might have on Henderson's role with the Patriots, don't be. The two should coexist just fine, and Henderson could emerge as a high-quality passing-down threat and PPR weapon.
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said in a post-draft news conference Henderson "might've been as good a pass-protection back as I've seen coming out of college." That should allow Henderson to quickly carve out a role as a third-down back in New England and serve as a faster complement to Stevenson.
Henderson's pass-blocking abilities should earn him a nice PPR floor, while his top-gear speed could allow him to make some explosive plays. Consider his rookie season similar to that of Jahmyr Gibbs. He may not quite emerge as a workhorse, but he can still be a quality flex and potential RB2 all season long.
7. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
McMillan should have an easy path to a starting job with the Panthers and will benefit from working across from Xavier Legette, a first-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. McMillan's 6-4 frame and contested-catch abilities should make him a top-tier red-zone weapon and could position him to be among the rookie leaders in receiving touchdowns.
The only concern for McMillan? Bryce Young and Andy Dalton combined for just 16 red-zone touchdown passes in 2024. If Young continues to improve, McMillan should have plenty of chances to score. But if growing pains endure, that could limit the ceiling of the big-bodied receiver given his lack of top-end speed.
6. Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
There may not be a better team and prospect fit than Johnson with the Steelers. The Iowa running back is powerfully built at 6-1, 224 pounds and has good vision that allows him to find seams within defenses. He ran just a 4.57-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, but he should still be able to be productive despite his lacking speed.
Johnson figures to be a goal-line hammer for the Steelers because of his size. That should give him a chance to get plenty of red-zone carries, as Najee Harris – who left the team in free agency – had 50 last year, tied for eighth-most in the NFL.
Harris only converted five of those 50 carries into touchdowns. If Johnson is more efficient, he could prove to be a high-quality RB2. The only concern is whether Jaylen Warren will take touches away from him.
5. Travis Hunter, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Is this too low for Hunter? It's possible if you're a believer in his ceiling. However, the two-way star plans to play offense and defense at the next level, which may limit his overall snaps on the offensive side of the ball.
Hunter should still see plenty of targets playing second fiddle to Brian Thomas Jr. and in conjunction with Dyami Brown. Still, it's easy to imagine the Colorado product having some lean games, especially if injuries force Jacksonville to rely on him more on defense.
4. RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
Harvey is a compact 5-8, 205-pound running back who has very good contact balance that should allow him to stay upright at the NFL level. He may not have the same top speed as some other running backs in the 2025 NFL Draft class, but he will have every opportunity to win the top job in Denver's wide-open backfield rotation.
That could bode well for Harvey, as Denver has a strong offensive line. The unit allowed Jaleel McLaughlin to average 2.7 yards per carry before contact last season, good for 10th most in the NFL.
Add in that Sean Payton gave the second-round pick a glowing review, and Harvey seems like a safe bet to become a high-end flex play or RB2.
3. Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
Golden is bringing his 4.29 40 time and quality route-running skills to Green Bay. The Packers are searching for a true No. 1 receiver and that could end up being Golden, who was the first receiver taken by Green Bay in the first round since Javon Walker in 2002.
Golden's speed should pair particularly well with Jordan Love's strong arm, as the Packers quarterback ranked fifth in intended air yards per attempt last season (8.7). Expect the Texas product to make plenty of downfield plays after averaging 17 yards per reception during his lone season with Quinn Ewers.
2. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers added Hampton to a backfield that already features free-agent signing Najee Harris and may eventually feature J.K. Dobbins, who the team tendered as a restricted free agent. That could lead some to question whether Hampton will break out as a rookie.
That said, it's important to remember that Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman love to run the ball. The Chargers' offense ranked 10th league-wide in run play percentage (44.91%) last season; that number should only rise with the team improving its stable of backfield depth.
Hampton is a fast and physical runner who posted back-to-back 1,500-yard, 15-touchdown seasons at North Carolina. His explosiveness should allow him to eventually usurp the starting job from Harris, even if the Chargers ease the rookie into action.
Hampton might start the season slower than some want if there is a legitimate carry split in Los Angeles, but he could end up being a league-winner if he can play up to his high-end potential.
1. Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Jeanty ran for 2,601 yards and 29 touchdowns on 373 carries during his final year at Boise State. He won't put up those mammoth numbers at the NFL level, he should still be a true, three-down workhorse who serves as the engine for Las Vegas' offense.
Pete Carroll figures to let Jeanty handle a full workload. In six of the veteran coach's 14 seasons with the Seahawks, Seattle ranked top-three in rushing attempts during the regular season. If Carroll uses Jeanty similarly to Marshawn Lynch, the Boise State product should get 20-plus touches per game and plenty of opportunities to serve as a goal-line hammer.