The 2025 NFL rookie class is loaded with talent, and fantasy football managers are already looking for the next breakout stars. To help you get a head start on draft season, we asked our collection of Featured Pros experts to share their early rookie fantasy football draft predictions. From first-round favorites to late-round sleepers, these analysts highlight the rookies most likely to make an impact in fantasy football this year. Whether you’re preparing for redraft, dynasty, or best ball leagues, this early look at top fantasy football rookie draft sleepers can give you the edge you need to dominate your draft.
Fantasy Football Rookie Draft Sleepers
Which under-the-radar rookie (i.e. Bucky Irving in 2024) is your favorite sleeper this year and why?
Woody Marks (RB – HOU)
“Woody Marks, selected by the Houston Texans at No. 116 overall in the 2025 NFL Draft, could emerge as an under-the-radar sleeper in 2025 fantasy football redraft leagues due to his pass-catching prowess, evidenced by 47 receptions for 321 yards in 2024 at USC and a nation-leading 56-game streak with at least one catch. His fit in Houston’s high-powered offense under new offensive coordinator Nick Caley, who emphasizes passing downs, positions Marks to replace Dare Ogunbowale as the primary third-down back, potentially seeing 30-40% of passing snaps compared to Ogunbowale’s 85% in two-minute drills in 2024. Joe Mixon‘s heavy workload (1,000+ rushing yards, 2,135 career touches, and an ankle injury in 2024) and age (29 in 2025) suggest the Texans may scale back his 17.1 PPR points per game role, opening 5-8 touches per game for Marks, especially in PPR formats. Marks’ 1,133 rushing yards on 198 carries (5.7 YPC) and nine touchdowns in 2024, combined with his 4.54 40-yard dash and 9-foot-11 broad jump, indicate enough burst to complement Mixon as a change-of-pace back, boosting his flex appeal if he secures the RB2 role over Dameon Pierce. If Mixon misses time, Marks’ versatility and Houston’s potent offense (top 5 projected in 2025) could elevate him to RB2 value, making him a late-round steal in 12-team PPR leagues.”
– Brandon Murchison (RotoBaller)
“Woody Marks, RB, Texans: Houston dealt a 2026 third-rounder to trade up and take Marks in Round 4. The 207-pounder isn’t an exciting athlete, but his tape showed he was one of the top receiving backs in this class. Marks could carry RB2 appeal if Joe Mixon (age 29) misses time.”
– Kevin English (Draft Sharks)
Jarquez Hunter (RB – LAR)
“I know everyone is going to say Bhayshul Tuten for this question, and while I won’t necessarily disagree, I’m going with the arbitrage version of Tuten. It’s Jarquez Hunter. Hunter, much like Tuten, is headed to the NFL (Rams) via the fourth round of the NFL draft. Also, like Tuten, Hunter finds himself possibly buried for 2025 behind two veterans, but he also possesses the talent and pathway to surpass one or maybe both of them in the running back pecking order. Kyren Williams is a free agent after this season. The Rams thought so much of Blake Corum‘s rookie season that they addressed running back again this year. Hunter isn’t the same caliber of athlete as Tuten (7.1 RAS), but he did run a 4.44 40-yard dash and finished his collegiate career with an impressive tackle-breaking resume. Hunter has ranked inside the top 24 in yards after contact per attempt in each of the last three seasons while also sitting in the top 22 in breakaway percentage in two of three years (per PFF). Hunter offers the Rams an explosive element that neither Williams nor Corum has. Last year, among 46 qualifying backs, Williams ranked 44th in explosive run rate, 37th in missed tackles forced per attempt, and 40th in yards after contact per attempt (per FantasyPointsData). Hunter could be leading the way for the Rams by the end of the season, as Bucky Irving did in his rookie season for the Bucs.”
– Derek Brown (FantasyPros)
Jaydon Blue (RB – DAL)
“Jaydon Blue, a fifth-round RB for the Cowboys, is my favorite under-the-radar sleeper for 2025 redraft leagues due to his explosive speed (4.38 40-yard dash) and PPR upside. With only Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders ahead on a thin Dallas depth chart, Blue could carve out a role early, especially as a pass-catcher. Expect 600-800 total yards and 5-7 touchdowns if he earns 100-120 touches, making him a late-round steal. His ranking outside the top 20 in dynasty rookie rankings keeps his redraft cost low, offering high return potential.”
– Aaron St Denis (Fantasy Sports Advice Network)
“Jaydon Blue is a steal as the RB10 in the rankings and 25th overall. The former Texas star was a Day 3 pick but landed in an excellent situation for his fantasy value. Last year, Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders ranked in the bottom 16 among 70 running backs with at least 55 rushing attempts in yards per attempt. Furthermore, both veterans averaged 2.51 or fewer rushing yards per attempt last season. While it might be too early to call him the next De’Von Achane, Blue could have a similar rookie year with two ineffective veterans ahead of him on the depth chart.”
– Mike Fanelli (FantasyPros)
“Jaydon Blue is a dynamic and explosive runner with homerun hitting potential, which was demonstrated by his 4.25 40-yard dash at his pro day. Currently listed as the Cowboys’ RB2 behind Javonte Williams, he has a legitimate chance to earn the starting role in a wide-open backfield. His size (6 ft, 200 lbs.) and strong pass-catching ability highlighted by 42 receptions for 368 yards, averaging 8.8 yards per reception, and six touchdowns in his junior year playing for the Longhorns make him a valuable asset in PPR leagues. As the offseason progresses, his role could expand significantly, especially if he showcases his versatility early in training camp. If things fall into place, Blue might emerge as a dark horse candidate with league-winning potential.”
– Lawrence Iacona (Gridiron Experts)
Brashard Smith (RB – KC)
“A player that I want on all of my fantasy rosters this season is Kansas City Chiefs running back Brashard Smith. He was a 7th-round pick, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he led the Chiefs running back room in targets this season. Smith ran a 4.39 at the combine, and he adds an element of explosiveness to the backfield that the Chiefs have been lacking.”
– Nick Penticoff (Fantasy Football Astronauts)
Tory Horton (WR – SEA)
“Despite being a 5th-round pick, Tory Horton has a chance to crack the starting lineup in Seattle by year’s end. First, there is simply no reason that Marquez Valdes-Scantling should be a starting wideout unless out of sheer desperation (see: Saints, 2024). It’s debatable how much Cooper Kupp has left in the tank after the Rams went out of their way to shed him from the roster. Horton not only has a path, but he also has the physical tools to justify being competitive with much higher draft picks from this class. Horton has great downfield speed and can be an immediate big-play threat; he also had a high success rate on intermediate and breaking routes, showing he isn’t a one-trick pony. Horton may not develop into a target hog, but his impact in 2025 will be greater than expected.”
– Pierre Camus (Fantasy Endgame)
Bhayshul Tuten (RB – JAC)
“Jaguars RB, Bhayshul Tuten. The former Virginia Tech RB was selected at the top of the 4th round by Jacksonville, and is shaping up to be Liam Coen’s new Bucky Irving in Duval County. The new coaching staff has no allegiance to either Travis Etienne or Tank Bigsby, putting Tuten in a position to dramatically out-produce his draft capital. Tuten was a dominant producer at the college level with a career 30% dominator rating, highlighted by a 37% dominator rating last season (despite battling through an ankle injury). He finished the 2024 season top 10 in the FBS in yards after contact per attempt (4.4) among RBs with at least 100 carries. Also ranked 6th in the 2025 RB draft class in yards after contact per attempt and breakaway run percentage (54%). According to Sports Info Solutions, Tuten finished 1st in the class in broken tackle rate per 100 dropbacks. In 2023, Irving ranked third in that same statistic.”
– Andrew Erickson (FantasyPros)
Devin Neal (RB – NO)
“Give me all of the Devin Neal. Alvin Kamara is entering his age-30 season, Kendre Miller is made of paper, CEH is dust, and Taysom Hill (34) is recovering from a nasty injury; enter Devin Neal. The Kansas all-time leading rusher (4,343 yards, 53 TDs, and 20 100+ yard games) possesses the speed and skillset to thrive in the Saints’ offense, and even if Kamara stays healthy, Neal could find himself in an RBBC as the RB2. Given the questions surrounding Carr, this offense is likely to run through the RB room, leaving Neal with plenty of opportunities and potential RB1 touches should anything slow Kamara down.”
– Avery Thrasher (The Branded Sports)
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