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 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 rookie performers can give you the edge you need to dominate your draft.
Fantasy Football Rookie Predictions
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)
Subscribe: YouTube | Spotify | Apple Podcasts | iHeart | Castbox | Amazon Music | Podcast Addict | TuneIn
