Everyone in the fantasy football world is knee-deep in dynasty rookie drafts. Yet, it’s never too early to prepare for redraft season.
Sometimes, rookies end up being league winners. Other times, they end up being a waste of a draft pick. Unfortunately, trying to project rookies is easier said than done. However, let’s look at who I think will be the top-scoring rookies for every position in half-point PPR scoring.
- Dynasty Fantasy Football Draft Kit
- Dynasty Rookie Draft Simulator
- DBro’s Dynasty Rookie Draft Primers
Fantasy Football Rookies: Predicting Highest Scoring
Quarterback
- 1st – Cam Ward (TEN)
- 2nd – Shedeur Sanders (CLE)
- 3rd – Jalen Milroe (SEA)
Last year’s quarterback class had six first-round passers, with four making at least three starts as a rookie. Furthermore, three started in Week 1. However, that won’t be the case with the 2025 quarterback class. Ward is the only one likely to start in Week 1 after the Titans used the first overall pick on the former Miami star. Yet, fantasy players shouldn’t rush to draft him in 1QB redraft leagues. Tennessee lacks proven weapons in the passing game and has an offensive line that added several starters this offseason.
Despite being the second quarterback drafted by the Browns, Sanders should be the favorite to start in Week 1, especially with many believing ownership forced the team to draft the former Colorado star. More importantly, Cleveland has no reason to start Joe Flacco or Kenny Pickett despite the “open competition” at quarterback. Therefore, Sanders only has to beat out Dillon Gabriel for the starting role. While the Browns don’t have an elite receiving core, Jerry Jeudy, David Njoku, and Cedric Tillman are a solid unit for whoever is under center.
While Jaxson Dart could start at some point for the New York Giants, the team has two veterans ahead of him on the depth chart with a proven track record. Meanwhile, Milroe could start at some point this season, especially if Sam Darnold struggles early in the year. Furthermore, the former Alabama star could have a Jalen Hurts-like rookie season, taking snaps in the red zone as a runner or in a wildcat package. More importantly, quarterbacks who use their legs can be fantasy stars early in their careers.
Running Back
- 1st – Ashton Jeanty (LV)
- 2nd – RJ Harvey (DEN)
- 3rd – Quinshon Judkins (CLE)
Jeanty will be the highest-drafted and highest-scoring rookie this year. The former Boise State star is an elite running back prospect who landed in an excellent spot for his fantasy outlook. Las Vegas has no one in the backfield who will keep the superstar rookie from seeing over 300 touches this upcoming season. Furthermore, the Raiders have an underrated offensive line, especially after using two third-round picks in the NFL to improve the unit. Expect Pete Carroll to use Jeanty as his new Marshawn Lynch.
While he was the fifth running back selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, Harvey should be the second picked in redraft leagues because of his landing spot. The Broncos lost Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine in free agency without adding a replacement this offseason besides Harvey. Head coach Sean Payton has already suggested the rookie will be a three-down running back this year. More importantly, the three running backs drafted inside the top 100 picks by Payton (Reggie Bush, Mark Ingram, and Alvin Kamara) were fantasy stars as rookies.
Every story out of Cleveland this offseason will be about the quarterback position. However, Judkins should be the focal point of the offense in 2025, especially given open quarterback competition. The rookie is Kevin Stefanski’s new Nick Chubb, while Dylan Sampson should mix in as a change-of-pace runner and in the passing attack. Chubb had 1,494 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in his first year as the starter, averaging 14.8 half-point PPR fantasy points per game. Don’t be surprised if Judkins has similar success this upcoming season.
Wide Receiver
- 1st – Tetairoa McMillan (CAR)
- 2nd – Travis Hunter (JAC)
- 3rd – Matthew Golden (GB)
Carolina’s offense started to click last year following Bryce Young’s return to the starting lineup. However, the team lacked a go-to No. 1 wide receiver, as Xavier Legette is better suited for a secondary role. McMillan was the first pure receiver selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. More importantly, his big body frame and ability to make impossible catches will make him Young’s favorite target. Last year, Brian Thomas Jr. had 1,282 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns despite playing on a bad offense. McMillan could have similar success in 2025.
Hunter is the ultimate fantasy football wild card. He can be a top-15 wide receiver as a rookie. However, the former Colorado star could be a massive fantasy bust if Jacksonville primarily plays him at cornerback. Therefore, I would draft McMillan ahead of Hunter in redraft leagues. Furthermore, he isn’t his team’s clear-cut No. 1 wide receiver because of Thomas. Yet, the former Colorado star could see enough volume on offense to have a solid rookie season for fantasy players to use him as a low-end WR2 most weeks.
While he is a polarizing pick in dynasty rookie drafts, I’m a massive fan of Golden’s. The former Texas star was the first wide receiver drafted in the first round by the Packers in over 20 years. Therefore, the team realizes they lack a No. 1 caliber wide receiver, especially with Christian Watson coming off a torn ACL. Furthermore, Romeo Doubs’ name has been mentioned as a trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers after they moved on from George Pickens. Golden could see over 110 targets as a rookie.
Tight End
- 1st – Colston Loveland (CHI)
- 2nd – Mason Taylor (NYJ)
- 3rd – Tyler Warren (IND)
Last year, many refused to draft Brock Bowers in redraft leagues after landing with the Las Vegas Raiders. While Loveland didn’t land in the ideal situation, it is significantly better than Bowers was a year ago. Unfortunately, Cole Kmet will be a Bear in 2025. Yet, expect Loveland to have a meaningful role on offense. Chicago made him the first tight end off the board in the NFL Draft. More importantly, the former Michigan star is the ideal fit to fill the Sam LaPorta role in Ben Johnson’s offense.
Many mock drafts had the Jets taking a tight end with their first-round pick. While they waited until the second round to add a tight end, Taylor should have fantasy value early in his career. New York has one meaningful weapon in the passing game – Furthermore, has made his starting tight end a weekly option for fantasy players in the past. Kmet finished as the TE7 in 2023, Fields’ last year as a full-time starter. Taylor should be a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 pick in redraft leagues.
Many mock drafts had the Jets taking a tight end with their first-round pick. While they waited until the second round to add a tight end, Taylor should have fantasy value early in his career. New York has one meaningful weapon in the passing game – Garrett Wilson. Furthermore, Justin Fields has made his starting tight end a weekly option for fantasy players in the past. Kmet finished as the TE7 in 2023, Fields’ last year as a full-time starter. Taylor should be a low-end TE1/high-end TE2 pick in redraft leagues.
Unfortunately, landing with the Colts threw a wet blanket on Warren’s fantasy outlook in 2025. Indianapolis has the least accurate quarterback unit in the NFL with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Furthermore, they have used a Day 2 pick on a wide receiver in four of the past six NFL Drafts. Warren will struggle to see a consistent target share and accurate passes as a rookie. Yet, he should have a breakout sophomore season after the team upgrades at quarterback and moves on from some of their pass catchers.
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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.
