2025 Fantasy Football Rookie Analysis: Safest Pick, Biggest Sleeper, and more

The NFL Draft is officially over, and teams have welcomed their future stars. For fantasy football fans, the real fun begins: figuring out which rookies could swing your season. Here's a breakdown of the 2025 rookie class from a fantasy perspective.

Safest Pick: WR Tetairoa McMillan

For my safest pick, I have the new Carolina Panthers WR Tet McMillan. Last year, we saw a completely new version of Bryce Young at the end of the season. He looked like a legitimate superstar QB. The one thing the Carolina Panthers' offense lacked was a true elite wide receiver. This year, I expect Tet McMillan to play a huge role in this Panthers' offense. Dave Canales will find excellent ways to get McMillan involved and be an impact maker on Day 1. Expect big things from this rookie.

Stat to know: Carolina passed on 56.8% of their offensive snaps in 2024

Sleeper Pick: WR Tory Horton

For my sleeper pick, I have Seahawks WR Tory Horton. Horton was a late-round pick who could really make an impact on this Seahawks team. Horton has a legitimate shot at the WR3 position entering the 2025 NFL season. With Cooper Kupp- Seattle's WR2- struggling with injuries over the past couple of years, Tory Horton could be the next man up. He's a versatile receiver with very reliable hands. For Seattle, these are the perfect attributes to complement WR1 Jaxson Smith-Njigba. If Horton is available in the late rounds of your draft, take the shot on a receiver who has significant upside potential for 2025.

Stat to Know: Cooper Kupp has played an average of 11 games per season over the last 3 years

Most Overrated Prospect: Travis Hunter

For my most overrated fantasy prospect, I have new Jags WR/DB Travis Hunter. To be clear, Hunter will be a fantastic player in the NFL- I'd just be hesitant to take him in my fantasy drafts. His snap count is yet to be determined on both sides of the ball, but the belief is that he will play a decent role in both the offense and defense. Focusing on him as a receiver, he already has clear target competition with WR Brian Thomas Jr. as Lawrence's favorite target. With limited snaps and target competition, he just would not be a great pick early in fantasy drafts. If I had the choice between McMillan and Hunter, I'd take McMillan every time.

Stat to Know: Travis Hunter played 86.8% of Colorado's offense snaps in 2024/2025.

Most Underrated Prospect: RB Quinshon Judkins

For my most underrated prospect, I have Browns RB Quinshon Judkins. Fantasy-wise, Cleveland is the perfect situation for Judkins. The QB situation is unclear in Cleveland, meaning that the running game will be utilized a lot throughout the season. With no clear RB1 in Cleveland, Judkins will likely take over as the lead back. Judkins has everything you'd want in an elite RB- physicality, vision, and quickness. I'm expecting a big year out of Quinshon Judkins- I believe he can be a legit RB2 for many fantasy teams this year.

Stat to Know: Quinshon Judkins averaged 5.5 yards per rush in 2024/2025.

This rookie class is filled with potential difference-makers, but fantasy success is all about opportunity and scheme fit. Players like Tetairoa McMillan and Quinshon Judkins are set up to produce immediately, while players like Tory Horton could break out if things fall their way. Just be careful not to reach too high for guys like Travis Hunter—real-life talent doesn’t always equal fantasy value.

Fantasy Football Rookie Poll