These NFL Rookies Are Primed for a Productive Fantasy Football Season
As we inch closer to the upcoming NFL season, it is that time of the year when we get back in the football mood, with the start-up of fantasy football leagues. Fantasy has taken the sports world by storm, especially the NFL, with the league accounting for about 29.2 million players out of the 50.4 million in the country that play fantasy sports. A player's upside is one of the most important factors in fantasy football. Each year, there are a few rookies who show signs of limitless upside, or even rookies who fly under the radar and break out. Which 2025 rookies will make this their reality?
Omarion Hampton
First, my biggest sure-fire pick of the year is Omarion Hampton. The rookie running backs have the best odds to succeed in their first season, especially when teams use high draft picks on them, which shows their commitment to the player and their usage. With the pieces surrounding him, it is difficult for me to see a world where Hampton does not pan out. He has an extremely talented QB in Justin Herbert, a top-of-the-league offensive line with the best tackle duo in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt, and he is working in a Jim Harbaugh-led offense. If there is one thing we know about him, it is that he likes to run the ball. As a six-foot, 220-pound running back, it can be expected that Hampton can win the starting role, and as a bruiser, he should be able to take a heavy workload. With an ADP of 46, Hampton is an absolute steal in the fourth-fifth round of your draft.
Jaydon Blue
My second pick is Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue. After being drafted in the fifth round by Dallas, there are not high expectations, but high hopes for the speedster who ran a 4.38, which led all running backs. With a weak backfield in Dallas consisting of Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams, I would not be surprised if Dallas gives Blue the starting role shortly into the season. With incredible breakaway speed, his upside is high. Also, the Cowboys have constantly put up their best seasons when they’ve had a dominant run game. When people were upset about them not drafting a receiver in the first round and taking Tyler Booker instead, I believe this is their way of shutting out the noise and finding their way back to that dominant run game. I would not be surprised if they found their answer in Jaydon Blue. Also, with an ADP of 130, he’s another huge steal in a late round with a ton of upside.
Jayden Higgins
I haven’t forgotten about the wide receivers from this draft class, and lastly, I think Jayden Higgins has a chance to shock a lot of people. First, his situation couldn’t be better. With C.J. Stroud coming off an unfortunate Sophomore slump, he’s entering the season with a chip on his shoulder, ready to prove his worth and talent. Second, with Stefon Diggs out the door and Tank Dell expected to miss the entire season due to injury, Higgins could thrive on his opportunity to gain target share. He has a type of versatility, able to work on the outside or in the slot, that few players have. He is also six feet four and 214 pounds, making him an excellent red zone threat. Yes, the Texans traded for Christian Kirk back in March; however, he is coming off of back-to-back years with a season-ending injury. At the age of 28, and entering his eighth season dealing with injuries, I believe Kirk’s days of putting up solid numbers are over, and Higgins will emerge as the WR2 in Houston. With an ADP of 137, he could end up being your steal of the year and a prime candidate for keeper leagues.
