Fantasy Football rookies to watch (and worry about) in 2025

Rookies Who Might Flop

Cam Ward – QB, Tennessee Titans

Cam Ward might have been the No. 1 total decide, however that doesn’t assure he’ll be a right away asset on your fantasy roster. He’s at present being drafted as QB22—going earlier than confirmed veterans like Matthew Stafford and Geno Smith—which feels a bit untimely. Koerner ranks Ward because the QB25, whereas Raybon has him at QB26. The Titans had one of many league’s worst offenses final season, and Ward now finds himself in an analogous surroundings, studying a brand new system with a less-than-stellar group of weapons.

Ward confirmed flashes of potential in faculty, ending high 5 in each yards per try and big-time throw price. Nevertheless, he additionally ranked outdoors the highest 30 in clean-pocket accuracy and had points when going through stress. Whereas Tennessee’s offensive line might be higher this yr, it nonetheless isn’t a positive factor, and there isn’t a transparent go-to goal within the receiving corps. Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett aren’t getting any youthful—collectively, they’re pushing 140 years previous.

Ward may need a couple of large fantasy outings, however touchdowns might be too inconsistent for him to justify his present draft spot. The Titans enter 2025 with simply the Twenty eighth-ranked implied level complete, which limits Ward’s upside. He’s finest reserved for Superflex and 2QB codecs. In commonplace 1QB leagues, streaming the place might be the smarter play.

Emeka Egbuka – WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka is being drafted round WR48, however Koerner ranks him at WR59—a spot that implies expectations could also be operating forward of actuality. He’s turned heads in camp and boasts a robust faculty résumé, however his short-term path to regular fantasy manufacturing is unclear. Tampa Bay’s receiver room is deep, and as a rookie, he might spend a lot of the season behind established veterans.

At Ohio State, Egbuka performed nearly solely within the slot, which can be the place the Bucs have primarily lined him up. The problem is that Chris Godwin already holds that function. Whereas Godwin is getting back from harm, except he misses time or strikes outdoors extra often, Egbuka’s goal quantity in redraft leagues will seemingly stay restricted. He’s been working each on the Z and within the slot, however with Jalen McMillan additionally competing for snaps, the state of affairs turns into even murkier.

Egbuka’s polish and soccer IQ make him an interesting long-term funding, and he’s impressed in OTAs and minicamp. Nonetheless, even with sturdy scouting reward, his 2025 upside is perhaps confined to Greatest Ball spike weeks or filling in when accidents strike. Proper now, it seems like he’s being drafted extra on expertise and pedigree than on fast alternative.

There’s late-round stash attraction—notably in full PPR—however fantasy managers hoping for an Amon-Ra St. Brown–model rookie breakout could also be in for a letdown. And not using a shake-up within the depth chart, Egbuka tasks as a bench piece who might be cycled on and off rosters throughout the season. His breakout likelihood is actual, however they might not arrive till after this fall.

Travis Hunter – WR, Jacksonville Jaguars

Travis Hunter is at present going off draft boards as WR29, although Koerner ranks him 4 spots decrease at WR33. Whereas that won’t look like a big distinction, it’s notable for a rookie who’s taking snaps on either side of the ball. Hunter is a outstanding athlete and brings loads of pleasure, however he’s nonetheless refining his expertise as a large receiver, making it dangerous to depend on prompt effectivity.

The outlook for his utilization appears promising, however the precise outcomes may not match expectations. Even with a projected 80% snap price, it’s exhausting to foretell how a lot quantity he’ll see from week to week. Brian Thomas Jr. may simply emerge because the offense’s high goal, and Jacksonville’s passing recreation has all the time carried some query marks. Hunter might find yourself needing touchdowns to be fantasy-relevant, a class that’s powerful to financial institution on.

Hunter’s flashes in faculty—when he ran a whole route tree—have been spectacular, with almost 20 PPR factors averaged in these conditions. Nonetheless, the alternatives have been restricted, and his major duties have been on protection. The step as much as the NFL brings harder challenges in route operating, timing, and battling on the line, even for excellent faculty athletes.

Lengthy-term, there’s quite a bit to get enthusiastic about, however his redraft inventory comes with volatility. If he’s requested to deal with a heavy function on the skin straight away, his inexperience would possibly grow to be obvious early on. He’s definitely price a decide, however WR29 might be a bit steep for somebody with a lot unpredictability. Don’t be stunned if he will get off to a sluggish begin as he adapts to the professional degree.