ClutchPoints
The 2025 NFL Draft produced its fair share of storylines, as plenty of offensive superstars entered the league looking to make a name for themselves. From Cam Ward at first overall, to Travis Hunter being a surprise trade-up for the Jacksonville Jaguars, to Ashton Jeanty donning the black and silver, there is plenty of excitement for both the 2025 NFL and fantasy football seasons.
But storylines don’t win fantasy football championships. Let’s take a look at the rookie-year roles for the core running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks, and tight ends to give you an early look at which players you should (and shouldn’t target) in your fantasy football drafts.
Any mentions of average draft position (ADP) refers to the 2025 Sleeper ADP rankings.
Las Vegas Raiders
It is without a doubt that Jeanty will be in contention to be the first rookie drafted in a lot of drafts this season. Competing with Hunter for that top spot, Jeanty has no real competition in the backfield for the Las Vegas Raiders.
With Zamir White and Raheem Mostert the other names that likely will see work, Jeanty will immediately become RB1 for the Raiders. However, while you may be tempted to value Jeanty as a first-round pick in your fantasy football drafts, you should pump the brakes on his stock, at least for one season.
While the likes of Christian McCaffrey, Saquon Barkley, Bijan Robinson, and Jahmyr Gibbs all recorded top-10 finishes at RB in their inaugural seasons, the flip side is the first years that De’Von Achane (RB24), Josh Jacobs (RB21), and Kenneth Walker III (RB18) put up. Comparing Jeanty to some of these backs isn’t fair, but the point remains; you can elevate Jeanty’s draft stock into even an early second rounder, but tread lightly if putting him into round-one conversations.
Prediction: Jeanty is as advertised, as he scores double-digit touchdowns and racks up 1,000 all-purpose yards on his way to being a high-end RB2 in 2025.
Los Angeles Chargers
Fighting with Najee Harris (and potentially JK Dobbins too) cloudies the rookie campaign for Omarion Hamption. While the Los Angeles Chargers used their first-round selection on the North Carolina running back, he isn’t the clear clubhouse leader like Jeanty is.
Operating with a run-focused offensive attack provides Hampton with a stronger floor than others in a two-RB stable, but Harris is bruiser that rarely deals with injuries, not painting an optimistic picture for Hampton’s first season. Don’t be afraid to grab him in the middle rounds, but it might be a slower start to the season than you’d like.
Hampton’s assumption into the RB1 role doesn’t happen in 2025, as he fills the sideshow role behind Najee Harris; while still rushing for 400 yards and three scores, his rookie season is quieter than hoped.
New England Patriots
It was a bit of a surprise to see the New England Patriots take a...
