- RJ Harvey heading to Denver is a win for fantasy soccer: Harvey, the sixtieth total choose, might cut up carries early on however is poised to shortly emerge because the Broncos‘ lead again.
- Final likelihood to say 25% off PFF+: Use code DRAFT25 and unlock entry to participant grades, fantasy instruments and the 2025 Draft Guide.
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Rookie touchdown spots are solidified for fantasy soccer functions, and now we will correctly consider the 2025 class.
Here are fantasy rookies whose inventory improved after the 2025 NFL Draft, in addition to these whose inventory fell.
Stock Up
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
McMillan was already broadly thought to be one of many high fantasy soccer rookies forward of the 2025 NFL Draft, and his touchdown in Carolina at eighth total choose now permits him to right away work as Bryce Young‘s high receiver.
The Arizona standout joins a room with second-year receiver Xavier Legette, who endured an underwhelming, drop-ridden rookie season, an growing older Adam Thielen and Jalen Coker, who appeared good in his rookie yr. There is not any cause that Young, who from Week 12 by means of the tip of the common season ranked fifth in PFF passing grade (85.7) and tossed probably the most big-time throws (22) within the NFL, shouldn’t be feeding McMillan each likelihood he will get in 2025.
RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
The UCF product landed in Denver — a dream situation for fantasy managers. Many anticipated that the Broncos would choose Omarion Hampton within the first spherical, however Jahdae Barron‘s draft-day drop led to the crew pairing him with Patrick Surtain and, subsequently, Harvey’s choice within the second spherical at No. 60 total.
Before the draft, PFF lead fantasy analyst Nathan Jahnke ranked Harvey because the twentieth total prospect in rookie drafts. Jahnke now has Harvey because the tenth total prospect, a first-round choose in rookie drafts.
Harvey’s second-round draft capital makes him the highest-drafted Broncos working again, with Audric Estime being chosen 147th total final season and Jaleel McLaughin being an undrafted free agent. Harvey might cut up carries early in his rookie season, however he must be dominating touches for fantasy managers earlier than lengthy.
TE Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears
Many across the league and within the fantasy neighborhood anticipated Tyler Warren to be the primary tight finish chosen within the 2025 NFL Draft. Instead, it was Colston Loveland who heard his identify known as first, going to the Chicago Bears at No. 10.
Loveland is predicted to step in because the Bears’ speedy TE1. The problem for him will probably be carving out constant quantity in a crowded offense that options DJ Moore, Rome Odunze, Luther Burden III and Cole Kmet. The excellent news is that new head coach Ben Johnson has a confirmed observe report of preserving a number of pass-catchers fantasy-relevant inside the identical system from his days in Detroit. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta all notched 70.0-plus PFF receiving grades, seven-plus touchdowns and 700-plus receiving yards final season.
WR Matthew Golden, Green Bay Packers
The Packers spent a first-round choose (No. 23) on the Texas standout, giving him robust draft capital and an actual alternative to emerge shortly. Green Bay’s receiving corps — Romeo Doubs, Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks — has potential however lacks a real WR1. Golden brings explosive playmaking, dependable palms and superior route-running polish, all of which ought to assist him carve out a serious function with Jordan Love slinging passes.
Given the mix of expertise, scenario and funding from the Packers, Golden now gives some of the thrilling fantasy profiles in rookie drafts exterior the highest two receivers. No receiver racked up extra receiving yards throughout the College Football Playoff this previous season than Golden (311).
Stock Down
WR Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Egbuka was all the time thought-about a sure-fire first-round choose in rookie drafts, however in one of many extra stunning strikes of the evening, the Buccaneers chosen him with the nineteenth total choose. While he landed in his anticipated draft vary (late teenagers, early 20s), the touchdown spot is lower than fascinating from a fantasy perspective. Egbuka now sits behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and he’ll compete for targets with Jalen McMillan and Cade Otton.
THE BUCS OFFENSE IS LOADED 🤯 pic.twitter.com/fRNqvuFMXG
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) April 25, 2025
Egbuka is in the same scenario to the Seahawks’ Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who joined a receiver room with DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett in 2023. He managed to finally take over for Lockett and outlasted Metcalf in Seattle, ending as a top-10 PPR huge receiver final season. The street feels a bit tougher for Egbuka, because the Buccaneers re-signed Chris Godwin this offseason, and Mike Evans, whereas growing older, nonetheless has a lot within the tank after incomes the second elite PFF receiving grade (90.2) of his profession in 2024.
WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears
Burden was in the same place to Emeka Egbuka as a large receiver whom many projected to go within the first spherical with an opportunity to carve out a WR1/WR2 function in an NFL offense. However, whereas Egbuka did come off the board on Day 1, Burden was left ready for his NFL vacation spot.
The Bears made the Missouri product the thirty ninth total choose, placing him in a crowded pass-catcher room that consists of DJ Moore, Rome Odunze (1.09 in 2024), first-round choose Colston Loveland and Cole Kmet.
As acknowledged above, Ben Johnson is great at elevating a number of targets, however Burden is at finest the WR3, and at finest the fourth or fifth receiving weapon. This was a worst-case situation for many who have been hopeful about Burden’s fantasy worth.
RB Dylan Sampson, Cleveland Browns
Sampson was beforehand projected as a back-end first-round or early second-round choice in rookie drafts this season. He was the RB4 on PFF’s huge board for the 2025 NFL Draft however slid a lot additional than anticipated and was chosen by the Browns because the RB12.
Cleveland additionally drafted working again Quinshon Judkins second spherical, and he’ll seemingly be the crew’s lead again this season.
Thunder & lightning rookie RB duo in Cleveland ⚡ pic.twitter.com/q0GZlP48EO
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) April 26, 2025
Sampson won’t solely should compete with Judkins but in addition battle with Jerome Ford, who has been serviceable in his time in Cleveland. Sampson now profiles as a late second-round to early third-round choose in rookie drafts, relying on wants. While he might work his method as much as RB2 with the Browns this season, we’re seemingly no less than a yr or two out from seeing a solidified function for the rookie.