After the conclusion of the 2025 NFL Draft, the varying fantasy football implications of the event need to be explored. Some players saw their stock rise or fall depending on landing spots, and several players are now in the mix to be fantasy-relevant in 2025.
Taking high-upside rookies toward the end of a fantasy draft is a good way to ensure some value and to raise the ceiling of your team if the pick is a hit. There’s still a lot that can change, but using late-round picks on rookies is always a good idea if the value is there.
That being said, let’s outline some rookies who you should target in 2025 fantasy football drafts. These players are being undervalued and will likely outperform their ADP next season!
(Note: This list is created using FantasyPros 2025 Rookie Rankings as a baseline ranking!)
Kaleb Johnson - RB
(PIT)
FantasyPros Rookie Ranking: RB5
The Steelers selected former Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and this landing spot is one of my favorites in the entire rookie class. Johnson went to one of the last teams in need of a running back and should be in the mix to start early in his rookie year.
Veteran running back Jaylen Warren will likely start out as the lead back, but Johnson’s physicality, size, speed, and ability to break tackles will make it hard for Pittsburgh to keep him off of the field. I expect Johnson, who was my RB3 in this draft class, to receive a significant workload in his first professional season.
Johnson is a high-floor prospect who has landed in a very positive situation that will allow him to succeed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up as one of the best running backs in the 2025 rookie class.
Jack Bech - WR
(LV)
FantasyPros Rookie Ranking: WR8
After a strong pre-draft process, Jack Bech was selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft by the Las Vegas Raiders. Vegas was in need of a second wide receiver in what could end up being a pass-heavy offense, and Bech will fit in perfectly as a strong-reliable target for quarterback Geno Smith outside of Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers.
Bech is a well-rounded prospect who can win in every area of the field. He has fantastic, strong hands and great ball skills that allow him to thrive in contested catch situations. He is also a decent route-runner with good body control. His prototypical frame and great hands will earn him more snaps as he continues to develop in Las Vegas.
Like Johnson, I would be surprised if Bech isn’t able to carve out a role with his blend of talent and opportunity that he now finds in Las Vegas. The Raiders will be eager to get him involved to make their passing attack a more consistent force, and Bech is the type of player who can bring a stable presence to an offense.
Overall, Bech is a solid pick at the end of fantasy drafts with a high floor and a solid ceiling in his rookie season. He should get a good number of snaps early in his rookie campaign.
Mason Taylor - TE
(NYJ)
FantasyPros Rookie Ranking: TE3
New York added a pass-catcher in the second round of the NFL Draft to complement wideout Garrett Wilson. The Jets haven’t had a consistently involved tight end in years, so the addition of Taylor suggests that new head coach Aaron Glenn and his staff plan to make the tight end a staple of their passing offense, similar to how Sam LaPorta has been used in Detroit.
Mason Taylor is an easy prospect to like, with very solid routes and physicality that make him a threat in the passing game. He will provide a secure option for quarterback Justin Fields in the passing game. Taylor is also valuable in fantasy drafts because the Jets don’t have many pass-catchers outside of Garrett Wilson. Taylor could slot right in as the second target for Fields, boosting his fantasy value significantly.
New York spent a lot of their draft capital on Taylor when they picked him in the second round, so it will be shocking if he’s not involved in the passing game very early on.
Taylor is also a solid blocker, which will make it possible for him to be on the field for even more snaps. I think that the former LSU Tiger will quickly become a fan-favorite as his ability as a receiver and a blocker make an instant impact on the Jets’ offense.
Cam Skattebo - RB
(NYG)
FantasyPros Rookie Ranking: RB7
The Giants’ selection of former Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo was easily one of my favorite picks in the draft. Skattebo broke out this season, boosting his draft stock enough to be an early selection in the fourth round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Giants already have running back Tyrone Tracy Jr., but it makes sense that New York would look to add a physical runner with elite contact balance in Skattebo to perfectly complement Tracy, who has played a role as a receiver in the offense and possesses the desired quickness and agility to excel at the position.
I believe that Tracy and Skattebo will be an effective thunder-and-lightning duo in New York, paving the way for the rushing attack to have a ceiling as high as their passing game.
Skattebo profiles to be an involved running back, especially in New York’s system. He also had 21 rushing touchdowns in 2024, making him an obvious threat in the red zone. Even though Tracy will have a decent workload, Skattebo should be able to find a role fairly quickly as the power back in New York’s offense.
Ultimately, Skattebo could end up being one of the biggest steals in fantasy drafts next season. Rookie running backs always tend to take the league by storm, and players like Kaleb Johnson and Cam Skattebo have the chance to do exactly that with a fairly cheap ADP in redraft leagues.