Some more rookies to look for in your 2025 Fantasy draft

By Martin Richardson

Looking back at the first part of this double header, there was a look at some of the solid WR2 options for teams come week 1, such as Tre Harris and Jayden Higgins, as well as college touchdown machine Kaleb Johnson.

Part 2 now takes a similar approach looking at some rookies who may well take some time to get used to the NFL way of life but could well be part of your Fantasy football lie ups down the stretch or could come in for those bye week conundrums.

And yes, there may well be a little bit of Bucs bias that comes out based on this week of camp…

BHAYSHUL TUTEN

I want to start with someone who, at the moment is RB3 on the Jacksonville Jaguars, which may not be very appealing, but just hold on and let me state my case.

Now I hate to say it, but look what Liam Coen did with Bucky Irving and then tell me he can’t replicate this with Tuten as the season progresses? There are some similarities with how Tuten can be used by Coen if the new HC gets into his grove in planning those plays to move the chains.

Further evidence for my case comes in the form of the two current backs down in Jacksonville, of whom were Fantasy nightmares in 2024. Travis Etienne had that higher ADP than expected and people fell for it, drafting him high and expecting a big return, which never arrived. He had issues fumbling the ball and couldn’t get it going again in a stop start campaign. Then there was Tank Bigsby. I remember last season I wrote, ‘can we stop trying to make Tank Bigsby a thing’ and that was just at the time he had a bit of a run in the team which was not great for my take, but I think with someone like Tuten offering Coen and Lawrence something different on offense, the time may be up for Bigsby in Jacksonville.

Tuten is one to watch in camp and those preseason games to see how he is used by Coen and also to see if he is worth a stash on your bench.

rj harvey

When RJ Harvey was drafted, I was excited to see how he would fit into the Broncos offense with someone like Sean Peyton utilising him. He is on the smaller side, but he is very much a quick and shifty player than will be a massive part of the offense. Even with the late pick up of veteran JK Dobbins (I loved him last season), I still think Harvey is going to have a great rookie season in Denver.

Like Kaleb Williams, you may well have to spend a higher draft pick on him when you come to drafting him because the hype is increasing on him every day. There are reports on the 29th July of a run that Sean Peyton called ‘something’ where he and his coaching staff all turned and looked at each other. We all know what that coach speak means.

There is only one word of caution when it comes to drafting him and that is the Broncos have a rough schedule when it comes to running back plays in 2025, so keep that in mind if you are thinking of having him as an immediate RB2 in your team.

Kyle Williams

After looking at the QB rankings, I came away with the thoughts that Drake Maye is going be a major Fantasy option and Maye doesn’t really have a massive source of talent to throw to: an injured Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas, Kayshon Boutte, and Kendrick Bourne are, at the moment, who Drake Maye has to throw to. Not exactly big names when it comes to production in recent times.

Enter Kyle Williams.

Williams had a breakout final season at Washington State in 2024, with just shy of 1200 yards and 14 touchdowns and an average yardage of over 17. For a third-round pick in the draft Williams has the potential to be an impact player for the Patriots.

Whilst Williams may not be someone who starts week 1 for you, he is certainly someone to stash and keep hold of as the season progresses. Maye will turn to someone like Williams as he looks to use his big arm to launch the ball downfield.

Emeka Egbuka

Ok, let’s do it. Time to lean into my Bucs bias for a moment.

I will admit, I was surprised that the Bucs took a wide receiver in the first round of the draft. But there is so much logic to it: Mike Evans isn’t getting any younger (but is still an elite player), Chris Godwin was injured last year and may well not be starting the season, then there are also Jalen McMillan and Trey Palmer working hard in camp to stake claim in the dynamic Bucs offense.

So why look at Egbuka when it appears to be such a crowded room? Why take a chance on him as bench warmer so early on in the season? Well, Baker Mayfield is loving what he has seen in the Ohio State wide receiver. His 10 touchdowns and over 1000 yards make him a productive part of the Bucs offense as they look to carve out a deeper playoff run than last year. You also have to think that the Bucs defense was not the best last season, so Baker and the offense could well be in a position that they need to move the chains quickly again to get back into games or seal a victory. Egbuka offers the offense an outlet in the slot and downfield as well.

Having someone like Egbuka as a weapon early on due to that Godwin injury could well carve out a place for him throughout the season if Baker has a new trusted player. He is certainly worth stashing on your bench to see how the Bucs use him against the Falcons and Texans before the throwback game versus the Jets.

Terrance Ferguson

Like those who have already been covered in part two, we end with someone who is worth a stash and see what happens. Ferguson comes to the Rams from a decent season at Oregon, with three touchdowns and near 600 yards, but with an impressive 13 yard per reception average. That is so important when looking at TEs in fantasy: if he can get you yards as well as the occasional touchdown, then you are on to a winner.

What else is the appeal with someone like Ferguson? Well, he is battling with Tyler Higbee, who just cannot stay healthy anymore, so Ferguson will make the field during the season. And as Les Snead in an interview, there is an element of now with someone like Ferguson when Higbee’s time is up in LA. He also has two big names to share the ball with Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who will be covered a lot by defenses, so Ferguson could well be the beneficiary of that coverage. And finally, I am big fan of Sean McVay and I think when he has productive pieces in an offense that will throw the ball, then Ferguson’s stock will rise pretty quick.

MARTIN RICHARDSON

NFL/FANTASY FOOTBALL ANALYST

A Yorkshireman living in Lancashire, Martin is a massive NFL fan but his heart belongs to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Also a huge Fantasy Football enthusiast and spends far too long crunching the numbers! Follow him at @MRBucsFan31

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