8 Fantasy Football Rookies to Target or Fade - Undervalued Sleepers, Overvalued Busts in Best Ball Drafts (2025)

Dan's fantasy football rookie busts and sleepers for best ball drafts. His top first-year targets and avoids for fantasy football best ball leagues in 2025.

Every year, we see rookie players shoot up draft boards throughout the summer. It is easy to fall in love with the potential of a young player in a new landing spot, especially when recent seasons have seen rookies have massive fantasy impacts.

Rookies do have the ability to make or break fantasy teams. Find a player with a good role or an advantageous offensive situation, and you can secure a massive value that makes them a weekly lineup play. But if you overdraft the wrong rookie, you can also tank your season in a hurry.

This article will examine the rookies who are currently being overdrafted or underdrafted in best ball formats. ADP is from Underdog Fantasy, a best ball platform that has been consistently holding drafts since the NFL Draft ended.

Overvalued Fantasy Football Best Ball Rookies

Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

ADP: 45.8 (RB15)

Omarion Hampton was viewed by most as the RB2 in the 2025 NFL Draft class. During his last two years at North Carolina, he carried the ball 534 times for 3,164 yards and 30 touchdowns with 67 receptions for 595 yards and three touchdowns.

Omarion Hampton Ranked in the 97th Percentile in Yards After Contact Per Attempt (4.3)

➖Age: 21 (Early Declare)
➖Size: 6’0, 220 lbs

Hampton’s Averages over the last 2 Seasons:

➖24 Touches Per Game
➖150.4 Yards Per Game
➖1.32 TD’s Per Game

Future Workhorse RB1 in the NFL pic.twitter.com/Dfd8kA8zIi

— Austin Abbott (@AustinAbbottFF) January 29, 2025

Hampton got an ideal landing spot in the first round of the draft with the Los Angeles Chargers. The rookie landed in a great situation in the Jim Harbaugh/Greg Roman offense.

Fantasy managers have responded by pushing Hampton into the top 50 picks, drafting him as the RB15 to start the season. Despite Hampton’s obvious talent, that feels a bit overzealous heading into 2025.

The Chargers also used free agency to add veteran running back Najee Harris to their backfield. Harris is far from the most explosive running back in the NFL, but since being drafted in 2020, he’s easily one of the most reliable runners in the league.

Harris has never missed a game in his career while averaging 274 carries for 1,078 yards and seven touchdowns per season. He’s also averaged 45 receptions, 287 receiving yards, and 1.5 receiving touchdowns per year.

Harris only got a one-year deal in free agency, but he will undoubtedly have a role in 2025. He will be a thorn in Hampton’s side in 2025, especially in goal-line situations. Hampton will certainly take over this backfield at some point in his career, but in 2025, he will be stuck in a timeshare with a competent veteran.

Hampton desperately needs an injury from Harris to pay off his initial RB15 price.

Travis Hunter, WR/DB, Jacksonville Jaguars

ADP: 49.2 (WR28)

Travis Hunter is one of the most unique prospects ever to enter the NFL. Hunter was a two-time unanimous First-Team All-American at Colorado, playing both cornerback and wide receiver. He won the Heisman Award in his final season, catching 96 passes for 1,258 yards and 15 touchdowns (while adding four interceptions on defense).

NEW Travis Hunter's #ReceptionPerception is now up on the site 🔥

Highlights:
- 92nd percentile success rate vs. man
- 97th percentile success rate vs. zone
- 97th percentile success rate vs. press
- Rare catching ability
- Frequently makes the first defenders miss after the… pic.twitter.com/YZt4Xda0CK

— Matt Harmon (@MattHarmon_BYB) March 31, 2025

Hunter was drafted second overall after the Jacksonville Jaguars moved up in the draft for him. Throughout the draft process, Jacksonville made it clear that he was going to be a wide receiver first and work into defense.

That held up throughout most of the summer. However, there have also been quotes suggesting that he’s further along on the defensive side of the ball than on the offensive side.

Hunter will have a role on offense, but what that looks like remains to be seen. Hunter will have legitimate target competition for targets in second-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr., but there is more than enough room in the offense for both players to thrive.

The greater concern is how much Hunter will play defense and what physical toll that will take on him at the NFL level. If Jacksonville has an injury in the secondary, that could, in theory, pull Hunter to that side of the ball more. That opens him up to more potential injuries or just a lesser role on offense.

Hunter is being drafted as WR28, but that is far too optimistic for a player archetype that we have never seen at the NFL level.

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots

ADP: 64.3 (RB21)

TreVeyon Henderson is an explosive rusher who was a four-year contributor at Ohio State. Henderson had to work through injuries throughout his career, but still produced 590 carries for 3,761 yards and 42 touchdowns in 47 career games. He also contributed as a receiver, catching 77 passes for 853 yards and six touchdowns.

Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson

• A home-run-hitter who also thrives doing the dirty work. pic.twitter.com/zPqdAWOX3o

— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) April 28, 2025

The Patriots selected Henderson in the second round of the 2025 NFL draft to try and build up the offense around Drake Maye. Fantasy managers have taken notice, drafting Henderson as the RB21 given his draft capital and the general optimism around New England’s offense next season.

However, Henderson was at his best in college when he had a complementary piece in the backfield to take on the brunt of the early down work. New England has Rhamondre Stevenson to play that role in the NFL.

Stevenson recently signed an extension with the Patriots, so he’s not going anywhere. He’s also proven to be effective.

Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

ADP: 131.7 (TE12)

Colston Loveland was a somewhat surprising top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Loveland was an underwhelming producer during his final season in college, catching just 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns.

Loveland wasn’t totally to blame for his modest production due to Michigan’s brutal quarterback play. Loveland earned 27.9% of the team’s targets in his final season.

Colston Loveland is a fantastic pick.
-6’5 / 250 lbs
- 4.54 - 40
- He’s a natural separator
- Elite route runner
- Great pass catcher
- And he’s a DAWG
pic.twitter.com/9KMNDzmqI7

— Caleb Williams Fan Club (@CalebFC18) April 25, 2025

His film showcases a versatile player who can line up anywhere in the offense and consistently generate big plays after the catch. He will be a dynamic weapon for Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson in Chicago. However, drafting him as the TE12 in fantasy is a lofty expectation, even with some of the recent big rookie seasons we have seen from tight ends.

Loveland has not participated in Chicago’s offseason program at this point thanks to a shoulder surgery. The tight end position takes time to acclimate to the NFL level already, so missing this time puts the rookie behind the eight ball. Additionally, Chicago has no reason to rush Loveland onto the field thanks to the presence of veteran tight end Cole Kmet.

Loveland may not have a consistent role in the early season while he recovers completely from his injury. He may wind up being a weekly TE1, but he’s being drafted as if it's a sure thing.

Undervalued Fantasy Football Best Ball Rookies

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

ADP: 72.9 (RB24)

The Cleveland Browns let Nick Chubb leave in free agency, leaving a void in their backfield. They hope that second-round pick Quinshon Judkins can provide some youth and explosive rushing ability going forward.

In three collegiate seasons, Judkins handled 739 carries for 3,785 yards and 45 touchdowns while adding 59 receptions for 442 yards and five receiving scores. Judkins had less production in his final season after transferring to Ohio State, but he kept his efficiency (5.7 yards per touch) while splitting work with TreVeyon Henderson.

Quinshon Judkins stiff arming dudes to the shadow realm pic.twitter.com/i8nu2dbySg

— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) June 1, 2025

The Browns' offense will be terrible in 2025. However, the defense will be good enough to keep games close. In turn, that will give Judkins the volume that he needs to produce fantasy points.

Cleveland’s backfield has historically been split, and that will be true again in 2025 with Jerome Ford and Dylan Sampson sharing the backfield with Judkins. However, he’s the best rusher of the group and should get the volume he needs to pay off his RB24 price tag.

Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

ADP: 74.6 (RB25)

Kaleb Johnson was a modest producer during his first two seasons with Iowa before dominating the backfield in 2025. He will have a chance to have a similar impact in the NFL after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft.

Johnson handled 240 carries for 1,537 yards and 21 touchdowns during his final college season. He also added 22 receptions for 188 yards and two receiving touchdowns. Johnson is not a very explosive rusher, but he is a patient zone running back with the burst to earn chunk plays on the second level.

KALEB JOHNSON SHEDDING TACKLERS FOR 72 YARD TD pic.twitter.com/1ZWpzsgaFd

— Heavens! (@HeavensFX) November 30, 2024

He will be a perfect fit in Pittsburgh with Arthur Smith’s zone-heavy rushing scheme. The Steelers let Harris leave in free agency this offseason, vacating the early-down role with Pittsburgh. During his four seasons with Pittsburgh, Harris averaged 274 carries and 58 targets per season. Johnson likely won’t see the same receiving role, but he should take on the lion's share of those carries.

The Steelers have an ascending offensive line and a quarterback (Aaron Rodgers) who can keep defenses from stacking the box against the run. Johnson is poised to have a big rookie season thanks to his volume and fit with the Steelers.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

ADP: 90.0 (WR49)

Many were shocked when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Emeka Egbuka in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Mike Evans is poised to continue his 1,000-yard receiving streak. Chris Godwin signed a big extension this offseason despite suffering a season-ending ankle injury in 2024. The team also got solid production from 2024 third-round pick Jalen McMillan (37 receptions for 461 yards and eight touchdowns) after losing Godwin for the season.

None of that stopped the Buccaneers from drafting the leading wide receiver in Ohio State history. Egbuka racked up 205 receptions for 2,868 receiving yards and 24 touchdowns in his four collegiate seasons. He was viewed as a slot-only player coming out of college, but ran a strong enough 40-yard dash (4.45) to justify trying him outside as well.

Emeka Egbuka does so many things well.

Probably immediately becomes a top-two pass-catcher for 2/3 of NFL teams.

I’m curious — what are some ceiling comps for Egbuka? pic.twitter.com/Fj6w8w8Enk

— Jacob Gibbs (@jagibbs_23) March 20, 2025

Egbuka impressed the Buccaneers throughout minicamp and has seemingly earned his way into three-receiver sets with his reliable hands and route running. We still don’t know how healthy Godwin will be coming off his ankle injury (we have seen these linger into the next season), meaning Egbuka could be the second target earner in a high-pass volume Buccaneers offense to start 2025.

The Buccaneers' offense has been impressive the last two seasons with Baker Mayfield under center. We also know that the offense can support multiple weapons in the passing attack.

Egbuka will have an opportunity to beat his WR49 price tag just by being on the field. If Godwin comes along slowly while recovering or  Evans gets injured, he will have a chance to be one of the steals of the 2025 draft season.

Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans

ADP: 165.2 (QB26)

Cam Ward was the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. Ward was stellar in his final collegiate season with Miami, completing 67.2 percent of his passes for 4,313 yards and 39 touchdowns with seven interceptions.

Cam Ward is a good thrower of the football. pic.twitter.com/GLEsKkb110

— Nick Penticoff (@NickPenticoff) April 23, 2025

Over the last three seasons, Ward has averaged over 3,700 yards and 29 touchdowns per season while averaging 7.9 yards per attempt. He will be the day-one starter for a Tennessee offense that has plenty of solid pieces but lacks a stable quarterback in 2024.

The Titans improved their offensive line through free agency this offseason (left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and right guard Kevin Zeitler) and returned Calvin Ridley, Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and Chig Okonkwo to the passing attack. Tennessee also added veteran receivers (Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson) and rookie talent (Chimere Dike and Elic Ayomanor) to upgrade the passing attack.

Ward is entering a good overall situation that was made to look worse by subpar quarterback play in 2024. However, his current ADP in best ball drafts (QB26) doesn’t build in the chance that Ward can thrive with decent weapons, a good offensive line, and a division that could force shootout conditions.

The rookie quarterback should have no problem beating his modest ADP even if he has a mediocre season. There is a chance that he is a smash if the Titans' offense can take a step with a good signal caller under center.

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