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Joey's fantasy football rookie analysis and projections for all Week 1 starters. He predicts which 14 first-year players will start in Week 1 at QB, RB, WR, and TE.
Each NFL draft provides all 32 teams with an equal opportunity to improve their roster. Drafting great players consistently can help teams reach Super Bowl contention in a remarkably short time. Just look at Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, the former No. 2 overall pick, who helped Washington, previously one of the league's worst teams, make an NFC Championship Game for the first time in over 20 years.
Rookies also provide a unique opportunity in fantasy football. With no sample size at the pro level, their draft-day values are often not significant indicators of their actual potential. This makes drafting them a risk, but one with a potentially massive payoff. The rookies with the best chance to succeed in their first years are the ones who earn the most reps - in other words, the Week 1 starters.
In this article, we will predict every rookie who will be starting in Week 1 and review their talent and situation.
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Fantasy Football Rookie Week 1 Starters - Quarterbacks
Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans
The supremely talented Ward showed off his poise and rocket arm in his lone season at Miami. He tossed for 4,313 yards, 39 touchdowns, and just seven interceptions while completing over 67% of his passes.
CAM WARD TOOK OVER VS. LOUISVILLE 😳
21/32
319 YDS
4 TDMaking a case for the Heisman? 🏆 pic.twitter.com/bQsXCXFPUj
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) October 19, 2024
While he's not a perfect prospect by any means, Ward's talent and decision-making were enough to convince the Titans to select him at No. 1 overall. Head coach Brian Callahan, who previously worked with Joe Burrow in Cincinnati, will be tasked with getting the best out of the highly touted rookie.
Ward isn't entering an awful situation, either: He'll have Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears in the backfield and Calvin Ridley to throw passes to. He won't be a superstar right away, but don't be shocked if he exceeds expectations in Year 1.
Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints
Unlike Ward, it's hard to be positive about Shough from both a talent and situational perspective. While Shough is currently expected to beat out incumbents Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener to be the Saints' QB1, that's about it for the good news.
Shough is an older prospect (he'll turn 26 years old in September) who only started one full season of college football despite having seven years of eligibility. Injuries were a part of that, as he suffered multiple serious injuries while at Texas Tech, but so was poor play.
Shough has a good arm but struggles against pressure and lacks mobility. In New Orleans, behind an inconsistent offensive line, Shough is not set up to succeed in Year 1.
Fantasy Football Rookie Week 1 Starters - Running Backs
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
No surprises here. Jeanty ran for over 2,600 yards and 29 touchdowns in his final season at Boise State on 7.0 yards per carry. According to CBS Sports, he gained an absurd 5.42 yards after contact per rush and forced a missed tackle 39.2% of the time.
Ashton Jeanty. 54 yards. Touchdown.
📺 CBS Sports#BleedBlue | #BuiltDifferent | #HEI2MAN https://t.co/CNJv8VJMZH pic.twitter.com/uEnQhZ2tJl
— Boise State Football (@BroncoSportsFB) October 13, 2024
The Raiders selected Jeanty at No. 6 overall in the draft, and for good reason. They desperately needed a running back: Vegas ranked last in the NFL in rushing yards and yards per carry in 2024. With Pete Carroll now the team's head coach, a run-heavy approach should be implemented. Expect Jeanty to dominate the Raiders' backfield and receive workhorse-level usage.
Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Hampton is an exciting player with freakish mobility for a player his size. At six feet, 221 pounds, Hampton ran a 4.46 40-yard dash and posted a 38-inch vertical leap at the 2025 NFL Combine. According to ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr., many people working in the NFL liked Hampton nearly as much as Jeanty throughout the draft process.
As a result, Hampton was selected in the first round by the Chargers, who have established a run-heavy approach under head coach Jim Harbaugh. With free agent Najee Harris appearing to have lost some juice in his final season with Pittsburgh, the RB1 job is Hampton's to lose.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that franchise left tackle Rashawn Slater will be out for the year with a ruptured patellar tendon. The Chargers' offensive line will have to reshuffle, which could limit Hampton's upside in his first season.
Fantasy Football Rookie Week 1 Starters - Wide Receivers
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
McMillan, simply put, is a matchup nightmare - at 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, he can line up on the outside or in the slot, terrorizing defensive backs with his size and route-running. He recorded over 80 catches and 1,300 yards in each of his final two seasons at Arizona despite inconsistent QB play.
The Panthers thought of McMillan highly enough to pass on a blue-chip defensive prospect and select him at No. 8 overall. He's expected to become the go-to guy for Bryce Young, whom he trained with before the draft, and help Carolina's offense take the next step.
McMillan has a great chance to be the Panthers' WR1 from the jump. Head coach Dave Canales has already expressed his faith in McMillan, who could be in line for a big target share in 2025.
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
The reigning Heisman trophy winner, Hunter, dominated as a rare two-way star at Colorado. He excelled at both wide receiver and defensive back, making him a special but somewhat risky prospect.
The Jaguars had no such worries, trading up to select Hunter at No. 2 overall. Offensive-minded head coach Liam Coen stated that he wants Hunter to mainly play offense in his first year while easing him in on defense.
If that is the case, Hunter is an intriguing fantasy prospect. His explosive athleticism and excellent ball skills will help him transition to the pros, where he'll line up across from sensational youngster Brian Thomas Jr. and catch passes from Trevor Lawrence. Lining up across from No. 2 cornerbacks could be huge for Hunter's development, and he'll get plenty of opportunities to showcase his talent.
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
In a move that surprised some, Tampa Bay selected Egbuka at No. 19 overall despite having a deep and talented receiver room. However, looking beneath the surface, this move makes a lot of sense. Top wideout Mike Evans is 31 years old, and his running mate, Chris Godwin, is coming off a season-ending dislocated ankle injury.
And let's not forget about Egbuka's talent. A smooth route runner who can line up in the slot and on the outside, he's got an excellent feel for the game to go along with fabulous ball skills.
Emeka Egbuka is SO GOOD. pic.twitter.com/aopVeUYilB
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) August 7, 2025
In three-receiver sets, Egbuka will see the field right away. But don't overlook the possibility of him overtaking Godwin as the team's No. 2 receiver.
Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
For the first time since 2002, the Packers decided to select a wide receiver in the first round of the NFL Draft. From a fantasy football standpoint, the move looks like a win on all fronts.
In his lone season at Texas, Golden showcased extraordinary tenacity in contested-catch situations to go along with blazing speed. His 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine reaffirmed what we saw on tape: a vertical threat with the ability to make highlight-reel plays downfield.
The rookie will have to emerge from a crowded receiver room that includes Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, and Christian Watson. With that being said, Golden is the most talented of the bunch and will have every opportunity to emerge as Green Bay's WR1 this season.
Luther Burden III, WR, Chicago Bears
The Bears let Keenan Allen walk after one season, leaving a potential hole in the slot receiver position. Chicago selected Burden in the second round to fill that hole, adding him to a talented wide receiver room that includes D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze.
Burden is an exceptional yards-after-catch player: his speed and acceleration allowed him to escape defenders' clutches time after time at Missouri. However, he has the potential to be much more than just a checkdown option.
Burden's ball-tracking on deep passes is genuinely elite, and his knack for the big play could make him a favorite of Caleb Williams. Immediate production might be too much to ask for, but Burden is in a great spot to be a long-term contributor for the Bears.
Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans
With Stefon Diggs off to New England and Tank Dell suffering a potentially career-ending knee injury last season, Houston badly needed a new receiver to complement Nico Collins. They chose Higgins in the second round and his college teammate Jaylin Noel in the third to compete for the role, but it looks like Higgins will get the first crack at the starting lineup.
The 6-foot-4, 215-pound receiver has excellent physical tools: Higgins ran a 4.47 40-yard dash and posted a 39-inch vertical leap, which helped him become a downfield menace during his time at Iowa State. His massive catch radius allows him to snag anything in his vicinity.
Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins,big WR with quick feet pic.twitter.com/kMHia2O2lD
— The Draft Network (@TheDraftNetwork) January 29, 2025
He's also a surprisingly smooth mover for his size. While his route tree is somewhat limited at the moment, he'll start as a secondary part of the Texans' offense and work his way into a larger role over time.
Kyle Williams, WR, New England Patriots
The Patriots' offense lacked any excitement last season outside of rookie QB Drake Maye. Enter Williams: the third-round rookie can take the top off the defense on any given play.
Williams snagged 70 passes for 1,198 yards and 14 touchdowns in his final year at Washington State despite the departure of Cam Ward via the transfer portal. He excelled at gaining yards after the catch on short passes and screens as well as cooking defenders on deep balls downfield.
While he has some concerns about drops, that's something that can improve over time. The Patriots got a big-time playmaker in Williams, who could become a key target for Maye sooner rather than later.
Fantasy Football Rookie Week 1 Starters - Tight Ends
Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
Warren was a dominant force in his final season at Penn State. The versatile tight end grabbed 104 passes for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns, helping the Nittany Lions reach the College Football Playoffs.
He's a fluid mover at 6-foot-5, 256 pounds, and Penn State lined him up all over the field. He lined up as a traditional TE, outside receiver, and slot receiver, and even took snaps out of the Wildcat formation. The Colts were weak offensively in 2024 outside of Jonathan Taylor and lacked any real threats in the passing game.
Warren provides a safety blanket with big-play potential to boot, and could produce regardless of quarterback play.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
It surprised many that Loveland was drafted over the highly touted Warren, but Bears head coach Ben Johnson has a plan in mind. Loveland's skill set fits perfectly into that plan.
At 6-foot-6 and 248 pounds, Loveland looks more like a big wide receiver than he does a tight end, and that's what makes him special: his movement and complete route tree make him a mismatch for linebackers and defensive backs.
6’5, 250lbs TE’s are not usually able to create man separation like this…
Colston Loveland can. pic.twitter.com/tjzPgxRs9h
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) January 5, 2025
The No. 10 pick has received rave reviews at training camp and has already passed veteran Cole Kmet on the depth chart. If the Bears' passing game takes a step forward, Loveland could be in for an outstanding first season.
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets
The third and final rookie TE expected to start in Week 1, Taylor, isn't quite as exciting as the other two, but he's still an excellent prospect with the potential to blossom into a Pro Bowl tight end.
The son of Hall of Fame pass rusher Jason, Taylor impressed at LSU with his natural movement and sudden hands. His raw talent, while still needing to be molded, is something that most tight ends would be lucky to have.
Taylor joins the Jets just as they are set to become a run-heavy outfit under new head coach Aaron Glenn. However, he'll have a good chance to get plenty of snaps and learn through experience in his rookie year.
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