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John's favorite rookie waiver wire pickups, fantasy football breakout candidates heading into Week 6 of 2025. Which NFL rookies have league-winning fantasy upside?
It typically takes a bit of time for rookies to break out, especially those drafted outside the first round of the NFL Draft. Sometimes, we see players who don't do much at all in the first few games slowly start to grind out bigger roles before their first breakout game.
It's important to get a head start in picking up those kinds of players off waivers. Those in the middle of their breakouts can also provide immediate value to struggling fantasy teams. Either way you look at it, rookies are essential parts of many successful fantasy teams.
We've already seen a few rookies have big games, like Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (ankle) and Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty. But they were drafted early in fantasy football leagues.
Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:- 2025 fantasy football rankings
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- Dynasty fantasy football rankings
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets
Taylor was a solid waiver target after Week 4, when he caught five of his seven targets for 65 yards, scoring 11.5 PPR fantasy points. This week, he had an even bigger role, garnering 12 targets and catching nine for 67 yards. Taylor is the clear TE1 of this team and appears to be the No. 2 pass catcher on his team already.
Taylor was a quick riser in the pre-draft process, and his team invested an early second-round pick to get him. So it makes sense that he's getting involved early in the offense. The Jets are 0-5, with their defense regularly getting gashed, leading to game scripts that heavily favor passing.
Mason Taylor left wide open for the first down pic.twitter.com/bKiDL0TvWD
— FinCuts (@FinCuts) September 30, 2025
Taylor has done a great job running his routes and getting open. He's a fluid mover for his size and has great hands. He's very consistent as well. He has clearly and quickly gained the trust of his quarterback and the offensive coaching staff. TEs who are the No. 2 passing targets on their teams are very valuable.
He should be a priority add in all leagues. His target share has risen every week.
Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Unfortunately for Smith, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid keeps his rookies in the doghouse for extended periods while they adjust to playing in the NFL and learn the complex offensive system he runs. The pass-catching role that Smith is perfectly suited for could end up being very productive for him down the stretch, though.
In Week 5, Smith scored 6.6 PPR fantasy points, just like he did in Week 4. Still, the backfield combination of Isiah Pacheco and Kareem Hunt wasn't used heavily -- each rushed seven times, and caught a combined four passes. Smith had three catches for 32 yards and carried the ball once for four yards.
“He played receiver a lot, so he can run routes; he also played running back, so he can run between the tackles, and those are special football players to have.”
Patrick Mahomes on #Chiefs rookie RB Brashard Smith. pic.twitter.com/NmMhFa5Fls
— KC Sports Network (@KCSportsNetwork) October 2, 2025
Smith remains raw as a running back. He only played one year at the position in college, having initially played wide receiver. But the talent is undeniable, and his tape is filled with great catches down the field, big plays in open space, and excellent route-running for an RB.
The role will come. For now, he's a priority bench stash. He's an elite athlete who could bust off a huge play at any time.
Tez Johnson, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
It's not often that you see a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft start to have an impact early in his rookie season. But that's exactly what we're seeing with Johnson, who, despite having an outstanding collegiate career, fell very far in the draft due to size concerns.
Johnson is truly diminutive, standing 5-foot-10 and weighing just 165 pounds. He weighed in at 154 pounds at the 2025 NFL Combine, so he might play at even less than his officially listed weight. But he's actually quite a similar prospect to Houston Texans WR Tank Dell (knee).
The way the Bucs used Tez Johnson in motion yesterday should be the norm going forward. 4 catches/60 yards on 4 targets; Johnson is dangerous in open space. Shortening the time that defenses have to account for where he’s lining up is a great way to utilize his dynamic skillset. pic.twitter.com/oYc1YdAwsn
— Pushin Straights (@pushinstats) October 6, 2025
Johnson was an excellent separator, one of the highest graded receivers in college football by Pro Football Focus, and has some nice after-the-catch abilities. The separation is the most impressive thing, though, and it helped him get wide open on multiple occasions against a staunch Seattle Seahawks defense.
Tez Johnson was impossible to cover in college.
Elite quickness, but it didn’t show up in the 40. Teams couldn’t rationalize picking him early with a 4.51 at just 154 pounds.
But plug in the tape and it’s elite. Interesting one to watch
— Brady Balhorn - BNB Football (@BnbFootball) April 26, 2025
Johnson has significant potential in a Buccaneers offense that's so productive. While the return of WR Mike Evans (hamstring) will likely push him down the target priority list again, he could at least have another nice game in Evans' absence.
In very deep leagues, he's worth a dart throw, especially in dynasty leagues where he's unrostered. In others, you should probably keep your eyes on him for now. An injury to another Bucs receiver could make Johnson a legitimate spot starter to fill in for bye weeks and injuries.
Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants
Dart (hamstring) had a turnover-ridden game in Week 5, in his second start as a professional football player. He threw for 202 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions, and lost a fumble. But his 55 rushing yards propped up his fantasy value, and he finished with nearly 17.6 PPR fantasy points.
Dart now has 109 rushing yards through two games and is averaging over 5.7 yards per carry. Though he has only one rushing touchdown, he could easily add to that number, and his legs give him an excellent floor. Despite the turnovers, he's pushing the ball down the field and running a much better offense than the former starter.
Jaxson Dart turns a dead play into a 14-yard gain with his ability to change his arm slot to make this throw (also Skatt just won't go down) pic.twitter.com/cfw0mg8IeO
— Dan Schneier (@DanSchneierNFL) October 6, 2025
Dart made his share of mistakes, but turnovers, while they're incredibly negative for a football team, really aren't that bad in fantasy football. Most default fantasy league settings only deduct one point for an interception, for example. Your own league settings will matter, but Dart should be added everywhere for his rushing upside.
Isaiah Bond, WR, Cleveland Browns
Bond didn't have a great game in Week 5. The quarterback change looked positive for Cleveland, though. Dillon Gabriel, the team's third-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, clearly outplayed Joe Flacco in his first start by throwing for 190 yards and two touchdowns with zero turnovers.
The Browns played the Vikings, who have one of the NFL's toughest defenses, but he thrived by throwing heavily to his team's tight ends. The Vikings have done a masterful job shutting down opposing wide receivers this year. Still, Bond's usage was encouraging.
great grab for a HUGE gain#CLEvsDET on FOX and NFL+ pic.twitter.com/MCydufCGxe
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 28, 2025
Bond was targeted seven times by Gabriel in Week 5. That only turned into two catches for 29 yards, but that was enough to out-target WR Jerry Jeudy, who is ahead of him on the depth chart. WR Cedric Tillman (hamstring) will remain on injured reserve for the next three weeks.
When Tillman returns, he could challenge Bond for targets, but it appears that the rookie could have a nice few games ahead of him and quickly build more trust with Gabriel. Softer matchups against the Pittsburgh Steelers and Miami Dolphins are next. Bond is a good add in leagues of 12 or more teams off the waiver wire.
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