X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

Five Rookie Risers Climbing Fantasy Football Rankings

Matthew Golden - College Football Rankings, NCAA CFB DFS Lineup Picks, NFL Draft

RotoBaller analyst Brandon Murchison takes a look at the names of five prospects that have been climbing up positional rankings prior to the 2025 NFL Draft.

With the NFL Draft fast approaching, fantasy football managers are already scouting the next wave of rookies who could make an immediate impact. While some prospects enter the league with sky-high expectations, others see their stock rise due to strong pre-draft performances, favorable team fits, or increasing buzz from scouts and analysts. These "rookie risers" are climbing draft boards, and identifying them early can give fantasy managers a crucial edge in dynasty and redraft leagues.

Prospects who shine at the NFL Combine, impress in pro days, or receive glowing reports from team visits often see their value surge in the weeks leading up to the draft. A standout 40-yard dash, elite agility scores, or a clear path to a starting role can push a player from a mid-round sleeper to a potential fantasy difference-maker. As teams finalize their draft boards, fantasy managers should also note which rookies are gaining momentum and how their skill sets could translate to the next level.

In this article, we'll highlight the top rookie risers ahead of the NFL Draft and analyze why their stock is climbing. Whether it's an electric wide receiver turning heads, a running back proving to be an every-down weapon, or a quarterback rising into first-round discussions, these prospects could be game-changers for fantasy football. Stay ahead of the competition by getting to know these potential stars before they land on an NFL roster.

Be sure to check all of our fantasy football rankings for 2025:

 

Jaxson Dart - QB, Ole Miss

Jaxson Dart enters the NFL as a highly intriguing quarterback prospect with the skill set to develop into a future fantasy football asset. A former USC transfer who flourished at Ole Miss under Lane Kiffin, Dart possesses a strong arm, mobility, and a gunslinger mentality that makes him an exciting player to watch.

Increasing his production over the last three seasons (4,279 yards and 32 total touchdowns in 2024) shows a player who can grow within an offense at the next level.

While he wasn't a consensus first-round pick in the NFL Draft to begin the process, his combination of physical tools and playmaking ability has allowed him to potentially sneak into Day 1 consideration, giving him sleeper appeal in both dynasty and Superflex formats.

Dart showed steady growth throughout his college career, improving his decision-making while maintaining his aggressive downfield approach. He showcased a blend of pocket presence and mobility, capable of extending plays and picking up yards with his legs when needed. His arm strength allows him to make deep throws with ease, though at times, his aggressive nature led to risky decisions.

If he lands in a system that nurtures his development, he has the potential to become a quality NFL starter with fantasy upside.

My Current Rookie Ranking - QB2

 

Bhayshul Tuten - RB, Virginia Tech

Bhayshul Tuten is a dynamic running back prospect with the versatility to make an impact at the next level. After a breakout season at North Carolina A&T, he transferred to Virginia Tech, where he continued to showcase his explosive playmaking ability. Tuten combines vision, balance, and receiving skills, making him an intriguing option for fantasy football managers looking for a potential sleeper in dynasty rookie drafts.

He has excellent burst through the hole and can make defenders miss in space. His receiving ability is one of his biggest strengths—he was a reliable target out of the backfield (50 receptions over the last two seasons), which could earn him early opportunities in passing-down situations.

While he doesn’t have prototypical bell-cow size, his skill set fits well in today’s NFL, where versatility is highly valued.

Projected as a late Day 2 to early Day 3 pick in the NFL Draft, Tuten’s fantasy value will depend on his landing spot and role within an offense. If he finds himself in a situation with a creative offensive coordinator or a team lacking RB depth, he could carve out a meaningful role early on.

In dynasty leagues, he’s worth a late-round stash, particularly in PPR formats where his receiving upside gives him sneaky value. While he may not be an immediate fantasy starter, his ability to contribute as a change-of-pace back and potential third-down weapon makes him a name to monitor in deeper leagues.

My Current Rookie Ranking - RB6

 

RJ Harvey - RB, UCF

RJ Harvey is an underrated running back prospect with the tools to become a productive NFL contributor. A former quarterback turned running back, Harvey found his stride at UCF, where he emerged as a key offensive weapon (1,577 rushing yards and 25 total touchdowns in 2024). His combination of vision, contact balance, and explosiveness makes him an intriguing sleeper in dynasty rookie drafts.

Harvey’s transition to running back was seamless, as he displayed excellent instincts and natural rushing ability.

He has a compact frame and runs with a low center of gravity, making him difficult to bring down on first contact. His patience behind the line of scrimmage, paired with decisive cuts, allows him to maximize yardage on each carry. Although he wasn’t heavily utilized as a receiver at UCF, he has shown flashes of pass-catching ability, suggesting he could develop into a capable three-down back with the right coaching.

Harvey projects as a Day 3 pick, meaning his fantasy value will be tied to his landing spot and depth chart competition. If he lands on a team with a thin backfield or a coaching staff that values his versatility, he could work his way into a rotational role.

In dynasty leagues, he’s a deep sleeper worth monitoring, especially in formats that value potential long-term upside. While he may not be an immediate fantasy starter, his physicality and running style give him the potential to be a solid waiver-wire pickup or handcuff option if injuries open up opportunities.

My Current Rookie Ranking - RB7

 

Matthew Golden - WR, Texas

Matthew Golden is an intriguing wide receiver prospect with the skill set to develop into a reliable NFL playmaker. A former four-star recruit, Golden made an impact at the University of Houston before breaking out in 2024 after his transfer to Texas, showcasing his route-running, hands, and explosiveness. Golden possesses a strong combination of speed, ball-tracking ability, and after-the-catch elusiveness.

He runs crisp routes and has the quickness to separate from defenders, making him a threat in both short and deep passing situations. While he isn't the biggest receiver, his toughness allows him to compete for contested catches. His 4.29 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine drew scouts to raise an eyebrow as to Golden's potential to become a viable deep threat at the next level.

Golden has emerged as a virtual lock to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, meaning his fantasy value will continue to rise depending on his landing spot and depth chart competition. If he lands in an offense that emphasizes spreading the field and utilizing him as a threat with his speed, he could carve out a role as a slot or deep-threat option.

In dynasty rookie drafts, he’s an ascending player with upside, particularly in leagues that reward big plays. While he may not be an immediate fantasy starter, his athleticism and playmaking ability make him a name to watch, not only in dynasty formats but in redraft leagues as well.

My Current Rookie Ranking - WR3

 

Kyle Williams - WR, Washington State

Kyle Williams is a sleeper wide receiver prospect with the potential to develop into a reliable NFL contributor. Williams spent the last two seasons at Washington State (UNLV previously), showcasing strong hands, route-running ability, and the versatility to play both inside and outside.

While he hasn’t received as much national attention as some of the bigger-name prospects, his skill set makes him an intriguing dynasty stash for fantasy football managers looking for a deep sleeper.

Williams was a steady producer in college (70 receptions for 1,198 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in 2024), displaying a polished game with solid separation skills and the ability to make tough catches in traffic. He’s not the biggest or fastest receiver in the class, but he makes up for it with sharp route running and reliable hands.

His ability to adjust to off-target throws and work effectively in contested catch situations could help him carve out a role at the next level.

Projected as a late-round pick in the NFL Draft, Williams' fantasy value will largely depend on his landing spot and ability to earn playing time. If he finds himself in a pass-heavy offense with opportunities in the slot, he could develop into a possession receiver with PPR appeal.

He’s a deep stash option for dynasty leagues, particularly in formats with expanded rosters. While he may not be an immediate fantasy contributor, his polished skill set and potential path to playing time make him a name to monitor as a potential waiver-wire addition.

My Current Rookie Ranking - WR9



Download Our Free News & Alerts Mobile App

Like what you see? Download our updated fantasy football app for iPhone and Android with 24x7 player news, injury alerts, rankings, starts/sits & more. All free!

More NFL Rookie Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Import Your Leagues
Weekly Rankings
Compare Any Players
Projections
Articles & Tools
Weekly Planner
24x7 News and Alerts

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Jaylen Waddle

Good to Go For Thursday Night Football
Tucker Kraft

Suffers "Little Knee Tweak," Checks Out OK
Jaylen Waddle

Expected to Play and be a "Big Factor" on Thursday Night
Tucker Kraft

Suffers Knee Injury During Thursday's Practice
Clayton Kershaw

Will Retire at the End of the Season
Malcolm Brogdon

Landry Shamet and Malcolm Brogdon Both Staying with the Knicks?
Detroit Pistons

Charles Bediako Agrees to a Training Camp Deal with Detroit
Anthony Davis

Recovering From Eye Surgery, Uncertain for Training Camp
Charlotte Hornets

DaQuan Jeffries Waived by the Hornets
CFB

Eric Singleton Jr. Questionable For Saturday
Braden Schneider

Limited in Training Camp
Lars Eller

Recovering From Abdominal Procedure
Nick Jensen

in Danger of Missing Start of Season
Brandon Montour

to Miss Two Weeks After Ankle Surgery
Gabriel Landeskog

a "Full Go" for the Season
Samuel Girard

Avalanche Hope to Have Samuel Girard Available for Start of Season
Mackenzie Blackwood

Out Week-to-Week
Alex Tuch

Day-to-Day With Undisclosed Injury
Jordan Greenway

to Sit Out Training Camp
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen

Considered Day-to-Day
Simon Edvinsson

to Miss a Couple of Weeks
Mikael Backlund

Signs Two-Year Extension
Connor Ingram

to Be Waived by Mammoth
Zach Hyman

Misses Start of Training Camp
Nick Paul

Out Until November
Kris Letang

Cleared for Training Camp
David Pastrnak

Out for Start of Training Camp
Matthew Tkachuk

Expected to Be Out Until December
NBA

Trevelin Queen Joins Chinese Team
Damian Lillard

Not Rushing His Return
Brooklyn Nets

Keon Johnson Waived by Nets
Justin Verlander

Plans to Pitch in 2026
Junior Caminero

Day-to-Day With Back Tightness
Will Smith

Won't Return When First Eligible
Tyler Soderstrom

Returns to A's Lineup
Tyler Warren

Sidelined on Wednesday with Toe Injury
Jaylen Waddle

Questionable for Week 3 Against Buffalo
Joe Burrow

Bengals Not Closing the Door on Joe Burrow Returning This Year
CFB

LaNorris Sellers to Play Against Missouri?
Kyle Tucker

Progress has "Plateaued"
Isaac Paredes

has "Outside Chance" to Return This Weekend
CFB

Kaidon Salter Expected To Start for Colorado on Saturday
Willson Contreras

Goes on 10-Day Injured List, Done for Season
Justin Fields

Ruled Out for Week 3 Due to Concussion
Jayden Reed

Out Indefinitely After Foot and Shoulder Surgery
Washington Commanders

Preston Smith Signs With Commanders
Trey Jemison III

Joins Knicks on Two-Way Contract
Kevin McCullar Jr.

Signs New Two-Way Deal With Knicks
Matt Ryan

Returns to Knicks on Exhibit 10 Contract
New York Knicks

Alex Len Signs Exhibit 9 Deal With Knicks
Nickeil Alexander-Walker

Expected to Take on Larger Offensive Role With Hawks
Thomas Sorber

Undergoes Surgery
Dominic Canzone

Has Five-Hit, Three-Homer Game Tuesday
Cal Raleigh

Sets Single-Season Home Run Record for a Switch-Hitter
Jayden Reed

Undergoes Clavicle and Foot Surgeries, Out for Foreseeable Future
Bo Bichette

to Miss Rest of Regular Season
Zach Neto

Placed on 10-Day Injured List With Hand Injury
Yordan Alvarez

Out on Tuesday, Dealing With "Significant" Ankle Sprain
Aaron Jones Sr.

Vikings Place Aaron Jones Sr. on Injured Reserve With Hamstring Injury
CFB

Diego Pavia Refutes Report of Seeking Seventh Collegiate Season
Christian Kirk

Expected to Return in Week 3
CFB

Diego Pavia Seeking Another Year of Eligibility
Tarik Skubal

on Track to Start Thursday
CFB

Kevorian Barnes Questionable Against SMU
Bo Bichette

has Short-Term Knee Injury, Could Return for Postseason
Tosan Evbuomwan

Joins Knicks
NBA

Kai Jones Links Up With EuroLeague Team
Bismack Biyombo

Returns to Spurs
Bones Hyland

Rejoins Timberwolves
Kobe Bufkin

Moves to Brooklyn
Trey Yesavage

Sets Franchise Strikeout Record On Monday
Yordan Alvarez

To Receive MRI For Sprained Left Ankle On Tuesday
Willson Contreras

Exits Early Monday With Right-Biceps Tightness
Yordan Alvarez

Exits With Ankle Sprain
Brock Bowers

Officially Active on Monday Night
Jauan Jennings

Day-to-Day With Ankle Injury
Logan O'Hoppe

Activated Off Seven-Day Injured List
CBJ

Denton Mateychuk Dealing With Groin Issue
Bo Horvat

Fine for Training Camp
Kirby Dach

on Track to Be Ready for Opening Night
Jose Altuve

Returns Against Rangers
J.J. McCarthy

Expected to Miss 2-4 Weeks With High-Ankle Sprain
J.J. McCarthy

Likely Out for Week 3 With High-Ankle Sprain
Jean Silva

Gets Finished For The First Time In His Career
Aaron Jones Sr.

Unlikely to Play in Week 3 Due to Hamstring Injury
Diego Lopes

Returns To The Win Column
Jayden Daniels

' Week 3 Status in Doubt
Rob Font

Outclassed In The Noche UFC 3 Co-Main Event
David Martinez

Wins His Second UFC Fight
Jared Gordon

Suffers Brutal TKO Loss At Noche UFC 3
Rafa Garcia

Wins Back-To-Back Fights
Brian Thomas Jr.

Dealing with Wrist Injury
Dustin Stoltzfus

Drops A Decision At Noche UFC 3
Kelvin Gastelum

Gets Back In The Win Column
Diego Ferreira

Suffers Second-Round TKO
Alexander Hernandez

Extends His Win Streak With A Brutal TKO
Quang Le

Suffers First-Round Knockout
Santiago Luna

Shines In His UFC Debut
Christopher Bell

Earns his First Bristol Cup Series Victory
Alex Bowman

Falls Short of Advancing Through Cup Series Playoffs
Chase Briscoe

Collects his Third Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Ryan Blaney

Strong Top-Five Bristol Performance Advances him to the Playoffs
Corey Heim

Earns his First Career Cup Series Top-10 Finish at Bristol
Giannis Antetokounmpo

Leads Greece to Bronze Medal
Alperen Sengün

Alperen Sengun Drops 28 Points in EuroBasket Finals
CFB

Indiana's Lee Beebe Jr. Out for Season with Knee Injury
Dennis Schröder

Dennis Schroder Named EuroBasket MVP
Kenneth Walker III

Bounces Back with Big Week 2 Performance
Ty Gibbs

Has Arguably his Best Career Drive, but Only Finishes 10th
Chase Elliott

Despite Crashing Out at Bristol, Chase Elliott Advances to Round of 12
Austin Dillon

Misses Round of 12 After Extremely Mediocre Bristol Run
Shane Van Gisbergen

Shane van Gisbergen Fails to Advance to Round of 12
Josh Berry

Finishes Last in All Three Round of 16 Races to Fail to Advance
CFB

Ryan Williams Explodes In Return To Field
CFB

Drew Allar Plays Mediocre Game In Blowout Win
CFB

LaNorris Sellers Exits Game In Blowout Loss
CFB

DJ Lagway Tosses Five Interceptions In Loss
CFB

Garrett Nussmeier Plays Game Manager in Saturday's Win
CFB

CJ Carr Remains Poised In Narrow Loss
CFB

John Mateer Leads Oklahoma In Rout
CFB

Arch Manning Struggles Against UTEP
CFB

Jeremiah Smith Impresses In Win
CFB

Sam Leavitt Shines As Arizona State Rebounds From Week 2 Loss
Chris Buescher

May have Another Solid Run at Bristol
Kyle Busch

Should DFS Managers Roster Kyle Busch at Bristol?
Ricky Stenhouse Jr

Is Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Too Risky to Consider Rostering at Bristol?
Michael McDowell

Could be A Solid Value Option For Bristol DFS Lineups
Chase Elliott

Probably Won't Factor in for Bristol Win
NASCAR

Bubba Wallace Not as Strong at Bristol as Other Short Tracks
Alex Bowman

Needs to Win to Make Round of 12
Ross Chastain

has Never Led at Bristol but Has Been Pretty Consistent
Austin Dillon

Richmond Speed Unlikely to Carry Over to Bristol
Josh Berry

Might Run Well at Bristol, but Almost Certainly Won't Win to Advance
Justin Haley

Bristol One of Justin Haley's Few Recent Bright Spots
CFB

Austin Simmons Listed As Game-Time Decision Against Arkansas
CFB

Nico Iamaleava Struggles In Fourth Straight Loss