For months, we’ve been studying these rookies and evaluating them as prospects. Now, they are officially players in the NFL. Talent is obviously important, but a path to playing time, as well as offensive situation matter just as much. Here are the best fantasy football landing spots for key rookies from the 2025 NFL Draft.
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Was this the best possible landing spot? No. The best landing spot is on a team that has both a vacancy at running back and a high-powered offense. The Raiders do not have a great offense. But they do have a massive void at running back that Jeanty is set to fill.
The Raiders were actually a very pass-first offense last year, throwing the ball 58% of the time in neutral game script. This year, they have a completely new coaching staff led by Pete Carroll, who has a history of wanting to run the football.
At various points last season, the Raiders’ lead back was Alexander Mattison, Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah, and Sincere McCormick. Barring injury, none of these guys will ever matter again.
The Raiders’ key offseason signing at running back was 33-year-old Raheem Mostert. He could not be less of a threat to Jeanty.
In the modern NFL, three-down running backs are very hard to come by. Jeanty has all the makings of a three-down back. He will only come off the field when he is tired. Jeanty is a locked-in RB1 in fantasy right away.
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
Much like with Jeanty, we would prefer if a top wide receiver lands on an offense with minimal target competition and a great QB. We don’t know if the Panthers have a great QB yet. They might (but probably not). However, we do know they don’t have an incumbent WR1, or any target competition to speak of.
The Panthers’ WR1 is currently a 35-year-old Thielen. Or maybe it’s second-year UDFA Coker. Xavier Legette is also on the roster. None of these guys can shine McMillan’s shoes. This is a great spot for McMillan’s fantasy value, both for the short and long term. That is, of course, if the quarterback is right. Fortunately, we have reason for optimism.
While Young only averaged 14.6 fantasy points per game on the season, he was noticeably better over the latter part of the season.
From Weeks 12-18, Young posted games of 16.5, 23.6, 13.5, 14.0, 27.1, 16.9, and 36.4 fantasy points. That’s 21 ppg — QB1 numbers. If he does that again, it won’t be without McMillan’s help. The rookie is definitely someone I’m interested in drafting this season.
Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns
The Browns clearly have a type at running back. Don’t view them taking Quinshon Judkins over TreVeyon Henderson as an indictment on the latter. Cleveland has had almost a decade of Nick Chubb and they want something similar — a downhill runner; a power back. That’s Judkins.
At 6’0″, 220 pounds, Judkins has the size to be a feature back. His 4.48 40-time puts his speed score in the 92nd percentile.
Some may have concerns about Judkins’ lack of explosive plays, but don’t count me as one of those people. The most important predictor of fantasy success is draft capital. Judkins going in the early second round is an incredible vote of confidence in him. There will certainly be an argument that he is a better redraft asset than the Los Angeles Chargers first-round pick, Omarion Hampton.
The Browns still have a huge question mark at quarterback. But Jerome Ford was able to average 5.4 yards per carry last season. Volume is king and Judkins is poised to see plenty of it. His touchdown upside is capped by the offense, but this is about as good as it gets for a second-round running back.
R.J. Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos
Everyone mocked a running back to the Broncos within the first three rounds. I can’t recall any draft analysts having R.J. Harvey as the guy, though. That’s why landing spot is so important.
In early best ball drafts, prior to the NFL Draft, Harvey was nothing more than a late-round dart throw, going around guys like Devin Neal and D.J. Giddens. Now, Harvey is about to leave them in the dust like Johnny Tran did to Jesse in The Fast and the Furious.
Denver is a dream landing spot for a guy who was otherwise going to be a third-round rookie pick. Now, Harvey steps into a backfield that let Javonte Williams walk. His primary competition is plodder Audric Estimé and former UDFA and undersized Jaleel McLaughlin.
Last season, the Broncos led the league in running back target share. Sean Payton has always utilized his running backs in the passing game. Don’t overthink this one. At least for 2025, Harvey has an RB2 floor on a good offense with minimal touch competition.
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s less than ideal that Kaleb Johnson lasted until the third round. However, landing in Pittsburgh is almost a best-case scenario.
We know the Steelers want to run the ball. The Steelers were fifth with a 49% neutral game script run rate last season.
Jaylen Warren has the tools to be a lead back, but he’s never been that in his career. Johnson could step right into the Najee Harris role. While I remain bullish on Warren as a productive fantasy asset, Johnson is the type of power runner Mike Tomlin loves.
At 224 pounds, Johnson’s 4.57 40-time actually gives him a 74th percentile speed score. Johnson should be in line for 14-16 carries per game plus goal line work. The only negative is he’s not much of a receiver, but that was going to be the case regardless of who took him. Johnson may end up undervalued in both redraft and dynasty.
