NFL Rookie Stock Watch

The 2025 rookie class was hailed as a fantasy-friendly one. There were multiple first-round picks for each of the QB, RB, WR, and TE positions. The RB class in particular was nearly labeled “generational”, but has failed to live up to that through three games. Nevertheless, we have a clear runway for Chargers RB Omarion Hampton and Giants RB Cam Skattebo, thanks to injuries to their respective teams’ veteran “starters”. The thesis of drafting either was that their talent would be enough to overtake Najee Harris and Tyrone Tracy midseason, yet the Injury Gods had other plans.

Discussing either of these RBs, Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka, or Colts TE Tyler Warren would be a waste of characters. If you have them, you are starting them.

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QB Jaxson Dart (NYG)

The Giants have officially made the switch. Russell Wilson is yesterday’s news (after three games), while Jaxson Dart is (potentially) the future! Dart offers a much more athletic option under center and can provide more upside to a stagnant offense in dire need of explosive plays. The Giants loved what Dart displayed in the preseason and believe he could be the answer for their slow offensive start.

Dart is unlikely to be the second-coming of any great QB, but he is mobile with a live arm. If he could play at a near-average level, the Giants’ offense could have some big fantasy weeks. The Giants were supposed to have a stout defense this season after drafting electric EDGE Abdul Carter third overall, but that is not the case. They rank 30th in defensive DVOA (via FTN) to start this season, with a run defense that sits last among the 32 teams.

Dart’s rushing ability mixed with star WR Malik Nabers could also lead to several fantasy “spike weeks” for him as the Giants continue playing catch-up in games.

RB Ashton Jeanty (LV)

There are no two ways around it, the Raiders’ offense is a tough watch. Ashton Jeanty is doing his darnedest behind one of the NFL’s worst offensive lines, but that is not resulting in much production. He has 144 rushing yards through three games, with 142 yards coming AFTER contact. The Raiders have also trailed early and often in the past two games, resulting in less playing time than in Week 1, when Jeanty played 85.7% of the offensive snaps.

The good news is that the Raiders do not face an above-average rush defense until after their Week 8 Bye. They face the Titans and Bears in two of their next three matchups, which should lead to Jeanty’s first “breakout” game. This iteration of the Raiders offense is still trying to establish an identity, and that could come sooner than later as Brock Bowers’ knee heals, and Jeanty finds his footing.

RB Treveyon Henderson (NE)

The Patriots were forced into heavily utilizing Treveyon Henderson last week after veteran RBs Rhamondre Stevenson and Antonio Gibson combined for three fumbles. Henderson carried the load in the second half, but produced just 47 yards on 14 touches without finding pay dirt.

Henderson’s start to the season is not ideal, yet we should expect better days ahead for the explosive rookie. Stevenson is on thin ice with three fumbles in three games, and their schedule is very light for the next month. The Patriots face the Panthers, Titans, and Saints in three of their next four games. The playoff schedule for Henderson is difficult, but ideally, he is ramped up to a near-workhorse by then and can be matchup-proof on volume (especially receiving volume).

RB Quinshon Judkins (CLE)

Speaking of matchup-proof, Quinshon Judkins just posted 95 yards and a touchdown on 19 touches against the Green Bay Packers, who lead the NFL in defensive DVOA through three games. This comes after earning 71 yards on 13 touches in his first game against Baltimore. Judkins has hit the ground running (literally) and should continue this workhorse touch pace after doubling his snaps (27% to 54%) from Week 2 to Week 3.

The Browns face another stout run defense in Week 4 as they head to Detroit, but Judkins should play enough that he could pay off regardless of a potential dip in efficiency. The only deterrent for him is a looming suspension after an offseason domestic violence allegation. This could keep him out for two-to-four games, but we do not know when. Judkins is not a “must start” option this week, but definitely a player difficult to bench moving forward until that suspension hits.

RB Bhayshul Tuten (JAC)

The Jaguars’ RB room cleared up after the Tank Bigsby trade. Travis Etienne is the starter, Bhayshul Tuten is the RB2/priority handcuff, and LeQuint Allen is the two-minute drill RB who excels in pass pro. The good news for Tuten and his drafters is that he is still involved despite being the RB2. Tuten has 106 yards and two touchdowns on just 19 touches through three games and could eventually have a massive role if something happens to Etienne.

Despite Etienne’s health and performance, we could even consider starting Tuten during the upcoming Bye weeks as injuries at the RB position pile up. He is an explosive athlete who can make something out of nothing in the open field, even on a low number of touches. Ideally, you are not starting him until an injury or underperformance strikes Etienne, but he should be rostered in all formats nonetheless.

WR/CB Travis Hunter (JAC)

This is not the start that anyone who drafted Travis Hunter was expecting. He has looked like a pedestrian on offense and is not playing anywhere close to the snaps promised by the coaching staff after the preseason. Hunter’s offensive snap share has dipped in each game since Week 1, and his targets have vanished.

Week 1: 63.6% snaps and 8 targets

Week 2: 59.2% snaps and 6 targets

Week 3: 52.9% snaps and 2 targets

He has managed to produce a measly 76 yards on 16 targets, but at least he looks great on defense! Hunter’s ability in coverage is so valuable to a team that does not have a true CB1. It is unlikely that the Jaguars will completely remove him from the offense, yet it would be wise to keep his snap share on that end low, given their WR talent compared to CB talent. Hunter is not someone we should drop *yet*, but if this downtick continues, he is nothing more than waiver wire fodder.

WR Matthew Golden (GB)

Matthew Golden’s snap share has JUMPED between Week 1 (47.9%) and Week 3 (70.8%). The loss of Jayden Reed opened up more opportunities for the rookie WR, who was naturally going to see more work as the season progressed. Unfortunately, the snap increase has not yet led to a fantasy-relevant game. Golden caught all four of his targets against the Browns for 52 yards and no touchdowns. However, one of the catches was a deep ball, which he ran with toward the sideline rather than up field. Had Golden scored that explosive shot, we would be looking at him in a very different light this week.

Nevertheless, Golden looks the part on the field and should continue seeing an increase in targets throughout the season. He is getting open regularly, but the touchdown opportunities have been a tick or two off thus far. Better days are ahead for Golden and the Packers’ passing attack. However, he will be difficult to pin weekly as a fantasy option due to Jordan Love’s preference to spread the ball around and Golden’s skillset, which is heavily predicated on spacing the field rather than short plays that can provide YAC and PPR value.

WR Luther Burden (CHI)

Luther Burden just posted three catches, 101 yards, and a touchdown on just 29% of the Bears’ snaps last week against the Cowboys. While a large chunk of this yardage was produced on one gimmicky flea flicker deep shot, Burden did well baiting the defense on his route and tracked the ball for his touchdown.

Burden missed time in the offseason while dealing with rib and hamstring issues, but is growing weekly, according to the coaching staff. The Bears have a deep, talented WR room, but roughly half the weekly snaps are allotted to journeyman WR Olamide Zaccheus. Zaccheus is not a bad player, but he is not the same caliber of playmaker as Burden. If Burden continues to produce on his touches like Week 3, he will grow into a full-time player for the Bears and provide that extra juice needed for Caleb Williams to take his next step. Burden cannot be started in fantasy for now and should not be rostered in shallower leagues until we see him crack at least 50% of the team’s snaps.

WR Jayden Higgins (HOU)

Jayden Higgins’ snaps have stagnated since Week 1. He played 42.9% of the offense’s snaps in his debut, 42.9% in Week 2, and 44.4% in Week 3. Higgins is a talented WR with 65 yards on his five targets thus far, but with the Week 3 return of Christian Kirk and the presence of fellow Iowa State Cyclone Jaylin Noel, he is strapped for playing time.

Ideally, the Texans incorporate Higgins (and Noel) more as the season progresses. The presence of Justin Watson and Xavier Hutchinson is asinine for a team that is not competing in 2025. The Texans are winless through three games and need to focus on their future. Prioritizing snaps for their Day 2 rookie WRs is one major step, but we do not know when they will take it. Once they do, Higgins should be rostered in most formats given his mix of size, speed, and potential production.

TE Colston Loveland (CHI)

Another Bears’ weapon who missed significant time due to an injury this offseason is Colston Loveland. Chicago drafted Loveland at tenth overall in this year’s draft and wants to get him involved as soon as possible. Loveland was targeted three times on six snaps in Week 3 and looks to be a significant asset for this Bears’ offense in need of a reliable player in the midfield.

Loveland has just 43 yards on six targets through three games, but is a 21-year-old TE who has not stayed healthy in Chicago yet. If he remains on the field and produces, the Michigan product would be a must-have fantasy TE given his talent, his QB’s talent, and the Bears’ reliance on passing due to their poor rushing attack and defense.