7 Rookie Breakouts In 2025 That Could Surprise Fans – Here’s What Changes

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By: Jessica Morrison

Fans feel excitement as seven rookies arrive in 2025, and some are already altering early depth charts. This matters now because Week 1 glimpses showed immediate workload shifts and two-touchdown debuts that could ripple through awards races. Concrete signs: Omarion Hampton got 17 touches for 61 yards in his NFL debut, and Emeka Egbuka scored twice in Atlanta. My take: don’t sleep on position battles – these names will shape playing time and fantasy value. Which of these seven will turn a hot start into a season-long ripple?

Why these 7 rookie picks will matter for NFL fans in 2025

  • Omarion Hampton logged 17 touches for 61 yards in Week 1; Chargers leaned on the run.
  • Emeka Egbuka opened with two touchdowns in Atlanta; immediate red-zone trust.
  • Abdul Carter recorded a half-sack debut and is pushing defensive snaps early.

The 7 picks that could redefine position battles in 2025

1 – Omarion Hampton – Chargers RB With An Immediate Workload

Hampton’s Week 1 role was obvious: 17 touches signaled Roman’s running-first plan and a chance to snag steady work even with Najee Harris active. If you play fantasy, Hampton’s early volume makes him worth watching for touches and goal-line looks; will he hold the backfield or become a platoon piece?

2 – Emeka Egbuka – Buccaneers WR Who Got Trusted Targets

Egbuka’s two-touchdown debut in Atlanta was a textbook “coach trusts the rookie” moment and hints at early snaps in the red zone. If he keeps drawing targets, he can move from rookie curiosity to roster staple – and you’ll want him on deeper fantasy benches.

3 – Ashton Jeanty – Raiders RB With Upside In The Scheme

Jeanty already ranks high on fantasy lists and landed votes as a top rookie fit; Oakland’s needs give him path to early snaps. If Raiders backfield uncertainty continues, Jeanty could convert efficiency into consistent touches and win immediate fantasy relevance.

4 – Tyler Warren – Colts TE Poised For A Bigger Role

Scouts flagged Warren as a candidate for a breakout year and he received votes in award conversations; Indianapolis projects more two-tight-end sets. Watch for matchup weeks where Warren can exploit coverage mismatches – he’s a buy-low dynasty target if you like TE upside.

5 – Abdul Carter – Giants OLB Applying Pressure Early

Carter dominated DROY voting and notched a half-sack in Week 1, already creating one-on-one pass-rush chances behind Dexter Lawrence II. Expect schemed rushes and rotation snaps; if he keeps creating pressure, Carter becomes a defensive starter you name in weekly waiver moves.

6 – Emeka Egbuka Film Watch – Why His Two TDs Matter For Targets

That two-score debut wasn’t fluky: coaches gave Egbuka red-zone reps and he converted them, which often breeds more targets as the season goes on. If you follow snap reports, Egbuka’s target share is the stat that will tell the story.

7 – Travis Hunter & TreVeyon Henderson – Wildcards With Big Ceilings

Both received votes among evaluators and represent different upside paths: Hunter for explosive playmaking in Jacksonville, Henderson for early-down usage in New England. Which profile wins out – high-ceiling plays or steady volume – will shape where each lands in lineups.

The key figures behind these rookie starts in 2025

Metric Value + Unit Change/Impact
Hampton touches 17 touches (Week 1) Immediate lead-back workload
Egbuka TDs 2 touchdowns (debut) Fast trust, red-zone usage
Carter pressure 0.5 sacks (debut) Early defensive snaps increase

How will these 7 rookies reshape depth charts and fantasy in 2025?

Don’t treat Week 1 like destiny, but these starts create real opportunities: workload and red-zone trust predict who climbs. Keep tracking snap share and target percentages – that’s where season-long value appears. Which rookie will you roster before their price spikes?

Sources

  • https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/46208174/nfl-executives-pick-award-winners-2025-predicting-mvp-top-rookies-player-year-honors-comeback-stars-breakouts

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