Excitement For 7 Rookies In 2025 has already rippled across week-one box scores. Fans should care now because early snaps and two-touchdown debuts rewrote several preseason rankings. Emeka Egbuka’s two-TD Week 1 and Omarion Hampton’s 17 touches for 61 yards are concrete signs these rookies can impact games immediately. Which breakout will carry into October, and which one fades under NFL defenses?
Why these 7 rookies matter to NFL fans and fantasy managers in 2025
- Emeka Egbuka scored 2 touchdowns in Week 1; immediate fantasy starter for many.
- Omarion Hampton had 17 touches for 61 yards in his NFL debut; steady workhorse potential.
- Ashton Jeanty entered the season as a projected lead back; coaches trust his uphill running.
The 7 rookies changing early 2025 narrative – who to bet on now
1 – Emeka Egbuka: Two touchdowns and a national buzz
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Egbuka exploded in Week 1, catching two touchdown passes and a game-winner in Tampa Bay’s opener, which vaulted him into early Offensive ROY conversation. If you drafted him, ride the hot hand; if you didn’t, ask your league’s waiver wire manager what they want. He already shows NFL route timing and chemistry with the QB.
Egbuka called the play before it happened.
Emeka Egbuka got the Bucs on the board early with the team's first touchdown of the 2025 season. https://t.co/sC2BvzuGis pic.twitter.com/vpfqBEgVd3
— The Bucs Wire (@TheBucsWire) September 7, 2025
2 – Omarion Hampton: Workhorse snaps that matter for lineups
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Hampton earned 17 touches (15 rushes) for 61 yards in Week 1 and immediately looks like Greg Roman’s trusted runner. That volume matters: even modest per-carry totals become fantasy gold with consistent touches. If you need RB stability, Hampton is the safe play this week.
He’s rostered in most leagues.
3 – Ashton Jeanty: Explosive runner, situational upside
Jeanty flashed burst and big-play ability in preseason and is positioned for opportunities in Las Vegas’ backfield rotation. Coaches praised his downhill running and pass-pro competence during camp, which could translate to third-down trust soon. If you like boom-or-bust RBs, Jeanty could be your midweek flex.
Big-play upside exists.
4 – Dylan Sampson: Rookie back quietly climbing fantasy boards
Sampson has earned early praise from analysts and sits on midrange Rookie of the Year lists after an efficient training-camp showing. He’s a candidate for rotational touches that grow into more with an injury or scheme shift. Consider him a speculative add for upside.
Sampson is a handcuff-to-watch.
5 – Tre Harris: Deep-threat rookie drawing defensive attention
Harris showed contested-catch ability in Week 1 snaps, turning limited targets into meaningful yardage for the Chargers. Defenses will start scheming him in, which can open opportunities underneath for teammates – and fantasy managers should watch target share. If you liked his college tape, this is confirmation.
Explosive downfield snaps.
6 – Tory Horton: Late-round sleeper who could pay off
Horton has surfaced on preseason sleeper lists and got shoutouts in fantasy deep-sleepers articles for his route-running polish and contested-win ability. He’s a stash for leagues where injuries thin wide receiver rooms quickly. Add him if you have bench space and patience.
Horton’s upside is matchup-dependent.
Video: Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka talks about his second touchdown, the go-ahead score in Tampa Bay’s win over the Falcons. pic.twitter.com/JIkH34iPuv
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 7, 2025
7 – Jaxson Dart: Rookie QB intrigue and limited starter upside
Dart’s Week 1 reps and coaching staff comments put him on the radar as a midseason replacement candidate in certain offenses. He won’t be a week-one fantasy starter but could morph into a streaming option if his team’s offense stalls. Keep an eye on practice reports.
QB volatility ahead.
The numbers behind early rookie momentum you should care about
| KPI | Value + Unit | Change/Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Egbuka Week 1 TDs | 2 TDs | Immediate fantasy starter buzz |
| Hampton Week 1 touches | 17 carries | Workload suggests early trust |
| Egbuka Week 1 fantasy | 19.6 pts (standard) | Top-5 WR production in debut |
Early volume and scoring highlight which rookies can affect lineups immediately.
What these rookie starts mean for your fantasy roster in October 2025?
Expect roster churn: managers who add a hot rookie now gain matchup leverage later. Bold moves pay off-selling high on a one-game outlier could backfire. Will you hold a rookie through a scoring slump or trade for a veteran certainty?
Sources
- https://www.si.com/onsi/fantasy/rookies-to-watch-monday-night-football-emeka-egbuka
- 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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Jessica Morrison is a seasoned entertainment writer with over a decade of experience covering television, film, and pop culture. After earning a degree in journalism from New York University, she worked as a freelance writer for various entertainment magazines before joining red94.net. Her expertise lies in analyzing television series, from groundbreaking dramas to light-hearted comedies, and she often provides in-depth reviews and industry insights. Outside of writing, Jessica is an avid film buff and enjoys discovering new indie movies at local festivals.