8 Late-Round Rookies Who Could Make a Fantasy Impact in 2025

Apr 28, 2025

Kevin Lytle/The Coloradoan / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Ima

The 2025 NFL Draft is over, so it’s time for me to retreat to the rankings cave and develop the first iteration of 4for4’s official projections. But first, let’s discuss a few late-round (4th-7th) rookies who have a chance to make a fantasy impact this year.

For redraft purposes, I’m mainly interested in players who will (or could) start or play a significant part-time role this season.

I’ll add the player’s draft capital and opportunity grade in parentheses. Since these players were drafted after my draft coverage ended, I'll add the dynasty profile from our partners at Dynasty League Football, if appropriate. And when discussing receivers or quarterbacks, I’ll also refer to Matt Harmon (Reception Perception) and Derrick Klassen (The Athletic).

Be sure to check out my Impact Rookies article for my early-round favorites, along with my draft coverage of Round 1 and Rounds 2-3.

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WR Tory Horton, Seahawks (5th, B+)

Tory Horton had back-to-back 1,100+ yard seasons in 2022 and 2023 before an injury-riddled 2024 season. Harmon thinks he’s a steal on Day 3, and he’s landing with the Seahawks, who said goodbye to both DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett this offseason. Seattle did sign Cooper Kupp, so Horton will likely compete for snaps behind Kupp and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Matt Harmon thinks that the Seahawks got a steal in Horton since he slipped to Day 3.

Harmon: “Overall, Tory Horton checks a ton of boxes I want to see ticked for a receiver that goes in the second round. His route running is great, he wins from multiple alignments, and can be a play-maker at the catch point and with the ball in his hands. Other than his one-sided deployment, there isn’t much to dislike about Horton’s profile. Reception Perception shows that Horton is one of, if not the best, true sleeper receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft class. If his 2024 injury pushes him into Day 3, he will go down as a steal for a team that’s willing to work with him as he adjusts to higher level of competition and pro-level alignment.”