20 Rookies Drafted in Rounds 1-3 Who Could Make a Fantasy Impact in 2025

Apr 26, 2025

Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The 2025 NFL Draft is over, so now 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 run down the early-round rookies that could make an immediate impact this season.

For redraft purposes, I’m mainly interested in players who will (or could) start or play a significant part-time role this season. This year, I’ve broken this article up into three parts: rookies who will make an immediate impact, those who should make an immediate impact, and those who could make an immediate impact.

I’ll add the player’s draft capital and opportunity grade in parentheses. When discussing receivers and quarterbacks, I’ll also refer to Matt Harmon's WR work at Reception Perception and Derrick Klassen's QB work at The Athletic.

Will Make an Immediate Fantasy Impact

RB Ashton Jeanty, Raiders (1st, A)

The Raiders struggled to run the ball last year (3.6 YPC as a team), and Ashton Jeanty should vastly improve the team's per carry and overall production. He's a dual threat and should see a bellcow workload, so he's a threat for fantasy RB1 numbers from the get-go. The only knocks on his game appear to be his shaky pass protection and suspect ball security. The former might impact his snaps if the Raiders elect to pull him out on obvious passing downs.

I’m expecting a huge workload, and that should lead to RB1/RB2 fantasy production.

RB Quinshon Judkins, Browns (2nd, A)

Nick Chubb has been released, so the strong and athletic Judkins will compete with Jerome Ford for RB1 duties and shouldn't have a problem winning the starting job. Assuming he has a strong summer, he'll be ranked as a fantasy RB2 with RB1 upside.