2025 Rookie Primer: Offense + IDP
Before the mock drafts start flying, let's familiarize ourselves with the 2025 rookies.
The 2024 draft class is shaping up to be one of the most exciting in years, and we’re here to help you get ahead of the game. Before I drop my first mock draft, I want to give you a closer look at the big-name rookies who could make an immediate impact for your dynasty teams. Consider this primer your crash course on the offensive and defensive prospects you’ll need to know when you’re on the clock. Buckle up—it’s time to dive into the class of 2024 and start building those championship rosters.
Quarterback
Cam Ward | Miami | 6’2,” 223 lbs
Ward is a very intriguing prospect. While I don’t believe he’ll be the NFL Draft’s QB1, I think he has the potential to produce like one in fantasy. His 2024 stats—4,300 passing yards, 39 passing touchdowns, 204 rushing yards, and 4 rushing touchdowns—showcase his dual-threat capabilities. Ward’s size and athleticism make him a player to watch in fantasy. The big question is whether he’ll get the draft capital and landing spot to match his potential. Time will tell.
Shedeur Sanders | Colorado | 6’2,” 215 lbs
Sanders is a bit of a head-scratcher when watching his tape. He has some incredible moments, like scrambling with pocket awareness and firing a bullet to Travis Hunter for a touchdown. But then some plays reveal poor decision-making, like throwing into double coverage. I’m leaning toward avoiding Sanders in drafts. It’s early, but based on what I’ve seen, I don’t think his tape supports the hype he’s likely to receive.
Jalen Milroe | Alabama | 6’2,” 225 lbs
Milroe might be the best rushing quarterback in this class, and he’s no slouch as a passer either. His 726 rushing yards and 20 rushing touchdowns in 2024 are impressive. While his first instinct is often to run when the pocket collapses, he still managed 2,844 passing yards and 11 passing touchdowns. The 11 interceptions are a concern, but his rushing ability helps compensate for some of those mistakes. Early on, I think I’d pass on Sanders and aim to grab Milroe later in drafts.
Quinn Ewers | Texas | 6’2,” 210 lbs
Ewers has delivered some highlight-reel plays during his time at Texas, but I’m not convinced he’ll succeed at the professional level. An injury-plagued 2024 season saw Arch Manning step in and look more promising. I’ll likely avoid Ewers in drafts.
Will Howard | Ohio State | 6’5,” 242 lbs
Howard has the tools to make big plays and enough mobility to stick in the NFL. However, I’m not sure he’ll reach an elite level. Throwing to Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka certainly helped his numbers. He can make big throws and manages games well, but he’ll be one to monitor closely during the combine process.
Running Back
Ashton Jeanty | Boise State | 5’9,” 215 lbs
This early in the process, I’ve never seen a more locked-and-loaded 1.01. There will be chatter about Tetairoa McMillan and Travis Hunter—especially in IDP circles—but trust your gut here, and Jeanty won’t fail you. We can talk stats and metrics all day, but the fact remains: this running back is as much of a sure thing as Saquon was when he entered the league. Jeanty is a generational talent. Draft him accordingly.
Kaleb Johnson | Iowa | 6’0,” 225 lbs
Johnson runs like no one else. He has a tight, powerful frame and doesn’t rely on jump cuts. Instead, he excels as a north-south runner, carving through defenses and consistently gaining positive yardage. While he may not dazzle with highlight plays like Jeanty or Judkins, if he lands on a team with a solid offensive line, watch out.
Quinshon Judkins | Ohio State | 6’0,” 219 lbs
Judkins is set to be electric at the next level. He boasts elite tackle-breaking ability and is faster and stronger than many defenders expect. Judkins doesn’t shy away from contact, stiff-arming defenders at will and lowering his pads when needed. Early in the process, I’m already falling in love with his game. In 1QB leagues, he should be a mid-first-round rookie pick, making him even more appealing. Think of him as a slightly discounted Jahmyr Gibbs with a hint of Isiah Pacheco. Be still my heart.
Omarion Hampton | North Carolina | 6’0,” 220 lbs
If you imagine the ideal running back from an NFL GM’s perspective, you’re likely picturing Hampton. He’s built in a compact, efficient frame—not small, not big, not slow, but not blazing fast either. Hampton is simply what he needs to be. He can find a hole and turn it into a six-yard gain but lacks elite breakaway speed. He’s shaping up as a great late-first or early-second-round pick.
TreVeyon Henderson | Ohio State | 5’10,” 208 lbs
Henderson is elusive as they come, a natural pass-catcher, and excels at making defenders miss in space. Henderson’s ability to jump-cut and weave through traffic is matched by his knack for grinding out tough yardage. He’s a complete running back whose stock has risen significantly thanks to his performance in the CFB playoffs. I’m excited to see where he lands—he might end up being better than we expect.
Others at RB: Ollie Gordon II, Cameron Skattebo, Devin Neal
Wide Receiver
Luther Burden | Missouri | 5’11,” 208 lbs
Burden’s hands and ability to win contested catches are his standout traits. He can outfight defenders in the air and often comes down with the ball. However, I’m concerned he may measure closer to 5’9” or 5’10” than his listed height. Additionally, he doesn’t possess elite speed, even for a receiver under 6’0.” I like Burden, but I’m not in love with him. Where he lands in rookie mocks will be a tricky call for me.
Emeka Egbuka | Ohio State | 6’1,” 205 lbs
For all the skepticism I have about Burden, I have equal enthusiasm for Egbuka. He’s poised to be phenomenal at the next level. Egbuka has a masterful understanding of leverage and knows how to manipulate defenders. He excels at finding soft spots in zones for consistent catches, navigates defenders on crossing routes, and has the speed to threaten downfield. Egbuka might end up being my WR1 in this class.
Tetairoa McMillan | Arizona | 6’5,” 212 lbs
McMillan is undeniably talented. I’ve seen the hype videos, the acrobatic catches, and all the flair. But I’ve also seen his struggles to separate against press coverage at the line. While McMillan has the tools to be “good” in the NFL, I’m not ready to anoint him as “great.” He’s dominant on deep routes and crossing patterns, but getting open in the NFL could be more of a challenge. I’ll need to study his tape further.
Elic Ayomanor | Stanford | 6’2,” 210 lbs
Ayomanor gives off smaller Michael Pittman vibes. He understands defenses and knows how to get open. He’s not flashy and doesn’t possess any elite traits, but he’s reliable and will thrive as a tough, possession-style receiver. With strong hands and a chance to impress during the combine, Ayomanor could climb draft boards.
Xavier Restrepo | Miami | 5’10,” 198 lbs
During a Miami game, an announcer dubbed Restrepo “Mr. Reliable” after he snagged a 30-yard touchdown, and it couldn’t be more accurate. He has dependable hands and a knack for always being open. Restrepo won’t run a 4.4 40 at the combine or boast a 40-inch vertical, but he’ll shine in route-running drills and showcase his agility in the gauntlet. He’s shaping up as a fantastic mid-second-round rookie pick.
Others at WR: Isaiah Bond, Tre Harris, Matthew Golden, Tez Johnson
Tight End
Harold Fannin Jr. | Bowling Green | 6’4,” 230 lbs
Fannin is a load, and bringing him to the ground proved nearly impossible for college defenders. He’s set to be a short-yardage and goal-line monster at the next level. I try not to get too far ahead of myself with rookie tight ends, but Fannin makes that difficult—there’s just so much to like. While Brock Bowers smashed expectations last year, Fannin is a vastly different type of player. Still, he’s going to be very good. The challenge is figuring out where to draft him in rookie mocks.
Tyler Warren | Penn State | 6’6,” 247 lbs
It’s hard to shake the fact that Warren wears the same number as Dallas Clark, but the similarities between them make it work. Warren is one of the most complete tight end prospects we’ve seen. He’s a brute to tackle, fights for the ball downfield, and wins 50/50 matchups. He can catch and run screens, take handoffs, and block exceptionally well. In short, any NFL GM would be smart to draft him.
Colston Loveland | Michigan | 6’5,” 245 lbs
Loveland might have the best hands of any tight end in this class. He’s fast, racks up YAC, and runs crisp routes. His combination of route-running prowess and sneaky speed makes him a nightmare to cover. Loveland will score plenty of touchdowns at the next level and should be available at a discount in rookie drafts.
Gunnar Helm | Texas | 6’5,” 251 lbs
Helm fits the mold of a traditional tight end prospect: a big, bruising blocker. But he also has solid pass-catching skills, so he could surprise us at the next level. That said, it’s hard for him to stand out compared to the other top prospects in this class. Helm feels like a solid third- or fourth-round rookie pick.
Others at TE: Jake Briningstool, Luke Lachey
Edge Rusher
Abdul Carter | Penn State | 6’3,” 259 lbs
Is it ironic that Carter wore number 11 at Penn State and is roughly the same size as Micah Parsons? Maybe, but the comparison isn’t hard to see. While Parsons played a different role in College Station, Carter looks to be the best edge rusher in this class by far. His combination of bend, strength, and speed in that frame is lethal. The way he explodes into the backfield is downright scary. With 68 tackles, 12 sacks, and 24 TFLs in 2024, Carter is the clear EDGE1 in this class. Will he make his way into the first round of IDP rookie drafts? Time will tell.
Mykel Williams | Georgia | 6’5,” 265 lbs
Williams projects as a serviceable edge in the NFL. He occasionally lines up inside, and his length and athleticism are undeniable. However, his production last season—21 tackles and 5 sacks—raises concerns about whether he’ll reach elite status in IDP. Williams might surprise me, but for now, I’m not betting on it.
James Pearce Jr. | Tennessee | 6’5,” 243 lbs
Pearce’s highlight tape might be some of the best of any EDGE in the class. There are plenty of plays where offensive linemen fail to get their hands on him, allowing him to wreak havoc in the backfield. But then you watch games like Georgia and Vanderbilt, where he was completely shut down. The question remains: will Pearce live up to his flashes of brilliance or struggle to make an impact in the NFL?
Jalon Walker | Georgia | 6’2,” 245 lbs
Walker is one of the most intriguing prospects in this class. He profiles more as an outside linebacker but offers high upside at both EDGE and linebacker. With 60 tackles and 6.5 sacks in 2024, he provides a high floor with ceiling potential. We’ve seen OLBs like Kyle Van Noy and Andrew Van Ginkel dominate in IDP in recent seasons, which makes me wonder: are we undervaluing these versatile OLB types? Walker feels like a third-round rookie pick and will be on a lot of my teams.
Mike Green | Marshall | 6’4,” 248 lbs
Green could be mistaken for Michael Phelps with how often he uses the swim move. His stat line—84 tackles, 17 sacks, and 23 TFLs—is jaw-dropping for an EDGE. While Green is still a bit raw and lacks top-end speed for the position, his motor and determination elevate his game. I like taking a dart throw on Green in IDP drafts. Let’s see what the NFL thinks of him come draft time.
Others at EDGE: Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimoloau, Princely Umanmielen
Linebacker
Jihaad Campbell | Alabama | 6’3,” 244 lbs
Campbell is a long, rangy linebacker who plays downhill. He excels in the run game and consistently makes big plays in the backfield. While he has enough sideline-to-sideline speed to handle screens and short dump-offs, he isn’t as strong in downfield coverage. That said, his sure tackling and dominance at the line of scrimmage make him an intriguing prospect. With 117 tackles, 12 TFLs, and 5 sacks in 2024, Campbell has shown he can fill up the stat sheet. I’ll be keeping a close eye on him.
Danny Stutsman | Oklahoma | 6’4,” 236 lbs
While we often get caught up in RAS and combine metrics, a linebacker’s success at the next level often hinges on what’s between their ears—and Stutsman has an exceptional football IQ. His 376 tackles, 37 TFLs, 8 sacks, and 3 interceptions over his four-year career make him an incredibly intriguing prospect.
Barrett Carter | Clemson | 6’1,” 236 lbs
How significant will Carter’s role be in the NFL? That’s up for debate. His senior-year production—82 tackles, 11 TFLs, and 3.5 sacks—was solid, but I expected more. His tape shows impressive instincts, especially in the run game and when rushing the passer. However, a 100+ tackle season would have left me more excited. Carter has the potential to wow at the combine, so I’ll need to revisit him after the draft process.
Defensive Backs
Travis Hunter | Colorado | 6’1,” 185 lbs
Hunter will likely play most of his snaps at wide receiver, but as good as he is on offense, he’s just as capable at cornerback. While he profiles better as a receiver, his dual-threat potential makes him an IDP prospect unlike anything we’ve seen before. I believe he could become a top-10 dynasty WR quickly, and the fact that he might see meaningful snaps at CB adds a bone-chilling appeal from a PPG perspective in IDP. At this point, it’s Jeanty at 1.01, with Hunter nipping at his heels at 1.02.
Malaki Starks | Georgia | 6’1,” 205 lbs
Is Starks playing the wrong sport? The dude lives above the rim. He’s a high-flying defensive back with a knack for delivering hard hits to receivers and running backs alike. I can’t get enough of Starks’ tape—he’s exactly the type of DB we crave in IDP. His 77 tackles and 6 interceptions in his junior year at Georgia are impressive, but the lack of sacks stands out. Still, it’s early, and Starks is my DB1 off the board.
Nick Emmanwori | South Carolina | 6’3,” 227 lbs
Emmanwori is a freak of nature. He can cover, deflect passes, intercept deep balls, and tackle with authority. His production is undeniable, with 224 tackles, 4 TFLs, and 6 interceptions over three seasons at South Carolina. I claimed Starks as my DB1, but I might be lying—Emmanwori looks special and might edge him out.
Xavier Watts | Notre Dame | 6’0,” 201 lbs
Watts fits the mold of a reliable IDP safety. His 126 tackles and 13 interceptions in the last two seasons show his high floor and a high ceiling. Transitioning from WR his freshman year to “rover” (LB/DB) his sophomore year, Watts adapted to his new position and thrived. He feels like a great value as a fourth-round rookie pick.
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