Identifying Winners and Losers: NFL Post-draft Rookie Insights

Post-draft Rookie Winners And Losers

The NFL offseason continues to chug on, and we now find ourselves at the beginning of OTA’s. Seeing the new crop of rookies in their team jerseys brings excitement to the upcoming season. Now we can discuss the rookie class and their landing spots, as well as their fantasy potential for the new season. Some players have an immediate impact while others will take a little longer to catch on. Some rookies won’t get a chance to do much in their rookie season without someone going down in front of them. Whatever the case, these discussions will hold us over until OTA’s and training camp. And you know I love adding my two cents to the mix. So, let’s see who I have on my list.

The Winners

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders

This one won’t take long. Ashton Jeanty was the top running back prospect heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, and for good reason. After rushing for over 2,600 yards in his final season with Boise State, you can bet your bottom dollar that eyeballs were peeled to his draft stock. Landing with the Las Vegas Raiders with the sixth overall pick, Jeanty is locked in as an every-down back for a team in desperate need of a running game. Jeanty’s versatility will keep him in heavy usage with the Raiders. Jeanty will be a bright spot for fantasy managers as his presence adds another highly valued player at the running back position for fantasy drafters.

Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

The Bears taking Loveland as a top 10 pick sent off green flares when I saw it. Admittedly, I was shocked as the Chicago Bears already have tight end Cole Kmet on the roster. Loveland’s landing with the team means Kmet’s days are numbered as a pass catcher. Loveland will have a similar fantasy arc in his rookie season, just like Lions tight end Sam LaPorta, another pick highlighted by now Bears head coach Ben Johnson and his offensive scheme. Loveland is a dynamic pass catcher and a good pass blocker, which makes him a solid choice for Bears quarterback Caleb Williams in his second season.

Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans

The Texans lost wide receiver Stefon Diggs to free agency after he landed with the New England Patriots, and receiver Tank Dell to injury as he’ll miss the entire 2025 season. The Texans added two wide receivers from the draft and one of my favorite guys in Iowa State receiver Jayden Higgins. Higgins’ second-round stock puts the receiver as an immediate player in the Texans’ offense. With the bounty of targets left after the aforementioned wide receivers and top receiver Nico Collins needing some running mates, Higgins should be a highly valued rookie in dynasty formats and redraft leagues.

Tre Harris, WR, Los Angeles Chargers

The Charges picked up a real threat for their offense in Tre Harris. Harris has the talent to slide in and make an impact right out of the gate, and his landing spot in the Chargers’ wide receiver corps is optimal, to say the least. Quentin Johnston has officially been put on notice. Even with the Chargers bringing back familiar wide receiver Mike Williams and Ladd McConkey showing that he can be a threat when given the ball, Tre Harris can end up as the Chargers’ new WR1 before midseason. Beating out Johnston for snaps shouldn’t be too difficult at this point. All Harris has to do is catch the ball.

Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns

With Nick Chubb allowed to hit free agency, the Cleveland Browns have brought in his replacement in Ohio State running back Quinshon Judkins. Judkins was a stud at Ohio State while sharing the spotlight with fellow Ohio State back-turned New England Patriots Treyveon Henderson. Judkins is another versatile back who can punish defenders with his running style while being a solid pass catcher out of the backfield. At 6ft, 221 lbs, Judkins has the skill set of an every-down back, but gives up some passing down work to Jerome Ford. However, the Browns decide to use Judkins, he’s going to have a lot of work this season. The Browns’ quarterback situation is still a major puzzle.

The Losers

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Emeka Egbuka landing in the “loser” spot has more to do with his landing spot and opportunity than his actual talent. Egbuka was a highly-touted receiver heading into the draft, and while landing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers is a great spot, it won’t reflect that this season. The Bucs already have Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and now second-year receiver Jalen McMillan on the roster. Outside of an injury to any one of those receivers, Egbuka won’t see a ton of snaps to be fantasy relevant during his rookie season. I’d still keep tabs on him on the waiver wire just in case. Current reports on Chris Godwin, who suffered a dislocated ankle last season, are positive about his rehab. In case you didn’t know.

Terrance Ferguson, TE, Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams have had some decent tight ends in the past, but none have made significant impacts in fantasy football. Terrance Ferguson, unfortunately, looks to land among the tight end fodder in the Rams offense. In terms of targets, Ferguson faces an uphill battle to see consistent targets in a Rams offense that now has DeVanta Adams paired with Puka Nacua. Then you have Kyren Williams out of the backfield, who finished 40 targets on his own. With how Matthew Stafford likes to target his receivers, there won’t be a lane for Ferguson to get on in his rookie season.

Isaac TeSlaa, WR, Detroit Lions

Another selection I was puzzled by during the NFL Draft. The Lions already have Amon Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams as their top two options. Then, when you throw in Sam LaPorta and Jahmyr Gibbs, the pass-catching room gets more crowded. TeSlaa is a big wide receiver at 6’4″, 216 lbs, and would be a nice-sized target if he can claim a starting spot in the lineup behind the Lions’ big two. Tim Patrick is also still on the roster, which would create another obstacle to TeSlaa’s immediate fantasy impact in 2025.

Savion Williams, WR, Green Bay Packers

I had to throw Savion Williams in the loser section because the Green Bay Packers have SO many receivers now. Even by being selected in the third round during the 2025 NFL Draft, Savion Williams still has an uphill battle to get meaningful snaps this season. The Packers’ wide receiver corps has a chance to produce meaningful fantasy production, but someone has to be the top guy this season. That guy won’t be Savion Williams, barring a few injuries ahead of him on the depth chart. Williams does bring a unique skill set to the Packers’ wide receiver room, and should Christian Watson and Dontayvion Wicks disappoint, the path to starting reps gets easier. Williams, at this point, is just a late-round dart throw.

Dillon Gabriel, QB, Cleveland Browns

Out of everyone on the list, Dillon Gabriel has it the roughest, in my opinion. Not only is Gabriel the smallest quarterback on the roster, but the Cleveland Browns still drafted another quarterback in Shedeur Sanders in the fifth round. Already having to contend with Kenny Pickett and “old man Joe” Flacco, Gabriel will have to practice in “Plus Ultra” mode just to have a shot at the starting job. Current reports out of Browns camp so far have virtually split the beatwriters down the middle, with some in favor of Gabriel while others are on Team Sanders. Should Sanders end up being picked to start, Gabriel will end up deep in the Browns’ depth chart. Or maybe the practice squad…