Three Great Rookie Landing Spots For Fantasy Football

Three Great Landing Spots For Rookies

If you’re into fantasy football like me, the NFL OTAs are an exciting time. We get to see all the rookies in their new team jerseys after being selected in the draft. We get all that good news reporting to hold us all over until the beginning of training camp. And best of all, we have the hope that this new crop of rookies has the potential to be immediate fantasy producers in their first season.

Realistically, we understand it’s not always the case for every rookie. But there are some rookies, based on their landing spot and respective team rosters, that have a lane to be immediate factors for fantasy.

Tre Harris, WR – Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers needed to address their wide receiver position to provide quarterback Justin Herbert with more options in the passing game. Joshua Palmer took his talents to the Buffalo Bills during the offseason. Second-year wide receiver Ladd McConkey had an outstanding rookie campaign, finishing in the top three in receiving yards. Quentin Johnston, however, struggled with drops and proved to be unreliable and untrustworthy.

While the Chargers did bring back familiar wide receiver Mike Williams, Tre Harris could end up being the Chargers’ top wide receiver before the end of the season. Harris has been turning heads during rookie camp and OTAs already. Should he keep that momentum, it will be hard to keep Harris off the field come the beginning of the season.

Colston Loveland, TE – Chicago Bears

At first glance, it seems a bit strange that the Chicago Bears would spend a top-10 draft pick on a rookie tight end. But fantasy managers should keep in mind that new head coach Ben Johnson has done this before while with the Lions. Two seasons ago, the Lions selected tight end Sam LaPorta who went on to have one of the best rookie seasons at the tight end position. Even more so for fantasy football.

Loveland could find himself in a similar position this year. Last season under Ben Johnson, the Lions used 12 personnel at one of the highest rates among NFL teams, sixth-most according to Sumer Sports. This opens a path for Loveland to see the field even with veteran Bears TE Cole Kmet on the roster. Loveland profiles as the better pass catcher between the two, allowing him to be used more in the passing game and a big target for Caleb Williams.

Quinshon Judkins, RB – Cleveland Browns

With the Browns moving on from Nick Chubb, the team found their stud back in Quinshon Judkins in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Judkins is a big, powerful back who can play a pivotal three-down role for the Browns’ run game this season. Judkins isn’t afraid of contact and can create yards after contact with his size. Last season with Ohio State, Judkins averaged 3.04 yards after contact. He also averaged 5.5 yards per attempt and crushed it in the red zone for 14 rushing touchdowns.

Judkins is another rookie running back who has volume and opportunity on his side in a Browns offense that will need his “particular set of skills” to move the ball as they’re still figuring out the quarterback position. I wouldn’t be shocked if he comes off draft boards before the sixth round in fantasy by the time Redraft season begins.