Fantasy football 2025: Jaydon Blue, Tory Horton, Shedeur Sanders among later-round rookies to draft

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First-round picks like Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty, Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan, Colts TE Tyler Warren and Chargers RB Omarion Hampton are obvious fantasy targets, but how about all the rookies who came off the board later on in the 2025 NFL Draft? Which ones could provide significant fantasy returns in Year 1? That’s what I’m here to spotlight today.

Here are 17 less-heralded rookies who could be worth a late-round flier in fantasy drafts.

This is a running back I target often in the double-digit rounds. Blue has blazing speed, as evidenced by his 4.38 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine. He is a shifty runner who has good hands as a receiver. While watching his college tape, I envisioned his ceiling as being a C.J. Spiller type. If he can beat out Javonte Williams, who has struggled with efficiency for years now, the fifth-round pick brings breakout upside in this offense.

Williams has been a favorite of mine since before he came off the board early in Round 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. He has blazing speed and is just as much of a threat to win after the catch as he is downfield. Watching his college tape, he reminded me of Marvin Mims Jr. He is on a Patriots team that needs pass catchers to step up, meaning he should see opportunity in Year 1. Additionally, he is paired with a strong-armed QB (Drake Maye) who can win downfield. He is a nice late-round flier in drafts.

If you want to dive deeper into New England’s WR depth chart, Efton Chism III made his presence felt in the first preseason game, leading the Pats in targets (8), catches (6) and receiving yards (50) while scoring a touchdown. The undrafted rookie has been turning heads in camp.

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