As fantasy football approaches, every owner is looking for that impactful rookie who can influence the outcome of their season. The obvious answers are Ashton Jeanty or Tetairoa McMillan, but who else can provide significant value to their roster? Here is a list of three sleeper rookies who could make a considerable impact if given the opportunity in 2025.
Standing at 6’2″ and weighing 206 pounds, Elic Ayomanor brings a physical vertical threat with reliable hands and killer speed. Not only did he dominate defensive backs in his time at Stanford University, but the Tennessee Titans opened up more room for opportunity after releasing Treylon Burks in July. Ayomanor has work to do on the depth chart, but if given his chance in 2025, he will show why he deserves to be on fantasy football rosters.
Being drafted into a team with a lot of questions surrounding their new and improved offensive unit, Ayomanor adds another element of potential heading into 2025. Fantasy owners may be nervous about several factors with the new Titans:
How will fellow rookie Cam Ward perform? How can an offense that was ranked the worst last season have players with significant fantasy value? Or when will this young Stanford product make his impact? There is no need to worry as long as owners keep a close eye on Ayomanor and this offensive unit.
Drafted at 272nd out of all fantasy football players and ranking 87th out of all wide receivers, Ayomanor won’t be touched by most fantasy football leagues at the beginning of the season. With the Titans’ starting wide receivers having an average age of 30, this will only be temporary.
Once one of their aging wideouts goes down, Ayomanor will get valuable time to prove his chance and show how dominant he can be in the NFL. With breakaway speed and being a bruising receiver that can flourish in the red zone, he will turn into a valuable backup for any fantasy team.
Selected by the Indianapolis Colts in the fifth round, DJ Giddens is set to be the primary backup for two-time Pro Bowler Jonathan Taylor. Joining a run-heavy offense with the combination of two untrustworthy quarterbacks leading the team into 2025, Giddens will play a sizeable role in the Colts’ offense.
Known for being elusive back with great vision and the ability to be a threat in the pass game, Giddens will be utilized mostly in third-down situations to start his career. Drawing comparisons to Le’Veon Bell and Todd Gurley, the potential is higher than just a third-down back for this Kansas State University graduate.
Joining a run-heavy offense for any running back is a great situation to be in. For Giddens, being drafted by the Colts may have been a lucky break. Having a superstar like Taylor at number one on the depth chart may be daunting at first glance for fantasy owners. This won’t be a problem once he has his yearly injury, allowing Giddens to take over the lead role.
Giddens’ playing time, besides being the third-down back, is up in the air, all based on Taylor’s health. If given the chance, he will show why he is the next best running back to grab off the waivers. For now, he is a solid backup waiting to get his chance.
Being drafted 203rd out of all fantasy football players and ranked 65th out of all running backs, most owners won’t blink an eye at him at the beginning of the season. This is the time to secure a young, elusive running back with loads of potential for only a last-round pick or pickup of waivers early in the season.
Mason Taylor’s selection by the New York Jets positions him to become the starting tight end at the beginning of the season. Most recently, Taylor had a high ankle sprain during training camp. He is only expected to miss a little more than a week, and it shouldn’t affect his ability to be the starter.
With an improved offense heading into 2025, led by Justin Fields, Taylor should have a significant role on the team and in fantasy football this season.
Having a dual-threat quarterback leading the team opens up a lot of opportunities for a tight end with speed, great route running, and the ability to make catches in traffic. Not only will he be a great check-down option, but his ability to block at a high success rate and be a dominant red zone target will make him a three-down player.
Taylor’s only competition for tight ends is Jeremy Ruckert, a 2022 draft pick who has only had 151 receiving yards in a season, and Stone Smartt, an undrafted tight end in his fourth season. Neither of these two will give Taylor a problem controlling the starting position as long as he remains healthy. Starting the year with an injury, especially a high ankle sprain, is never a good sign and could make fantasy owners worry about drafting Taylor.
At Taylor’s ADP, there is nothing to worry about. Drafted 171st out of all fantasy players and ranking 22nd of all tight ends in 2025, he won’t be selected until the second or last round of fantasy drafts.
Positioned to be a late draft pick gives owners the ability to draft him as their second option and provide significant depth at a tough value position in fantasy football. Provided he recovers from this injury without setbacks, he will be a valuable option with minimal downside of holding him on the roster.
Out of these three sleeper rookies to watch out for, I would only draft two of the three personally. As of right now, Ayomanor doesn’t add enough value to deserve a roster spot in most fantasy leagues. If one of the Titans’ three starting wide receivers is injured, he is someone to add from waivers to see what his skill set can bring. For now, he is only a player to watch out for, not a draft.
Giddens, being the backup to a superstar like Jonathan Taylor, makes him nearly impossible to use in fantasy football at the beginning of the season. Leading most owners to look past him, selecting other home run picks in the last few rounds. This is where owners can capitalize on a great opportunity.
When JT goes down with an injury, Giddens will be ready to take the reins in a run-heavy offense, having owners wish they took him late in the draft. If you want great depth, especially if you draft JT, take Giddens with one of your last few picks or secure him early in the season off waivers.
The best sleeper to draft in fantasy football this year is Mason Taylor. Being set up as a starting tight end while being selected on average in the last few rounds of the draft gives any owner a possible fantasy starter at little to no cost.
Going to an organization like the Jets without an already flourishing offense can turn off fantasy owners. This won’t be a problem once Taylor turns into one of Fields’ top targets to find on the run and becomes a dominant threat in the red zone at 6’5″ 251 pounds. Don’t miss out on the chance to get a potential top ten tight end with the sky as his limit.
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