The excitement of the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday will give way to another chapter where some exciting RBs and WRs hugely feature in this year’s rookie draft class. Sadly, the QBs have not been at par with their counterparts, but there is a lot of development that could help your roster. The list below could have gone all the way to 50, but these are eight rookies you can comfortably target for fantasy and betting.
Ashton Jeanty has made significant progress, improving from 1,900 total yards as a sophomore to 2,700 yards as a junior. He combines elite contact and a remarkable ability to fight through tackles, reminiscent of NFL stars like Bijan Robinson. He also possesses one of the best receiving skills, which makes him a complete three-down back and an easy choice for your fantasy and betting RB. Exciting fixtures follow the Monday Playoff, and NFL betting fans can check out available offers with SportyTrader’s BetMGM bonus code.
Egbuka made a return to the senior season with one thing on his mind: the championship. He did finish the season with 70 receptions for 896 yards and 10 touchdowns, which was a big statement for the lanky wide receiver. He is a smooth route-runner on the pitch and widely hailed for his swift ball release. His ability to turn short catches into big wins makes him a potent weapon in the NFL, even for fantasy betting.
At 6’5” and 212 pounds, McMillan is your ultimate X-receiver made for the NFL. He managed 1,300+ yards and touchdowns in successive seasons. His combination of speed and superb footwork makes him a nightmare for defenders, although there is still a lot to learn to up his game.
Injuries took their toll on the former Alabama wide receiver, but in his limited appearances, Bond showed flashes of what he can do for Texas. He may not have posted a statistically-backed breakout season, but he finished the 2024 season with 33 receptions for 532 yards and 5 touchdowns. His raw athleticism and consistent ability to create separation against top competition make him a huge fantasy prospect.
Burden’s brilliance as a sophomore may have dipped to worrying numbers, but he remains an enigma in the NFL. A stellar sophomore season saw him grind 1,212 yards and 9 touchdowns, which made him one of the biggest prospects coming into the junior season. However, his dipping numbers have been attributed to struggling offense. He is versatile and explosive; hence, he can play either as a flanker or slot in the NFL.
Omarion Hampton has been the force behind everything good in the North Carolina offense recently. He has smashed over 1,500 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns for two consecutive seasons, proving his ability to shoulder a heavy workload. One of his greatest attributes is his agility and the ability to break off long runs.
Kaleb Johnson is the perfect example of a reliable, between-the-tackles grinder. He has become popular for his excellent vision, balance, and ability to take advantage of minimal opportunities. His receiving skills and knack for finding the end zone are criminally underrated, and as a prospective gap-scheme lead back, he is poised for a strong contribution in the NFL.
Not many positives can be drawn from Stanford’s struggling season, but Elic Ayomanor has been a rare spark. He possesses immense body control and the physicality you’d look for to outmuscle defenders. He makes difficult catches look easy, but despite a modest return of 831 yards, his athletic traits suggest he could grow into a superstar if he gets the right coach.
The Monday playoff championship game between Notre Dame and Ohio State will be a good starting point for betting, but we’ll be looking at the season ahead, featuring the above rookies. The list could have been made up of over 50 prospects, but these are players who have posted significant numbers and are certainly going to give NFL fans a fantastic season in 2025.