The 2025 NFL Draft is just about a week away. And with each passing day that passes between now and the big day(s), discussion and speculation about what's going to happen in Green Bay from April 24 through April 26.

Of course, what happens at the 2025 NFL draft is only the beginning of the story for fantasy managers where this year's rookie class is concerned. Sure, knowing who will begin their careers is one part of the puzzle. But there are still a number of factors that will determine whether or not a rookie has a successful first professional season. The supporting cast around them, How those first-year players adjust to life in the NFL. Plain old-fashioned luck (or lack thereof).

But we're not going to let such trivialities as facts and information get in the way of wild conjecture. Before the draft even happens, it's time to plant some flags. To single out some first-year players who are about to blow up for fantasy managers in 2025. Guys you absolutely want on your roster.

With that said, there is one name you won't see here—Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty. Jeanty is the no-doubt, undisputed 1.01 in dynasty rookie drafts this summer. By all accounts, he's a generational prospect in the backfield, drawing comparisons to Saquon Barkley of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Dedicating three paragraphs to how Jeanty will be a valuable fantasy asset in 2025 feels lazy—even for me.

QB Cam Ward, Miami

The Class of 2025 isn't considered especially strong at quarterback, but from all indications, Ward is the unquestioned top prospect at the position and the likely first-overall pick of the Tennessee Titans. As a matter of fact, ESPN's Dianna Russini reported that barring a miracle, Ward's name will be called first by Roger Goodell.

"Cam Ward, all signs point to it," she said. "I haven't found anyone in football right now that has said to me, 'Oh, be careful, they may just be doing all of this to see if New York will come up and make some historic trade to get up there, and I think that's what it would take. If it were to ever get to that point, it would have to be something we've almost never seen before."

You can debate Ward's fit on a Titans team that isn't replete with skill-position weapons. But what you can't debate is that Ward is all but certainly going to be a starter from the jump. He's the best scrambler in the class. And the Titans will be playing from behind with regularity. Hello, garbage time.

Ward won't be Jayden Daniels. But top-12 fantasy numbers aren't outside the realm of reason.

RB Omarion Hampton, North Carolina

Jeanty isn't the only running back expected to hear his name called in Round 1—after topping 1,500 total yards and averaging 5.9 yards per carry each of the past two years, Hampton is also widely viewed as a first-round pick. In fact, Mel Kiper's latest mock draft at ESPN has Hampton going 12th overall to the Dallas Cowboys.

"I see the Cowboys trying to improve the run game, which managed 4.0 yards per carry and a league-low six TDs last season," he said. "They have thus far replaced Rico Dowdle with Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders. Neither new back has the home run ability of Hampton, who can scoot through holes and take off despite his 221-pound build. I've never been an advocate of the first-round running back, but team owner Jerry Jones isn't afraid to address the position on Day 1."

Hampton has all the skills necessary to be a three-down workhorse in the pros, and he has shown that he can shoulder a large workload. It might be something of a stretch if Hampton goes in the top 12, but he's easily the best bet to challenge Jeanty as the top rookie back in fantasy football in 2025.

RB Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State

Judkins' 1,060 rushing yards last year were actually the fewest of his collegiate career. But Judkins averaged 5.5 yards per carry and was the hero of Ohio State's championship game win over Notre Dame, finding the end zone three times. Rob Gregson of A to Z Sports ranked Judkins as one of the three best backs in this class.

"He's a power back with home run potential, evidenced by his 40-yard dash," he wrote. "Sure, he needs a runway. He's not going to make a lot of people miss behind the line of scrimmage, and he doesn't have the quickest feet or most agile hips. But he's powerful, he's big at 6-0, 220 pounds, and he plays bully ball. I believe in bell cows, in lead backs. The NFL, in its cyclical nature, is starting to get back to that very process. The two best backs in the league last year were Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry, who are utilized as primary ball carriers. It would be rich to assume Judkins is of that caliber, but I see a more explosive Najee Harris. All he did was rush for over 1,000 yards and five-plus touchdowns every year in Pittsburgh, all behind a putrid offensive line. Judkins can do that and more in the right system."

This writer watched every snap Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson played last year. And while Henderson is more explosive, he's also a smaller back with an injury history. Judkins can be an every-down back in the NFL. And in the right landing spot (say Cleveland, for instance, as a replacement for Nick Chubb), he could quickly become a valuable fantasy asset.

RB Kaleb Johnson, Iowa

For all intents and purposes, Johnson was the Iowa offense last year—240 carries, over 1,500 yards, 6.4 yards per carry, and 21 touchdowns on the ground. In his scouting report for the 6-0, 225-pounder, Kyle Crabbs of The 33rd Team wrote that Johnson is "a savvy zone runner with the instincts and vision of an impactful NFL starter at the next level."

"The decisiveness in his cuts should allow him to minimize negative runs and help with the precision of bursting through lanes at the point of attack and bounding into space," he said. "Johnson's passing down profile should sufficiently meet all needs for developing into a primary ball carrier at the NFL level as well, making him an attractive option on Day 2 as a potential early starter with room to grow." 

As with Hampton and Judkins, Johnson has shown he can carry a large workload and has the frame to be the lead back in the NFL as well. Johnson hasn't shown a lot (to date) in the passing game, but even if he becomes a two-down pounder he's the kind of runner who could see quite a bit of work at the goal line.

WR Matthew Golden, Texas

Golden didn't amass 1,000 receiving yards last year at Texas, but his stock has been on a steady rise of late—that happens when a player runs a 4.29-second 40-yard dash at the combine at 6-0 and 195 pounds. While speaking to the media, Golden said that he believes he can be the complete package at the NFL level.

"The one-on-one routes to the boundary, I can get open to the boundary," he said. "I can change my tempo, my speeds and be able to snap down and come back to the quarterback. I can stretch the field vertically. I also like to be in the run game. I take a lot of pride in blocking."

Golden has visited with a number of teams that have rather glaring needs at wide receiver, including the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys, as well as some other favorable spots like the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. In the non-Travis Hunter category, he may well be the best wideout in the class, and his well-rounded skill set should transition well to the NFL.

WR Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State

The biggest thing working against Egbuka may well be that he spent most of his collegiate career playing opposite superstars in Columbus. But Egbuka surpassed 1,000 receiving yards twice in a season and has more career receptions than any player in Buckeyes history. Per Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, one college coach believes that Egbuka may be the most underrated prospect in the entire draft.

"Egbuka might be the most underrated offensive player in the draft right now," according to a current Big Ten coach who compared him favorably to Lions' All-Pro wideout Amon-Ra St. Brown. "He's smart as s---. In '12' personnel, he went outside, too. When you're evaluating him, you should be evaluating everything he does. Mid-to-high 4.4's (40), straight 'A' student, the best interview. Don't overthink it."

Egbuka is the most NFL-ready wide receiver in this class—by a fair margin. He's an excellent route-runner. A capable blocker. There's nothing he can't do at a high level. The landing spot will matter a bit, but it wouldn't be at all upset if, at season's end, Egbuka leads all rookie wide receivers in targets in 2025.

WR Tre Harris, Ole Miss

Harris played in just eight games last year, but he made the most of his time on the field, topping 1,000 receiving yards, surpassing 17 yards a catch for the second year in a row while scoring seven touchdowns. Per SI's Michael Fabiano, Harris' stats in a number of categories belie a player who could have considerable success in the NFL level.

"The talented perimeter man graded well in his final collegiate season, ranking second at his position (minimum 70 targets) based on PFF data," he said. "Harris ranked 14th in yards after catch, had a 12.0 average depth of target (aDOT), and led the nation in yards per route run. Moreover, Harris was also at the top of the list in NFL Passer Rating When Targeted."

Harris has the physical tools that NFL teams covet in a perimeter receiver—he's 6-2, has solid straight-line speed, is fluid out of his breaks, and is excellent at high-pointing the ball. If Harris can avoid the injury bug and refine his route tree a bit, he has the potential to be a star. But even now, he could surprise fantasy managers this season.

TE Tyler Warren, Penn State

Warren was a huge part of Penn State's College Football Playoff run a year ago—104 catches, over 1,200 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns, with another 218 yards and four more scores on the ground. Christian D'Andrea of For the Win sees Warren as potentially one of the biggest difference-makers of the Class of 2025.

"Warren looks like the video game boss version of Deebo Samuel Sr.; bigger, stronger but somehow roughly as versatile," D'Andrea wrote. "His blocking isn't foolproof, and he can tend to round off his routes or be misdirected, but both these things are understandable (since, you know, he played everywhere) and correctable. His flaws pale in comparison to the massive potential he brings to an offense. Warren is the kind of player who unlocks new chapters in the playbook."

"Video game boss Deebo Samuel Sr." is heady praise indeed, and there are some draftniks who actually think that Michigan's Colston Loveland is a better tight end prospect. But the versatility that Warren showed last year should have fantasy managers and offensive coordinators alike salivating.

Any of the latter worth his salt is going to find ways to get Warren the ball. And last I looked, having the ball is good in fantasy.

Gary Davenport is a two-time Fantasy Sports Writers Association Football Writer of the Year. Follow him on Twitter (Can't make him call it X) at @IDPSharks.