The 2025 NFL Draft class features exceptional talent that could make immediate fantasy football impacts, with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty and Colorado’s Travis Hunter standing out as premier DFS targets. These rookies offer significant upside for daily fantasy contests, particularly in early-season matchups when pricing algorithms haven’t fully adjusted to their NFL potential.
Ashton Jeanty – Volume-Driven DFS Floor
College Dominance and NFL Projections
Jeanty’s 2024 campaign solidified him as a generational prospect, amassing 2,601 rushing yards and 29 touchdowns on 374 carries while adding 569 receiving yards in 2023. His 5.2 yards after contact per attempt and 0.41 missed tackles forced per carry demonstrate elite efficiency, critical for sustaining drives and scoring in goal-line situations.
Mock drafts link Jeanty to teams like the Las Vegas Raiders (6th pick), Dallas Cowboys (12th), and Denver Broncos (20th). The Raiders’ backfield, which lacks a proven RB1 after moving on from Josh Jacobs in 2024, offers a clearer path to early-down work than the Cowboys’ crowded committee. In Denver, his receiving skills would complement Javonte Williams’ power-running style, creating a high-upside timeshare.
DFS Strategy for Jeanty
Jeanty’s value hinges on landing spot:
- Raiders Scenario: Immediate RB1 duties in a run-heavy scheme under Antonio Pierce. Target in cash games for guaranteed volume (18+ touches).
- Cowboys Scenario: Split workload with Rico Dowdle but red-zone priority. Viable in tournaments for multi-TD upside.
- Broncos Scenario: Flex appeal in PPR formats due to receiving role. Monitor training camp reports for clarity.
His projected mid-tier DFS pricing ($6,500–$7,200) creates arbitrage against veterans with similar ceilings. Pair him with low-cost quarterbacks in game stacks to maximize salary flexibility.
Travis Hunter – High-Variance Tournament Weapon
Dual-Threat Talent, Offensive Focus
Hunter’s 2024 season (92 receptions, 1,152 yards, 14 TDs) showcased his ability to dominate as a receiver despite splitting time at cornerback. His 12.5 yards per catch in 2024—notable for a possession receiver—and 33% contested-catch rate suggest he’ll thrive in schemed touches like slants and screens.
RELATED ARTICLES
Projected to teams like the New England Patriots (3rd pick), Jacksonville Jaguars (5th), and Arizona Cardinals (16th), Hunter’s DFS appeal varies by scheme. The Patriots, lacking a true WR1, could force-feed him targets in a Drake Maye-led offense, while the Cardinals’ spread system would maximize his yards-after-catch ability.
Optimizing Hunter’s Upside
- Patriots Fit: Primary slot role with 8–10 targets per game. Ideal for PPR formats and correlated stacks with Maye.
- Cardinals Fit: Deep-threat complement to Marvin Harrison Jr. Target in large-field tournaments for explosive plays.
- Return Game Bonus: If named kick returner, his 1.5 points per 25 return yards on DraftKings adds hidden value.
Priced between $5,800–$6,500, Hunter offers leverage against higher-priced WR2s. Use him in mini-stacks (QB + 1 WR) to capitalize on undervalued touchdown equity.
Optimal DFS Strategies for Rookie Deployment
For maximum advantage in rookie-based DFS plays, utilize platforms offering favorable scoring for these players’ strengths. Platforms like Fantasy Labs can offer detailed analysis on fantasy drafts, and other DFS contests as well as promo codes that dfs players are always on the lookout for such as https://www.fantasylabs.com/articles/underdog-promo-code/.
When building Week 1 lineups, consider the following rookie-focused strategies:
- Target rookies facing bottom-10 defenses from the previous season, particularly Jeanty against weak run defenses or Hunter against vulnerable secondaries.
- Stack Hunter with his quarterback if drafted into a pass-heavy offense like New England’s potential Drake Maye connection.
- Leverage Jeanty in cash games if he lands with a team featuring a strong offensive line, as his volume floor provides consistency.
- Use Hunter primarily in tournaments where his boom-or-bust profile aligns with GPP strategy.
Early-Season Contest Selection
Week 1 presents unique DFS opportunities before the market properly evaluates rookies. Focus on these contest types:
- Single-game slates featuring these rookies’ debuts, where recency bias hasn’t yet affected the field’s perception.
- Large-field tournaments where overexposure to “name brand” veterans creates leverageable rookie opportunities.
- Head-to-head and 50/50s for Jeanty if he secures clear RB1 status, leveraging his high-floor production profile.
The 2025 rookie class offers significant DFS upside, with Jeanty and Hunter positioned as potential immediate contributors. Their diverse skill sets and projected roles create multiple avenues for fantasy scoring, making them priority targets in your early-season DFS portfolio.
