In the exciting realm of DraftKings Best Ball fantasy football, where you get to draft your team and cruise with no weekly alterations, rookie risers are the seasoning that can offer a championship roster. 

As we approach the 2025 season, preseason contests, training camp rumors, and depth chart adjustments on squads are causing some rookies' Average Draft Positions (ADPs) to shoot up i.e., they're being drafted sooner as fantasy managers target their upside. 

Here are three rookies generating real buzz: Emeka Egbuka (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers), TreVeyon Henderson (RB, New England Patriots), and Jacory Croskey-Merritt (RB, Washington Commanders). 

These players are moving up their ADPs due to solid summer performances and good landing spots. Let's dissect why they're trending up and how they're fitting into your Best Ball game plan.

 

 


 

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Current ADP: 61.6)

Ohio State's electric wide receiver Emeka Egbuka was already on fantasy radars due to his lucrative college career, including his solid route running and yards-after-catch skills. He was drafted by the Buccaneers and has found himself in an offense with quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has a tendency to utilize young pass-catchers. 

Why the surge? Egbuka's ADP has moved from the 80-90 range at the start of this summer to pick 62. Chris Godwin may not be ready for Week 1 and now we get news that Jalen McMillan is going to begin the season on IR. In Best Ball scoring formats, where boom weeks are championship-winning, Egbuka's ceiling for big plays makes him a steal in mid-rounds. He's expected for 700-900 receiving yards and 6-8 TDs when healthy, which makes him a WR3/4 high-upside with WR2 flex value. Stockpile him in Mayfield stacks for those Bucs blowouts. 


 

 

 

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots (Current ADP: 39.8)

TreVeyon Henderson, another Buckeye stud on Ohio State's roster, adds elite speed and vision to the Patriots' running attack. 

Drafted by New England, he's entering a situation that has Rhamondre Stevenson as the lead back, but Henderson's receiving ability and explosiveness have been rave-tested in camp. 

Preseason games have seen him breaking tackles and catching passes in the passing game, which is perfect hand in glove with the Patriots' shifting offense under new coordinator forces.

Why the pop? His ADP has risen from the mid-50s to sub-40, as hope is given for his usage in a committee that could see him touch 10-15 per game early on. Injury history with Stevenson in the past makes Henderson a viable RB2 if he takes advantage. In Best Ball, outsize HR upside (remember 20+ point outbursts) makes him perfect for the format—hit him in rounds 4-5 as a high-floor, high-ceiling rookie with a chance to pay out in tourneys..


 

 

 

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders (Current ADP: 178.0)

Jacory Croskey-Merritt flies under the radar relative to his class, but the New Mexico product is making a name for himself in Washington. A physical runner with juke in the open field, he was drafted into a Commanders backfield led by Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler at the top initially, but circumstances have now pushed him into a starring role. 

Preseason rushing has highlighted his potential to grind out yards and be productive as a change-of-pace back. This includes a good game with 11 carries for 46 yards and a touchdown in the most recent game.

Why the rise? From undrafted free agent status, Croskey-Merritt's ADP has soared with good camp reports and preseason highlight runs, but the real catalyst has been news that the Commanders are actively trying to trade Brian Robinson prior to the roster cut deadline. 

With a potential trade, this would pave the way for Croskey-Merritt to move into RB2 or even RB1 duties next to Ekeler. His ADP has jumped from the 170-180 range to the 125-130 range in recent drafts as fantasy managers expect more volume. 

In deep Best Ball leagues, he's a mid-to-late round target with lottery-ticket upside—waiver-wire hero turned starter, to be specific, if Robinson is traded. At this improved ADP, he's a low-risk bench stash for your roster in bigger events, with upside for 800+ scrimmage yards and 6-8 TDs if he's given a featured role.

 

 

 

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