Every year, Dynasty Fantasy Football managers are looking for hidden gems in the later rounds or undrafted players from their rookie drafts who can emerge from the shadows and help them take home a title and perhaps a little cash via FanDuel Sportsbook. Each rookie class features a handful of promising prospects who have the talent to shine at the next level, and they’re just one play away from making the most of an increased role. If you’re looking for a few rookies to stash on your Dynasty Fantasy Football roster heading into the 2025 season before the preseason, here are my picks.
* Within this article, the statistics were pulled from Sports Reference, KeepTradeCut (KTC), and Sleeper.
RB | Jacory Croskey-Merritt | Washington Commanders (Currently only 76% Sleeper Rostered)
In what was a lost year for Jacory Croskey-Merritt, he played only one game at Arizona in his final collegiate season after being ruled ineligible. But he did make the most of his showing at the East-West Shrine Bowl, where he won MVP after an 11-carry performance for 97 rushing yards and 2 touchdowns. During his previous year at the University of New Mexico, he also had a whopping 1,190 rushing yards with 17 touchdowns. Heading into the 2025 NFL Draft, he was buried amongst the running back class full of talented workhorses. However, the Commanders made him the last running back selected in round 7 (245th-overall selection). Recently, he’s been catching the eye of Head Coach Dan Quinn and has the Commander beat writers swirling rumors that he could be the RB1 by season’s end. This past week in training camp, it was also reported that he was on the field with the first team offense, making him even more of an intriguing player. Croskey-Merritt might be the Commanders’ most explosive RB, who runs violently with fast feet. Most fascinating, though, is that he has the potential to eventually lead the team’s backfield as Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler are both free agents after this upcoming season, which makes Croskey-Merritt a potentially high upside long-term Dynasty stash.
RB | Jarquez Hunter | Los Angeles Rams (Currently only 81% Sleeper Rostered)
The Rams’ fourth-round (117th overall) selection, whom they traded up for in the 2025 NFL Draft, crowds the team’s backfield, especially after they selected Blake Corum in the third round last year. Starting running back Kyren Williams is heading into a contract year, and so far, Williams and the Rams have reportedly had positive discussions, but it’s also been reported that the Rams are not comfortable giving him a top-of-the-market type contract. If the two sides aren’t able to reach a long-term agreement, the future of Hunter becomes very interesting. Hunter, similarly to Croskey-Merritt, had his draft stock lowered due to the overall strong depth at running back within this year’s class. But, Hunter is no slouch, as during his last collegiate season at Auburn University, he had 1,201 rushing yards with a 6.40 yards per carry average, which ranked best in the SEC and 8 rushing touchdowns. He also adds a dimension with his receiving skills, as he had 21 receptions for 155 receiving yards (7.4 YPC average) and 1 touchdown. Hunter might be the Rams’ most explosive and dynamic running back, as Williams’ 4.10 yards per carry is far from impressive. If not, this year, Hunter could be the long-term starter next season. Hunter can be special and might be a diamond in the rough, as he’s a highly intriguing Dynasty stash, as he could be the future of the Rams’ backfield if things play out in his favor.
WR | Tory Horton | Seattle Seahawks (Currently only 80% Sleeper Rostered)
Coming into the 2025 NFL season, the Seahawks’ wide receiver room behind Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the often-injured aging superstar Cooper Kupp is wide open. With this, there’s no better time to invest in a low-cost prospect in Tory Horton. Offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak and quarterback Sam Darnold enter their first season with the team and are set to usher in a new offensive era of Seahawks football, one in which anyone could emerge as a fantasy asset. The team selected Horton in the fifth round (166th overall) after he suffered a season-ending knee injury during his last season at Colorado State. But when healthy, he’s a talented player who could be the steal of the draft for the Seahawks. Horton has excellent ball skills, alignment versatility, RAC ability, and reliable hands to go with borderline elite athletic testing. In Horton’s last healthy season in 2023, he had a very impressive 96 receptions for 1,136 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns. Whether or not Kupp misses time this season, Kupp is 32 years old, which makes the potential opportunity in front of Horton to be the future WR2 if he can stay healthy and meet his potential, a very appealing Dynasty stash.
WR | Dont’e Thornton | Las Vegas Raiders (Currently only 73% Sleeper Rostered)
Dont’e Thornton, who the Raiders selected in the fourth round (108th overall), possesses ideal alpha wide receiver NFL traits. He was referred to as the Al Davis pick of the draft for the Raiders, as he’s an athletic freak, but he’s also generating momentum in camp, as he’s rumored to be working with the first-team offense, putting him on schedule to be a starter as a rookie. Additionally, it has been mentioned that Thornton is beating out second-round selection Jack Bech for the WR2 role. At the University of Tennessee, Thornton showed flashes of brilliance with big-play capability but never had the all-around stat line to show for it. In his final collegiate season, he had 26 receptions for 661 receiving yards and 6 touchdowns. His 4.30, 40-yard draft time boosted his draft stock at the combine as he ranked second amongst his position group, proving more impressive with his 6’5”, 205-pound frame. He’s a very interesting prospect, and with both his size and skills, the potential is tantalizing. It’s easy to tell that Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly is already drooling over him, as he’s talked about his skill set and how large of a catch radius he has. I’ll leave you with this, regarding Thornton. There have only been three players in NFL history to be 6’5” and run a 4.30 or better, 40-yard time. That list includes Calvin Johnson, Randy Moss, and now Thornton. I’m not saying Thornton will be in their elite aura, but with the right opportunity, he could become a very solid player with further development. Go scoop up Thornton if he’s on your league’s waivers or try to acquire him at a low cost, as he’s one of the most interesting Dynasty stashes of this year’s class to add to your taxi squad.
WR | Oronde Gadsden II | Los Angeles Chargers (Currently only 69% Sleeper Rostered)
Oronde Gadsden has already garnered a lot of buzz during the Chargers’ rookie mini camp, and that has continued as he’s also shone in training camp so far. This has caught the eye of Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman and Head Coach Jim Harbaugh. Even though he’s less of a stash and more of a late-rounder with significant opportunity to work his way into the Chargers’ TE1 role in short order, if Gadsden is available in your league, run to add him to your roster. The only tight ends on the Chargers are journeymen Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin, giving Gadsden even more opportunity to ascend quickly. Gadsden was selected in the fifth round (165th overall). He’s one of 3 TEs in this year’s class to average 2.00+ YPRR for their collegiate career at 2.04 (Loveland 2.22 YPRR & Harold Fannin Jr. 2.99 YPRR). He was typically ranked as the TE7 in this year’s rookie class, which placed him near the end of a four-round Dynasty Rookie Draft and in some cases might even have gone undrafted. However, he has the upside with his athletic ability to be more of this class’ TE3 with development. He has often been compared to a young Darren Waller, who was also a converted wide receiver. Additionally, Gadsden has athletic bloodlines as his father played in the NFL for the Miami Dolphins. In 2022, at Syracuse, Gadsden had a productive year as a WR and then transitioned to a TE in 2023. In 2024, he broke out as a TE with 73 receptions for 934 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. He also made his Chargers debut in the HOF game Thursday night, catching one pass for 7 yards. Gadsden is the definition of the new wave of elite athletic tight ends. Gadsden has awesome ball skills with alignment versatility, making him a very appealing Dynasty stash.
Honorable Mention
WR | Isaiah Bond | N/A (Currently only 34% Sleeper Rostered)
Does anyone remember Isaiah Bond? He was a highly-touted prospect entering the 2025 NFL Draft, but proceeded to go undrafted following an arrest after an accuser came forward against him with sexual abuse allegations. As of July 22, 2025, the latest news is that his defamation lawsuit filed by Bond and his lawyers has been dismissed by the United States District Court in Northern Texas. The NFL hopeful still aspires to play in the league after his final season at the University of Texas, where he caught 34 passes for 540 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns. Additionally, Bond is still a young player at 21 years old, and if or when he signs with an NFL team, he’s a very intriguing prospect. There would be NFL teams lining up for his services as Bond ran a 4.35, 40-yard dash and is a big play waiting to happen, as he showed during his collegiate time at Texas, averaging 15.9 yards per catch. Most likely, he went undrafted in your Dynasty Rookie Drafts, but if the explosive playmaker is cleared to sign with an NFL team, he can be a difference-maker. Imagine Bond on the Miami Dolphins in a similar role as Tyreek Hill plays in their offense? That’s one scenario that would be a perfect match and an appealing Dynasty stash for your taxi squad.
Conclusion
Whether I’m a contending or rebuilding manager, these are players that can help your Dynasty Fantasy Football team build depth on your taxi squad or be used as attractive trade chips when trying to acquire additional pieces for your contending team. It’s wise to stash players with high upside, and all of these prospects fit that mold. These players may seem like a dart throw now, but in the future, they could become pieces to Dynasty rosters to build your championship-caliber team.
Thank you for taking the time to read this article, and I hope you gained some valuable information. If you have any questions or you’d like additional insight and analysis, please follow me on Twitter/X at @MonicasHubby. #DFFArmy #AlwaysBeBuilding
