Lessons for fantasy football players based on rookie performances in the 2025 Hall of Fame Game
The Chargers vs. Lions preseason opener on Thursday gave rookies their first NFL snaps. Nick Simon analyzes the inexperienced artists.
Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Detroit Lions 34-7 in the yearly Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, marking the official start of the 2025 NFL preseason.
Both Dan Campbell and Jim Harbaugh chose to bench the majority of their respective starters for this early exhibition, so it should come as no surprise that fantasy football stars like Jahmyr Gibbs and Justin Herbert did not suit up. Instead, with the August 26 roster cutdown date looming big, backups like Trey Lance had an opportunity to promote themselves.
A few rookies were able to experience their first National Football League action during the game, and some of them were heavily featured throughout the evening. As draft season progresses, their use in this game may offer some early hints for interested fantasy managers, even if it won't give a complete picture of how they'll be employed in the regular season.
Let's explore what the Hall of Fame Game taught us about fantasy rookies for the Lions and Chargers.
Omarion Hampton, LAC, RB
The Chargers started the rookie running back from North Carolina, who had two touches for nine yards on the team's first drive before being benched for the remainder of the game. During his limited time on the field, he also ran two routes, according to Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus.
Hampton has been dominating fantasy draft boards since the Chargers selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft this past April, and with good reason. The rookie, who weighs 220 pounds, is a good fit for Harbaugh's strategy of building a powerful ground assault with physical running backs.
Due to the absence of veteran offseason signing Najee Harris, who has been sidelined with an eye injury following a pyrotechnics accident on July 4th, Hampton has also been seeing a lot of run in training camp. The fact that he started over Kimani Vidal shows how much the coaching believes in the rookie, and there's a good chance he will play that position once more on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Although it's too soon to declare Hampton RB1 in Los Angeles, the rookie back has the potential to solidify his status by the conclusion of camp and validate the preseason fantasy buzz.
Isaac TeSlaa, DET, WR
Since becoming head coach of the Lions, Dan Campbell has had a stellar draft record, and TeSlaa might be his most recent hidden treasure. During the Hall of Fame Game, the Arkansas third-round wide receiver saw a lot of action, recording 32 snaps and two receptions for 46 yards.
With a 4.43 40-yard sprint time and a height of 6'4", it's understandable why he's causing a stir at Lions training camp. His repetitions as a special teams gunner in the exhibition may show Campbell's willingness to get him on the field in whatever capacity, but the presence of well-known names like Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown may make it difficult for him to receive major looks early on. Observe him throughout the duration of the month.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Tre' Harris, WR, LAC
Wideouts Lambert and Harris, who both saw a few snaps in the win, were two more rookies that made their Bolts debut. While the latter made an outstanding 24-yard reception before hitting the end zone in the second quarter, the former was only targeted once during the demonstration.
In order to give both rookies a chance to play during the regular season, the Chargers want to bolster their receiver depth behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Dynasty managers should keep an eye on them as possible late-round sleepers that they can tuck away, even though they might not yet be very valuable in redraft leagues.
Gadsden Oronde II, TE, LAC
Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly, the Chargers' two seasoned tight ends, both sat out the preseason opener while Dissly grabbed a touchdown. However, keep an eye on the rookie Gadsden, who began the match alongside Dissly.
Despite having only one target for seven yards, the son of the former Miami Dolphins receiver was on the field for the Chargers' lone non-goal line, 11 personnel grouping, as PFF noted. We'll see if that was a coincidence or a sign that the youngster will be the most sought-after tight end receiver in Los Angeles.
The Chargers vs. Lions preseason opener on Thursday gave rookies their first NFL snaps. Nick Simon analyzes the inexperienced artists.
Last Thursday, the Los Angeles Chargers defeated the Detroit Lions 34-7 in the yearly Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, marking the official start of the 2025 NFL preseason.
Both Dan Campbell and Jim Harbaugh chose to bench the majority of their respective starters for this early exhibition, so it should come as no surprise that fantasy football stars like Jahmyr Gibbs and Justin Herbert did not suit up. Instead, with the August 26 roster cutdown date looming big, backups like Trey Lance had an opportunity to promote themselves.
A few rookies were able to experience their first National Football League action during the game, and some of them were heavily featured throughout the evening. As draft season progresses, their use in this game may offer some early hints for interested fantasy managers, even if it won't give a complete picture of how they'll be employed in the regular season.
Let's explore what the Hall of Fame Game taught us about fantasy rookies for the Lions and Chargers.
Omarion Hampton, LAC, RB
The Chargers started the rookie running back from North Carolina, who had two touches for nine yards on the team's first drive before being benched for the remainder of the game. During his limited time on the field, he also ran two routes, according to Nathan Jahnke of Pro Football Focus.
Hampton has been dominating fantasy draft boards since the Chargers selected him in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft this past April, and with good reason. The rookie, who weighs 220 pounds, is a good fit for Harbaugh's strategy of building a powerful ground assault with physical running backs.
Due to the absence of veteran offseason signing Najee Harris, who has been sidelined with an eye injury following a pyrotechnics accident on July 4th, Hampton has also been seeing a lot of run in training camp. The fact that he started over Kimani Vidal shows how much the coaching believes in the rookie, and there's a good chance he will play that position once more on Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.
Although it's too soon to declare Hampton RB1 in Los Angeles, the rookie back has the potential to solidify his status by the conclusion of camp and validate the preseason fantasy buzz.
Isaac TeSlaa, DET, WR
Since becoming head coach of the Lions, Dan Campbell has had a stellar draft record, and TeSlaa might be his most recent hidden treasure. During the Hall of Fame Game, the Arkansas third-round wide receiver saw a lot of action, recording 32 snaps and two receptions for 46 yards.
With a 4.43 40-yard sprint time and a height of 6'4", it's understandable why he's causing a stir at Lions training camp. His repetitions as a special teams gunner in the exhibition may show Campbell's willingness to get him on the field in whatever capacity, but the presence of well-known names like Jameson Williams and Amon-Ra St. Brown may make it difficult for him to receive major looks early on. Observe him throughout the duration of the month.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Tre' Harris, WR, LAC
Wideouts Lambert and Harris, who both saw a few snaps in the win, were two more rookies that made their Bolts debut. While the latter made an outstanding 24-yard reception before hitting the end zone in the second quarter, the former was only targeted once during the demonstration.
In order to give both rookies a chance to play during the regular season, the Chargers want to bolster their receiver depth behind Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. Dynasty managers should keep an eye on them as possible late-round sleepers that they can tuck away, even though they might not yet be very valuable in redraft leagues.
Gadsden Oronde II, TE, LAC
Tyler Conklin and Will Dissly, the Chargers' two seasoned tight ends, both sat out the preseason opener while Dissly grabbed a touchdown. However, keep an eye on the rookie Gadsden, who began the match alongside Dissly.
Despite having only one target for seven yards, the son of the former Miami Dolphins receiver was on the field for the Chargers' lone non-goal line, 11 personnel grouping, as PFF noted. We'll see if that was a coincidence or a sign that the youngster will be the most sought-after tight end receiver in Los Angeles.