The 2025 fantasy football season is officially underway with the Hall of Fame Game between the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions. While the final score doesn’t matter much, the performances on the field provided plenty of insight for fantasy managers looking for early value.
In a game that featured key rookies and depth chart battles, several players stood out. Let’s break down what we learned and how it could impact your upcoming draft.
Omarion Hampton
(RB, Chargers)
Omarion Hampton was disappointing for everyone who thought he was going to get a couple of series to flash his brilliance. Instead, we got one drive: two carries for nine yards.
Hampton is still high on my list and the Chargers have raved about him in traning camp. I still believe he will be an excellent running back in 2025 fantasy football, but it is just annoying we only got to see him get two carries.
Tre Harris
(WR, Chargers)
Tre Harris was another rookie we were excited to see perform in this game. He, however, disappointed, as he had one target with no receptions and didn’t get to show us what we may see in the regular season.
Harris is still someone I could see making his way into the Chargers WR2 spot, and could see him thriving behind Ladd McConkey, but, unfortunately, all we got to see him do is cardio in the Hall of Fame Game.
KeAndre Lambert-Smith
(WR, Chargers)
KeAndre Lambert-Smith was the most impressive player among the Chargers' wide receivers, a rookie drafted in the fifth round, as he had two catches on two targets with 43 receiving yards and a touchdown. He showed to be a vertical threat with 28 and 15-yard receptions.
Lambert-Smith is someone who will probably go undrafted in redraft leagues depending on how deep the bench is, but is still someone to look out for on waivers, and I could see him getting a role with the thin depth chart of the Chargers, especially if he has good hands, as he showed, with Quentin Johnston struggling to catch balls from Justin Herbert.
Isaac TeSlaa
(WR, Lions)
Isaac TeSlaa was drafted in the third round, and although the Lions have a good receiving corps, he showed he could produce if he is given the opportunity.
TeSlaa turned heads with a 24-yard sideline catch and 22-yard snag on back-to-back plays. He finished with two receptions for 46 yards, leading all Detroit receivers in yardage. TeSlaa showed smooth route running and is a guy who could be a deep bench stash player or someone to look for on the waivers as he develops more.
Dominic Lovett
(WR, Lions)
Dominic Lovett's night wasn't perfect because he missed the first pass attempt that came his way, but he performed well after, and had 5 receptions for 31 yards with 9 targets, leading the Lions in receptions. He made one of the crucial fourth-down catches that resulted in the Lions' lone touchdown.
In the fourth quarter, he did somewhat botch a long pass, but the Chargers defender's excellent coverage on the play allowed them to convert it into a turnover. Given what he could accomplish in space, his speed was astounding, making him a valuable player drafted in the seventh round for the Lions.
Lovett will go undrafted in redraft leagues but is someone to monitor as the season goes along to claim on waivers.
Conclusion: What It Means for 2025 Fantasy Football
The Hall of Fame Game may be the first preseason matchup of the year, but it offered valuable glimpses into the depth and direction of both teams. Omarion Hampton is firmly on the breakout radar, KeAndre Lambert-Smith is making an early case for meaningful targets, while Tre Harris is still a sleeper pick. Isaac TeSlaa and Dominic Lovett showed flashes that will make them preseason deep league stash options.
As we head into the heart of August, continue to watch how these young players progress. There’s always value hiding in preseason takaways and your 2025 fantasy football draft could benefit from spotting it first.