Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. In today's installment, he spotlights 11 youngsters set to ascend in 2025.
Last week in this space, I identified 11 offensive players poised to make serious noise in the 2025 NFL season. Now it's time to hit the other side of the ball.
Here are 11 defenders to keep an eye on in the coming campaign.
After slowly acclimating to the NFL as a rotational player for a talented defense, Van Ness should be ready to make his mark as a pass-rushing specialist off the edge. The 2023 first-round pick has produced seven sacks over two seasons, but more opportunities should yield better results from the Iowa product. Whether he is attacking from the edges as a full-time starter or creating chaos as a designated playmaker in a sub-package, Van Ness possesses the size, tools and experience to turn his flashes into disruptive production this fall.
The most natural pass rusher in the 2024 draft class teased the football world with a four-sack rookie campaign that showcased the first-step quickness, violent hands and closing burst that made him the first defensive player selected two Aprils ago. Latu's impact in a rotational role should prompt new Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo to create a plan to unleash the 6-foot-5, 265-pound playmaker. With more stunts, games and isolations designed to exploit favorable matchups on the edges, Latu can post impressive numbers as a second-year pro with a polished game.
Despite an injury-riddled rookie year that limited Robinson to six games, there is a lot to like about the versatile defensive lineman's potential impact as a second-year pro. The 6-5, 285-pounder flashed "wrecking ball" potential while finding his way in fewer than 200 snaps as a rookie. With better health in Year 2, he should see his production spike while playing alongside a collection of veterans (guys like Josh Sweat, Dalvin Tomlinson and Calais Campbell) who command attention at the line of scrimmage.
The heavy-handed defensive tackle exhibited disruptive skills at the point of attack during his rookie campaign. Newton's powerful hands and non-stop motor helped him amass 44 tackles (six for loss), seven QB hits and a pair of sacks in 16 games, including 11 starts. Given more responsibility and freedom within the scheme, the second-year pro could become Dan Quinn's designated playmaker on the defensive front, given his unique talents as a power player in the trenches.
There is always a place in the league for linebackers who specialize in the "hit, run and cover" aspects of the game. Cooper is a rare find as a downhill 'backer with the speed, quickness and agility to match tight ends and running backs in space, while possessing the power, pop and wiggle to wreak havoc on blitzes. Despite logging just four starts in 14 total games last season, Cooper stuffed the stat sheet with 87 tackles (13 for loss), 3.5 sacks and four turnover plays (one interception, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries), earning a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team. The second-year pro could be in line for more accolades as a designated playmaker in Jeff Hafley's "see ball, get ball" defense.
The unheralded fourth-round pick out of UTEP quietly made his mark as a rookie with 88 tackles (three for loss), 1.5 sacks and four QB hits in 16 games. Knight quickly outplayed his draft pedigree (No. 118 overall), emerging as a disruptive defender on the second level. With Mike Macdonald poised to tap into the second-year pro's skills as a sideline-to-sideline pursuer, the Seahawks might have found another defensive gem to build around.
Assuming newly promoted defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard plans to continue the man-heavy approach of his mentor, Aaron Glenn, this talented cover man could become a household name by the end of 2025. As Detroit's first-round pick last year, Arnold was thrown into the fire. After some early struggles with penalties, he ultimately acquitted himself well. The Alabama product's patience and persistence in coverage frustrated wideouts unable to escape his clutches at the line of scrimmage. In addition, his superb instincts and awareness in coverage enabled him to routinely get his hands on the ball at the catch point. Though he did not register an interception on the season, Arnold posted 10 pass breakups, with Next Gen Stats charting him with a 57 percent completion rate allowed. Those numbers underscore that he was consistently in the right place at the right time in coverage.
The feisty cover corner held his own on the island in a blitz-happy scheme that puts immense pressure on defensive backs to win their one-on-one matchups. Wiggins finished his rookie campaign with an interception, 13 passes defensed and a 47.8 percent completion rate allowed, per NGS. Most importantly, the ultra-competitive defender displayed the skill, confidence and grittiness to shadow WR1s with minimal help from deep defenders. As the Ravens look to take the next step as a title contender, they will need Wiggins and free-agent signee Jaire Alexander to flourish as lockdown defenders.
It's all about the ball in Jesse Minter's zone-based defense. Still quickly adapted to the system, showcasing outstanding instincts, awareness and diagnostic skills in coverage. The former fifth-round pick stole the show in the defensive backfield with four interceptions and 10 passes defensed in a vision-based scheme. Still's playmaking ability and coverage discipline make it hard for quarterbacks to repeatedly target his area without paying the price. As the Chargers continue to climb the ranks as title contenders, the football world will gain a greater appreciation for this ballhawking corner.
The second-year pro should make the transition from workout warrior to impact player in 2025. Bishop possesses the prototypical traits (6-2, 207 pounds; 4.45-second 40-yard dash; 39-inch vertical leap; 10-foot-4 broad jump) that evaluators covet in a modern safety who can play as a center fielder or box-area defender. The former Utah standout's athleticism and versatility should help him shine in a defense that prioritizes fast and physical play. With head coach Sean McDermott and defensive coordinator Bobby Babich intent on utilizing simplistic schemes to make the game easy, we could see Bishop shine as a playmaking defender in the middle of the field.
After earning rave reviews as a slot defender in 2024, Smith appears set to spend more time as a safety in 2025. As a ballhawking defender with superb instincts, the 5-10, 202-pounder produced two interceptions, three forced fumbles and seven passes defensed. Additionally, Next Gen Stats credited Smith with eight QB pressures, proving his worth as a crafty pass rusher on blitzes. Though a move to safety would alter his role in coverage, Smith's ballhawking skills and aggressive approach could result in more turnovers for the Buccaneers down the middle of the field.
