Welcome to the first edition of the 2025 rookie rankings! Before we get started, allow me to answer a few questions that could be on your mind.
How is the pecking order decided?
By the amazing power of the human brain -- specifically, mine! I watch a lot of football, read a lot of football, research a lot of football, and then spit out takes. It's a sacred process.
Are the rankings fueled by this season's play and this season's play alone?
That's the goal by year's end, yes. But in this first installment, with such a small sample size to work with, I'd be lying if I told you my preconceived notions didn't factor in at all.
To be clear, you do have to earn your keep on the NFL gridiron in order to claim real estate in this neighborhood. I loved Cam Ward, Malaki Starks and Will Johnson as prospects, but at this point, you won't find any of them below. I don't think Ward will be offended, given his blunt assessment of Tennessee's performance. Meanwhile, I'm not blaming Starks for Baltimore's staggering defensive downturn, but I'm also not completely letting him off the hook. And Johnson looked great in the first couple weeks, but then he ran right back into the injury bug, the pest that plagued his Michigan career and sunk his draft stock.
Can we please just get to the damn list?
Indeed! Without further ado ...
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 3 overall
With established veterans Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux on the edges, Carter has been more of a moveable chess piece on DC Shane Bowen’s board, splitting duties as a pass rusher and traditional off-ball linebacker. But as we saw in this past Sunday’s upset of the Chargers, this dude has juice off the edge that can’t be taught. Just ask Justin Herbert, who took a whopping five QB hits from Carter, with Pro Football Focus crediting the rookie with eight pressures on the day. Yes, the disruptive display came against a severely compromised Bolts O-line, but that doesn’t entirely diminish the effort. Good edge rushers abuse backup tackles. That’s what Carter did. And four games into the season, I have the same feeling I’ve had since April: The Giants got the No. 1 player in the draft at No. 3 overall.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 19 overall
Generally viewed as a safe, well-rounded slot receiver in the pre-draft process, Egbuka’s been so much more for an injury-depleted Tampa Bay offense that immediately needed his contributions. Seemingly a luxury pick back in April, the Ohio State product has effectively served as the Buccaneers’ WR1 with Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan all missing time. He leads Tampa receivers in targets (31), catches (18), yards (282), first downs (11) and receiving touchdowns (four), while logging nearly double the amount of snaps out wide as in the slot. Egbuka has authored highlight-reel plays on a weekly basis; in the Jets game alone, he made an effortless one-handed catch and showed off fancy footwork along the sideline multiple times.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 14 overall
Ranking third in total yards and fourth in scoring through September, Indianapolis’ offense has keyed the team’s surprising 3-1 start. Warren has played a major role, with Shane Steichen deploying the 6-foot-6, 256-pounder in the same kind of flex role that made him a monster at Penn State. Look at how PFF has charted his alignment through four games:
- Inline: 120 snaps
- Slot: 54 snaps
- Wide: 27 snaps
- Backfield: 13 snaps
Granted, a few of those backfield snaps have come on kneeldowns. But still, the varied usage has produced a team-high 263 receiving yards and a fourth-and-1 touchdown plunge.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 8 overall
McMillan’s an extraordinarily smooth operator at 6-5, 212 pounds, making him a tough cover for any cornerback -- including one of the league’s best young cover men, Christian Gonzalez. A second-team All-Pro last season, the Patriots CB suffered a hamstring injury in late July that kept him out of the lineup until last week’s game against the Panthers. Gonzalez covered McMillan on three targets, and the rookie wideout got him twice for a pair of chunk gains, creating ample separation on a comeback route and then using his physicality on a back-shoulder throw. Familiar with McMillan’s game from their days as Pac-12 adversaries, Gonzalez complimented the wideout in the postgame: “He’s a great receiver. He’s big, he’s tall, but he can run good routes. He's pretty crafty for how young he is. He went out there, and we had a good battle, and it was fun.”
DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 33 overall
As a linebacker, playing behind a disruptive defensive line certainly has its benefits, and this sideline-to-sideline playmaker is taking full advantage. With Myles Garrett, Maliek Collins and another guy on this list wrecking shop up front, Schwesinger flew around the field to rack up a rookie-high 31 tackles in September. A walk-on-turned-All-American at UCLA, this fluid athlete just continues to ascend as an every-down player at the NFL level, showcasing rare closing speed while lighting up passers and pass catchers.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 31 overall
Did Nakobe Dean just get Wally Pipped? The veteran linebacker returned to the practice field on Wednesday for the first time since suffering a torn patellar tendon in last season’s Wild Card Round, but whenever he’s ready for game action, it doesn’t seem like he’ll hop right back into the starting lineup. Campbell has filled in swimmingly as a splashy second-level playmaker alongside Zack Baun, snagging a huge end-zone pick late in Philadelphia’s narrow Week 4 win over Tampa Bay. Now, if Vic Fangio eventually wants to clear some space for Dean at middle linebacker, he should remember that Campbell does possess edge-rushing chops. And seeing as how the Eagles recently placed Nolan Smith on injured reserve, Fangio could indeed deploy Campbell as more of a QB hunter. We’ll see how it plays out. But in September, the first-round pick proved himself as an impactful man in the middle.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 18 overall
Zabel’s transition from FCS tackle to NFL guard has been seamless. For clarity’s sake, the North Dakota State product did spend some time on the interior during the first few years of his college tenure, and he looks quite comfortable there now. Four games and 240 snaps into his professional career, Zabel has yet to commit a penalty or allow a sack. In fact, according to Next Gen Stats, he didn’t give up a single QB pressure until Week 4, when he yielded one on 29 pass-blocking snaps.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 7 overall
One year after the old regime spent the 11th overall pick on athletic left tackle Olu Fashanu, the new regime completed the bookend set by drafting this rugged RT at No. 7. Suddenly, the Jets can run the football, ranking third in rushing yards per game (144.5) after finishing 31st (91.8) last season. Admittedly, the addition of fleet-footed quarterback Justin Fields certainly boosted New York’s ground attack, but don’t overlook Membou’s road-grading contributions. And the pass-blocking has been pretty clean, too, outside of one sack allowed to Tampa Bay’s YaYa Diaby, who also gave Fashanu fits in Week 3. Without a single flag to his name, Membou enjoyed a fine opening month to his NFL career.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 4 overall
Mike Vrabel dismissed pre-draft questions about Campbell’s arm length, and the Patriots selected him to be Drake Maye’s blind-side protector. The LSU product had a rough game in Week 3 against Pittsburgh’s talented front -- giving up a series of pressures to underrated edge Nick Herbig -- but he sandwiched a pair of pressure-free games around that. And he immediately set the tone in last week’s 42-13 beatdown of the Panthers, pancaking fellow rookie Nic Scourton on New England's first offensive snap.
DRAFTED: Round 3, No. 84 overall
I fell in love with Tampa Bay’s rookie nickelback last year, prominently featuring third-round pick Tykee Smith in this file throughout the season. Then, in the offseason, Todd Bowles moved Smith to safety, leaving slot-coverage duties to this year’s third-rounder. And what do you know -- I’m smitten all over again! Parrish provides stickier coverage than the physical Smith, but the rookie also plays much bigger than his 5-10, 198-pound frame. And like with Smith last season, Bowles has been effusive in his praise of Parrish. With injuries mounting at cornerback in Tampa, the head coach continues to endorse his new jack of all (coverage) trades as a viable option on the outside. The more you can do!
DRAFTED: Round 3, No. 96 overall
Snagging 13 interceptions in his final two seasons at Notre Dame, Watts entered the league with elite ball production -- and immediately lined up next to an elite ballhawk. Veteran safety Jessie Bates III promptly took to the rookie under his wing, and it appears the apprenticeship is coming along quite nicely. In his first four games, Watts has four pass breakups, including two picks. Last Sunday’s interception was a beautiful over-the-shoulder job in the end zone that showed off his range.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 5 overall
Despite a dominant college career at Michigan, this defensive tackle was a polarizing top-five pick because ... well ... he doesn’t look the part. I’m talking pure aesthetics here, people; Mason Graham is not the hypothetical “first guy off the bus.” But the former wrestler is a leverage technician with a mature game and a non-stop motor. He played a significant role in Cleveland’s shocking upset of Green Bay, teaming up with Maliek Collins for a sack on the Packers’ first drive and continuing to collapse Jordan Love’s pocket as the day wore on. Graham is still finding his way in the NFL on a game-to-game basis, but the upside is immense on Cleveland’s ferocious front.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 32 overall
Simmons’ draft profile was marred by the torn patellar tendon that prematurely ended his final season at Ohio State last October. So far, though, the athletic left tackle hasn’t outwardly shown any ill effects from the serious knee injury, yielding one sack over four starts. Hindsight’s 20/20, of course, but it’s still hard to believe the rest of the league allowed a critical need to fall right into Kansas City’s lap at the end of Round 1.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 6 overall
Skeptics were quick to utter the B-word when Jeanty averaged fewer than 4 yards per carry in each of his first three games, but the ballyhooed back busted out for 155 scrimmage yards and three touchdowns in Week 4. I’d say that it helps when Jeanty actually gets some blocking, but it doesn’t really seem like that’s what happened. Averaging a healthy 6.6 yards on 21 carries, he finished with 138 ground yards; shockingly, Next Gen Stats credited him with 140 yards after contact. Yup, it appears the contact balance is real. Defenders melted off Jeanty on the 64-yard touchdown run.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 22 overall
In the wake of Najee Harris’ Achilles tear in Week 3, Hampton essentially had the backfield to himself in Week 4, and the rookie ran with the bell-cow role. Frankly, Greg Roman should have fed him the football more. The Chargers suffered an upset loss to the Giants, but don’t blame Hampton -- he gashed New York’s loaded front for 128 yards on just 12 carries, adding five receptions for 37 more yards. The 220-pounder displayed the full arsenal on the dynamic day, showcasing a punishing stiff arm, relentless leg churn and one-cut burst. When Hampton gets rolling downhill, nobody’s safe.
DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 36 overall
Judkins missed training camp and the preseason following a July arrest that curbed contract negotiations. Prosecutors ultimately declined to press charges, the Browns signed the second-round pick a day before the season opener, and Judkins made his debut in Week 2. Consequently, this is the only player on this list with fewer than 100 NFL snaps under his belt. But since his return, the well-rounded back has wasted no time exhibiting the kind of workhorse ability Cleveland cherished in Nick Chubb, already accounting for 70 percent of the team’s rushing yards on the season. Not to mention, he delivered a vicious chip block on Micah Parsons that undoubtedly endeared him to Browns coaches and fans alike.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 2 overall
Honestly, I struggled with this. The astronomical hype that accompanied Hunter’s NFL entrance was understandable, but it wildly distorted expectations -- to the point where people were discussing what it will be called when he picks off a pass and then scores a receiving touchdown on the next snap. So, I don’t know if this is exactly where he should slot in this ranking. One thing I do know: If any other player in this draft class were logging significant snaps on a surging defense while flashing YAC ability and jump-ball skills as a receiver, he would also get a top-20 spot here.
DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 61 overall
Washington acquired Marshon Lattimore at the trade deadline last season, but the veteran has not looked like the same cornerback who made the Pro Bowl four times in New Orleans. It’s a problem. Fortunately, the Commanders fortified the position with their second-round pick. According to Next Gen Stats, opposing quarterbacks have a lowly 65.1 passer rating when targeting Amos in coverage. Compare that to the 111.3 mark against Lattimore, and you clearly understand Amos’ instant value to this secondary.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 12 overall
Just like in the first couple weeks of his rookie campaign, Booker played every snap of Week 3. But at some point in that game, he suffered a high ankle sprain that has sidelined him since. It’s a shame, because he’s been a fun watch. The pass pro still needs some work, but the 6-4, 321-pounder’s an absolute mauler in the run game, routinely uprooting DTs with brute force. And while I don’t intend to take anything away from RB Javonte Williams -- who appears reborn in Dallas, running like a man possessed -- Booker played a major role in the Cowboys averaging the second-most yards per carry (5.4) in the first three weeks of the season.
DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 57 overall
Following Kevin Zeitler’s departure in free agency and Frank Ragnow’s abrupt retirement, the offensive line -- Detroit’s calling card under Dan Campbell -- entered this season with major questions on the interior. Veteran Graham Glasgow and second-year pro Christian Mahogany have answered the bell, but Ratledge has been a godsend for the Lions, forming a rugged right side with All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell. The second-round pick was a road-grading force in Baltimore, where Detroit bludgeoned the Ravens with 224 ground yards. Did I mention Jared Goff hasn’t been sacked since Week 1? Apparently, the calling card’s intact.
DRAFTED: Round 4, No. 105 overall
Skattebo gained a cult following during a prolific final season at Arizona State, becoming a main character in the first 12-team College Football Playoff with a heroic effort in a double-overtime loss to Texas. The man’s play style is absolutely infectious. Aptly described as a “carnage creator” by my colleague Lance Zierlein, Skattebo gutsily gives you everything he’s got in his 5-11, 215-pound frame, playing with a fearlessness that’s fully captivating. And he’s versatile, too, as evidenced by his Sunday night showing in Week 3, when he led the Giants with 60 yards rushing, 61 yards receiving and scored the team’s only touchdown. The Chiefs unimpressively earned their first win of the season on that night, but Skattebo was the most entertaining player on the field.
DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 64 overall
Remember what I was just saying about Cam Skattebo? Infectious style that’s impossible not to love? Yeah, Mukuba brings that to the safety position, playing with his proverbial hair ablaze. Vic Fangio’s growing fonder of the rookie with each passing game. After ceding some base-defense snaps to vet Sydney Brown in the first three weeks of the season, Mukuba played the entire share in last Sunday’s win at Tampa Bay. Makes sense. He brings the kind of versatility that’s in vogue at the safety position. And his instincts breed ball production, giving the Eagles yet another playmaker on a defense that’s teeming with ‘em.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 11 overall
Lining up all over the defensive front like Arik Armstead used to do, Williams is a very intriguing piece on San Francisco’s rebuilt line. If you’re looking for someone to immediately replace Nick Bosa’s sack production in the wake of his season-ending knee injury, you should look elsewhere -- Williams is still developing his pass-rushing plan. But after John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan went into this past offseason hell-bent on fixing the 49ers’ run defense, this 6-5, 267-pounder has quickly emerged as a key cog in that pursuit. Whether he’s splitting double-teams to blow up third-and-short runs or punishing opponents who dare try to block him with a tight end, Williams exhibits beastly tendencies.
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 9 overall
A former five-star recruit who started 42 games in three years at Texas and won both the Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy last season, Banks entered the NFL with an impressive pedigree. Regardless, there is a developmental curve when it comes to blocking the edge freaks at this level. Banks had issues with Nick Bosa’s power in Week 2, then Joey Bosa beat him for a couple pressures this past Sunday. It’s not the end of the world; the Bosa brothers have been giving tackles trouble for years. All in all, Banks has looked pretty good protecting Spencer Rattler’s blind side, which is especially notable when you remember the pre-draft narrative that he could be forced to move inside in the NFL.
DRAFTED: Round 3, No. 93 overall
After Tyrann Mathieu suddenly retired in July, New Orleans swiftly signed Julian Blackmon to fill in at safety. Then Blackmon tore his labrum in Week 1, thrusting New Orleans’ second third-round pick from this past April right into the starting lineup. Sanker has responded with aplomb, most recently breaking up three downfield pass attempts by Josh Allen, with his first career interception coming on a rangy, acrobatic theft of the reigning league MVP. James Cook eluded Sanker on a couple missed tackles in that game, but the slippery Bills back's been doing that to everyone this season.
