- Emeka Egbuka leads the early-season NFL rookie rankings after stepping into a leading role for the Buccaneers’ offense.
- Tyler Warren and Tetairoa McMillan aren’t far behind as they help lift their own respective passing attacks.
- Jihaad Campbell and Carson Schwesinger are the biggest standouts of the rookie defensive crop.
Life for an NFL rookie is never as easy as a handful of outliers make it seem.
In recent years, the league has seen a select few first-year players spring to star status almost instantaneously, with Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels and Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers last year becoming the latest to find immediate success. But for the overwhelming majority of those breaking into the professional ranks, an extensive adjustment period is a necessity.
That’s certainly held true for the top picks from the 2025 NFL draft in the opening weeks of the season. Tennessee Titans quarterback and No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward has had his frustrations with an 0-4 group boil over. Travis Hunter, meanwhile, hasn’t been able to grab a toehold at either wide receiver or cornerback as the Jacksonville Jaguars continue to utilize a unique ironman approach for the No. 2 choice. And while he has come on strong lately, New York Giants linebacker Abdul Carter hasn’t wrecked games with the same consistency that helped make him the No. 3 pick.
But even as many of the top selections have made more muted transitions into the league, several of their less-heralded peers have made significant dents with their contributions through the first four weeks. With plenty of time left to turn things for things to shift, here are our top 10 rookies of the 2025 season so far:
2025 NFL rookie rankings
1. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
When the Buccaneers selected Egbuka with the No. 19 pick, many envisioned Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions would only make limited early contributions to an offense that already featured Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and second-year receiver Jalen McMillan. Then Egbuka wowed throughout the summer, and he’s been nothing short of essential to Tampa Bay’s fortunes ever since. Not only does Egbuka lead all rookies with 282 receiving yards, he has delivered a rash of big plays from Day 1, including when he snagged the game-winning score in his two-touchdown debut. Since then, he also has reeled in a pair of dazzling catches in the Buccaneers’ late escape against the New York Jets and a 77-yard touchdown catch-and-run against the Philadelphia Eagles. Even with Godwin having returned from his early-season absence and Evans likely not out for too much longer, Egbuka shouldn’t lose his status as a critical target for Baker Mayfield. So long as he remains a central figure in the offense and cleans up his drops, Egbuka figures to be in strong position for Offensive Rookie of the Year.
2. Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
Warren beats out the field for the runner-up spot to Egbuka for one reason: He’s perhaps the only other rookie who was fundamental to his team’s September success. From mixing in at fullback as well as out wide or in the slot to taxing defenses as both a run blocker and pass catcher, the No. 14 pick out of Penn State has unlocked a world of possibilities for Shane Steichen. That freedom has been a central component of Daniel Jones flourishing in an attack pacing the NFL at 6.5 yards per play. His contributions, however, aren’t limited to affording schematic flexibility, as he also leads all players at his position with 263 receiving yards. A tight end has never won Offensive Rookie of the Year since the merger, but Warren has a legitimate chance to end the drought.
3. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
McMillan has been somewhat overshadowed by Egbuka, his divisional foe who has had more moments in the limelight in a far more prosperous offense. But the No. 8 pick is tied with Egbuka for the rookie lead in receptions with 18 and is only 4 yards behind the Bucs standout with 278. His stats would look even better if not for a few recent misfires in the deep passing game, for which quarterback Bryce Young has taken responsibility. The 6-5, 212-pounder has answered at least a portion of the rampant pre-draft questions about his ability to beat man coverage, shaking cornerbacks in the intermediate area with a fluidity seldom seen from players of his size. At a time when many of his other peers are merely seeking to acclimate and earn a role as part of a rotation, McMillan has risen to become a go-to threat for an offense that sorely needs him.
4. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
The No. 31 overall pick put together one of the most outstanding debuts of any player in the season-opening win over the Dallas Cowboys, and he hasn’t slowed much since. The former Alabama standout has slotted next to Zack Baun and done plenty to make the All-Pro proud, displaying a rare coverage range for a 6-3, 235-pound defender. Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving burned him for a 72-yard catch-and-run last week, but Campbell bounced back by intercepting a fourth-quarter throw to the end zone by Baker Mayfield to help snuff Tampa Bay’s comeback bid. Having worked as an edge rusher prior to playing for the Crimson Tide, he’s still finding his way in diagnosing plays and taking on blocks. But it sure seems like Howie Roseman has struck it big in the draft yet again.
5. Armand Membou, OT, New York Jets
If you’re looking for a bright spot for the 0-4 Jets, here it is. On a team that has regularly been discombobulated and out of position, the No. 7 pick has been the picture of composure. And when you can handle the likes of T.J. Watt and Bradley Chubb, you know you’re off to a good start. With a 94% pass-block win rate that ranks seventh among all offensive tackles, according to ESPN, Membou is already not far behind some elite company. His punishing presence in the ground game has also carried over with an 83% run-block win rate that is tied for fourth at his position. Staying in control was the hallmark of Membou’s game, and the 6-4, 332-pound blocker has far exceeded even the loftiest expectations amid a suboptimal set of circumstances.
6. Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns
A trying season that has already seen a quarterback change has at least featured some very promising showings from Cleveland’s robust rookie draft class. Though second-round running back Quinshon Judkins and third-round tight end Harold Fannin Jr. have done plenty to position themselves as key pieces for a rebuild, Schwesinger has emerged as a cut above the rest. The former walk-on who became an All-American at UCLA isn’t quite the dynamic playmaker that draft classmate Campbell is, but he leads all rookies with 32 tackles. That’s not just a byproduct of merely ending up near the action, either. Schwesinger has repeatedly snuffed out plays before they got started. Having played 97% of the snaps for the league’s stingiest defense in yards surrendered (222.5 per game), Schwesinger has solidified himself as a mainstay in the middle – possibly for years to come.
7. Jacob Parrish, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Egbuka is far from alone in bolstering a key spot for Tampa Bay. Parrish has locked down the nickel role, allowing Tykee Smith to join Antoine Winfield Jr. at safety. The third-rounder from Kansas State has been lights out, staying glued to receivers in regular press looks and allowing just 66 yards on 12 catches, according to Next Gen Stats. The secret to his success has been a hyperphysical approach that belies his 5-10, 198-pound build, as Parrish has proven himself comfortable working downhill in the run game and as an occasional blitzer.
8. Xavier Watts, S, Atlanta Falcons
As the only first-year player with multiple interceptions through four games, the two-time consensus All-American and third-round pick is rapidly becoming one of this year’s riddles of ‘how did he fall that far in the draft?’ Atlanta is letting Watts do what made him a standout at Notre Dame: patrolling deep so he can attack any attempts at testing him. Alongside his fellow mid-round rookie in nickel Billy Bowman Jr., he’s helped invigorate a Falcons secondary that ranks third in the NFL with just 4.7 yards allowed per dropback. Some hiccups in coverage are inevitable, but Watts is already entrenching himself as a deep-ball deterrent.
9. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
It’s been tough sledding for what seemed to be a promising group of early-round backs, with Ashton Jeanty, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins not being afforded much room to operate by their respective lines. It should come as little surprise that the rookie ball carrier dropped into the most favorable setup has also been the most productive. Hampton is out ahead of the pack with 270 yards, which is good for 12th among all players. But he’s not merely been running free, as his average of 4.1 yards after contact ranks ninth in the NFL, according to Next Gen Stats. Running lanes might be clogged up in the near future with the Chargers reduced to starting both of their backup offensive tackles following Joe Alt’s ankle injury, but Hampton could expand his role in the passing game as a needed safety valve for Justin Herbert on dumpoffs.
10. Jonas Sanker, S, New Orleans Saints
The competition for the final spot was fierce, but Sanker deserves recognition given how vital he’s been in stepping in for a secondary that lost Tyrann Mathieu to retirement on the eve of training camp. The Virginia product was a legitimate pest for Josh Allen last week, hauling in his first career interception and adding three passes defensed. Not bad for a third-round pick who played just one defensive snap in the opener. Sanker has the build (6-0, 206 pounds) and demeanor to grow as a run stopper, but he’s doing his best work in helping make sure a shaky back end – particularly at cornerback – doesn’t get routinely exposed.
Honorable mention
- Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
- Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders
- Elic Ayomanor, WR, Tennessee Titans
- Tory Horton, WR, Seattle Seahawks
- Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns
- Will Campbell, OT, New England Patriots
- Josh Simmons, OT, Kansas City Chiefs
- Tate Ratledge, G, Detroit Lions
- Grey Zabel, G, Seattle Seahawks
- Abdul Carter, LB, New York Giants
- Will Johnson, CB, Arizona Cardinals
- Andrew Mukuba, S, Philadelphia Eagles