If Week 1 told us anything, it’s that the 2025 rookie class didn’t come to sit quietly in the corner. From highlight-reel catches to stone walling blocks, these first-year players wasted no time announcing themselves to the league. Here’s who stole the show:
1. Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts (90.4)
The former Penn State tight end looked like he’d been in the league for years. Warren caught seven of nine passes for 76 yards, four of them moving the chains. He opened the game with a jaw-dropping 21-yard contested grab down the sideline and later juked a defender out of his shoes on a 15-yard catch to keep a late drive alive. Not only did he lead all Colts in targets and receptions, but he also posted a sterling 101.9 passer rating when targeted.
2. Will Johnson, CB, Arizona Cardinals (90.2)
Arizona’s rookie corner was tested early and often seven times, to be exact. Johnson answered the bell, holding receivers to just four catches for 32 yards while breaking up three passes. His tight coverage forced Saints QB Spencer Rattler into a paltry 68.8 passer rating when looking his way. The Wolverine turned Cardinal might already be Arizona’s best cover man.
3. Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns (90.0)
Schwesinger played like he had the Browns’ playbook memorized in his debut. He racked up six tackles, two assists, and two stops while making plays in every defensive phase. The UCLA product blew up a screen for a one-yard gain, stuffed Chase Brown for a five-yard loss late, and even delivered a quarterback hit. That’s a full résumé in just one game.
4. Armand Membou, T, New York Jets (89.1)
The Jets spent a top-10 pick on Membou, and in Week 1 he played like a seasoned All-Pro. Against Pittsburgh, he was a fortress in pass protection, not a single pressure allowed in 25 snaps. On the ground, he bulldozed defenders, posting elite run-blocking numbers, including a 91.9 grade on zone plays. Simply put, Membou made life easier for everyone in green.
5. Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Cincinnati Bengals (88.9)
The Bengals’ first-rounder was a nightmare for opposing linemen. Stewart posted the highest pass-rush win rate (26.1%) of any rookie edge, tallying three hurries in just 23 rushes. And when it came to stopping the run, he was just as dominant, grading out as Cincinnati’s second-best defensive player overall. Bengals fans might be looking at their next defensive cornerstone.
6. Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles (88.3)
Campbell’s debut was all about clutch plays. With Dallas driving late in the third, he stonewalled Miles Sanders at the one and forced a fumble to flip momentum. Earlier in the series, he swatted away a pass in coverage, earning an 85.9 coverage grade. The Eagles’ defense already looks meaner with Campbell flying around.
7. Abdul Carter, EDGE, New York Giants (81.5)
The third overall pick wasted no time proving his worth, bullying Laremy Tunsil on a sack that redirected Jayden Daniels straight into Kayvon Thibodeaux. Carter flashed a 13.6% win rate off the edge and showed why the Giants bet big on him.
8. Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers (78.9)
Carolina’s shiny new toy led the team in nearly every receiving category. McMillan hauled in five catches for 68 yards, including a smooth 21-yard separation route and a clutch third-down conversion in crunch time. The Panthers found their go-to guy.
9. Will Campbell, T, New England Patriots (77.5)
Campbell got a trial by fire with 53 pass-blocking snaps and mostly held his own. He allowed three hurries and one sack, which he immediately recovered , but looked rock solid as a run blocker. The Patriots’ ground game thrived behind him, especially on gap runs.
10. Jacob Parrish, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (76.6)
Quiet lockdown corners are a coach’s dream, and Parrish was exactly that. He gave up just two catches for two yards on three targets while adding a strong run stop against Bijan Robinson. A steady debut for Tampa’s rookie DB.
11. Craig Woodson, S, New England Patriots (76.5)
Woodson’s impact stretched across the field. The Cal product ranked as one of the league’s top run-defending safeties, making tackles behind the line, bringing pressure off the blitz, and smothering receivers in coverage.
12. Donovan Jackson, G, Minnesota Vikings (74.3)
On Monday Night Football, Jackson protected his QB like a veteran, earning the second-highest pass-blocking grade among all guards. He mixed well between zone and gap schemes, showing versatility that will serve Minnesota’s offense well.
13. Xavier Watts, S, Atlanta Falcons (72.8)
Watts came inches away from his first career interception , twice. While he was on the wrong end of a 30-yard TD, his instincts and ball-hawking stood out. Add in two tackles in run defense, and it’s clear the Falcons have a playmaker in the making.
14. Dylan Sampson, RB, Cleveland Browns (70.7)
Sampson turned into a quarterback’s best friend in the passing game. He caught all eight of his targets for 64 yards, averaging an absurd 11.6 yards after the catch per grab. He forced three missed tackles and put up a perfect passer rating when targeted.
15. Jordan Burch, EDGE, Arizona Cardinals (70.2)
Burch made the Saints’ linemen miserable, winning half of his true pass-rush reps and logging three hurries. His 81.6 pass-rush grade on true sets led all rookies. Arizona might have found a gem to pair with Will Johnson.
Bottom line: The rookies came to play, and Week 1 was their coming-out party. From sideline snags to game-changing defensive stops, the NFL’s future stars are already shaping the present.
By Drew Lee - September 9 , 2025