Rating high 10 NFL rookies in 2025: Emeka Egbuka, Jaxson Dart

The 2025 NFL draft class is off to a scorching begin by way of Week 6. Buccaneers vast receiver Emeka Egbuka has the fourth-most receiving yards within the NFL (469), whereas Colts tight finish Tyler Warren is second in receiving yards at his place (370). Elsewhere, the Browns and Giants have embraced rookie manufacturing on either side of the ball. However how do the highest first-year gamers stack up in opposition to one another?

We polled 5 NFL analysts and reporters — Matt Bowen, Kalyn Kahler, Jeff Legwold, Matt Miller and Jordan Reid — to make a consensus rating of the highest 10 rookies. Who cracked the record? Who simply missed? Our consultants additionally regarded nearer at quarterback Cam Ward‘s begin with the Titans, picked out probably the most spectacular place group after which named one overperforming late-rounder and one underperforming first-rounder.

Let’s start with the highest 10 by way of six weeks.

Word: Chargers operating again Omarion Hampton was omitted from consideration as a result of he’s on injured reserve with an ankle damage.

Leap to a piece:
Prime 10 | Simply missed
Large questions

Stats: 27 receptions, 469 yards, 5 TDs
Drafted: Spherical 1, No. 19

Egbuka is the newest success within the Ohio State vast receiver pipeline to the NFL. His 78.2 receiving yards per sport ranks seventh within the NFL. He is exhibiting the positive palms and reliability of a 10-year veteran.

Egbuka has not solely displayed his route-running capacity within the brief and intermediate areas, however he has additionally been a deep risk. His 17.4 yards per reception ranks fourth within the NFL, as quarterback Baker Mayfield has been capable of persistently join with him downfield. Regardless of already having Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr. as the highest two choices on the depth chart, the Buccaneers caught to their “finest participant out there” concept within the draft. It has paid off, even when Egbuka misses a while after injuring his hamstring in Week 6. — Reid

Stats: 13 tackles, 0.5 sacks
Drafted: Spherical 1, No. 3

Carter leads rookie defenders in pressures (13), quarterback hits (eight) and complete go rush wins (16). His solely half a sack got here in opposition to the Commanders in Week 1, however his versatility at linebacker and edge rusher is what makes him so precious to this Giants protection.

Earlier than Week 6, Carter was the one participant to have lined up on the sting, on the inside and at linebacker at the least 40 instances this season, per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats. He has proven he can get to the quarterback with ease, and people sacks will come. — Kahler

Stats: 29 receptions, 370 yards, 3 complete TDs
Drafted: Spherical 1, No. 14

Warren has elevated the Colts’ passing sport in Shane Steichen’s offense, utilizing his rugged play type and alignment versatility to hit all ranges of the sphere. Warren is averaging nearly 62 receiving yards per sport, and we have seen him produce from conventional tight finish alignments whereas additionally shifting to fit, vast and even backfield units to create battle for opposing defenses. He has the make-up of a future All-Professional. — Bowen

Stats: 27 receptions, 380 yards, 2 TDs
Drafted: Spherical 1, No. 8

McMillan entered the NFL as the most effective pure receiver from the 2025 class, and thus far he has lived as much as that billing. He has shortly turn into the go-to goal for quarterback Bryce Younger and is profitable the one-on-one battles {that a} WR1 should dominate. That capacity to win 50-50 balls was on his faculty tape, too, together with highly effective route operating. McMillan is on observe for a 1,000-yard season in Carolina. — Miller

Stats: 82 carries, 338 dashing yards, 20 receptions, 155 receiving yards, 5 complete TDs
Drafted: Spherical 4, No. 105

Skattebo fell to the third day of the draft as a high-contact runner who ran a ho-hum 4.66-second 40-yard sprint at his professional day. However along with his bring-it-on type, he has carved out a spot within the Giants’ offense and within the hearts of the group’s devoted.

Among the many rookie backs, solely the Raiders’ Ashton Jeanty and the Chargers’ Omarion Hampton have averaged extra yards after contact per carry than Skattebo’s 2.1. He additionally leads all rookies in runs for first downs (21), which is tied for fifth finest within the league. Solely six operating backs within the NFL have extra receiving yards than Skattebo, too. — Legwold

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Stats: 52 tackles, 1 sack
Drafted: Spherical 2, No. 33

Schwesinger has arguably been probably the most spectacular rookie defender this season. His vary was among the many many positives on his scouting report popping out of UCLA, and that has carried over into the NFL. The rookie studying curve hasn’t affected him in any respect. His instincts, tackling capacity and energy are on show weekly. Schwesinger was Cleveland’s second defensive decide within the 2025 draft (defensive sort out Mason Graham went No. 5), however he’s already a constructing block for a Browns protection that’s among the many finest within the league. — Reid

Stats: 40 tackles, 1 compelled fumble, 1 interception
Drafted: Spherical 1, No. 31

Campbell was my No. 15-ranked prospect within the 2025 class, however he slipped as a result of damage questions after he had left shoulder surgical procedure previous to the draft. Campbell has been wholesome, impactful and taking part in just like the do-it-all linebacker we noticed at Alabama. His vary was a trademark of his faculty sport, and that is exhibiting up on Sundays, too.

Campbell is easy and instinctive in go protection, and his finest trait might finally be what he brings to the desk as a go rusher. That hasn’t been unlocked but in Philadelphia, however it’s one thing to observe as he will get extra comfy in his position. — Miller

Stats: 6 begins, 90.8% go block win price, 83.3% run block win price
Drafted: Spherical 1, No. 18

There may be an argument to be made that, no matter place, Zabel has had the most effective begin to a season of any rookie. He began video games at left guard, left sort out and proper sort out at North Dakota State, and his transition to protect within the NFL has been seamless. He has not surrendered a sack — NFL Subsequent Gen Stats did not even register him for a stress allowed till Week 4 — and he was flagged for the primary time in Week 5 (holding penalty). Oh, and his run block win price leads all guards within the league. — Legwold

Stats: 84 carries, 383 dashing yards, 9 receptions, 62 receiving yards, 2 complete TDs
Drafted: Spherical 2, No. 36

Judkins has the stature of an NFL lead again. He’s an pressing runner with the foot quickness and short-area juice to make defenders miss in tight quarters. He has seen at the least 20 touches in three video games this season, and he can produce on screens and checkdowns. In Kevin Stefanski’s offense, the place the run sport is a foundational part, Judkins has been a simple match since his debut in Week 2. — Bowen

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Stats: 508 passing yards, 4 TD passes, 2 INTs, 167 dashing yards, 2 dashing TDs
Drafted: Spherical 1, No. 25

It was clear after Dart’s preseason debut that Russell Wilson wouldn’t have the beginning job for lengthy. Coach Brian Daboll did his finest to disguise his pleasure about Dart however fooled completely nobody. In his first begin in opposition to the Chargers, Dart ran for 54 yards, a landing and 5 first downs, and he has rushed for greater than 50 yards in each sport since. That fearlessness and toughness has Giants followers dreaming of their very own Josh Allen, who developed underneath Daboll in Buffalo.

Dart has additionally performed properly when going through stress. Per NFL Subsequent Gen Stats, he accomplished 9 of 13 passes (69.2%) for 99 yards and a landing throw when the Eagles blitzed in final Thursday night time’s win. He’s already shifting New York’s expectations. — Kahler

Simply missed

Armand Membou, OT, New York Jets: 6 begins, 90.4% go block win price, 79.3% run block win price

Josh Simmons, OT, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: 5 begins, 88.6% go block win price, 75.9% run block win price

Will Campbell, OT, New England Patriots: 6 begins, 84.8% go block win price, 76.6% run block win price

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders: 105 carries, 424 dashing yards, 14 receptions, 73 receiving yards, 5 complete TDs

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders: 60 carries, 344 dashing yards, 6 receptions, 61 receiving yards, 4 complete TDs

Additionally acquired top-15 votes from our panelists: Kelvin Banks Jr., OT, New Orleans Saints; Jahdae Barron, CB, Denver Broncos; Mason Graham, DT, Cleveland Browns; Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars; Jacob Parrish, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Jonas Sanker, S, New Orleans Saints; Xavier Watts, S, Atlanta Falcons

How can Cam Ward enhance on his tough begin after coach Brian Callahan’s firing?

It is the timing and ball location with Ward. Via six video games, his common time to throw is 2.95 seconds (fourth highest), and he has been off track 20.7% of the time (third highest). Ward has the traits to be a really productive participant on this league, however he should present a higher sense of timing and rhythm as a thrower with the Titans this season. See it quicker, and ship the ball with extra precision. — Bowen

Which place group total has stood out probably the most thus far this season?

When you think about how a lot hand-wringing goes on within the predraft run-up in regards to the correct time to pick out a operating again, this 12 months’s rookies have actually proven there’s worth on the place. Sure, Hampton is on injured reserve, however he, Skattebo, Judkins and Croskey-Merritt have had productive begins as key parts of their respective offenses. Toss in Jeanty, who has been the busiest among the many rookies with the fourth most carries within the league, and you’ve got fairly the RB class. — Legwold

Which first-rounder is underperforming?

Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders. The Raiders chosen Jeanty at No. 6 to energy a floor sport underneath offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. Jeanty — and the complete Raiders offense — has been sluggish to launch. His 424 dashing yards are good for No. 9 within the league, however his 4.0 yards per carry rank twenty eighth.

Since transitioning from faculty, Jeanty has struggled along with his pacing when attacking the road of scrimmage and discovering dashing lanes. The excellent news is that is one thing he can repair shortly as soon as he feels extra assured in his blockers. The Las Vegas offensive line is not doing him any favors; solely three backs have gotten fewer yards earlier than first contact per rush than Jeanty (1.3). — Miller

Which late-rounder is overperforming?

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, RB, Washington Commanders. We will keep on with the operating backs right here, because the Commanders discovered their lead again within the seventh and last spherical of the draft. With 344 dashing yards and 4 touchdowns, Croskey-Merritt has already proven that he is able to being a key a part of coordinator Kliff Kingsbury’s offense. His contact steadiness carried over from the College of Arizona to the NFL, as his 2.8 yards after first contact rank fourth total.

Croskey-Merritt nonetheless wants to enhance his ball safety, with two fumbles this season. However the early returns on the rookie have been constructive ever since he received a bigger position when Austin Ekeler tore his proper Achilles in Week 2. — Reid