Top Performing Rookies
TE Tyler Warren, Indianapolis
Selected with the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft. Tyler is having an amazing start to the season. After three games, he has a total of 193 receiving yards with 14 receptions on 21 targets. He is tied with Michael Pittman Jr for the most receiving yards on the Colts. Not only is he one of the best offensive players on his team, but he is also a top ten tight end according to ESPN.
WR Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers
NFL Commissoner Rodger Goodell, left, with Arizona Wildcats wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan selected by the Carolina Panthers as the number eight pick in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field.
Drafted 8th overall in the NFL draft. McMillan has been a homerun pick for the Panthers. He put the NFL on notice in week two versus the Arizona Cardinals. McMillan had 100 receiving yards with six receptions on ten targets. Tetairoa McMillan’s electric start to the season has solidified him as the wide receiver one on the Panthers depth chart. After week three, he has become a top 30 wide receiver in the NFL, according to ESPN.
LB Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns
Schwesinger was selected by the Browns with the 33rd pick in the second round. He has made a big impact on an already elite defense. After week three, Carson leads the Browns in solo tackles (12), assists (11), total tackles (23), and is tied with veteran Devin Bush for the most sacks (1) and tackles for lost yards (2) on the team. His stellar play has helped the Browns become one of the best defenses in the NFL.
WR Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Feb 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Ohio State wideout Emeka Egbuka (WO12) speaks during a press conference during the 2025 NFL Combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephanie Amador Blondet-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers drafted Egbuka with the 19th overall pick. With an aging receiving room, the Buccaneers were in need of a new young receiver to fill the void that Mike Evans will leave once he retires. Egbuka is showing that he may be able to fill that void. After week three, he is leading the Buccaneers in receiving yards with 181, with 14 receptions on 21 targets and three touchdowns. According to ESPN, Emeka is ranked 16th amongst wide receivers in the NFL. Egbuka may not have an elite frame like Mike Evans, but he is a good receiver who has the potential to become a franchise wide receiver, one for the Buccaneers and a favorite target for Baker Mayfield for the foreseeable future.
Under Performers:
RB Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
Drafted with the 22nd overall pick by the Chargers. Hampton has not had a hot start to his NFL career. In his first two games he had a combined 72 rushing yards on 22 carries and zero touchdowns. He did have a much better performance in week three. Hampton rushed for 70 yards on 19 carries with one touchdown. With Najee Harris being out for the rest of the season with a torn achilles, Hampton will be the first option coming out of the backfield. If he can continue improving his level of play, then he can finish the season well.
RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
Jun 10, 2025; Henderson, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty (2) runs the ball during Las Vegas Raiders Minicamp at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images
Selected by the Raiders with the 6th overall pick, Jeanty was the most hyped running back going into the NFL draft after having a Heisman-level season at Boise State University his last year in college. Jeanty had a decent debut against the Washington Commanders. He had 63 rushing yards on 17 carries with zero touchdowns. After week one, his performance has been pretty bad. Jeanty had a combined 81 rushing yards on 30 carries and one touchdown. I cannot put all the blame on Jeanty. He is playing with one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL. Also, he is in a new offensive system, and he is adjusting to playing against more physical opponents. Ashton Jeanty is going to need the Raiders offensive line to improve before the NFL can see what Jeanty can provide on the ground, and it is way too early to call him a bust.
WR Travis Hunter, Jacksonville Jaguars
Heisman Winner Travis Hunter was selected 2nd overall by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He is the first player to play offense and defense in 30 years, according to Sports Illustrated. This season, he has played 43 snaps on defense and 37 snaps on offense, according to Yahoo Sports. This season, he has 76 receiving yards for 10 receptions on 16 targets. On defense, he has six solo tackles, three assists, and one pass defended. Hunter has looked decent so far this season. He has shown flashes of being good on both sides of the ball. We have not seen enough of him playing on both sides of the ball to say this experiment is a failure, but we have not seen enough to say that it is a success either.
QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
Selected first overall in the NFL draft. Coming into the draft, Cam Ward was the clear-cut best quarterback in the draft. He has not played terribly, but he is going through what a lot of first-pick players go through, being the best player on a bad team. To make matters worse, he has played against elite defenses in his first three games. That has not stopped Ward from looking good. This season, he has thrown for 506 passing yards with 54% completion rate, two touchdowns, and one interception. His best game was against the Indianapolis Colts. He threw for 219 passing yards with 60% completion rate, one touchdown, and one interception. Through the losses, Ward has shown flashes of becoming an elite quarterback within the next couple of seasons.