NFL Rookie Report: Ranking the Top 10 Draft Classes from 2025

#CHICAGO’S ROOKIE CLASS HELPED FLIP THE NFC NORTH

Chicago went from last place to first place, and this rookie class was a huge reason why. Ben Johnson unlocked Caleb Williams, but the young talent around him made that jump real.

Kyle Monangai was a seventh-round gem and gave the Bears serious juice in the run game. Then once Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland got fully rolling, this offense got scary fast. From Week 10 on, those two were among the most productive rookie pass-catchers in football.

Ozzy Trapilo stabilized the left side when he stepped in, which helped complete the offensive line picture. The patellar tendon injury is brutal and worth monitoring, but the bigger takeaway is clear: Chicago has a legit young core and the arrow is way up.

#Rank 2 — Cleveland Browns (Grade: A)

#CLEVELAND ACTUALLY NAILED THIS CLASS

Forget the noise: Cleveland hit big on multiple picks. Carson Schwesinger looked like a star and ran away with Defensive Rookie of the Year. Mason Graham played like a grown man from Day 1. Harold Fannin Jr. brought real playmaking value at tight end.

Quinshon Judkins looked like a foundational back before the leg injury, and if he returns healthy, that changes the long-term outlook fast. Shedeur Sanders is still a debate, but this class isn’t riding on one name anyway.

Bottom line: the Browns found building blocks on both sides of the ball, and that’s exactly what this franchise needed.

#Rank 3 — Seattle Seahawks (Grade: A-)

#TWO MAJOR HITS WERE ENOUGH FOR A CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

Seattle didn’t get massive contributions from everyone, but the top impact was huge. Grey Zabel was a rock up front and helped transform an offensive line that badly needed stability. His snap count and consistency were elite for a rookie.

Nick Emmanwori was the defensive chess piece that made Mike Macdonald’s scheme even more dangerous. Safety, nickel, linebacker, edge look, whatever you needed, he gave it to you.

When your biggest rookies are core pieces on a Super Bowl winner, that’s an A-level draft story.

#Rank 4 — New Orleans Saints (Grade: A-)

#THE SAINTS FOUND REAL STARTERS AND MAYBE THEIR QB ANSWER

Kelvin Banks Jr. looked like one of the best rookie tackles in the league, and Jonas Sanker outplayed expectations in a major way. Quincy Riley and Danny Stutsman also gave New Orleans quality Year 1 value.

The swing factor is Tyler Shough. After a long, injury-heavy college road, he stepped in and gave the Saints life when they needed it. The finish under Shough looked way different than the early-season version of this team.

If he keeps developing, this class could end up looking even better a year from now.

#Rank 5 — New York Giants (Grade: A-)

#TALENT EVERYWHERE, BUT WITH REAL RISK ATTACHED

This class is electric and a little chaotic. Abdul Carter flashed game-wrecking pass-rush traits immediately, but the discipline questions are real. Jaxson Dart has the swagger and dual-threat juice to energize the offense, but he has to protect himself better.

Cam Skattebo was fun, physical, and productive before a serious leg injury ended his season. The vibe with this class is simple: high ceiling, high intensity, and a lot of pressure to mature fast.

The pieces are there. Now the Giants need year-two growth, not just year-one flashes.

#Rank 6 — Tennessee Titans (Grade: B+)

#CAM WARD TOOK HITS, KEPT SWINGING, AND SHOWED THE TOOLS

Cam Ward didn’t have the clean rookie breakout people expected from a No. 1 pick, but the arm talent and toughness were obvious all year. The environment around him was rough, and he still showed enough to believe in the upside.

Tennessee’s triple dip at pass-catcher paid off. Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm, and Elic Ayomanor all produced, and that gives Ward a real foundation moving forward. Dike’s all-purpose production and return impact were massive.

This isn’t a finished product, but it’s a legit starting point for the new regime.

#Rank 7 — New York Jets (Grade: B+)

#THE JETS LANDED MULTIPLE EVERYDAY PIECES

Armand Membou looked like a long-term starter up front. Mason Taylor transitioned well at a tough position and led the team in catches despite missing time. Malachi Moore brought physicality and consistency at safety.

The season wasn’t pretty overall, but this class gave New York something important: dependable young starters you can build around.

For a team trying to reset direction, that matters more than flash.

#Rank 8 — New England Patriots (Grade: B+)

#STRONG REGULAR SEASON, TOUGH PLAYOFF REALITY CHECK

If this grade stopped in January, New England might rank higher. The regular-season returns were legit, especially from TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell.

But the postseason exposed rookie growing pains in a big way. Campbell struggled badly in pass protection late, and Henderson’s explosive impact cooled off. Craig Woodson was the steady exception from start to finish.

This class still has clear value, but the playoff tape keeps them out of the top tier.

#Rank 9 — Carolina Panthers (Grade: B+)

#DON’T OVERTHINK BLUE-CHIP TALENT

Tetairoa McMillan was the truth from Day 1 and looked every bit like a WR1. He produced, scored, and gave Bryce Young a true go-to target. Carolina bet on the talent and got paid off.

The Panthers also got useful depth and rotational help across the class, but McMillan is the headline. When your top pick plays like a star immediately, the whole draft feels different.

Simple formula: hit on your first-rounder, and everything gets easier.

#Rank 10 — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Grade: B+)

#TAMPA CHECKED MODERN NFL BOXES IN ONE WEEKEND

Emeka Egbuka showed he can line up all over and still produce, not just live in the slot. Jacob Parrish proved he can handle inside and outside responsibilities in a Bowles defense that asks corners to do a lot.

That versatility is exactly what modern contenders chase. Tampa found movable pieces on both sides, and that gives the roster flexibility going forward.

Not the flashiest class in this top 10, but one of the cleanest fits.

#Closing Line

These 10 teams didn’t just draft names, they drafted roles, identity, and future starters. Year 2 is where this board gets reshuffled, but for now, this is the rookie class hierarchy heading into 2026.