DRAFT BOMBSHELLS! NFL Rookies Who Will Break Out in 2025 (Rounds 2-7)

After the 2025 NFL Draft, a few weeks have already passed to analyze and evaluate the 257 selections.

While first-round players often grab headlines and arrive with high expectations, several players selected on Days 2 and 3 also promise notable and immediate contributions. Let’s remember 2024, when fourth-round running back Bucky Irving rushed for 1,122 yards and third-round safety Calen Bullock tallied five interceptions, both figures leading rookies last season.

Considering this, we will analyze 10 players from each side of the ball selected in rounds 2-7 that we anticipate will have the greatest immediate impact as rookies, taking into account their potential, role, and talent. Let’s start with a quarterback who could see many starts.

Offensive

• Tyler Shough, QB, New Orleans Saints (No. 40)

With Derek Carr’s departure, the Saints will begin training camp with a quarterback competition. Shough is expected to beat out Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener for the starting position.

While the Saints’ template might not be set up for the immediate success of a rookie quarterback, they will likely give Shough every opportunity to prove he can become their long-term figure under center. Shough’s arm talent, ability to read the defense, and mobility are the foundation of an impressive skillset. He threw 23 touchdown passes last season and has 32 starts under his belt.

• RJ Harvey, RB, Denver Broncos (No. 60)

The Broncos needed a running back in the draft, and many thought they would select one in the first round at pick number 20. Instead, they got their player 40 selections later. Harvey can be the “wild card” in Sean Payton’s offense, impacting the game as both a runner and a receiver. He reminds one of Bucky Irving, who was on this list last year and had a great rookie season. Harvey is a compact runner who plays with a big-back mentality, running through defenders without sacrificing speed. He is also a skilled pass catcher.

• Jonah Savaiinaea, G, Miami Dolphins (No. 37)

It was evident that Miami valued Savaiinaea during the draft, making an aggressive effort to move up the board and get him. He gives the Dolphins a legitimate starting candidate from the start; they desperately needed to improve the position. Savaiinaea showed excellent positional versatility in college, but should step in as a starting guard in Miami’s heavy zone scheme. He allowed only two sacks in three seasons at Arizona.

• Quinshon Judkins, RB, Cleveland Browns (No. 36)

The Browns landed a pair of running backs in the first four rounds of the draft, as Judkins and Dylan Sampson (No. 126) give this offense a power and speed duo. Judkins was excellent at both stops in his college career. He showed he can dominate between the tackles at Ohio State, but also proved he can be a complete back who even impacts the passing game at Ole Miss. Judkins is a decisive and physical runner who should fit perfectly in the AFC North. The return of Nick Chubb seems unlikely, which means Judkins will only have to battle Jerome Ford and Sampson for the job.

• TreVeyon Henderson, RB, New England Patriots (No. 38)

Henderson is one of the most explosive players in the rookie class, and he will be an important third-down factor in New England due to his receiving and pass protection qualities. He provided the lightning to Judkins’ thunder for Ohio State last season, and I see a similar profile with the Patriots. Henderson could complement Rhamondre Stevenson well in New England. He provides instant offense as a runner and receiver.

• Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers (No. 83)

The Steelers saw Najee Harris depart in free agency this offseason, making running back a high priority for them at some point early in the draft. Johnson had a standout 2024 season at Iowa, utilizing his size, physicality, and pass-game acumen to become one of the best running backs in the FBS. He ran for 1,537 yards and scored 23 touchdowns from the line of scrimmage. Jaylen Warren, of course, will play a useful role for Pittsburgh, but offensive coordinator Arthur Smith much prefers bigger, more bruising backs like Johnson. It won’t surprise me at all if he leads Pittsburgh in carries this season.

Caption: 0:59Kaleb Johnson’s NFL draft profileCheck out stats from Iowa RB Kaleb Johnson ahead of the 2025 NFL draft.

• Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets (No. 42)

The Jets’ hole at tight end was one of the league’s most glaring positional needs entering the draft. Their primary returning player, Jeremy Ruckert, has no touchdowns in three seasons. But Taylor is a plug-and-play solution. He can hold his own as a blocker and has the ultra-reliable hands needed to work over the middle and provide a safety net for quarterback Justin Fields.

• Tate Ratledge, G, Detroit Lions (No. 57)

Lions general manager Brad Holmes has set out to target reliable and extremely tough players in the draft. That describes Ratledge well. He allowed only one sack in each of the last two seasons at Georgia and exudes toughness on the field. Kevin Zeitler’s departure to Tennessee opens a starting guard spot in Detroit, and I like Ratledge’s chances of filling that role.

• Jayden Higgins, WR, Houston Texans (No. 34)

The Texans had to rebuild their receiving corps this offseason, with Tank Dell’s return time from his knee injury still uncertain and Stefon Diggs departing for the Patriots. Higgins will join Christian Kirk and fellow draftee Jaylin Noel to try to fill that void. Higgins brings an excellent combination of size and speed to the position, similar to teammate Nico Collins. He showed very good discipline and body control on passes thrown to him on the sideline in college, and that should help him build chemistry with C.J. Stroud quickly.

• Dylan Fairchild, G, Cincinnati Bengals (No. 81)

The Bengals entered the draft with an obvious need at guard, using a pair of selections on Fairchild and Jalen Rivers in the fifth round. I see Fairchild as the superior prospect, and he should have the inside track to start immediately for Cincinnati. He brings reliable pass protection, allowing pressure on 0.4% of his pass-blocking reps during the 2024 season, and toughness. Fairchild was rarely found out of position in college and has an excellent temperament. He plays every play with a level of consistency that offensive line coaches love.

Four more to keep in mind

• Gunnar Helm, TE, Tennessee Titans (No. 120): Helm will have the opportunity to be Cam Ward’s best friend as a safety valve at tight end. Helm is not going to provide explosive plays, but he showed excellent hands and instincts in the middle of the field in Texas. He finds weaknesses in zone coverage and is effective at staying alive in unscripted situations. He will make a good duo with Ward in this offense.

• Jaylin Lane, WR/PR, Washington Commanders (No. 128): While Lane will have an opportunity to earn receiving snaps for Washington, what excites me most about his early impact is in the kicking game. Lane is arguably the best kick returner in the draft class. In 2021, he averaged 15.5 yards per return, the second-best in the FBS. He is shifty and instinctive, and he can fly straight. Olamide Zaccheaus handled the most kick returns for the Commanders in 2024, but he signed with the Bears this offseason. Lane should help accumulate hidden yardage.

• Robbie Ouzts, FB, Seattle Seahawks (No. 175): Ouzts didn’t see much of the ball at Alabama (16 career receptions), but he is a tough and versatile blocker. The Seahawks hired Klint Kubiak this offseason and will rely much more on two-back formations. Ouzts will make the switch to fullback and compete for that starting spot. His combination of power at the point of attack and understanding of angles as a run blocker should allow him to make the position switch relatively smoothly.

• Brashard Smith, RB, Kansas City Chiefs (No. 228): There were several late-round running backs I could have chosen here, as the exceptional depth of the class pushed many of them down the board. Smith switched from wide receiver at Miami to running back at SMU, which speaks to his unique versatility that should lead to designed touches for him in Kansas City. Smith is excellent after the catch and displays fantastic lateral agility and straight-line speed.

Defensive Players

• Carson Schwesinger, LB, Cleveland Browns (No. 33)

There is uncertainty surrounding Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah’s health after his neck injury last season, and that likely played a significant role in the Browns opening the second round with Schwesinger, whose movement skills have some nuances of JOK. Schwesinger exploded in 2024, accumulating 115 tackles and playing excellent coverage. His ability to carry pass catchers down the middle of the field and find space in zone drops makes him an every-down player for Cleveland.

• Nick Emmanwori, S, Seattle Seahawks (No. 35)

Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald maximizes the talent of safeties, and few safeties have entered the NFL with Emmanwori’s physical attributes. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound player has 4.38 speed and explosiveness. The Seahawks moving up the board for him signals that they believe Emmanwori can fit in somewhere from the start. He certainly has the speed and range to play center field, but I also see the size and physicality to play in the box as a “big nickel” safety/linebacker hybrid.

• Will Johnson, CB, Arizona Cardinals (No. 47)

Man, what value at pick number 47, even with the knee injury concerns. I actually liked Johnson as an option at pick number 16 for Arizona, given his skills and the team’s need at corner. Getting him in Round 2 is even better. Johnson has excellent ball skills and size, along with the instincts to thrive in Arizona’s heavy zone scheme. The Cardinals played 61.0% of their coverage snaps in zone in 2024.

Caption: 1:44See why Michigan’s Will Johnson is a top NFL draft prospectCheck out highlights from Michigan CB Will Johnson after he’s selected by the Cardinals in the 2025 NFL draft.

• Demetrius Knight Jr., LB, Cincinnati Bengals (No. 49)

Cincinnati has worked to revamp its defense this offseason and found a plug-and-play starter in Knight, whose physical, hard-hitting nature should bring an attitude adjustment to the Bengals’ defense. Knight finished his college career at South Carolina and was around the ball frequently. He had three forced fumbles, a pair of sacks, and an interception last season. Remember, Germaine Pratt requested a trade as well, so there could be plenty of snaps on the table for Knight.

• Nick Martin, LB, San Francisco 49ers (No. 75)

The 49ers entered the draft with a need at a starting linebacker position after Dre Greenlaw left in free agency, and Martin can fill it. He lacks ideal size at 6-foot and 197 pounds, but he makes up for it with electric speed and a fearless nature on every play. Martin also showed legitimate pass-rushing instincts in 2023, with six sacks. And although he was injured for most of 2024, his 140 tackles in 2023 were the most by any Oklahoma State player since 1984.

• JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Indianapolis Colts (No. 45)

Regardless of where Tuimoloau ended up, I would always feel very good about his prospects of playing early. JTT was a starter for three years and contributed for four years at Ohio State, and he shows instincts, power, hand usage, and explosion off the edge. In Indy, I think he can make a real impact as a pass rusher and run defender. Tuimoloau had 12.5 sacks in 2024, often looking his best during the biggest moments.

• Omarr Norman-Lott, DT, Kansas City Chiefs (No. 63)

Adding another defensive tackle was a priority for the Chiefs early in this draft, considering they lost Tershawn Wharton in free agency. Having another big body on the defensive line can make life easier for Chris Jones. Norman-Lott is a standout pass rusher from the inside, showcasing disruptive up-field rushing skills that helped him earn 9.5 sacks over the last two seasons. Playing alongside Jones should create many one-on-one rushing reps for him.

• Nic Scourton, Edge, Carolina Panthers (No. 51)

I don’t think any other edge rusher in this year’s class takes his responsibilities of stopping the run/setting the edge with as much pride as Scourton. He’s a heavy, powerful, and intense player on every snap. Defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero will rely on Scourton in any given situation given that reliability as a run defender and his pass-rushing prowess. While his sack production dipped in 2024 (five), he led the Big Ten in sacks at Purdue in 2023 (10). Scourton comes to Carolina with an advanced arsenal of pass-rushing tactics and can contribute immediately, especially since the team cut Jadeveon Clowney.

• Andrew Mukuba, S, Philadelphia Eagles (No. 64)

The Eagles’ secondary makeover continued in the draft, as they used the last pick of the second round on the instinctive and ready-made Mukuba. I love his football IQ, and although Mukuba has a smaller frame for a safety (only weighed 186 pounds at the combine), he packs a lot of power as a physical tackler. His versatility to play some in the slot should only increase early playing time.

• Jacob Parrish, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (No. 84)

Tampa Bay doubled down at cornerback on Day 2, selecting Parrish in Round 3 after taking Benjamin Morrison in Round 2. Parrish finished 64th on my final board, and I think he can translate his versatile game to the professional level. He played 395 snaps as an outside cornerback and 201 snaps as a slot cornerback in 2024. Parrish has top-end speed and capable ball skills, and he’s a very skilled blitzer. That should shine in a Todd Bowles-coached team.

Three more to keep in mind

• Barryn Sorrell, Edge, Green Bay Packers (No. 124): The Packers tied for the highest percentage of snaps in zone coverage last season at 70.2%, but I believe defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wants more man-to-man coverage. He just didn’t have the right personnel. The best way to help cornerbacks in man-to-man coverage is to have impactful pass rush. Sorrel brings value because of his versatility, as Texas did a very good job of allowing him to rush from multiple alignments, even as an interior rusher. That’s a model Green Bay can follow.

• Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, DL, Minnesota Vikings (No. 139): Minnesota revamped its defensive line this offseason with a pair of high-value veteran additions in Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, so Ingram-Dawkins doesn’t have a clear path to a significant role. But his versatility is key. Georgia played him in multiple spots along the defensive line, and while his sack production wasn’t robust, he was a chaos wrecker with his length, burst, and strength. Coordinator Brian Flores is among the league’s most innovative defensive minds and will throw some odd fronts that can confuse quarterbacks. Ingram-Dawkins has the traits to be a mobile chess piece along the D-line as depth in Minnesota.

• Jordan Phillips, DT, Miami Dolphins (No. 143): Phillips was a wrestler and weightlifter in high school, and that shows on his tape. He is one of the most physical run defenders in the rookie class and plays with excellent leverage. Miami got Kenneth Grant with their first-round pick, but Phillips will also help the Dolphins be much more physical and tough on the defensive line.