The NFL preseason is the primary publicity all of us get to rookies, and it typically serves as an important showcase for these first-year professionals. Whereas we will not draw any concrete conclusions about all the profession forward of a participant, getting these preliminary good first impressions can go a good distance within the analysis course of.
These are my picks for the most effective rookies within the 2025 preseason, position-by-position.
Quarterback
Nicely, clearly. Dart was sensational in all three exhibition contests working Brian Daboll’s offense. The third quarterback picked within the 2025 draft accomplished 68% of his 47 makes an attempt with three touchdowns and no interceptions whereas averaging a hefty 7.9 yards per try. Past the numbers, the mix of quarterbacking fashion Dart demonstrated was so spectacular. He diced from contained in the confines of the pocket. He scrambled a bit. He acquired the ball out rapidly, and made a number of high-caliber throws downfield.
Operating Again
One of the best rookie working again within the preseason was an undrafted ball-carrier from the FCS degree, Missouri State to be actual. Wright went for 4.9 yards per tote in sport No. 1, to five.3 yards in sport No. 2, and amassed 65 yards on 5 carries within the Seahawks’ ultimate preseason outing. And he did not attain 147 yards on 21 carries due utterly to large dashing lanes. Wright compelled a whopping seven missed tackles and averaged averaged an excellent 4.0 yards after contact per rush, which is not completely stunning given his 6-foot, 220-pound body. He is at present sitting on Seattle’s observe squad.
Vast Receivers
This preseason, Chism reminded all of us that he should not have gone undrafted after an illustrious profession at Jap Washington. All he did for the Patriots was catch 12 passes for 121 yards with two scores whereas sneaking by means of six sort out makes an attempt, probably the most of any rookie move catcher. 4 of his snags have been of the contested-catch selection too.
TeSlaa appeared as explosive as he did at Arkansas this summer season, with 10 catches for 146 yards and three touchdowns for the Lions within the preseason, a number of of which have been highlight-reel scores. He did get the additional preseason sport however I could not depart him off this record after how snug he appeared on the sector for Detroit.
Lambert-Smith solely caught 4 passes within the preseason, however these receptions went for 27.3 yards per snag with one landing. Meeks led all rookies with 176 yards receiving in August. Within the second preseason sport in opposition to the Dolphins, six of his seven catches went for first downs. In Atlanta, he caught a 68-yard landing.
Tight Finish
Should not be stunning to anybody a former wideout-turned-tight finish was a productive receiver within the preseason. Gadsden went for 80 yards on seven receptions, together with three snags for 46 yards and his lone rating of the exhibition season within the finale in opposition to the 49ers.
Offensive Line
Banks was arguably the most effective blocker, not simply rookie, this preseason. He was dominant in move safety, with the overwhelming majority of his reps in these situations seemingly easy. On 33 pass-blocking snaps, Banks didn’t enable a single stress of any Saints quarterback.
Lampkin, now on the Eagles roster after being waived/injured by the Rams, was large in his first preseason sport and was nicely on his approach to one other large displaying in Los Angeles’ second preseason contest earlier than struggling a knee damage. The “too small” middle performed with the identical tenacity, leverage, and vice-grip palms that we witnessed at North Carolina.
The Bengals solely wanted to see two outings from Fairchild this preseason — he was that good whereas on the sector. Zero pressures surrendered for the previous Georgia blocking standout and third-round decide. As anticipated, he crunched defenders within the run sport too.
Defensive Tackles
Black is 6-5 and 317 kilos and the smaller of the 2 choices right here. In Pittsburgh, Black performed like Cam Heyward within the preseason, tossing blockers apart with ease within the run sport whereas producing intermitted stress. In Buffalo, Walker appeared just like the participant he was at Kentucky in 2023 when he acquired first-round buzz earlier than an injury-plagued 2024.
On 41 pass-rushing alternatives, the 6-5, 340-plus pounder registered six pressures. He additionally made six tackles, did not miss one, and batted down a move.
Edge Rushers
No relation right here — each Greens have been large within the preseason dashing across the nook. B.J., in Jacksonville demonstrated his low-center-of-gravity bend and burst en path to eight pressures on 41 pass-rushing snaps. The undrafted rookie from Colorado held his personal in opposition to the run too.
In the meantime, in Baltimore, Mike considerably flashed on the surface with six high-level pressures wherein his velocity, flexibility, and pass-rush strikes have been on full show. He appeared the a part of a participant who garnered first-round buzz all draft season earlier than Baltimore chosen him in Spherical 2 in April.
Linebacker
Higgins did not take a look at nicely after an illustrious profession at Iowa however demonstrated his elite-level instincts in a protracted audition through the preseason. Higgins was impactful as a blitzer, snagged an interception, and recorded 10 tackles with no miss on 91 snaps for the Ravens.
Campbell was the primary first-round linebacker picked by Howie Roseman, and he was ubiquitous within the preseason for the Eagles with a sack, 5 tackles, two of which have been close to the road of scrimmage, and only one snags for 4 yards in his protection space. The previous Alabama star appeared able to go.
Defensive Backs
Rogers was undrafted out of Rutgers however was lockdown within the preseason. He was focused 5 instances, didn’t enable a catch, and had two interceptions in opposition to the Saints.
Martin is a small, Ar’Darius Washington kind within the slot for the Ravens. Hailing from the Louisiana program, Martin took half in 10 tackles, knocked away one goal, and had an interception.
Moore was a glue-guy within the Alabama secondary, and appeared the half for the Jets in August. On 85 snaps, he made 10 tackles, and was solely focused as soon as, permitting a single catch for 3 yards. He was well-positioned on the again finish at security in Aaron Glenn’s protection.
