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NFL Rookie Report Card: Grades for Every First-Round Pick Ahead of Week 14. Read NFL Rookie Report Card: Grades for Every First-Round Pick Ahead of Week 14
NFL Rookie Report Card: Grades for Every First-Round Pick Ahead of Week 14
With the playoffs just weeks away, it is time to hand out some rookie report cards. Which players from the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft have exceeded expectations? What have been the biggest disappointments? Let’s dive in!
Pick 1: Cam Ward, QB, Tennessee Titans
The first overall pick has had a tough debut campaign. Playing in an offense with one of the worst supporting casts in the league has not done him any favors. Through 13 weeks, Ward has thrown for just 2,251 yards with a modest 7:6 TD:INT. On the ground, he has added one touchdown with 123 yards.
While the Titans expect to sit near the top of the draft once again, Ward has not been given much to succeed, which will keep him from falling into “failing” territory.
Grade: C-
Pick 2: Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Travis Hunter began to finally break out before suffering a season-ending knee injury. In his final game before his injury, the two-way sensation caught a season-high eight passes for 101 yards and his first career touchdown. While the sample size was not large, Hunter showed flashes of immense upside, which suggests he could be in store for a massive sophomore campaign.
Grade: B+
Pick 3: Abdul Carter, Edge, New York Giants
Abdul Carter entered the draft as the clear top defensive player. At Penn State, Carter had 12.0 sacks in his final season and was even named Big Ten DPOY. However, in New York, Carter has struggled, tallying only 1.5 sacks. In their recent contest on Monday evening, Carter was benched due to disciplinary reasons.
The raw talent is there, but he has yet to show it consistently.
Grade: C-
Pick 4: Will Campbell, OL, New England Patriots
The Patriots, and especially second-year QB Drake Maye, have taken a massive step forward in 2025, and offensive tackle Will Campbell has played a major role in this. The top lineman has been given an every-down role from the start and has looked quite strong, leading one of the top offenses in the league.
While he is currently on the IR with a knee injury, the LSU product is expected to play a major factor in their postseason run.
Grade: A
Pick 5: Mason Graham, DT, Cleveland Browns
When the Browns traded down in the opening round to select Mason Graham, many questioned their decision. However, Graham has immediately taken on a large role in their defense and has been a key player in the middle of the defensive line. Over the last two games, Graham has racked up 11 tackles (seven solo) and added a pass deflection.
The Cleveland defensive line has been one of the best in the sport, as they enter Week 14 allowing just 101.34 rushing yards per game and 22.5 PPG.
Grade: A-
Pick 6: Ashton Jeanty, RB, Las Vegas Raiders
Like Ward, Jeanty did not join the best offensive situation. The Vegas offense has been very inconsistent and has struggled to get Jeanty in many positive game scores. Despite this, Jeanty has still shown immense upside at times. In Week 4, Jeanty posted a season-best 138 yards and a score against the Chicago Bears.
While he has only surpassed the 50-yard mark once over his last four games, Jeanty is one of the top budding stars at the running back position and could break out with improved QB play in 2026.
Grade: B-
Pick 7: Armand Membou, OL, New York Jets
Armand Membou has seen a full-time role on the right side of the New York offense line. Through 13 weeks of action, Membou has struggled at times, allowing six sacks per PFF, and has taken a rather high nine penalties. Membou will have several opportunities to continue developing, as the Jets will likely pencil him in as their top right tackle in 2026.
Grade: C-
Pick 8: Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Carolina Panthers
The 22-year-old made a strong case to hold an “A” grade. While his weekly production has not been very inspiring, when given the ball, he has showcased immense upside. However, Bryce Young has struggled at times, which has prevented him from reaching his ceiling.
Through 13 weeks of action, McMillan has brought in 57 passes (98 targets) for 826 yards and six touchdowns. McMillan enters the final stretch on a hot streak, having scored four of these touchdowns over his last three games.
Grade: A-
Pick 9: Kelvin Banks Jr., OL, New Orleans Saints
Kelvin Banks Jr. has struggled to adjust to the NFL. While New Orleans’ inconsistent QB play has not helped the overall offense, Banks has allowed four sacks and 37 total pressures. Overall, he enters Week 14 carrying a modest 68.9 overall grade.
Grade: D
Pick 10: Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
Prior to his recent breakout, Loveland was trending down in terms of rookies. However, after spending most of the first half behind Cole Kmet on the depth chart, the former Michigan standout finally jumped to the lead role. Since Week 9, Loveland has averaged a solid 58.0 yards per game and has scored three TDs.
Before this recent surge, Loveland totaled just 10.5 yards per game.
Grade: B
Pick 11: Mykel Williams, Edge, San Francisco 49ers
The 21-year-old is currently on the IR due to a season-ending ACL tear he suffered during their victory over the Giants back in Week 9. While his season may be over, Williams was beginning to turn the corner. In Week 8 (his last full game), the rookie logged the highest snap count of his debut season and tallied at least three sacks in each of the last three games.
Overall, he totaled 20 tackles (11 solo) with one sack.
Grade: C-
Pick 12: Tyler Booker, OL, Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Booker has been the top offensive lineman from the opening round of the draft. Through 13 weeks, the Alabama product has allowed just one sack and currently holds a solid 72.4 overall grade on PFF, placing him 17th among guards. He has been borderline elite in blocking for running back Javonte Williams, posting a stellar 79.1 run blocking grade.
Grade: A
Pick 13: Kenneth Grant, DL, Miami Dolphins
The Michigan product has been a massive disappointment on the Miami defense. The rookie has logged only 22 tackles with 1.5 sacks and has yet to be given a true starting role on the line. Over the last three games, in which the Dolphins have been starting to climb the standings, they have opted to decrease Grant’s role, as he has only logged over 50% of the snaps in just one of these games.
Grade: F
Pick 14: Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren looks like the next-best young TE in the NFL. The Penn State product immediately made an impact during the first month of the season and has yet to slow down. Despite entering Week 13 with a questionable tag due to an illness, Warren still made a major impact, catching three passes for his five total TD (fourth receiving) of the season.
Warren is expected to remain a top target for Daniel Jones down the stretch.
Grade: A
Pick 15: Jalon Walker, Edge, Atlanta Falcons
After a quiet first half, Jalon Walker has begun to find his footing in the NFL. Since Week 9, Walker has quietly been one of the top rookie defenders in the sport, and especially from a pass-rushing perspective. During this five-game stretch, Walker has tallied four of his five sacks and added 17 tackles (13 solo) with two forced fumbles.
Grade: B+
Pick 16: Walter Nolen, DL, Arizona Cardinals
The Ole Miss product has battled injuries, which have significantly hindered his playing time. Nolen has only appeared in four games this season and just made his season debut back in Week 9. Through his first four games of action, Nolen has tallied eight tackles with one sack.
However, he has been unable to build on this momentum as he was unable to suit up in their recent contest due to a foot injury.
Grade: F
Pick 17: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals
Shemar Stewart had one of the strangest starts to his career as he missed most of training camp due to a contract dispute. While he eventually agreed to terms with the club that drafted him, Stewart has yet to make much of an impact on the field.
Through his first five games in the NFL (missed several weeks due to injuries and is currently on IR), Stewart has tallied just six tackles with no sacks and no forced fumbles.
Grade: F
Pick 18: Grey Zabel, OL, Seattle Seahawks
Grey Zabel has looked sharp during his first professional season on a competing Seahawks team that has their sights set on a deep postseason run. The 23-year-old has yet to surrender a sack and has only committed three penalties. Zabel should continue to have a starting role on the offensive line down the stretch.
Grade: A
Pick 19: Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Emeka Egbuka was on pace to enjoy an outstanding campaign, but has taken a bit of a step back due to the numerous injuries on the offense. During his first five games in the NFL, Egbuka averaged 89.0 yards per game and added five TDs. However, since this impressive start, Egbuka has averaged only 49.4 yards per game and has scored just one touchdown.
However, the upside he has shown early on has earned him a high grade on our report card.
Grade: A-
Pick 20: Jahdae Barron, CB, Denver Broncos
Jahdae Barron has not been given a major role in this elite Denver secondary as a rookie. Through 13 weeks, the former Texas Longhorn has logged over 40% of the snaps in just two games and typically fallen under the 30% snap mark in most contests. However, despite his limited playing time, Barron has already tallied his first interception and logged four deflections with 22 tackles.
Grade: C-
Pick 21: Derrick Harmon, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Derrick Harmon has battled injuries this season, but even when healthy, he has not been given a prominent role in the Pittsburgh defense. So far, Harmon is averaging a modest 39% of snaps but has begun to see his role increase, logging over 40% in his last three games.
Through nine games, Harmon has tallied three sacks, recovered a fumble, and totalled 22 tackles.
Grade: C-
Pick 22: Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
Another rookie who has had his debut campaign limited by injuries is Charger RB Omarion Hampton. However, when on the field, Hampton has looked like the best running back in this class. Through five games, Hampton has posted elite 4.8 YPC and has already posted two rushes over 20 yards and one over 40 yards.
With a Week 14 return in the play, expect Hampton to play a significant role as the Chargers look to punch their ticket into the postseason.
Grade: B+
Pick 23: Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
Matthew Golden was expected to immediately claim the WR1 role in Green Bay that has been empty since Davante Adams departed. However, the first round selection has yet to make much of an impact and has eventually seen his playing time take a sharp drop.
Instead, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, and Dontayvion Wicks are seeing an every-down role, and with Jayden Reed nearing a return, Golden figures to operate as the No. 5 option in the postseason.
Grade: F
Pick 24: Donovan Jackson, OL, Minnesota Vikings
Donovan Jackson has seen an every-down role at left guard during his debut campaign. According to PFF, the former Ohio State Buckeye enters Week 14 carrying a modest 61.3 overall grade but has been rather strong in defending the pass, carrying a 67.3 grade, placing him 25th among all guards in the league.
He has also surrendered just two sacks and committed only three penalties.
Grade: B+
Pick 25: Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants
The giants appear to have found their franchise QB. While the team opted to start Russell Wilson early in the campaign, they quickly pivoted to the Ole Miss product, who had held he starting job since (other than the time he missed due to injuries. During his first eight games, Dart has held an 18:3 TD:INT (11 passing scores) and averaged 194.5 passing yards and a strong 2.1 rushing yards per game.
In addition, Dart is finding great success without his top wideout, Malik Nabers, who suffered an ACL tear back in Week 4. Dart could take this team to the next level with his top wideout back in action during his sophomore season.
Grade: A-
Pick 26: James Pearce Jr., Edge, Atlanta Falcons
Like many names on this list, James Pearce Jr. had a slow start to his debut season but has flipped the script over the past month. During his first eight game, Pearce tallied just 0.5 sacks with eight total tackles. However, over his last four, Pearce has totaled an impressive 4.5 sacks with seven tackles and a forced fumble.
Expect Pearce to continue to build on this last season during the stretch.
Grade: B+
Pick 27: Malaki Starks, S, Baltimore Ravens
Malaki Starks was immediately given a lead role in his Baltimore secondary. While the Ravens’ defense as a whole struggled mightily in the first half, they have begun to emerge as one of the top units in the sport. Starks has played a significant role in their improvement, tallying his first two interceptions in Weeks 9 and 10 and combining for 12 tackles (four solo) over his last three games.
Grade: A-
Pick 28: Tyleik Williams, DL, Detroit Lions
The defensive lineman has not made much of an impact during his debut campaign. Through 13 weeks, Williams has operated as the No. 2/No. 3 DT on the roster and is averaging just over 50% of the snaps in each game. He has tallied just 13 tackles and has yet to register his first career sack.
Grade: F
Pick 29: Josh Conerly Jr., OL, Washington Commanders
The Commanders hoped to strengthen their offensive line for breakout QB Jayden Daniels with the 29th overall pick in last year’s NFL Draft. However, the 22-year-old entered the NFL as a raw product and has shown some growing pains in his first season. Through 13 weeks, Conerly has allowed a hefty six sacks and sits with a low 55.1 PFF grade in run blocking, placing him near the bottom of all tackles in the league.
Grade: D-
Pick 30: Maxwell Hairston, CB, Buffalo Bills
The Kentucky product missed the first six games of his debut season due to a knee injury he suffered during training camp. Since making his debut in Week 8, the Bills have not developed him primarily in a depth role. While he served as a starter in Week 10, logging 100% of the snaps, he has failed to eclipse the 55% snap mark in any of his other games.
He has logged just three tackles but has been able to make impact plays, forcing two interceptions and three deflections. With an increased role, Hairston could enjoy a strong finish to his somewhat disappointing season.
Grade: C-
Pick 31: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Philadelphia Eagles
Jihaad Campbell opened the season in a starting role but has seen his role slightly decline in November. While he has yet to tally the first career sack, he has racked up an impressive 53 tackles, including a strong 11-tackle outing back in Week 5.
Despite his low sack total, his metrics suggest a breakout could be coming very soon, as evident in his elite 77.6 PFF grade, placing him 10th among all inside linebackers.
Grade: B-
Pick 32: Josh Simmons, OL, Kansas City Chiefs
The final pick of the opening round was Josh Simmons out of Ohio State. The former Buckeye has seen a starting role on the right side of the Kansas City offense line. According to PFF, Simmons has allowed just two sacks but has committed eight penalties. He enters Week 14 with a strong 75.5 grade in the passing game but has struggled to block the run, posting a 48.1 grade.
However, he suffered a wrist injury on Thanksgiving, which could keep him on the shelf for the remainder of the regular season.
Grade: B+
