Who are the most important rookies of the 2025 NFL season?
The top talent in the 2025 NFL Draft may not be the most important. Sure, any player selected high in the draft is expected to contribute to their teams, but what teams really hope for is that player making possible season-changing impact.
NFL Mocks takes that into consideration in naming the 50 most important draft picks of 2025. There are several factors that come into play. How does that rookie’s success address a need? As we saw with Cooper DeJean and Quinyon Mitchell, can a rookie or rookies help put a team over the top? As we saw with Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix, can that first year player change the direction of a franchise?
Quick note: The players selected for this list are players drafted in the first three rounds of the draft.
Here are NFL Mocks’ 50 most important rookies of 2025 (No. 50-46)
50. Landon Jackson – Buffalo Bills (selected round 3, pick 72 Arkansas)
The Bills addressed their need for defensive end depth with the selection of Landon Jackson with the No. 72 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Although the team signed Joey Bosa to help bolster the pass rush, Jackson could be their link to the future at the position.
Already classified as a potential draft steal, the 6-foot-6, 264-pound edge rusher has great size, power and the ability to wreck an offensive line with this athleticism and length. Jackson did land on the PUP list prior to training camp due to an injury but expect him to play his way into the rotation at defensive end and give the Bills a young defender who can help solidify the position beyond 2025.
As far as the measure of importance, Jackson doesn’t come with much pressure on him, which should free him to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. For a team with Super Bowl aspirations, any added production from mid-round pick is much welcomed.
49. Darien Porter – Las Vegas Raiders (selected Round 3, pick 68 Iowa State)
Pete Carroll and company are hoping they found another Richard Sherman in Iowa State product Darien Porter who was selected with the No. 68 overall pick in the draft. Another late Day 2 selection with high expectations, Porter enters the NFL as a player with much experience coming out of college. In starting his career as a wide receiver, Porter’s athleticism, speed and overall football IQ should slot him into one of the starting corner spots.
While it is tough to ask a third-round pick to jump into a starting role, Porter’s transcendence to the NFL level could give the Raiders a solid secondary as he would join Eric Stokes, Decamerion Richards, Jamal Adams and Darnay Holmes in a defensive backfield with a chance at being better than expected. That all depends on Porter and the physical traits he brings to the unit.
48. Benjamin Morrison – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (selected Round 2, pick 53 Notre Dame)
Did Todd Bowles get his “ballhawk” in rookie Benjamin Morrison? The quick answer is when healthy, the Notre Dame product is exactly that. Selected with the No. 53 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Buccaneers benefitted from Morrison sliding in the draft due to injury concerns. As far as ability, Morrison was projected as a top corner entering the draft.
As an outside press corner, Morrison is a patient corner with a natural feel for the game. His 9 interceptions in 31 games at Notre Dame showcases a player who does take chances in his ability to jump routes. That will make Bowles smile. As far as his importance, the Buccaneers have a potent offense, but defensively they need to stick out in the NFC South. If they can get upgraded play and depth in the secondary, they will be a team to be reckoned with in the NFL. Morrison’s health is a key in making Bowles’ defense more complete.
47. Elijah Arroyo – Seattle Seahawks (Selected Round 2, Pick 50 Miami
It looks like the Seahawks have another weapon in tight end Elijah Arroyo. Selected with the No. 50 overall pick in the draft, the former Miami Hurricanes star will make his presence known in the NFC West. After a final season at Miami in which he averaged 16.9 yards per catch in an offense that featured No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, Arroyo is looking to transition that production to the NFL level.
So far, so good in Seattle. The second-round gem looks like he is going to be a solid playmaker in an offense looking to regroup after the trade of D.K. Metcalf. Along with AJ Barner and veteran tight end Eric Saubert, the Arroyo will be looked at to help the team make up the production of Noah Fant who signed with the Cincinnati Bengals in free agency. Fant caught 64 passes for 500 yards in 2024 with Seattle.
If Arroyo matches that production or supersedes that production, the Seahawks offense will be tough to cover, especially with the way fellow rookie Tory Horton looks at the wide receiver position.
46. Kyle Williams – New England Patriots (Selected Round 3, Pick 69 Washington State)
The Patriots entered the 2025 NFL Draft looking to get more explosive on offense. One player who fits the mold is third-round pick Kyle Williams who brings that outside speed, deep threat ability to the Patriots’ offense. The Washington State product has turned heads through training camp, especially with the quick chemistry formed with Drake Maye.
Although he has yet to show much in preseason, the Patriots are counting on Williams to be a factor in 2025 with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels back in the mix. While the Patriots have Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, DeMario Douglas and Kayshon Bouttee leading the depth chart, the team really needs to hit on a receiver in the draft after double-dipping at the position in 2024 and not getting much out of Ja’Lynn Polk and Javon Baker. The Patriots also have Kendrick Bourne on the roster who could be the odd man out due to Williams now in the conversation.
His importance is due to his explosiveness. If he connects with Maye on a consistent bases during the regular season, it could solve an area of need the Patriots have been trying to solve all decade.