As we enter the quietest stretch of the NFL offseason, it’s the perfect time to take a closer look at which rookies could make a big impact this year. In this week’s Rookie Report, we highlight some top first-year players, a long-shot with the New York Jets, and which schools are doing the best job developing NFL talent.
Latest NFL rookie news and notes
The next Giants standout rookie
The New York Giants have seen strong rookie performances in recent years, most recently from last year’s first-round pick Malik Nabers, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie. This season, their next breakout candidate looks to be linebacker Abdul Carter, the third overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Carter has flashed elite burst and agility during early practices, prompting head coach Brian Daboll to say, “Abdul has some special traits about him.” Those same traits were clear on his Penn State film and are why I ranked him as the second-best player in the draft class. If the Giants want to improve on last season’s 21st-ranked scoring defense, Carter will need to deliver right away.
High praise for Colston Loveland
In ESPN’s recent NFC North preview, no rookie drew more buzz than Chicago’s Colston Loveland. Three of the four writers picked him as the top rookie in the division heading into the season. He was also compared to Sam LaPorta, who set the NFL rookie tight end record with 86 catches while playing under current Bears head coach Ben Johnson when he was the offensive coordinator in Detroit.
Spot already locked up
One rookie who has already secured a starting job is Pittsburgh defensive tackle Derrick Harmon. The move makes sense, as the Steelers need help on a defense that gave up 27.4 points per game over the final four weeks of the regular season and the playoff loss. Harmon is a stout run defender and one of the better interior pass rushers in the 2025 NFL Draft class, finishing last season with five sacks.
Bengals’ most productive rookie
While the Bengals used their first-round pick on defensive lineman Shemar Stewart, don’t be surprised if second-rounder Demetrius Knight Jr ends up being their most productive rookie. Stewart has already caused some headaches, while Knight has quietly impressed in practices. He’s been getting first-team reps and has stood out both as a pass rusher and a disciplined run defender. Before the draft, Bleacher Report named him the best run-stopping linebacker in the class, which is exactly the kind of help Cincinnati needs on defense.
Long shot to watch
One player entering camp as a long shot but worth keeping an eye on is Jets wide receiver Quentin Skinner. Last season at Kansas, Skinner led the Big 12 in yards per catch, averaging 22.3 yards on 25 receptions. He brings big-play ability and intriguing size at 6-foot-5, though he’ll need to bulk up from his current 195-pound frame. While cracking the 53-man roster may be tough, Skinner is a strong candidate for the practice squad, where he can refine his route running and add needed muscle.
Commanders' corner standing out
One of the early standouts in Washington's offseason practices is second-round pick Trey Amos. That’s a big development for a Commanders secondary that was a glaring weakness last season, bad enough that they were forced to move Mike Sainristil outside from his natural nickel role. So far, Amos has shown enough for the team to shift Sainristil back inside, where he’s most effective. Out of Ole Miss, Amos came in with a reputation as a physical, technically sound corner who allowed just 43% of passes to be completed in his college career. If he can lock down the boundary spot opposite Marshon Lattimore, it would be a major upgrade for Washington’s defense.
Washington Selects Ole Miss DB Trey Amos 61st Overall
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 26, 2025
🔴 89.9 Coverage Grade Since 2023 (5th Among CBs) pic.twitter.com/sS2ClN3vRQ
Puking rally
Former Michigan defensive tackle Mason Graham’s NFL career got off to a rough start when he puked during his first practice with the Cleveland Browns. But what followed was a rally that even Billy Bob from Varsity Blues would be proud of. Graham has since impressed Browns defensive line coach Jacques Cesaire with his relentless motor, sharp football IQ, and explosive get-off. If he keeps up this level of play when the pads come on, Graham has a real shot to become one of the top contributors on Cleveland’s defense.
NFLU
CBS Sports’ Pete Prisco recently released his top 100 NFL players for the 2025 season, and no surprise, Alabama produced the most names on the list. Under legendary coach Nick Saban and with consistently top-three recruiting classes, the Crimson Tide have long been a pipeline to the pros. A more unexpected entry was Iowa, which ranked fourth overall and was the highest non-SEC program represented. While the Hawkeyes rarely land blue-chip recruits, few programs in the country match their ability to evaluate and develop talent.