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Analysis

NFL rookie report cards: Grading and ranking every team's 2025 draft class

Published: Feb 11, 2026 at 02:20 PM
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Gennaro Filice

Editor at Large

As the 2025 NFL season recedes into the rearview, the 2026 NFL Draft approaches on the horizon. You know what that means: MOCK MADNESS.

But before we completely shift focus to the next prospect crop, it's worth reviewing how the last one performed in Year 1.

Here is my final ranking of all 32 rookie classes, with accompanying grades and analysis on the most notable newbies.

Rank
1
Chicago Bears
Chicago Bears

Grade: A


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 10): TE Colston Loveland | 16 games/11 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 39): WR Luther Burden III | 15 games/5 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 56): OT Ozzy Trapilo | 14 games/6 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 62): DT Shemar Turner | 5 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 132): LB Ruben Hyppolite II | 7 games/1 start
  • Round 5 (No. 169): CB Zah Frazier | 0 games/starts
  • Round 6 (No. 195): OG Luke Newman | 9 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 233): RB Kyle Monangai | 17 games/1 start


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


Chicago just went from worst to first in the NFC North, thanks in large part to Ben Johnson tapping into Caleb Williams’ rare ability. But the first-year head coach wasn’t the only person to help the second-year quarterback. Four rookies played crucial roles in a Bears attack that went from dead last in total offense in 2024 to No. 6 in ’25. Let’s start at the end with Kyle Monangai, a seventh-round steal who ran for 783 yards at a healthy 4.6 a pop. The bowling-ball back provided the thunder to D’Andre Swift’s lightning, giving Caleb the enviable support of a top-three ground game. Frankly, that was Chicago’s offensive base all season long. But the Bears also got cooking through the air, especially once their top two picks were fully integrated into the offense. From Week 10 through the end of the regular season, Chicago boasted the two most productive rookie pass catchers in the entire league: WR Luther Burden III topped the board in that span with 481 receiving yards, while TE Colston Loveland ranked just behind him with 479. And Loveland continued to ascend in the postseason with nearly 200 more yards in two games. Lastly, the Bears’ offensive line looked complete after Ozzy Trapilo took over the blind side in Week 12. Unfortunately, the towering tackle ruptured his patellar tendon on Wild Card Weekend. That’s a pretty rough knee injury -- one that could carry over into next season -- so Trapilo’s rehab will be key. But combining this crop of rookies with the significant additions from the previous two drafts (Williams, WR Rome Odunze and RT Darnell Wright), Chicago has a spectacular young core to illuminate Johnson’s beautiful offensive mind.

Rank
2
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns

Grade: A


Draft picks:


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


I’m not a doctor, and I won’t play one in this blurb by speculating on the long-term ramifications of Quinshon Judkins’ leg injury. Officially labeled as a fractured fibula and ankle dislocation, the mid-December setback sure looked gruesome. However, following the surgical procedure, the Browns announced that "a full recovery is expected for the 2026 season with a return to football activity in 4-6 months." Sure hope so, because the rugged running back showed immense promise in a bumper crop of rookie talent for this downtrodden franchise. I’m not here to debate Shedeur Sanders -- my jury’s still out there, regardless of a Pro Bowl bid that surprised even the man himself -- but I’d like to shower praise on Cleveland’s first four picks. Stat-stuffing LB Carson Schwesinger ran away with the Defensive Rookie of the Year award, leverage-monster DT Mason Graham earned a spot on the Pro Football Writers of America All-Rookie Team and playmaking TE Harold Fannin turned 72 catches into a highlight reel of beastly feats. Provided Judkins makes a healthy return, this class has supplied the Browns with a pair of building blocks on each side of the ball.

Rank
3
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks

Grade: A-


Draft picks:


Analysis: 


Of all the teams in the top 10 of this ranking, Seattle has the fewest number of significant contributors. So, how do the Seahawks slot in at No. 3 despite having just two rookies eclipse 350 snaps over the 20-game season? Well, those two rookies were critical cogs for a Super Bowl champion. Pretty easy sell, no? Including the playoffs, Grey Zabel actually logged the most snaps of any Year 1 player -- 1,298, per Next Gen Stats -- and his impact cannot be overstated. The North Dakota State product’s seamless transition to the NFL helped settle an offensive line that was one of the league’s most problematic units in 2024, when Seattle ranked 28th in rushing and 29th in sacks allowed. In 2025, the ‘Hawks finished 10th in rushing and fifth in sacks allowed. And there’s no “Dark Side Defense” without Nick Emmanwori. The 6-foot-3, 220-pound mutant played a joker role in Mike Macdonald’s devastating D, lining up everywhere from safety to nickelback to linebacker to defensive freakin’ end. On a championship defense chock-full of versatile disruptors, Emmanwori felt like the skeleton key.

Rank
4
New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints

Grade: A-


Draft picks:


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


New Orleans hasn’t made the playoffs since Drew Brees retired following the 2020 season, putting heat on the team’s longtime general manager. External heat, I should say, as Saints owner Gayle Benson provided a strong vote of confidence in November.


"It may not be what the fans want to hear, but as far as firing Mickey Loomis, that's ridiculous," Benson told Jeff Duncan of The Times-Picayune. "(He) does a great job."


Loomis certainly earned his keep with this haul. In a draft class that supplied the league with a much-needed influx of talented offensive tackles, none looked better than Kelvin Banks Jr. And Jonas Sanker significantly exceeded expectations as a late-third-round pick who started the final 16 games of the season, becoming a linchpin in the back end of Brandon Staley’s defense. Fourth-rounders Quincy Riley and Danny Stutsman delivered Year 1 returns on investment, too.


But the player who could take this group over the top -- the one who ultimately could make this No. 3 ranking too low -- is Tyler Shough. After an injury-riddled college career that spanned seven years and three schools, the quarterback entered the league with significant questions about his long-term upside. He played pretty darn well as a 26-year-old rookie, though, infusing life into what had been a dead Saints team (SEE: 1-7 start under Spencer Rattler, 5-4 finish under Shough). Does New Orleans have its Brees replacement? We’ll see how Shough progresses in Year 2, but it won’t be shocking if he helps the Saints end that aforementioned playoff drought.

Rank
5
New York Giants
New York Giants

Grade: A-


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 3): Edge Abdul Carter | 17 games/6 starts
  • Round 1 (No. 25): QB Jaxson Dart | 14 games/12 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 65): DT Darius Alexander | 16 games/2 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 105): RB Cam Skattebo | 8 games/5 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 154): OT Marcus Mbow | 13 games/3 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 219): TE Thomas Fidone II | 7 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 246): CB Korie Black | 9 games/2 starts


Analysis: 


Three of the Giants’ first four picks were essentially starting by the end of September. And all three of those players are fun. But they’re also scary. Allow me to explain each situation individually ...


ABDUL CARTER


  • The fun part: The edge blur led the entire league with 48 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds, per Next Gen Stats).
  • The scary part: Carter was benched twice for behavior that Dexter Lawrence termed "hard-headed," with the three-time Pro Bowler imploring his young teammate to "just grow up, really."


JAXSON DART


  • The fun part: His dual-threat ability and undeniable swagger, both of which were on full display in New York’s shocking prime-time beatdown of Philadelphia.
  • The scary part: His proud refusal to protect himself, causing frequent trips to the blue tent in Year 1 while raising serious concerns about his long-term viability.


CAM SKATTEBO


  • The fun part: A fearless play style that’s as infectious as his animated personality, with bell-cow ability as a runner and receiver.
  • The scary part: A gnarly leg injury -- dislocated ankle, fractured fibula and ruptured deltoid ligament -- that ended his rookie campaign before Halloween, only increasing doubts about the NFL shelf life of his gutsy game.
Rank
6
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans

Grade: B+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 1): QB Cam Ward | 17 games/starts
  • Round 2 (No. 52): Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo | 6 games/2 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 82): S Kevin Winston Jr. | 10 games/6 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 103): WR Chimere Dike | 17 games/10 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 120): TE Gunnar Helm | 16 games/10 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 136): WR Elic Ayomanor | 16 games/14 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 167): OG Jackson Slater | 12 games/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 183): CB Marcus Harris | 14 games/5 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 188): RB Kalel Mullings | 9 games/0 starts


Analysis: 


After C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels authored transcendent Offensive Rookie of the Year campaigns in consecutive seasons, we became accustomed to quarterbacks entering the league and immediately taking it by storm. That was not the case with Cam Ward. The No. 1 overall pick won just three of his 17 starts, posting unremarkable stats beyond his league-high 55 sacks taken. And yet, I couldn’t help but come away impressed with the former zero-star recruit’s breathtaking arm talent and dogged determination. Despite operating in a destructive environment -- his head coach was fired 36 days into the season, and his offensive line was largely offensive -- Ward routinely exhibited the kind of ability that keeps me bullish on his NFL upside. And Tennessee’s decision to triple dip on targets in the fourth round of last year’s draft paid off in spades, as Chimere Dike, Gunnar Helm and Elic Ayomanor each eclipsed 40 receptions, giving Ward a pass-catching core to grow with. Dike’s playmaking ability actually stood out most on special teams, as he earned first-team All-Pro honors as a punt return and led the entire league with 2,427 all-purpose yards (a rookie record). New head coach Robert Saleh has plenty of work to do in Nashville, but the cupboard isn’t bare. Brian Daboll has enticing pieces to coordinate in this offense.

Rank
7
New York Jets
New York Jets

Grade: B+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 7): OT Armand Membou | 17 games/starts
  • Round 2 (No. 42): TE Mason Taylor | 13 games/11 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 73): CB Azareye'h Thomas | 12 games/5 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 110): WR Arian Smith | 16 games/5 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 130): S Malachi Moore | 17 games/14 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 162): LB Francisco Mauigoa | 12 games/8 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 176): Edge Tyler Baron | 6 games/0 starts


Notable free-agent signings:

  • QB Brady Cook | 5 games/starts
  • CB Jordan Clark | 6 games/0 starts
  • S Dean Clark | 12 games/2 starts


Analysis: 


According to the completely biased metrics of my brain, New York landed three solid starters in this draft. Armand Membou enjoyed a fine campaign at right tackle, further establishing the offensive line as this pockmarked roster’s greatest hope. Despite dealing with some injuries and missing four games, tight end Mason Taylor still led the Jets with 44 catches, transitioning nicely to the NFL at a position that’s known for its steep learning curve. Lastly, Malachi Moore racked up 95 tackles as a physical safety who’s right at home mixing it up in the box. The first year of the Aaron Glenn/Darren Mougey regime didn’t exactly go as planned, but this draft class is a silver lining that offers true optimism for the future.

Rank
8
New England Patriots
New England Patriots

Grade: B+


Draft picks:


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


Full disclosure: This ranking is unfair to the Patriots. If I had submitted this assignment at the end of the regular season -- judging all 32 teams on an equal sample size -- New England would have ranked much higher. But I can’t memory hole what we all saw over the past month. It was an odd dichotomy, watching the upstart Pats make a run to the Super Bowl while their newbies ran smack-dab into the rookie wall. This was most evident with the top two picks, LT Will Campbell and RB TreVeyon Henderson. Campbell was a turnstile in the playoffs, suffering through a nightmare stretch of games that culminated in a humiliating Super Bowl performance where he allowed the most QB pressures by any offensive lineman in a game this season (14, per Next Gen Stats). Henderson led New England in scrimmage yards (1,132) and touchdowns (10) during the regular season, showcasing an explosive game that allowed him to average 5.1 yards per carry and break off four runs of 40-plus yards. But he was a non-factor in the postseason, totaling 109 yards and zero scores on 35 touches. No disrespect to Craig Woodson -- New England’s most consistent rookie from Week 1 through Super Bowl Sunday -- but for the most part, this group shrank in the playoff spotlight.

Rank
9
Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers

Grade: B+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 8): WR Tetairoa McMillan | 17 games/starts
  • Round 2 (No. 51): Edge Nic Scourton | 17 games/8 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 77): Edge Princely Umanmielen | 16 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 114): RB Trevor Etienne | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 122): S Lathan Ransom | 16 games/6 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 140): DT Cam Jackson | 9 games/0 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 163): TE Mitchell Evans | 17 games/10 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 208): WR Jimmy Horn Jr. | 13 games/0 starts


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


As we dive into draft season, there’s something everyone needs to guard against: The Overthink. You know what I’m talking about. Inevitably, in every draft cycle, certain prospects are put under too strong a microscope. It’s the obnoxious byproduct of two months of fervent football analysis without any real football. Suddenly, sparkling college production falls victim to a primal desire to POKE HOLES. It felt like Tetairoa McMillan dealt with this one year ago. Despite posting astonishing numbers at Arizona and possessing extraordinary size for his position, McMillan had a surprising number of doubters during the pre-draft process. The Panthers were not among them, and T-Mac rewarded the franchise with an Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign. Looking like a true WR1 from Day 1, McMillan led all rookies in receiving yards (1,014) and touchdown catches (seven). In related news, Bryce Young took a substantial step forward in his development, and Carolina ended a seven-year playoff drought. Don’t overthink it, people.

Rank
10
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Grade: B+


Draft picks:


Notable free-agent signing:



Analysis: 


Modern offenses want receivers who can move all over the formation, like Emeka Egbuka. Modern defenses want cornerbacks who can play inside and outside, like Jacob Parrish. Nice to check two trend boxes in one draft.


As a prospect, Egbuka was actually viewed by many as a slot-only receiver, but he took two-thirds of his snaps on the perimeter in Year 1. The production waned in the second half of the season, as Tampa Bay’s receiving corps returned to health, but Egbuka still finished with the second-most receiving yards (938) and the highest yards-per-catch figure (14.9) in this rookie class, proving he can win in all areas at the NFL level. Parrish was a Day 1 starter at nickelback, and he excelled as a physical presence on the inside all season long. At times, though, injuries forced him outside, and the 5-10, 198-pounder acquitted himself quite well. Todd Bowles, a former NFL defensive back and longtime secondary coach, absolutely loves Parrish, recently calling him Tampa Bay’s best corner in 2025.

Rank
11
Dallas Cowboys
Dallas Cowboys

Grade: B+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 12): OG Tyler Booker | 14 games/starts
  • Round 2 (No. 44): Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku | 17 games/9 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 76): CB Shavon Revel Jr. | 7 games/5 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 149): RB Jaydon Blue | 5 games/0 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 152): LB Shemar James | 14 games/6 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 204): OT Ajani Cornelius | 1 game/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 217): DT Jay Toia | 5 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 239): RB Phil Mafah | 1 game/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 247): DT Tommy Akingbesote | 0 games/starts


Analysis: 


The Cowboys like to spend premium picks on the trenches, and that was the case again last April. Some questioned Tyler Booker’s athleticism in the pre-draft process, causing more than a few raised eyebrows when he came off the board in the top half of Round 1, but his rugged game translated swimmingly to the professional ranks. Just ask Javonte Williams, who enjoyed a career year running the football in his Dallas debut. Booker went viral last draft season for talking the talk with a series of deliciously METAL quotes about breaking opponents’ will, and then he walked the walk by filling Zack Martin’s shoes at right guard with aplomb. Donovan Ezeiruaku was thrust into a similar spotlight, as a pretty highly drafted edge rusher who arrived in Big D just before Micah Parsons departed. While Ezeiruaku certainly didn’t prove to be a one-for-one replacement for the perennial Pro Bowler -- an absurd expectation, if anyone even pondered it -- the second-round pick did exhibit a well-rounded game in Year 1. You’d like to see more than two sacks, especially considering Ezeiruaku racked up 16.5 in his final season at Boston College. But his pass-rush pressure/win rates check out in the advanced metrics. And he sets a hard edge in run defense.

Rank
12
Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles Chargers

Grade: B


Draft picks:


Analysis: 


An ankle injury disrupted Omarion Hampton’s rookie campaign, but durability was never a concern during his wildly productive tenure at North Carolina, so I’m not going to start worrying about that now. A beastly back at 220 pounds, Hampton runs with the kind of aggression that makes defenders ponder business decisions. Among all NFL RBs who finished the regular season with at least 100 carries, Hampton posted the fourth-highest missed tackle rate (29.8%, per NGS). This is a bell cow who was born for Jim Harbaugh’s pasture -- a violent runner who can take some of the immense offensive burden off Justin Herbert’s shoulders. The Chargers also unearthed a mismatch weapon for the franchise quarterback midway through Day 3 of the draft, as Oronde Gadsden II flashed the ability to take over games as a fifth-round rookie. With Jamaree Caldwell and R.J. Mickens immediately contributing to Los Angeles’ defense, Joe Hortiz compiled his second deep draft haul in as many seasons as Bolts GM.

Rank
13
Washington Commanders
Washington Commanders

Grade: B


Draft picks:


Analysis: 


At this time last year, Josh Conerly Jr. was widely viewed as a raw prospect with enticing developmental upside. The Commanders took him in Round 1 and immediately threw him into the fire. How did the bookend blocker respond? Admirably, with visible real-time growth over the course of a 17-start campaign that didn’t see him miss a single snap. After spending the previous two seasons as Oregon’s starting left tackle, Conerly shifted to the right side to fill the slot opposite five-time Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil. The transition -- to a new position and a new level of football -- was rough, initially. According to Pro Football Focus’ charting, Conerly allowed six sacks and 28 pressures in his first eight games. Over the final nine games of the season, though, Conerly slashed those figures to just two sacks and 15 pressures. That’s a trend line that forecasts plenty of sunshine in Year 2. Meanwhile, Trey Amos looked like Washington’s best cornerback before fracturing his fibula in early November, and seventh-round steal Jacory Croskey-Merritt led the team’s ground attack in yards (805) and touchdowns (eight).

Rank
14
Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta Falcons

Grade: B


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 15): Edge Jalon Walker | 15 games/9 starts
  • Round 1 (No. 26): Edge James Pearce Jr. | 17 games/3 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 96): S Xavier Watts | 17 games/starts
  • Round 4 (No. 118): S Billy Bowman Jr. | 6 games/1 start
  • Round 7 (No. 218): OT Jack Nelson | 10 games/0 starts


Analysis: 


James Pearce Jr.'s recent arrest casts an enormous pall over this rookie class. The edge rusher recorded 10 sacks in the final nine weeks of the season, leading to a third-place finish in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. But now he’s facing five felony charges, including counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and aggravated stalking. We’ll have to see how the legal process plays out, but this clearly puts his playing career in jeopardy. Considering the Falcons traded their 2026 first-round pick in order to move up the board for Pearce last April, this could be a massive setback for the franchise. The serious development absolutely impacted Atlanta’s ranking in this comparatively frivolous undertaking. But Pearce wasn’t the only rookie standout for the Falcons in 2025. Xavier Watts tied for second in the league with five interceptions, showcasing the supreme ball skills that allowed him to pick off 13 passes in his final two seasons at Notre Dame. Given that he lines up next to ballhawk extraordinaire Jessie Bates III, maybe we should just call this guy Jessie Bates IV. And Atlanta’s defense had two more noteworthy newbies: First-round pick Jalon Walker dealt with some injuries, but he still displayed a pretty complete game on the edge, while Day 3 find Billy Bowman Jr. was a physical presence at nickel before tragically tearing his Achilles during a November walkthrough. Pearce’s future is completely unclear at the moment, but the Falcons made significant defensive strides thanks to multiple players from this class.

Rank
15
Philadelphia Eagles
Philadelphia Eagles

Grade: B


Draft picks:


Analysis: 


The Eagles made just two top-100 picks, but both provided immediate returns. The only real complaint I have about Jihaad Campbell and Andrew Mukuba is that I wasn’t able to see even more of them in Year 1. Campbell’s playing time was contingent on veteran LB Nakobe Dean’s health, but the rookie proved to be a more-than-capable replacement in his 10 starts, stacking up tackles and making some key plays on the ball. With Dean ticketed for free agency next month, Campbell could be poised for a full emergence to stardom in Year 2. Mukuba was one of the most fun defensive prospects in this draft class, with a ferocious play style that belies his 186-pound frame, and he served as a capable starter for the first three months of the season. Unfortunately, a fractured ankle prematurely ended his debut campaign. Going forward, Mukuba’s edgy play fits nicely alongside 2024 rookie sensations Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean, giving the Eagles an enviable collection of young talent in the secondary.

Rank
16
Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions

Grade: B


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 28): DT Tyleik Williams | 17 games/10 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 57): OG Tate Ratledge | 17 games/starts
  • Round 3 (No. 70): WR Isaac TeSlaa | 17 games/3 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 171): OG Miles Frazier | 5 games/ 0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 196): Edge Ahmed Hassanein | 0 games/starts
  • Round 7 (No. 230): S Dan Jackson | 0 games/starts
  • Round 7 (No. 244): WR Dominic Lovett | 12 games/0 starts


Analysis: 


Detroit just went from 15-2 No. 1 seed to 9-8 playoff nonparticipant in 12 months’ time. And the offensive line’s decline played a clear role in the step-back season. But don’t blame Tate Ratledge -- the rookie right guard was the only positive on the interior. A road grader in the run game, Ratledge fit right in with Penei Sewell on the right side of Detroit’s line. And he didn’t allow a sack after Week 5, per PFF, really shoring up his pass pro in the back half of the season. The second-round pick led the Lions with 1,141 snaps. Like Ratledge, Tyleik Williams and Isaac TeSlaa played in all 17 games, though their roles were more rotational. After a slow start to the season, Williams ultimately provided the kind of run-stuffing you’d expect from a 328-pound first-round pick. The pass rush is still a work in progress, though. TeSlaa was about as intriguing as a 16-catch receiver could be, particularly because six of those receptions went for touchdowns. A viral hit in the preseason, the 6-4, 214-pounder continued to produce eye-popping highlights when the games counted. And he eventually received a steady snap share, from Thanksgiving on.

Rank
17
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers

Grade: B


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 21): DT Derrick Harmon | 12 games/8 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 83): RB Kaleb Johnson | 10 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 123): Edge Jack Sawyer | 17 games/1 start
  • Round 5 (No. 164): DT Yahya Black | 17 games/3 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 185): QB Will Howard | 0 games/starts
  • Round 7 (No. 226): LB Carson Bruener | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 229): CB Donte Kent | 0 games/starts


Analysis: 


As a franchise that’s long been defined by its defensive front seven, Pittsburgh looked to fortify that group with three of its first four picks last April. None of the selections emerged as certified stars in Year 1, but all three appear poised to keep the Steelers’ strength a strength in seasons to come. Multiple knee injuries limited Derrick Harmon to 12 games, but when he played, the first-round pick displayed disruptive ability from the interior (SEE: four sacks, including one in the postseason game). Jack Sawyer and Yahya Black were used in more rotational roles, but both flashed playmaking ability (SEE: two interceptions for Sawyer and two forced fumbles for Black, plus a fumble that was forced by Sawyer and recovered by Black in the playoffs). Pittsburgh also attempted to add more juice to its ground attack by snagging Kaleb Johnson in the middle of Round 3. That pick did not bear fruit, as the rookie’s most memorable play was a brain fart in the return game that swung momentum in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seahawks.

Rank
18
Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals

Grade: B-


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 16): DT Walter Nolen | 6 games/ 0 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 47): CB Will Johnson | 12 games/ 10 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 78): Edge Jordan Burch | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 115): LB Cody Simon | 16 games/ 9 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 174): CB Denzel Burke | 17 games/ 8 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 211): OG Hayden Conner | 5 games/ 0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 225): S Kitan Crawford |15 games/ 1 start


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


If I were grading purely on flashes, Arizona’s first couple picks would push this group way up the board. Walter Nolen dealt with leg injuries throughout 2025, starting the season on the PUP list and ending it on injured reserve. This limited him to six games and a grand total of 161 snaps. But in that extremely limited sample size, the defensive tackle demonstrated the kind of interior disruption that made him a first-round pick, with two sacks, two pass deflections, five tackles for loss, five QB hits and 13 pressures (NGS). The man even scored a touchdown with a heads-up feat of athleticism. Will Johnson also battled health problems -- routinely popping up on the injury report with myriad issues -- but he was able to suit up for 12 games, piling up a whopping 10 PBUs in the process. If both these guys can get right physically, the Cardinals could have a pair of plus starters at premium positions. And with the immediate returns from Day 3 picks Cody Simon (69 tackles with stretches as the green-dot play-caller) and Denzel Burke (three INTs, 11 PBUs), this might ultimately prove to be a transformational defensive draft in Arizona.

Related Links

Rank
19
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens

Grade: B-


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 27): S Malaki Starks | 17 games/ 15 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 59): Edge Mike Green | 17 games/ 2 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 91): OT Emery Jones Jr. | 5 games/ 0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 129): LB Teddye Buchanan | 14 games/13 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 141): OT Carson Vinson | 7 games/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 178): CB Bilhal Kone | 0 games/starts
  • Round 6 (No. 186): K Tyler Loop | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 203): WR LaJohntay Wester | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 210): DT Aeneas Peebles | 6 games/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 212): CB Robert Longerbeam | 0 games/starts
  • Round 7 (No. 243): OG Garrett Dellinger | 1 game/0 starts (w/ Browns)


Notable free-agent signings:

  • CB Keyon Martin | 13 games/1 start


Analysis: 


Baltimore’s placement near the middle of this ranking is fitting. This class can be viewed optimistically or pessimistically. Choose your own adventure!


Glass half full: Malaki Starks looks like the exact kind of mature center fielder you’d want as the last line of defense, Teddye Buchanan is a tackling machine who already exceeded his Day 3 pedigree and Tyler Loop ranked in the top 10 in field goals made, with a respectable 88.2% hit rate.


Glass half empty: Mike Green doesn’t look like the true sack artist Baltimore needs, Buchanan tore his ACL in December and Loop missed a 44-yard field goal to lose a de facto AFC North title game against the rival Steelers, promptly ending the Ravens’ season in Week 18.


Personally, I’m very excited to see what new Ravens head coach Jesse Minter can do with Starks, one of my favorite prospects in this entire draft class. Guess I’m a half-full guy.

Rank
20
Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City Chiefs

Grade: B-


Draft picks:


Notable free-agent signings:

  • OT Esa Pole | 5 games/4 starts


Analysis: 


Neither Josh Simmons nor Nohl Williams eclipsed 50 percent of the Chiefs' offensive/defensive snaps in Year 1, but both impressed in abbreviated fashion. Having entered the draft with a recently torn patellar tendon, Simmons fell to the end of Round 1, where the Chiefs happily scooped up a potential steal. A Day 1 starter on Patrick Mahomes’ blind side, Simmons looked the part, yielding just one sack in the first five games of the season, per PFF. But then he missed four games while tending to a family matter. After returning to the starting lineup in mid-November, Simmons continued to thrive ... until a wrist injury ended his season on Thanksgiving. I remain high on Simmons’ raw talent, but he’s not gaining fans in the “availability is the best ability” crowd. Williams, on the other hand, was active for all 17 games, though his defensive snap totals varied during the first three months of the season. Then he received steady burn at outside corner in the last five games of the season -- starting the final four -- and performed well, recording four pass breakups, four tackles for loss and a sack in that closing stretch. With a number of Chiefs defensive backs hitting free agency this offseason, Williams could become a full-time starter in 2026.

Rank
21
Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis Colts

Grade: B-


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 14): TE Tyler Warren | 17 games/12 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 45): Edge JT Tuimoloau | 13 games/0 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 80): CB Justin Walley | 0 games/starts
  • Round 4 (No. 127): OT Jalen Travis | 17 games/4 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 151): RB DJ Giddens | 9 games/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 189): QB Riley Leonard | 5 games/1 start
  • Round 6 (No. 190): DT Tim Smith | 0 games/starts
  • Round 7 (No. 232): LB Hunter Wohler | 0 games/starts


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


Indianapolis won eight of its first 10 games, becoming one of the biggest stories in the league. But after the Week 11 bye, the Colts didn’t record another victory, crashing out of the playoffs and into a second straight 8-9 finish. Tyler Warren’s debut season reflected the Colts’ campaign as a whole. Through Week 10, the rookie led all NFL tight ends in receiving yards, becoming one of the leading candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year. But after the Week 11 bye, Warren’s production fell off a cliff, ultimately precluding him from even being an OROY finalist. The decline is stark:

Warren’s rookie season Weeks 1-10 Weeks 12-18
Receptions 50 26
Receiving yards 617 200
Yards per reception 12.3 7.7
Yards after catch 373 101
Receiving TDs 3 1

Now, there's important context here. Daniel Jones first popped up in the injury report in Week 12 -- with NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport later reporting that the quarterback was playing through a fractured fibula -- and then tore his Achilles in Week 14. Obviously, just like the rest of the Colts, Warren suffered without his QB1.

Rank
22
Houston Texans
Houston Texans

Grade: B-


Draft picks:

  • Round 2 (No. 34): WR Jayden Higgins | 17 games/ 10 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 48): OT Aireontae Ersery | 16 games/starts
  • Round 3 (No. 79): WR Jaylin Noel | 17 games/3 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 97): CB Jaylin Smith | 4 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 116): RB Woody Marks | 16 games/8 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 187): S Jaylen Reed | 7 games/1 start
  • Round 6 (No. 197): QB Graham Mertz | 0 games/starts
  • Round 7 (No. 224): DT Kyonte Hamilton | 0 games/starts
  • Round 7 (No. 255): TE Luke Lachey | 0 games/starts


Analysis: 


After 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud experienced a sophomore slump in 2024, Houston clearly entered the 2025 draft with the young quarterback top of mind. Spending four of their first five picks on playmakers (Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel, Woody Marks) and protection (Aireontae Ersery), the Texans aimed to support Stroud with an influx of complementary talent. The results were mixed. Jayden Higgins was the biggest hit, as the receiver built nice chemistry with Stroud in the second half of the season. Standing 6-4 and 215 pounds, Higgins combines with Pro Bowler Nico Collins to give Houston a pair of twin towers out wide. Marks led the Texans with 703 rushing yards and exhibited his pass-catching ability with three receiving scores, but he still feels like more of a committee piece. Noel had explosive moments as a receiver and returner, but we’ll have to see if he can carve out a more consistent role going forward. Ersery was a polarizing prospect, and fittingly, judgments of his rookie campaign fall in the eye of the beholder. The hulking tackle primarily manned the blind side in Year 1, making 18 total starts, including the playoffs -- that’s nothing to sneeze at for a second-round pick. But Ersery’s actual play was uneven -- which brings us once more to Stroud. The 24-year-old remains a far cry from the player who took the league by storm three years ago, so it’s back to the drawing board this offseason.

Rank
23
Denver Broncos
Denver Broncos

Grade: C+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 20): CB Jahdae Barron | 17 games/5 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 60): RB RJ Harvey | 17 games/7 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 74): WR Pat Bryant | 15 games/7 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 101): Edge Sai'vion Jones | 3 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 134): Edge Que Robinson | 6 games/ 0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 216): P Jeremy Crawshaw | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 241): TE Caleb Lohner | 0 games/starts


Analysis: 


Denver had one player selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team: Jeremy Crawshaw. Hailing from the punting hotbed of Australia, Crawshaw played an important role for Sean Payton in a season where the clever coach often played field position and won with his elite defense. Placing 30 punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, the 24-year-old ranked third in the league in that key metric.


I DID IT! I opened one of these blurbs with special teams -- spotlighting a punter, no less!! Somewhere, Rich Eisen smiles.


But how did the rest of Denver’s rookie class fare? RJ Harvey made the biggest impact with a team-high 12 touchdowns. Pressed into the starting lineup by J.K. Dobbins’ foot injury in mid-November, Harvey didn’t exactly take the reins and run with them, finishing the season with a yards-per-carry mark of just 3.7. But he demonstrated playmaking ability, particularly in the passing game, and he should be a valuable piece in Denver’s backfield moving forward. Pat Bryant built a nice rapport with Bo Nix, providing consistent WR3 production behind Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin in the back half of the season. The jury’s still out on Jahdae Barron, as the first-round pick mostly served as a rotational cover man in Denver’s loaded defense.

Rank
24
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco 49ers

Grade: C+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 11): Edge Mykel Williams | 9 games/9 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 43): DT Alfred Collins | 16 games/1 start
  • Round 3 (No. 75): LB Nick Martin | 7 games/0 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 100): CB Upton Stout | 16 games/4 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 113): DT CJ West | 14 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 138): WR Jordan Watkins | 4 games/0 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 147): RB Jordan James | 3 games/0 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 160): S Marques Sigle | 15 games/7 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 227): QB Kurtis Rourke | 0 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 249): OG Connor Colby | 13 games/6 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 252): WR Junior Bergen | 0 games/0 starts


Analysis: 


As noted in the immediate aftermath of last April’s draft, San Francisco’s selections reflected a clear goal: STOP THE GODDAMN RUN! But injuries rocked the team once again, and the 49ers ultimately failed in that pursuit, with the rival Seahawks rolling up 355 ground yards combined in a pair of January bouts that sunk San Francisco. Instead of dwelling on the inadequate ROI from the big-ugly binge, though, I’d like to highlight the Niners’ biggest Year 1 contributor -- who just so happens to be the smallest player in this class. Oh, and he's notably strong in run support! 


Despite checking in at 5-8 1/2 and 181 pounds, Upton Stout is a true force player at nickel, throwing his body around with a fearless play style that's infectious. Finishing third on the 49ers with 82 tackles, Stout made quite an impression on the man who drafted him.


"Upton Stout's been phenomenal from Day 1 with the energy, the passion he has for the game, and then the skill set," GM John Lynch told The Athletic's Vic Tafur in January. "He's a little guy, but he packs a lot of punch."

Rank
25
Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati Bengals

Grade: C+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 17): Edge Shemar Stewart | 8 games/5 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 49): LB Demetrius Knight Jr. | 17 games/14 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 81): OG Dylan Fairchild | 15 games/starts
  • Round 4 (No. 119): LB Barrett Carter | 17 games/12 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 153): OT Jalen Rivers | 16 games/7 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 193): RB Tahj Brooks | 16 games/0 starts


Analysis: 


The Bengals took a huge swing at No. 17 overall, drafting a raw edge rusher who recorded just 1.5 sacks in each of his three college seasons. Alas, Shemar Stewart was even less productive in his NFL debut, logging one sack in an eight-game campaign that was preceded by a contract dispute and abbreviated by multiple injuries. Cincinnati’s first-round gamble busted in Year 1, putting a taint on this group. But if you look past that first selection, the Bengals actually received decent returns from their next three picks. Dylan Fairchild was the best of the bunch, serving as a solid 15-game starter at left guard. Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter experienced a trial by fire, as a pair of rookie starters in the middle of an overmatched defense. The young linebackers made mistakes, to be sure, but they also showed growth as the season progressed, ultimately tying for second on the team with 106 tackles.

Rank
26
Las Vegas Raiders
Las Vegas Raiders

Grade: C


Draft picks:


Analysis: 


Las Vegas boldly took Ashton Jeanty at No. 6 overall, making the Heisman runner-up the highest-drafted running back since Saquon Barkley in 2018.


So … was it worth it? Well, considering the Raiders finished dead last in rushing offense, total offense and scoring -- sitting well behind the 31st-ranked team in each category -- the Year 1 answer is a resounding NO. I’m not looking to disparage Jeanty, though. It felt like the running back did his part, but the supporting cast failed him. Of Jeanty’s 975 rushing yards, 863 came after contact. According to Next Gen Stats, he was contacted behind the line of scrimmage on 51.5% of his carries; for comparison’s sake, rushing champ James Cook was only hit early 33.3% of the time. All of this supports the notion that it’s best to build your offensive foundation before aggressively targeting a running back. The position’s just so dependent on its surroundings. Klint Kubiak gets it.


“Very excited about [Jeanty’s] talent, but the thing I would tell him and all his teammates is that it’s not just about one guy,” Las Vegas’ new head coach said at his introductory press conference. “We gotta get the line on the same page, we gotta get our quarterback to get the right run checks. We gotta get our receivers to block for him, alright, so that we can get the play-action going. As soon as our players can realize that it’s a team thing -- it’s not an individual thing -- we’re gonna be successful.”

Grade
27
Los Angeles Rams
Los Angeles Rams

Grade: C


Draft picks:


Analysis: 


Neither Terrance Ferguson nor Josaiah Stewart received even 40 percent of the Rams' regular-season snaps in Year 1, but both rookies played meaningful roles for a near-Super Bowl team. Los Angeles was at the forefront of the heavy-personnel trend in 2025, with Sean McVay befuddling opposing defensive coordinators by deploying scores of tight ends across the formation. The 6-5, 252-pound Ferguson provided the kind of versatile game that fueled the Rams’ usage of 12 and 13 personnel. Just ask the mad scientist himself.


"He's everything and that much more than I hoped he would be, and I had tremendously high hopes for him," McVay said in his end-of-season presser. "I think that he's going to be a huge part of what we're going to do for years to come."


Stewart was Les Snead’s latest D-line hit, adding yet another QB hunter to the rabid young front that has become this team’s defensive identity. In the regular season, Stewart had the highest pass-rush win rate (15.3%, per PFF) of any rookie edge.

Rank
28
Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota Vikings

Grade: C


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 24): OG Donovan Jackson | 14 games/starts
  • Round 3 (No. 102): WR Tai Felton | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 139): DL Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins | 14 games/1 start
  • Round 6 (No. 201): LB Kobe King | 14 games/0 starts (9 w/ Jets)
  • Round 6 (No. 202): TE Gavin Bartholomew | 0 games/starts


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


The Vikings made just five selections -- tied for the fewest in the 2025 draft, with only one coming in the top 100 -- so it wasn’t shocking to see limited returns from the class. And the one guy who significantly contributed -- first-round pick Donovan Jackson, a 14-game starter at left guard -- experienced ups and downs. That said, there’s additional context to keep in mind. Jackson enjoyed a squeaky-clean debut performance, but he hurt his wrist in Week 2. With Minnesota already shorthanded on the offensive line, Jackson played through the injury in Week 3 -- earning strong praise from head coach Kevin O’Connell for gutting it out -- before undergoing a surgical procedure that cost him a couple games. He returned to the lineup following the team’s Week 6 bye, though an ankle injury did force him to miss one more game in late November. All in all, the rookie appeared to leave a strikingly positive impression on everyone in the building, including one of the longest-tenured Vikings.


“He broke his wrist, knew he had to get surgery three games into his rookie year, and played with a broken wrist in a hard cast (in Week 3), and then played on a hard cast for the rest of the year on his hand,” right tackle Brian O’Neill marveled, per FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. “He’s a pro. He’s a pro -- there’s not many rookies that come in that way and take care of their business, fight through stuff. I thought he got better as the year went on. I think he’s going to be a really good player -- I really do -- for a long time here. He’s made of the right stuff.”

Rank
29
Miami Dolphins
Miami Dolphins

Grade: C-


Draft picks:


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


The Dolphins only made two picks in the first four rounds of last year’s draft, but their intention with those premium selections was clear: beef up the trenches. Saddled with a reputation for soft play, Miami went hard in the paint, nabbing a powerful interior presence on each side of the ball. Did this approach pay off? Let’s start with the good -- which actually started bad. Kenneth Grant hit the NFL with plenty of fanfare as a truly rare athlete at 6-3, 335 pounds, but the defensive tackle significantly struggled in the early goings. In related news, the Fins gave up an NFL-worst 174.2 rushing yards per game through Week 5. Fortunately, Grant eventually found his bearings, and from Week 6 through the end of the regular season, Miami yielded 115.0 rushing ypg, ranking 14th in that span. The big man’s still a work in progress, but he trended upward down the stretch. Jonah Savaiinaea, on the other hand, stumbled out the gate and never really got his footing. He finished the season with the second-lowest Pro Football Focus grade among all guards. Savaiinaea was particularly porous in pass protection, as PFF charted him with the most sacks (eight) and pressures (45) allowed by any offensive guard. The Dolphins’ most consistent rookie, from stem to stern, might have been Jordan Phillips, a run-stuffer whose Year 1 returns comfortably outstripped his Round 5 pedigree.

Rank
30
Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville Jaguars

Grade: C-


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 2): WR/CB Travis Hunter | 7 games/4 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 88): CB Caleb Ransaw | 0 games/starts
  • Round 3 (No. 89): OG Wyatt Milum | 10 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 104): RB Bhayshul Tuten | 15 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 107): LB Jack Kiser | 14 games/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 194): LB Jalen McLeod | 0 games/starts
  • Round 6 (No. 200): S Rayuan Lane III | 17 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 221): C Jonah Monheim | 17 games/2 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 236): RB LeQuint Allen | 17 games/1 start


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


Entering the 2025 season, no rookie garnered more intrigue than Travis Hunter. Shoot, he was one of the most fascinating individuals in the entire league, spawning wonder with his two-way play. Would the Heisman Trophy winner’s throwback workload translate to the modern NFL? Sadly, the experiment ended before Halloween -- and just when it was getting good! Following a breakout offensive performance against the Rams in London -- Hunter corralled eight passes for 101 yards (both season highs) and his first touchdown in the Week 7 game -- the No. 2 overall pick suffered a non-contact knee injury in practice that abruptly ended his debut campaign. It felt like a cruel tease, as the Jaguars were still figuring out how to properly manage Hunter’s deployment. Now we all have to wait until next season. GM James Gladstone continues to stress that the two-way plan remains the same, but it’s annoying to exit Year 1 without proof of concept.

Rank
31
Buffalo Bills
Buffalo Bills

Grade: C-


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 30): CB Maxwell Hairston | 11 games/3 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 41): DT T.J. Sanders | 12 games/2 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 72): Edge Landon Jackson | 3 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 109): DT Deone Walker | 17 games/16 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 170): CB Jordan Hancock | 13 games/0 starts
  • Round 5 (No. 173): TE Jackson Hawes | 17 games/8 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 177): CB Dorian Strong | 4 games/1 start
  • Round 6 (No. 206): OT Chase Lundt | 2 games/0 starts
  • Round 7 (No. 240): WR Kaden Prather | 0 games/starts


Analysis: 


Admittedly, the vast majority of players discussed in this file were selected in the first two days of the draft. Rounds 1-3. Those are the premium picks, after all. 


But in this here blurb, I’d like to spotlight a pair of Day 3 values. Deone Walker is a mountain of a man at 6-7, 331 pounds. He actually received first-round buzz after a dynamic 2023 season at Kentucky, but a down 2024 ultimately dropped him into Round 4. Buffalo pounced, and Walker supplied some much-needed disruption on the defensive interior. Near the end of Round 5, the Bills snagged another instant contributor in Jackson Hawes. Primarily a blocking tight end -- and a damn good one at that -- Hawes provided added worth with three receiving touchdowns. These are two useful pieces poised for even bigger roles in 2026.


Unfortunately, the Bills still fall to the bottom tier of his ranking because they didn’t get much from their selections in Rounds 1-3. Those are the premium picks, after all.

Rank
32
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers

Grade: D+


Draft picks:

  • Round 1 (No. 23): WR Matthew Golden | 14 games/5 starts
  • Round 2 (No. 54): OT Anthony Belton | 14 games/7 starts
  • Round 3 (No. 87): WR Savion Williams | 12 games/0 starts
  • Round 4 (No. 124): Edge Barryn Sorrell | 14 games/1 start
  • Round 5 (No. 159): Edge Collin Oliver | 1 game/0 starts
  • Round 6 (No. 198): DT Warren Brinson | 11 games/1 start
  • Round 7 (No. 237): CB Micah Robinson | 9 games/1 start (w/ Titans)
  • Round 7 (No. 250): OG John Williams | 0 games/0 starts


Notable free-agent signings:


Analysis: 


With the 2025 draft taking place in Green Bay, the Packers finally scratched a 23-year itch, spending a first-round pick on a wide receiver for the first time since they took Javon Walker back in 2002. Outgoing team president Mark Murphy announced the selection in the shadow of Lambeau Field, working Packer backers into a frenzy by appropriately milking the moment, and Matthew Golden immediately appeared on stage to soak it all up. It was a special scene. In hindsight, that feels like the highlight of the wideout’s first year with the Pack. OK, Golden did finish the season on a high note, catching four passes for 84 yards and his first NFL touchdown in Green Bay’s Wild Card Weekend loss at Chicago. But he was mostly lost in the shuffle of the Packers’ crowded receiver room, especially in the second half of the season, with veterans returning from injury and Golden experiencing some health issues of his own. In Weeks 8 through 18, the rookie caught a grand total of 11 passes for 112 yards. Green Bay’s second-round pick, Anthony Belton, actually provided more of an impact -- starting at right guard from Thanksgiving on -- but his performance was far from pristine.

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