How did the notable rookies selected in the first round and beyond of the 2025 NFL Draft fare in their preseason debuts over the weekend?
Although there are many talented players who were taken in the top 32 overall, there’s no doubt a fifth-round pick remains the center of attention, for both his name and his team.
Elsewhere, there was one clear winner among the first-round QBs, and most of the expected immediate-impact receivers impressed. Here’s grading those first exhibition impressions.
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NFL rookie grades after preseason Week 1
Grade: A
Shedeur Sanders, QB, Browns (Round 5, No. 144 overall, Colorado)
Sanders got extended action in Carolina, trying to secure the key top rookie reserve role behind Joe Flacco ahead of third-rounder Dillon Gabriel. He took full advantage (14-of-23, 138 yards, 2 TDs, 106.8 rating) through multiple scoring drives and also ran well (4 carries, 19 yards) when needed.
Contrary to popular belief, the Browns are giving Sanders every good opportunity through camp and preseason to move up the depth chart while Flacco prepares to be the needed Week 1 bridge starter. The intense competition keeps pushing Sanders in the right direction.Â
MORE:Â How Sanders’ performance affects Browns QB battle
Jaxson Dart, QB, Giants (Round 1, No. 25 overall, Ole Miss)
Russell Wilson is trending to start, but no one expects him (or Jameis Winston) to hold off Dart for too long. Dart has too much combined physical talent, which manifested quickly when he stuffed the stat sheet (12-of-19, 154 yards, TD, 8.1 yards per attempt, 106.0 rating, 3 carries, 24 yards) against the Bills.
Brian Daboll’s former team was on the other side, and even though Josh Allen didn’t play, Dart’s debut should have given the offensive-minded Giants coach some early sense of his Allen-like upside. With Daboll running out of time, he might be prompted to accelerate Dart’s significant playing time when games count.
MORE:Â Why Cam Skattebo missed the Giants’ preseason opener
TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Patriots (Round 2, No. 38 overall, Ohio State)
Henderson saw veteran No. 1 Rhamondre Stevenson run well (7 carries for 36 yards), but he stole the show against the Commanders with his explosive versatility. He looked explosive on his 18-yard burst, and he also caught all three of his targets for 13 yards. The real impact, however, was seen on the first play of the game, when he returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a TD.
Patriots’ OC Josh McDaniels has two capable backs to help his second-year QB Drake Maye, and Henderson can still see some high-leverage snaps to complement Stevenson.
MORE:Â Tom Brady jokes about the Jets, Bill Belichick during statue unveiling
Tetairoa McMillan, WR, Panthers (Round 1, No. 8 overall, Arizona)
McMillan hauled two of his busy five targets for 43 yards against the Browns, including a great 30-yard downfield hookup between him and Bryce Young. The reported camp chemistry he developed with Young was shown right away, hinting at a big season as Carolina’s immediate No. 1. McMillan’s night could have been better had he hauled a catchable end zone chance working with the first team.
MORE:Â Latest updates on Jaycee Horn after involvement in car accident
Tyler Warren, TE, Colts (Round 1, No. 14 overall, Penn State)
Warren needs to be a key pass-catcher for whoever wins the starting Colts’ QB job between Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. He was sharp as a go-to weapon right away, hauling in three catches for 40 yards on three targets to prove his reliability all over the field.
MORE:Â Daniel Jones fails to take advantage of extra snaps after Anthony Richardson injury
Cam Ward, QB, Titans (Round 1, No. 1 overall, Miami)
Ward got through an initial three-and-out in his first series against the Buccaneers to deliver more of his promise on the second drive, where he went 5-of-6 passing with 67 yards (8.4 yards per attempt, 89.1 rating). Ward figures to be up-and-down in the Titans’ offense, but he showed more positive than negative early.
Grade: B
(Corey Perrine)
Travis Hunter, WR/CB, Jaguars (Round 1, No. 2 overall, Colorado)
Hunter gets mixed reviews for his 19 combined snaps against the Steelers. He wasn’t targeted on eight defensive plays in coverage, but he faced his first adversity in run defense. He was on the field for 11 offensive plays, catching his only two targets for nine yards. It’s difficult enough to put it all together in one camp as a rookie at one position, and even this super-talent may need time to get rolling overall, with his receiving role having more impact than the other side.
MORE:Â Jaguars’ kicker connects on would-be NFL record 70-yard FG
Emeka Egbuka, WR, Buccaneers (Round 1, No. 19 overall, Ohio State)
Egubka has had a great preseason, emerging as a needed No. 2 for Mike Evans while Chris Godwin is on the mend. He delivered with backup QB Kyle Trask against the Titans, making a jumping downfield catch for 21 yards to get on the board with his first two targets. He did his job and left the Bucs’ fans wanting to see more of his smooth skills.
MORE:Â Inactive CeeDee Lamb gets trucked, flagged by on Cowboys sideline
Colston Loveland, TE, Bears (Round, 1, No. 10 overall, Michigan)
Loveland had a modest debut (a reception for 8 yards on two targets) against the Dolphins, who were once attached to him a lot in the draft. He still is having a great camp to think Loveland will have a key receiving role for Caleb Williams in Ben Johnson’s frequent two-tight end sets in 12 personnel.
Jalen Milroe, QB, Seahawks (Round 3, No. 92 overall, Alabama)
Milroe is working to get the No. 2 role over Drew Lock behind Sam Darnold. He looked solid as expected in limited follow-up action to Lock vs. the Raiders (6-for-10, 60 passing yards, 3 attempts, 38 rushing yards). His experience and athleticism have been good assets early, and more good reps like that will continue his steady progress to potentially replace Darnold in two years.
MORE:Â J.J. McCarthy shows mobility, promise in Vikings’ preseason opener
Kaleb Johnson, RB, Steelers (Round 3, No. 83 overall, Iowa)
Johnson had only 20 rushing yards on his workhorse-like eight carries against the Jaguars, but he showed his power-rushing potential on a seven-yard burst to the outside that included besting fellow rookie Hunter. He’s in line to lead Pittsburgh’s backfield with Jaylen Warren staying in his important change-of-pace role.
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Grade: C
Ashton Jeanty, RB, Raiders (Round 1, No. 6 overall, Boise State)
Jeanty was not the Raiders’ leading rusher against the Seahawks — quite the opposite. He had a team-low minus-1 yard on his three carries, behind seven other players who had rushing attempts. No one should have concerns about this pick, however, even with Jeanty not making jaws drop at camp. The Raiders still will be ready to load him up for power-rushing success under Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll.
Matthew Golden, WR, Packers (Round 1, No. 23 overall, Texas)
Golden caught his only target for seven yards, allaying any concerns of more hands issues with Green Bay’s receiving corps. He also drew a pass interference call from no less than top Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner on a short middle attempt from Jordan Love. It’s difficult to evaluate Golden without seeing him use his speed as an effective deep threat.
Grade: D
Tyler Shough, QB, Saints (Round 2, No. 40 overall, Louisville)
Someone had to be the worst in the class so far and Shough is on cue as someone who shouldn’t be a starting QB in 2025, but he might need to be because Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener confirm this is the worst quarterback room in the NFL post Derek Carr. Shough chucked about as expected (15-of-22, 165 yards, TD, INT, 86.4 rating), including showing off his arm in a 54-yard scoring strike to Mason Tipton against the Chargers.
Shough gives the Saints more in the deep area than either Rattler or Haener; the concern is him being overwhelmed by pressure. Whoever starts, everyone in New Orleans will be on the watch for the “March to Arch” (Manning).
