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The 2025 NFL season will be remembered for many things, but more specifically, the impact of this year’s rookie class. From the first game back in September to the Super Bowl, these rookies defined the 2025 season. These rookies were competitive, hardworking and leaders in and out of the locker room.
1. Jaxson Dart, Quarterback, New York Giants
Jaxson Dart stepped into the biggest spotlight and most pressure role in the NFL: quarterback. His mentality and confidence gave the Giants’ offense a new sense of identity that they haven’t seen in years. Dart was drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft and took over as the starter in week four. As soon as Dart took over as starter, the Giants’ sense of attack and pressure advanced immediately. He finished fourth in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting and became the first rookie quarterback to record over 2,000 passing yards and over 450 rushing yards. He tied for the fewest interceptions thrown this season, five, and was first in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns and passer rating.
2. TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back, New England Patriots
TreVeyon Henderson, drafted in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, is a rookie coming from The Ohio State University. He placed third in the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year voting as he rushed for 911 yards with 180 carries and nine touchdowns. He had 35 receptions for 221 yards. Henderson was running back number two until Rhamondre Stevenson, New England’s running back, got hurt in November. Henderson had a breakout month in November, when he was named AFC Offensive Rookie of the Month and recorded 342 rushing yards and five touchdowns. An impressive number to put up during a rookie season. After this, he became the primary force in New England’s backfield. The primary reason why Henderson was so successful and impactful was his versatility. He was a kickoff returner, where he scored a 100-yard touchdown, a powerful running back and a receiver.
3. Harold Fannin Jr., Tight End, Cleveland Browns
Fannin was drafted in the third round of the 2025 NFL Draft, where he stayed in his home state of Ohio. He went to college at Bowling Green State University and set several single-season records there. He recorded 1,555 receiving yards, 117 receptions and 119.6 receiving yards per game. Fannin immediately became the leader of the Browns’ offense and led them in nearly every receiving category. The Cleveland Browns have lacked efficiency and productivity in their offense throughout the past two decades, Fannin, was a new impact to the Browns that Cleveland hadn’t seen in awhile. Fannin demonstrated a strong connection between him and multiple quarterbacks throughout the season, showing he was a strong player no matter the circumstances. Fannin, quick on his feet and good with routes, ranked second among all NFL tight ends in missed tackles forced.
4. Tetairoa McMillan, Wide Receiver, Carolina Panthers
McMillan, the eighth overall pick of the 2025 draft, from University of Arizona, led the Panthers’ offense. McMillan was awarded the AP and PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year. He finished with 70 receptions for 1,014 yards and seven touchdowns. McMillan gave quarterback Bryce Young stability and confidence, where he targeted McMillan 42% of the time. McMillan is quick with his hands and efficient in bringing the ball into the red zone. He was a volleyball and basketball player in high school and to this day he takes advantage of his 10 inch hands. Despite being an effective player on the field, McMillan was also a leader off the field, he was voted mid-season captain by his teammates.
5. Carson Schwesinger, Linebacker, Cleveland Brown
Schwesinger was a rookie from UCLA and was the PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year. He had 156 total tackles and nine quarterback hits. He was so powerful that he recorded 10 tackles six weeks in a row. Schwesinger was given the “green dot,” which is the helmet with the coach-to-player radio, early on in the season. He became the leader of the defense and even directed Myles Garrett. Coaches described the most impressive aspect of Schwesinger: his mentality and dedication. He played every snap like he was fighting for his roster spot the whole time.
In summary, the 2025 rookie class had exceptional talent and immediate impact on the field. From the record-breaking numbers or their leadership skills, these top five athletes reshaped the standard for the following classes to follow.
