With just three weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, the picture is starting to come into focus - and the rookie class is making its presence felt in a big way. While every draft group brings its own flavor, this year’s crop is especially rich in offensive playmakers. From backs to tight ends to wideouts, first-year players are stepping into major roles, and a handful of them could have a real say in who ends up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy come February 8 in Santa Clara.
Let’s start in Chicago, where the Bears are making a real push in the NFC North, and a big reason why is the emergence of running back Kyle Monangai. He didn’t become a regular part of the offense until Week 7, but since then, he’s been a revelation.
In Ben Johnson’s run-heavy system, Monangai has found a perfect fit, racking up 681 rushing yards on 4.7 yards per carry with five touchdowns. He’s not a major factor in the passing game - just 11 catches for 97 yards on 21 targets - but that hasn’t mattered much.
With two 100-yard rushing games already under his belt, Monangai has become a critical support piece for rookie quarterback Caleb Williams as the Bears try to lock down the division.
Out west, the Chargers came into the year with real questions about their receiver depth behind Ladd McConkey. McConkey and veteran Keenan Allen have done their part, combining for nearly 1,400 yards, but the rise of rookie tight end Oronde Gadsden has been a game-changer.
In 12 games, Gadsden has hauled in 43 passes for 602 yards and two scores, including a monster 164-yard outing in Week 7 against the Colts. He’s part of what’s shaping up to be a loaded tight end class - and he’s already showing he can be a difference-maker in the middle of the field.
Speaking of tight ends, Cleveland may have found a gem in Bowling Green product Harold Fannin. He’s flown under the radar nationally, but not in the Browns’ locker room.
Fannin leads the team with 677 receiving yards on 66 catches (99 targets), and his emergence could make veteran David Njoku expendable in the offseason. Regardless of who’s under center for Cleveland next year - Shedeur Sanders or otherwise - Fannin gives the Browns a big, athletic target who can stretch the field and work the seams.
At 241 pounds, he’s a matchup problem, plain and simple.
On the defensive side, Atlanta went all-in this offseason to fix its pass-rush issues, spending first-round picks on edge rusher Darris Pearce and linebacker Jalon Walker. Walker’s been solid, posting 5.5 sacks and forcing a pair of fumbles, but Pearce has been the real revelation.
He’s already up to eight sacks, 13 quarterback hits, and eight tackles for loss - the kind of disruptive production that Atlanta’s been missing for years. It’s been a rough season for the Falcons overall, but Pearce looks like a foundational piece to build around.
Back in Cleveland, the defense has another rookie making waves: linebacker Darius Schwesinger. The former UCLA standout has been all over the field, racking up 133 total tackles - good for sixth in the league - along with 10 tackles for loss, seven QB hits, two picks, and 1.5 sacks. He’s quickly become a key cog in Jim Schwartz’s aggressive scheme, and with Myles Garrett already anchoring the front, Schwesinger gives the Browns another blue-chip defender to lean on as they look to retool the roster.
In New England, the Patriots were patient with second-round running back Blake Henderson - maybe too patient. Over the first seven games, he saw limited work, tallying just 153 rushing yards and a single touchdown.
But since then, he’s exploded. In the past seven games alone, Henderson has run for 620 yards on 100 carries with six touchdowns.
He’s posted two 100-yard games and three multi-score performances, and heading into the postseason, he might be New England’s most dangerous weapon - a home-run hitter who can flip a game on a single play.
Then there’s KeAndre Warren, the first-round wideout from Penn State who came out of the gate on fire. He’s cooled off a bit lately - just one game over 50 receiving yards in the past six - but his early-season production still stands out.
With 63 catches for 718 yards and four touchdowns, Warren has shown flashes of Pro Bowl potential. He’s already established himself as a go-to target, and with a little more consistency, he could be one of the league’s top young receivers.
At quarterback, the only rookie making serious noise is New York’s Jaxson Dart. For the first time since Eli Manning, the Giants might finally have their guy.
In 11 games, Dart has thrown for 1,802 yards and 13 touchdowns with just four interceptions, averaging 6.8 yards per attempt. He’s also added 400 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on the ground, giving New York a true dual-threat under center.
The only concern? He’s been evaluated five times for potential concussions - something that bears watching as the Giants look ahead.
Down in Tampa Bay, Emeka Egbuka has been a lifeline for the Buccaneers’ offense. With Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan all missing time, Egbuka has stepped up in a big way, leading all rookie receivers with 870 yards.
His 117 targets are tied with Justin Jefferson for ninth-most in the league - a sign of just how heavily the Bucs are leaning on him. If Tampa Bay makes the postseason, Egbuka will have a chance to introduce himself to a national audience in a big way.
And finally, there’s Jalen McMillan in Carolina - a name that should be front and center in the Offensive Rookie of the Year conversation. Despite playing with a struggling Bryce Young and a receiving corps that lacks another 350-yard contributor, McMillan has managed 851 yards and six touchdowns.
He’s been the engine of the Panthers’ offense, helping them to a surprising 7-7 record and a share of the NFC South lead. If Carolina sneaks into the playoffs, McMillan’s case for top rookie honors will be hard to ignore.
Bottom line: this rookie class is loaded - especially on offense. And as the postseason approaches, several of these first-year stars could end up playing pivotal roles in how this NFL season ends.