The first 15 weeks of the 2025 NFL season have come and gone, providing a large enough sample size to examine how rookies have performed this season. While topics like the best NFL rookies this season and candidates for Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year get the most buzz, it's also worth highlighting great draft classes.
Let's dive into some of the best NFL rookie classes for 2025 entering Week 16.
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The Chicago Bears used a majority of their picks in the 2025 NFL Draft to help build Ben Johnson's offense, and the results are remarkable. While the numbers put up by Colston Loveland this season—39 receptions, 498 receiving yards, and 4 touchdowns—don't come close to rookie milestones, he ranks in the top 10 at his position in first downs per route run (0.092), yards per route run (1.84), and yards per target (9.2). Before his injury, Luther Burden put up 308 receiving yards in his last six games, and rookie left tackle Ozzy Trapilo has held his own. Of course, Chicago struck gold in Round 7 with running back Kyle Monangai . Despite splitting touches with D'Andre Swift, Monangai ranks fourth among rookies in rushing yards (681), and he looks like he could be the RB1 in Chicago next season.
Read More: NFL Playoff Clinching Scenarios Week 16, including the Chicago Bears
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One of the reasons we believe John Schneider should be considered for Executive of the Year is because of what he pulled out of the 2025 NFL Draft for the Seattle Seahawks. Heading into Week 16, first-round pick Grey Zabel leads the NFL in ESPN run-block win rate (84 percent). He's also shown real flashes in pass protection, providing a massive upgrade on the interior for Seattle. The Seahawks also found a gem in second-round pick Nick Emmanwori (11 pass deflections, 7 tackles for loss, 6 pressures, 2.5 sacks, and 1 interception), who has been utilized perfectly by Mike Macdonald. Elijah Arroyo has had a few promising moments as a receiving threat and seems to be a future offensive weapon for the club. Plus, before going down with an injury, fifth-round pick Tory Horton had 5 receiving touchdowns in just 8 games played.
Related: NFL Defense Rankings 2025
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It first must be noted that part of the Cleveland Browns' draft class this season includes the 2026 first-round pick they acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars by trading down. With that acknowledged, we can now highlight the phenomenal work done by Andrew Berry in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mason Graham has been steady on the interior, living up to expectations. He has just been overshadowed by linebacker Carson Schwesinger , the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and a future Pro Bowl selection. Meanwhile, third-round pick Harold Fannin (667 receiving yards) has been one of the best playmakers from his draft class as a rookie, running back Quinshon Judkins has a shot at a 1,000-yard season, and Dylan Sampson has been a nice change-of-pace back. Plus, for a fifth-round pick, Shedeur Sanders looks like he could have a long career. Hitting on six of seven picks—we'll be nice and ignore Dillon Gabriel —is phenomenal work.
Related: Cleveland Browns Coaching Candidates 2026
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It first must be noted that part of the Cleveland Browns' draft class this season includes the 2026 first-round pick they acquired from the Jacksonville Jaguars by trading down. With that acknowledged, we can now highlight the phenomenal work done by Andrew Berry in the 2025 NFL Draft. Mason Graham has been steady on the interior, living up to expectations. He has just been overshadowed by linebacker Carson Schwesinger, the favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year and a future Pro Bowl selection. Meanwhile, third-round pick Harold Fannin (667 receiving yards) has been one of the best playmakers from his draft class as a rookie, running back Quinshon Judkins has a shot at a 1,000-yard season, and Dylan Sampson has been a nice change-of-pace back. Plus, for a fifth-round pick, Shedeur Sanders looks like he could have a long career. Hitting on six of seven picks—we'll be nice and ignore Dillon Gabriel—is phenomenal work.
Read More: 2026 NFL Mock Draft
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Acquiring edge rusher James Pearce Jr. to pair with Jalon Walker came at a high cost—a likely top-10 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft—but they've been very productive for the Atlanta Falcons. The two first-round picks lead all rookies in sacks (Pearce with 8 and Walker with 5.5), turning a defense that ranked 31st in sack rate last season (5.1 percent) into a unit that now has the third-highest sack rate (10.1 percent) in the NFL. Pearce and Walker are the standouts, but safety Xavier Watts (a third-round pick) also leads all rookies with 3 interceptions.
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If not for the season-ending injury suffered by Cam Skattebo , the New York Giants' rookie class would be held in even higher regard. Jaxson Dart must learn to protect himself, but he's shown far more as a passer in his rookie season than anyone reasonably expected. What makes that all the more impressive is that his success is coming without Malik Nabers and now Skattebo. New York found its face of the franchise in Dart and a running back its offense could potentially be built around in Skattebo. As for Abdul Carter , as long as he matures off the field, the pressure he is generating this season should start turning into sacks in the years to come.
Read More: NFL Coaching Candidates 2026
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