When assessing who might stand out from the 2025 draft class within the AFC, skill-position players dominated the list. That is not the case within the NFC, the place two offensive linemen may very well be among the many most impactful rookies this season.
This is our checklist, ranked in inverse order of potential impression. Every participant is a first-round choice.
5. Gray Zabel, guard, Seattle Seahawks
Seattle’s offensive line points from 2024 should be fastened with new beginning QB Sam Darnold, who’s much less cellular than final season’s starter, Geno Smith. The Seahawks understood that and chosen Zabel, who they hope will decrease their sack whole from final season (54, lower than only two other teams).
The previous North Dakota State guard will present an enormous elevate to Seattle’s offense, which shall be seeking to set up the run with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak taking on the play-calling duties.
Zabel’s versatility will permit the Seahawks to regulate accordingly if gamers alongside the offensive line proceed to wrestle.
“Prompt starter,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. called Zabel.
4. Tyler Booker, guard, Dallas Cowboys
Taking a skill-position participant, whether or not a working again or extensive receiver, was nearly a common decide for the Cowboys in mock drafts. Nonetheless, Dallas leaned on its energy of drafting and growing offensive linemen by deciding on Alabama product Booker.
Regardless of being a guard — which isn’t a premium place — Booker was thought of a top-15 prospect on this 12 months’s draft class. QB Dak Prescott has suffered two vital accidents up to now 5 seasons, hampering his mobility, so it will be important that Dallas retains him upright. Booker will assist.
3. Matthew Golden, WR, Inexperienced Bay
Golden, who transferred to Texas after two seasons at Houston, was one of many extra controversial prospects for scouts to guage all through the draft course of.
Whereas a number of groups seen the Texas wideout (58 catches, 987 yards, 9 TDs in 2024) as a first-round expertise, the manufacturing didn’t meet expertise. Golden’s inconsistencies in faculty may very well be boiled all the way down to Quinn Ewers’ ineptitude at quarterback. (The Dolphins chosen Ewers within the seventh spherical.)
Nonetheless, for the primary time since 2022, the Packers used a first-round decide on a receiver.
Christian Watson, who suffered a torn ACL in Week 18 in opposition to the Chicago Bears, and Romeo Doubs are getting into the ultimate years of their rookie offers. With each gamers more likely to depart in free company following the 2025 season, Golden might set up himself because the clear WR1, which is one thing the Packers have been looking for the previous few seasons.
2. Jalon Walker, EDGE, Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta’s sack manufacturing in 2024 was paltry (31, 31st in the NFL).
The Falcons made positive that might not be a problem this season, taking two pass-rushers within the first spherical: Georgia’s Walker and Tennessee’s James Pearce Jr. Giving up a 2026 first-round decide to the Los Angeles Rams for Pearce Jr. was perplexing, however Atlanta now has a formidable pass-rushing tandem.
It was shocking that Walker, who Kiper Jr. had tenth on his massive board, slipped outdoors the highest 10. The previous Georgia pass-rusher is a bit undersized for his place (6-foot-2 and 245 kilos), however his versatility and uncooked athleticism are attributes he can lean on to excel within the NFL.
1. Abdul Carter, EDGE, New York Giants
Skipping a quarterback and taking one of many blue-chip prospects on this 12 months’s class with the third decide was the proper choice by the Giants. This choice additionally allowed New York to commerce again into the primary spherical to seize a possible franchise quarterback in Mississippi’s Jaxson Dart.
Carter, who’s 6-foot-3 and 250 kilos, was one of many extra dominant defensive gamers in faculty soccer final season. That was evident in his efficiency in opposition to Notre Dame within the School Soccer Playoff, when the 21-year-old edge-rusher recorded one sack, seven pressures, a 22% strain price (per Pro Football Focus) and three run stops regardless of a shoulder harm.
With Brian Burns Jr., Kayvon Thibodeaux, Dexter Lawrence and Carter, the Giants boast one of many higher defensive traces within the NFL.
