- Donovan Ezeiruaku is suddenly a key piece for Dallas: Micah Parsons' unsolved contract situation may necessitate Ezeiruaku's rapid development.
- Can Pat Bryant carve out the Broncos' WR2 role? The third-round pick has been reportedly making his case in camp, beating even reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II on some reps.
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After a long summer of facing teammates in practice, NFL teams are finally set to battle new competition. Preseason Week 1 kicks off with 16 matchups, many of which will offer valuable insight into how this year’s rookie class is adjusting.
Even with limited snaps from starters, there’s no shortage of young talent worth watching over the coming days.
Here are the rookies to watch in every game of preseason Week 1.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens
Player: CB Justin Walley, Indianapolis Colts
What began with the signing of Charvarius Ward in free agency has continued with the rise of third-round pick Justin Walley into the starting lineup, as the Colts’ cornerback room takes on a new shape heading into 2025.
Walley has impressed early in camp, with new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo praising the rookie for having “a great football mind” and the versatility to play both inside and outside. His anticipation and movement skills allow him to break quickly on the ball — traits he displayed in his final season at Minnesota, where he forced 10 incompletions and recorded two interceptions, including a pick-six.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Player: G Dylan Fairchild, Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals finished 2024 with a league-worst 42.6 PFF pass-blocking grade at the guard position, well below any other team. Their solution was Georgia guard Dylan Fairchild, selected in the third round and already listed as a starter on the initial depth chart.
Fairchild’s pass protection will be key to solidifying Joe Burrow’s interior offensive line. He earned an 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade last season, tied for sixth among Power Four guards, and he posted a 99.0 pass-block efficiency rating.
Las Vegas Raiders vs. Seattle Seahawks
Player: WR Dont'e Thornton Jr., Las Vegas Raiders
Vegas needed more explosiveness at wide receiver after finishing 30th in PFF receiving grade (66.5) at the position last season, and they may have found it in Dont’e Thornton Jr. The fourth-round pick out of Tennessee boasts a size-speed profile that challenges defenses, and he’s already turning heads early in camp.
At 6-foot-5 with 4.3 speed, Thornton projects as a serious downfield threat in this revamped Raiders offense. That should pair well with Geno Smith, who thrives on deep shots, as his 92.5 PFF passing grade on throws of 10-plus yards ranked top-five at the position last season.
Detroit Lions vs. Atlanta Falcons
Player: EDGE James Pearce Jr., Atlanta Falcons
When the Falcons traded up to draft James Pearce Jr. in the first round, it was with the hope that he could reignite their pass rush, and early signs out of camp suggest he’s doing just that. While practice scuffles have drawn headlines, it’s Pearce’s on-field play that’s turning heads. Falcons team reporter Will McFadden described him as “the tip of the spear” for Atlanta’s defense.
That’s exactly the kind of tone shift the Falcons need after finishing 2024 ranked 30th in both PFF pass-rushing grade (59.0) and pass-rush win rate (33.4%). Pearce was one of college football’s most disruptive edge defenders over the past two seasons, earning a 92.4 pass-rush grade that ranked in the 97th percentile. If that production translates, Atlanta’s defense could look revitalized in 2025.
Cleveland Browns vs. Carolina Panthers
Player: WR Jimmy Horn Jr., Carolina Panthers
While first-round pick Tetairoa McMillan drew headlines on draft night, it’s sixth-rounder Jimmy Horn Jr. who’s been stealing the spotlight at Panthers camp. The former Colorado receiver has reportedly been a handful for Carolina’s defensive backs, generating plenty of buzz with his early performances.
Horn has a clear path to a role in this offense thanks to his speed and deep-threat ability — 21.4% of his targets last season came 20-plus yards downfield. That skill set pairs well with Bryce Young, who rebounded after being benched in 2024 to lead the NFL in big-time throws from Week 11 on.
Washington Commanders vs. New England Patriots
Player: IOL Jared Wilson, New England Patriots
While most of the attention on New England’s offensive line rebuild has centered on top-five pick Will Campbell and veteran Morgan Moses, credit also goes to the Patriots’ scouting department for identifying value like former Georgia center Jared Wilson. The third-round pick has already begun taking first-team reps at left guard and is rising to the challenge.
Reports from the camp indicate that Wilson has held his own against veterans such as Christian Barmore and Milton Williams. He earned a 90.5 PFF pass-blocking grade on true pass sets last season, a much-needed boost for a Patriots line that allowed the second-most pressures in the NFL in 2024 (222).
New York Giants vs. Buffalo Bills
Player: DI T.J. Sanders, Buffalo Bills
The Bills’ defensive draft investments are already showing promise, led by the early performance of second-round pick T.J. Sanders. The former South Carolina standout has flashed in camp, hinting at his potential to make an immediate impact on Buffalo’s interior defensive line.
The Bills recorded just eight sacks from the interior in 2024, 30th in the NFL. Sanders produced five on his own last season and earned a 90.3 PFF pass-rush grade on true pass sets. If that skill set translates to the next level, he could become a disruptive force in the middle of Buffalo’s defense.
Houston Texans vs. Minnesota Vikings
Player: T Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans
The Texans’ offensive line overhaul continues to take shape, with second-round pick Aireontae Ersery emerging as the starting right tackle ahead of 2024 second-rounder Blake Fisher.
Ersery played primarily at left tackle during his time at Minnesota, so some adjustment to the right side is expected. But if he can carry over the form that earned him a 78.0-plus PFF grade in each of the past two seasons, Houston’s offensive front will be significantly more formidable in 2025.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Player: RB Kaleb Johnson, Pittsburgh Steelers
2025 was shaping up to be Jaylen Warren’s season in the spotlight, but that quickly changed when Pittsburgh drafted Kaleb Johnson in the third round. While the duo will likely split the backfield workload, Johnson’s development early in camp has given him a leg up as a dynamic runner.
Although Johnson lacks some ability on third down, he will be a force as an early-down tone-setter. He’s an excellent north-south runner with the vision and burst to exploit creases and find holes, along with the contact balance that makes him difficult to bring down with arm tackles (4.42 yards after contact).
Dallas Cowboys vs. Los Angeles Rams
Player: EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys
Micah Parsons‘ trade request has turned what seemed like a luxury pick for the Cowboys in the second round of the draft into a crucial piece of the puzzle. Dallas' defense may have to use Ezeiruaku to stem the tide of their All-Pro pass rusher's potential departure. Luckily for the Cowboys, the rookie has been impressing his teammates and coaches at camp.
The former Boston College pass rusher was one of the biggest steals in the 2025 NFL Draft. His 18.2% pass-rush win rate was among the best in college football last season, which would be a welcome upgrade for a defense that ranked 21st in win rate when Parsons wasn’t on the field.
Tennessee Titans vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Player: CB Benjamin Morrison, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The first-year cornerback has been showcasing his movement skills and instincts in coverage during training camp, making numerous plays on the ball — something he did frequently during his college career. Across two and a half seasons at Notre Dame, Morrison allowed just a 50.5 passer rating into his coverage, a rate that ranked in the 97th percentile among all college cornerbacks.
After missing a large chunk of his final season at Notre Dame with a hip injury, Morrison is looking healthy and effective. He has begun to rotate in with the starting unit, and while he hasn't fully overtaken anyone's job yet, he can with more quality play in the preseason.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Arizona Cardinals
Player: CB Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
Medical concerns may have sent Will Johnson tumbling down draft boards, but he’s spent camp thus far looking to prove that he deserved to be a top draft pick. The talented cornerback out of Michigan has been reportedly dominating Cardinals receivers in camp with his fluidity and coverage instincts.
That coverage ability will be a welcome addition to a Cardinals secondary that housed just one cornerback (Garrett Williams) who earned a 61.0-plus PFF coverage grade last season.
New York Jets vs. Green Bay Packers
Player: EDGE Barryn Sorrell, Green Bay Packers
Although Sorrell wasn’t drafted to take on a starting role out of the gate, he’s been among the most impressive Packers early in camp. ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported that the former Texas Longhorn is looking “at home” winning one-on-ones and setting the edge.
While former first-round pick Lukas Van Ness is projected to be the starter — and showing improvements in camp — he hasn’t had a terribly solid start to his NFL career, earning sub-65.0 PFF overall grades in each of his first two seasons. Sorrell is a strong player in both facets, having posted 73.0-plus PFF grades last season as a run defender and a pass rusher. Regardless of whether Van Ness stumbles, Sorrell looks like he will be a solid rotational contributor.
Denver Broncos vs. San Francisco 49ers
Player: WR Pat Bryant, Denver Broncos
As the Broncos' coaching staff evaluates the team's receiver room for a No. 2 option across from Courtland Sutton, third-round pick Pat Bryant has been making his case in camp. Bryant has been putting together a solid showing in drills, beating even reigning Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II on some reps.
Although Bryant lacks top-tier athletic traits, he uses his smarts and willingness to his advantage. That ability helped him earn an 86.0 PFF receiving grade last season, a mark that placed him sixth among qualifying Power-Four receivers.
Miami Dolphins vs. Chicago Bears
Player: T Ozzy Trapilo, Chicago Bears
The Bears' offensive line overhaul drew the headlines this offseason, and second-round pick Ozzy Trapilo is only adding to the group's potential with an impressive camp. The Boston College product has seemingly put himself in a position to contend for the starting left tackle job next to Joe Thuney.
While the competition is far from over, that’s a positive sign pointing toward an improvement along a Bears offensive line that allowed the most sacks (41) in the NFL last season. Trapilo brings ideal length and patient hands in pass protection that helped him earn an 80.0-plus PFF pass-blocking grade in each of his past two seasons.
New Orleans Saints vs. Los Angeles Chargers
Player: WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith, Los Angeles Chargers
The fifth-round pick out of Auburn has already put himself on the map after an excellent showing in the Hall of Fame Game. The first-year receiver hauled in two big catches on third down, including a score.
Along with fellow rookie Tre Harris and second-year star Ladd McConkey, Lambert-Smith can round out an excellent receiving corps for Justin Herbert. While he’s not yet tabbed as a starter, if he can put together a few more stellar preseason performances, he will undoubtedly climb up the depth chart and carve out a significant role in the Chargers' offense.
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