In the NFL, so much of your success depends on being in the right circumstances. Here are five rookies who are in the best position to succeed in 2025:
5. Malaki Starks, S, Baltimore Ravens
College: Georgia
Drafted: No. 27 overall in 2025 NFL Draft
Early last season, the Ravens’ pass defense was a mess, ranking dead last in many categories. It wasn’t until they revamped their entire secondary, including moving Kyle Hamilton to free safety, that they improved. Drafting Malaki Starks is expected to allow Hamilton to return to strong safety. Starks is versatile enough to play either spot, but being alongside Hamilton should allow him to thrive no matter where he winds up. His ability to cover a lot of ground is exactly what Baltimore needs against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals’ wide receivers.
4. Matthew Golden, WR, Green Bay Packers
College: Texas
Drafted: No. 23 overall
Matthew Golden landed with an intriguing team. The Packers have young receivers, but they haven’t had a true No. 1 since the departure of Davante Adams after his career-best season in 2021. Christian Watson might be the most gifted, but he suffered a torn ACL in last year’s regular-season finale. Golden could be the missing piece that unlocks the potential of the Green Bay passing attack. Jordan Love looks like a future star, but he needs more weapons. Golden, who ran a 4.29 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, will get plenty of chances to use his elite speed.
3. Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers
College: North Carolina
Drafted: No. 22 overall
Ashton Jeanty might be a better running back, but Omarion Hampton is entering a more favorable situation. Jim Harbaugh has employed a run-heavy offense everywhere he has been. Last year, the Chargers struggled to establish the ground game due in part to J.K. Dobbins’ late-season injury. No other running back averaged more than 3.6 yards per carry. Hampton’s elusiveness and receiving skills should help take the pressure off Justin Herbert. If the Chargers are going to be competitive in the improving AFC West, Hampton could make a huge difference.
2. Emeka Egbuka, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
College: Ohio State
Drafted: No. 19 overall
Wide receivers are more NFL-ready than ever before. The learning curve has shrunk, especially when rookies enter established offenses. Baker Mayfield was third in the league in passing yards (4,500), and even though Tampa Bay has a new offensive coordinator in Josh Grizzard, there shouldn’t be a dropoff since he was promoted from within. Emeka Egbuka is going to a team loaded with skill talent: wide receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan, and running back Bucky Irving. With Godwin returning from an ankle injury, Egbuka might see a heavy workload early.
1. Jahdae Barron, CB, Denver Broncos
College: Texas
Drafted: No. 20 overall
It’s often difficult for rookie cornerbacks to succeed. However, Jahdae Barron is landing in an ideal spot where he’ll get plenty of help. Barron will play in the same secondary as Pat Surtain II, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year. The Jim Thorpe Award winner should give Denver flexibility since he can be outside or inside. And thanks to his teammates, he might not have to cover for long. Denver was second in the league in pass-rush win rate. With a good support system and veteran coordinator Vance Joseph calling the play, Barron should make an impact immediately.
