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The Rookie Report: Grading 2025 First-Round Picks After 4 Games

Week 4 of the NFL has arrived, and with it comes our first official rookie report card for the Class of 2025. Entering the year, we had a shiny new batch of first-rounders ready to change the league forever. Three weeks in, it’s been a true mixed bag. Some look like instant stars, already justifying their draft slot and making fan bases dream big. Others? Well, let’s just say they’ve been busy filling up the blooper reel and giving veterans plenty of “Welcome to the NFL” highlight clips.


It’s 50/50 at this point, half the class is exceeding expectations, and half looks like they still need directions to the locker room. Rookies have been patiently waiting for their first round of report cards, and I have a feeling a few of these are not making it to the fridge. Maybe some forged signatures will be in play, so Mom and Dad don’t see the grades.


Grading Scale

This is ultra-scientific work here — the perfect mix of film study, box score watching, gut instinct, and maybe a little rage because Ashton Jeanty has single-handedly torpedoed my fantasy team.

  • A+: Rookie of the Year campaign loading. Franchise-cornerstone stuff. Mom is framing this report card.

  • A: Instant starter, fantasy cheat code, jersey sales already shipping. It may or may not be the only thing keeping their team watchable.

  • A-: Great start, but with just enough rookie mistakes that you can still yell at the TV and feel justified

  • B+: Reliable, promising, and occasionally spectacular… but also still gives you at least one “what was that?” moment per game.

  • B: Solid but unspectacular. Think “background actor in a Marvel movie”: technically important, but nobody’s remembering their name.

  • B-: Flashes of talent mixed with rookie brain farts. The kind of player you defend in group chats but deep down know isn’t helping you win.

  • C+: The “he’ll get there” grade. Translation: not great, but you don’t want to crush their confidence yet. This is the equivalent of a participation trophy.

  • C: Contributes occasionally, mostly by accident. The vibes are bad.

  • C-: Everyone is regretting their draft board decisions. Even his Madden rating is in danger. Parents are asking if he can switch majors.


Overall Trends

Some guys look like seasoned vets already (studs). Others look like they’re still trying to find their locker (duds). And most fall somewhere in between, a confusing middle ground where “potential” is code for “we’ll check back in November.”


Studs

  • Emeka Egumka (A)

    • Best pick I made in my fantasy draft this year (and maybe the only… RIP to Red Zone Rejects). Egbuka came onto the scene from Ohio State, finishing his college career with 205 receptions for 2,868 yards and 26 receiving touchdowns. Going to Tampa, he landed with a solid QB situation and a fan base starving for the next generation of Bucs greatness. There wasn't much buzz about him in the first round, but over the past few weeks, he’s shown analysts exactly who he is. So what earned him an A? His big-play ability, his trust from the quarterback, and his fantasy production. He’s put the league on notice and is already making waves for rookie of the year. He’s got my vote; he’s the only guy keeping me in the fantasy conversation. After three games, 14 receptions, 181 yards, he has 3 receiving touchdowns. He’s put the league on notice, he’s got my early Rookie of the Year vote, and most importantly… he’s the only thing standing between me and a last-place finish in fantasy.


  • Jihaad Campbell (B+)

Football player in white and green uniform smiling under stadium lights.
Courtesy of East Philly Sports

  • The Eagles took him to be a difference-maker, and through three games, he’s done exactly that. Campbell has racked up 18 tackles (10 solo) and already looks comfortable in the chaos of Philly’s defense. His speed sideline-to-sideline pops on film, and he’s one of those guys who seems to be in the right place before the offense even realizes it. Why the B+? His instincts, tackling consistency, and ability to handle NFL tempo. He hasn’t had the splashy turnover yet, but you can see it coming. Campbell looks like a player who’s going to make life miserable for NFC East offenses for a long time, and probably earn himself a highlight on “Angry Runs” too.


  • Jackson Hawes (B)

    • The Hawes effect, three games in, Hawes has put up 3 catches for 39 yards and 1 touchdown, quietly averaging over 13 yards per reception. He’s doing the dirty work in the trenches as a blocker and proving he’s not just another rookie tight end trying to survive. Why the B? His blocking impact, red-zone target ability, and early chemistry with his QB. Hawes is the guy who won’t win you your fantasy week, but he will keep drives alive and make coaches happy. He’s basically the rookie equivalent of black coffee: reliable, unspectacular, but you need him.


  • Cam Skattebo (A-)

    • The Giants grabbed him for his bruising, energetic style, and he’s lived up to the billing. Through three weeks: 187 rushing yards, 2 touchdowns, and plenty of angry runs where defenders look like bowling pins. He’s not flashy (except for this photo...), but he’s violent in the best football way. Why the A-? His physicality, efficiency near the goal line, and spark to an otherwise inconsistent offense. Skattebo runs like someone told him the ball owes him money. And honestly, that’s exactly the energy New York needs.


Duds

  • Abdul Carter (B-)

    • It hasn’t been a disaster, but it hasn’t been thrilling either. Carter has chipped in 10 tackles across three games, but too often looks like he’s thinking instead of reacting. Why the B-? His athleticism is obvious, but his processing speed needs to catch up. Carter’s like the student who turns in homework late but still gets partial credit. You can tell he’s smart, just hasn’t put it all together yet.


  • Cam Ward (C+)

    Football player in a light blue jersey and red cleats holds a ball, poised to throw.
    Courtesy of ANGIE FLATT

    • The Titans took a swing at QB with Ward, and so far the results have been… mixed. He’s thrown for 538 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions in three starts. You see the arm talent, but the turnovers scream “rookie QB.” Why the C+? Flashes of big-time throws, but also a propensity to gift wrap the ball to defenders. Ward’s rookie year might end up being a highlight reel of “wow” and “why” plays. Buckle up, Tennessee.


  • Ashton Jeanty (C-)

    • The hype out of Boise State was real, but Jeanty’s NFL welcome has been rough. So far: 47 carries, 144 yards (3.1 YPC), 1 touchdown. Defenses are stuffing the run, and he hasn’t been a factor in the passing game yet. Why the C-? Low efficiency, limited opportunities, and zero fantasy happiness delivered. Right now, Jeanty is the kind of rookie that makes fans question draft boards and makes fantasy owners question life choices.


Three weeks in, the 2025 rookie class is exactly what you’d expect: a 50/50 blend of instant contributors and “please don’t put that play on my highlight reel.” On the high end, guys like Egbuka, Campbell, and Skattebo are already playing like seasoned vets, giving their fan bases something to brag about (and in my case, keeping a fantasy season alive by the skin of its teeth). On the low end, well… let’s just say Jeanty, Ward, and Carter are still very much in the “learning on the job” phase, and that learning curve looks steep.


The truth is, nobody wins or loses a career in September. Rookie grades after three games are more like sticky notes than permanent records, fun to laugh at now, but subject to change the second someone figures it out or collapses under pressure. Some of these grades are headed for the fridge, some are headed for the shredder, and a few might need to be “lost in the mail” before Mom and Dad see them.


Overall Class Grade: B-, a couple of standouts carrying the curve, a middle group holding steady, and a few duds dragging the average down. Pretty much your standard NFL draft class.


Now, let’s see who’s still smiling by Thanksgiving...


Edited By: Megan Livengood


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