As the road to the Super Bowl approaches, it’s time to take a quick look back at the top Rookie players from the 2025 Rookie class for Tuesday Morning Pigskin. There are some choices here that may seem surprising to some, like the choice of my starting QB.
CAMERON WARD of the Titans was my choice for that slot just ahead of JAXSON DART of the Giants. It was a tough choice to pick between the two, but DART was not a full-season starter in the Big Apple due to injuries. I highly respect the fact that both suffered through the firing of their Head Coaches during the regular season.
Tuesday Morning Pigskin
All-Rookie Team
Offense
QB CAM WARD Titans
RB TRE’VEYON HENDERSON Patriots
RB WOODY MARKS Texans
WR TET McMILLAN Panthers
WR EMEKA EGBUKA Buccaneers
WR/RS CHIMERE DIKE Titans
TE TYLER WARREN Colts
TE/H-B HAROLD FANNIN Browns
IOL GREY ZABEL Seahawks
OT KELVIN BANKS Saints
OT WILL CAMPBELL Patriots
OL TYLER BOOKER Cowboys
OL JONAH SAVAIINAEA Dolphins
Defense
DT DEONE WALKER Bills
DT MASON GRAHAM Browns
DE/ER NIC SCOURTON Panthers
DE/ER JAMES PEARCE Falcons
ER DONOVAN EZEIRUAKU Cowboys
LB JIHAAD CAMPBELL Eagles
LB CODY SHWESINGER Browns
CB WILL JOHNSON Cardinals
CB UPTON STOUT 49ers
NB JACOB PARRISH Buccaneers
S XAVIER WATTS Falcons
S CRAIG WOODSON Patriots
SS/LB NICK EMMANWORI Seahawks
Special Teams
PK TYLER LOOP Ravens
P KAI KROEGER Saints
LS AUSTIN BRINKMAN Texans
HONORABLE MENTION
I also want to mention 3 players who were very close to making this list, despite being 7th Round Picks in the 2025 NFL Draft. They worked their way onto their team’s rosters and played key roles when others were injured.
233 KYLE MONANGI RB Bears
245 JACORY CROSKEY-MERRITT RB Commanders
249 CONNOR COLBY OG 49ers
As per usual in a violent sport like NFL Football, there were dozens of Rookie players who fell victim to the injury bug, but should have a solid chance to emerge as significant contributors to their respective teams in 2026 if/when they have finished their recovery programs.
Other NFL Notes
Just another note to acknowledge that the League’s teams fired their 10th Head Coach Monday morning, when SEAN McDERMOTT was fired by the BILLS.
Over the past week, 2 of the coaching vacancies were filled when the JOHN HARBAUGH was hired by the Giants, and the new top man in Atlanta, MATT RYAN, announced the hire of ex-Browns head man KEVIN STEFANSKI.
Condolences and best wishes for recovery to BRONCOS QB Bo Nix, who broke an ankle on the final possession of the Broncos’ win over the BILLS. Former PATRIOTS draftee JARED STIDHAM will carry the Broncos forward as their new starting QB.
No one asked me, but I will project the PATRIOTS to face the SEAHAWKS in the Super Bowl, with Seattle winning the crown.
Looking forward to being part of the Draft Countdown team in covering the Shrine Bowl and Senior Bowl action over the next couple of weeks.
Cheers