The 2025 season became the coming-out party for several rookies who made their mark on the league. Which offensive rookies forced defensive coaches to adjust their schemes and game plans? Several rookies on the second-team offense have bright futures, just like their first-team counterparts. How many NFC debutants made it onto the second-team offense alongside their AFC rookie colleagues? Are there any surefire long-term starters among the honored few? These first-team defensive rookies experienced a few moments of anxiety and nervousness facing the second-teamers.
2025 All-Rookie Honors: AFC Takes Reins on Second Team Offense
Quarterback
Tyler Shough / New Orleans Saints
The older rookie passer had a successful rookie season, leading the Saints to a competitive 5-4 record in 9 starts. He played in 11 total contests in 2025 after competing with Spencer Rattler for the starting job. New Orleans won six games, surprisingly, despite many projecting them for far less success. The Saints drafted Shough in the second round after an excellent pre-draft process. Their investment paid off in spades, with Shough proving competent despite a disastrous skill position group. He earned the rookie second-team offense nod over Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart due to better health and consistency. If the Saints can continue their rebuild under head coach Kellen Moore, Shough could have the best future among his rookie counterparts.
2025 Statistics: 221/327 (68%), 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions; 45 attempts for 186 yards and three touchdowns.
Running Backs
R.J Harvey / Denver Broncos
Harvey wasn’t expected to play a large role in 2025 behind JK Dobbins, but he emerged as a standout rookie running back. The former UCF product burst onto the scene in college with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and a whopping 38 touchdowns. Denver made it all the way to the AFC championship game before falling due to an unfortunately timed injury to Bo Nix. Harvey played a significant role in pacing the Broncos’ rushing attack, with seven touchdowns in a near-even time share with Dobbins. He also contributed to the passing game, recording 356 yards on 47 receptions. The dual-threat running back looks to ascend to the starting job in 2026 ahead of the notoriously unhealthy Dobbins.
2025 Statistics: 146 attempts for 540 yards and seven touchdowns; 47 receptions for 356 yards and five touchdowns
Ashton Jeanty / Las Vegas Raiders
The former Boise State legend ran into the record books in 2024, finishing second all-time to the indomitable superhuman Barry Sanders in single season rush yards. He parlayed his eventful college career into becoming the sixth overall selection by the woebegone Raiders. Well, Las Vegas did not have a good time last season, ending up with the first overall pick. Jeanty endured a rookie season marked by inconsistency and defenses actively hunting him due to the Raiders’ quarterback issues. He still notched close to 1,000 yards despite the downtrodden circumstances he was drafted into. If the Raiders can stop being the Raiders, Jeanty has a bright future as one of the NFL’s best running backs.
2025 Statistics: 266 attempts for 975 yards and five touchdowns; 55 receptions for 346 yards and five touchdowns
Jacory “Bill” Croskey-Merritt / Washington Commanders
Croskey-Merrit emerged as a standout during the process and ended up as a seventh-round selection from Arizona. However, his situation wasn’t ideal with the Commanders struggling and a stacked running back room. He rose to the top of the mountain amidst the drama and rushed for over 800 yards and eight touchdowns. Washington didn’t involve him much in the passing game, so he needs to improve in that area for 2026. JCM has an excellent chance to carry a bigger load next season, with Austin Ekeler a free agent and Chris Rodriguez inconsistent. Can he take the next step with a healthier Jayden Daniels and an improved skill position group?
2025 Statistics: 175 attempts for 805 yards and eight touchdowns; nine receptions for 68 yards
Wide Receivers
Jayden Higgins / Houston Texans
The former Iowa State star receiver is a Nico Collins clone who complemented Collins well until the older receiver got injured, forcing Higgins into a bigger role. Houston selected him early in the second round, and the decision paid off for the AFC South champions. C.J. Stroud once again melted down in 2025, limiting Higgins’ impact along with his other receivers. His future looks promising as one of the better depth pieces ahead of Christian Kirk, Tank Dell, and Xavier Hutchinson. If the Texans can fix the ailing Stroud and terrible offensive line, their receiver room is full of intriguing talents that he can take full advantage of.
2025 Statistics: 41 receptions for 525 yards and six touchdowns
Chimere Dike / Tennessee Titans
Dike earned a Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro honors, thanks in large part to his excellent special teams play. He contributed over 400 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver, emerging late in the season. The former Gators receiver looks like a primary deep threat and return specialist in a similar vein to Rashid Shaheed. Tennessee’s passing game struggled with inconsistency in 2025, and Dike wasn’t immune to the failures. His outstanding special teams play landed him a spot on the all-rookie second team, ahead of more accomplished receivers like Tez Johnson and Pat Bryant.
2025 Statistics: 48 receptions for 423 yards and four touchdowns; 23 punt returns for 398 yards and two touchdowns; 62 kick returns for 1,588 yards
Tight Ends
Harold Fannin / Cleveland Browns
Fannin emerged as a serious candidate to go within the first two rounds but ultimately fell to the Browns in the third round due to athleticism issues. The Browns’ rookie quickly ascended to the TE1 role, usurping David Njoku in that regard. So thorough was Fannin’s domination of the target share in 2025 that Njoku announced in February that he wouldn’t be returning to Cleveland. The rookie tight end class, in general, was largely successful, and Fannin won a well-earned spot over Colston Loveland, Gunnar Helm, and Oronde Gadsden II. Cleveland’s new TE1 has the potential to become a top-ten tight end despite the perennially horrendous quarterbacking situation.
2025 Statistics: 72 receptions for 731 yards and six touchdowns
Offensive Tackles
Will Campbell / New England Patriots
The Patriots drafted Campbell as the first offensive tackle off the board, and he showed relatively well by all accounts. However, there were serious concerns about his game entering the draft, and the lack of length repeatedly surfaced throughout the season. He was soundly beaten multiple times by faster pass rushers, none more than glaring than in the Super Bowl. Campbell played well enough to merit a mention in the second team, but the concerns about his size and length are real. Serious consideration must be given to a transition to guard to maximize his potential, as there’s plenty of film of Campbell being exposed to quicker pass rushers.
Josh Conerly, Jr / Washington Commanders
The 2025 season wasn’t ideal for the Commanders, and the rookie tackle personified the instability with uneven play. Conerly ended his draft process as a first-round selection, but didn’t play like one at times. There were flashes, but inconsistency reigned over his debut season. Perhaps it was that the transition to right tackle was a bigger adjustment for the former Oregon star as Washington traded for Laremy Tunsil before the draft. 2026 portends a brighter future, with a new OC and, hopefully, a healthy Jayden Daniels leading the charge once again. Conerly, Jr needs a big second season to flip the narrative on him. He won the spot over Chiefs OT Josh Simmons because he was more readily available.
Offensive Guards
Tate Ratledge / Detroit Lions
The former Georgia standout joined a Lions’ team in transition after offensive wizard Ben Johnson left for the Bears’ head coaching job. Detroit’s offense was a work in progress in 2025, with HC Dan Campbell stripping former OC John Morton of play-calling duties before ultimately firing him. Ratledge became a second-round selection and immediately went to work solidifying the right side alongside superstar Penei Sewell. However, the Lions’ offensive line could be in more transition as left tackle Taylor Decker contemplates retirement, which would move Sewell to the left side. Ratledge was graded as the second-best rookie guard and ranked in the top 25, according to PFF metrics. He projects to be a steady starter at right guard for the near future as the Lions face turmoil once again.
Dylan Fairchild / Cincinnati Bengals
Fairchild ended up as the hidden gem of the underwhelming Bengals draft class in 2025. He was a solid pickup in the third round, with PFF grading him as the fifth-best rookie guard and in the top 50. The former Georgia Bulldog joins his former college teammate in earning a selection to the second-team offense after a good rookie campaign. He projects as the long-term starter at left guard, protecting the erstwhile Joe Burrow. Cincinnati’s offensive line still requires an overhaul, as multiple variations have not worked to protect its franchise quarterback. However, they can rely on one rising second-year standout to build around in Fairchild.