Travis Hunter made history Sunday when the second overall pick in the 2025 draft signed a four-year, $46.65 million fully guaranteed contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
He became the first non-quarterback not drafted first overall to receive his entire signing bonus, $30.57 million, up front, in a deal negotiated by Young Money APAA Sports.
Is Hunter going to make the biggest impact of any rookie in 2025? Here are 10 worth watching when the season begins:
Quarterback, Tennessee Titans
The ACC Player of the Year set single-season records at the University of Miami for passing yards (4,313) and touchdowns (39). He also broke Case Keenum’s Division I record for career passing touchdowns (158). The Titans used the first overall pick on Ward because of his leadership, maturity, experience and dynamic qualities. He’s the franchise quarterback they’ve been seeking since Ryan Tannehill fell off the age cliff.
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Ward showed poise and creativity when under pressure in the Hurricanes’ RPO-based offense. He has the arm strength to attack downfield – Titans wide receiver Calvin Ridley will be a popular pick in fantasy football drafts – and defenses must game-plan for Ward’s scrambling ability. They invested in the offensive line to protect Ward, but he tends to make too many high-risk throws.
Jaguars Rookie Camp Football (copy)
The Jaguars will give Travis Hunter an opportunity to play wide receiver and cornerback. John Raoux, Associated Press
Travis Hunter
WR/CB, Jacksonville Jaguars Jaguars rookie general manager James Gladstone sent a haul of draft choices, including the fifth overall pick, to move up to No. 2 to select Hunter, who will try to play wide receiver and quarterback in the NFL. The Heisman Trophy winner played more than 1,000 snaps in back-to-back seasons at Colorado for Deion Sanders. But many former players have suggested that workload won’t be sustainable for Hunter in Jacksonville. Look for coach Liam Coen to find creative ways to get Hunter the ball on offense. He’s an explosive athlete who should be a run-after-catch threat for quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Abdul Carter
Edge rusher, New York Giants
Brian Daboll will need to fix the Giants’ offense if he’s going to keep his job as coach, but his defense will take the pressure off whomever starts at quarterback in Week 1. Carter, Brian Burns, Kayvon Thibodeaux and Dexter Lawrence have the potential to become the best defensive front in the NFL. Carter was selected third overall out of Penn State after he ranked first in the FBS in tackles for loss (23½) and seventh in sacks (12½).
Will Campbell
Offensive tackle,
New England Patriots
The Patriots offensive line was atrocious in 2023. It did a poor job protecting quarterback Drake Maye and creating holes for running back Rhamondre Stevenson. Campbell, whom they drafted with the fourth overall pick, is one of three new starters for coach Mike Vrabel. Campbell’s arm length raised questions about his ability to play tackle, but he was exceptional at the position against Southeastern Conference competition. Campbell allowed only one sack in his last 30 games at LSU.
Meet Bills rookie Deone Walker, a 6-foot-7 'freak athlete' who grew, fell to Round 4 and may still explode
“Deone Walker, to me – when you turn on the tape, he does things at his size that you’re not expecting someone at that size to be able to do,” Bills defensive coordinator Bobby Babich said.
Ashton Jeanty
Running back,
Las Vegas Raiders
At Boise State in 2024, Jeanty had one of the best seasons in college football history. He joined Barry Sanders as the only FBS players to eclipse 2,600 rushing yards – including 12 carries of 50 or more yards – and Jeanty was runner-up for the Heisman Trophy. He has exceptional vision and contact balance, allowing him to bounce off would-be tacklers to earn extra yards. The Raiders want to win right away with Pete Carroll as coach, so they used the sixth pick on Jeanty, who will have Geno Smith at quarterback and a solid offensive line.
Jalon Walker
Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons’ pass rush has been abysmal. Last season, they had the second-fewest sacks (31) and second-worst pressure rate (28.1%). Walker played three different positions, including inside linebacker, during his only season as a starter at Georgia. But he created 34 pressures despite having the seventh-fewest pass-rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus. Atlanta traded back into the first round to select edge rusher James Pearce Jr., but Walker was selected ahead of him at 15th overall.
Tyler Warren
Tight end, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts may not have a reliable quarterback to get Warren the ball. Anthony Richardson is hurt again, and Daniel Jones is coming off a horrendous season in New York. They also lost center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries in free agency. On paper, Indianapolis doesn’t look like a playoff team, but Warren should be among the NFL’s best rookies in 2025. Last season at Penn State, he had 104 catches for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. Warren will help reshape the Colts’ team culture with his toughness and tenacity. He’ll be a safety blanket for their quarterback.
Malaki Starks
Safety, Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens will need Starks to start at free safety as a rookie because Ar’Darius Washington suffered a torn Achilles while conditioning last month. Starks was a three-year starter and three-time All-American at Georgia. He’s a smart, athletic player who’s a hand-in-glove fit for the Ravens’ defense. Starks is a reliable tackler with the speed to patrol the wide side of the field, and his versality may allow coach John Harbaugh to find creative ways to use Kyle Hamilton.
Derrick Harmon
Defensive tackle,
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers and acquired wide receiver DK Metcalf, but the identity of this franchise won’t change under coach Mike Tomlin. They’re going to run the ball and play stout defense. Harmon is a perfect fit for a defensive line that’s led by ageless wonder Cam Heyward. Harmon is a disruptive big man whose impact should prevent offenses from focusing on Heyward and T.J. Watt.
Maxwell Hairston
Cornerback, Buffalo Bills
The Bills don’t need to rush Hairston into the starting job. Tre’Davious White and Dane Jackson were brought back because they’re knowledgeable veterans who may be able to start opposite Christian Benford if Buffalo’s first-round draft pick needs more time to acclimate to the NFL. Make no mistake, though, the Bills need Hairston to be the answer. He’s an exceptional athlete who can provide blanket coverage of top receivers. Hairston is a willing tackler, but will he be reliable in the run game?
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