The 2025 rookie class took the league by storm as these young men rode the ups and downs of entering the second phase of their professional lives. Which of the defensive debutants made waves like their offensive counterparts during the 2025 season? The NFC led the way for the rookie standouts on defense, ready to stop players like Justin Jefferson, Penei Sewell, and reigning MVP Josh Allen. Not to be left out, some AFC debuts have fans and executives going back to the drawing board to see what they may have missed in the draft process.
Note: All statistics courtesy of Pro Football Reference
2025 All-Rookie Honors: NFC Holds Court On First Team Defense
EDGE
Donovan Ezeiruaku / Dallas Cowboys
Ezeiruaku shot up the boards after a strong draft process and a 2024 season in which he dominated with 16.5 sacks for Boston College. He parlayed that amazing work into being selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round of the 2025 draft. The rookie EDGE played a vital role for the Cowboys’ defense, giving guys like Jadaveon Clowney and Dante Fowler, Jr rest. Ezeiruaku is projected to be a critical starter for the defense in Big D in his second season. While he wasn’t dominant like in his last collegiate season, he was a very efficient pass rusher, ranking in the top 40 among his position by PFF metrics. Much will be expected of the former BC Eagle in 2026 as they look to rebuild the EDGE room.
2025 Statistics: 40 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, and two sacks
IDL
Mason Graham / Cleveland Browns
Graham was the latest top-five selection made by the Browns, and he produced a solid rookie campaign that promises hope for the future. The former Michigan star lineman fed off the imperious energy that Myles Garrett brought forth. He’s likely going to be a key part of Cleveland’s underrated defensive line in the short and long term. If he continues his upward trajectory, there’s a chance that he could become something greater as a premier interior defensive lineman. PFF graded him as the best rookie interior defender, and it wasn’t particularly close, with an overall score of 68.7.
2025 Statistics: 49 tackles, seven tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, and four PBUs
Jamaree Caldwell / Los Angeles Chargers
Caldwell transferred to Oregon for his final collegiate season and stood out there as a dominant nose tackle in 2024. The Chargers saw enough during the season and the Senior Bowl to select him in the third round. He quickly gained a foothold in the starting lineup and never left. The big man in the middle played a vital role in LA’s defensive resurgence under Jesse Minter. Caldwell looks to be a key cog on defense in the future and shows immense promise. There’s room to improve, as with all rookies, but the former Ducks tackle is projected to be a long-time starter in the league.
2025 Statistics: 31 tackles, five tackles for loss, one sack, one PBU, and one forced fumble
EDGE
Abdul Carter / New York Giants
The third overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft more than lived up to the billing, despite having two colleagues with bigger credentials. Carter finished the season with only four sacks but ended up with 43 credited pressures by PFF. The former Penn State star pass rusher got off an inauspicious start, boldly asking for Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor’s number, but was denied by the legend. He settled on 51 and made it his own in 2025. He complements Brian Burns well on the other side and could make former first-round selection Kayvon Thibodeaux expendable. New York’s stable of pass rushers is the envy of many throughout the league. Carter is off to a good start, but can he elevate his game into the rarified air of Crosby and Parsons?
2025 Statistics: 43 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four sacks, 23 QB hits, and two forced fumbles
Linebackers
Carson Schwesinger / Cleveland Browns
Schwesinger enjoyed a terrific pre-draft process that rocketed his stock up the boards, landing him a second-round selection by the Browns. The former UCLA defensive star carried his impressive run of form into the 2025 regular season. He’s a playmaker for the terrific Browns defense that saw its defensive coordinator leave after being spurned for the head coaching job. It could be argued that Schwesinger had the finest rookie season on his side of the ball in 2025. The future remains bright for the youngster, but the franchise’s overall outlook is murky at best, seemingly in perpetuity. Multiple All-Pro selections could be on the horizon for the Browns’ linebacker.
2025 Statistics: 156 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two interceptions, and three PBUs
Teddye Buchanan / Baltimore Ravens
Did the Ravens find their next great inside linebacker? Early returns on Buchanan’s career make it seem that it is the case. Buchanan took the league by storm as a fourth-round selection for a franchise notorious for making hay with its middle-round picks. He projects as a long-term starter and should blossom further under new head coach Jesse Minter. The California linebacker earned the first-team spot over several solid contenders who impressed in their debut seasons.
2025 Statistics: 93 tackles, five tackles for loss, 0.5 sacks, one PBU, and one forced fumble
Cornerbacks
Will Johnson / Arizona Cardinals
Johnson got off to a slow start in 2025, battling a college injury, which dropped him to the second round after receiving first-round looks during the past calendar year. The Cardinals took advantage and selected a promising talent to lead the secondary. He has all the talent in the world and needs to stay healthy for the long term to realize it, for a secondary that once employed Patrick Peterson. His rookie season merited a first-team selection over several other high-profile names.
2025 Statistics: 37 tackles, two tackles for loss, 10 PBUs, and one forced fumble
Jacob Parrish / Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Parrish ended the 2025 season as a key contributor as injuries mounted for the Buccaneers and played a pivotal role towards the end. He’s another third-round steal at the position after parlaying an excellent 2024 season and pre-draft process. The former Kansas State star could play a bigger role in 2026 as veteran Jamel Dean and Christian Izien are free agents. When healthy, the Bucs secondary is a tough nut to crack, and Parrish plays a big role in that. Much will be expected of the rising second-year player in 2026.
2025 Statistics: 76 tackles, seven tackles for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, and seven PBUs
Dec 21, 2025; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan (4) runs against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jacob Parrish (25) during the first half at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images
Safeties
Nick Emmanwori / Seattle Seahawks
Emmanwori became one of the best safeties in football. The rookie safety is a freak athlete who can play everywhere in the secondary but specializes as a big nickel like Jalen Ramsey and Jevon Holland. He excelled at South Carolina and carried that form into the league. The former Gamecocks star paced the fearsome Seattle defense on the back end, making plays all over the secondary. Emmanwori quickly ascended to being a top-5 safety in the league after an outstanding rookie season.
2025 Statistics: 81 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 11 PBUs, and one interception
Xavier Watts / Atlanta Falcons
The former Notre Dame star safety proved to be a steal for the Falcons in the third round. He seized the starting job early in the season and never looked back. Watts is a converted receiver, so he possesses above-average ball skills for the position and impressive athletic ability. Atlanta deployed him as a free safety alongside veteran Jessie Bates III, who mentored him and helped him have a great rookie debut. The Falcons barely missed the playoffs after battling the Bucs and Saints down the stretch. The rookie safety played a big role in revitalizing the defense and is a key piece in DC Jeff Ulbrich’s stop unit. PFF thought of the player highly, ranking him as the 20th-best safety with an overall score of 72.4.
2025 Statistics: 96 tackles, five interceptions, and 11 PBUs
Nickel
Nohl Williams / Kansas City Chiefs
Another year, another outstanding hidden gem defensive back selection by the Chiefs. Williams didn’t start every game for the suddenly declining AFC superpower, but he made an impact. The rising sophomore could play a bigger role for Kansas City in 2026 with Jaylen Watson being a free agent. The Chiefs are heavily over the cap and need to hit on their draft picks to offset some expensive contracts. Cal’s star defensive back is one building block that they must develop further into a starter next season. He was the highest-rated rookie cornerback by PFF with an overall score of 74.5. The score ranked him as the 16th-best corner in the league. Williams possesses a bright future ahead for Kansas City as they embark on an interesting 2026 season.
2025 Statistics: 48 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, and seven PBUs