The 2025 season is in the books with several rookie standouts getting their careers off to hot starts. Which rookies are jump-starting their careers into future Pro Bowl campaigns? The NFC led the way for the first-team offense and defense, while their AFC counterparts took command of the second-team offense. How will the AFC and NFC divvy up the honors for the second team defense? There are several bright futures ahead, but a murky situation lies ahead for one particular rookie below.
Note: All statistics are courtesy of Pro Football Reference.
2025 All-Rookie Honors: AFC Holds Lead Over NFC On Second Team Defense
EDGE
Jalon Walker | Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons drafted Walker in the first round with much fanfare from the University of Georgia. He broke out in his final season at Georgia, posting 60 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks after sitting behind several standouts. Walker is a freak athlete who excelled in his first season at the NFL level and was the third-best EDGE in his class. PFF rated him as the fourth-best rookie pass rusher with an overall score of 71.6. Atlanta’s star rookie was the first pass rusher that they took in the first round in 2025 in a good draft class. Can he keep it up as the lead dog in the EDGE group?
2025 Statistics: 36 tackles, five tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one PBU, and nine quarterback hits.
James Pearce, Jr | Atlanta Falcons
Pearce had an outstanding rookie season on the field, registering 10.5 sacks in his first and likely only go around in the NFL. He had character issues coming into the draft, and his recent offseason arrest will sideline him for a long time. The off-field allegations (they are allegations despite publicized evidence) include domestic issues and involve the police in a physical altercation. His on-field play indicated that he had a bright career ahead, but the legal issues certainly muddy the waters for the Falcons’ rookie.
2025 Statistics: 26 tackles, ten tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, five PBUs, and one forced fumble
IDL
Deone Walker | Buffalo Bills
Walker fit right in with the youth movement that Buffalo is undergoing to overhaul a maligned defense. He’s a projected starter with the depth behind him, mostly free agents. The big body nose tackle played a big role in the middle alongside Ed Oliver and free agent Joey Bosa. He flashed signs of potential throughout his rookie campaign and could get a bigger look under new DC Jim Leonhard. Look for his name to be mentioned among the top-tier nose tackles in a couple years.
2025 Statistics: 39 tackles, eight tackles for loss, four quarterback hits, one sack, and four PBUs
Derrick Harmon | Pittsburgh Steelers
Next up in the Steelers pipeline of “redshirted” talented front-seven youth? The former Oregon defensive lineman could have a larger role in new DC Patrick Graham’s defense. He has the versatility and physical traits to play inside and outside, depending on the opponent. The Steelers badly need a star to emerge on their veteran defensive front, and Harmon could be that guy. While the Steelers have Cam Heyward, TJ Watt, and Alex Highsmith manning the front lines, they are aging out and expensive. 2026 could be the season in which we see Harmon take the reins as a star lineman.
2025 Statistics: 27 tackles, three sacks, one tackle for loss, five quarterback hits, and one PBU
Linebacker
Jihaad Campbell / Philadelphia Eagles
If not for Carson Schwesinger, the former Georgia linebacker would be the one receiving rave reviews as a DPOY contender. Campbell played a significant role behind nominal starters Zack Baun and fellow Georgia alumnus Nakobe Dean. He produced 80 combined tackles and three PBUs as a rookie linebacker, adjusting to the rigors of the Eagles defense and NFL life. While his short term future is murky due to the talent ahead of him, the long-term presents a future laced with potential if Baun falters or Dean is priced out of Philly’s plans. Campbell could get the starting job if Dean doesn’t return in free agency. He has the overall talent to get to the tippy top of the linebackers in the league.
2025 Statistics: 80 tackles, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and three PBUs
Cornerback
Maxwell Hairston | Buffalo Bills
Buffalo remodeled the defense in 2025 and added Hairston with their first-round selection. The Bills have a strong veteran secondary bit by the injury bug, and need a reboot. Hairston looks the part to ascend to a full-time starting job in 2026 after being mentored by a couple of the best in the game. There will be a lot of upheaval in Buffalo with a new coach and a majority of the secondary depth as free agents. The time is ripe for the second-year player to seize a starting role. He has the physical athletic traits to do it. Can he live up to the billing of a first-round selection?
2025 Statistics: 18 tackles, five PBUs, and two interceptions
Quincy Riley | New Orleans Saints
Riley was part of an impactful rookie class for the Saints that saw multiple starters get their feet wet, including Tyler Shough and Jonas Sanker. The Louisville product didn’t have the most gaudy stats, but quickly grabbed a starting role and ran with it. He’s likely in line for a bigger role in year two with New Orleans, which is still somehow in a cap crunch, and Alontae Taylor is a free agent. The fifth-round selection merited selection over fellow rookie standouts Upton Stout and Azareye’h Thomas. His case was contentious between the tri,o and any one of three could have made it, but Riley’s resume was slightly stronger.
2025 Statistics: 35 tackles, 10 PBUs, and one interception
Denzel Burke | Arizona Cardinals
Will Johnson got most of the publicity, but it was another cornerback on the other side of the Game rivalry who stole the show. Burke performed markedly better in his first season as a pro than at any point in his collegiate career. The fifth-round selection turned in a good rookie campaign worthy of a first-team deliberation over Johnson. Arizona’s cornerback room is young, with several players with under two seasons of service. Burke formed a solid cornerback duo with Johnson for the near future. The former Buckeyes defensive back has the look of being a critical piece next to Budda Baker. Arizona is breaking in a new coaching staff, so it remains to be seen if Burke can keep up his form.
2025 Statistics: 49 tackles, two tackles for loss, 11 PBUs, and three interceptions
Safety
Malaki Starks | Baltimore Ravens
Another draft goes by, and the Ravens find themselves with another standout safety. Starks made a terrific impact for Baltimore’s defense in 2025, registering 84 combined tackles and four PBUs. He’s a part of a young Ravens secondary undergoing a renovation with veterans slowly aging out. The former first-round selection is a great complement to fellow safety Alohi Gilman and projects as a building block next to all-world Kyle Hamilton. Georgia has its fair share of do-everything safeties, and Starks got next. He has a bright future ahead of him under new head coach Jesse Minter.
2025 Statistics: 84 tackles, one tackle for loss, four PBUs, and two interceptions
Malachi Moore | New York Jets
Joining Starks in the “Malachi” defensive back brotherhood on the all-rookie second team is Moore. New York selected the former Alabama safety in the fourth round and received a great ROI. Moore quickly ascended to the starting strong safety role and hasn’t left yet. He produced over 100 combined tackles and three passes defended for a rebuilt Jets secondary. New York’s secondary is fairly young and a stout unit, so Moore stepped up into the breach to deliver a great rookie season. He’s showing immense promise in his young career and will be looked upon as a future leader of the eternally retooling Jets franchise.
2025 Statistics: 101 tackles, three tackles for loss, three PBUs, and one forced fumble
Craig Woodson | New England Patriots
The Patriots got contributions up and down from their rookie class, none bigger than their fourth-round selection in Woodson. He starred in the playoffs, racking up 30 tackles, four tackles for loss, six PBUs, and one interception. The former Cal safety led the team in tackles during the Super Bowl despite the Seahawks dominating. New England got a steal in the fourth round with the emerging starting safety. While Christian Gonzalez gets the rightful publicity, Woodson harkens Patriots fans back to the days of Lawyer Milloy and, recently, Devin McCourty. He possesses that kind of potential for the AFC contenders.
2025 Statistics: 79 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three PBUs
Main Photo: [Nathan Ray Seebeck] – Imagn Images