The NFL is finally coming back, and this year feels different. We say that every year, but this time it's actually true. This draft class isn’t just hype. It’s real. These guys are stepping into the league not just to play, but to take over. A lot of teams got better, faster, and hungrier. And five rookies stand out right away.
Let’s start with Abdul Carter.If you watched Penn State last year, you saw him dominate. He’s aggressive, explosive, and has that “it” factor at linebacker. He doesn’t just hit—he hunts. He can cover, rush, and move sideline to sideline like a safety. He reminds me of Micah Parsons in how he just finds the ball every play. That kind of energy is contagious. He’s not the type you rotate in. He’s the type you build a defense around.
Then there’s James Pearce Jr. Flat-out monster off the edge. His get-off is insane. Every play feels like he’s a second away from blowing something up. At Tennessee, he basically lived in the backfield. You don’t teach that kind of speed and flexibility. In a league obsessed with getting to the quarterback, he’s going to be a huge problem. I think he ends up with 8+ sacks this year, maybe more if he adjusts quickly.
Shedeur Sanders might be the biggest X-factor in the class. People love to debate him, but the guy can flat-out throw. Calm under pressure. Great touch. Keeps his eyes downfield when the pocket breaks down. At Colorado, he had to carry that entire team, and he never folded. In the NFL, with a real O-line and weapons? He could take off. I’m not saying he’ll be a Pro Bowler right away, but he’s going to open some eyes. And he’s got that confidence. That matters.
Tahj Brooks is one of those guys who doesn’t get all the attention, but he’s going to be in the league for a long time. He’s strong, consistent, and runs angry. He doesn’t dance around—he gets yards. At Texas Tech, he was the guy you could hand it to 25 times and know exactly what you’re getting. That kind of reliability is huge. Especially for young QBs who need a steady run game to lean on.
And Tyler Booker?
Straight-up wall. Alabama O-linemen are built different, and Booker is no exception. He’s big, nasty, and technically sound. Plays with attitude. He’s the type of guy who starts Week 1 and doesn’t leave the lineup for ten years. Interior line play never gets the headlines, but Booker’s going to make life a whole lot easier for whoever’s under center.All five of these guys can start right away and make an impact.
Not next year. Now.That’s what makes this upcoming season feel different. We’re watching a new generation walk in, and they’re not coming in quiet.
This isn’t about rebuilding slowly or easing into things. These guys want the spotlight. They want the smoke.
So as the 2025 NFL season kicks off, yeah—there’s the usual talk about the MVP race, the Super Bowl favorites, and all that. But don’t sleep on the rookies. They’re coming, and they’re ready.This season might be the one we look back on in five years and say, that’s when it all started.