Quarterback
There wasn’t any competition for the number one overall pick and I expect that to be the case for at least a few more weeks. Ward was pressured on 52.9% of his drop backs and was taken down six times, both highest in the league. He finished with just 112 yards (lowest in the league) and four yards per attempt (also lowest in the league). So to be blunt, things could not have started much worse for Ward statistically but one positive is he did not turn the ball over once and his receivers did him no favors with six drops, highest in the league.
Running Back
Not the first running back taken. Not the second running back taken. Not even the 25th running back taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. Croskey-Merritt was the 26th and final back selected last April and he ended up leading all rookies with 82 yards on just 10 carries with a touchdown in Washington’s week one win over New York (N). The trade of their 2024 leading rusher Brian Robinson was partially a result of how confident the team is in their seventh round rookie who carried the ball just 13 times last year.
HM: Dylan Sampson / CLE
Wide Receiver
There were 27 players who caught a touchdown on Sunday. Only one of them caught two and that was the Bucs first round pick. He caught four of six targets for 67 yards but he saved the biggest for last. With Tampa down 20-17 with just over a minute left in their week one road matchup at Atlanta, Baker Mayfield threw one down the seam following a brilliant route by Egbuka which resulted in a touchdown to put them ahead and ultimately lead to a win.
HM: Tetairoa McMillan / CAR
Tight End
There was a lot of debate who would end up going first at the tight end position in the draft. Warren, the unanimous Ourlads TE1 in the class, ended up coming off the board second and falling into the lap of the Colts. He led all rookies at the position with 76 yards on 7 catches. Only Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers finished with more yards among tight ends week one and because the Colts got ahead by double digits so fast, his production level is even more impressive. He went for 5 catches and 57 yards in the first half alone and for fun, he had a three-yard run which resulted in a first down just like his Penn State days.
HM: Harold Fannin / CLE
Offensive Tackle
Week one could not have gone better for the new Jets offense despite a tight loss to Pittsburgh. Justin Fields looked like the strong dual threat he has proven he can be and the running backs averaged six yards per carry. While Alijah Vera-Tucker is out long term with a triceps injury, we weren’t sure what to expect when it came down to the unproven offensive line in the run-heavy scheme. Membou eased at least some of the anxiety. He pitched a shutout in pass protection and was creating movement off the ball in the run game. He absolutely stoned All-Pro edge defender TJ Watt multiple times.
HM: Kelvin Banks / NO
Guard/Center
It was not a great week for the rookie interior linemen but Zabel more than held his own against the physical and aggressive San Francisco front. The standout trait to his week one tape was consistency. Over and over like clock work he played his assignment, stayed on his feet, and remained latched on to his target. Whether it was Seattle running behind him at the goal line or pulling out into space, Zabel already looks like he belongs on an offensive line desperate for upgrades.
Edge
On just 38 snaps (out of 70), Carter led the Giants in pressures with three and added both a half-sack and half-TFL. He also was used as a spy on Jayden Daniels for three plays, forced a hold by Laremy Tunsil, and blocked a punt. All of this on a day where he ranked 11th on the team in defensive snaps lining up all over the place.
HM: Shemar Stewart / CIN
Defensive Tackle
Over the years we have seen unexpected interior defensive linemen make an impact right away. Some of it is situation and opportunity based and that is exactly what we saw with Phillips, the 20th defensive tackle drafted. There wasn’t much to write home about for the Dolphins, but their run defense was solid enough and it was very much a result of Phillips' stout performance. He finished with five tackles and two stops, most on their line respectively, despite playing just 20 snaps against the run.
HM: Mason Graham / CLE
Linebacker
General Manager Howie Roseman was pursuing Jihaad Campbell via the trade market for hours on the opening night of the NFL Draft. It was evident why. He played 56 snaps which were second most among rookie off-ball linebackers but within that position, he led the group with 12 snaps at edge. The versatility is next level but so was the production as he finished with four tackles, a pass break up, and a forced fumble while Dallas was in the red zone down by four points in the second half.
HM: Carson Schwesinger
Cornerback
Johnson was widely considered the top corner in the class at this time last year. However, questions about durability and long speed pushed him into the second round and after a week of regular season action, he is looking more like the former than the latter. In the Arizona road win over New Orleans that had the Saints’ pass catchers without any touchdowns and under eight yards per catch, Johnson looked like the team’s top defensive back. He broke up two passes (the only Cardinal and rookie corner to do so respectively) and delivered a violent hit to receiver Chris Olave that made all the highlight reels. His level of comfort in coverage made him a blanket over their receivers from start to finish.
HM: Jacob Parrish / TB
Safety
The only other rookie to break up two passes was Watts. He also finished with six tackles without any misses in Atlanta's late loss to Tampa Bay. This is a former All-American who intercepted 13 passes over his final two seasons for one of the top defenses in the country. His instincts were on full display and it seemed to be that he was always where he needed to be when he needed to be there.
HM: Craig Woodson / NE