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NFL rookie report: Who are the shining stars and slumping picks?
Every new NFL season brings rookies who either thrive immediately or struggle to find their footing.
Through Week 4 of 2025, some newcomers are proving their worth; others are still chasing expectations.
Below are three rookies who are shining already in their first NFL season, and three who are slumping and haven’t quite hit their stride.
Cam Ward finds Elic Ayomanor deep for a 33-yard reception for the Titans vs Texans ✅🇨🇦
@NFLonDAZN | @NFLCanada | @Titans | #NFLonDAZN | #TitanUp— DAZN Canada (@DAZN_CA) September 28, 2025 " target="_blank">
Shining: Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
When Egbuka entered the 2025 draft, he was regarded as one of the most reliable route runners in his class, combining crisp separation with strong hands. He has started the season making good on that hype.
As of Week 4, Egbuka had hauled in 18 receptions for 282 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 15.7 yards per catch and establishing himself as a red zone threat. His consistency and efficiency are promising signs that he might evolve into a primary weapon in Tampa Bay’s offense.
Slumping: Travis Hunter (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Hunter entered the league with high praise as a two-way talent, expected to impact both offense and defense. Many analysts believed he could become a rare, dynamic hybrid.
But through Week 4, his production has looked modest compared to those lofty expectations. He has caught 13 passes for 118 yards on offense, and in defensive snaps has made 11 tackles and one pass breakup.
While his involvement shows the Jaguars’ willingness to use him, he hasn’t regularly dominated either side of the ball – an issue when your draft reputation hinges on two-way greatness.
Shining: Abdul Carter (New York Giants)
Carter was a first-round defensive end prospect from Penn State with strong pedigree; many viewed him as potentially the best player in the entire draft due to his ability to rush, set the edge and drop into coverage.
Although Carter as yet only has half a sack to his name, he has been a hugely disrupting presence on the Giants defensive line, drawing double-teams and producing 19 quarterback pressures, by far the most of the rookie class and only slightly behind Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett (22).
Slumping: Cam Ward (Tennessee Titans)
Ward was selected first overall in the 2025 draft, signalling massive expectations for him to transform Tennessee’s offense.
While the 0-4 Titans’ struggles cannot be blamed on their rookie quarterback, Ward has not yet lived up to his billing, posting a league-worst averages for completion rate (51.2%), passing success rate (33.8%) and quarterback rating (19.8).
Shining: Tyler Warren (Indianapolis Colts)
Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images
Warren entered the 2025 draft as a highly touted prospect and a do-it-all tight end after impressing for Penn State during last year’s College Football Playoffs.
It was something of a surprise that he fell as far as the 14th pick, meaning he wasn’t the first tight end selected. But his performances so far in the NFL have shown that his heroics for the Nittany Lions were no fluke.
Warren leads all tight ends in receiving yards through Week 4 (263).
Slumping: Colston Loveland (Chicago Bears)
The Bears’ decision to take tight end Loveland, a national champion at the collegiate level with Michigan in 2023, over Warren with the 10th pick in this year’s draft raised eyebrows.
And thus far that move appears to be misguided, as Loveland has made little impact in Chicago, with just three catches for a total of 43 yards.
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