NFL Rookie Report Cards 2025: Grading Every Team’s Draft Class After Week 7

After seven weeks of the 2025 season, rookies across the NFL are being asked to step into starring roles faster than ever. How well those first-year players have responded often mirrors their teams’ fortunes. Utilizing evaluators’ assessments of production, efficiency and long-term promise, here is how every team’s 2025 draft class stacks up.

Grading Highlights by Team

Below are several key examples (complete list follows in full article) of how teams are rated and why.

Standouts

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie class earns an A grade. Their first-round wide receiver Emeka Egbuka leads all rookie wideouts in receptions and yardage, despite the injury to veteran Mike Evans.

• The Cleveland Browns also get an A. Their rookies are the bright spot on a struggling team: multiple contributors, including RB Quinshon Judkins, look like future building blocks.

• On the flip side, the Dallas Cowboys draw a D grade. Their rookie right-guard, Tyler Booker, is providing average play, while defensive rookies are yet to make meaningful impact.

Image: NFL.com

Middle-of-the-Pack

• The New York Giants receive an A-: their QB pick Jaxson Dart shows promise, and other selections like Cam Skattebo and Abdul Carter excite, though some spots remain unproven.

• The San Francisco 49ers grade out at C: injuries to veteran defenders thrust rookies into bigger roles; some show promise, others less so.

• The Las Vegas Raiders draw a D+. Their top pick is performing, but many others are minimally utilized or underwhelming.

Efficiency & Context Notes

• Grades incorporate Pro Football Focus (PFF) data such as coverage and blocking grades, snap counts, and relative performance.

• Context matters: teams with loaded rosters or injury issues factor differently. A rookie performing well on a weak team may earn higher “future promise” marks despite fewer flashes.

• A rushed deployment of rookies in poor situations may suppress grades until players build consistency.

Full Team Grades (by Division)

NFC East

• Dallas Cowboys (3-3-1) – Grade: D

• New York Giants (2-5) – Grade: A-

• Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) – Grade: C+

• Washington Commanders (3-4) – Grade: B

NFC West

• Arizona Cardinals (2-5) – Grade: B

• Los Angeles Rams (5-2) – Grade: B+

• San Francisco 49ers (5-2) – Grade: C

• Seattle Seahawks (5-2) – Grade: A

NFC North

• Chicago Bears (4-2) – Grade: D

• Detroit Lions (5-2) – Grade: B

• Green Bay Packers (4-1-1) – Grade: B+

• Minnesota Vikings (3-4) – Grade: C+

NFC South

• Atlanta Falcons (3-3) – Grade: C

• Carolina Panthers (4-3) – Grade: A-

• New Orleans Saints (1-6) – Grade: B+

• Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) – Grade: A

AFC East

• Buffalo Bills (4-2) – Grade: D

• Miami Dolphins (1-6) – Grade: C

• New England Patriots (5-2) – Grade: B

• New York Jets (0-7) – Grade: A-

AFC West

• Denver Broncos (5-2) – Grade: C

• Kansas City Chiefs (4-3) – Grade: B

• Las Vegas Raiders (2-5) – Grade: D+

• Los Angeles Chargers (5-3) – Grade: B

AFC North

• Baltimore Ravens (1-5) – Grade: B-

• Cincinnati Bengals (3-4) – Grade: C

• Cleveland Browns (2-5) – Grade: A

• Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2) – Grade: C

AFC South

• Houston Texans (2-4) – Grade: B

• Indianapolis Colts (6-1) – Grade: C

• Jacksonville Jaguars (4-3) – Grade: C-

• Tennessee Titans (1-6) – Grade: B

Key Takeaways

• High grades are tied to rookies making immediate impact: significant playing time, high efficiency, and indicators of future starting roles.

• Lower grades often arise from minimal usage, slow development, injuries, or the rookie being a depth piece on a veteran-heavy roster.

• Grades are provisional — many rookies still have stretches of the season to evolve. Performance trajectory matters as much as current stats.

FAQ

Q: What factors determined these rookie class grades?
A: Analysts considered production (tackles, receptions, yards, sacks), efficiency metrics (PFF grades, snap counts, ratios), and long-term promise (potential to become a cornerstone player).

Q: Do these grades mean a team’s entire draft was good or bad?
A: These grades specifically assess the rookie class. They do not judge veteran acquisitions, free-agent signings, or overall team strategy.

Q: Does an “A” grade guarantee future success?
A: No. While an “A” indicates a strong start, NFL careers remain unpredictable. Injuries, system fit and coaching all still matter.

References

• “NFL rookie report cards 2025: Grading every team’s draft class after seven weeks”, Yardbarker, October 24 2025.

• “Grading every first-round pick through Week 7: Tyler Warren, Emeka Egbuka lead strong rookie class”, CBS Sports, October 21 2025.

• “Ranking top 10 NFL rookies in 2025: Emeka Egbuka, Jaxson Dart”, ESPN, October 15 2025.