The Most Likely Week 1 Starters in the 2025 NFL Draft

An old rule of thumb used to exist regarding the NFL draft: A first-round selection is expected to start in his first year, a second-rounder in Year 2, and so on and so forth.

Those timelines are now expedited. While every rookie is allotted a certain amount of developmental time, their respective teams invested high picks in them for a reason. More often than not, they're in the starting lineup much sooner rather than later.

Looking at the 2025 class, obvious names come to forefront as those who will be on the field and in the lineup from Week 1.

Quarterback Cam Ward is likely going to be the first or second overall pick. Teams aren't automatically sitting signal-callers anymore.

Travis Hunter, Abdul Carter and Mason Graham are the class' top three overall prospects. Of course, expectations peg them as instant starters.

Offensive linemen are needed throughout the league, so Will Campbell and Armand Membou should be top-10 picks and immediate contributors.

NFL coaches are more willing than ever to throw top talent into the fire at the onset of their professional careers, because they understand what's at stake.

Let's dig a little deeper here and earmark a handful of names currently ranked lower than an 8.0 on the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's grading scale—which is considered a legit first-round talent—who can still be Week 1 starters based on their skill sets.

RB Damien Martinez, Miami

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This year's running back class provides plenty of options for future starters, though the usage of rotations may limit opportunities to be automatic lead options and workhorses.

Boise State's Ashton Jeanty and North Carolina's Omarion Hampton are viewed as first-round ball-carriers, which means any team that selects them will do so under the auspices of being focal points for their respective offenses.

From there, a back such as Iowa's Kaleb Johnson comes out of a system and program that continually produces talent capable of impacting the professional level.

Yet Miami's Damien Martinez is the choice here because of his no-nonsense running style. He already showed he can lead two different programs' rushing attacks by posting back-to-back 1,000-yard campaigns between the Oregon State Beavers and Hurricanes.

The 217-pound ball-carrier is also built like an NFL back capable of taking the pounding necessary when enduring a full workload.

What's really going to separate Martinez and give him a chance to be a starter right out of the gate is little fat can be found in his game. The 21-year-old is a decisive, downhill runner, who's going to make his cut and get positive yardage, often playing through contact. He created 4.46 yards after contact per carry, per Pro Football Focus.

Martinez's efficient and hard-nosed running style makes him an ideal early-down ball-carrier, which gives him an advantage compared to other backs.

WR Jack Bech, TCU

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Once again, the incoming wide receiver class will have numerous options, with at least 25 expected to be selected over the course of the draft's three days.

Arizona's Tetairoa McMillan, Texas' Matthew Golden, Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka, Ole Miss' Tre Harris and Missouri's Luther Burden III are considered strong first-round possibilities. Yet names such as Ladd McConkey and Puka Nacua recently made significant impacts as rookies despite not being chosen in the opening frame.

TCU's Jack Bech has the traits and profile to be another immediate contributor chosen a little later in the process.

His background is interesting after originally entering the LSU Tigers program as a tight end before transferring to TCU and emerging as a wide receiver. That experience lends well to where he can excel in the NFL, particularly as a power slot.

The 6'1", 214-pound wide receiver understands how to use his size as a weapon, particularly when asked to make difficult catches.

Furthermore, his next quarterback will soon realize how reliable of an option he is. The Senior Bowl MVP didn't drop a single pass last season on 91 targets, according to Pro Football Focus.

When Bech's route-running and ability to create separation because of quality short-area quickness are added into the mix, he's going to establish himself rather quickly as some fortunate signal-caller's security blanket.

OG Tyler Booker, Alabama

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Among the NFL draft prospects mentioned in this piece, Alabama offensive lineman Tyler Booker is the most likely to find himself in the first round, even if his positional value drives him down draft boards to some degree.

He is the mold of a guard who was built to immediately start considering his tree-trunk-like frame, impressive play-strength, history of performing at a high level against top competition and the right attitude to bury opponents at any given opportunity.

While mentioned in previous B/R coverage, Booker's approach to the game deserves to be discussed whenever possible.

"Everybody loves to play football when it is easy, but who loves to play it when it is hard," he told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine. "I feel like that is what separates the good guys to the great guys in the game of football. Ultimately, I love the aggressiveness and the tenacity of the game of football.

"It's legal assault out there. I love football because the brand of football I play, I make other guys not love football anymore. I do that every down by giving it my all."

This old-school mentality, combined with Booker's obvious physical tools, make him a plug-and-play guard for the next decade, as long as he remains healthy.

OG Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

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Ohio State's Donovan Jackson seemed destined to be a starting NFL offensive lineman.

He joined the Buckeyes as a 5-star recruit as the nation's best interior offensive lineman from the 2021 class. By 2022, he became a starter and a first-team All-Big Ten performer. He made three of those squads, while becoming a first-team All-American as a senior.

Interestingly, something changed along the way. After 31 straight starts at left guard, the Buckeyes needed Jackson to bump out to left tackle during their national championship run because of Josh Simmons' torn patellar tendon.

The 6'4", 315-pound Jackson didn't look out of place on an island. He appeared quite comfortable, to the point where some started to view him as a potential NFL starter on some quarterback's blindside. Strong athletic testing numbers and an excellent on-field workout at the combine only intensified the conversation.

He is a ready-made NFL guard, though. There's no projection in that regard. He displayed the requisite play-strength, anchor and heavy hands to immediately fill an interior spot for a long time.

While not necessarily viewed as a legitimate left tackle prospect, Jackson's versatility only increases his value to a team and his chances finding a way into a lineup depending on where help is needed.

DL Darius Alexander, Toledo

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Don't let the logo on the side of Darius Alexander's helmet fool anyone. This former Toledo Rocket is ready for the big time.

A year ago, Quinyon Mitchell had to prove himself every step of the way despite being one of college football's elite cornerbacks. He got all the way to the Senior Bowl before people finally started to realize he would thrive against top competition early in his NFL career, even if he played at a MAC school.

Alexander is on a similar quest.

The 6'4", 304-pound defensive tackle spent six seasons as part of the Toledo program. He'll turn 25 before the start of his rookie campaign, and he's clearly ready to create an impact at the onset of his professional career.

Everyone should see a prospect with the mentality, maturity and physicality to thrive along a defensive front. Much like Mitchell, Alexander went to Mobile, Alabama, and put on a show. He was able to consistently win one-on-one matchups and get in the backfield. From there, he had a relatively athletic score over 9, per Kent Lee Platte.

Alexander never put up huge numbers in college, but his tape signals a player with the skill set to immediately step into a lineup and do his job at a relatively high level.

Edge JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State

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A team knows exactly what it's getting with Ohio State's JT Tuimoloau.

Some may see the previous statement as a negative since it indicates he doesn't present significant upside. Conversely, the defensive lineman's play-style is easily translatable to the NFL.

He also entered the Buckeyes program as a 5-star recruit and the No. 1 defensive lineman in the 2021 class. He walked away as a three-time first-team All-Big Ten selection and national champion.

An argument can still be made that he didn't quite live up to those original expectations. To Tuimoloau's credit, he improved every single year on campus. Specifically, his sack numbers increased each season, while posting a career-high 12.5 during his final run.

But he was never a true game-wrecker.

Instead, Tuimoloau is a legitimate base end, who is going to set the edge, defend the run, provide pressure as a power-rusher and consistently hustle on every down. Those traits play.

He's going to be one of the most reliable picks from this entire class, regardless of position, because he's been asked to play like a professional defensive end throughout his entire Ohio State career.

A strong, consistent approach on a down-by-down basis can overcome when a defensive end may not be the most explosive or flexible option. Tuimoloau is an excellent example.

LB Danny Stutsman, Oklahoma

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The transition from college football to the professional ranks can be difficult for a linebacker, especially one expected to wear the green dot and call the defense.

However, Oklahoma's Danny Stutsman has the experience, athletic profile and instincts to be a rare exception.

"For sure," he told Forbes' DJ Siddiqi of wanting to be a Day 1 starter. "I feel like not many people are just going to come in and say, 'I'm cool with just being on the bench, not playing, not contributing.' You're kind of shortcoming yourself.

"You obviously have to have those expectations. I know it's not going to be easy. I know these guys are veterans who have been in the league, who have established themselves, that aren't just going to give up their job. That's kind of how it is. But you have to be out there and really contribute and be ready to compete."

Stutsman played in 47 games over his collegiate career, with a 104 or more tackles in each of the last three seasons. Oh, 35 tackles for loss and seven sacks can be added to that tally as well. He clearly has a nose for the football and an understanding of running a defense.

The consensus All-American helped his case with a strong predraft workout, which included 4.52-second 40-yard dash. He is the type of experienced and productive player who should start sooner rather than later.

S Billy Bowman Jr., Oklahoma

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Oklahoma's Billy Bowman Jr. deserves to be included in this list because he fits the mold as a modern NFL safety.

Once upon a time, the secondary often had rigid definitions between free safeties, strong safety, nickel corners and outside corners. Today's defensive backs blur those distinctions. Bowman can thrive in multiple different roles.

The first-team All-Big 12 performer can play split-, single-high or strong safety in or near the box. He can just as easily shift over the slot to cover a wide receiver. He has the fluidity to match up with targets, while playing back with the route-recognition and instincts to be a ballhawk along the back end. His eight interceptions over the last two years are an excellent indication of his ball skills and how he triggers on plays.

The 5'10", 192-pounder, who has 4.42-second 40-yard-dash speed, is built like a cornerback. OK, some team can immediately place him over the slot and let him cook. Others will look at how he reads quarterbacks and offenses in front of him and keep him at safety. A creative coordinator can move him all over the formation and deploy him as a defensive weapon.

Whatever the case becomes ultimately, Bowman should find a role at the onset of his career and thrive wherever it may be.