NFL Rookies Who Won't Start in 2025 but Definitely Should

The 2025 NFL draft is over, and the draftees are now preparing for their rookie minicamps. This new influx of talent will have varying roles for their respective teams. Some rookies will be viewed as rotational players or backups, while others are potential impact starters. 

Regardless of where players get drafted, they need to prove themselves during the offseason and training camp and earn their starting spot.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at a few rookies who aren’t expected to win starting roles right away but possess the talent to be impact players. 

Omarion Hampton, RB, Los Angeles Chargers

John McGloughlin/ISI Photos/Getty Images

The Los Angeles Chargers overhauled their backfield this offseason. They signed 2021 first-round pick Najee Harris away from the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency, and they spent their own first-round pick (No. 22 overall) on UNC running back Omarion Hampton.

Harris has run for 1,000-plus yards and scored at least six touchdowns in each of his four NFL seasons. He figures to open the season as the Chargers' starter. However, he has averaged only 3.9 yards per carry across his four-year career.

Like Harris, Hampton is a powerful runner who is difficult to bring down on first contact. He offers more explosiveness and big-play speed in the open field than Harris ever has, though. 

Hampton was the second-ranked running back and No. 22 overall prospect on our scouting department's predraft big board. He should have an extensive role in the Chargers' offense alongside Harris even if he doesn't win the starting job to open the season.

Kaleb Johnson, RB, Pittsburgh Steelers

Chris Bernacchi/Diamond Images via Getty Images

Although the Steelers lost Najee Harris in free agency, they brought Jaylen Warren back on his one-year restricted-free-agent tender. They proceeded to spend a third-round pick on Iowa running back Kaleb Johnson to fill out their backfield.

Johnson is a bruising yet swift-footed runner who excels in zone-rushing schemes. At 6'0" and 225 pounds, he's built like an NFL bell-cow running back. As a one-cut-and-go runner, he is physical and finishes runs with a forward lean.

Johnson's frame and skill set should pair well with Warren, much like Harris did over the past few seasons. Before the draft, a scout compared Johnson to former Steelers star Le'Veon Bell. Both were well-built runners with outstanding patience and footwork to work through congestion.

Johnson was the third-ranked running back No. 39 overall prospect on our scouting department's predraft big board. He should have an immediate role alongside Warren early in his rookie season. It wouldn't be a surprise if he takes over as the Steelers' lead running back by the end of the season, as his physical and bruising style should pair well with their frigid late-December/early-January matchups.

Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears

AP Photo/Jose Juarez

Veteran Cole Kmet is the Chicago Bears' TE1, but that soon may change after they spent the 10th overall pick on fellow tight end Colston Loveland. The Michigan product should immediately be thrown into 12-personnel packages or two-tight-end sets alongside Kmet.

Kmet has never topped 75 catches or 750 receiving yards in any of his five NFL seasons. Loveland will provide second-year quarterback Caleb Williams with an athletic, fluid pass-catch with immense alignment versatility.

New Bears head coach Ben Johnson was the Detroit Lions' offensive coordinator when they selected Sam LaPorta with a second-round pick in 2023, and Loveland is better than LaPorta. Johnson can use Loveland as the pre-snap motion indicator for Williams to help him identify defensive looks and coverages. 

Loveland was the No. 13 overall prospect and top-ranked tight end on our scouting department's final predraft big board. Kmet can hold down the main in-line blocking assignments early on while Loveland gets adjusted to the physicality of the NFL.

Even if he doesn't start, Loveland should have an immediate impact on the Bears' offense with plenty of wide receiver talent surrounding him.

Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

After signing Justin Fields in free agency to take over for Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, the New York Jets turned their attention to getting him more help in the draft. After selecting offensive tackle Armand Membou with the No. 7 overall pick, the Jets spent their second-rounder on tight end Mason Taylor.

When Fields started for the Pittsburgh Steelers last season, he did a solid job getting the tight ends involved in the passing game. Taylor is already the most talented tight end on the Jets' roster.

The LSU product possesses enough athletic ability and route-running acumen to defeat man coverage against second- and third-level defenders. Taylor is also a willing blocker in the run game and has upside to improve in that regard.

The Jets figure to be a run-oriented, physical team, as their receiving corps is lackluster outside of Garrett Wilson. Taylor can be a great complementary piece with Wilson in this passing offense. The Jets' new coaching staff is coming from the Detroit Lions, so he could be their version of Sam LaPorta.

Taylor was the No. 37 overall player and third-ranked tight end on our scouting department's predraft big board. The Jets should try to expedite his development so he can make a big impact in the passing game as a rookie.

Nic Scourton, Edge, Carolina Panthers

Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers had a historically awful defense last year, but they've worked to rectify that this offseason. After signing defensive tackles Tershawn Wharton and Bobby Brown III, safety Tre'von Moehrig and linebacker Pat Jones II in free agency, they spent the No. 51 overall pick on Texas A&M edge-rusher Nic Scourton.

Scourton was the No. 36 overall player on our scouting department's predraft big board, so the Panthers got great value on him from that perspective. The 20-year-old has good arm length to attack offensive tackles with the long arm and/or by converting speed to power. 

Given his age, strength, quickness and upside, Scourton should receive plenty of opportunities to fire off and pressure quarterbacks as a rookie. Carolina's defense needs a reliable playmaker on third downs to force the opposing offense off the field and give third-year quarterback Bryce Young more opportunities to score.

Omarr Norman-Lott, DL, Kansas Chiefs

FR123678 AP

Defense has been a strength for the Kansas City Chiefs over the past few seasons under defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. They further bolstered it this offseason by taking twitched-up, quick interior defensive lineman Omarr Norman-Lott in Round 2 of this year's draft.

Norman-Lott thrives as a one-gap penetrator. He has the propensity to create plenty of chaos in the offensive backfield. He'll likely work in on third downs as a rotational and situational pass-rusher, but the idea of him rushing next to Chris Jones should have Chiefs fans salivating.

Spagnuolo is great at creating chaotic pre-snap pictures for quarterbacks. Norman-Lott's ability to win with his first-step quickness and arm length against interior offensive linemen should only increase Spags' defensive wizardry.

The Chiefs are retooling for another run back to the Super Bowl, and their defense will be tasked with keeping elite signal-callers like Lamar Jackson, Joe Burrow and Josh Allen in check. Omarr Norman-Lott was the No. 110 overall prospect on our scouting department’s predraft big board, but he can provide a lot of value for the Chiefs' defensive front even if he isn't an immediate starter.