Most Exciting Rookie Matchups on the 1st 8 Weeks of 2025 NFL Schedule

The NFL schedule was released earlier this week, which gets treated as a mini-holiday for football fans. Social media teams across the league come up with the most creative ways to release their schedules and hype up their fans for the upcoming season.

Another perk of the schedule release is finding out when the great rookie-versus-rookie matchups will happen during the season.

Fans, scouts and analysts spend January to April comparing draft prospects to one another and debating who is better. Now that the rookies have landed on their new teams, we'll soon get to watch them battle it out in meaningful NFL games.

Here, we've highlighted the most exciting rookie matchups over the first half of the 2025 season.

Week 1: Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan vs. Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter

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Panthers WR Tetairoa McMillan

Two exceptionally talented wide receivers got selected within the top 10 picks of the 2025 NFL draft. The Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to take Travis Hunter at No. 2, while the Carolina Panthers scooped up Tetairoa McMillan at No. 8.

Hunter and McMillan have polar opposite skill sets and playing styles. On top of that, the former also plays cornerback.

The two faced each other twice since 2023. When McMillan was lined up opposite of Hunter in the 2023 matchup, he caught three of his five targets for only 15 yards and one touchdown, according to Pro Football Focus.

Hunter is expected to play more wide receiver for the Jaguars for now. But if he does take some snaps at cornerback, it will be fun to watch how the reps between him and McMillan unfold. To this point, Hunter has owned the advantage between the two.

However, this may never materialize as a CB vs. WR matchup. Instead, it could just be a battle of the draft's top two receiving prospects. Regardless, this will be a must-watch game on the first Sunday of the NFL season.

Week 1: Giants Edge Abdul Carter vs. Commanders OT Josh Conerly Jr.

AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis

New York Giants edge-rusher Abdul Carter

In Week 1, the New York Giants will travel to the nation's capital to face the Washington Commanders. One of these teams will leave with a divisional loss and a winless record.

This interdivisional matchup will feature a battle of first-round rookies. The Giants used the third overall pick on explosive edge-rusher Abdul Carter, while the Commanders bolstered their offensive line late in the first round with Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.

Carter will have to earn his way into the Giants' starting lineup unless they trade Kayvon Thibodeaux this offseason. Regardless, we'll likely see Carter and Conerly lock horns for a second time at some point in this game.

Last season, they faced off in the Big Ten championship game. Conerly pitched a shutout by not allowing a single sack, quarterback hit, pressure or hurry. He was able to match Carter's speed and explosiveness around the arc.

If they face off in one-on-one pass-blocking situations, Carter will need to exploit Conerly's lack of brute strength as a counter to his speed rush. This matchup could help swing the momentum of the game.

Week 2: 49ers Edge Mykel Williams vs. Saints OT Kelvin Banks Jr.

AP Photo/Tony Avelar

In Week 2, the San Francisco 49ers are heading east to face the New Orleans Saints. A pair of top-12 picks—Saints offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. and Niners edge-rusher Mykel Williams—should square off at some point in this matchup.

When Georgia faced Texas last season, Williams was able to get the better of Banks. He finished with two sacks, one quarterback hit, one hurry and a forced fumble. He had success working past Banks to get to Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers in the pocket.

They would've faced off again in the SEC Championship Game, but Banks was out with an injury. They won't have to wait long before renewing their rivalry in the NFL, though. Banks will surely have to deal with Niners star edge-rusher Nick Bosa at times, but he should have his moments against Williams, just like he did in the SEC.

The Saints will likely start either rookie second-round pick Tyler Shough or Spencer Rattler at quarterback following the retirement of Derek Carr. Banks will have plenty of pressure to keep his signal-caller upright against a ferocious and physical 49ers pass rush.

This will be a fun battle of two young, high-ceiling prospects early in their NFL careers.

Week 5: Commanders CB Trey Amos vs. Chargers WR Tre Harris

AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez

Commanders CB Trey Amos

The Week 5 showdown between the Washington Commanders and Los Angeles Chargers should be filled with fireworks. Each team boasts a high-powered offense led by an outstanding quarterback.

It also features a battle between two former college teammates at Ole Miss: Chargers wide receiver Tre Harris vs. Commanders cornerback Trey Amos.

Herbert already has two established weapons with No. 1 receiver Ladd McConkey and X receiver Quentin Johnston. McConkey figures to see more designed defensive coverage after his breakout rookie campaign, which will put more onus on either Johnston or Harris to do some heavier lifting. Harris is a good route-runner for a bigger receiver with impressive ball skills.

Meanwhile, Amos was one of the most physical press-man corners in this year's draft class. His coverage instincts, physicality, and playmaking ability will be welcomed in the Commanders' secondary.

These two must have had great battles during practice at Ole Miss. They will have a chance to run it back for an entire game in Week 5.

Week 5: Ravens Edge Mike Green vs. Houston OT Aireontae Ersery

AP Photo/Nick Wass

The Baltimore Ravens are known for standing pat and allowing the draft board to fall right into their hands. They stuck to that philosophy this year and took the best player available at No. 59 overall, edge-rusher Mike Green.

If not for off-the-field concerns, Green likely would have been a top-15 selection. He had a case for the second-best overall pass-rusher in the class behind Abdul Carter.

Meanwhile, the Houston Texans moved out of the first round to acquire more picks on Day 2. They bolstered their offensive line with left tackle Aireontae Ersery at No. 48 overall. Ersery is a big and powerful blocker who'll now be tasked with protecting franchise quarterback CJ Stroud.

Ersery has competition for both tackle positions, but if he earns a starting job, he will come across the Ravens' new pass-rusher in Week 5.

Green is the type of rusher who can give Ersery trouble thanks to his first-step quickness and elite bend/agility to get underneath his punches. Stroud was on the run more than expected last season, which led to the departures of multiple coaches and offensive linemen this offseason.

The Ravens' defense was already difficult to handle even without a rusher like Green. Adding him should only increase their effectiveness on third downs.

Ersery had success in pass-rush one-on-ones at the Senior Bowl in January. If he can put together reps like that consistently, he should earn a starting job and help contain Green's explosive pass-rush ability.

Week 7: Packers WR Matthew Golden vs. Cardinals CB Will Johnson

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Packers WR Matthew Golden

Wide receiver Matthew Golden and cornerback Will Johnson were two of the most polarizing prospects in this year's draft.

Golden entered the 2024 college football season as an afterthought, but it became clear he was Texas' best receiver as the year progressed. Once he took the WR1 crown, he did not give it up. The Green Bay Packers selected him in the first round to be their future at receiver.

Meanwhile, Johnson entered last season as the presumptive CB1, meaning the only place to go from there was down. He ended up missing the majority of the season due to a toe injury. During the predraft process, he was hampered by a hamstring injury and never ran his 40-yard dash.

Johnson fell out of the first round due to reports of a knee injury that could limit the longevity of his career. With that said, he's already the Arizona Cardinals' best and most talented coverage defender. His instincts and ball skills will bolster Jonathan Gannon's secondary.

When the Cardinals and Packers face off in Week 7, Johnson is likely to face Golden in single coverage at some point. Golden possesses elite raw speed and acceleration, which NFL decision-makers were concerned about Johnson facing in coverage.

Not only will this matchup be fun to watch unfold, but there's a lot of pride at stake for Johnson. If he puts the clamps on Golden and keeps his speed under wraps, he will answer the biggest question about his predraft profile.

Week 7: Browns IDL Mason Graham vs. Dolphins IOL Jonah Savaiinaea

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The Miami Dolphins and Cleveland Browns are set to face off in Week 7. One of the most pivotal matchups in this game will happen in the trenches between rookies IDL Mason Graham and IOL Jonah Savaiinaea.

Browns star edge-rusher Myles Garrett will likely face double-teams on passing downs, leaving his fellow defensive linemen with one-on-one matchups. Graham was the best defensive lineman for Michigan, and he should see far less duo/combo blocks alongside Garrett.

Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa thrives in clean pockets where he can pick the defense apart. Graham will thus be instrumental in the Browns' success in this game. He will be tasked with helping to create pressure in Tagovailoa's face and move him off his spot, where he does not excel as a passer.

Savaiinaea is expected to compete for and win one of the Dolphins' interior offensive line positions. Limiting Graham's impact as a pass-rusher will be crucial for Miami to keep the ball moving and generate explosive plays downfield. If Tagovailoa is forced to hold onto the ball for longer than designed, things can go left for the Dolphins offense.

Savaiinaea is coming off consecutive seasons where he played the majority of his snaps at tackle. He also has experience playing inside at guard at Arizona.

This will be a physical slugfest in the trenches if Graham and Savaiinaea lock up in both the run and passing games. Whichever team dominates the trenches typically wins the game, and it may be no different in this matchup.