2025 NFL Draft Day 3 Picks Most Likely to Make Immediate Impact

Every year, NFL teams draft 257 prospects. Where a player is selected is not an indicator of future success, as examples of late-round breakouts and early busts abound.

Tom Brady is the poster child for defying the odds as a sixth-round pick. The San Francisco 49ers signed seventh-round selection and Mr. Irrelevant (last player drafted), Brock Purdy, to a five-year extension this month.

The 2025 draft class is no different, as multiple Day 3 picks can make an impact during their rookie seasons. Let's take a look at some candidates.

Shedeur Sanders, Cleveland Browns QB

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Plenty has been said about former Colorado star quarterback Shedeur Sanders. The chatter was mostly negative during the predraft process, and the 23-year-old suffered one of the most famous falls in draft history, from potential top pick to No. 144.

The Cleveland Browns stopped the fall in the fifth round, after using a third-rounder on QB Dillon Gabriel.

Sanders is the most popular signal-caller on the roster and will put butts in seats if he plays. He ranks third in rookie jersey sales—Gabriel is not inside the top 10.

Sanders' impact is being felt financially—even though he hasn't played down of real NFL football—and on social media, as posts about him receive a high level of engagement from supporters and detractors.

On the field, Sanders has shown high-level accuracy and anticipation during the rookie minicamp seven-on-seven throwing drills. He is getting the ball out with precision and shows good placement. Who the Browns' franchise QB will be is unknown, but Sanders has the most passing skill and potential on their roster to earn that title.

The majority of Day 3 picks don't get the opportunity to take a prominent role in year one. Sanders is not a typical fifth-round pick and could become an immediate starter and impact player.

Jalen Royals, Kansas City Chiefs WR

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The Kansas City Chiefs continue to improve the wide receiver talent around quarterback Patrick Mahomes. This year, they took Utah State wideout Jalen Royals in the fourth round, a season after selecting Xavier Worthy in the first round and two years after drafting Rashee Rice.

Chiefs director of player personnel Ryne Nutt told reporters he believes Royals offers a similar skill set to Rice's, saying, "His game is very similar to Rashee's."

Rice is an alignment-versatile receiver whom Andy Reid utilizes to create mismatches against the defense. The 6'0", 195-pound Royals' height and weight are close to the 6'1" Rice's, but he is a better raw athlete, per their respective athletic testing numbers.

Rice missed the majority of the 2024 season due to an LCL injury. He may be limited to start this year as well. This opens the door for Royals.

His run-after-catch abilities can be amplified inside this Chiefs offense. If the opportunities arise, Royals' talent is there to make a lasting impact.

Cam Skattebo, New York Giants RB

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The New York Giants allowed Saquon Barkley to leave in free agency and become a Super Bowl champion in his first year with the Philadelphia Eagles. Watching that unfold in 2024 was a gut punch for the Giants front office and fans.

On the other hand, the team drafted running back Tyrone Tracy in the fifth round last season. His rookie year was productive and impactful, as he eclipsed 1,000 yards from scrimmage as a dual-threat running back in Brian Daboll's offense.

In 2025, the Giants drafted another running back, Cam Skattebo, in the fourth round. Like Tracy, Skattebo is a multifaceted playmaker. He catches the ball well in space and runs like a hammer slamming a nail. The way he plays fits the grittiness of New York City.

Despite some similarities, the ball-carriers have contrasting running styles. Tracy is more of a smooth-moving runner who can use sudden athletic movements to make defenders miss as he climbs into the heart of the defense.

Skattebo thrives off unbridled aggression and physical contact. He runs with a low center of gravity and puts his head down to plow through arm tackles.

Skattebo's impact should be felt early as part of a talented tandem rushing attack with Tracy. His downhill, physical running style pairs well with Tracy's slashing/cutting style.

Skattebo can thrive as the RB2 and late-game runner to protect the lead in the final eight minutes. He should also help set a tone early in games for the Giants offense.

Jimmy Horn Jr., Carolina Panthers WR

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The Carolina Panthers have revamped a once-weak receiving corps with diverse additions over two drafts to bolster Bryce Young’s arsenal.

The team may have landed a late-round gem in Colorado’s Jimmy Horn Jr., a dynamic sixth-rounder whose long speed stood out at rookie minicamp, per Ben Armendariz of SI.com, and promises impact in multiple roles.

The Panthers offense lacked a receiver with the ability to create separation quickly and serve as an explosive downfield threat. Horn fills that void. Paired with a quick-timing passer, Horn will make plays in space after the catch in the short areas of the field.

His experience as a special-teams ace and returner is a forgotten value, since he can flip field position on punt and kick returns. Horn should have an impact for the Panthers either on offense, special teams or both.

Kyle Monangai, Chicago Bears RB

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The Chicago Bears bypassed adding another running back for six full rounds. They drafted Kyle Monangai in the seventh round, and the opportunity is there for him to earn his way on the field.

Monangai joins a running back room with good competition and depth. That said, local Bears' reporter Brad Biggs states this is an open competition and there are opportunities for touches. D'Andre Swift is expected to handle the first-team reps, but Monangai has an opportunity to make some noise and climb the depth chart.

He is a stout, compact back with excellent vision and patience. He’s a natural runner who consistently makes defenders miss in one-on-one situations. While he lacks top-end speed and explosiveness, he compensates with sharp instincts and quick decision-making.

Monangai has the opportunity to walk out of summer workouts and camps as the RB2 behind Swift. He could unseat the veteran on rushing downs and relegate Swift to the pass-catching, third-down role. Despite being selected in the seventh round, his college tape does not show a late-Day 3 prospect.

Monangai may have the most complete skill set of any running back on the Bears roster. Once practices become more physical, his natural running instincts should stand out and give him a real shot at earning a key role as a rookie.