5 Rookies With the Most to Gain in 2025 NFL Training Camp

Training camp is upon us, and that means real football highlights and updates from all 32 NFL team practices.

As usual, the rookies arrive at camp first to get their bearings and prepare for the arrival of the veterans in the following days.

Some rookies are entering training camp with immediate pressure to prove themselves as starters, such as Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward and Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty.

Others will walk into camp playing in the background and developing without the spotlight, but they will have a ton to gain based on their performances.

Here are five rookies with most to gain during 2025 NFL training camp before the regular season kicks off.

Kyle Kennard, DE, Los Angeles Chargers

AP Photo/Carrie Giordano

Kyle Kennard had a stellar 2024 season at South Carolina before declaring for the 2025 NFL draft.

The 23-year-old finished the year with 10 sacks, six QB hits, 24 pressures and three forced fumbles. There is no pressure on him entering training camp, but he has plenty to gain with the right performance.

The Los Angeles Chargers have veteran edge-rushers ahead of Kennard for him to watch and learn from such as Khalil Mack, Bud Dupree and Tuli Tuipulotu.

These three will be handling the primary pass-rush duties for the Chargers, but Kennard should not be far behind.

With his 34-inch arms and speed-to-power conversion, the Flint, Michigan native offers a valuable skill set as a pass-rusher. His power and leg strength to drive blockers deep into the pocket were near the best in the 2025 draft class.

In training camp, his ability to disrupt the quarterback's comfort in the pocket against their outstanding offensive tackle duo of Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt will help him climb the depth chart and pass-rush pecking order.

Kennard will need to display physicality at the point of attack in the run game. This is how he can secure a role on this defense as a rotational edge defender.

Tuipulotu is a rusher with alignment versatility, creating different pass-rush packages, essentially opening the door for Kennard to see the field this season.

If Dupree is also not overly effective off the edge, the door should be open for Kennard, but a strong training camp will be paramount for his playing time.

Jalen Milroe, QB, Seattle Seahawks

AP Photo/Ryan Sun

The Seattle Seahawks completely revamped their quarterback room this offseason after trading Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders.

Adding Sam Darnold after his career year with the Minnesota Vikings last season and explosive Alabama dual-threat quarterback Jalen Milroe in the third round of the draft.

Darnold is expected to be the starter, which leaves Milroe vying for the primary backup or QB2 role over Drew Lock.

With two veteran signal-callers ahead of him, the 22-year-old will need to soak up any and all information to help further his development. The Seahawks have Klint Kubiak as their offensive coordinator, so expect to see West Coast principles and concepts this fall.

Milroe being able to learn without the stress and expectations of being the franchise QB is best for both the team and himself. A successful training camp can place him ahead of Lock on the depth chart heading into the regular season.

In Kubiak's scheme, Milroe can improve as a pocket passing quarterback to pair with his electric and explosive rushing ability.

There is plenty for him to gain in training camp. From increased confidence, boost in trust with the coaches and getting one step closer to more snaps when the moment presents itself.

Milroe is a physically gifted quarterback who needs to polish and refine as a passer. His future can be set up nicely with a strong start to his rookie season in camp.

Mitchell Evans, TE, Carolina Panthers

AP Photo/Nell Redmon

The 2025 draft marked the second consecutive year the Carolina Panthers used a Day 3 pick on the tight end position.

They drafted Ja'Tavian Sanders out of Texas last year and added Mitchell Evans from Notre Dame in April. 

Sanders had a decent rookie season. He reeled in 33 receptions for 342 yards and one touchdown, but that isn't enough production to warrant being handed the TE1 title. He worked best as a passer-catcher at Texas and last year with the Panthers. He left a lot to be desired as a run-blocker, particularly in terms of effort and effectiveness. 

Evans brings a more complete TE skill set. Blocking was non-negotiable at Notre Dame, and he walks into training camp with a leg up on Sanders in this area. Like fellow Notre Dame product Michael Mayer, Evans is a good route-runner, plays with good instincts and is sure-handed. 

The Panthers are still determining whether Bryce Young is their franchise quarterback. Evans and Sanders should see the field together or with Tommy Tremble.

Tremble had back surgery a month ago. If the starting job is up for grabs, Sanders and Evans could take a stronghold on the position. 

Evans was a fifth-round pick, and expectations will be minimal, but he might be the best young TE for their third-year quarterback. The tight end position could end up unlocking this offense if they can find a consistent pass-catching and blocker threat.

Evans can carve out a big role with a better-than-expected training camp. 

Shedeur Sanders, QB, Cleveland Browns

AP Photo/David Richard

The Cleveland Browns' quarterback is a Rubik's Cube right now. Only they know who is the favorite to win the job. All we can do is speculate until the dust clears.

Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel have all taken snaps during offseason spring workouts with the first-team offense beside fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders.

Sanders has played well through spring workouts and was trending in the right direction until he was cited and fined for speeding twice last month. He has since paid both tickets and admitted to his mistakes and learning from them.

The Colorado product can gain traction on his fellow quarterbacks in the race to find the Browns starter by continuing to impress with his processing, read progressions and accuracy.

But will the 23-year-old finally take reps with the 1s? If he gets that opportunity and performs better than his counterparts, the QB battle will take a sharp turn. A lot hinges on the opportunities Sanders will or will not receive.

If the Browns are serious about a quarterback battle, let all participants have a shot to either wilt under the pressure or become a diamond.

For a team with two first-round picks in the 2026 draft, neither Flacco nor Pickett are the franchise's future quarterback. But the Browns will need to figure out who is sooner rather than later.

Jaxson Dart, QB, New York Giants

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II

New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll and general manager Joe Schoen received good news earlier this offseason when they were retained instead of being let go.

They had a top-three pick in the draft, and quarterback was their most pressing need. However, the feeling was unless consensus QB1 Cam Ward was available, they weren't going to select a signal-caller at No. 3. They didn't, and instead in came pass-rusher Abdul Carter.

But Daboll did not leave the first round without the signal-caller of his choice. Big Blue traded back into the first round and drafted Jaxson Dart at No. 25. His stock was growing all draft season after the Senior Bowl, and he has the physical tools to become a long-term starting quarterback.

The Giants signed Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston before selecting Dart in April.

The Ole Miss product is not expected to start the season, and that is perfectly fine. The Giants need to stick with their plan and not pivot because fans are gushing over a social media throw by Dart. That said, he can put the coaching staff at ease with a strong showing during training camp.

Wilson and Winston are truly bridge/stop-gap quarterbacks. Unless one of them lights it up this season, it is not out of the realm of possibility that Dart gets his first NFL start in 2025.

That won't happen if he does not fare well during camp practices in live reps, though. Can he fit passes into real NFL windows when everyone is padded and hits are live? He has the ability to do so, but the coaching staff needs to see it.

If Dart performs at a high enough level, the veteran quarterbacks' leashes will be shorter than expected. Let them deal with the gauntlet on their schedule early in the season. Give Dart more time to sit, learn and grow before stepping on the field.

Dart's training camp will either speed up his timeline to play meaningful snaps or reinforce that he needs time adjusting to the pros.