Every NFL Team's Strongest Building Block from Rookie Class

When the 2025 NFL draft wrapped up eight months ago, most teams had obvious premier building blocks. But a lot can change in one campaign. 

While most teams still likely see their top selections in that light, some first-round picks have struggled while a lot of guys from later rounds have flourished. 

With that in mind, let's take an updated look at the strongest building blocks on each roster from the rookie class that is winding up its maiden season this weekend.

AFC East

AP Photo/Adam Hunger

TreVeyon Henderson

Buffalo Bills: CB Maxwell Hairston

Deone Walker and Jackson Hawes have had nice rookie seasons as Day 3 picks, and injuries have prevented Hairston from getting into a consistent groove. That said, the first-round pick has been quite strong when healthy. Opposing quarterbacks have a mere 75.8 passer rating when throwing into Hairston's coverage.

Miami Dolphins: DL Kenneth Grant

Grant certainly hasn't dominated as a rookie first-round pick, but he has shown steady improvement and there really aren't a lot of great alternatives from this Miami class. Second-round offensive linemen Jonah Savaiinaea has struggled, and none of their late-rounders have blown anyone away (even if Jordan Phillips, Dante Trader and Ollie Gordon could be on track for nice careers). 

New England Patriots: RB TreVeyon Henderson

Not trying to diss No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell, who looks like a long-term pillar at left tackle. Both of these guys should be locked in as long-term building blocks within that offense, but Henderson has actually outshined the banged-up Campbell from Round 2 with over 1,000 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns. He tore it up in the month of December.

New York Jets: OT Armand Membou

Sure, the first-round has given up a lot of sacks (eight, per Pro Football Focus), but only Kelvin Banks Jr. has a higher grade from PFF among qualified rookies at the offensive tackle position. Second-round tight end Mason Taylor could also be a significant part of the long-term plan, but he's found the end zone just once in his rookie season. 

AFC North

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Malaki Starks

Baltimore Ravens: S Malaki Starks

It's been a rocky year for the Ravens, but a silver lining is that a rookie class highlighted by Starks, Mike Green and Teddye Buchanan has shown plenty of promise. Out of Round 1, Starks has a pair of picks, a 77.2 opposing passer rating and the seventh-best PFF grade among qualified rookie defenders. 

Cincinnati Bengals: LB Demetrius Knight Jr.

There have been some growing pains for the second-round pick out of South Carolina, which is why many might still roll with first-rounder Shemar Stewart here. But I like what I've seen from Knight down the stretch and there's little indication Stewart is on the verge of living up to his draft status. Third-round offensive lineman Dylan Fairchild also has yet to prove his worth. 

Cleveland Browns: LB Carson Schwesinger

While first-rounder Mason Graham still has a super-high ceiling, tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has shined with six touchdowns and it's entirely possible Shedeur Sanders becomes the guy, there's no way to deny the shoo-in Defensive Rookie of the Year. Schwesinger is the only player in the NFL with 150-plus tackles, double-digit tackles for loss and multiple interceptions. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: DL Derrick Harmon

I'd argue that within that front seven Jack Sawyer has offered more bang for Pittsburgh's buck as a fourth-round pick, but after a rocky start a now-healthy Harmon has really stepped it up to bolster the Steelers run defense in the second half of the year. Expect the Oregon product to become a star if he can stay healthy as a sophomore in 2026. 

AFC South

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Tyler Warren

Houston Texans: WR Jayden Higgins

Fellow skill guys Woody Marks and Jaylin Noel have had some nice moments, but Higgins remains the obvious potential focal point from this class in Houston. He caught a critical early 75-yard touchdown pass in a Week 16 victory over the Chargers, and he's dropped just two passes during a steady rookie campaign overall. 

Indianapolis Colts: TE Tyler Warren

One of just five tight ends with more than 750 receiving yards, the No. 14 overall pick is on track to become an elite player for years to come. Warren has scored just once in his last nine games, but Indy's offensive struggles across the board have to factor in as well. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: WR/CB Travis Hunter

A major knee injury obviously marred Hunter's rookie season, but the two-way No. 2 overall pick still has a very bright future. His last game of the year was also his first 100-yard receiving performance as a pro, and opposing quarterbacks had a sub-70 passer rating on throws into his coverage. 

Tennessee Titans: QB Cam Ward

This kinda had to be the case regardless of what Ward did in 2025. That said, it's worth noting that the No. 1 overall pick has six touchdown passes, zero interceptions and a 102.1 passer rating the last three weeks. The Titans will build around him as well as Pro Bowl return man/receiver Chimere Dike, whom I strongly considered to feature in this spot. 

AFC West

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RJ Harvey

Denver Broncos: RB RJ Harvey

It's not as though we're giving up on first-round cornerback Jahdae Barron, but the Texas product has yet to really stand out or even take on a major role and has been vulnerable in coverage. He's somewhat lost in a vast defense, whereas Harvey has emerged with touchdowns in five consecutive games down the stretch. He could push out J.K. Dobbins this offseason.

Kansas City Chiefs: OT Josh Simmons

A wrist injury and a personal absence derailed a solid rookie season for the first-round pick, but he performed well enough with just two sacks allowed in eight games as Patrick Mahomes' left tackle to remain the core member of this class. It helps that Day 2 defenders Omarr Norman-Lott, Ashton Gillotte and Nohl Williams have played limited roles. 

Las Vegas Raiders: RB Ashton Jeanty

The No. 6 overall pick is a no-brainer, especially following a 188-scrimmage-yard, two-touchdown performance against a tough Texans defense in Week 16. He's one of just four players with five-plus rushing touchdowns and five or more receiving touchdowns in 2025. 

Los Angeles Chargers: RB Omarion Hampton

There's a lot of promise with tight end Oronde Gadsden II, but he's made too many mistakes. Hampton has been much less of a liability and was performing steadily before running into a bit of a wall in Week 17. Still, there's no reason to worry about the first-round pick out of North Carolina right now. 

NFC East

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Jacory Croskey-Merritt

Dallas Cowboys: G Tyler Booker

The league's highest-graded rookie interior offensive lineman at PFF has given up three sacks and taken three penalties in a strong freshman campaign. Second-round edge Donovan Ezeiruaku has been far better than his sack total of two would suggest, but Booker is a more critical part of the future in Dallas. 

New York Giants: QB Jaxson Dart

This could just as easily be No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, but Carter has bloomed late this year and is simply at a disadvantage compared to a potential franchise quarterback. Dart has a unique playmaking ability and could truly become a special player. Regardless, it looks like the Giants nailed the first round of the 2025 draft.

Philadelphia Eagles: LB Jihaad Campbell

The first-rounder's role has been reduced as the Eagles have become healthier in the linebacker corps, but he's nevertheless the highest-graded qualified defensive rookie at PFF and there aren't any other rookie standouts this year in Philly. He's a huge part of this team's future. 

Washington Commanders: RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt

It's either their first pick (Josh Conerly Jr.) or their last one (JCM). Conerly is by no means on the path to bust status, but he's had an up-and-down rookie campaign featuring plenty of penalties and sacks. Meanwhile, Croskey-Merritt has flashed star-level abilities. He's scored four touchdowns the last three weeks and is averaging a stellar 4.8 yards per carry on the season. 

NFC North

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Matthew Golden

Chicago Bears: TE Colston Loveland

The first-rounder has established himself of late as the clear-cut No. 1 target in Chicago's offense. Loveland has caught 17 passes in four games this month and scored twice. He also hasn't dropped a single pass all season. He's becoming the guy for Caleb Williams. 

Detroit Lions: G Tate Ratledge

First-rounder Tyleik Williams hasn't gotten the job done, but Ratledge trails only Booker when it comes to PFF grades among rookie interior offensive linemen. He's been a steady presence since struggling in September, despite plenty of trouble surrounding him. 

Green Bay Packers: WR Matthew Golden

By default because he's a first-round pick and has been targeted semi-frequently. Golden—the team's first Round 1 receiver in several hundred years—has put together a very disappointing rookie season and has yet to score his first touchdown, but nobody else in this rookie group has made a dent. 

Minnesota Vikings: G Donovan Jackson

The first-round pick has been a reliable presence in the interior offensive line all season, even though he might not be fully healthy. The team's only top-100 draft choice appears to be on track to play a major role for years to come. 

NFC South

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Tyler Shough

Atlanta Falcons: Co-building blocks James Pearce Jr. and Jalon Walker

This could have been a three-man selection including third-round safety Xavier Watts, who is the only rookie defender in the league with three picks and 50 tackles. Walker is a No. 15 overall pick who has been awesome despite not being healthy for much of the year, while fellow first-round linebacker Pearce leads all rookies with 8.5 sacks. This looks like a very strong class. 

Carolina Panthers: WR Tetairoa McMillan

The No. 8 overall pick enters the final week of the season the favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. He's one of just 11 players with 900-plus receiving yards and seven-plus touchdown catches through Week 17. He still disappears more often than he should, but the ingredients are there. 

New Orleans Saints: QB Tyler Shough

The second-rounder has at least given the Saints reason to focus elsewhere in the draft and free agency. He posted a 102.9 passer rating as the team went 4-0 in December, which has a lot of former haters eating crow entering the 2026 offseason. He beats out stellar first-round offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. because of his more critical position. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: WR Emeka Egbuka

The No. 19 overall pick is in McMillan's range with 930 yards and six touchdowns. But he hasn't scored or gone over 70 yards since Week 10, so it's also worth mentioning promising third-round cornerback Jacob Parrish, who has stood out in coverage at various points and has proven to be a potential long-term playmaker. 

NFC West

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Denzel Burke

Arizona Cardinals: CB Denzel Burke

That's right, a fifth-rounder! Not counting out top picks Walter Nolen and Will Johnson, but injuries and overall struggles have been major factors this season. Meanwhile, the Cards have seen promise from their next three picks, Jordan Burch, Cody Simon and Burke. I've really liked what I've seen from Burke, who has three interceptions and an opposing passer rating of just 60.9. 

Los Angeles Rams: TE Terrance Ferguson

It comes down to Ferguson or third-round linebacker Josaiah Stewart, but Stewart really hasn't been a major factor of late whereas Ferguson has scored in consecutive December outings. The second-round pick is turning into the star the Rams need at tight end. 

San Francisco 49ers: DL Mykel Williams

Injuries completely destroyed Williams' rookie campaign, but he did flash enough in September and October to continue to be viewed as a key piece going forward. He only turned 21 in June and was a top-12 pick for a reason. It helps his case that the rest of San Francisco's rookie group has been pretty underwhelming. 

Seattle Seahawks: S Nick Emmanwori

By no means are we giving up on first-round O-lineman Grey Zabel, who has had some nice games in an up-and-down rookie campaign, but the versatile Emmanwori has been superb across the board. With a stronger start, he'd be in the DROY conversation.