Projecting Week 1 rookie starters in the NFC, plus execs share their thoughts

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Inside: Which rookies should start in Week 1? A look at the full NFC picture, plus thoughts from league execs.

PSA for long-suffering Browns fans: Try taking a deep breath. It’s a game-changer for anyone, and, according to science, it’s healthier than ordering a fifth-round QB’s jersey.

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NFC’s expected Week 1 rookie starters

Yesterday we learned that about 40 rookies will likely be Week 1 starters for their respective teams. I followed that with a list of rookies expected to start for the top NFC teams. Since you might’ve missed it, I’m including the full list of projected rookie starters across the entire NFC below.

Tier 1: Contending teams

Eagles: If healthy — he’s still recovering from post-combine surgery — first-round LB Jihaad Campbell is talented enough to play off-ball linebacker or edge rusher and improve Vic Fangio’s defense right away. Yes, improve! Scary.

Lions: Beat reporter Colton Pouncy’s shared that the Lions could shuffle their offensive line by replacing 33-year-old starter Graham Glasgow with second-round guard Tate Ratledge, widely considered one of the best in the class. If their other starters stay healthy, a seemingly big if in Detroit, don’t expect any Week 1 rookies to start. WR Isaac TeSlaa, whom GM Brad Holmes said was his favorite receiver in the class, and first-round DT Tyleik Williams should earn regular snaps.

Commanders: They’ll hope first-rounder Josh Conerly Jr. wins the starting right tackle job, which he should, while CB Trey Amos could start opposite Marshon Lattimore.

Vikings: If Jordan Addison sees a suspension for last summer’s DUI, Minnesota’s third-round receiver Tai Felton could see starting reps. For now, No. 24 pick Donovan Jackson is the only surefire starter among their five draft picks.

Packers: Matthew Golden, the only first-round receiver drafted by Green Bay since LeBron James entered the NBA, could win the No. 1 role before long. If he holds onto the ball, he’ll be ok — after all, he’s competing with Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs and Dontayvion Wicks. Drop city!

Rams: After winning the 2024 draft, their biggest news this year was Sean McVay & Co. grabbing the Falcons’ 2026 first-round pick. Every rookie here is an expected backup for now.

Tier 2: Playoffs or bust

Buccaneers: WR Emeka Egbuka is behind Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and maybe Jalen McMillan for now, while CB Benjamin Morrison should compete for reps. None of their rookies are projected starters, but our Ted Nguyen loves the Egbuka fit.

Cowboys: Despite failing to address their receiver room for now (I’ve seen the rumors that Amari Cooper may return), Dallas’ consistent drafting success continued in 2025. RG Tyler Booker and CB Shavon Revel Jr. should see immediate starting snaps, with edge Donovan Ezeiruaku rotating in.

Seahawks: The third-best draft, per Dane Brugler’s rankings, left Seattle with one surefire starter in LG Grey Zabel, a flexible defensive piece in S Nick Emmanwori and rotational talent in QB Jalen Milroe, TE Elijah Arroyo and DT Rylie Mills.

Tier 3: Improve on 2024, please

Bears: Their fifth pick, speedy LB Ruben Hyppolite II, looks like a starting strongside linebacker. There are caveats for each of the others: First-round TE Colston Loveland will start in 12 personnel, with WR Luther Burden III starting in three-receiver sets. Their other two early picks — OT Ozzy Trapilo and DT Shemar Turner — are not guaranteed starters but could earn those roles by Week 1.

Cardinals: Using their first five picks on defense after signing top edge rusher Josh Sweat was a signal that HC Jonathan Gannon’s defense will improve after allowing 5.6 yards per play in 2024 (22nd). CB Will Johnson should start if healthy, while DT Walter Nolen and LB Cody Simon will compete for starting roles.

49ers: Another team that went defense for their first five picks, SF could field the most rookie starters of this class. DE Mykel Williams, LB Nick Martin, CB Upton Stout and DTs Alfred Collins and CJ West are all potential Week 1 starters.

Falcons: Pass rushers!? Plural!? OLB Jalon Walker should start immediately, with their other first-round edge, James Pearce Jr., rotating in. S Xavier Watts could also push for starting snaps next to Jessie Bates III in their secondary.

Tier 4: Keep an eye out

Saints: As Mike Sando pointed out, GM Mickey Loomis hadn’t made this many top-131 picks since their franchise-altering 2017 class. G Kelvin Banks Jr. and QB Tyler Shough could both start Week 1, while multiple others look like rotational players with starting potential. Strong class.

Panthers: First-rounder Tet McMillan vaults to the WR1 role, fourth-round S Lathan Ransom should start and their second and third picks — two outside linebackers — are likely eased in. Third-year QB Bryce Young is a winner of this class, as is DC Ejiro Evero.

Giants: Another savvy draft netted GM Joe Schoen high-ceiling talent — promising QB Jaxson Dart, underrated RB Cam Skattebo, developmental prospect DT Darius Alexander — and Abdul Carter, the best backup outside linebacker (for now) in the NFL. How the Giants manage the league’s strongest rotation of edge rushers, and how anyone stops them, is a storyline to watch come September.

What the bigwigs thought

I had dinner with Mike Sando and colleagues at the NFL combine this year. Big steak. Great time. While I focused on digesting a sirloin the size of my torso, Mike spotted a Bills coach, a Chiefs Super Bowl ring and a Cowboys executive.

He knows the league better than most, which makes Mike’s annual post-draft discussions with executives invaluable. Did the Browns get it right by trading the Travis Hunter pick and drafting Hunter’s former teammate Shedeur Sanders? The latter was answered by one high-ranking NFL official in yesterday’s look at the AFC:

“You like some of the pieces, but there is the glue that has never been there,” one exec said. “Most teams had Sanders rated as a second-round pick, but when you are building a team, you have to include the intangibles and the other stuff and decide whether you want it or not. For most teams at that stage, it was not worth it. So he falls a couple rounds, and it’s too hard for a team like the Browns to pass on him.”

Today, Mike explained during an NFC-focused discussion why execs gave high marks to the Giants and Bears. It included the following:

• “(The Giants) had conviction and confidence, and then they had the execution as well,” an exec said, “so you have to give them credit. They had a good draft. Whether it all comes together, who knows?”
• “I like what they have done, and I’ve been skeptical of the Bears in the past,” said an exec. “The tight end (Colston Loveland) is a really good player. The sleeper in the bunch is that (Ozzy) Trapilo kid in the second round. Eventually, I think he will be their right tackle.”

For more from the most knowledgeable members of the game, you can read Mike’s articles here:

Comeback: Stories you may have missed

Here are three from The Athletic that you might have missed.

I groaned when the Buccaneers drafted promising receiver Emeka Egbuka. “He’ll slot in behind three established veterans,” I thought. Film guru Ted Nguyen changed my thinking, explaining that Egbuka fits Tampa Bay’s offense to a tee. Then there’s Patriots WR Kyle Williams, a third-round speedster (see the above GIF) who fits perfectly as Drake Maye’s deep threat. Ted’s look at the 10 best scheme fits of this draft offers a valuable look beyond the headlines.

Kam Nedd / Jacksonville Jaguars

I enjoyed Michael Silver’s story from his time inside the Jacksonville draft room. From the Travis Hunter trade — see the celebration above — to how 34-year-old GM James Gladstone, former director of scouting strategy with the Rams, quantifies “Jaguars DNA,” Michael’s writing transforms you into a fly on the wall. In there, things move fast. “One of the best sports articles I’ve ever read, with insight into the draft room I’ve never seen before,” commented one reader.

In today’s episode of the “Scoop City” podcast, Dianna explains the asking price for George Kittle was a second-rounder — and at least one team was interested, though Dianna and Chase add that trade talk was probably a negotiating tactic. Sticking in the Bay Area, they also explain why Brock Purdy’s extension could be around $52.5 million a year. Chase thinks anything less is disrespectful. Watch that clip on YouTube.

Yesterday’s most-clicked: NFL fifth-year player options tracker.

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(Photo: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)

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