Top 10 NFL rookies from preseason Week 3

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• Safety Keyon Martin’s pick-six propels him to No. 1: The Ravens undrafted free agent intercepted Sam Hartman and returned it 22 yards for a score, the highlight of his impressive effort overall.

• Another Eagles edge rusher is flashing: Antwaun Powell-Ryland, a sixth-round pick, earned the second-highest PFF pass-rush grade among edge defenders this past weekend (94.0).

Estimated Reading Time: 8 minutes

We’re diving into the top rookies by PFF overall grade from Week 3 of the 2025 NFL preseason. To qualify, players needed to log at least 25 snaps.

1. CB Keyon Martin, Baltimore Ravens (94.2)

Martin picked off Washington quarterback Sam Hartman in Saturday’s finale, returning it 22 yards for a touchdown to give the Ravens a 20-point lead near halftime. He only allowed one catch on the day for -2 yards and finished with a 93.8 PFF coverage grade, the best mark among all cornerbacks in preseason Week 3.

Martin concluded the preseason with a 90.0 PFF overall grade (third among cornerbacks). He ranked in the top 10 at the position in PFF run-defense (81.5) and PFF coverage (90.5) grades, too, thanks to three tackles and two stops across 36 run snaps and four catches allowed across nine targets for 30 total yards.

Along with his pick-six, Martin also broke up a pass and recorded four coverage stops against the Commanders. He surrendered only a 13.4 NFL passer rating when targeted, fourth best among rookie cornerbacks.

2. LB Marlowe Wax, Los Angeles Chargers (93.7)

Wax made an impact at every level against the 49ers in his strongest preseason game yet after owning a 58.1 PFF overall grade coming into the game. As a run defender, he recorded two tackles, two assists and two stops across 24 snaps, earning a 78.6 PFF run-defense grade.

The undrafted free agent allowed only one catch to be caught for one yard. He also broke up another pass, finishing with a 73.5 PFF coverage grade. As a pass rusher, he recorded a sack and a quarterback hit in five rushes, earning a 96.5 PFF pass-rush grade and generating a 20.0%-win rate.

Wax played 158 snaps this preseason. He generated five pressures, including two sacks, and made five run stops. In coverage, he broke up a pass and recorded a coverage stop. He allowed 12 catches on 14 targets for 96 yards and three first downs.

3. EDGE Antwaun Powell-Ryland, Philadelphia Eagles (93.6)

Powell-Ryland earned the second-highest PFF pass-rush grade among edge defenders this past weekend (94.0), posting a sack and a 33.3% win rate against the Jets across 11 rushes.

The sixth-round pick from Virginia Tech played 64 defensive snaps this preseason, earning a 90.2 PFF overall grade (tied for fourth among edge defenders). He ranked third at the position with a 90.8 PFF pass-rush grade, recording two pressures on 39 snaps and notching a 21.4% win rate on true pass sets. 

4. S Malachi Moore, New York Jets (92.1)

Moore was able to track down an overthrown pass from Kyle McCord for an interception late in the first quarter and ended his preseason Week 3 outing with an 89.7 PFF coverage grade (third among safeties). He also finished as a top-five run defender at the position (79.7), recording five tackles, an assist and two stops.

The fourth-round pick from Alabama graded as the sixth-best safety this preseason (84.2), standing out in run defense (82.3). Moore played only 31 run snaps, placing him in the bottom half among qualifying safeties, but recorded seven tackles (tied for third most) and three stops for a 10% stop rate — the top mark among rookie safeties. Moore also ranked eighth in PFF coverage grade (78.4) after recording a coverage stop in addition to his interception and allowing just one catch for three yards.

5. WR Tez Johnson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (91.6) 

The former Oregon Duck did not play in Week 1 of the preseason, but he racked up 68 offensive snaps over the Buccaneers’ last two games. He had his strongest showing against Buffalo, leading the position with a 91.6 PFF overall grade. Johnson was targeted eight times and caught each one for 58 yards. He took a slide route for 16 yards to close out the first quarter and gained separation for a one-yard touchdown catch late in the second. Johnson forced two missed tackles, gained five first downs and finished with a 136.8 passer rating when targeted. Six of his catches came from short targets against zone coverage.

Johnson finished as the sixth-best rookie receiver this preseason (80.4), securing 12 of 15 targets for 82 yards and a touchdown. He ranked in the top 10 in first-down gains, moving the chains seven times. He was targeted nine times in the short area of the field, catching eight passes for 49 yards and five first downs — and earning a 92.6 PFF receiving grade (third among rookies).

6. DI J.R. Singleton, Seattle Seahawks (91.0)

Singleton was able to knock the ball from Israel Abanikanda’s arms in preseason Week 3, leading to a five-yard loss late in the first quarter. He also recorded three run stops, finishing the day with a 91.9 PFF run-defense grade (first among interior linemen). He fought through two offensive linemen for a sack and recorded two hurries, culminating in a 15.0% pass-rush win rate for the afternoon.

Singleton tied as the fourth-best interior lineman in the preseason, earning an 86.8 PFF overall grade. He totaled four run stops overall and was one of two interior linemen to force a fumble, leading to an 84.9 PFF run-defense grade (second best).

7. LB Ale Kaho, Washington Commanders (90.8)

Kaho was tough in coverage, allowing six total yards across four catches while adding five tackles and four coverage stops across 17 coverage snaps. He held quarterbacks to a 79.2 NFL passer rating and finished the weekend as the best linebacker in coverage (91.3). Kaho also forced a fumble in run defense early in the third quarter against the Ravens.

He recorded an 82.7 PFF overall grade this preseason, fifth best among rookie linebackers. The undrafted free agent ranked in the top 10 among rookies both as a run defender (77.0) and in coverage (74.8). In addition to his forced fumble against Baltimore, Kaho recorded six tackles, two assists and a run stop across 38 run snaps. He was targeted eight times on 41 coverage snaps, holding receivers to 16 total yards across six catches, with his longest allowed completion gaining six yards. Kaho also added 6 tackles in coverage with five stops.

8. WR Coleman Owen, Indianapolis Colts (90.6)

Owen was perfect in Week 3, catching all five of his targets for 60 yards and a touchdown. He gained separation between two defenders for a 25-yard catch on third-and-7 midway through the third quarter. His touchdown catch came on another third-and-7 play later in the same period. Owen moved the chains four times and finished with a 156.3 passer rating when targeted.

The undrafted free agent secured 13 of 14 targets for 124 yards this preseason, earning a 79.9 PFF overall grade. He forced two missed tackles, gained seven total first downs and caught each of his seven zone targets for 62 yards. His 79.2 single-coverage PFF receiving grade ranked 10th among rookie receivers.

9. WR Jamaal Pritchett, New York Jets (88.9)

Pritchett caught four passes against the Eagles for 54 yards, with his longest grab gaining 25 yards. He forced three missed tackles, recorded three first downs and averaged 6.5 yards after the catch per reception. Three of his catches came from short-area targets, on which he earned a 90.9 PFF receiving grade. His 25-yard gain stemmed from an intermediate target where he was able to evade two defenders for additional yards.

Pritchett was targeted 15 times in the preseason, catching seven passes for 70 yards. Most of his yards came against Philadelphia, as he entered the game with just 16 total receiving yards. Overall, Pritchett finished with a 71.9 PFF receiving grade. He was solid against zone coverage, where he secured four of five targets for 41 yards and two first downs.

10. WR Tru Edwards, Los Angeles Rams (87.8)

Edwards was targeted twice against Cleveland, securing one catch in spectacular fashion. The play came on a fourth-and-1 late in the fourth quarter with the Rams on Cleveland’s 41-yard line and down by six. Edwards ran a back-shoulder route and was able to adjust and secure the bobbling pass, which was initially deflected, as he fell out of bounds. He kept his feet in bounds for a 25-yard pickup, moving the Rams into the red zone.

The undrafted free agent from Louisiana Tech earned an 82.3 PFF overall grade in two games played, ranking 10th among all receivers. He caught four of six targets for 57 yards and a touchdown. He secured two of three single-coverage targets for 30 yards and two first downs, earning a 90.1 PFF receiving grade against man coverage. 

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