Ranking the 2025 NFL season's top five rookie classes: Browns, Seahawks hit it big

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NFL players develop at different paces, but some hit the ground running right away. And sometimes , a team will score multiple instant-impact prospects at once, providing an infusion of talent that can fuel a worst-to-first renewal or serious jump into Super Bowl contention.

Before the race to Super Bowl LX takes center stage, I wanted to assess the progress of each team’s rookie class, including drafted and undrafted players, to identify the five most impactful groups — including several that will continue to shape the playoff field.

Below, presented in reverse order, are the five most impactful rookie classes of the 2025 NFL season:

The Seahawks made a major leap in 2025, joining the upper echelon of the NFC after a 10-win 2024. Credit is due general manager John Schneider for handing coach Mike Macdonald a championship-caliber roster — and while we can’t discount what the Seahawks’ veterans have done to help accelerate the development of the team’s homegrown talent, the 2025 rookie class has definitely made an immediate impact. Guard         Grey Zabel         (drafted in Round 1, No. 18 overall) has solidified the front line as a Day 1 starter with a veteran’s poise. As a small-school standout, the 6-foot-6, 316-pounder out of North Dakota State quickly adapted to the pro game without appearing overwhelmed by the jump in competition. Tight end         Elijah Arroyo         (Round 2, No. 50 overall) and receiver         Tory Horton         (Round 5, No. 166 overall) made contributions as complementary playmakers around         Jaxon Smith-Njigba         . Their numbers do not jump off the stat sheet, and both players were sidetracked by trips to injured reserve, with Horton (shin/groin) missing the past eight games and Arroyo (knee) missing the past three. But while on the field, the rookie tandem rounded out a passing game that needed more athleticism and explosiveness on the perimeter.

Safety         Nick Emmanwori         (Round 2, No. 35 overall) looks like a future All-Pro playing in a role that helped Kam Chancellor become a legend with the “Legion of Boom.” By utilizing him as the designated playmaker near the box, Macdonald has tapped into Emmanwori’s superpowers as a super-sized defender with a nose for the ball. Seattle’s defense is suffocating opponents, ranking second in points allowed, sixth in yards allowed and second in EPA per play. With No. 3 continuing to be an important piece, the rapid development of a rookie class that is sparking a competitive championship chase should only be further recognized and appreciated.

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