The 2025 NFL Draft class has yielded a lot of surprising results through the first four weeks of the season. Players who were drafted high have lived up to expectations, while others who were selected with high draft capital have yet to make a big impact on their team.
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A couple of rookies who slid out of the first round have been trending upward, while others who landed in favorable situations have not made their presence felt. Let’s analyze five rookies who have had an unexpected start to their young NFL careers.
We’ll start with Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton. The former Colorado State wideout was drafted in the fifth round with the 166th overall pick.
While Horton’s target share has been limited, garnering 10 total targets through four games, he’s been a reliable red zone option for Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold, hauling in two touchdown receptions in back-to-back games against the Pittsburgh Steelers and New Orleans Saints. Horton nearly came down with a touchdown grab in a third straight outing against the Arizona Cardinals on a downfield target, while he’s also been assigned as Seattle’s primary punt returner.
Former Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo has quickly leapt into the New York Giants’ RB1 role just four weeks into his career. Drafted 105th overall in the fourth round, Skattebo already has two rushing touchdowns, including the team’s lone touchdown against a stout Kansas City run defense in Week 3.
In Week 4, Skattebo handled a season-high 25 carries. He’s recorded 211 scrimmage yards against the Chiefs and Chargers in consecutive outings.
Part of this workload is due to Tyrone Tracy Jr. suffering an injury. However, it’s unlikely Skattebo will relinquish his workhorse role once Tracy returns to full health, especially paired with fellow rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who just led the Giants to their first win in 2025 over the Chargers.
The Carolina Panthers may not be in contention to win the NFC South this season but their top-ten draft pick, Tetairoa McMillan, has returned value as the top target in the wide receiving corps. QB Bryce Young has targeted McMillan on 24.5 percent of his attempts, 10 percent more than other wideouts on the roster.
McMillan’s 6-5 frame and big-leap ability have not disappointed, although the rookie has yet to find the end zone. For critics who were skeptical of McMillan’s skill set to translate at the next level, the rookie has already proved them wrong. McMillan has logged at least three receptions in every matchup and gone over 60 receiving yards in three of four games.
Now, we’re getting to the surprising disappointments within the 2025 NFL Draft class. We’ll focus on Colston Loveland, who was drafted 10th overall by the Chicago Bears out of the University of Michigan.
Loveland suffered a hip injury against Dallas in Week 3, which kept him out during the team’s win over the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. While injuries are part of the game, Loveland’s inefficiency when given snaps has been surprising, considering how dominant he was in Michigan’s passing attack.
The rookie tight end has three total receptions for 43 yards on six targets in three games played prior to injury. The Bears will hope to get more out of their 10th overall draft pick once he’s recovered.
Lastly, we head to Pittsburgh to analyze rookie running back Kaleb Johnson. He was a workhorse for Iowa last season, so following Najee Harris’ departure to the Chargers, many expected Johnson to take over RB1 duties as the 2025 season progressed.
Instead, it’s been Kenneth Gainwell logging the most snaps at running back for the Steelers. Coming over from the Philadelphia Eagles, Gainwell has scored three rushing touchdowns in the past two games, while recording 19 carries and hauling in six receptions for 134 scrimmage yards against a top-10 Minnesota Vikings defense in Week 4.
Johnson had a big-time miscue against Seattle on special teams, leading to the Steelers’ only loss in 2025. Perhaps he’s being punished for the mistake. However, he earned a season-high six carries in the win against Minnesota, finishing with 22 rushing yards and failing to catch his lone target.
Pittsburgh used the 83rd overall draft pick to acquire Johnson this offseason. So far, it’s been all Gainwell and Jaylen Warren, with Johnson earning a paltry 6.7 percent snap share. Given the fact that Warren signed an extension before Week 1, plus Gainwell’s emergence, Johnson’s ability to earn touches is in jeopardy moving forward.
