Top 15 NFL Rookies After Week 5: Jackson Hawes Still on Top

Five weeks into the 2025 NFL season, the rookies are really starting to show who’s built for Sundays. We’re looking at the top newcomers based on PFF grades, and to keep it fair, everyone listed has played at least 100 snaps. (Monday Night Football might shake things up a bit, but here’s how it stands right now!)

1. TE Jackson Hawes – Buffalo Bills (90.7)

Jackson Hawes continues to be a brick wall for Buffalo. Even though the Bills took an L against New England, the Georgia Tech rookie still balled out with an 82.6 overall PFF grade. His blocking numbers are wild — an 80.3 run-blocking grade, with top-five scores in both gap (84.3) and zone (76.2) schemes.

What’s even crazier? Zero pressures allowed in pass pro. Hawes is still the NFL’s highest-rated rookie overall heading into Week 6. He’s fourth in run-blocking among all tight ends (78.6), and his 81.4 grade in zone looks elite. Simply put — this kid is dominating the dirty work up front.

2. RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt – Washington Commanders (84.9)

Croskey-Merritt just went off. In Washington’s upset over the Chargers, he racked up 111 yards on 14 carries, with two TDs and six first downs. He’s averaging 5.3 yards a pop, with most of that coming after contact — 74 yards worth.

Right now, he’s sitting at the top of the PFF rushing grade leaderboard (90.1), and the only RB to crack the 90 mark this year. Even with limited touches, he’s top 20 in total rushing yards (283). Talk about making the most of your chances.

3. CB Will Johnson – Arizona Cardinals (84.5)

Welcome back, Will Johnson! After missing two games, he returned with a vengeance. Against Tennessee, he posted an 83.6 overall grade, leading all corners for the week. He allowed just two catches for eight yards, added a pass breakup on Calvin Ridley, and had a coverage stop late in the game.

He’s now the highest-graded corner in the NFL, period. Johnson’s 84.2 coverage grade ranks second overall, and his numbers in zone coverage (81.9 grade, 36% forced incompletion rate) are straight-up lockdown.

4. LB Jihaad Campbell – Philadelphia Eagles (83.8)

Even in Philly’s first loss of the season, Campbell held his own. He made nine tackles, three of them stops, and was all over the field with an 80.6 run-defense grade.

He’s currently the third-ranked linebacker in coverage (83.8), and among rookies, only one has a better run-defense grade. The Eagles might’ve lost, but Campbell’s stock keeps rising.

5. RB Cam Skattebo – New York Giants (81.3)

A bit of a rough outing for Skattebo this week — 61 rushing yards and a costly fumble that went back for six. Still, he caught all six of his targets for 45 yards and earned a 74.1 receiving grade.

Even after a dip, Skattebo remains third among rookie RBs with a 77.6 rushing grade. His 89.9 run-blocking score leads all backs, showing he’s doing more than just carrying the rock.

6. LB Carson Schwesinger – Cleveland Browns (80.9)

Schwesinger didn’t light up the stat sheet but kept things steady. He made five tackles, including stops in both run and pass defense, finishing with a 72.5 run-defense grade.

Through five weeks, he’s the 11th-highest-rated linebacker overall, with an 80.4 run-defense grade and a 72.8 coverage grade. He’s proving to be one of the Browns’ most reliable defenders.

7. S Jonas Sanker – New Orleans Saints (78.3)

Sanker was a quiet assassin against the Giants, allowing just nine yards on three catches and making a key stop early in the half. Over the past two weeks, he’s the fourth-best safety in both overall and coverage grades (around 81).

The Saints’ defense is full of stars, but Sanker’s quickly becoming one of their under-the-radar difference-makers.

8. RB Quinshon Judkins – Cleveland Browns (77.8)

Judkins finally hit the 100-yard mark — 110 on 23 carries — with most of it coming after contact (94 yards!). He’s now sitting ninth in the league in total rushing yards (347) and fourth in yards after contact.

He’s averaging a 76.2 PFF rushing grade on the year, plus he’s added some juice in the passing game (9 catches for 62 yards). A solid all-around effort from the young Brown.

9. S Xavier Watts – Atlanta Falcons (76.3)

Watts was on bye this week, but he’s still hanging around the top 10. His coverage and tackling numbers have been solid so far, so we’ll see where he lands after Week 6.

10. WR Emeka Egbuka – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (76.1)

Egbuka exploded against Seattle, hauling in 7-of-7 targets for 163 yards and a TD. That’s the eighth-most yards by a rookie in a single game in the past five years.

He’s got 25 catches for 445 yards, including nine grabs of 20+ yards. His 98.8 deep receiving grade is third in the league. This dude’s becoming a big-play magnet.

11. WR Tetairoa McMillan – Carolina Panthers (75.1)

McMillan had six catches for 73 yards versus Miami and moved the chains four times. He’s up to 24 grabs for 351 yards on the season, with nine explosive plays. His 94.7 receiving grade is nothing short of elite.

12. WR/CB Travis Hunter – Jacksonville Jaguars (74.2 on defense)

Hunter showed off both sides of his game on Monday Night Football. He broke up a pass to Travis Kelce on defense and snagged a 44-yard bomb on offense. He’s got 16 catches for 182 yards so far and has been locking things down on the other end, too — just seven catches allowed for 78 yards all season.

13. EDGE Abdul Carter – New York Giants (73.4)

Carter didn’t quite hit the same heights as Week 4, but still put up solid pressure with three hurries and two run stops. He leads all rookie edge rushers with an 82.4 pass-rush grade, a 19.4% win rate, and 22 total pressures. Not bad company.

14. T Armand Membou – New York Jets (73.2)

Membou had a strong day in pass protection against Dallas, giving up some hurries but staying mostly solid. Through five weeks, he’s at a 70.0 pass-blocking grade and 77.2 run-blocking grade. The Jets may have their right tackle of the future.

15. RB Omarion Hampton – Los Angeles Chargers (73.1)

Hampton was rolling before leaving with an ankle injury — 12 carries, 44 yards, and six catches for 26 yards. Over the past two weeks, he’s been on fire, posting an 82.1 overall grade and forcing 11 missed tackles.

If he’s healthy, the Chargers might have a serious weapon on their hands.

Wrap-Up

That’s where things stand after Week 5. Hawes is still the man to beat, Croskey-Merritt’s making noise, and Will Johnson’s comeback was huge. The rookie class of 2025 is looking like one of the strongest in years — and we’re only just getting started.

Betting Tip

If you’re looking at rookie prop bets, Hawes for anytime blocking efficiency (or unders on sacks allowed) feels like money. Croskey-Merritt’s rushing yards overs also look good with how hot he’s been lately.