Top 5 NFL Rookie Difference Makers of the 2025 NFL Draft
We experienced an exciting run in the 2025 NFL Draft, but which stars are best prepared to take over as rookies. While many will ride the bench and learn from veterans, Matt MacKay has a list of 5 potential stars to make an immediate impact. Check out these rookie difference makers ahead of the 2025 NFL season.
Matt MacKay
| 6 min
Top 5 NFL Rookie Difference Makers of the 2025 NFL Draft
The 2025 NFL Draft is complete. Now, it's time to assess and predict which rookies in this draft class will become difference makers for their respective teams.
NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is here to highlight five players selected in the First Round who were drafted to the perfect situation to utilize their skillset. Make sure to follow Matt's X account for more NFL content leading up to the start of the 2025 NFL season.
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2025 NFL ROOKIE DIFFERENCE MAKERS
1. CAM WARD (QB - TITANS)
Tennessee's latest attempt to find its franchise quarterback could be a massive success. Cam Ward played for multiple college football teams at various levels, ending his collegiate career with incredible passing production in 2024 with the University of Miami.
Ward's strong arm and pinpoint accuracy will be huge assets for a Titans offense that was among the worst in the league last season. He'll have to adjust to speed of the NFL but Tennessee has a head coach, Brian Callahan, with an offensive background, to help Ward settle into the scheme.
Ward will have veteran wideouts Calvin Ridley and Tyler Lockett to boost his production and development. Fourth-round rookie TE Gunnar Helm is a big upgrade at this position and a friendly target in the middle of the field.
Kevin Zeitler was brought over from Detroit to shore up the Titans' interior offensive line unit. Meanwhile, a pair of first-round tackles will flank either side of Ward.
Hall of Fame QB Warren Moon gifted Ward his jersey number already, indicating this rookie signal-caller could quickly become a difference-maker for the Titans in 2025 and beyond.
2. WILL CAMPBELL (OT - PATRIOTS)
New England's revamp started by bringing in Mike Vrabel as head coach. Adding LSU OT Will Campbell helps protect the Patriots' second-year QB, Drake Maye, who dealt with pressure constantly during his rookie season in 2024.
Campbell is a physical mauler who is good in pass protection and elite at run-blocking. He's already projected to be the Patriots' starting left tackle and will be featured alongside an improved offensive line unit including C Garrett Bradbury and RT Morgan Moses as new additions.
Campbell will also be run-blocking for second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson, who had an excellent career at Ohio State. New England's offense got a lot more sound up front and should be able to evolve into a more run-centric, pro-style scheme with Campbell leading the way at left tackle in 2025.
3. JALON WALKER (EDGE & LB - FALCONS)
Georgia LB Jalon Walker is a versatile piece added to soup up Atlanta's pedestrian pass rush from 2024. Walker has plenty of speed off the edge and is great in pursuit of the quarterback or ball carrier.
The Falcons lost some key pieces to its defensive front during free agency. Adding Walker to generate more pressure against opposing passing attacks addresses a massive need for Atlanta's defense heading into 2025.
Expect Walker to thrive under head coach Raheem Morris, who has a long and decorated history of being a defensive coordinator in the NFL. Georgia has been a factory for edge rushers and defensive linemen under head coach Kirby Smart, so it won't take long for Walker's presence to be felt in a Falcons uniform.
4. SHEMAR STEWART (EDGE - BENGALS)
Shemar Stewart was another excellent edge prospect that wound up in a perfect spot when the Cincinnati Bengals drafted him 17th overall. The Texas A&M defensive end measures 6-5, 267 pounds and offers plenty of explosiveness at the line of scrimmage.
Stewart didn't flood the stat sheet with sacks and TFLs during his tenure with the Aggies, which was a concern of many NFL front offices ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. His athleticism, with plenty of power and speed to leverage, still made Stewart an attractive prospect for a Bengals defense that may be playing without its two starting edge rushers in 2025.
Trey Hendrickson is dealing with an ongoing contract negotiation, while Sam Hubbard retired. Adding Stewart off the edge will help Cincinnati address its biggest need coming off of an overall poor defensive effort in 2024.
5. DONOVAN JACKSON (OG - VIKINGS)
One of the steals of the draft was made by the Minnesota Vikings at No. 24 with Ohio State OG Donovan Jackson. The Vikings have arguably had the best free agency signings, focusing on their offensive and defensive line units.
Jackson was a multi-year starter for the Buckeyes and spent time playing both guard and tackle. He's 6-4, 315 pounds and has great speed, agility and power to be an asset in run blocking and pass protection for Minnesota.
We watched Sam Darnold struggle with constant pressure in his face last season. Now, the Vikings appear to be ready for J.J. McCarthy to step into the QB1 role, following his preseason knee injury that sidelined him during his rookie season last year.
McCarthy needs to be protected, so Jackson was the latest addition to a massive offensive line overhaul in Minnesota. He's already penciled in to be a Day 1 starter between LT Christian Darrisaw and C Ryan Kelly, who the Vikings brought in during free agency from Indianapolis. Now, the entire interior of Minnesota's offensive line is upgraded.
Jackson's injury history may have led to him sliding to 24th. It's the perfect fit for him on one of the NFL's most explosive offenses, led by head coach and play-caller, Kevin O'Connell. Expect Jackson to be a force in the trenches for quite some time in Minnesota.
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