NFL 2025 rookie watch: Latest updates on Ashton Jeanty, Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, Shedeur Sanders and more

Some have got off to a fast start, impressing teammates, coaches, and fans, while others are still looking to make their mark as untimely injuries or the difficult adjustment to the pro game slow their progress.

DAZN News has the latest on how some of the NFL’s most talked-about rookies are performing so far.

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Cam Ward, quarterback, Tennessee Titans

Ward has carried the weight of expectation that comes with being the first overall pick in his stride, making a strong initial impression on the Titans' coaching staff .

The positive momentum continued into Tennessee's  preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , when the young quarterback completed 5-of-8 passes for 67 yards.

The chemistry he has forged with the Titans' top receiver, Calvin Ridley, was on full display, with the two connecting for gains of 10, 13, and 27 yards.

Ward's second preseason outing wasn't as successful, as he completed only 2-of-7 passes for 42 yards on three offensive series.

Despite the underwhelming performance, head coach Brian Callahan offered Ward words of support for his young quarterback.

"He's showing all the things that we need to see from an operations standpoint."

Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, quarterbacks, Cleveland Browns

Sanders has been one of the most talked-about fifth-round rookies in memory, owing to his infamous draft day slide and the connection to his Hall of Fame father, Deion .

The initial reports from training camps were mixed, but in recent weeks, the 23-year-old has been trending in the right direction.

His excellent performance for the Browns in their Week 1 preseason game definitely helped his cause.

However, Sanders was sidelined for the preseason Week 2 game vs. the Philadelphia Eagles with an oblique injury, and fellow rookie Dillon Gabriel - despite throwing an interception - played reasonably well in his absence .

Despite the intense media attention surrounding the Browns' quarterback battle, Gabriel remains locked in.

As fun as the competition between the two rookies has been, neither will start Cleveland's regular season opener against the Bengals. Veteran Joe Flacco was named the Week 1 starter by head coach Kevin Stefanski.

Ashton Jeanty, running back, Las Vegas Raiders

Jeanty has been turning heads all summer long, with one teammate even describing him as a "generational talent. " It's not in the least bit surprising considering his mouthwatering prospect profile .

His preseason debut against the Seattle Seahawks was one to forget, however, as he carried the ball three times and produced -1 yard rushing.

The 21-year-old made amends in the preseason Week 2 game against the San Francisco 49ers, as he rumbled for 33 yards and a touchdown on seven carries.

Jeanty is poised to become a star as the centerpiece of the new-look Raiders' offense.

TreVeyon Henderson, running back, New England Patriots

Henderson landed in a less-than-ideal situation when the Patriots made him the 38th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft . Offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels had a history of using a committee approach at the position, and it appeared Rhamondre Stevenson would remain the lead back.

But the rookie had other ideas, and  after an explosive performance in New England's preseason opener , the hype surrounding Henderson has reached new heights.

Here he is returning the opening kickoff for a 100-yard return touchdown.

Henderson followed with another impressive performance last weekend against the Minnesota Vikings, carrying the ball four times for 20 yards and a touchdown.

Travis Hunter, wide receiver/cornerback, Jacksonville Jaguars

Hunter's otherworldly two-way abilities and potential to change the way NFL teams view positions are not hyperbole. He's as talented as any wide receiver and cornerback in the 2025 rookie draft class .

The Jaguars have given Hunter the opportunity to practice for both the offense and defense, and  head coach Liam Coen says the youngster is "pretty unfazed" by the challenge .

"You see the type of guy that he is. He’s in here early, he stays late, and wants to work. He loves the game. The growth will continue," Coen told reporters during minicamp.

Like many of Jacksonville's starters, Hunter's snaps in their preseason Week 1 game against the Pittsburgh Steelers were limited, but the real takeaway was Hunter's usage.

The 22-year-old spent 11 snaps on offense as a wide receiver, and eight on defense as a slot cornerback , and that split role keeps the dream alive that he can become the very rare example of a player who can dominate on both sides of the ball.

Here's Hunter's assessment of his first game for the Jaguars.

Hunter missed the Jaguars' second preseason game with an upper-body injury. He has since returned to practice.

Tetairoa McMillan, wide receiver, Carolina Panthers

Panthers' quarterback Bryce Young said it was "music to my ears" when the Panthers made wide receiver McMillan the eighth overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft .

Young continued to praise McMillan throughout training camp, telling reporters that the 22-year-old "looks like exactly what the Panthers were looking for. "

McMillan’s preseason debut against the Cleveland Browns showed why he’s already the Panthers’ WR1, while also making clear there’s still room for him to develop.

The young wideout started well with two early catches for a combined 43 yards, but he also had two drops, including one for a surefire touchdown.

The youngster only played nine snaps in the Panthers' preseason Week 2 game against the Houston Texans, and did not catch either of his two targets.

McMillan has since been held out from practice with a sore hamstring. Head coach Dave Canales said the injury may prevent him from playing when Carolina faces the Steelers in preseason Week 3 .

Carson Schwesinger, linebacker, Cleveland Browns

Selecting two defensive players with the team's top two picks raised some eyebrows, but ever since Schwesinger arrived in Cleveland,  the reports have been overwhelmingly positive .

From head coach Kevin Stefanski to position coach Jason Tarver and several teammates in between, the compliments have touched on everything from Schwesinger's maturity and leadership to his toughness.

The hype surrounding the former UCLA standout became more intense following the Browns’ preseason opener, when he posted six tackles and earned the fifth-highest PFF defensive grade out of 189 linebackers who have taken the field this preseason.

The 22-year-old was one of several starters who didn't play in the Browns' preseason Week 2 game against the Eagles.

Based on everything we've seen from Schwesinger to this point, it would be a surprise if he didn't deliver on our prediction to make DAZN's All-Rookie team .

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