Each NFL season brings a fresh crop of rookies eager to make their mark. While some take time to adjust to the speed and complexity of the professional game, others step onto the field ready to contribute immediately. These early-impact players often find themselves in the right situation—whether it’s an open depth chart, strong chemistry with their quarterback, or a system tailored to their skillset.

 

 

In this article, we’ll highlight five rookies who are poised to succeed right away in 2025. From wide receivers ready to claim starting roles to tight ends stepping into long-term jobs, these players have the talent and opportunity to make an immediate impact for their teams.

 

Tre Harris

(Wide Receiver, Chargers)

 

Tre Harris enters the NFL after a productive career at Ole Miss, where he showcased a strong combination of size, strength, and dependable hands. Standing at 6’2” with a physical playing style, Harris is known for winning jump balls, working the sidelines, and coming down with contested catches. He brings an edge to the position and consistently plays with toughness and confidence.

 

The Chargers’ wide receiver room is still taking shape, and Harris has a real chance to climb the depth chart quickly. Second-year receiver Ladd McConkey is expected to handle a high-volume role, especially in the slot, but the outside spots remain up for grabs.

 

If Harris makes a strong impression in camp, he could very realistically emerge as the team’s WR2. There isn’t much proven competition in front of him, and his physical tools and polished game give him a real shot at early playing time.

 

The best part is Harris has the tools to take full advantage of any opportunity. He’s a physical receiver who doesn’t shy away from contact and has a knack for making tough grabs in tight coverage. His ability to win on the outside, track deep balls, and battle at the catch point gives him a clear edge.

 

If he shows consistency and earns the trust of the coaching staff, he could carve out a major role early in the year. With Justin Herbert under center, Harris won’t need a ton of targets to make a real impact, just the chance to be on the field.

 

Mason Taylor

(Tight End, Jets)

 

Mason Taylor, the former LSU standout and son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, enters the NFL with elite bloodlines, SEC experience, and a real shot to make an early impact.

 

 

At LSU, Taylor was a consistent target in big moments and showed strong hands, good footwork, and the ability to stretch the field. He also displayed versatility, lining up both inline and in the slot, giving him the kind of flexibility coaches love at the next level.

 

Taylor is already listed as TE1 on ESPN’s depth chart for the Jets, which speaks volumes about the team’s belief in his ability to contribute right away. With New York lacking a clear long-term answer at the position over the past few seasons, Taylor is stepping into a prime opportunity to change that.

 

He’s now paired with newly signed quarterback Justin Fields, whose mobility and improvisational style could create extra chances for Taylor to make plays underneath and down the seam.

 

A major bonus for Taylor is the precedent set by Cole Kmet, who had his best statistical seasons catching passes from Fields in Chicago. Kmet’s growth as a tight end in Fields’ offense shows that Taylor is in a great spot to develop quickly and thrive in a similar role.

 

With Taylor’s strong hands, route-running, and football IQ, combined with Fields’ ability to extend plays and find targets in tight windows, the Jets may have found their long-term solution at tight end.

 

What stands out most is how naturally Taylor fits into this offense. His football IQ, willingness to block, and ability to find soft spots in coverage make him a valuable all-around option. If he can stay healthy and continue to develop, it’s not just about starting in Year one, Taylor has the tools and opportunity to be the Jets’ long-term solution at tight end. He’s in the right situation at the right time to turn early reps into a lasting role.

 

Xavier Restrepo

(Wide Receiver, Titans)

 

Xavier Restrepo went undrafted out of the University of Miami, largely due to a slower 4.6-second 40-yard dash at the combine that raised questions about his speed. But on tape, Restrepo proved himself to be a tough, reliable receiver with excellent route-running, strong hands, and the ability to find soft spots in zone coverage. He was one of the most productive receivers in the ACC, consistently moving the chains and making key catches in clutch moments.

 

 

Now with the Tennessee Titans, Restrepo reunites with quarterback Cam Ward, who was his teammate at Miami. Their connection has already caught attention, reports out of Training Camp suggest that the chemistry they built in college has carried over seamlessly. This preexisting familiarity gives Restrepo a clear edge, allowing him to operate with confidence and speed within the offense.

 

The Titans’ receiving corps features several well-known names, but there’s still room for Restrepo to carve out a meaningful role, especially as a slot receiver who can make tough catches across the middle and create separation with his savvy route-running.

 

His familiarity with Ward should help him get open quickly and gain the trust needed to see targets early. If he continues to build on this connection, Restrepo could become a reliable weapon in Tennessee’s offense much sooner than many expect.

 

Terrance Ferguson

(Tight End, Rams)

 

Terrance Ferguson didn’t have a flashy stat line at Oregon, but the 6’5” tight end consistently flashed NFL traits — especially in his senior year where he averaged 13.7 yards per reception. He’s got excellent length, good footwork, and knows how to separate against linebackers. Though his run-blocking needs polish, his pass-catching upside is hard to ignore.

 

The Rams love tight ends that can move, and Sean McVay has a track record of developing them into stars. Ferguson lands in a prime situation to succeed: he’ll learn behind veteran Tyler Higbee, and he’ll benefit from McVay’s creative play calling that’s known for utilizing motion and tight end mismatches.

 

Ferguson already drew major praise from McVay, who compared his movement and body control to none other than Travis Kelce — a massive compliment. If Ferguson shines in training camp and earns situational snaps early in the year, he could turn into a major contributor by season’s end, especially in two-tight end sets or in red-zone packages.

 

 

Jayden Higgins 

(Wide Receiver, Texans)

 

Jayden Higgins was the first player selected by the Houston Texans in this year’s draft after they traded out of the first round, and he could be one of the biggest steals. After transferring to Iowa State, Higgins led the team in touchdowns and consistently won on contested catches. At 6’4” and nearly 210 pounds, Higgins has a strong frame, a massive catch radius, and the physicality to bully defensive backs in one-on-one matchups.

 

The Texans' WR room is talented but fragile; Tank Dell is recovering from a broken leg, Christian Kirk missed time late in the season, and Nico Collins has battled injuries in multiple seasons. ESPN currently lists Higgins as WR4 on the depth chart, but that number doesn’t tell the full story.

 

In an offense run by C.J. Stroud, who thrives on trust and timing with his receivers, Higgins could climb the ladder quickly. He’s already getting reps with the first team in minicamp and could make an early impact on the outside or in the red zone. If even one receiver ahead of him goes down, Higgins will be ready to step up and deliver, with WR2 upside as a rookie.