2025 NFL Rookie Rankings: Top 5 DLs, EDGEs, LBs, CBs, SAFs

An early look at our staff's top defensive linemen, edge rushers, linebackers, cornerbacks, and safeties in the 2025 rookie class.

Footballguys Staff's 2025 NFL Rookie Rankings: Top 5 DLs, EDGEs, LBs, CBs, SAFs Footballguys Staff Published 01/16/2025

© Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

RELATED: See our staff's top five players at the offensive skill positions.

Recently, we asked the Footballguys staff for their top rookies at each position. Over the next several weeks, we'll get deeper into the 2025 draft class and release our massive 2025 Footballguys Rookie Guide (for offense) after the Super Bowl. For now, here's a quick look at how our staff sees the top of each IDP position.

Remember that it is early in the process. Showcase events like the Senior Bowl and Shrine Bowl will allow us to better compare these players, and the NFL Combine will add even more clarity.

Key

  • Rank: the player's rank at the position
  • Pts: the number of points the player gained in the voting; the max changes based on how many staff members participated and how deep the voting was, but bigger numbers are always better
  • Firsts: the number of first-place votes the player received from a staff member

2025 Rookie Defensive Linemen

RankDefensive LinemenSchoolPtsFirsts
1Mason GrahamMichigan303
2Kenneth GrantMichigan260
3Tyleik WilliamsOhio State240
4Walter NolenOle Miss160
5T.J. SandersSouth Carolina140

2025 Rookie Edge Rushers

RankEdge RushersSchoolPtsFirsts
1Abdul CarterPenn State303
2James Pearce Jr..Tennessee270
3Mykel WilliamsGeorgia230
4Nic ScourtonTexas A&M180
5Jack SawyerOhio State170
Already a subscriber?

Continue reading this content with a 100% FREE Insider account.

By signing up and providing us with your email address, you're agreeing to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and to receive emails from Tennessee.
Photos provided by Imagn Images
Share This Article

Featured Articles

 

Barkley's Workload, Hurts' Ceiling, and Even More Gibbs? The Fantasy Notebook 

Bob Harris

Bob Harris brings you a big-picture look at fantasy-specific news and notes from around the NFL with the Fantasy Notebook.

07/19/25 Read More
 
 
 
 

More by Footballguys Staff

 

Barkley's Workload, Hurts' Ceiling, and Even More Gibbs? The Fantasy Notebook 

Bob Harris

Bob Harris brings you a big-picture look at fantasy-specific news and notes from around the NFL with the Fantasy Notebook.

07/19/25 Read More
 

Sleepers to Monitor: The Gut Check No. 649

Matt Waldman

Sleepers are the foundation of a winning endgame. Matt Waldman profiles five to monitor this summer.

07/18/25 Read More
 

12 Fantasy Football ADPs That Don't Make Sense

Sigmund Bloom

Sigmund Bloom tells you why the average draft position of 12 players is irrational and how to take advantage.

07/17/25 Read More
 

Taking a Schottenheimer on Old-School Offense

Jason Wood

Jason Wood takes a look at how Brian Schottenheimer's offense likely dampens the passing outlook.

07/18/25 Read More
 

Caleb Williams: The Hero's Journey

Jeff Bell

Jeff Bell highlights Caleb Williams' path on the hero's journey.

07/18/25 Read More
 

Quarterback Rankings and Tiers: One Staffer's Opinion

Dave Kluge

Quarterback rankings provided by Dave Kluge, with explanations on where and why he strays from consensus opinions.

07/15/25 Read More