The 2025 NFL preseason is finally underway, which means that many fans are getting their first real looks at their favorite teams’ newest rookies.
It’s important not to overreact to how rookies have performed during the summer, but those who thrive in training camps, joint practices, scrimmages and preseason games often go on to do so in the regular season. And while that’s the expectation for highly drafted rookies, mid-to-late-round draft picks can become stars too.
Here, we’ll look at nine rookies selected in Round 3 or later who already look like draft-day steals based on offseason buzz, camp and/or preseason performances and projected roles.