Most players selected on the third day of the NFL draft (when Rounds 4 through 7 are held) are typically expected to contribute as reserves and/or special teamers in Year 1.
Last season, 11 of 157 Day 3 selections started eight or more contests, up one from the 2023 draft class but down from 16 in 2022. Linebacker Tyrice Knight (Round 4, Seahawks), guard Mason McCormick (Round 4, Steelers), cornerback Tarheeb Still (Round 5, Chargers) and tight end Ja'Tavion Sanders (Round 4, Panthers) were among those 11 after being listed here last May. Tanor Bortolini (Round 4, Colts), receiver Troy Franklin (Round 4, Broncos), corner Decamerion Richardson (Round 4, Raiders), Chau Smith-Wade (Round 5, Panthers) were other players I included in this article last year who contributed significantly during their first year.
A rookie's talent is certainly a factor in how often he sees the field at the next level, but injuries to veterans and positional-group depth often determine draftees' playing time. Here are 16 Day 3 picks from the 2025 NFL Draft who could get regular starts during their first season, ranked in order of the likelihood they will get the opportunity:
Drafted: Round 5, No. 149 overall
The Cowboys might begin the year with starting reps going to veteran backs Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders, but Blue should have a chance to be the guy for the Blue-and-Silver by midseason. The Texas product's home run-hitting ability as a runner and receiver makes it imperative that he's on the field.
Drafted: Round 5, No. 150
If Miami successfully moves seven-time Pro Bowler Jalen Ramsey, Marshall should become a key contributor. Before the 2024 season, I had a Day 2 grade on the Florida Gator, who ended up being available in Round 5 after missing time with a shoulder injury and showing average long speed. I expect him to play well as a rookie thanks to his aggression and ability to find the ball in coverage.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 115
Kyzir White's contract ran out and he remains unsigned, creating an opening in the Cardinals' linebacker corps. Simon can drop into coverage effectively and looks like he's shot out of a cannon when blitzing in the A-gap or coming off the edge. I suspect he'll be a factor on special teams and should be lining up with the 1s at some point in the season, if not for the opener.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 137
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah said during the draft that Farmer -- whom he ranked 77th overall in the class -- slipped because of concerns over durability and longevity. That said, I think he'll see the field as a rookie more often than some players selected earlier in this year's event. Putting him next to Christian Barmore up front will improve the Patriots' run defense and make opposing quarterbacks unload the ball more quickly than they would prefer.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 105
I put Skattebo with the Giants in my seven-round mock (six spots earlier than he was actually picked) because his power and short-area agility make him a tough guy to tackle. To me, he's the most explosive runner on the roster. He's also a threat as a receiver and will stay fresh if regularly rotating with Tyrone Tracy Jr. and Devin Singletary.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 120
With Nick Vannett no longer on the Titans roster, Helm and third-year pro Josh Whyle figure to fight for the 10 starts Vannett accumulated in 2024. Helm's receiving skills, coverage awareness and toughness after the catch should get him on the field with Chigoziem Okonkwo in 12 personnel early in the year and possibly make Helm a starter by mid-October.
Drafted: Round 5, No. 154
I think Mbow will compete for the starting right guard position in training camp; he played there in 2022 before shifting outside because of Purdue's line needs. I could see him also getting some reps at center this summer, adding more depth and flexibility behind third-year starter John Michael Schmitz.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 108
If the Raiders give Thornton a chance on the outside, he very well could join second-round pick Jack Bech in the starting lineup after the first month of the season. He'll need to show he can execute more than just a 9 route to be a starter, but the potential is there.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 113
The 49ers spent two picks in the first two rounds (Mykel Williams in the first and Alfred Collins the second) to bolster their thin D-line, and they continued the trend with West in Round 4. While Collins is a tall people-mover, West is a 6-foot-1, low center-of-gravity nose tackle with quick enough feet and hands to defeat blocks, making him a top-notch run defender.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 118
Dee Alford could lock down the Falcons' nickel spot, but don't count Bowman out in that competition. His quickness and physicality in the slot will make him effective in coverage, and he's not afraid to get after ball-carriers in the run game. Bowman didn't make a ton of plays in the backfield in college, but I suspect you'll see him attacking the line more often in the NFL.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 127
Left tackle Bernhard Raimann and right tackle Braden Smith missed time due to injuries last year. Travis has experience at both spots, is an intelligent player (played at Princeton before transferring to Iowa State) and very strong. His 35-inch arms make it tough for opponents to disengage once he's locked on.
Drafted: Round 5, No. 153
Eighth-year left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. missed the first regular-season games of his career in 2024 (broken leg). There's not much depth behind Brown and 2024 first-round pick Amarius Mims, who has had injury issues in college and as a rookie, so Rivers' four years of starting experience at Miami could be put to use in his rookie season.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 122
Demani Richardson played well enough as an undrafted rookie free agent last season to have the edge over Ransom for a starting job. That said, I won't dismiss the chance of Ransom, who played 57 games over five seasons at Ohio State, from winning the role in training camp. The Panthers also might need him to step in if either Richardson or free-agent acquisition Tre'von Moehrig miss time.
Drafted: Round 6, No. 183
Harris didn’t back down from the challenge of moving from the FCS (Idaho) to the FBS (California), immediately making the starting lineup for the Golden Bears. Any injuries or inconsistent play from Tennessee's starting cornerbacks could force coaches to put Harris' instincts, wiry strength and quickness on the field.
Drafted: Round 4, No. 123
Sawyer was excellent value in the fourth round, despite not being the twitchiest edge rusher in the draft. He may have been seen as a long-term acquisition with All-Pro T.J. Watt entering a contract year, but there's always a chance he sees more snaps than expected with Watt playing through injuries at times and Alex Highsmith missing six games in 2024 with a sprained ankle.
Drafted: Round 6, No. 207
Williams' inconsistency at tackle cost him draft position, but his power, size and length makes him a prime candidate to move inside like veteran tackle-turned-guard Mekhi Becton did last season for the Eagles. Tyler Steen may be ready to be the team's starting right guard and the newly acquired Kenyon Green also joins the group. I'll take a flyer on Williams getting a look if the rookie shows promise in camp and/or injuries surface.
