Last year, Ladd McConkey, Ray Davis and Tarheeb Still were a few of the AFC rookies picked after Day 1 who were key players on their respective teams right away.
In 2023, it was Tank Dell of the Texans, Keeanu Benton of the Steelers, and Colts receiver Josh Downs.
In 2022, Breece Hall and Dameon Pierce were AFC Day 2 picks who played like first-rounders in Year 1 in the NFL. The season before that, Creed Humphrey and Trey Smith went from somewhat obscure non-Day 1 picks to integral pieces of the Chiefs offensive line as rookies.
In 2020, Chiefs cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, Steelers receiver Chase Claypool and Patriots guard Michael Onwenu were AFC rookies who weren’t selected on Day 1 of the draft but sure as heck played like Day 1 selections during their debut season.
And you, NFL fan starved for football, know all about your favorite team’s first-round pick in the 2025 draft. Now it’s time to really get acclimated with the non-Round 1 selection who has the talent — and situation — to flourish as a rookie.
Earlier this week I ran through who these players can be this season for each NFC team. Below is the AFC edition.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Sanders is exactly the interior rusher that’s been missing next to Ed Oliver during the majority of the Sean McDermott era. In this day and age, teams need two disruptive forces on the interior. The Bills had utilized journeymen next to Oliver for years. Now they have an athletic, advanced defensive tackle the opposition will have to involve in the game plan right away.
At South Carolina, Sanders was routinely in the backfield — for years — thanks to first-step quicks, leverage, and aggressive hand work. He wins on first, second, and third down. I expect Sanders to be an integral part of Buffalo’s defensive line rotation in 2025 and beyond.
Miami Dolphins
Savaiinaea embodies…
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