Three weeks into the NFL regular season, the Miami Dolphins' rookie class is on pace for the second-most snaps (6,845) played in the regular season over the past decade. Five of those players have already eclipsed 100 snaps played through three games: offensive guard Kadyn Proctor, linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, cornerback Chris Johnson, safety Michael Taaffe and wide receiver Chris Bell. Wide receiver Caleb Douglas has played 92 snaps despite missing more than a full game due to injury.
Dating back to 2016, seven teams have had a rookie class play at least 6,000 snaps over offense, defense and special teams during the regular season. How did those teams fare that season and beyond? Were those players contributors over the remainder of their respective careers?
The book on Cleveland's 2025 rookie class will not be written for a few more years, but the group contributed to just five victories. Linebacker Carson Schwesinger won Defensive Rookie of the Year, whereas tight end Harold Fannin Jr. and running back Quinshon Judkins were in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Defensive tackle Mason Graham has popped early in the 2026 season but was volatile during his rookie campaign.
Oh yeah, then there were quarterbacks Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. The group's overall impact has already been greater than that of the next time Cleveland representatives appear on this list. New York is the only team on this list with more than one first-round pick — they had three.
Quarterback Daniel Jones, cornerback DeAndre Baker and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence combined for 42.5% of the team's total rookie snap count. Those three players really symbolize the stages of success in a first-round pick's career. Second-round edge rusher Oshane Ximinez was sandwiched among those three players, but wide receiver Darius Slayton and safety Julian Love have had the most staying power in the NFL among the rest.
The Giants had four victories that season, but in fairness, the franchise has not reached double-digit wins since 2016. Several of the 19 rookies who played in San Francisco in 2017 had more than a ceremonial cup of coffee in the NFL. Tight end George Kittle continues to defy Father Time as an integral part of Kyle Shanahan's offense to this day.
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