If the AFC rookie class is deep, the NFC rookie class might have more star power at the very top.
Arizona running back Jeremiyah Love was one of college football's most explosive players. Dallas safety Caleb Downs was considered by some evaluators to be one of the best overall players in the draft. Washington landed freakishly athletic linebacker Sonny Styles, Tampa Bay found a potential pass-rushing steal in Rueben Bain Jr., and the Giants added one of the most physically gifted defenders available in Arvell Reese.
Here is Sportsvival's look at eight NFC rookies who could make the biggest impact in 2026.
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals
Drafted: Round 1, No. 3 overall, Notre Dame
Love was arguably the most explosive offensive player in the 2026 draft. Arizona made that belief obvious when it selected a running back third overall.
Love can run inside, explode around the edge and become a major weapon as a receiver. His first extended preseason action showed exactly why Arizona valued him so highly. Love carried 11 times for 58 yards and added three receptions for 14 yards against Las Vegas, ripping off several explosive runs after a slow start.
Unfortunately, Love suffered a high ankle sprain in that game and is expected to miss the rest of the preseason. Arizona remains hopeful he can return for the September 13 opener against the Chargers.
That injury changes our Week 1 percentage, but it does not change our opinion of the player. Tyler Allgeier will have a role, and Arizona could initially ease Love back into action, but healthy players drafted third overall at running back do not remain complementary pieces for long.
Love is Sportsvival's early favorite to eventually become the NFC's most dangerous rookie offensive player.
Arvell Reese, LB, New York Giants
Drafted: Round 1, No. 5 overall, Ohio State
Reese could become one of the centerpieces of the Giants' defensive rebuild.
The 6-foot-4, 240-plus-pound defender gives New York tremendous versatility. He can play off the ball, rush from the edge, blitz through interior gaps and use his athletic ability in coverage. During his final season at Ohio State, Reese recorded 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks while earning Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors.
The Giants have indicated all along that Reese is likely to start Week 1 next to Tremaine Edmunds. His preseason debut only increased the optimism, as Reese showed speed and aggression while playing 16 defensive snaps against Minnesota.
Reese may not post enormous sack numbers if New York primarily uses him off the ball, but his versatility gives him a chance to impact games in numerous ways.
Sonny Styles, LB, Washington Commanders
Drafted: Round 1, No. 7 overall, Ohio State
Reese was not the only freakishly talented Ohio State linebacker to land in the NFC East.
Washington selected Styles seventh overall, giving Dan Quinn a 6-foot-5, 244-pound defensive chess piece who ran a 4.46-second 40-yard dash and recorded a 43.5-inch vertical jump. Styles actually began his Ohio State career at safety before growing into a linebacker, and that background shows in his ability to move and cover.
Reports from Washington's camp have been extremely encouraging. Styles has brought a physical presence to the defense, and Quinn has actually encouraged the rookie to be even more aggressive. NFL.com's training camp report described the talent and scheme fit as ideal for a potentially sensational rookie season.
Styles has everything required to become a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
Jordyn Tyson, WR, New Orleans Saints
Drafted: Round 1, No. 8 overall, Arizona State
Talent has never really been the question with Tyson.
At 6-foot-2 and just over 200 pounds, Tyson possesses the quickness, separation ability, hands and yards-after-catch talent to eventually become a legitimate No. 1 NFL receiver. New Orleans selected him eighth overall to grow alongside young quarterback Tyler Shough.
The concern is durability. Tyson dealt with knee, collarbone and hamstring injuries during college and missed time in every collegiate season. The Saints were cautious with him through offseason workouts because of another hamstring issue, but he returned for the beginning of training camp and has gradually increased his workload.
If Tyson stays healthy, he and Chris Olave could eventually become one of the NFC's more interesting receiver combinations. The ability is absolutely there. Now Tyson has to prove he can stay on the field.
Caleb Downs, S, Dallas Cowboys
Drafted: Round 1, No. 11 overall, Ohio State
If Sportsvival had to select the safest defensive rookie in the NFC, Downs might be the answer.
Dallas landed one of the most accomplished defensive backs in recent college football history with the 11th pick. Downs started every game of his collegiate career between Alabama and Ohio State, became a two-time unanimous All-American for the Buckeyes and did not allow a passing touchdown during his final two college seasons.
He has received strong reviews since arriving in Dallas and fills one of the Cowboys' biggest defensive needs. NFL.com already considers him an immediate Week 1 starter and a central piece of the franchise's defensive reconstruction.
Downs can play deep, in the box, in the slot and around the line of scrimmage. He understands offensive concepts beyond his years and plays with the aggressiveness required to become a defensive leader.
Do not be shocked if people are talking about Downs as one of Dallas' best defensive players before his rookie season is over.
Rueben Bain Jr., EDGE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Drafted: Round 1, No. 15 overall, Miami
Bain falling to No. 15 could eventually become one of the stories people revisit when evaluating the 2026 draft.
There were concerns about his arm length, but there were very few concerns about what Bain actually did on a football field. He finished his final college season with an FBS-high 83 quarterback pressures and produced five sacks during Miami's four College Football Playoff games.
Tampa Bay desperately needed additional edge pressure, which made Bain an ideal fit. Coach Todd Bowles has also praised something beyond the physical ability, Bain's understanding of football and his ability to process concepts at a level unusual for a rookie.
That combination of strength, football intelligence and opportunity could make Bain one of the NFC's immediate-impact defenders.
Blake Miller, OT, Detroit Lions
Drafted: Round 1, No. 17 overall, Clemson
Miller does not play the type of position that produces highlights, but Detroit may have found its next long-term starter on the offensive line.
The Clemson product started all 54 games during his final four college seasons and finished his career with a school-record 3,778 offensive snaps. Detroit drafted that experience for a reason.
With Penei Sewell moving to left tackle, Miller has spent the summer competing for the right tackle job. That battle appears to be moving heavily in his direction, and recent evaluations of Detroit's offensive line increasingly treat Miller as the likely starter on the right side.
Playing beside one of the NFL's best offensive lines should also make Miller's transition easier. He does not have to become a star immediately. He simply needs to hold his own.
Makai Lemon, WR, Philadelphia Eagles
Drafted: Round 1, No. 20 overall, USC
The Eagles were aggressive in getting Lemon. Philadelphia traded up to No. 20, jumping directly in front of Pittsburgh, to secure the USC receiver.
The fit became even more interesting after Philadelphia moved A.J. Brown to New England. Lemon is not the same type of receiver as Brown, but he gives Jalen Hurts another polished target alongside DeVonta Smith. At USC, Lemon won the Biletnikoff Award after catching 79 passes for 1,156 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2025.
The problem has been availability. Lemon suffered a hamstring injury during camp and missed more than two weeks, including Philadelphia's preseason opener. He finally returned to practice on August 20, although he remained limited and did not participate in team drills.
That is why Sportsvival has lowered his Week 1 starting percentage. Long term, however, Lemon should have a significant role. Philadelphia did not trade up for him to sit on the bench.
Once healthy, he should receive plenty of opportunities in an offense where defenses must already account for Hurts, Saquon Barkley and DeVonta Smith.
Sportsvival's NFC Rookie to Watch
Before the injury, Jeremiyah Love would have been the easy answer.
Now it becomes a much closer race between Love and Caleb Downs.
Love still has the greatest offensive ceiling. A healthy version of him could produce 1,000 rushing yards, become a dangerous receiving weapon and put himself directly into Offensive Rookie of the Year consideration.
But Downs might be the safer choice.
Dallas should put him on the field immediately, move him throughout the secondary and allow his instincts to take over. He has the talent, experience and football intelligence to become much more than a good rookie. Caleb Downs could become one of the NFL's better safeties very quickly.
Either way, the NFC rookie class has some legitimate star potential.
If not for sports, how would we survive.