Tim Twentyman

Washington quarterback Jayden Daniels made an immediate impact in his first season leading the Commanders' offense, a fact Detroit Lions fans know all too well as Daniels and the Commanders eliminated the Lions from the playoffs last season. Daniels was the Offensive Rookie of the Year while Los Angeles Rams edge rusher Jared Verse was the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Detroit saw both players as rookies and will see both again in the regular season this year.

There were a number of rookies who made a significant impact for their teams last season. Who will emerge as the top rookies in the NFL this year?

Here's a look at some of the top rookies the Lions will face in 2025:

1. Giants EDGE Abdul Carter

Drafted:No. 3 overall

Carter bio:After making the transition from an off-ball linebacker to an edge rusher, Carter ranked No. 1 in the FBS in tackles for loss (23.5), No. 2 in pressures (66) and No. 7 in sacks (12.5) last season.

How it affects Lions:Detroit has one of the most consistent tackle tandems in the NFL inPenei SewellandTaylor Decker. The Lions ranked in the top 10 in the league in sacks allowed (33) in 2024. Detroit won't see Carter until Week 12 and by then he'll have plenty of reps under his belt and will have settled into his rookie season. Can he be a double-digit sacker as a rookie?

When Lions face him:Week 12, Nov. 23 at home

2. Browns DT Mason Graham

Drafted:No. 5 overall

Graham bio:The former high school champion wrestler plays with terrific pad level, leverage and strength. He was a consensus All-American last year after recording 45 tackles, 3.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss.

How it affects Lions:A matchup with Graham and a talented Browns defensive front should significantly test how much the Lions will miss center Frank Ragnow.

When Lions face him:Week 4, Sept. 28 at home

3. Bears TE Colston Loveland

Drafted:No. 10 overall

Loveland bio:A three-year starter at Michigan, Loveland was a versatile tight end lining up primarily in the slot (47.6 percent of the time) and inline (32.5 percent). He caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns in 10 games played for the Wolverines last season.

How it affects Lions:The Lions allowed the third fewest receptions (68) and third fewest yards (665) from opposing tight ends last season. Detroit has a nice collection of cover linebackers and safeties they can deploy against the position. Detroit only allowed three touchdowns to tight ends all of last season. Loveland joins a Bears skill group that should be very dangerous in 2025 under the leadership of new head coach and former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson.

When Lions face him:Week 2, Sept. 14 at home & Week 18, TBD in Chicago

4. Cowboys G Tyler Booker

Drafted:No. 12 overall

Booker bio:A two-year starter at Alabama, Booker primarily lined up at left guard in Alabama's run-heavy, RPO-based scheme but has been taking reps at right guard with Dallas' first-team offense this offseason. He started 27 of his last 28 games at Alabama and allowed two sacks total the last three seasons.

How it affects Lions:Detroit will see the Cowboys come to town later in the year in December, and by then they should have back stout defensive tackleAlim McNeill, who could miss the start of the season rehabbing a torn ACL. Lions first-round pick Tyleik Williams will also have 13 games under his belt. How will Booker stand up against that duo inside for Detroit?

When Lions face him:Week 14, Dec. 4 at home

5. Bengals EDGE Shemar Stewart

Drafted:No. 17 overall

Stewart bio:He never had more than 1.5 sacks in any of his three seasons in Texas A&M, but he led the Aggies in pressures (39) in 2024.

How it affects Lions:Stewart has a rare combination of athletic traits and motor that could make him a really productive edge rusher in the NFL despite the lack of sack production in college.

When Lions face him:Week 5, Oct. 5 in Cincinnati

6. Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka

Drafted:No. 19 overall

Egbuka bio:A three-year starter at Ohio State, Egbuka worked primarily out of the slot and finished his career with the most receptions (205) in Ohio State history and second in receiving yards (2,868 30 yards behind Michael Jenkins).

How it affects Lions:The Lions expect their secondary to be one of the strengths of their football team in 2025 led by the best safety duo in the NFL in Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch. Detroit has veteran cornerbacks in D.J. Reed and Amik Robertson (nickel). Terrion Arnold is expected to take a big leap in his second season. Robertson vs. Egbuka should be a great matchup right before Detroit's bye week.

When Lions face him:Week 7, Oct. 20 at home

7. Steelers DT Derrick Harmon

Drafted:No. 21 overall

Harmon bio:Harmon had a breakout season in 2024 after transferring from Michigan State to Oregon. He led all FBS interior defensive linemen with 55 pressures, which were 12 more than the next-closest interior defender. He also notched 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.0 sacks last season.

How it affects Lions:Detroit faces Harmon their last home game of the season and the only home game among the last four contests of the regular season. Playing alongside an All-Pro player like Steelers edge rusher T.J. Watt should positively impact an interior player like Harmon. He'll get a number of sacks by quarterbacks stepping up and into his grasp trying to avoid Watt. Detroit's pass protection will certainly be tested in this late-season matchup.

When Lions face him:Week 16, Dec. 21 at home

8. Packers WR Matthew Golden

Drafted:No. 23 overall

Golden bio:Golden is the speedy deep threat the Packers' offense has been missing. He ran a 4.29 in the 40 at the Combine and averaged at least 20.0 yards per catch in 10-of-16 games for the Longhorns in 2024. He's also a dangerous returner on special teams.

How it affects Lions:The Packers had a Top 5 rushing attack and Top 5 overall defense last year but were just middle of the road as a passing offense. If that part of their offense can be more consistent and more dangerous down the field, the Packers can be a much better football team overall in 2025.

When Lions face him:Week 1, Sept. 7 in Green Bay & Week 13, Nov. 27 at home

9. Ravens S Malaki Starks

Drafted:No. 27 overall

Starks bio:A three-year starter at Georgia, Starks was a do-everything safety who started the last 42 games he played for the Bulldogs' defense. He had six interceptions and defended 23 passes in three seasons at Georgia.

How it affects Lions:The Lions love to attack teams vertically with speedsterJameson Williams, and they'll no-doubt test the rookie Starks a few times in this early-season matchup in primetime. Williams had five receptions of 50-plus yards last season.

When Lions face him:Week 3, Sept. 22 in Baltimore

10. Commanders T Josh Conerly Jr.

Drafted:No. 29 overall

Conerly bio:A two-year starter at left tackle at Oregon, Conerly allowed just one sack and six total pressures over his final 12 starts.

How it affects Lions:Veteran pass rushers likeAidan Hutchinson, Marcus Davenport and Derrick Barnes start salivating a bit when they know they get to face a rookie tackle. Detroit will be looking for payback in this midseason matchup and will need to pressure Daniels better than they did in the playoffs if they want to defeat Washington this time around.

When Lions face him:Week 10, Nov. 9 in Washington