Travis Hunter, Ashton Jeanty headline list of five disappointing rookies

Many rookies expect their college successes to translate to the NFL immediately. Many soon find they're in for a healthy dose of reality. 

With that in mind, here are five rookies who have disappointed through the first seven weeks of the season: 

Jacksonville Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter 

In the 2025 draft, the Jaguars traded the No. 5 pick and three other selections to move up to No. 2 and take Hunter. After the blockbuster deal, Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said the two-way star could change "the trajectory of the sport." That has clearly been asking way too much of the former Colorado Buffaloes star. 

Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, has continued to play both ways in Jacksonville but has been far less impactful than in college. Through seven games, he has 28 receptions for 298 yards and one touchdown catch. On defense, the 22-year-old has logged 15 tackles and three passes defended.

Before the draft, CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso compared Hunter to Pro Football Hall of Fame CB Champ Bailey. The former Georgia star played CB/WR during his collegiate career but focused on defense in 15 seasons with the Washington Commanders and Denver Broncos.

Hunter could benefit from following a similar path. Per Pro Football Focus, 162 of his 488 snaps have been defensive, while 323 have been offensive. 

Las Vegas Raiders RB Ashton Jeanty

Jeanty rushed for 2,601 yards in 14 games during his final season at Boise State, the second most in a season in FBS history behind HOF RB Barry Sanders. The former Oklahoma State star ran for 2,628 yards in 11 games during the 1988 season.

Jeanty's pro career isn't off to the same spectacular start as Sanders'. Through seven games, the sixth pick of the 2025 draft is averaging a below-average four yards per carry (445 yards). Sanders averaged 5.3 yards per carry during his rookie season with the Detroit Lions in 1989, finishing with 1,470 yards in 15 games. 

The Raiders' offensive line hasn't been doing Jeanty many favors. Per Pro Football Reference, Vegas has the third-fewest yards before contact (246) in the league. YBC measures how many yards a ball-carrier gains before being hit by a defender. A lower YBC indicates an O-line isn't blocking effectively. 

In an April post in The Players' Tribune, Jeanty wrote he could have the same impact as Philadelphia Eagles RB Saquon Barkley, the 2024 Offensive Player of the Year. Even if he had a better O-line, it doesn't appear Jeanty is going to become a Barkley-esque player. 

Green Bay Packers WR Matthew Golden

Golden's numbers have paled in comparison to fellow rookie WRs, Emeka Egbuka (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and Tetairoa McMillan (Carolina Panthers). Golden has 249 receiving yards, while Egbuka has 527 and McMillan has 413. 

The Packers don't treat any of their WRs like a true No. 1. Golden (pick No. 23) has just 23 targets, the third most on the team. Green Bay head coach Matt LaFleur has indicated he's not planning on changing that.

Golden better start generating more explosive plays. PFF credits him with just 79 yards after the catch. That's surprising, considering he ran a 4.29 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.

Tennessee Titans QB Cam Ward

The Titans reportedly want No. 1 pick Ward to start taking more "layups." When he starts doing that, the former Miami star should be less turnover-prone. 

Through seven starts, Ward has tossed more interceptions (five) than TD passes (four). The 2024 Davey O'Brien Award winner — given to the top QB in college football — has also lost five fumbles. 

The Titans' dysfunction has only compounded Ward's issues. Following a Week 6 loss to the Raiders, Tennessee fired head coach Brian Callahan and replaced him with interim HC Mike McCoy. The 23-year-old passer must play cleaner for the rest of the season to attract a top head-coaching candidate, like Buffalo Bills offensive coordinator Joe Brady. 

Denver Broncos CB Jahdae Barron

At Texas pro day in March, Barron said, "I most definitely am CB1" in the draft. But that title could go to Arizona Cardinals CB Will Johnson (pick No. 47), who has five passes defended in seven games. 

Barron, the 2024 Thorpe Award winner as the best DB in college football, has just two passes defended in seven games. Plus, PFF has given him a below-average 50.4 coverage grade.

With the Broncos boasting one of the deepest secondaries in the league, Barron (pick No. 20) may continue to struggle for playing time. The unit features CB Patrick Surtain II, the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year.