With the NFL season about to kick off, fans everywhere are buzzing with anticipation.

We’re eager to see how our favorite teams start the year and whether hyped rookies like Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, or Ashton Jeanty live up to expectations. With that in mind, it feels like the perfect time to look back at some of the most jaw-dropping rookie debuts in NFL history.

These performances are ranked in backwards order, counting down from 15.

Honorable Mention: Reggie White (1985)

Some may not know or remember this, but the Minister of Defense didn’t begin his pro career in the NFL.

Instead, he chose to take his talents to the USFL after leaving college in 1984, suiting up for the Memphis Showboats. However, the league would fold in September of 1985, leaving White without a team. So, he came to the NFL, joining the Philadelphia Eagles three games into the 1985 season.

He made his NFL debut in a week 4 matchup against Philly’s rival, the New York Giants. In the game, White was a force on the D-Line, wreaking havoc and clogging running lanes, but most importantly he notched a dominant performance accounting for 2.5 sacks with 10 tackles in his debut.

You may not recognize him right away if you watch the game as he’s wearing #91 instead of his iconic #92 jersey, but this was because another player on the team, Smiley Creswell, had claimed the number prior to White’s arrival.

Lucky for White, Creswell only lasted one season in Philadelphia, so Reggie was able to reclaim his rightful number over the course of his illustrious, Hall of Fame career.

15. Devin Hester (2006)

This selection may be a little controversial since Hester was a return specialist, but that’s also what I think makes his debut so impressive.  Although he was technically drafted as a cornerback, the Bears planned on using Hester as a return specialist, so it was a tall task for him to show Bears nation why he was worth the 2nd round draft selection. With this in mind, Hester could only expect to touch the ball a few times in the opening game. So, he needed to make the most of each opportunity, and he did just that.

He didn’t record any kick returns in the game, but in just 5 punt return chances, only 2 of which were returnable, Hester averaged just about 21 yards per return, and he broke one 84 yards for a touchdown to help the Bears take down their rival Packers 26-0.

The Bears made it all the way to the Super Bowl this season, and Hester not only made the Pro Bowl, but he was recognized as the Special Teams Player of the Year after recording over 1,300 return yards and 6 total return touchdowns including the playoffs, most iconically with his opening kickoff return TD to start off the Super Bowl.

Right from the beginning, the sensational rookie returner showed the NFL that he was the ultimate game-changer.

14. LaDainian Tomlinson (2001)

Tomlinson was drafted 5th overall by the Chargers in 2001 after he led the NCAA in rushing his final 2 years at TCU. San Diego was hoping he would continue that success playing for them, and he affirmed that belief in the 1st game of the ‘01 season.

Squaring off against the Washington Redskins, Tomlinson looked like a seasoned vet, amassing 113 yards on the day with 2 touchdowns, and he was able to collect 1 reception for 12 yards.

This performance was a sign of things to come for the future Hall of Famer, and he went on to achieve his first of eight consecutive 1,000 yard rushing seasons this year.

13. Earl Campbell (1978)

NFL Icon, Earl Campbell, made his strong debut with the Houston Oilers in a 1978 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons. The Oilers were confident that the “Tyler Rose” would help propel them to new heights.

Unfortunately, despite Campbell’s commanding 137 yard, 1 touchdown rushing performance, the Oilers fell to Atlanta by a score of 20-16.

Although they didn’t get the win, Houston fans were given an early glimpse into Campbell’s would-be Hall of Fame career, even capping his rookie season off by claiming his first of three consecutive Offensive Player of the Year Awards.

12. T.J. Watt (2017)

When the Steelers opened up against the Browns to kick-off the 2017 season, they were optimistic that their 1st round draft selection would elevate their defensive production, and that’s exactly what T.J. Watt did in his debut.

In the game, Watt totaled 7 tackles with 2.5 tackles for loss along with 2 sacks, 1 interception and a pass deflection. His Herculean effort helped Pittsburgh squeak by with a 21-18 victory. Ever since his rookie year, Watt has been nothing short of impressive.

He has already accumulated 7 consecutive Pro Bowl appearances with 6 All-Pro nods along with a Defensive Player of the Year Award in 2021, and there are no signs of him slowing down anytime soon.

11. Randy Moss (1998)

The emergence of “The Freak” was similar to his iconic Thanksgiving Day game that he would have later this season. Moss started his exceptional rookie campaign by compiling 95 yards receiving with 2 touchdowns on just 4 receptions in the Vikings opening game against the Buccaneers.

He set the tone for his electrifying career early, going on to lead the league in receiving touchdowns on his way to his first pro bowl appearance and being named the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year before continuing his hall of fame career.

10. Marcus Mariota (2015)

This may surprise some, but Marcus Mariota was able to crack the top 10 on this list for his near-perfect debut with the Titans in 2015. He must have still had some of that Heisman magic as he and Tennessee faced off against fellow Heisman winner and rookie quarterback, Jameis Winston and the Buccaneers.

Mariota led Tennessee to a commanding week 1 victory, taking down the Bucs 42-14. In the game, Mariota connected on 13 of his 15 pass attempts, putting up 209 yards through the air resulting in 4 passing scores.

Unfortunately for Mariota and the Titans, this strong start wouldn’t last long, and they finished the season with a lousy 3-13 record. 

9. Adrian Peterson (2007)

Considering Peterson had one of the most productive seasons by a rookie running back in recent memory, it’s no surprise that he hit the ground running in week 1, literally.

Minnesota took on the Falcons to kick off the year, and Peterson was nothing short of productive. Averaging just about 5.5 yards per rushing attempt, “All Day” Peterson posted 103 yards on the ground from 19 touches plus an explosive 60 yard catch and run that gave him his first career touchdown.

This game was just the beginning for the highly touted rookie, and he went on to take home the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award.

8. Robert Griffin III (2012)

It may be hard to remember now, but RG3 looked as though he was primed to be the franchise quarterback for Washington after a record-setting rookie campaign. He was firing on all cylinders in a week 1 showdown with the Saints.

The former Heisman winner showed his abilities as a true dual threat quarterback, throwing for 320 yards with 2 touchdowns and rushing for 42 yards on the ground. Griffin even started the game throwing 7 consecutive completions, with the seventh going 88 yards for a score. After taking down Drew Brees and the Saints, Griffin and Washington had a strong season, capped off with RG3 being named Offensive Rookie of the Year and earning a spot in the Pro Bowl. Griffin even set then-rookie records for highest completion percentage and touchdown to interception ratio.

Unfortunately, Griffin chose to play on an injured knee despite concerns from team doctors. He reinjured the knee in a playoff game against the Seahawks, which resulted in surgery, and this injury plagued him over the years.

Griffin lasted 8 years in the NFL, but he was never able to recapture the level of success he had his rookie year.

7. Ottis Anderson (1979)

Before helping the New York Giants claim two Super Bowl victories later in his career, Ottis Anderson was the premier running back for the St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals squared off against the Cowboys in week 1 of the 1979 season, and Anderson reminded them why they drafted him 8th overall.

He put up video game numbers, rushing for 193 yards on the day and tallying his first career touchdown. Although Anderson had his way with Dallas in the ground game, it wasn’t quite enough for St. Louis to come away with the win. They narrowly fell short in the season-opener by a score of 22-21.

Ottis was a model of consistency all season long, totaling over 1,600 yards rushing by the end of his first year. For his efforts, he was awarded the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award along with his first of two Pro Bowl appearances.

6. Marshall Faulk (1994)

Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk began his transcendent career with the Indianapolis Colts in 1994. Faulk was on a mission in the opening game versus the Houston Oilers.

He ran for 143 yards, caught one pass for 31 yards and made his way into the endzone on 3 different occasions. Like a number of the other players on this list, Faulk carried the success from his rookie debut into the rest of his season and career as a whole. He too was named Offensive Rookie of the Year at the end of the season and found himself in the Pro Bowl.

After a number of post-season accolades, Pro Bowl appearances and winning a Super Bowl ring with the Rams years later, Faulk earned himself a place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

5. Fran Tarkenton (1961)

Tarkenton is the only player on this list who had his professional debut prior to the Super Bowl era. He first took the field leading the Minnesota Vikings against the Chicago Bears back in 1961.

Tarkenton couldn’t have had a stronger start to his career, throwing for over 250 yards and 4 touchdowns. Keep in mind that the NFL was predominantly a run-heavy league in those days, so this wasn’t just impressive for a rookie, but this was an eye-popping performance in general at the time. On top of his four passing touchdowns, Tarkenton also ran for another score, which gave him five total touchdowns in his debut victory over the Bears.

The promising rookie couldn’t maintain this level of dominance over the course of the season, but by the end of his eighteen year career, he was a nine-time Pro Bowler, league MVP and a member of the Hall of Fame.

4. Cam Newton (2011)

Cam Newton debuted with the Carolina Panthers back in 2011, and he was actually the first reigning Heisman-winner to be selected first overall since Carson Palmer in 2003, so there was a lot of expectation surrounding him. To be blunt, he did not disappoint.

Newton did throw an interception in his debut game, but besides this, he was flawless. He tossed two passing touchdowns and performed his first Superman-style leap over the goal-line for a rushing score. What really made Newton’s rookie debut stand out was the sheer yardage he was able to produce. The reigning national champion quarterback managed to break Peyton Manning’s record for most passing yards by a rookie on opening day, throwing for 422 yards, which actually made him the first rookie to throw for over 400 yards in his debut. Even though Newton ended the day with an exceptional passer rating of 110.4, the Panthers fell short, losing 28-21.

The team finished with a disappointing 6-10 record on the year, but Newton shined, taking home the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award and making his first trip to the Pro Bowl. He continued his sensational play as the seasons went on, and he led the Panthers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2015 after an MVP year.

3. Billy Sims (1980)

Billy Sims took the NFL by storm when he first stepped onto the field with the Lions to open the 1980 season. In a matchup against the Los Angeles Rams, Sims made the reigning NFC Champions look like a high school JV team. He tallied 153 yards with 3 touchdowns on the ground and hauled in 2 catches for 64 more yards, totaling 217 combined yards in the game as Detroit blew the Rams out by a score of 41-20.

I’m not sure if you’ve caught on to the theme yet, but these exceptional rookie debuts aren’t just flukes. Sims was awarded the Offensive Rookie of Year Award and was named to his first Pro Bowl at the end of his first season in the league. The electrifying rookie was on his way to a Hall of Fame career before his playing days were cut short due to injury.

It’s unfortunate that a lot of people these days forget just how good Sims was. I believe this is partially because you may confuse him with the other explosive Detroit Lions running back who wore the same #20 jersey, Barry Sanders. But make no mistake, Billy Sims was the original Barry Sanders in Detroit, and if you don’t believe me, just ask Barry.

2. Anquan Boldin (2003)

Anquan Boldin played his first professional game in 2003 with the Cardinals in a week 1 contest against the Lions. The third-round draft pick put together the greatest debut by a rookie receiver in league history, and I honestly don’t think we will ever see anything like it again.

In the game, Boldin hauled in 10 receptions for a whopping 217 yards receiving, a rookie record, and he made his way into the endzone twice, capping off a historic entrance into the league. He continued his remarkable play throughout the season, and you guessed it, he was named Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned his first Pro Bowl nod.

Boldin had all the talent to continue his career as Arizona’s top receiver, but with the emergence of Larry Fitzgerald the following year, he took a bit of a back seat. However, to prove just how great Boldin was, he still managed to make two more Pro Bowl appearances while starring alongside Fitzgerald.

After seven productive seasons with the Cardinals, he moved on to the Ravens where he earned himself a Super Bowl ring in the 2012 season.

1. Kareem Hunt (2017)

Hunt came into the Chiefs’ week 1 showdown with the defending Super Bowl Champion Patriots as a relatively unknown player, but by the end of the game everyone in the league knew his name. However, his debut didn’t start off so hot.

Hunt never fumbled the ball once in his entire college career at Toledo, but he coughed the ball up on his first carry in the NFL. Luckily, he had a short memory and bounced back with a vengeance. The third-round draft selection acted as both a rushing and receiving threat, pounding his way to 148 yards gained on the ground with one rushing touchdown along with another 98 yards and two receiving scores after hauling in five receptions. Hunt and the Chiefs shocked the football world by defeating the Patriots in a lopsided 42-27 affair. His 246 total yards from scrimmage set a rookie record that is unlikely to be overtaken anytime soon.

Funny enough, Hunt is one of the few players on this list that did not win the Offensive Rookie of the Year despite taking the top spot on this list. Though, he did still have a great rookie season and ended the year by making his only Pro Bowl appearance after leading the league in rushing.

Hunt has made a few mistakes off the field that caused some bumps in his career. He does still play today, and every now and then he shows flashes from his terrific rookie season.

Final Thoughts:

Rookie debuts are a glimpse into the future. Sometimes they are the first chapter of a Hall of Fame career and other times they are flashes of brilliance that leave fans wondering what could have been.

As the 2025 NFL season begins, keep an eye on this year’s rookies. History tells us that on any given opening Sunday, someone could step onto the field and deliver a performance we’ll be talking about for years to come.

If you enjoyed this breakdown, I dive even deeper into the stories behind these games (and many more) on my YouTube channel — you can find it here: Get Set Sports. Hope to see you there!