6 NFL Rookies Who Shocked the League by Blowing Past Veterans

by Jeremy Block - 12/26/2024

NFL rookies that shocked the league Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys

Every year, rookies are supposed to come into the NFL, do their time, and "learn from the veterans." But some rookies have decided that waiting in line for their turn is for chumps. Instead, they’ve swooped in, thrown the playbook out the window, and taken over the league faster than we can say "rookie of the year."

These players didn’t just outperform expectations -- they made seasoned veterans look like they were still in training camp. Let's take a look at some of the most shocking rookie performances that left fans -- and veteran players -- scratching their heads.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

1. Dak Prescott (2016) - Rookie QB Who Made Tony Romo’s Retirement Decision Easy

Dak Prescott was supposed to be the backup, the guy who would sit behind Tony Romo and learn the ropes. Then Romo got injured just after one game, and Prescott turned into the Cowboys' prodigy overnight. He didn't just fill in; he completely took over. Prescott led Dallas to a 13-3 season, threw for 3,667 yards, and finished with 23 touchdowns.

For a rookie, those are numbers that make veterans nervous. Whereas, Tony Romo was suddenly looking like the guy who couldn't even stay healthy long enough to help the team get out of the first round of the playoffs. Prescott's cool-headed mentally made it clear that the torch had officially been passed, and it wasn’t going back.

Cowboys fans couldn’t believe their luck, and veteran QBs across the league probably spent the season clutching their starting jobs a little tighter.

2. Kareem Hunt (2017) - Making All the Fantasy Owners Look Like Geniuses

Kareem Hunt wasn’t even on most people's radars going into the 2017 season. A third-round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs, Hunt was supposed to be a nice complement to Spencer Ware, but no one expected him to take the league by storm. And yet, in his very first game, Hunt did what no rookie running back had done before: he broke out with 246 yards. From there, he just kept going, racking up more than 1,300 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, all while making every fantasy football owner who drafted him look like a genius.

For a rookie to have that kind of impact on both the ground and through the air was something that many veterans had trouble replicating. In a league where running backs are often expected to fade after a few years, Hunt's first season was a powerful reminder that rookies can -- and sometimes do -- outshine established veterans right from the jump.

3. Odell Beckham Jr. (2014) - A One-Handed Catch That Ruined DBs' Confidence

Odell Beckham Jr.'s rookie season with the New York Giants didn’t just shock the world -- it made every cornerback in the league question their job security. Beckham's highlight-reel one-handed catch against the Cowboys was a moment so iconic that it instantly became a part of NFL folklore. Beckham went on to finish his rookie season with more than 1,300 yards and 12 touchdowns, quickly establishing himself as one of the most athletic wide receivers in the league. Veterans who were supposed to be the established playmakers were now looking up at a rookie who had more swag than most of them could ever hope for.

Beckham’s impact wasn’t just about his jaw-dropping plays -- it was the sheer confidence he brought to the field. He entered the NFL ready to dominate, and he did just that. The league quickly realized that Odell Beckham Jr. wasn’t just another rookie trying to find his footing; he was a future superstar embarrassing established cornerbacks and turning heads in the process.

4. J.J. Watt (2011) - When a Rookie Came in and Made Offensive Linemen Break a Sweat

As a first-round pick, J.J. Watt entered the league, and let’s just say, he didn’t need an introduction -- he reminded everyone who he was real quick. Watt racked up 5.5 sacks and 48 solo tackles, but the numbers don’t do justice to how he disrupted the game. With Watt on the field, the Texans' defense was suddenly one of the toughest in the NFL. Meanwhile, veterans on the other side of the ball were scratching their heads, trying to figure out how to stop this rookie who looked like he had been terrorizing quarterbacks for years.

Watt came in with a chip on his shoulder and a determination to prove himself. By the end of his rookie year, he was already being considered one of the best young defensive players in the league -- and he had just started.

5. Aaron Donald (2014) - The Rookie Defensive Force Who Made Offensive Linemen Shake

Drafted 13th overall by the St. Louis Rams in 2014, defensive tackle Aaron Donald was expected to make an impact, but not on the level he actually did. In his first year, he tallied up 9 sacks and 18 tackles for loss, proving to be a juggernaut on the defensive line right from the jump. Veterans who thought they could bully a rookie quickly realized they were the ones getting bullied. Donald’s explosiveness, strength, and relentless motor made him a terrifying presence, and he was already causing headaches for offensive coordinators by the end of his first season.

By the end of his rookie season, it was clear: Aaron Donald wasn’t just a rising star; he was already one of the best in the business. Veteran pass rushers were left wondering how they could compete with a rookie who was already a menace on the line.

6. Richard Sherman (2011) - From 5th-Round Pick to Shutdown Corner in the NFL

Richard Sherman’s rise to fame as a shutdown cornerback is one of the most impressive stories in NFL history, hands down. Drafted in the fifth round by the Seattle Seahawks in 2011, Sherman wasn’t expected to be a star, let alone the face of the Legion of Boom defense. But in his rookie season, Sherman made a statement that veteran corners had no choice but to notice. With four interceptions, 47 solo tackles, and 17 pass deflections, Sherman didn’t just play the role of a rookie trying to find his place -- he played the role of a shutdown corner who could lock up top-tier wide receivers at will.

After his rookie season, it was clear that Sherman was already redefining what it meant to be a dominant corner in the NFL. And by the time the Super Bowl came around, he was no longer the rookie with something to prove -- he was a household name.

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

Start:	December 28, 2024 @ 8:15 PM
Expert:	Griffin Murphy
Free $60 Account Sign Up

6 NFL Rookies Who Shocked the League by Blowing Past Veterans

Most Recent NFL Handicapping