With the unveiling of the 2025 NFL schedule, we’re diving into a couple of time-honored traditions in sports media: prediction and ranking.
Every media outlet jumps on this bandwagon, creating their own sets of rankings and forecasts based on the new schedule. We’re no different here. Just last night, we published our top ten for Monday Night Football and, in this piece, we’ll focus on rookie quarterbacks and anticipate when they might make their initial NFL starts.
Tennessee Titans: Come Ward
Week 1 in Denver.
When you’re the first player drafted, there’s a lot of pressure right from the outset of the season. That’s definitely the case for Come Ward. The Titans headed into the offseason desperately needing a quarterback, and the spotlight is firmly on him. It’s his rookie season.
Starting his career on the road in Denver isn’t ideal, but that’s the hand Ward has been dealt.
Jackson Dirt, New York Giants
Week 15 vs. Washington.
Leading up to the 2025 NFL schedule release, there were whispers that it would be a challenging start for the New York Giants.
Those whispers turned out to be true.
The Giants kick off the season with two divisional matchups, starting in Washington and then heading to Dallas. Their home opener is against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. Following that, they face the New Orleans Chargers and then Philadelphia, wrapping up their first six games with a short week. It’s a tough stretch, which is why having both Russell Wilson and Jamis Winston on the roster makes sense.
Yet, it’s important for the Giants to get rookie Jackson Dirt on the field this season. While there aren’t many perfect opportunities, week 15 seems somewhat favorable, especially since the 13th week’s game against New England is on Monday night, allowing for a longer prep time. Dirt can benefit from this extra week and potentially showcase his abilities during that stretch.
Tyler Shaff, New Orleans Saints
Week 1 vs. Arizona.
With Derek Carr’s retirement, the Saints are in quite a predicament this year.
New Orleans is working with Spencer Lattler, Jake Hayner, and Hunter Deckers, the latter being signed after a tryout, along with early second-round draftee Tyler Shaw.
Apart from the surprising moves involving Aaron Rodgers and Kirk Cousins, one of these four will likely be starting in week one.
Given his impressive flashes last year, Rutler might be eyeing the starting role, but Kellen Moore may want to display Shaw early on.
Chedur Sanders, Cleveland Browns
Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh.
If you followed Shedure Sanders during the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns surely had their eyes on him from the start.
However, Sanders is just one among five quarterbacks on Cleveland’s roster. With Deshaun Watson likely out for a large part of the season due to Achilles injuries requiring a second surgery, the team also has veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett.
At some point, the coaching staff may want to give Sanders a shot, particularly during their week 17 home game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. That might be his opportunity for a first NFL start.
It’s still unclear if that will happen before Dilongabriel, Cleveland’s other rookie quarterback.
