Rating prime 10 QB-WR/TE tandems involving rookies: Packers, Bears, shock NFC South group lead approach

With the NFL’s free company interval and the NFL Draft now within the books, hope springs everlasting for most of the league’s 32 groups within the lead-up to coaching camp and the 2025 season.

Entrance workplaces, teaching staffs and fan bases can daydream about how their new gamers will mesh collectively within the pursuit of postseason and Tremendous Bowl rivalry. That is why now could be as nice a time as ever to try the highest 10 pass-catching duos that contain rookies getting into the upcoming season. 

For the sake of this train, operating backs weren’t included in these rankings as they usually do not emerge as major choices in most NFL groups’ passing assaults. Which means a rookie at quarterback, large receiver or tight finish was thought of eligible within the development of this record one can dive into under. Tandems with notable query marks on the quarterback place, probably the most invaluable place in soccer and maybe North American skilled sports activities, shall be listed decrease in these rankings. Sit again, chill out and prepare to undertaking how these notable rookies will translate to the NFL with their veteran offensive playmaker within the 2025 season. 

New tandem: QB Anthony Richardson/Daniel Jones and 14th general decide TE Tyler Warren

The rookie on this equation, tight finish Tyler Warren, may simply be ranked lots greater on this record, however the quarterback uncertainty is why the Colts duo is not greater. Warren set Penn State’s single-season catches report with 104 in addition to the Large Ten Convention’s single-season receiving yards report by a decent finish with 1,233 en path to being named the 2024 John Mackey Award winner, which fits to school soccer’s finest tight finish. He is additionally extremely versatile, turning into the one FBS participant since not less than 2017 with not less than 30 snaps whereas lining up at tight finish, slot receiver, out large, within the backfield and a quarterback in a single season, per CBS Sports activities Analysis.

Drawback is his probably beginning quarterback Anthony Richardson is a complete increase or bust: He was useless final in your complete NFL in completion share (47.7%) however first within the league in yards per completion (14.4) final season. That made Richardson the primary quarterback to rank final in completion share and first in yards per completion since Washington rookie quarterback Heath Shuler in 1994. He is additionally struggled to be accessible as a professional, enjoying in simply 15 of a attainable 34 video games in his profession (44%). That ranks because the second-fewest begins amongst 24 quarterbacks to begin in Week 1 in every of the final two seasons, forward of solely Cleveland Browns disappointment Deshaun Watson’s 13, per CBS Sports activities Analysis. 

New tandem: twenty fifth general decide QB Jaxson Dart and WR Malik Nabers

Giants large receiver Malik Nabers is a budding celebrity. As a rookie, he set New York’s single-season receptions report with 109. Nabers’ seven landing catches represented 46.7% of the Giants’ 15 group receiving touchdowns, which ranked because the second-highest share of a participant’s group receiving touchdowns in 2024. He trailed solely former LSU teammate Brian Thomas Jr.’s 52.6% fee (10 of the Jacksonville Jaguars’ 19) final season.

Nevertheless, there isn’t any assure the rookie on this equation, Ole Miss quarterback Jaxson Dart will play in 2025. Common supervisor Joe Schoen made it clear he feels the rookie, who led school soccer in cross yards per try (10.8) in 2024, will profit from sitting to begin his profession. Russell Wilson is presently entrenched because the starter. 

“Jaxson’s going to return in, he is acquired to be taught the offense, there’s lots to be taught, these NFL offenses are arduous to know and decide up after which be capable of exit and execute, so the power for him to be taught and sit behind two consummate professionals [Wilson and Jameis Winston] already shall be helpful for him,” Schoen stated on Might 1. 

Schoen did say Dart must be prepared if “his quantity’s referred to as and he has to exit and execute.” TBD on when this duo will really be on the sector collectively. 

New tandem: QB Bryce Younger and eighth general decide WR Tetairoa McMillan

Rookie large receiver Tetairoa McMillan involves the Panthers with elite measurement (6-5, 212 kilos) in addition to loads of manufacturing. He led school soccer in receiving yards (3,423, an Arizona program report) and catches of 20 or extra air yards (35) over the span of this three-season collegiate profession.

* Arizona program report

He may flip 2023 first general decide quarterback Bryce Younger’s profession round. Younger began sluggish with 12 whole touchdowns to 19 whole interceptions in his first 18 video games, a span by which Carolina went 2-16 whereas averaging 12.3 factors per sport. Nevertheless, he got here again enjoying at a barely greater degree after his return from a midseason benching in 2024: Younger racked up 20 whole touchdowns to solely eight whole turnovers in his final 10 video games, and the Panthers went 4-6 whereas averaging 23.1 factors per sport. Will probably be fascinating to see if the Younger from the second half of the season was mirage, or if that degree of play, or greater, is right here to remain.

New tandem: 1st general decide QB Cam Ward and WR Calvin Ridley

Miami quarterback Cam Ward was the apparent alternative for the Tennessee Titans, the homeowners of the 2025 NFL Draft’s first general decide. He led school soccer with 39 passing touchdowns in 2024 whereas setting Hurricanes single-season information for passing yards (4,313) and passing touchdowns (39). That earned him the 2024 Davey O’Brien Award as the very best quarterback within the nation and the 2024 ACC Participant of the Yr honors. 

He’ll have a reliable No. 1 large receiver within the 30-year-old Calvin Ridley. He is logged over 1,000 yards receiving in every of the final two seasons since his return from a playing suspension that worn out his whole 2022 marketing campaign. Ridley is certainly one of 15 gamers in your complete NFL since 2023 with over 2,000 yards receiving (2,033) and over 10 receiving touchdowns (12). They will kind a strong a tandem, they usually may rise lots greater on this record the extra expertise Ward will get on the NFL degree. 

6. Jacksonville Jaguars

New tandem: QB Trevor Lawrence and 2nd general WR/CB Travis Hunter

The Jacksonville Jaguars are 10 toes down for large receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter. They traded up from fifth general to second general to go get him, marking the primary commerce up into the highest two picks for a non-quarterback since 1997 when the Rams went as much as draft offensive lineman Orlando Tempo. Tempo went on to enter the Professional Soccer Corridor of Fame after 13 seasons, 12 with the Rams. 

Hunter, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner, grew to become the primary participant in FBS historical past (since 1978) with both 1,000 or extra yards receiving and three or extra interceptions in a season or 10 or extra receiving touchdowns and three or extra interceptions in a season, per CBS Sports activities Analysis. He is a particular participant. Nevertheless, it is unknown how a lot he’ll be capable of see the sector with quarterback Trevor Lawrence throwing him the soccer. Lawrence performed in a career-low 10 video games final season due to an AC joint sprain in his shoulder in addition to a concussion. Accidents have been a recurring subject for Lawrence the final two seasons. 

Trevor Lawrence accidents, final two seasons

• Week 6, 2023: Knee sprain
• Week 13, 2023: Excessive ankle sprain
• Week 15, 2023: Concussion
• Week 16, 2023: AC joint sprain
• Week 9, 2024: Extreme AC joint sprain
• Week 13, 2024: Concussion

New tandem: QB C.J. Stroud and thirty fourth general WR Jayden Higgins

Houston Texans Professional Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud rapidly established himself as one of many higher, younger quarterbacks within the NFL with an excellent 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Yr marketing campaign. He led the league in each landing to interception ratio (23-5) and passing yards per sport (273.9) that yr. He took a step again in Yr 2 in 2024 in each classes (20-12 landing to interception ratio and 219.2 passing yards per sport) whereas taking 14 extra sacks (38 in 2023 to 52 in 2024). 

That is why the Texans labored to get Stroud one other weapon to make his life simpler within the passing sport with the second-round collection of Iowa State large receiver Jayden Higgins. He is 6-foot-4 with an 80-inch catch radius, making him a powerful goal on quick and intermediate routes as a red-zone jump-ball weapon. Higgins’ fingers are additionally impeccable with solely three drops on 209 targets at Iowa State since 2023. He may get significant snaps sooner moderately than later as Texans No. 2 receiver Tank Dell and No. 3 receiver Christian Kirk each have prolonged harm histories. 

New tandem: QB Geno Smith and 58th general WR Jack Bech

New Las Vegas Raiders beginning quarterback Geno Smith is likely one of the NFL’s most correct passers. His 68.5% completion share since turning into the Seattle Seahawks’ beginning quarterback in 2022 is the third-best in your complete NFL, trailing solely Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (69%) and Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (68.9%). His career-high 70.4% completion share and career-high 4,320 yards passing in 2024 each set Seattle single-season information. 

He’ll group up with All-Large 12 large receiver Jack Bech, whom the Raiders chosen 58th general within the second spherical out of TCU. Bech comes with a cultured route tree, first rate measurement (6-foot-1, 214 kilos), strong fingers and good run after catch potential. He’ll probably be one of many Raiders’ beginning large receivers as a rookie, and he may put up good numbers whereas working alongside younger playmakers like 2024 first-team All-Professional tight finish Brock Bowers and 2025 sixth general decide operating again Ashton Jeanty. 

New tandems: QB Caleb Williams and tenth general TE Colston Loveland & thirty ninth general WR Luther Burden

Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, the 2024 general first general draft decide, had an honest rookie yr statistically, excluding the truth that he took 68 sacks. That is tied for the third-most in a season in NFL historical past. A few of that was on his offensive line however loads of the blame fell on Williams as he realized the arduous approach that generally it is higher to only throw the soccer away. He joined fellow draft classmate Jayden Daniels, C.J. Stroud (2023) and Robert Griffin III (2012) as the one 4 rookies with 4,000 or extra whole yards and fewer than 10 interceptions in NFL historical past, per CBS Sports activities Analysis. 

Chicago handed him two rookie weapons on the prime of the draft with its first two picks. The Bears chosen Michigan All- Large Ten tight finish Colston Loveland tenth general and All-SEC large receiver Luther Burden thirty ninth general within the 2025 NFL Draft. Loveland’s 582 yards receiving accounted for 34.7% of the Wolverines’ group receiving yards in 2024, the second-highest fee by any tight finish in school soccer final season. He is not an important blocker, however he is a powerful, fluid route runner over the center. Loveland will compete for TE1 reps with Cole Kmet. 

Burden led the SEC in catches (192) throughout his three-year profession at Missouri whereas racking up the second-most yards receiving (2,263) and receiving touchdowns (21) within the convention in that span. He thrives after the catch with 1,407 yards receiving after the catch, the fifth-most in school soccer throughout the final three seasons. Burden wasn’t requested to have an in depth route tree at Missouri: ESPN reported NFL groups requested the Tigers for Burden’s observe movie in an effort to see him operating extra routes than what was placed on tape throughout video games. So, it will likely be fascinating to see how briskly he will get up to the mark within the NFL as Chicago’s No. 3 receiver behind DJ Moore and Rome Odunze. 

New tandem: QB Baker Mayfield and nineteenth general WR Emeka Egbuka

Buccaneers Professional Bowl quarterback Baker Mayfield has fully revived his NFL profession with Tampa Bay. In 2024, he produced the fourth season in NFL historical past with a completion share of not less than 70% (71.4%) whereas throwing not less than 40 touchdowns (41). The others to take action are Drew Brees (2011), Aaron Rodgers (2020) and Joe Burrow (2024). That is unbelievable. Mayfield does should be somewhat extra discerning along with his decision-making as he co-led the NFL in interceptions with 16 together with Kirk Cousins this previous season. 

Tampa Bay gifted him a 3rd strong large receiver with the nineteenth decide within the 2025 NFL Draft by choosing Ohio State All-Large Ten large receiver Emeka Egbuka. Regardless of by no means being the Buckeyes’ No. 1 possibility in his four-year profession, he left Ohio State as its all-time catches chief with 205. Egbuka has reliable fingers and is excellent out of the slot and over the center of the sector. He’ll begin as Mayfield’s No. 3 behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, however they each handled accidents final season. Egbuka may rise greater on the depth chart ought to accidents strike to both veteran wideout as soon as once more. 

New tandems: QB Jordan Love and twenty third general WR Matthew Golden & 87th general WR Savion Williams 

Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love has begun his tenure as his squad’s beginning quarterback in rousing trend. Love’s 57 passing touchdowns since taking on for the departed Aaron Rodgers in 2023 are tied for the fifth-most within the NFL in that span together with 2024 NFL MVP Josh Allen. That determine can be 4 greater than Patrick Mahomes’ 53 scoring strikes since 2023. Regardless of main the youngest group within the NFL in every of the final two years, he and the Packers have reached the postseason in each 2023 and 2024. 

Common supervisor Brian Gutekunst rewarded Love by drafting Inexperienced Bay’s first first-round receiver since 2002, ending the longest streak of not drafting an offensive weapon (RB, WR, TE) within the first spherical within the frequent draft period (since 1967). Packers head coach Matt LaFleur will probably insert Texas Longhorn Matthew Golden, the 2025 NFL Scouting Mix’s quickest large receiver with a 4.29 40-yard sprint, into Christian Watson’s deep-threat position, with Watson recovering from a torn ACL. The SEC’s co-receiving touchdowns chief in 2024 (9) may thrive there within the Packers offense. 

Golden wasn’t the one receiver Gutekunst gifted Love within the first three rounds of the 2025 draft. He additionally chosen TCU Swiss Military knife large receiver Savion Williams 87th general (third spherical). Williams is an athletic freak: he measured in at 6-4, 222 kilos and ran a 4.48 40-yard sprint on the NFL Scouting Mix. His ceiling given these athletic traits is excessive. 

That is why the Horned Frogs lined him at large receiver, operating again and Wildcat quarterback in 2024. Williams totaled 611 yards receiving and 6 receiving touchdowns to associate with 322 yards speeding and 6 speeding touchdowns. By doing so, he grew to become solely the third participant in school soccer inside the final decade to cross the next benchmarks in a season: 600 or extra receiving yards, 5 or extra receiving touchdowns, 300 or extra speeding yards and 5 or extra speeding touchdowns. The opposite two school soccer gamers to take action on this span are Stanford All-America operating again Christian McCaffrey in 2015 and Ohio State All-America large receiver Curtis Samuel in 2016. LaFleur can get artistic with how he needs to deploy Williams as a weapon in Love’s arsenal in 2025.