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The NFL<\/a> doesn’t always give rookies time to get comfortable. For several members of the 2026 draft class, the learning curve is about to get steep immediately.<\/p>\n Some are already starters. Others have difficult matchups or enter Week 1 carrying enormous expectations. These five NFL rookies aren’t getting much of a warm-up before being asked to contribute.<\/span><\/p>\n Welcome to the NFL, kid. Now go chase Joe Burrow.<\/span><\/p>\n The Tampa Bay Buccaneers<\/a> selected Rueben Bain Jr. in the first round and didn’t draft him to sit around watching. He’s already listed as a starter heading into Sunday’s opener against the Cincinnati Bengals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Burrow presents a brutal first assignment. He gets the ball out quickly, recognizes pressure and can punish a young defender who loses discipline trying to make a big play.<\/span><\/p>\n Bain could eventually become an important part of Tampa Bay’s pass rush. His education begins against one of the league’s best quarterbacks.<\/p>\n The Dallas Cowboys<\/a> didn’t trade up to No. 11 for Caleb Downs to bring him along slowly.<\/p>\n The rookie safety is expected to start immediately, and his first NFL game comes under the lights against the\u00a0<\/span>New York Giants\u00a0<\/a>on “Sunday Night Football.”<\/span><\/p>\n That’s a lot for any rookie defensive back. One missed assignment can turn into six points, and mistakes become considerably more noticeable when the entire country is watching.<\/p>\n The Cowboys clearly believe Downs is ready. They’re about to find out.<\/span><\/p>\n Makai Lemon’s NFL debut could be busy.<\/span><\/p>\n The Philadelphia Eagles\u00a0<\/a>have Lemon listed as their third wide receiver and top punt returner heading into their divisional opener against the Washington Commanders<\/a>. That’s notable considering a hamstring injury cost him roughly three weeks of training camp.<\/p>\n Philadelphia isn’t asking its rookie to handle one responsibility. Lemon could see meaningful snaps on offense while also being trusted with field position on special teams.<\/span><\/p>\n That’s quite an introduction to professional football.<\/p>\n Being selected second overall comes with an unwritten requirement: produce quickly.<\/p>\n The\u00a0<\/span>New York Jets\u00a0<\/a>won’t have much patience for David Bailey to disappear while he adjusts to NFL offensive tackles. He was drafted to disrupt quarterbacks, and those expectations begin Sunday against the\u00a0<\/span>Tennessee Titans<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n Bailey has the physical ability to make an immediate impact. He’ll also discover quickly that NFL tackles are much better at punishing pass-rushers who rely on athleticism without a plan.<\/p>\n There won’t be many anonymous Sundays for the No. 2 pick.<\/span><\/p>\n Jeremiyah Love’s challenge might be the toughest of all.<\/span><\/p>\n The Arizona Cardinals<\/a> selected the running back third overall, but a high-ankle sprain has kept him sidelined for more than three weeks. He’s questionable against the Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> after finally returning to limited practice but is expected to play<\/a>.<\/p>\n If Love plays, he’ll be making his NFL debut without the preparation most rookies desperately need.<\/span><\/p>\n Most rookies spend Week 1 trying to adjust to the speed of professional football. Love may have to do it while discovering whether his ankle is ready for it too.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\nCaleb Downs\u00a0<\/span><\/a>gets the Sunday night spotlight<\/span>
\n<\/h2>\n\nMakai Lemon<\/a> has two jobs waiting for him<\/h2>\n
\nDavid Bailey<\/span><\/a>\u00a0faces immediate expectations<\/span>
\n<\/h2>\n\nJeremiyah Love<\/a> could debut without being completely healthy<\/h2>\n