Last week was an average week across the board for most rookies, with the exception of a Los Angeles Rams rookie and a Carolina Panthers rookie who climbed into the rankings. With attention shifting towards the playoffs now, rookies might be the difference between their team fighting to play February football or ending their season days after New Year’s.

Dropped Out

Marvin Harrison Jr.

The Arizona Cardinals wide receiver had a great outing against the Miami Dolphins two weeks ago. However, he was extremely lackluster against the Chicago Bears last week.

He only had five targets, earning two receptions and 34 yards. Ball security has not been an issue for Marvin Harrison Jr. However, he had his first fumble on a 21-yard completion, which set up a field goal for the Bears.

Bucky Irving

When running backs get shut down in the run-and-pass game, it is difficult for them to make an impact on the game. Bucky Irving had picked up only 24 yards on seven carries and another 10 yards on three receptions in the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Week six looked to be the start of something special for Irving. However, he has yet to match his 81-yard run game, let alone run for over 45 yards in the past three weeks.

Just Missed the Cut

Kamren Kinchens

The rookie safety for the Rams benefits the most since these rankings are based more on the most recent week than how rookies have performed throughout the season.

Kamren Kinchens had three tackles in the overtime victory against the Seattle Seahawks and two interceptions. He picked off Geno Smith twice in the red zone and made a house call with his first, returning it 103 yards for a pick-six.

10.  Ja’Tavion Sanders – TE

The fourth-round tight end for the Panthers has been in and out of the lineup this season because of starting tight end Tommy Tremble. With Tremble missing last week due to a back injury, Ja’Tavion Sanders started again and had his best game this season.

He went four for five and racked up 87 yards, including a 46-yard reception. The only question is if he is going to have limited snaps when Tremble returns or will he become the starting tight end and have consistent performances?

Making a name for himself and jumping into this week’s rankings is Braden Fiske, the defensive tackle from the Rams. Against the Seahawks Fiske had four tackles, two sacks, and half a stuff.

With a dangerous linebacker lined up behind him, the rookie defensive tackle could see himself earning more pressures and sacks when the Rams decide to blitz. Los Angeles has a deadly rookie triple threat on defense, and it starts at the line of scrimmage.

8. Joe Alt – OT 

Joe Alt is the best rookie offensive lineman in the league and will have competition to retain that title when Pittsburgh Steelers center Zack Frazier returns from injury. Against the Cleveland Browns, Alt was against Myles Garrett, last season’s Defensive Player of the Year, and did well to contain him when lined up across from him.

Justin Herbert was sacked six times in the victory over the Browns and Alt was responsible for two of them but has yet to allow a QB hit all season. He is one of the best pocket protectors for the Chargers and he contributed to run blocking as well, opening up a pocket of space for J.K. Dobbins to pick up a 34-yard rush.

7. Edgerrin Cooper – LB

Last week was a difficult one for the Green Bay Packers as they matched up against the Detroit Lions. Green Bay has had issues defensively all season but have made up for them in takeaways.

Edgerrin Cooper did not have the all-around outstanding performance he did two weeks ago. However, he still recorded six tackles (three solos) and a handful of pressures forcing incompletions and helping his defense get off the field. Next up for the Packers is Chicago and this could be a breakout showing for Cooper with the Bears’ recent lack of offensive efficiency.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brain Thomas Jr. was shut down by an efficient Philadelphia Eagles pass defense that forced Trevor Lawrence to use all of his passing options. He had the fewest receiving yards in a game with 22 and tied for the fewest receptions this season with two.

Thomas is the leading rookie receiver this season with 595 yards, but when facing a strong secondary he cannot make an impact. Jacksonville is 2-4 in their last six and the rookie receiver had 122 and 89 yards in those victories, proving to have a large role in Jaguar victories.

In week two against the Washington Commanders, Malik Nabers totaled 127 yards, the most in a game this season. Last week Washington held him to 59 yards on nine for 11, the second fewest yards in a game by the wide receiver.

The biggest contribution to Nabers jumping a spot was the collective underwhelming performances by rookie wide receivers across the league. Nabers did not benefit from Brian Daboll‘s run-heavy offensive play calling and when the New York Giants have zero first-half pass yards, the receivers are going to be impacted the most.

Cooper DeJean has been an increasingly important player to an Eagles secondary. In the win over Jacksonville, DeJean recorded three solo tackles and two pass deflections.

DeJean was part of a defense that only allowed just over 200 yards and forced three turnovers. He has shown he can go one-on-one with WR1 and show up in crunch-time situations, proving himself to be the most exciting rookie cornerback at the moment.

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Jakobi Meyers is partially the reason for Brock Bowers dropping a spot. This could also be a positive moving forward, allowing Bowers to be the second option in Gardner Minshew and Desmond Ridder‘s pass plays.

The tight end has been consistent this season and has earned 580 yards on 57 receptions making him a top-10 receiver, and the second-leading rookie. Bowers might become more threatening if the Raiders could add a few more offensive weapons, but sitting at 2-7 means it will most likely be something for next year.

The Rams’ edge rusher might need to string together a few fantastic performances to gain the top spot in these rankings. Jared Verse loves to put pressure on his opponents and Seattle does not have the strongest offensive line in the league.

As much as everyone wants to avoid him, Verse finds a way in. He sacked Smith, had a pass deflection, a QB hit, and two stuffs. Los Angeles has had a perfect draft with their two defensive additions, and it will make all the difference for who tops the NFC West.

The only thing that could go against Jayden Daniels is that he needs to avoid getting hit and throwing the ball away sooner on plays that do not result in any positive or neutral yardage.

When the pocket collapsed last week he was not sacked for the third time this season, the Giants sacked him five times in week two and threw for two touchdown passes.

Except for his short week seven appearance, Daniels threw for the least yards since week one. He was efficient in game management, especially in the final drive where the Giants had opportunities to regain the ball for a final push.