Week seven saw rookies return from injury, get injured, and have monumental impacts to their team. Only one undefeated team remains as the Minnesota Vikings were downed by the Detroit Lions. In a week that had many stories, which rookies climbed the rankings while others had a fall from grace.
Dropped Out
Xavier Worthy - The Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver has the potential to be WR1 with Rashee Rice out, but had an extremely lack luster performance against the San Francisco 49ers. He only made three receptions on eight targets racking up 19 yards.
His drop in the rankings might be due to Matthew Nagy's, the Chiefs offensive coordinator, game plan consisting of running the ball just under 60% of the time. Expect Worthy to have a large impact when Patrick Mahomes has to depend on not just his team's run game but their pass game as well.
Just Missed the Cut
Tyler Nubin - The New York Giants safety leads not just his team in tackles, but all rookies this season with 48 tackles (31 solo) adding nine against the Philadelphia Eagles last week. This is the fourth straight week he's led the team in tackles recording eight or more.
Having allowed only one reception this year, per Pro Football Focus (PFF), he has climbed the defensive rankings and if he gets help from his cornerbacks he could be a serious contender for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
10. Joe Alt - LT
The Los Angeles Chargers loss to the Arizona Cardinals was not a good day for Joe Alt. Offensive lineman get judged on how well they can protect the pocket and their backfield. Alt thrives better in run blocking and is still efficient in the pass block, but nearly doubled the "bad" stats.
In his first four games he managed to give up only one sack, one penalty and four pressures, but Arizona's defensive pressure caused him to falter. He recorded one penalty, one sack allowed, and two pressures allowed. Next week's matchup against the New Orleans Saints could be the recovery game Alt needs to climb back up these rankings.
9. Keon Coleman - WR
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman tallied a career high 125 yards last week including a 57 yard reception. He nearly doubled his 201 yards through the first six matches of the year and will grow in favorability for Buffalo in pass plays.
Coleman was able to shake defenders giving himself and quarterback Josh Allen an average 2.54 yards of separation on his seven targets. The Bills wide receiver has the third-highest yards per catch at 20.3.
8. Zack Frazier - C
There's not much to say about Zack Frazier since he was out injured during week seven with a week-to-week ankle injury. But is presence is extremely important for the Pittsburgh Steelers and the quicker he can recover and get back on the field the better for the black and yellow to content with the Baltimore Ravens for the division title.
7. Quinyon Mitchell - CB
An Eagles defense that has spent the time this season improving their secondary is showcasing the league its worth. Quinyon Mitchell has his rookie teammate Cooper DeJean chasing him for this spot in the rankings, but his consistent form keeps has him moving up.
With Darius Slay Jr. taking on the responsibility covering Giant Malik Nabers, Mitchell had a positive outing shutting down Daniel Jones' second and third pass options. Only giving up two receptions against an offense that could only generate three points is a motivation boost for Philadelphia's secondary.
6. Malik Nabers - WR
What could have been a fantastic return from injury for Nabers turned into season lows across the board. He was targets eight times, second fewest since week one (seven), and recorded season lows in receptions (four) and yards (41).
Nabers for the first time this season did not produce a big reception of 20+ yards. The Giants wide receiver has been extremely promising before his injury, so in order to maintain that pace he needs to make sure last week's performance was a one time occurrence.
5. Jared Verse - LB
Jared Verse is, by miles, the DROY favorite. The Los Angeles Rams linebacker recorded nine pressures, per next gen stats, against the Las Vegas Raiders, the most by a rookie this season.
Despite recording four tackles (two solo), this rookie has built up his presence and becomes a threat to every offense before the ball is snapped. While he has yet to record a sack this season, Verse will be a important player for the Rams going forward.
4. Bucky Irving - RB
Bucky Irving had to matchup against the leagues best run defense, the Ravens. He averaged a season low 2.6 yards on nine carries, but was able to punch in a touchdown. He moved up on these rankings because of other rookies dropping off.
Even though he could not break through a Ravens defense on the ground, he had his best receiving game of the season so far. He racked up 54 yards, Irving had 70 through the first six weeks, with a 100% completion on three targets. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the Atlanta Falcons next week and this is a perfect opportunity for Irving to have his first career 100 rushing game.
3. Jayden Daniels - QB
Jayden Daniels played one drive last week before leaving the game with a rib injury. The best news for Washington Commanders fans is that this is a week-to-week injury and hopefully will make a quick recovery.
He still is the rookie leader in rushing yards this season and has been the most threatening rookie this season. Daniels is an impact player and despite only making two passes for six yards he was dangerous on the ground running for 50 yards on three rushes, one of which was a 46 yard pickup.
2. Brian Thomas Jr. - WR
The Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver has put up his fourth game with 80+ receiving yards. In London against the New England Patriots, Brian Thomas Jr. had 89 yards and a touchdown on five receptions, including a 58-yard reception that set up a Tank Bigsby touchdown.
Thomas is sixth in the league in receiving yards with 513 leading all rookies. The Jaguars looked like a complete offense against the Patriots and moving forward and when Trevor Lawrence decides to throw more than 20 attempts his rookie could be the key to breaking through any defense.
1. Brock Bowers - TE
Brock Bowers is the leading tight end and eight in the NFL with 477 receiving yards. He has proven to be Gardner Minshew's number one option, having been targeted 14 times in the Raiders loss to the Rams.
Bowers biggest test will come this week as the Raiders host the Chiefs. He is going to be up against a great pass defense and will evidently be compared to how his performance stacks up against Travis Kelce. Despite being 2-5, Bowers is having a great season and if Daniels misses a few weeks the Las Vegas rookie could become the Rookie of the Year favorite.
