The playoff race in both the AFC and NFC has intensified with two weeks to play. Rookies are leading the charge for their team, whether it is to secure a playoff spot, a division title, or the number one seed for the playoffs.
Dropped Out
Malik Nabers - The New York Giants wide receiver has been consistent in the past five weeks, totaling 60+ receiving yards, but fell out of the top 10 since other rookies had better performances. Malik Nabers had a good showing against the Atlanta Falcons, although his seven receptions on 14 targets for 68 yards was not enough to keep him inside the top 10.
Just Missed the Cut
Ladd McConkey - Ladd McConkey had 80+ receiving yards in four of the past five weeks, including last week against the Denver Broncos. The Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver had 87 yards from six receptions and had a perfect reception rate, which put him right outside the top 10 for week 16.
10. Caleb Williams - QB
The Chicago Bears have lost nine straight and gone 0-5 in division play, but Caleb Williams has put together a season that will give Bears fans hope for next season. Against the Detroit Lions, Williams threw for 334 yards, the fourth 300+ yard passing game he has had this season.
He also three for two touchdowns and had 8.4 yards per completion, his second-highest this season. A positive takeaway from the Bears nine game slide is that Williams has not thrown an interception since the week six win against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
9. Bucky Irving - RB
Bucky Irving and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' playoff hopes took a big hit with their loss against the Dallas Cowboys. Irving had his quietest game since week nine when he rushed for 24 yards on seven carries.
Against Dallas, he ran for a touchdown, 68 yards on sixteen carries, and averaged 4.3 yards a carry, the fewest since the Buccaneers' week 11 bye, excluding week 14 when he was injured. Irving is 80 yards shy of having a 1,000-yard rushing season and is the leading rookie rusher. Also, he continued to impress last week with his receiving game and had three receptions on three targets.
8. Bo Nix - QB
The Denver Broncos are a week away from securing a playoff spot, and Bo Nix has led the charge. Last week, he had his best completion rate, 72.5%, in the past four weeks while throwing for 263 yards and two touchdowns.
The Broncos are a week away from securing a playoff spot and control their destiny. Nix has two weeks left to become the favorite in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race, but the competition is tight.
7. Cooper DeJean - CB
Cooper DeJean had four tackles and a forced fumble in the Philadelphia Eagles' loss to the Washington Commanders. DeJean will have an impact during the Eagles' postseason play with his ability to make stops on critical downs.
This season he has 3 pressures, 15th among cornerbacks, 47 receptions allowed, 16th fewest among cornerbacks. DeJean's influence to the Eagles secondary has made Philadelphia's defense a top three defense this season.
6. Brock Bowers - TE
Brock Bowers makes a case to be named an All-pro tight end each week. Following a 10-game losing streak, Bowers had 11 receptions on 13 targets for 99 yards in the Las Vegas Raiders' victory over the Jaguars.
With his 99 receiving yards, Bowers broke 1,000 receiving yards this season and is eighth in receiving yards this season. He is second in receptions with 101, fourth in yards after catch with 549, and eighth in receiving yards; he leads all tight ends in those categories.
5. Edgerrin Cooper - LB
Since returning from injury, Edgerrin Cooper has been an exciting linebacker to watch. He was the team-leading tackler with 10 tackles (eight solo) against the New Orleans Saints.
Cooper also had 1.5 stuffs and one TFL against the Saints and he led his team to their first shutout win for the Green Bay Packers since the 2021 season. This season he has 69 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, four pass defensed, one interception, and one forced fumble, making the Packers linebacker core a solid defensive threat.
4. Brian Thomas Jr. - WR
Jacksonville's star wide receiver had a career-high against the Raiders. Brian Thomas Jr. had 132 yards, including a 62-yard completion, and one touchdown on nine receptions.
Thomas is the leading rookie receiver and sixth in the league in receiving yards and fifth in touchdowns with nine. His 132 yards helped him break 1,000 receiving yards in his rookie year.
3. Jared Verse - EDGE
Jared Verse has been an influential player during the Los Angeles Rams 8-2 run. In their victory over the New York Jets, Verse had five tackles (two solo), a fumble recovery, four hurries, four stops, and four pressures.
Verse is in a tight race for Defensive Rookie of the Year, and his pressure stats are impressive. He ranks fifth among edge rushers this season in hits with 14, fourth in total pressures with 68, and third in hurries with 48.
2. Quinyon Mitchell - CB
Quinyon Mitchell had his first zero-tackle performance in the loss against the Commanders, but it was not because of his inability to tackle. He played 39 coverage snaps against Washington, and his marked receiver had one target, zero receptions, and zero yards allowed.
Mitchell is competing with Verse for this season's DROTY, and the Eagles' cornerback is eighth among cornerbacks in pass breakups with eight. He also has not allowed 30+ yards for the past 11 games for Philadelphia.
1. Jayden Daniels - QB
The Commanders upset their division rival, the Eagles, and can still win the NFC East if they win out and Philadelphia loses their final two games. Jayden Daniels has been the key to Washington's turnaround season.
Against the Eagles, he threw for 258 yards and five touchdowns and rushed for 81 yards on nine carries, earning himself a 95.7 QBR. Daniels was only sacked once and threw two interceptions in the victory over Philadelphia, but he is the favorite for OROTY.
