The NFL’s 5 Best Rookies Heading into Week 11
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Green Bay Packers safety Evan Williams (33) celebrates after forcing a fumble against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 34-13. © Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
The Kansas City Chiefs remained undefeated through 10 weeks — though some consider the spotless record a little fluky — and oddsmakers expect Kansas City to play the Detroit Lions in the Super Bowl.
The NFL’s 5 Best Rookies Heading into Week 11
Meanwhile, several rookies have performed wonderfully, scattered throughout the business and regardless of draft round.
The following five players represent the league’s top five rookies through the end of Week 10, ranked in ascending order, according to Pro Football Focus.
5. Andru Phillips (CB)
Sep 30, 2023; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats defensive back Andru Phillips (23) celebrates an incomplete pass intended for Florida Gators wide receiver Ricky Pearsall (1) during the second quarter at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Prather-USA TODAY Sports.
Team: New York Giants
PFF Grade: 84.6
Phillips took a few weeks off this list but blasted back halfway through November. He played tremendously last weekend in Germany, though his team looked pretty terrible.
The rookie 3rd-Rounder doesn’t have too many weaknesses in his game, evidenced to a graduation as a Giants starter already. New York’s 2024 draft class is fantastic 10 weeks through the regular season. Malik Nabers and Tyrone Tracy agree.
4. Brock Bowers (TE)
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jordan Battle (27) breaks up a pass intended for Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) in the second quarter of the NFL game at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Sunday, Nov. 3, 2024. © Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Team: Las Vegas Raiders
PFF Grade: 86.2
Bowers had a week off, and few rookies passed him by for the best newcomer sprint.
The Raiders will be back on Sunday, however, taking on the Dolphins in Miami, a team hungry for a midseason turnaround. Gardner Minshew will throw to rock to Bowers and others.
Bowers is on pace for 11 receptions, 1,137 receiving yards, and 2 scores, basically representing the best tight end in football, veterans included.
3. Jared Verse (EDGE)
Nov 11, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) forces a fumble by Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) in the first half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Team: Los Angeles Rams
PFF Grade: 86.9
His team lost in Week 10, but Verse constructed a masterful game, recording 2 tackles for loss, a sack, and a forced fumble. The man is aboard a runaway train to win Defensive Rookie of the Year, and it helps that the Rams don’t have too many other EDGE rushers to steal his playing time.
Verse averages 5 quarterback pressures per game. He’s a stud.
2. Jayden Daniels (QB)
Nov 10, 2024; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) prepares to receive a snap during the second half against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images.
Team: Washington Commanders
PFF Grade: 87.2
Daniels’ individual production has slowed just a whisker, but his chances of winning OROY have not — because Caleb Williams’ has totally tumbled off the radar. The Chicago Bears are in full disarray.
Yet, the Commanders are 7-3 and would travel to Atlanta for a Wildcard game if the playoffs started today. They’d probably even be favored to win; that’s how well Daniels’ first season is going in Washington.
1. Evan Williams (S)
Green Bay Packers safety Javon Bullard (20), cornerback Jaire Alexander and safety Evan Williams (33) scramble to recover a fumble by Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Greg Dortch (4) on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 34-13 Tork. © Tork Mason / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Team: Green Bay Packers
PFF Grade: 87.4
Probably the NFL’s best-kept secret, Williams doesn’t have bad games. He’s notched a 45.8 passer-rating-against, 28 total tackles, a pick, and a tackle for loss.
His Packers return to action this weekend at Soldier Field, a showdown with those same Bears mentioned above. Williams should feast on the Bears’ embattled offense.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the Minnesota Vikings, with 4-7 episodes per week. His NFL obsession dates back to 1989. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.
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