The NFL’s 5 Best Rookies Heading into Week 7

Six weeks of NFL football are in the books, with the Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs and Minnesota Vikings setting the pace as the only teams with immaculate records at 5-0.

The NFL’s 5 Best Rookies Heading into Week 7

Along the way, 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 6,  ranked in ascending order, according to Pro Football Focus.

5. Malik Nabers (WR)

Team: New York Giants
PFF Grade: 80.4

Although Nabers has not played the last two weeks, he is still vividly one of the sport’s best rookies.

Through four games, he serves as a top bright spot in the Giants’ offense, even making fans wonder how much better he could be if he partnered with a superstar quarterback.

He’s on pace for 1,094 receiving yards and 9 touchdowns. There’s a reasonable chance he returns this week for Eagles at Giants. New York will need him for a puncher’s chance to prevail.

4. Zach Frazier (C)

Team: Pittsburgh Steelers
PFF Grade: 82.2

Frazier is accountable for zero penalties and zero sacks allowed, which earns him high placement on lists like this one.

Through six weeks, he’s allowed just four quarterback pressures and two quarterback hits. Frazier was one of the collegiate offensive line prospects who was ready on Day No. 1. He has not disappointed that scouting report — not one bit. He’ll be around for a decade-plus. A lifer.

3. Jayden Daniels (QB)

Team: Washington Commanders
PFF Grade: 83.3

Daniels’ team lost on Sunday, but that’s to be expected when encountering a hot Baltimore Ravens club.

The rookie passer — the frontrunner to win Offensive Rookie of the Year — played well, banking 269 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and no interceptions. Daniels is also fifth in line per the MVP race with +1400 odds. Washington has a get-right game next on the schedule, taking on the lowly Carolina Panthers at home. Daniels might climb these rankings even higher.

2. Brock Bowers (TE)

Team: Las Vegas Raiders
PFF Grade: 85.2

Bowers produced 9 receptions for 74 yards in the Raiders’ loss to the Steelers in Week 6. Meanwhile, he’s on track for even more attention in Las Vegas’ offense after wideout Davante Adams got his wish and was traded to the New York Jets on Tuesday.

This guaranteed-to-be-good tight end has not let onlookers down and, in fact, is the NFL’s best tight end by fantasy football standards.

1. Evan Williams (S)

Team: Green Bay Packers
PFF Grade: 91.4

This Packers phenom is gradually accruing more playing time, seeing action on 150 players through six weeks, which equates to 39% of the time. He started last weekend and may not give up that job.

Williams has 17 tackles, 3 passes defended, a pick, and a tackle for loss in his first year. Opposing quarterbacks have a horrendous 29.7 passer-rating-against when targeting Williams.

Nobody really saw it coming, but for now, Williams is the NFL’s best rookie.

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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.