The NFL’s 5 Best Rookies Heading into Week 17
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Dec 22, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) reacts after making a first down against the Dallas Cowboys in the first half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images.
The NFL has under two weeks of regular season action remaining, and oddsmakers expect the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs to meet in the Super Bowl.
The NFL’s 5 Best Rookies Heading into Week 17
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 16, ranked in ascending order, according to Pro Football Focus.
5. Dominick Puni (OG)
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers guard Dominick Puni (77) looks on during the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
Team: San Francisco 49ers
PFF Grade: 83.3
Puni doesn’t get much love because, well, interior offensive linemen never get much credit.
The rookie became an immediate starter on the 49ers’ offensive line, playing 938 snaps to date. He also hasn’t allowed a single QB hit, which is pretty bizarre. On the whole, Puni has allowed 3 sacks this season. Pretty swell for a rookie.
Let it be known: San Francisco has the right guard spot figured out, thanks to a 3rd-Rounder.
4. Brock Bowers (TE)
Nov 29, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (89) scores a touchdown as Kansas City Chiefs safety Chamarri Conner (27) makes the tackle during the second half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images.
Team: Las Vegas Raiders
PFF Grade: 85.8
Bowers is on pace for 114 catches, 1,209 yards, and 5 touchdowns on a team quarterbacked by Gardner Minshew, Aidan O’Connell, and Desmond Ridder. That’s quite the accomplishment.
In fact, Bowers is one of the lone bright spots in a Raiders season that has been woeful.
Bowers, through his first season, is fantasy football immorality.
3. Jared Verse (EDGE)
Nov 3, 2024; Seattle, Washington, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Jared Verse (8) celebrates after sacking Seattle Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) (not pictured) during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Team: Los Angeles Rams
PFF Grade: 86.2
Verse ranks third in the NFL in quarterback hurries, fourth in quarterback pressures, and fifth in quarterback hits. He’s banked 6 sacks, and when it comes to rushing the quarterback, the guy is rather polished for a rookie.
He benefitted from playing time right away — some rookie EDGEs like Dallas Turner have been forced to wait — but Verse is here to stay.
2. Bucky Irving (RB)
Nov 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) scores a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers in the fourth quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images.
Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
PFF Grade: 87.8
Irving is on pace for 1,406 yards from scrimmage and 8 touchdowns on a team battling for the NFC South.
Before too long, Irving will take over as the Buccaneers’ RB1, or at the very least, Tampa Bay will showcase an Irving combination with Rachaad White like the Detroit Lions do with David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs.
1. Jayden Daniels (QB)
Nov 14, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels before action against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images.
Team: Washington Commanders
PFF Grade: 88.5
Daniels’ Commanders will reach the postseason, thrusting him further into the spotlight than he is now. The LSU rookie will also win Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Among all quarterbacks — not just rookies — Daniels is the NFL’s fifth-best quarterback per EPA+CPOE. It’s remarkable. C.J. Stroud ranked 13th per the same metric last year, and everyone gushed.
Daniels may be even better.
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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