As we approach the midway point of the season, rookies have had time to show what they can do. From OROY favorites to players who haven’t done much, here’s everything about rookie skill position players.
October Rookie Report
Promising Starts
Texans teammates C.J. Stroud and Tank Dell have picked up right where they left off last month. Their numbers haven’t been as impressive but they’re still Bonafide starters. Stroud is continuing to take care of the ball as Dell is getting involved in lots of different ways.
The return of Cooper Kupp hasn’t affected standout rookie Puka Nacua as much as some had expected. Nacua maintained his early season success through October with nearly 300 receiving yards. It seems that he’ll be in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race until the very end.
Colts wide receiver Josh Downs recently burst onto the scene after an unimpressive start. The 3rd round pick from North Carolina has over 70 yards in three of his last four games. An analytical darling throughout the draft process has become a trusted target for Gardner Minshew.
Zay Flowers leads the Ravens in receiving yards but hasn’t topped 100 yards in a game. He’s contributing weekly but hasn’t had a “breakout” game. With just one touchdown on 61 targets, expect some big games from Flowers shortly.
The Vikings are asking a lot from Jordan Addison, and he’s delivering. He’s found the end zone more than twice as many times as any other rookie receiver has. With Kirk Cousins suffering a torn Achilles, a drop in production is on the horizon for Addison. He’s proven to be an NFL talent, regardless of what the numbers might say from here on out.
Watching the games and watching the box scores will tell two different stories for Bijan Robinson. The numbers have faltered thanks to a mysterious illness in week seven and curious usage from head coach Arthur Smith. No need to panic, though. Anyone watching Robinson play knows he’s a stud and will be a difference-maker for years.
Lions 2nd round pick Sam LaPorta has been a pleasant surprise. He’s already among the league’s best tight ends in receptions, yards, and touchdowns. The sky is the limit for LaPorta, who’s already dominating at 22 years old.
Work in Progress
Dolphins running back De’Von Achane and Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson are in the same boat. Both flashed when healthy but have missed a lot of time. Achane can return from injured reserve in November while Richardson is done for the season. After promising starts for both, fans now wait to see them back in action.
Seattle appears to be easing their offensive rookies into the mix. Rookie receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back Zach Charbonnet were regarded highly as prospects and we’re seeing why. They’ve both had their best games in recent weeks as they grow more familiar with the system.
After failing to throw for 200 yards in a game during September, Bryce Young reached that benchmark four times in October. The first overall pick from this year’s draft looks better as the season progresses.
Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid missed week six with a concussion but has been hot ever since. He recorded 13 catches for 140 yards and his first NFL touchdown in two games since returning. What’s been an up-and-down start for Kincaid’s career is now heading in the right direction.
Although David Montgomery is the team’s starter, Lions rookie Jahmyr Gibbs is closing the gap. There’s no doubting Gibbs abilities on the perimeter and as a receiver, but what sticks out is his confidence running between the tackles. His game is rounding out nicely, and he’ll form a dangerous 1-2 punch with Montgomery moving forward.
It’s not often that a rookie bursts onto the scene like Will Levis did last week. With four passing touchdowns in his debut, there’s now a legitimate quarterback controversy in Tennessee. Things went as well as possible for Levis, and it’ll be exciting to see where this goes in November.
The search for a true #1 receiver in Kansas City is ongoing, but Rashee Rice is currently the favorite. Future Hall of Famer Travis Kelce is the only Chief with more receptions, yards, and touchdowns than Rice.
Time to Panic?
First-round pick Quentin Johnston hasn’t found his footing in the NFL yet. Johnston has just 12 catches for 114 receiving yards roughly halfway through his rookie season. Johnston has largely been a non-factor, even with the absence of Mike Williams.
New Orleans running back Kendre Miller and Jacksonville’s Tank Bigsby are hardly playing. Both were day-two selections this April but are buried behind veterans on their respective teams.
Marvin Mims made big plays on offense and special teams early in the season, but he’s been quiet since. Mims has yet to see more than 40% of the team’s snaps in a game this season. Perhaps the speedster will start getting more chances following Denver’s Week nine bye week.
Early Look at the 2024 Rookies
Main Photo Credit: Syndication: The Tennessean
Tight ends take some time to find their footing in the NFL, so Michael Mayer’s slow start isn’t too concerning. Still, he’s not on the level of other rookie tight ends like LaPorta and Kincaid thus far.
