Going into the season this year, many rookies in this draft class had high expectations; some could meet them, and some couldn’t. This is a list of five rookies who have either met or exceeded their expectations and should be guys to watch out for in years to come.
C.J. Stroud
If the NFL season ended today, the Offensive Rookie of the Year award would undoubtedly go to Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. The former Ohio State Buckeye and number two overall pick has played as good, if not better, than any rookie quarterback in the last 20 years of NFL football. Even though the Texans only have a 2-3 record, Stroud ranks third in the NFL in passing yards, and he’s tied for tenth in passing touchdowns. This past week, Stroud also broke Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott’s record for completions without an interception to start a career.
Jalen Carter
The Eagles got a steal with Jalen Carter in the draft. Though he was a projected top pick before his off-the-field issues saw him slip a few spots, he is proving himself as arguably the best defensive player in this class. Carter is just a rookie on one of the most talented defensive lines in the NFL, and he is already stuffing the stat sheet. Carter has 12 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles in just five games. He will have stiff competition but is an early favorite for the Defensive Rookie of the Year award.
Puka Nacua
Without a doubt, the biggest surprise in the NFL this season, Puka Nacua, has been a breakout rookie for the Rams in the absence of former offensive player of the year Cooper Kupp. The receiver from BYU set records for most yards and receptions by a player through their first four games. Many people thought his production would drop a bit with the return of Kupp this past week, but he still had another excellent performance with 71 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions. Through just five, Nacua already has 572 yards, and Nacua and Kupp look to be one of the best-receiving duos in the league.
Bijan Robinson
Coming out of The University of Texas, Bijan Robinson was hyped up to be the next great running back, and he has not disappointed so far. Robinson has a video game-like ability to make defenders look lost, and he’s made a viral play every week. The Atlanta Falcons have been using Robinson cautiously, but regardless, he has 510 yards on 88 touches through five games and is averaging just under six yards per touch. Robinson has yet to get 20 carries in a game as he has been splitting a backfield with Tyler Allgier, but I expect him to fully take over the Falcons’ running back room in the coming years if not weeks.
Devon Achane
Though we’re still early in the season, Devon Achane is already proving to be one of the most explosive weapons in the NFL. In his last three games, he has 460 rushing yards on an unbelievable 12.1 yards per carry. The third-round pick from Texas A&M ran a 4.32 40-yard dash at the NFL combine, and his speed fits into the Miami Dolphins scheme perfectly. Achane, Raheem Mostert, Tyreek Hill, and Jaylen Waddle form an unstoppable four-headed monster. Unfortunately, Achane sustained a knee injury in his most recent game against the Giants and will most likely miss multiple weeks.
