QB
CJ Stroud / HOU (Round 1)
No matter where the Steelers currently are in the win/loss column, putting 30 points on the board against that defense without any turnovers from the quarterback is noteworthy. Adding in 306 yards and 2 touchdowns puts Stroud on a very short list of rookies to perform like that against a Mike Tomlin defense. The advanced reads and progressions along with pinpoint ball placement created zero turnover worthy plays against a defense that specializes in creating them.
Honorable Mention: Anthony Richardson / IND
RB
De'Von Achane / MIA (Round 3)
The day two pick that many (including myself) docked a bit for weighing in at under 190 pounds is the closest thing we have seen to Jamaal Charles / Chris Johnson since those two were scoring on defenses in a blink. Whether or not he can sustain the effectiveness remains to be seen but after a record setting performance last week, Achane responded with 101 rushing yards, two touchdowns, and 19 receiving yards on just 11 touches.
Honorable Mention: Jaleel McLaughlin / DEN
WR
Puka Nacua / LAR (Round 5)
Nacua is clenching his grip on the history books. Not a single player in the history of the NFL has caught more passes than him. Not one. He added dramatic impact to his week four showing, bringing in the game winning touchdown in overtime against the Colts in Indianapolis. It was his 9th catch for 163 yards. Eight of those went for a first down / touchdown and he did not drop a single ball.
Honorable Mention: Jayden Reed / GB
TE
Josh Whyle / TEN (Round 5)
Known for his receiving skill set more than what he offers in the trenches, Whyle showed out as a run blocker in TEN’s upset win over CIN as the team averaged just under 6 yards per carry on the ground. He also caught 2 passes for 26 yards, one of which went for his first career touchdown.
Honorable Mention: Sam LaPorta / DET
OT
Darnell Wright / CHI (Round 1)
One of the most physically impressive young linemen in the game has improved weekly, with his performance playing a key role in the top offensive performance we have seen from CHI this season. He allowed a sack and was flagged twice, but his feet and hands are more in sync, and we saw flashes of dominance against DEN’s free agent signing Zach Allen multiple times.
Honorable Mention: Dawand Jones / CLE
OG/OC
Joe Tippman / NYJ (Round 2)
What started off as the ugly offensive football we have seen since the fifth play of the Jets' season turned into a near upset win over the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs. Tippman allowed just one hurry, playing every snap, and winning multiple one on one battles against All-Pro Chris Jones.
Honorable Mention: Cody Mauch / TB
EDGE
Tavius Robinson / BAL (Round 4)
With the injuries atop the team’s edge depth chart, Robinson led the team in snaps at outside linebacker. He consistently set a hard edge, funneling the run game inside. He added 4 tackles and a pressure in their blowout win over Cleveland, a game that saw the Browns score just three points.
Honorable Mention: Byron Young / LAR
DT
Bryan Bresee / NO (Round 1)
Much of the attention went elsewhere in one of the most heated rivalries in the NFC. Bresee played 32 snaps, third most among their interior defensive line, and produced across the board at a high level. He had 2 hurries, a sack, and three tackles (all of which were stops).
Honorable Mention: Jalen Carter / PHI
LB
Drew Sanders / DEN (Round 3)
Sanders’ 57 snaps were the third straight week we have seen an uptick in playing time for the hybrid prospect. After seeing a lot of snaps as a pass rusher at Arkansas, the DEN defense seems dedicated to keeping him off the ball and dropping into coverage. He is not effective in that role yet (5 catches allowed on 5 targets), he was second on the team with 6 solo tackles, 4 of which were stops for the defense. Anything is better than what happened against Miami last week and the start of this game did not go well, but Sanders helped steady the ship in the second half of their comeback win.
Honorable Mention: Jack Campbell / DET
CB
Devon Witherspoon / SEA (Round 1)
The top rookie performance of the season now belongs to Witherspoon until further notice. His stat line almost seems fake, but the impact he had on the game was even greater. Witherspoon had 2 sacks, 2 hurries, 3 tackles (2 for a loss), and a pick six that completely changed the game in their win over the Giants on Monday night. The national stage performance firmly put him on the map.
Honorable Mention: Christian Izien / TB
S
Brian Branch / DET
The Thursday night win over Green Bay on the road was a national display of what has changed the most about this team, the reason why many feel different this time around for Detroit. Branch is the catalyst among the back seven. He fought an ankle injury and still ended with 7 tackles and a pass break up on just 40 snaps.
Honorable Mention: Derrick Reed / SEA