QB
Bryce Young / CAR (Round 1)
Carolina jumped out to an early 14-0 lead over Miami, the second touchdown being a pass from Young to Adam Thielen. While it got ugly from there (CAR was outscored 42-7 the next three quarters), Young has shown signs of early maturation and progress. It was his best overall game as a pro, throwing for 217 yards on 23/38. It was the first time he did not opt to scramble, keeping his eyes downfield and he dropped a couple of absolute dimes.
Honorable Mention: CJ Stroud / HOU
RB
Bijan Robinson / ATL (Round 1)
It was a quiet week for the rooking running backs. Robinson gained just 37 yards on 13 carries but did add 43 yards on 5 catches. In total, he gained four first downs. The two standout traits to this game were more downfield targets. His 4.1 yard average depth of target were by far a season high, as his previous high was 0.6 and all but one game had a negative number. His six pass blocking plays were also a season high, and he batted a thousand there, proving he truly can do it all.
Honorable Mention: Tyjae Spears / TEN
WR
Michael Wilson / ARZ (Round 3)
Like most rookie receivers, Wilson’s targets have been inconsistent. Quarterback Josh Dobbs publicly admitted he needed to get the ball to the rookie more, however. I expect the idea to strengthen, as he caught 3 of 4 targets for 72 yards. Two of them were contested, all three resulted in first downs. Of the 95 wide receivers that have 14+ targets this season, Wilson ranks fifth in average depth of target and tenth in catch percentage.
Honorable Mention: Zay Flowers / BAL
TE
Michael Mayer / LV (Round 2)
Mayer saw a season high 13 snaps from the slot (previous high was 5) and it resulted in, by far, the most productive game of his young career. He had 75 yards on 5 catches. He forced three missed tackles after the catch, gained 4 first downs, and showed his best blocking we have seen so far. Hopefully Josh McDaniels will continue this usage, as this is where he played his best ball in college.
Honorable Mention: Brenton Strange (JAX)
OT
Dawand Jones / CLE (Round 4)
The week one injury to Jack Conklin likely threw Jones into the starting right tackle role before the team wanted, but this is why you pay Bill Callahan, the best offensive line coach in the game. Jones has been more than solid, but his truest test showed up when San Francisco arrived. How did he respond? He played the best game of the season to this point. He allowed just one pressure on 41 pass rush snaps and extended his no-penalty streak to three games. His size and power engulfed and overwhelmed Nick Bosa nearly every time the two matched up.
Honorable Mention: Anton Harrison / JAX
OG/OC
Anthony Bradford / SEA (Round 3)
In his third start of the season and playing alongside a backup right tackle, Bradford played the best game of his young career. The movement he got at the point of attack in the running game was a real difference make. He did allow three pressures in pass protection, as he remains a work in progress against lateral movement, but the anchor against the bull rush was effective and his hands are incredibly powerful.
Honorable Mention: O’Cyrus Torrence / BUF
EDGE
Will Anderson / HOU (Round 1)
Anderson showed his full arsenal of rush moves in their matchup against New Orleans. It resulted in a season-high 8 pressures (previous high was 5) and he added 3 tackles. The power, the re-direct quickness, and the pure speed up the edge put the blockers on ice skates. His attack is versatile and Derek Carr was taken down twice post-throw because of it. Anderson is just getting warmed up.
Honorable Mention: Byron Young / LAR
DT
Calijah Kancey / TB (Round 1)
After just 11 snaps week one, Kancey has been out since with a calf injury suffered in practice. He got back on the field against Detroit, one of the top offensive lines in football. He was not impressed, finishing with 6 pressures and a sack on just 28 pass rush snaps. He added 2 tackles, both stops. While his run defense needs work, Kancey already looks like a problem for opposing blockers, both inside and outside as the team is moving him around often.
Honorable Mention: Kobie Turner / LAR
LB
Jack Campbell / DET (Round 1)
On just 29 snaps, Campbell finished with 8 tackles. That is an amazing stat that will easily get overlooked. Campbell is a work in progress against the pass, as it seems the team does not quite know what to do with him. But when it comes to defending the run between the tackles and to the sideline, Campbell did it all on limited looks against Tampa Bay.
CB
Devon Witherspoon / SEA (Round 1)
Playing all 50 snaps, Witherspoon had another versatile day that showed up in all situations. He had 5 tackles and was a true edge setter on several plays that did not show up in the box score. He added a pressure and is tied for the league-lead in that department among corners. Lastly, Witherspoon broke up 2 passes and limited the completions he allowed to just 14 yards total.
Honorable Mention: Deonte Banks / BUF
S
Jordan Battle / CIN (Round 3)
It was a quiet week for the safeties again. Battle played just 7 defensive snaps, but he ended with 2 tackles including a defensive stop. His decisive run defense stuffed Kenneth Walker on a running play up the middle on a play where he started from the strong safety position. With the instability on the back end in the middle, Battle may be in line for more snaps.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Howden / NO