Rookie Rankings Week 6 Edition: MAJOR Risers! Does Lawrence Fall Out of the Ranks?

 A quarter of the season is complete and it's time to take a look at the top rookies we've seen so far. We made our first edition of this list going into week 1 and are now revisiting it to see the movement and changes that have happened since. We will try and do one of these every quarter of the NFL season to keep showing the updates. The movement between this list and the one we made predicting things going into this season is going to be crazy.

1. Ja'Marr Chase, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Previously #14 +

This is the biggest indicator ever that pre-season does not matter. Chase was downright bad in the pre-season and it left many wondering if he was going to be a major bust. In our original rankings, he was the only top 5 pick not in the top 10. Now look at him. Chase has total 23 grabs for 456 yards and 5 TDs receiving. Those are elite numbers for any wideout let alone a rookie. He is the clearcut WR1 in the Bengals' now explosive offense. What a pick this was for Cinncy as Chase appears to be well on his way to OROY and looks like the best rookie in the league.

2. Rashawn Slater, Offensive Tackle, Los Angeles Chargers
Previously UNRANKED +

Another insanely higher riser, Rashawn Slater went from unranked to the no. 2 spot! The no. 13 overall pick in the draft is arguably the best rookie o-lineman we've seen in a decade. He has been virtually playing perfect football since joining the Chargers. At tackle, the Chargers are now set for at least a decade with him as Herbert's sturdy pass protector. He has allowed just 2 sacks and is probably one of the top 5 tackles in the entire league this season. For an O-lineman, it's hard at times to describe how good they are but Slater is beyond just good, he has a legit OROY chance as an OL. An O-lineman has never won the award before...

3. Asante Samuel Jr., Cornerback, Los Angeles Chargers
Previously UNRANKED +

Back to back Chargers, back to back to back huge risers. Another player we didn't have on the pre-season top 20 storms all the way up the rankings after the first quarter of the season. Samuel was a guy I loved going into the draft and he fell to the mid second round where the Chargers got a massive steal. Ever since he touched NFL grass, he has been playing elite football. Samuel has 16 total tackles, 2 picks, and 5 pass deflections thus far into the season. Those are insane numbers again for any corner, not just a rookie. The Chargers literally couldn't have aced either of their first two selections any better and now have two guys that look like they could be some of the best at their position for years to come.

4. Micah Parsons, Linebacker/Rusher, Dallas Cowboys
Previously #4

Micah Parsons was ranked no. 4 before the season and he remains in that slot 6 weeks later. Parsons has been the ultimate chess-piece for Dallas DC Dan Quinn. They are using him like a bigger Jamal Adams and it is working super well so far. Parsons has combined for 25 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 2 pass deflections. This is rare versatility. The Cowboys have been so impressed with what they've seen from him that they cut former pro bowl LB Jaylon Smith to ensure more playing time for Parsons. While I have Asante Samuel Jr. currently barely ahead of Parsons, I still give Parsons the better bet to win DROY as of now due to his versatility and the amount of different stats he will likely rack up as the season finishes out.

5. Mac Jones, Quarterback, New England Patriots
Previously #19 +

We'll say it again, another huge riser. Somewhat of a big shock so far this season has been Mac Jones being by far the best rookie QB yet. Considered one of the strongest QB classes in years, Jones was thought of by many to be an average prospect but he's been amazing so far for New England. His stats of 1243 yards, 5 TDs, and 5 INTs might sound pretty average, but he's playing better than those stats can say. Jones has looked poised in every game so far and *ALMOST* beat Tom Brady in New England in what would have been the win of his lifetime. Jones is proving to clearly be the future in NE.

6. Greg Newsome II, Cornerback, Cleveland Browns
Previously UNRANKED +

The first of a few Browns players to come on this list. Greg Newsome II was an underrated prospect going into the draft and he fell much later into the first round than a lot of people might have expected. It is proving to be a steal so far for Cleveland. Newsome has instantly shown he can be a lockdown corner at the next level. Paired up with stud Denzel Ward for the Browns, Newsome is looking like the veteran of the two. He's allowed just 4 catches so far which is beyond impressive. Cleveland got a great one here.

7. Creed Humphrey, Center, Kansas City Chiefs
Previously UNRANKED +

Who would have seen this coming? The late second round stud out of Oklahoma fell to one of the best situations in football and is enjoying a near perfect start to his career despite the Chiefs struggling as a team. Humphrey has started the entire season thus far for the defending AFC champs and allowed just 1 sack along with earning an elite 87.1 PFF grade. That is the highest grade of any Center in the LEAGUE! He is PFF's no. 1 ranked Center and they are known for their O-line rankings. What a steal for KC to add to their already stacked roster.

8. Patrick Surtain II, Cornerback, Denver Broncos
Previously #6 -

The first player to move down the ranks so far is Pat Surtain. Not because he's been bad, he's been really really good, but some rookies have been just so amazing to start out that they have leaped him. Ever since entering the starting lineup for Denver, Surtain II has been nothing short of unbelievable. He has 17 tackles and pick and has allowed opposing QBs to an under 50 passer rating. Widely considered the best defensive player in the class, Surtain II has been showing off those skills that made him a top 10 pick. Denver has their CB1 of the next decade.

9. Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah, Linebacker, Cleveland Browns
Previously UNRANKED +

A guy who many considered to be a top 20 prospect in the past draft fell on draft night to the second round due to some health concerns. The Browns are thanking the world for that one. What a steal. JOK is playing easily like a top 10 pick and is garnering some serious early DROY consideration. Just like Micah Parsons, JOK is so versatile and does a lot of everything. With 21 total tackles, half a sack, a forced fumble, 3 pass deflections, JOK has been amazing. He is adding so much to this improved Cleveland D and has legit Darius Leonard/Bobby Wagner potential. He can do a bit of everything. 

10. Najee Harris, Running Back, Pittsburgh Steelers
Previously #3 -

Harris has not been bad by any means, he's been really good, but again he falls victim to other rookies setting the world on fire. Najee Harris has been a beast for the putrid Steelers offense. He has 300+ rushing yards along with a whopping 198 yards receiving for an RB. He's top 20 in rushing yards and top 3 in receiving yards for a back. With 28 grabs he's also in the top 3 for RBs. All as a rookie. Harris also has 3 TDs. For a rookie RB not drafted inside the top 20, these are wildly impressive numbers. He is only scratching the surface. This guy seriously has HOF potential at the position.

11. Odafe Oweh, EDGE Rusher, Baltimore Ravens
Previously UNRANKED +

When the Ravens took Odafe Oweh at the end of the first round, everyone knew it was a good high-potential pick for the future. No one was prepared for Oweh to be amazing right out of the gate. Oweh would be top 5 on the list if this list was just off of the first 3 weeks. He's cooled off a little since but has still been really good so far. Oweh has 3 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, and 11 total tackles to this point. Those are such good stats for a rookie edge rusher, especially for one who didn't have a single sack last year in college. One of his 2 forced fumbles also won the Ravens the game against KC in week 2. This guy has a really bright future in the league.

12. Gregory Rousseau, EDGE Rusher, Buffalo Bills
Previously UNRANKED +

The Bills continue their hot streak of drafting really well. Rousseau was an insane steal at the end of the first round. With 15 sacks in 2019, many thought Rousseau would be a top 5 pick in the upcoming draft. Then Rousseau opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID and his draft stock took a massive hit. It's proving he's still that guy who managed to get 15 sacks in 2019. Rousseau has 3 sacks along with 18 tackles, and a pick and a pass deflection. He is coming off of a week 5 NFL defensive player of the week game in which he had the pick. Rousseau is really just scratching the surface of his potential and looks like he could be flying into the DROY conversation right now. The Bills got a good one.

13. Kadarius Toney, Wide Receiver, New York Giants
Previously UNRANKED +

What a difference a couple of weeks makes. Through the first 3 games, Toney was the joke of the league. The Giants drafted him at no. 20 overall for him to really not play at all. Then with a ton of injuries throughout the offense, Toney took on a major role and ran with it. He had 6 catches for 78 yards against New Orleans and then followed it up last week with a monster 10 catch, 189 yard performance. Toney is a star in the making. He was drafted for his insane change of direction and cutting and it is proving evident at the next level. He reminds me a lot of Deebo Samuel who is currently taking the league by storm as well. Toney is getting hot and might make the OROY chase with Ja'Marr pretty interesting down the stretch. 

14. Kyle Pitts, Tight End, Atlanta Falcons
Previously #5 -

While Kyle Pitts had a slow start, he is picking up steam with each week that passes. He is coming off his best game yet in which he had 9 catches for 119 yards and a TD. Aside from that he's been pretty mediocre but he is clearly as good as advertised and finally starting to get the reps we expected. While this might seem like a bad ranking, it really isn't. He is just getting going and clearly is what we thought he was. Atlanta has to keep getting him the ball. He is a monster.

15. Trey Smith, Offensive Guard, Kansas City Chiefs
Previously UNRANKED +

The first player drafted outside of the first two rounds on the list so far. Trey Smith who was a 6th round pick has been unbelievable so far. Likely a first or second round talent, Smith had some major health concerns including heart problems which made him tough for teams to fall in love with in the pre-draft process. Smith was a flier by the Chiefs and it has payed off big time for them thus far. Smith has started all year so far for the team and has been one of the better guards in all of football. He has barely allowed any pressures and is a mauler in the run-game. What a steal for the Chiefs. They have two OL in the top 20 rookies list.

16. Eric Stokes, Cornerback, Green Bay Packers
Previously UNRANKED +

The Packers disappointed a lot of fans when they drafted Stokes instead of a pass-catcher in round 1 of this past draft, but many have probably changed their minds since. Eric Stokes has been really nice for this team since entering the starting lineup in week 2. He had 13 tackles and a pick which is pretty good for a rookie but also has a whopping 7 pass deflections which is top 10 in the entire NFL. Stokes has stepped up big time and will assume an even bigger role with the injury to CB1 Jaire Alexander. 

17. DeVonta Smith, Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles
Previously #7 -

Smith's skill has definitely translated over to the next level, he just isn't benefitted with the same dominating team around him that he enjoyed at Alabama. He has had a few big games, but overall there is a lot of production left on the table with Jalen Hurts being pretty inaccurate throwing the ball through these first 6 weeks. Smith has totaled 345 receiving yards and a TD on 27 catches. He has easily stepped in as the Eagle's WR1 and is definitely a hit for a pick unlike Jalen Reagor and JJ Arcega-Whiteside in recent years. We hope the Eagles can get it to him more, he is a really good player.

18. Javonte Williams, Running Back, Denver Broncos
Previously #10 -

Splitting the workload with Melvin Gordon has hurt Williams' stats, but he has been so productive and great on his opportunities. He is averaging 7+ yards per carry right now. That is wild. Those are junior high/high school numbers in the NFL! This shows how good Williams is going to be when he finally assumes the starting gig. The NFL world is waiting, Williams is definitely a future elite back in this league. By week 10 or so, he could be the full-time guy.

19. Rondale Moore, Wide Receiver, Arizona Cardinals
Previously UNRANKED +

In a similar way to Javonte Williams, Rondale Moore would be setting the NFL world on fire right now if he got more opportunities. While there have definitely been games in which Moore had a lot of opportunities, they have not been consistent. In week 2, Moore went for 117 yards on 7 grabs and had a score. He hasn't gone above 100 yards or 5 catches since. He has 1-2 really good plays per game that show how talented he is. Soon, he will become the team's clear cut WR2 behind DHOP and will put up amazing numbers on a weekly basis. The explosive rookie is close to reaching the top.

20. Trevor Lawrence, Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars
Previously #1-

The no. 1 overall pick does NOT drop off the rankings list for now! He drops as far as he can without falling off but he is still here. Lawrence has had his share of rookie mistakes, but by the week, he looks better and more poised even amid all of the disfunction in Jacksonville. Lawrence has thrown for 1100 yards, 6 TDs, and 8 picks with another 110 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. He has shown many flashes of the elite potential we know he has and again, looks better by the week. He takes the final spot in our week 6 rookie ranks!

JUST MISSED: Joe Tryon (EDGE, Buccaneers), Michael Carter II (S/CB, Jets), Sam Cosmi (OT, WFT), Azeez Ojulari (EDGE, Giants), Trey Lance (QB, 49ers), Nate Hobbs (CB, Raiders), Jaylen Waddle (WR, Dolphins), Zach Wilson (QB, Jets), Jaelan Phillips (EDGE, Dolphins), Osa Odighizuwa (DT, Cowboys), Jaycee Horn (CB, Panthers | **injured)