NFL Rookie Rankings: Caleb Williams, Top Performers After 2024 Week 6

The NFL rookies are starting to hit a wall six weeks into the regular season.

Injuries are piling up, and overall play may have taken a dip for the current group of first-year players. Circumstances being what they are, though, there are still individuals who are performing well and trending in the right direction.

Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams felt right at home in London against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Fellow signal-caller Jayden Daniels kept his squad competitive against, arguably, the best team in the NFL right now. The Las Vegas Raiders' Brock Bowers continues to produce as TE1.

Otherwise, some of the names who previously populated this list are currently on the mend or didn't play this past weekend, which opened the door for a few others.

Our rookie rankings are based on cumulative effort throughout the season. Players who performed well during this past weekend or two may not crack the list just yet. Conversely, those who have struggled or haven't played may be offset by how well they did earlier in the year. The scale adjusts each week to reflect the latest games.

Off the List

WR Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals: Harrison's season had been one of extremes. The Cardinals barely recognized his presence in Week 1. The wide receiver then blew through teams in the first quarter of games before disappearing again. He didn't factor much into Arizona's loss against the San Francisco 49ers. During Sunday's contest, he didn't catch a pass before leaving the game upon entering the concussion protocol.

NT T'Vondre Sweat, Tennessee Titans: Much like Harrison, Sweat has either played at a very high level or almost borders on non-existent. Against the Indianapolis Colts' offensive line, the high-regarded unit did a good job holding him at bay, even when fellow rookie Tanor Bortolini entered the lineup to replace the injured Ryan Kelly.

Names to Watch

S Evan Williams Green Bay Packers: Williams has, arguably, been the best performing rookie over the last two weeks. He's been a physical downhill presence and excellent in coverage. However, his usage rate has been up and down the last few weeks. Once the Packers are settled in their secondary, he will almost certainly make the Top 10.

CB Tykee Smith, Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Smith is already emerging as one of the game's best nickel corners. He's a physical playmaker, who forced a fumble and snagged an interception Sunday against the New Orleans Saints. A slow start in coverage is the only thing holding him back at the moment. He's improving every week, though.

RB Tyrone Tracy Jr., New York Giants: Over the last two weeks, Tracy has basically been the Giants' offense. He has 237 total yards over that stretch. As he becomes more entrenched as Big Blue's lead back, he'll get more run on this list.

OT Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers: Alt returned to the Chargers lineup this past weekend after dealing with an MCL sprain he sustained in Week 3. He pass-protected well but needs to be a little more consistent in the run game.

CB Mike Sainristil, Washington Commanders: Sainristil is an example of a rookie thrown to the wolves to start his career and then responding by getter better with each game. As the Commanders struggle finding quality cornerbacks, the rookie is competing hard while playing primarily on the outside.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a running game. Maybe the pervious sentence don't quite sink in, so let's repeat: The Buccaneers have a running game.

After back-to-back seasons of finishing dead-last in rushing offense, they currently rank eighth overall. The inclusion of Bucky Irving is a big reason why, even though he's an undersized back.

This year's No. 125 overall pick currently leads all rookies with 328 rushing yards. His average of 5.7 rushing yards per attempt ranks second behind the league's leading rusher, Derrick Henry, among running backs with 50 or more carries.

Irving has ample quickness in short areas and runs bigger than his size (5'9", 192 lbs) indicates.

The Oregon product excelled in his first start, with 105 yards from scrimmage. With Rachaad White currently nursing a foot injury, he will continue in a featured role. He'll share a backfield with Sean Tucker, who also played extremely well Sunday against the New Orleans Saints.

Whatever the case, life can now be found in the Bucs' previously moribund ground attack.

Brian Thomas Jr. had been on a tear during the previous two weeks, but much like the rest of the Jacksonville Jaguars, he didn't do much in London against the Chicago Bears.

After two previous outings with 208 receiving yards and two touchdowns, the No. 23 pick managed only three catches for 27 yards Sunday.

The opportunities simply weren't there, though. As Fantasy Football Today's Jacob Gibbs noted, Thomas led the Jaguars in routes run for the first time at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Unfortunately, Jacksonville's offense isn't clicking. Both the pass and rushing attacks rank among the bottom half of the league. The Jaguars average under 20 points per game. the LSU product brings an explosive factor, but he has to be utilized properly.

Bottom line, Thomas will be as effective as the quarterback play from Trevor Lawrence. When things are clicking, there are few in the league with the ability to take off the top of a defense in the same manner.

However, when the bad version of the quarterback shows up, as it did Sunday, Thomas becomes a non-factor.

A person playing a position they never have before and then being asked to do so at the NFL level is difficult. But Dominick Puni is making it look easy with the San Francisco 49ers.

The third-round pick played multiple positions in college, but left tackle was his natural spot. The 49ers needed him at right guard, though, and he's made a seamless transition.

"It's amazing. I didn't know he didn't play right guard in college, so I just learned something," left tackle Trent Williams told reporters. "Which is crazy, because he literally has the makings of an Pro Bowl/All-Pro player at that position. So, like I said, he's a godsend. He's a really, really good kid. Really, really professional. He gained his teammates' respect just by the way he carried himself."

Puni has also played at an elite level over the last three weeks.

In a league where offensive-line development seems to be a lost art and teams tend to have little depth, the ability for an organization to identify a talent like the Kansas product in the third round and project him to a completely different position is a feather in its cap.

The version of Caleb Williams that so many expected based on being the No. 1 overall pick has officially arrived for the Chicago Bears.

The 22-year-old experienced a slow start, which is fine for any rookie signal-caller who is in the lineup from Day 1. He didn't see things well and made some poor decisions.

As the game started to slow down, though, his natural playmaking and throwing talents have taken over.

According to Pro Football Focus, Williams is 20-of-30 passing for 313 yards and seven touchdowns over the last three games when targeting receivers past the sticks. Chicago won each of those contests.

His short game is thriving as well. The USC product finished 13-of-14 passing, with three touchdowns, on quick throws during Sunday's 35-16 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars.

"When he's in a groove like that, and all the balls are catchable, it's pretty easier to play receiver," veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen said of Williams. "Week in, week out, he gets better. Obviously, when we pick up the tempo, he's a lot more comfortable. He's able to see things faster, and defenses can't do all the moving around."

The Philadelphia Eagles threw cornerback Quinyon Mitchell in at the deep end, and he's gracefully navigated the turbulent waters.

The 23-year-old has started every game and played more snaps than any other rookie corner, even though the Eagles already had their bye week. He's locking up with other team's top receivers. In most cases, he's played very well and is more than holding his own.

His performance harkens back to what defensive coordinator Vic Fangio stated when asked about this year's 22nd overall draft pick prior to the start of the regular season.

"He's done a good job picking up his responsibilities, done a good job playing, and he will be out there," he said.

The Toledo product has showed he's capable of handling everything Fangio and opposing offense have thrown his way. With Darius Slay now dealing with a knee injury, his play becomes even more important.

This past weekend against the Cleveland Browns, Mitchell and fellow rookie Cooper DeJean allowed only two receptions for 24 yards, according to Brenden Deeg of The Score. He would have had an interception if teammate C.J. Gardner-Johnson didn't knock it loose.

Pittsburgh Steelers center Zach Frazier had been the league's best first-year blocker through the opening six weeks of play.

Unfortunately, the No. 51 pick was forced to exit Sunday's contest against the Las Vegas Raiders due to an ankle injury. He left the locker room wearing a walking boot, according to DK Pittsburgh Sports' Chris Halicke.

Up until that point, Frazier had been excellent. Again, he didn't allow any pressures, and he helped open up holes for Najee Harris' best rushing effort of the season.

The West Virginia product's status for Pittsburgh's Week 7 contest against the New York Jets remains up in the air. If he misses any time, the Steelers will be without their tone-setter up front.

The organization already pivoted at the position after Nate Herbig suffered a season-ending injury during the summer. This time, the situation won't end up for the better. Frazier is now a vital part of the team moving forward, especially with Pittsburgh tied atop the AFC North alongside the Baltimore Ravens.

Ryan McCollum filled in adequately during Frazier's absence, but it's clear what the future of the position is for the Steelers. Any time missed by the the standout rookie will impact how the offense proceeds.

Sometimes, the best indicator of how an individual is playing can be based on how he's viewed by others around the league.

The Los Angeles Rams' Jared Verse is an excellent example from this year's draft class. Statistically, he isn't putting up huge numbers, but opponents know exactly who is and the need to deal with him presence.

"Jared has definitely shown up on tape," Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur said prior to facing the Rams in Week 5. "He's twitchy, he's violent, and he's relentless. That's what you're looking for in those guys. I think he's going to continue to develop and I would expect him to be a very, very good player for a long time in this league."

The Rams enjoyed their bye this past weekend. Even one game behind numerous squads, Verse has still created more pressures off the edge than any other rookie.

In order to reach a higher status on these rankings, the Florida State product will need to finish more consistently.

According to SB Nation's JB Scott, Verse has already missed 11 tackles in his first five appearances. By consistently winning off the edge and actually bringing down quarterbacks, Verse's sack numbers will skyrocket and potentially allow him to run away with Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.

New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers remains in the team's concussion protocol. He's now missed the last two games as a result.

Aside from the ill-advised attendance of a Travis Scott concert while recovering, the 21-year-old and medical staff will continue to work through the process to see if he'll be cleared for Sunday's meeting with the rival Philadelphia Eagles.

On one side, Nabers had been the league's best rookie through the first four weeks of play. He still leads all first-year wide receivers with 35 receptions, which remains 12 more than No. 2 on the list, Brian Thomas Jr.

If Nabers' recovery continues to cost him games, he'll slide down the list. As of now, he could return this weekend and continue his high level of production.

A butterfly effect has occurred in his absence, where the LSU product could get more help, specifically from fellow rookie Tyrone Tracy Jr. emerging as both a runner and pass-catcher. Even so, the Giants know where the ball will go upon Nabers' return.

"There's no doubt he's been a big part of our offense so far and someone who we've counted on in a lot of spots. So it'll change a little bit," quarterback Daniel Jones said recently.

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers continues to produce at the highest level.

He's tied for third overall with 37 receptions after Sunday's nine-catch, 71-yard performance against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He's leading all tight ends with 387 receiving yards. His 17 first-down receptions and 206 yards after catch also lead the position group.

Bowers' 37 receptions are the most by a tight end through his first six games since the start of the 1992 season, according to Fantasy Points' Ryan Heath.

This year's 13th overall draft pick is doing all of this despite no consistency whatsoever among the Raiders quarterbacks, which is impressive unto itself.

Raiders teammate Maxx Crosby told his podcast The Rush (h/t Carter Landis of Sports Illustrated):

"This dude Brock Bowers is a problem ... This dude, he's different. That's the only way I can describe it. The first day when I saw him run around and catch the ball, I'm not going to say, 'Yeah, I was the one who called that.' I think a lot of people expected him to be good, but I've seen it close up from the jump. He's a different animal, and he's getting better week by week.

"So, this dude has been nothing but consistent the whole entire year, and he's only going to keep getting better, so we have to give our respect to our Dawg of the Day, Georgia Bulldog, Brock Bowers."

The Washington Commanders faced a buzzsaw this past weekend and emerged nearly intact after playing the surging Baltimore Ravens.

In a glimpse of what could be the future for Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels, he looked across the field and saw the greatest dual-threat QB in NFL history standing on the other sideline. Lamar Jackson threw for 323 yards and ran for 40 more in the Ravens' 30-23 victory.

Daniels threw for 269 yards and two scores. Washington was in the game until the end.

A final defensive stop could have given the ball back to the offense and allowed the 23-year-old to create. That stop never materialized.

However, the Commanders' excitement over what Daniels brings to the offends extends beyond numbers, even though he ranks top-four in completion percentage, average yards per attempt, QBR and quarterback ranking.

The LSU product is building confidence throughout the entire unit, which is the most important aspect of playing the position.

"The days of me kind of stressing about when I'm going to get the ball, like, 'When am I going to see it?' [are over]," wide receiver Terry McLaurin told reporters. "I've really been able to relax over the course of these past few weeks and just do my job and not worry about other things and just know that, if I get open, he's going to put the ball right where it needs to be."