Week 1 of the NFL season is here. After weeks of will they or won’t they, rule changes, opt-outs, and general unease due to coronavirus, we are on the cusp of the beginning of football. The elimination of OTAs and most of the training camp has made it a challenge for rookies to learn offenses, and it will be interesting to see how they do. Throughout the year, we will be keeping track of the 10 best rookies to see how they develop. It has been a tough year for everyone, but hopefully, football will give a sense of normalcy. Good luck in all your leagues, and I hope you join me each week to see how this class of rookies is changing the NFL.
1. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Chiefs
Edwards-Heiaire’s stock has shot up ever since he was drafted by the Chiefs in the first round. The decision by Damien Williams to opt-out only pushed him further up the rankings. He is the perfect blend of opportunity and talent, as he is expected to get a heavy workload right out of the gate in the best offense in the NFL. Brian Westbrook, to whom CEH is compared, thrived under Andy Reid in Philadelphia, which bodes well for his prospects.
2. Jonathan Taylor, RB, Colts
Taylor is looking at an initial timeshare in the first week or so of the NFL season with Marlon Mack and Nyheim Hines. He is clearly the best option to lead the backfield, and that should show up in short order. His combination of speed, balance, and power through contact make him a complete three-down back. He also gets the benefit of running behind arguably the best o-line in the NFL.
3. Joe Burrow, QB, Bengals
Burrow steps right in as the QB1 of the Bengals, and he is greeted with a good situation. HE is working with a decent offensive line, and he has a plethora of weapons at WR and in the backfield. Joe Mixon and Gio Bernard are rock solid, and Tyler Boyd, AJ Green, and Tee Higgins provide decent production on the outside. The Bengals have a questionable defense, which should give Joe plenty of volume. He is a threat to break some rookie records this year.
4. Cam Akers, RB, Rams
Akers walked into a decent situation with the Rams, who were looking to replace the production of Todd Gurley. Going into the season, it looked to be a three-headed monster of Akers, Malcolm Brown, and Darrell Henderson. Henderson has since been injured, and Brown is little more than a backup quality player. This should give Cam the opportunity to seize control of that backfield. He can do everything the Rams need to lean toward a primary running back. Akers’ skill set certainly fits the bill.
5. Justin Jefferson, WR, Vikings
Jefferson is ranked this high based on opportunity. JJ was primarily a slot receiver in college, which just happens to be the best position of his new teammate, Adam Thielen. The Vikings are a run-heavy team, that also employs two tight ends that can go and get the ball. The upside for Jefferson comes due to the fact he is the unquestioned WR2 in that offense and should receive a decent amount of target share. If he takes advantage of those opportunities, he will shine.
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6. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington
Gibson was drafted into a super crowded running back room in Washington. The likes of Adrian Peterson, Derrius Guice, Bryce Love, Peyton Barber, and J.D. Mckissic were all rostered by Washington after the draft. It looked as if Gibson would be buried on the depth chart until 2021. The release of both Guice and Peterson has opened the door for Gibson. He had a solid camp, with coach Ron Rivera comparing him to stud RB Christian Mccaffrey. He should be the lead pass-catching back on offense and could develop into an even bigger role as the season progresses.
7. Michael Pittman Jr, WR, Colts
Pittman has had a good camp and has gotten high praise from coach Frank Reich because of his size, hands, and speed. That locks him in as the WR2 in the offense, as his only competition for snaps is Zach Pascal and Parris Campbell. Campbell should assume slot duties, and Pascal has never been anything special. In addition, given TY Hilton’s age and durability issues, Pittman could assume a much bigger target share than anticipated. It will be vital that he build a strong rapport with QB Philip Rivers, but if he does, watch out.
8. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, 49ers
Injuries have plagued the 49ers receiving corps, and Aiyuk is in a position to capitalize. Aiyuk was originally drafted as a replacement for the departing Emmanual Sanders. Since being drafted, a plague of injuries has hit, leaving Deebo Samuel as questionable for week 1 and Jalen Hurd out for the year. Brandon himself wasn’t even immune, as he had a pulled hammy that has kept him sidelined the past few weeks. If Aiyuk can return for week 1, he has a great shot at being the default WR1. The presence of George Kittle limits his upside, but he should be given enough chances to carve out a featured role in the offense.
9. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Broncos
Jeudy arrived into an offense that as suddenly flush with weapons. Melvin Gordan, Noah Fant, Phillip Lindsey, and Courtland Sutton are all in line to receive work from QB Drew Lock. Jeudy has a great opportunity with his route running skills and his standing as the #2 outside receiver. If Lock grows into his role as QB, Jeudy is looking like a key cog in a suddenly explosive Denver offense. His upside is astronomical, and expect him to get more involved as the season progresses.
10. Bryan Edwards, WR, Raiders
Edwards was the second of 3 rookies the Raiders took to transform their offense. Edwards, along with Henry Ruggs and Lynn Bowden was expected to provide excellent depth behind Tyrell Williams and Hunter Renfrow. Edwards is now looking at a starting spot with Williams going on IR for the year. He has the size, hands, and underrated speed to take over the starting role with Ruggs and Renfrow. He has a challenger for snaps in Nelson Agholor, but he should easily win that battle. If Edwards can develop a connection with QB Derek Carr, he is an intriguing asset.
Others receiving consideration: D’Andre Swift, Jalen Reagor, J.K. Dobbins, Henry Ruggs III, Zach Moss
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