Ultimate Rookie Report Week 5 2025
What if I told you TWO quarterbacks make the list this week and neither of them were drafted number one overall? Sorry, Cam Ward. Maybe someday. Also, what if I told you our leader was the best wide receiver of the week, and third overall? It turns out there are some good players in this draft class after all!
These are the best rookies in the NFL for week five based on PPR scoring.
Embed from Getty Images5. Dillon Gabriel (16.1)
Who could have seen this coming? Dillon Gabriel’s first start was an international game against the sixth best defense in the league. Despite these challenges, Gabriel played well enough that the Browns almost won the game. Gabriel went 19/33 for 190 yards and two touchdowns. Next week, Gabriel plays another good defense in the Pittsburgh Steelers.
As an aside, it’s moderately embarrassing for me to report that my dynasty rookie draft class is worse than the Browns, but here we are.
4. Jaxson Dart (17.6)
Honestly, this should have been much better. Against quite possibly the worst team in the league, Dart only had 202 yards and two touchdowns and another 55 rushing yards. Three turnovers against the lowly Saints torpedoed his score this week. Jaxson Dart is not afraid to use his legs and that will always be valuable for fantasy purposes. The Eagles on a Thursday night will probably be a rough outing. Thursdays can get funky though so maybe the Dart and the Giants make it interesting.
Embed from Getty Images3. Mason Taylor (17.7)
Mason Taylor was a target monster against the Dallas Cowboys. Taylor caught nine of his twelve targets for 67 yards. Not the sexiest of stat lines, but solid enough to be the eighth highest scoring tight end of the week.
Embed from Getty Images2. Jacory Croskey-Merritt (27)
Bill outscored the Los Angeles Chargers all on his own. He had 14 carries for 111 yards and two touchdowns. He also caught two passes for another 39 yards. The Chargers are the seventh best defense in the league currently, so running all over them is no easy task. Next week, Bill has the chance to go off against a Bears team that is 31st in the league against the rush.
1. Emeka Egbuka (31.3)
In a shootout between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Seattle Seahawks, Egbuka continued to shine. Egbuka caught all seven targets for 163 yards and a touchdown. This made Egbuka the third best player for fantasy this week and WR1 for week 5. Currently, Egbuka is averaging an absurd 20.5 points per game, which would be the highest non-QB average I’ve had since I started writing the column. In fact, the only player to average more points per game was Jayden Daniels and his historic season. There’s a long way to go, but it’s exciting to watch. Next week, the Buccaneers go against a 49ers defense that sits at about league average.
Unfortunately, Omarion Hampton injured his ankle this week and has been sent to injured reserve. Just as he was starting to hit his stride, we lose him for at least four weeks. C’est la football.
Good luck friends!
@MeLlamoMoron
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