Offensive Rookie of the Week:
RJ Harvey / Denver Broncos
Defensive Rookie of the Week:
Abdul Carter / New York Giants
Quarterback
Jaxson Dart / NYG (Round 1)
The list of rookie quarterbacks under center is growing. While they all lost in week eight, Dart was the only pne who did not turn it over. Already without his top wide receiver, Dart also lost his starting running back Cam Skattebo in the second quarter. He still threw for 193 yards and finished with a passer rating over 90.0 for the fourth time in five starts.
Honorable Mention: Cam Ward / TEN
Running Back
RJ Harvey / DEN (Round 2)
There was a lot of hype surrounding the 60th overall pick out of Central Florida. Many, including myself, compared Harvey to Bucky Irving in the pre-draft process and his fit within the Sean Payton scheme looked like a match made in heaven. After a quiet first few weeks with the club, Harvey broke out. Scoring three touchdowns (two on the ground and one through the air) on just eight touches defines explosive efficiency. Speaking of explosive, Harvey’s 40-yard score where he went untouched as he slithered in and out of traffic before hitting that final gear with, as we called it last spring, runaway speed, was on full display.
Honorable Mention: Woody Marks / HOU
Wide Receiver
Tetairoa McMillan / CAR (Round 1)
The surprising Panthers number one receiver led all rookies with 99 yards through the air and seven first downs. He did this while working with backup Andy Dalton. McMillan’s style is not explosive, but it is incredibly QB-friendly. He comes back to the pass, shows his hands to the ball, and secures it instantly. He was a factor all over the route tree and excelled at getting open.
Honorable Mention: Chimere Dike / TEN
Tight End
Harold Fannin Jr. / CLE (Round 3)
It was a huge week for the rookie tight ends, as four of them caught a touchdown. Fannin paced the group with six catches including a touchdown that put Cleveland up 7-3 in the first quarter. He caught both of his contested targets. He is currently fourth in the NFL (and first among rookies) among tight ends with 38 receptions.
Honorable Mention: Mason Taylor / NYJ
Offensive Tackle
Armand Membou / NYJ (Round 1)
After a very rough three-to-four week stretch, Membou bounced back as the Jets bounced back from an 0-7 start and a 31-16 deficit in the fourth quarter. He did not allow a single pressure on 40 dropbacks and was not penalized. He was also a huge factor in the dominant run game that produced a season-high 254 yards. The last time Membou did not get flagged and did not allow a pressure was week one.
Honorable Mention: Aireontae Ersery / HOU
Guard/Center
Jonah Savaiinaea / MIA (Round 2)
Things got ugly after last week’s loss in Cleveland but the offense bounced back with a season-high 34 points for the Dolphins against a very solid defense. Savaiinaea has had a rough go so far this year but he was much better, notably in the run game, as he created movement off the and stayed on his feet. The former tackle has the power and if his balance remains the way it looked in Atlanta, his best days are coming.
Honorable Mention: Tyler Booker / DAL
Edge
Abdul Carter / NYG (Round 1)
Carter is in a league of his own among rookie edge defenders, He entered the weekend with 27 total pressures on the year with the next highest being just barely over half as many. Well, he added five more in the loss to Philadelphia as he beat both tackles from the tandem that many think is the best in football. He also drew a hold on All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson in addition to five tackles and two stops. Carter has had a hard time finishing, as he currently sits with just a half-sack this year, but make no mistake about it, he is already one of the most disruptive defenders in football. `
Honorable Mention: Donovan Ezeiruaku / DAL
Defensive Tackle
Deone Walker / BUF (Round 4)
Walker let the other defensive tackles play last week as Buffalo had a bye but he came back to the fold and picked up where he left off. His season-high four pressures were twice as many as any other rookie interior defensive lineman. One of them led to a split sack and another led to a sack by teammate AJ Epenesa. Walker’s run defense is near-automatic but it is the pass rush that has made him one of the top 2025 NFL Draft values.
Honorable Mention: Derrick Harmon / PIT
Linebacker
Carson Schwesinger / CLE (Round 2)
In a game where Cleveland was up 7-3 over New England, Schwesinger intercepted Drake Maye in Patriots territory. The scare did not last long but the first career pick for the Browns leading tackler showed how versatile his impact is and can be for one of the top defenses in the NFL. He added five tackles and two stops.
Honorable Mention: Teddye Buchanan / BAL
Cornerback
Benjamin Morrison / TB (Round 2)
Morrison allowed a rookie-low 40% completion percentage on five passes thrown his way. He was excellent in coverage showing outstanding feel and reaction speed. He also added four tackles, two of which against the run that displayed both rangey speed and physical gap fills.
Honorable Mention: Upton Stout / SF
Safety
Xavier Watts / ATL (Round 3)
It was a quiet week for the safeties but Watts continues to be a rock on the Falcons back end. He had four tackles including an outside run where he ran down Devon Achane. He was outstanding in deep coverage and it caused multiple pressures as Tua Tagovailoa did not want to throw it deep.
Honorable Mention: Malaki Starks / BAL