We’re now one-third of the way through the NFL season.
For rookies, their campaigns are taking shape. In Houston, C.J. Stroud is commanding a feisty Texans squad that is only one game out of first place in the AFC South. In Carolina, the Panthers are the league’s only winless team at 0–6, left to wonder whether Bryce Young will emerge better for his early struggles.
Then there are the receivers, who have largely done the job in their first years. For the Chiefs, Rashee Rice is becoming a regular contributor for the defending champions, while Zay Flowers may well prove the best wideout Lamar Jackson has played with to date.
With six weeks behind us, here’s our rookie stock watch heading into Week 7.
Rising
C.J. Stroud, QB, Houston Texans
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Last Week: Holding steady
Looking at the box score, Stroud should be falling. He completed only 13-of-27 passes for 199 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Best-case scenario would be holding steady, right? But watching the tape, Stroud made a few phenomenal throws and was one of the key difference-makers for Houston in a 20–13 win over the Saints. Stroud has been everything the Texans could have hoped for and then some.
Rashee Rice, WR, Kansas City Chiefs
Last Week: Not rated
Rice is quickly becoming the Chiefs’ top option on the perimeter. On Thursday night, he caught four passes for 72 yards, giving him 245 yards on the year to lead all Kansas City wideouts. At 6'4" and 204 pounds, Rice is a big, physical target for quarterback Patrick Mahomes to find, whether facing man or zone coverage.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: Not rated
Smith-Njigba was the first receiver drafted in April, and many expected him to be a key part of Seattle’s offense from the start. Instead, the Ohio State product totaled just 12 catches for 62 yards in his first four games. On Sunday, Smith-Njigba had four receptions for 48 yards, beginning to look the part of a premium pick.
Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Week: Not rated
This may seem an odd choice. Strange has only four receptions this season, but the second-rounder from Penn State caught two of them Sunday for 27 yards and his first touchdown. Maybe Strange continues to be nothing more than a bit player, but the talent is there. This could be the launching point of better play.
Zay Flowers, WR, Baltimore Ravens
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Last Week: Rising
Flowers has been one of the league’s best rookies, giving quarterback Lamar Jackson a terrific weapon on the outside. Through six weeks, Flowers has been good for at least 48 receiving yards per game, including 50 and a touchdown on six catches against Tennessee.
Devon Witherspoon, CB, Seattle Seahawks
Last Week: Not rated
Witherspoon was thrust into the spotlight this week after teammate DK Metcalf promised a big game against Bengals star receiver Ja’Marr Chase. While Chase notched six catches for 80 yards, it came on 13 targets while he was held out of the end zone. Witherspoon also had three passes defensed, building on what could be a Defensive Rookie of the Year résumé.
Holding steady
Jordan Addison, WR, Minnesota Vikings
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Last Week: Not rated
With Justin Jefferson on injured reserve, the Vikings desperately need Addison to be ahead of schedule. He caught only three passes against the Bears this weekend, but found the end zone on a 10-yard touchdown reception with 12 seconds remaining in the first half, putting the Vikings ahead for good. Moving forward, they’ll look for much more while Jefferson works his way back.
Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Last Week: Holding steady
After posting at least 71 yards in each of his first five NFL games, Nacua was finally held down. Against the Cardinals, the fifth-rounder caught four passes on seven targets for 26 yards. However, the Rams still rolled with former All-Pro Cooper Kupp registering seven catches and 148 yards with a touchdown. It’ll be interesting to see how Nacua’s usage is affected by the return of Kupp.
Will Anderson Jr., edge, Houston Texans
Last Week: Not rated
Anderson hasn’t played poorly, but the Texans also need more to justify their sending of a 2024 first-round pick to Arizona for him. Through six games, Anderson has one sack, six quarterback hits and five stuffs. It’s a decent start, but the former Alabama standout needs to finish a bit more.
Falling
Tyree Wilson, edge, Las Vegas Raiders
Last Week: Not rated
Wilson missed almost the entire offseason with a foot injury, and, as a result, he’s off to a poor start. The No. 7 pick from April’s draft has zero sacks, zero tackles for loss and zero quarterback hits. The Raiders (3–3) are trying to climb into the playoff race, and they’ll need far more from Wilson to make a real move.
