Rookies like wide receiver Emeka Egbuka are making seasoned veterans look silly. Commanding quarterbacks like Jaxson Dart are intimidating defenses, and physically elite linebackers like Jihaad Campbell are becoming immediate leaders for their teams.

So far, the biggest winners of the draft are the New York Giants and the Cleveland Browns. Multiple rookies made big-time contributions in the first six weeks.

The Giants drafted a wide variety of talent, including first-round edge rusher Abdul Carter, quarterback Jaxson Dart, and running back Cam Skattebo. Despite their 2–6 start, the future is bright for New York.

During Week 6 on Thursday night, these rookies exceeded the hype, blowing out the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles by a score of 34-17. Cam Skattebo led the charge, rushing for 98 yards and three touchdowns, something that hasn’t been done by a rookie since Charlie Evans in 1971. Jaxson Dart also contributed, recording close to 200 yards passing and 2 touchdowns.

These rookies are bringing new life to the organization and fan base, especially Skattebo, who is a fan favorite for bringing the most energy on and off the field. He is constantly seen banging his head against walls, doing backflips, and screaming like a crazed maniac.

Unfortunately, during his Week 8 game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Skattebo suffered a nasty season-ending ankle injury and was carted off the field. His whole team gathered around him, showing how impactful the rookie already is to the franchise, and Jaxson Dart sent him off with one final head butt. Even the notoriously brutal Eagles fans gave him a standing ovation.

Before the injury, Skattebo brought back a running back archetype that hasn’t been seen in decades. Saint Paul’s junior Dalton Bush said Cam reminds him of “Mike Alstott and John Riggins, giving fans a modern, hard-nosed, smash-mouth running back to cheer for.”

After not seeing either of these backs for 17 years, it’s refreshing to see such an aggressive back once again.

The Cleveland Browns are another team that greatly benefited from this year’s draft class, acquiring guys like quarterback Dillon Gabriel, running back Quinshon Judkins, and tight end Harold Fannin Jr.

There were concerns about Judkins due to his suspension, but he proved everyone wrong, rushing for 467 yards and five touchdowns after his one-game suspension. Fannin has stepped up for aging tight end David Njoku, recording 352 yards and two touchdowns.

The one big question mark is Dillon Gabriel, who earned the starting spot in Week 5. He hasn’t looked the best, only beating the disappointing Dolphins. However, the organization hopes that if he’s given the time to develop, he can grow to be something great. Even if he doesn’t pan out, they will still have rookie Shedeur Sanders to take his place.

On defense, rookie linebacker Carson Schwesinger, drafted at pick 33, has boosted the Browns’ defense to first in total defense for yards per game. He has recorded 25 solo tackles, a sack, and an interception thus far. He is currently one of the favorites to win the Defensive Rookie of the Year.

Fifth overall pick Mason Graham has also played a huge role, even if the stats don’t show it, only recording 8 solo tackles and a half-sack. However, he had a 43% pass rush success rate in their win against the Packers, greatly exceeding the 8% average for defensive tackles.

Even if they don’t make a run this year, the Browns should now have a sturdy foundation to possibly win it all in the near future with the addition of so many great rookies.

The early Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite is Tampa Bay Buccaneers pass catcher Emeka Egbuka. He has stepped up big time for veteran wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin Jr, who have both missed time due to injury.

Egbuka is becoming star QB Baker Mayfield’s favorite target, making insane catches week in and week out, so much so that in a post-game press conference, Baker jokingly said, “He’s disrespecting my passes downfield with one hand.” As of Week 9, he has 34 receptions for 562 yards and 5 touchdowns, leading all other rookie wide receivers.

Following close behind Egbuka in the Offensive Rookie of the Year race is Indianapolis Colts rookie tight end Tyler Warren, out of Penn State. Warren has become an instant superstar and helped rejuvenate a 6-1 Colts team that struggled mightily without him last year. Putting up 518 yards and 3 touchdowns, Warren has also produced elite blocks for running back Jonathan Taylor, who is having a career year.

On the other side of the ball, Eagles linebacker Jihaad Campbell has been a complete freak of nature. He’s the biggest and most physical guy on the field. He’s extremely versatile, excelling both on and off the line. He has 26 solo tackles and forced 2 turnovers, leading the Defensive Rookie of the Year race.

Second overall pick Travis Hunter has definitely had one of the more disappointing starts. He consistently stated that he would only play on a team that puts him on both sides of the ball. This has not worked out the same way it did in college. The Jacksonville Jaguars have listened to his demands, but it has led to mediocre production on both offense and defense.

It was only in Week 7, when the Jaguars finally decided to play him more exclusively at wideout, that he had a breakout game, racking up 101 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the season. Hunter could still be an elite player on both sides if he continues to grind and adjust to the unforgiving NFL.

Other rising rookies include wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan and running back Ashton Jeanty.

After being drafted sixth overall by the Las Vegas Raiders, Ashton Jeanty has thrived at the next level. Despite running behind the 28th-ranked offensive line, Jeanty has rushed for 487 yards and three touchdowns in his first eight starts.

Fans believe his success is due to his unique stance, in which he stands straight up in the backfield instead of getting set like every other back. Whether this is true or not, one thing is for sure, Jennty will be terrifying defenses for the foreseeable future.

It’s going to be great watching all of these rising stars develop through this season and their careers. They will elevate their respective franchises from the bottom of the barrel to Super Bowl champions.

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