From mom’s chicken cutlets to beating the Commanders.
After a pair of hideous starts against the Raiders and Cowboys in which Tommy DeVito threw for 261 total yards with three interceptions, the undrafted rookie torched the Commanders for New York’s first road win of the season.
However, DeVito isn’t the only rookie quarterback to have a huge impact this week. In fact, for better or worse, there are a whopping six on the stock watch this weekend, including four who weren’t expected to see significant time this year.
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Beyond the signal-callers, there are a few others to check in on, including Tank Dell lighting up the Cardinals and Jayden Reed proving his worth in a tilt with the Chargers.
Rising
Jayden Reed, WR, Packers
Last Week: Not rated
Reed has done a nice job as a second-rounder out of Michigan State, catching four touchdowns this season. However, his score came on the ground Sunday against the Chargers, with Reed taking an end-around and going 32 yards to the end zone. All told, Reed caught four passes for 46 yards while leading Green Bay in rushing by matching his receiving total.
Tommy DeVito, QB, Giants
Last Week: Not rated
You have to give love to DeVito after two abominable starts against the Raiders and Cowboys. The New Jersey native threw for 246 yards on 9.5 yards per attempt with three touchdowns and no turnovers in an upset win over the Commanders. DeVito may prove a one-hit wonder, but he showed up in Washington.
Puka Nacua, WR, Rams
Last Week: Not rated
Nacua was relatively quiet over the past four games, going above 50 receiving yards only once. Against the Seahawks, the fifth-rounder showed up with 70 yards and a touchdown, propelling the Cooper Kupp–less Rams over Seattle. Nacua has 897 receiving yards this season, easily the most among rookies.
C.J. Stroud, QB, Texans
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Last Week: Rising
Stroud had a bizarre Sunday. Through his first nine NFL games, he threw only two interceptions. Then, against the Cardinals, he tossed three, helping Arizona stay in the game before Houston ultimately won, 24–19. Despite the turnovers, Stroud continued to rise, throwing for 336 yards on 9.1 yards per attempt to stay in the MVP conversation.
Tank Dell, WR, Texans
Last Week: Holding steady
It’s impossible to write this column without including Dell. A diminutive third-round pick out of Houston, Dell has become one of the most explosive rookies in some time. Against the Cardinals, he went for a game-high 149 yards on eight catches, including a touchdown. At 659 receiving yards, he’s well on pace for a 1,000-yard campaign.
Holding Steady
Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Lions
Last Week: Rising
Gibbs really came on while David Montgomery was sidelined, and, with the veteran back, he has continued to produce. In a 31–26 comeback thriller, he totaled 85 yards and a touchdown, helping Detroit score 17 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
Michael Mayer, TE, Raiders
Last Week: Not rated
Mayer had his second-highest receiving total Sunday, going for 46 yards on four receptions against the Dolphins. While he’s been inconsistent throughout the year, Mayer is a nice secondary option with upside for Las Vegas, as it continues to look for complementary talent alongside All-Pro receiver Davante Adams.
Falling
Will Levis, QB, Titans
Last Week: Falling
After a hot start to his NFL career against the Falcons, Levis has struggled against the Steelers, Buccaneers and Jaguars. In all three of those games, he has thrown a combined two touchdowns against two interceptions while failing to post better than a 34.2 QBR. Frankly, it’s been ugly football.
Bryce Young, QB, Panthers
Last Week: Falling
It feels cruel to keep putting Young in this category, but there’s no other way. The No. 1 pick is expected to struggle at times but also lift the supporting cast around him. That hasn’t happened. On Sunday, Young had another bad outing with 123 passing yards (4.2 YPA) and a pick-six. For the season, Young has nine touchdown passes, eight interceptions and a 29.8 QBR.
Aidan O’Connell, QB, Raiders
Jasen Vinlove/USA TODAY Sports
Last Week: Not rated
O’Connell has started four games for the Raiders, and while they’re 2–2 in those contests, the 25-year-old rookie hasn’t made a ton of plays. Las Vegas forced three turnovers Sunday in Miami, yet O’Connell and the offense managed only 13 points due to his three interceptions. If the Raiders are going to be a factor in the final few weeks, they’ll need much more.
Dorian Thompson-Robinson, QB, Browns
Thompson-Robinson got the call after Deshaun Watson was ruled out for the season with a shoulder injury, and he did little to inspire confidence in a 13–10 win over the Steelers. After throwing three interceptions against the Ravens in his only other start, Thompson-Robinson tossed another pick while still looking for his first touchdown. Also, through two starts, he’s averaging 3.7 yards per attempt.
