OFFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Caleb Williams – QB / CHI
It was only a matter of time for the #1 overall pick. Welcome to the squad, Caleb. One of the most talked about prospects of my career, arguably the most exciting, edge-of-my-seat prospects I have ever scouted has been on the constant ascent since week one. Expectations have been almost unfair for the dynamic playmaker. No matter what you thought of him coming out of USC, a growing trend league wide are the too-high expectations both the league and fans have on first year quarterbacks. In a sports city like Chicago for a franchise like the Bears, a team that has failed to hit on two straight first round quarterbacks since 2017, patience has worn thin. General Manager Ryan Poles, however, did everything he could to get Williams as much support as possible. Now that we are five weeks into the season, I can say this is one of the best situations I’ve ever seen for a number one overall pick in his first season.
The Bears improved to 3-0 at home as Williams put together his best performance on tape this season. He passed for 304 yards on 20 of 29 passing with two touchdowns. He added another 34 yards on the ground. His 10.5 yards per attempt were by far a season high and his 126.2 passer rating was third best in the entire league. To me, the most important takeaway from his week five tape were the zero interceptions, zero fumbles. That is the first time we can say that about him this year. We are seeing better anticipation, which is leading to calm, cool, accurate throws to all levels. The more comfortable he gets, the more dangerous be becomes. The Bears have a home game against the Jaguars, a bottom three defense, before heading to their bye week.
DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE WEEK
Mike Sainristil – CB / WAS
A lot of talk, and rightfully so, around the Commanders revolves around the early favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Jayden Daniels. But new Head Coach Dan Quinn has helped turn this defense, in particular their pass defense, around into a top-half unit. They have held opponents to under 20 points three of the past four weeks and they’re 13th in pass yards allowed. Last year, Washington allowed the most points and most yards through the air league wide. Sainristil, one of the best dual threats at cornerback in the rookie class, a guy that can play both the slot and, on the outside, is fifth on the Washington defense in snaps played and second among corners. In his final season for the National Champion Michigan Wolverines, Sainristil played on the outside for part of the season after being a nickel-only in 2022. And remember, until then, he was a wide receiver. The undersized, not-so-fast corner probably got overlooked in the draft because he didn’t hit the ideal measurables that analytics want. But that was a mistake. Sainristil was a first-round corner and for those that are addicted to workout times, he was a top-ten percentile in the jumps, proving his explosiveness.
What made him an easy evaluation for me was the fact he always played bigger than his size and he was easily one of the smartest players at the position despite the lack of experience on the defensive side of the ball. Sainristil showed off those traits in Washington’s dominant win over Cleveland. He finished with five tackles, four of which were stops for the defense. His quick trigger in coverage limited the Browns receivers to just two yards after the catch on the two completions he allowed. He also came downhill hard on a 3rd down, Deshaun Watson rushing attempt to prevent the first down and also broke up a pass in the end zone. Sainristil, all 182 pounds of him, is a tone setter already for the first place Commanders.
QB
Caleb Williams / CHI (Round 1)
Honorable Mention: Jayden Daniels (WAS)
RB
Tyrone Tracy Jr. / NYG (Round 5)
With starter Devin Singletary out, Eric Gray got the start, but it was the former wide receiver that took over. Tracy led the NFL with 129 rushing yards and his four runs of over ten yards led the league as well in week five.
Honorable Mention: Jaylen Wright (MIA)
WR
Brian Thomas Jr. / JAX (Round 1)
The league better be ready for it newest downfield threat. Thomas scored an 85-yard touchdown to give Jacksonville the lead in the second quarter of their back and forth battle against the Colts. It was the longest touchdown of Trevor Lawrence’s career. Thomas ended with 122 yards on five catches, the first time he broke the century mark.
Honorable Mention: Jordan Whittington (LAR)
TE
Brock Bowers / LV (Round 1)
He got things started for the Raiders with a classic Brock Bowers play, a 57-yard touchdown that saw him win a contested situation before a darting 35 yards for the score, the first of his career. He finished with 8 catches and 97 yards.
Honorable Mention: Theo Johnson (NYG)
OT
Brandon Coleman / WAS (Round 3)
While it was not a great week for the rookie tackles, Coleman can make the argument he had the toughest task of them all as he lined up across from Myles Garrett. For the first time since their playoff loss last year, Garrett did not touch the quarterback. Coleman, a former guard/tackle combo with a versatile skill set, also produced well in the run game.
Roger Rosengarten (BAL)
OG/OC
Tanor Bortolini / IND (Round 4)
Bortolini’s second career start resulted in a shutout against the interior of the Jacksonville defensive front. The Colts scored 34 points and gained just under 500 yards. The cohesion in. which the line played with can be at least partially attributed to the rookie center, who’s versatility (played all five positions in college) shows.
Honorable Mention: Zack Frazier (PIT)
ED
Laiatu Latu / IND (Round 1)
The second Colt to make the roster was second along the defensive front in snaps. He was a little quiet as a pass rusher, finishing with just one pressure, but his six tackles and a forced fumble were impactful in the team’s near-comeback win.
Honorable Mention: Jared Verse / LAR
DT
DeWayne Carter / BUF
With Byron Murphy injured, the door was open for a newbie to make the squad this week. Carter, who has seen his role increase in the Buffalo defense, often broke through the Houston front to disrupt the Texans offense. He is an every down player, finishing with a hurry and a QB hit as a pass rusher while also coming up with three defensive stops in the run game.
Honorable Mention: Ruke Orhorhoro (ATL)
LB
Payton Wilson / PIT (Round 3)
The speed is showing up for a defense that really needs it. Wilson’s range was a huge factor in shutting down the outside running game for Dallas. He finished with nine tackles, three of which were stops.
Honorable Mention: Edgerrin Cooper (GB)
CB
Mike Sainristil / WAS (Round 2)
See above
Honorable Mention: Max Melton (ARI)
S
Tyler Nubin / NYG (Round 2)
Nubin was on the field for 56 snaps. 48 of them were pass plays. He still ended up with 6 tackles, one for a loss, while only allowing two receptions. He added a pressure and the biggest play pf the day was a recovered fumble in the third quarter of a tie game.
Honorable Mention: Daniel Pettus (NE)