Who are the top NFL rookies so far?
The 2020 NFL season is perhaps the most difficult season for a rookie player to come into the league and succeed. With the pandemic hitting in mid-March, training camp and contact with teammates were both postponed indefinitely, while the preseason was eliminated. It is definitely not an ideal situation for a rookie, but there are new guys on this list have thrived during the 2020… so far.
Honorable Mention: Chase Young (Washington Football Team: 2nd Pick in 2020 Draft)
Chase Young is only an honorable mention on this list due to the fact that he has already sustained an injury just games into his young career. When on the field, Young has proven to be a force on the Washington defensive line. Specifically in his first game against the Philadelphia Eagles, he made an immediate impact, and displayed to viewers how vital he will be to the Washington defensive line in the years to come.
5: Tristan Wirfs (Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 13th Pick in the 2020 Draft)
Tristan Wirfs has fit his role perfectly: protecting the 43-year-old quarterback Tom Brady. It is a big responsibility for Wirfs, but he has successfully gone up against the veteran Chargers and Saints defensive lines. He has proven to be a valid pass protector and looks to be one of the prime offensive in the NFL for a long time.
4: Justin Jefferson (Minnesota Vikings: 22nd Pick in the 2020 Draft)
Jefferson has evolved into the deep threat that the Vikings needed to replace with the depature of Stefon Diggs. Jefferson has displayed explosiveness and an ability to get open against great defenses, such as the Indianapolis Colts and the Green Bay Packers. As a young rookie, Jefferson has made defenses pay when they don’t give him enough attention.
3: Antoine Winfield Jr. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 45th Pick in the 2020 Draft)
The safety out of the University of Minnesota is certainly the greatest surprise. A second round selection, Winfield’s production has been fantastic. Winfield is a safety that can get to the quarterback, as well as sit back in coverage and control the middle of the field. Winfield is already an extremely valuable asset to the Buccaneers defense and has the potential to be one of the best safeties in the NFL.
2: Justin Herbert (Los Angeles Chargers: 6th Pick in 2020 Draft)
No one expected Justin Herbert to be this good. His performance on Monday Night Football against the New Orleans Saints was incredible, throwing four passing touchdowns against a tough Saints secondary. Herbert has proven himself by going toe-to-toe in games against the league’s very best: Patrick Mahomes, Drew Brees, Tom Brady. The inability to close out games is the only reason Herbert is not number one on this list, but the future looks bright for the Chargers rookie quarterback.
1: Joe Burrow (Cincinnati Bengals: 1st Pick in the 2020 Draft)
Joe Burrow has been the best rookie in the NFL in the 2020 season. Burrow is dealing with one of the worst offensive lines, a weak receiving core, a subpar defense, and an organization that is typically aimless. Burrow has already helped the Bengals match their entire win total from 2019 and has displayed moments of excellence. Burrow seems to be exactly what the Bengals needed, and if they get him some help on the offensive line and receiving core, the Bengals could come back to relevance very soon.
Photo courtesy of Sports Illustrated.
