The Broncos are stalled with two straight losses, however at 9-7 they nonetheless management their playoff future and may clinch a wild-card berth with a win Sunday towards the Chiefs, who will relaxation key starters with the highest seed secured.
(Related: The Broncos take a break, whereas the Chiefs relaxation Mahomes)
This permits rookie quarterback Bo Nix to complete a formidable rookie marketing campaign and be part of Washington’s Jayden Daniels as a uncommon starter to guide their groups to the playoffs as rookies. Daniels is in good condition to take residence NFL Rookie of the Year honors, however each have 25 landing passes with one recreation left, which places them in straightforward place to complete with the second-most landing passes ever for a rookie.
The Chargers’ Justin Herbert has the file with 31 in 2020, however simply two landing passes Sunday would put Nix or Daniels at 27, the place Baker Mayfield has the second-most ever with the Browns in 2018. Peyton Manning (1998) and Russell Wilson (2012) had 26 as rookies, however these are the one rookie seasons ever with greater than 25. Additionally, this the yr’s rookies additionally excelled in operating for scores: Daniels has six, Nix has 4, placing them in good condition to tally greater than 30 whole touchdowns.
Another rookie file to regulate transferring ahead: The most landing passes thrown by any rookie in a single postseason is simply 4, set by Mark Sanchez in 2009. Six others have had three, together with C.J. Stroud of the Texans final yr and that of the 49ers. Brock Purdy in 2022, however that file may very well be challenged this yr, particularly if Daniels or Nix can stage a wild-card upset and get to a second playoff recreation. For now, Nix simply has to work to get into the playoffs within the first place.
Bucs’ Bucky Irvingsimply the most effective of the rookie full-backs
The greatest decide on day three of the 2024 NFL Draft? That may very well be Bucs operating again Bucky Irving, a fourth-rounder out of Oregon who was arguably the most effective on this class, speeding for 1,033 yards as a rookie and including one other 397 receptions. He did so regardless of beginning simply two video games in what was a shared function with Rachaad White.
As such, Irving is having fun with among the best rookie seasons in NFL historical past: His common of 5.49 yards per carry is the fourth greatest all-time for a rookie with as many carries as he has. The three with essentially the most are Adrian Peterson (5.63 in 2007), Franco Harris (5.61 in 1972) and Clinton Portis (5.52 in 2002), and Irving may surpass all of them with an excellent recreation on Sunday.
The different breakout rookie for the Bucs is receiver Jalen McMillan, a third-round decide from Washington who has six receiving touchdowns in his final 4 video games, essentially the most by any NFL participant in that span. Between Irving and McMillan, the Bucs have 14 touchdowns scored by rookies this season, surpassing the Giants (13) in touchdowns within the league with per week left.
Four rookies with greater than 1,000 receiving yards
This yr’s rookie class noticed an unprecedented 4 gamers surpass 1,000 receiving yards: Raiders tight finish Brock Bowers, Giants receiver Malik Nabers, Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas and Chargers receiver Ladd McConkey. But this is a rookie stat that ties all of them collectively: 17 receptions for 166 yards and no touchdowns.
That’s what Cortez Hankton had in 2003 as a rookie receiver with the Jaguars, hauling in half of what would have been his 34 profession receptions in a quick NFL profession. But Hankton, now 43, transitioned nicely into faculty teaching and immediately coached all 4 of this yr’s 1,000-yard rookies: He was the operating recreation coordinator and receivers coach at Georgia from 2019-21, working carefully with Bowers and McConkey there, and is now the co-offensive coordinator at LSU, the place he labored with Nabers and Thomas.
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Because even specialists are newbies
They do not get the headlines that offensive and defensive rookies get, however the league has quietly had some rookies on particular groups who’ve made important contributions. Jaguars rookie kicker Cam Little, a sixth-round select of Arkansas, had one of the crucial correct rookie seasons ever, going 24-of-26 on subject targets for a 92.3 p.c success charge. The solely rookie general with the next success charge and 20-plus makes an attempt is the Chargers’ Cameron Dicker, who went 21-of-22 (95.5%) in 2022.
Along the identical traces, Bengals rookie punter Ryan Rehkow, not solely undrafted out of BYU but additionally signed after the Chiefs reduce him, is averaging 49.1 yards on his punts this yr, third-best ever for a rookie with over 50 makes an attempt. The NFL rookie file is 53.1 yards, set in 2022 by the Titans’ Ryan Stonehouse, on observe to guide the league for the third consecutive season.
Greg Auman is an NFL reporter for FOX Sports. He beforehand spent a decade masking the Buccaneers for the Tampa Bay Times and the Athletic. You can observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.
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