Nov 27, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Darnell Mooney (11) runs after the catch against the Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (40) in the fourth quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Every year, a new crop of NFL rookies come into the league. There are always the usual suspects that play well. First-round picks get a lot of the attention at the beginning of the season but there often are a couple of players taken later that breakout. However, there are also NFL rookies who play well but go rather unnoticed. Here are some of the NFL rookies who are quietly playing really well.
USA Today
NFL Rookies Doing Well
I don’t have a qualification for this list. I mostly based it on how much I have heard them talked about in mainstream media over the course of the season. For example, Puka Nacua is one of the NFL rookies who is playing well but he is hardly doing it quietly. Fans are very aware of how well he is playing. Similarly, C.J. Stroud is playing well but if you haven’t noticed you are living under a rock. Here are three NFL rookies that are playing well but not many people are talking about.
Byron Young LB Los Angeles Rams
Nacua has gotten all the attention but the Rams defense has also been better than expected. One of the reasons that analysts were so down on Los Angeles in the offseason was the fact that the defense was Aaron Donald and a bunch of very green players. Young is one of those players. He was taken in the third round at no. 77 overall. Young has recorded 50 tackles and five sacks in his rookie season so far. He has also forced two fumbles and had 14 quarterback hits. He plays with a lot of energy and seems to be all over the field. Yes, Matthew Stafford and the offense have been great but Young has provided a spark for this defense.
Dawand Jones OT Cleveland Browns
Jack Conklin went down in week 1 and this forced the fourth-round pick into the lineup prematurely. While there have been struggles, he has steadily improved over the course of the season. How good has he been? Look no further than his performance against the Steelers in week 11. He and T.J. Watt were matched up 19 times throughout the game. Jones didn’t allow any sacks or pressures and was only beaten once. Watt is one of the premier pass-rushers in the league and Jones shut him down. This was an absolute steal in the fourth round for the Browns.
Ivan Pace Jr. LB Minnesota Vikings
This is the best story of all the NFL rookies. Pace Jr. was undrafted and has thrived in the Brian Flores defense. Through 12 games, Pace Jr. has 55 tackles, six quarterback hits, one and a half sacks, a pass deflection, and a forced fumble. In the most recent Monday Night Football loss, he led the team with nine tackles. He has demonstrated a well-rounded game that we don’t often see in rookie linebackers. Flores has even entrusted him to wear the “green dot” helmet and call the defensive plays. The fact that he went undrafted and is playing this well is a testament to his work ethic and his ability to be coached. This was a home run signing for the Vikings.
Those are my favorite NFL rookies that I don’t feel are getting enough attention this season. There have been a lot of good rookies this season who have the potential to have great careers in the NFL.
