NFL Energy Rankings Week 6: Lions, Jaguars on the rise, plus rookie check-in

It’s already Week 6 within the NFL. Some issues are clear. The San Francisco 49ers are superb. The Miami Dolphins are very quick (and possibly superb). And a few issues will not be clear. Two of probably the most extremely revered coaches within the league within the final 20 years discover themselves close to the underside of this week’s Energy Rankings. And the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs look out of types on offense regardless of successful.

Within the “Changing into Clear” class is how every workforce’s additions are affecting outcomes this yr. For that motive, we’re doing a rookie check-in this week, though we’ve taken the freedom of increasing the class to “notable new man” when warranted.

(Final week: 1)

Sunday: Beat Dallas Cowboys 42-10

Ought to we do Sam Darnold right here? San Francisco beat Dallas so badly Sunday night time that Darnold obtained into the sport, however no, this part is simply going to be a 49ers appreciation put up for the reason that Niners don’t have any newcomers making a big influence. Being the very best workforce within the NFL in mid-October is just not the aim, however Brock Purdy’s 123.1 passer ranking can be the very best for any quarterback in a season since not less than 2000, in line with TruMedia, and there’s no indication San Francisco will decelerate.

Up subsequent: at Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 2)

Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Rams 23-14

After coming inside 4 factors of a Tremendous Bowl, the Eagles added two of the most efficient new guys within the offseason. Defensive lineman Jalen Carter, the No. 9 choose, is tied for seventh within the league with 23 QB pressures. D’Andre Swift, acquired in an offseason commerce from Detroit, has 361 dashing yards within the final three weeks. Save the arguments about whether or not the Tush Push is a soccer play. Dominating the traces of scrimmage is the essence of soccer, and that’s what Philly is doing.

Up subsequent: at New York Jets, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

(Final week: 4)

Sunday: Beat New York Giants 31-16

Miami might need missed on second-round cornerback Cam Smith, however the Dolphins made up for it with third-round choose De’Von Achane. After totaling 5 yards within the first two video games of the season, the rookie working again leads the NFL with 455 dashing yards within the final three weeks. He’s averaging 12.3 yards per carry in that point and has two of the three quickest speeds within the NFL this yr (21.93 mph and 21.76 mph), in line with NextGen Stats.

Up subsequent: vs. Carolina Panthers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 7)

Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 42-24

Second-round tight finish Sam LaPorta is likely one of the greatest rookies within the league and a giant motive the Lions are fourth within the league in scoring (29.6). LaPorta leads all tight ends with 25 catches for 289 yards. Throw in the truth that working again Jahmyr Gibbs has proven flashes and second-round security Brian Department may be a star, and Detroit is within the working for the very best draft of 2023, to not point out the third-best workforce within the NFC.

Up subsequent: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

(Final week: 5)

Sunday: Beat Minnesota Vikings 27-20

It appears bizarre to say, however the Chiefs, who’re a stunning ninth within the league in scoring (25.6 ppg), may use some assist, and so they aren’t getting a lot of it from this draft class. Second-round choose Rashee Rice is second on the workforce in catches with 17 however has solely 173 yards. First-round choose Felix Anudike-Uzomah has 4 quarterback hurries and half a sack.

Up subsequent: vs. Denver Broncos, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

(Final week: 3)

Sunday: Misplaced to Jacksonville Jaguars 25-20

Tight finish Dalton Kincaid, chosen twenty fifth, hasn’t precisely remodeled the Buffalo offense. Kincaid has been on the sphere for greater than 60 p.c of the Payments’ snaps however has barely topped 100 receiving yards for the season (17 catches, 118 yards). Buffalo isn’t getting a lot out of the remainder of its six-man draft class both. The Payments are getting a cross this week for dropping in London to a workforce that spent the week there, however they want a bounce-back sport rapidly.

Up subsequent: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

(Final week: 6)

Sunday: Misplaced to San Francisco 49ers 42-10

Saying something dangerous appears like piling on after Sunday night time, after which Dallas has to show in its contender card, however this yr’s draft class doesn’t recommend there’s assistance on the best way. First-round choose Mazi Smith has performed solely about 25 p.c of the snaps and has 4 tackles on the defensive position. Second-round tight finish Luke Schoonmaker has one catch for 1 yard.

Up subsequent: vs. Los Angeles Chargers, Monday. 8:15 p.m. ET

(Final week: 9)

Sunday: Bye

Cornerback Devon Witherspoon was a shock at No. 5 within the draft. Guess we must always have given Pete Carroll the advantage of the doubt about drafting defensive backs. Witherspoon was the NFC Defensive Participant of the Week in Week 4, has one interception, two sacks and a nasty angle the Seahawks love. Broad receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, twentieth, is off to a gradual begin due partly — however solely partly — to a wrist damage. He has 12 catches for 62 yards.

Up subsequent: at Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 10)

Sunday: Bye

The 2023 draft class has been superb, and second-round offensive deal with Cody Mauch is beginning, however the very best addition by far has been quarterback Baker Mayfield. The previous No. 1 choose appeared destined to finish his profession as a backup. Now he’s high 10 within the league in passer ranking (101.9) with seven touchdowns versus two interceptions, and the Bucs are infatuated. Tampa Bay normal supervisor Jason Licht known as him “a dude” on Peter Schrager’s podcast final week. Crushes on Mayfield have flamed out quick prior to now, however the Buccaneers lead the division in the intervening time.

Up subsequent: vs. Detroit Lions, Sunday, 4:25 ET

(Final week: 16)

Sunday: Beat Buffalo Payments 25-20

Broad receiver Calvin Ridley (22 catches, 333 yards) has helped after being acquired in a commerce with the Falcons, however the draft class hasn’t supplied a lot. Jacksonville drafted 13 gamers within the offseason. First-rounder Anton Harrison is beginning at proper deal with, however second-round tight finish Brenton Unusual (two catches, 7 yards) and third-round working again Tank Bigsby (41 yards on 15 carries) haven’t blossomed but.

Up subsequent: vs. Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 8)

Sunday: Misplaced to Pittsburgh Steelers 17-10

Broad receiver Zay Flowers, the No. 22 choose, is third amongst all rookies with 317 receiving yards, and he’s carrying an enormous chunk of the Ravens’ passing sport. He’s eleventh within the league in workforce goal proportion (28.6 p.c), in line with TruMedia. Within the “new man” class, huge receiver Odell Beckham Jr. has so much fewer catches (seven) than he had offseason headlines throughout his free company.

Up subsequent: at Tennessee Titans, Sunday in London, 9:30 a.m. ET

(Final week: 19)

Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 34-0

The Saints took two defensive gamers within the high 40, however defensive linemen Bryan Bresee and Isaiah Foskey have mixed for under 15 tackles and 1 1/2 sacks. Neither has performed greater than half of New Orleans’ snaps. However how concerning the previous man? Broad receiver Michael Thomas, who hasn’t had greater than 450 receiving yards in a season since 2019, is New Orleans’ main receiver with 284 yards already.

Up subsequent: at Houston Texans, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 11)

Sunday: Bye

If (when?) Brandon Staley will get fired, this draft class will probably be thrown into the checklist of causes. Not excessive, nevertheless it’ll be there. First-round huge receiver Quentin Johnston, 4.49 velocity at 6-foot-4, has six catches for 44 yards. Fourth-round receiver Derius Davis, 4.36 velocity, has 4 catches for twenty-four yards. Second-round defensive lineman Tuli Tuipulotu is the one rookie contributing.

Up subsequent: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

(Final week: 12)

Sunday: Misplaced to Philadelphia Eagles 23-14

Broad receiver Puka Nacua is the King of All Rookies. After being taken with choose No. 177 out of BYU, Nacua is second within the league with 572 receiving yards. Davante Adams and A.J. Brown are the one gamers within the league who’ve the next workforce goal proportion than Nacua’s 32.5, in line with TruMedia. He had extra catches and yards in his first 4 video games than any participant in NFL historical past, and he had seven catches for 71 yards Sunday with Cooper Kupp again within the lineup.

Up subsequent: vs. Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

(Final week: 13)

Sunday: Beat Tennessee Titans 23-16

Quarterback Anthony Richardson, the No. 4 choose, has been nice. When he has been on the sphere. He’s averaging 6.9 yards per try and has three touchdowns versus one interception. He’s additionally second on the workforce in dashing (25 carries, 136 yards). The issue is he left Sunday’s sport with a shoulder damage and now hasn’t completed three of his 4 begins due to damage. Early studies say he may miss a month. Third-round huge receiver Josh Downs has quietly been good. He had six catches for 97 yards Sunday and has 23 for 255 this season.

Up subsequent: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m.

I feel we have seen sufficient from Anthony Richardson as a passer to consider IND can take the coaching wells (heavy choice assault) off to a dregree. In fact, they will nonetheless run them however he has to actually make it some extent to keep away from hits. He’ll take his lumps as extra of a pure dropback…

— Ted Nguyen (@FB_FilmAnalysis) October 8, 2023

(Final week: 15)

Sunday: Bye

The draw back (or let’s say one of many downsides) of buying and selling away virtually all the pieces for Deshaun Watson is the Browns didn’t choose till the third spherical this yr. Nonetheless, they obtained some worth. Fifth-round quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson was competent in fill-in obligation for the injured Watson in Week 4, and fourth-rounder Dawand Jones is beginning at deal with.

Up subsequent: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 22)

Sunday: Beat Houston Texans 21-19

Working again Bijan Robinson, the No. 8 choose, has made Atlanta’s offense higher and extra enjoyable. Robinson is the second-leading rookie rusher (364 yards on 67 carries) and is tied for the workforce lead in receptions (21). He additionally leads the NFC in performs that make you need to rewind your tv. He had one other one Sunday when he caught a landing cross behind his again. Second-round choose Matthew Bergeron has been the Day 1 starter at left guard.

Up subsequent: vs. Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

This overhead angle @Bijan5Robinson‘s one-handed catch and landing is WILD.

(by way of @AtlantaFalcons) pic.twitter.com/jC1LAbRifD

— NFL (@NFL) October 9, 2023

(Final week: 14)

Sunday: Misplaced to Atlanta Falcons 21-19

Bear in mind how a lot hassle Lovie Smith precipitated final yr when he led Houston to a Week 18 victory and price the workforce the No. 1 choose? Seems he did the Texans a favor. If Houston had the primary choose, it might need taken the unsuitable quarterback. Selecting No. 2, it obtained the fitting one. C.J. Stroud set the NFL document for makes an attempt to begin a profession with out an interception (186) on Sunday, and he’s third within the league in passing yards (1,461) and has seven landing passes. Throw in linebacker Will Anderson and huge receiver Tank Dell (who suffered a concussion Sunday), and the Texans are on the rise regardless of Sunday’s loss.

Up subsequent: vs. New Orleans Saints, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 26)

Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 34-20

Second-round cornerback DJ Turner is the one member of the rookie class who’s contributing a lot, however no person in Cincinnati cares after the best way Joe Burrow appeared Sunday. The Bengals quarterback was 36-for-46 for 317 yards and three touchdowns, all of which went to Ja’Marr Chase, who had 15 catches. Mix this consequence with Pittsburgh knocking off Baltimore, and Cincinnati believes it has survived an early swoon.

Up subsequent: vs. Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 1 p.m.

(Final week: 23)

Sunday: Beat Baltimore Ravens 17-10

Not one of the Steelers’ seven draft picks has performed greater than half the snaps this season. The closest is mammoth tight finish Darnell Washington, however he’s mainly been a sixth offensive lineman. Washington has just one catch this season. Sunday’s win towards Baltimore, which got here on the energy of second-year George Pickens’ 130 receiving yards, might need saved the season.

Up subsequent: Bye

(Final week: 17)

Sunday: Misplaced to Kansas Metropolis Chiefs 27-20

Broad receiver Jordan Addison has been what the Vikings drafted him to be, a strong second choice behind Justin Jefferson. Addison has 19 catches for 249 yards. Third-round cornerback Mekhi Blackmon is beginning to present some flashes. He’s had 9 tackles within the final two video games he’s performed and was lively towards the Chiefs on Sunday.

Up subsequent: at Chicago Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 25)

Monday: Beat Inexperienced Bay Packers 17-13

The dangerous information for the Raiders, past being 2-3, is that No. 7 choose Tyree Wilson and No. 35 choose Michael Mayer have made little influence on the workforce. Wilson has solely 5 tackles and no sacks, and Mayer has three catches for 41 yards. The excellent news is Las Vegas might have salvaged one thing from the draft with a pair of fourth-rounders in cornerback Jakorian Bennett and quarterback Aidan O’Connell. Bennett was enjoying greater than 80 p.c of the defensive snaps earlier than being inactive Monday night time with a hamstring damage. O’Connell was 24-for-39 for 238 yards in fill-in obligation for Jimmy Garoppolo towards the Chargers on Oct. 1.

Up subsequent: vs. New England Patriots, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

(Final week: 18)

Monday: Misplaced to Las Vegas Raiders 17-13

First-round choose Lukas Van Ness has began slowly (eight tackles and one sack), however there’s loads of depth within the Inexperienced Bay draft class. Second-rounders Luke Musgrave (tight finish) and Jayden Reed (huge receiver) have mixed for 31 catches and 369 yards, and fifth-round huge receiver Dontayvion Wicks has added seven catches for 95 yards.

Up subsequent: Bye

(Final week: 20)

Sunday: Misplaced to Indianapolis Colts 23-16

The splashiest addition of the offseason, huge receiver DeAndre Hopkins (who was added by free company) is fifteenth within the NFL with 356 yards on 26 catches. First-round choose Peter Skoronski gained the beginning left guard job in Week 1, however he missed three video games after an emergency appendectomy earlier than returning Sunday. Third-round working again Tyjae Spears has 156 yards on 27 carries, however second-round quarterback Will Levis has been a disappointment to date, failing to push Ryan Tannehill for the beginning job and slipping to 3rd workforce at instances.

Up subsequent: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sunday in London, 9:30 a.m. ET

(Final week: 24)

Sunday: Misplaced to Cincinnati Bengals 34-20

Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, acquired in a “who cares?” commerce from the Browns on Aug. 24, has six touchdowns versus two interceptions and is seventeenth within the NFL in passer ranking (90.8), which is best than Dak Prescott, Derek Carr, Deshaun Watson and Matthew Stafford amongst others. Throw in the truth that No. 6 choose Paris Johnson has performed each snap at deal with and that Arizona has six picks within the first three rounds subsequent yr, and the Cardinals are in fine condition for the long run.

Up subsequent: at Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

(Final week: 28)

Sunday: Beat Denver Broncos 31-21

The brand new man of the day in New York is first-year offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who was made a workforce captain earlier than the sport and given a sport ball after the sport Sunday as a result of the Jets obtained some measure of revenge towards Broncos head coach Sean Payton, who belittled Hackett within the offseason. The entire thing was proof that New York will give you something to discover a motive to smile. A motive to frown? First-round choose Will McDonald (No. 15) has performed fewer than 15 p.c of the snaps on the defensive position.

Up subsequent: vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

(Final week: 32)

Thursday: Beat Washington Commanders 40-20

There’s DJ Moore. The huge receiver Chicago obtained as a part of the bundle for the No. 1 choose that turned Bryce Younger for Carolina had eight catches for 230 yards Thursday towards Washington. He had 300 within the first 4 video games of the season. Not coincidentally, Justin Fields had 4 landing passes and a 125.3 passer ranking. The 2 greatest single-game passer rankings of Fields’ profession have come within the final two weeks. Rookie first-round offensive deal with Darnell Wright has performed each snap and confirmed some promise.

Up subsequent: vs. Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(Final week: 21)

Thursday: Misplaced to Chicago Bears 40-20

With the season beginning to go south, new Washington proprietor Josh Harris certainly is beginning to consider cleansing home within the Commanders soccer workplaces. Coach Ron Rivera entered the season on shaky floor, and the 2023 draft class isn’t doing normal supervisor Martin Mayhew any favors. First-round cornerback Emmanuel Forbes was benched Thursday night time after being torched by DJ Moore, and nobody else within the class has made a lot influence.

Up subsequent: at Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, 1 p.m.

(Final week: 29)

Sunday: Misplaced to Miami Dolphins 31-16

The Giants misplaced once more, however should you’re searching for a brilliant spot, not less than they’re remembering that Darren Waller is on the workforce. The tight finish signed a three-year, $51 million deal within the offseason however has been conspicuously absent from the passing sport at instances. Sunday, he had a season-high eight catches for 86 yards, and he’s now the one Big with greater than 200 scrimmage yards this season (23 catches, 239 yards).

Up subsequent: at Buffalo Payments, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

(Final week: 27)

Sunday: Misplaced to New Orleans Saints 34-0

It’s not New England’s fault that Christian Gonzalez obtained harm. The No. 17 choose at cornerback was the actual deal earlier than his shoulder damage. The remainder of this mess is the Patriots’ fault. New England’s minus-76 level differential is the second worst within the league, and discuss of Invoice Belichick being pushed out the door abruptly doesn’t appear loopy.

Up subsequent: at Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

(Final week: 31)

Sunday: Misplaced to New York Jets 31-21

The Broncos used their first choose of the 2023 draft on Oklahoma huge receiver Marvin Mims (No. 63), so why aren’t they utilizing him extra? Mims, who had one catch for 4 yards on Sunday, is enjoying solely about one-third of the offensive snaps, however he’s second within the NFL in yards per goal (20.5), in line with TruMedia. Possibly he ought to have greater than 12 targets this season?

Up subsequent: at Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

(Final week: 30)

Sunday: Misplaced to Detroit Lions 42-20

It’s not truthful to be anxious about Bryce Younger’s long-term future, however right here we’re. Younger is final amongst qualifying quarterbacks in yards per try (5.2) and has virtually as many interceptions (4) as touchdowns (5). His passer ranking (77) ranks twenty ninth within the league, and the Panthers look headed for the worst document within the NFL. The issue is that they despatched subsequent yr’s first-round choose to Chicago as a part of the commerce that allowed them to draft Younger.

Up subsequent: at Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

(High picture of Lions tight finish Sam LaPorta: Rey Del Rio / Getty Photos)

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