Some rookies explode onto the scene every year and become instant contributors to their teams and, more importantly, their fantasy managers (Hello, Justin Jefferson, Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons). Others have more of a “Jalen Reagor” impact. Our analysts combed through the NFL rosters and identified the top rookie on every team. The results and accompanying justifications are below.
Previously, our analysts took a look at the most overrated and underrated players on each NFL team:
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Top Rookies on Each NFC West Team
NFC West
| TEAM | Andrew | Derek | Pat | Worm |
| Arizona Cardinals | Michael Wilson | B.J. Ojulari | B.J. Ojulari | B.J. Ojulari |
| Los Angeles Rams | Puka Nacua | Puka Nacua | Stetson Bennett | Puka Nacua |
| San Francisco 49ers | Ji’Ayir Brown | Ji’Ayir Brown | Ji’Ayir Brown | Jake Moody |
| Seattle Seahawks | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Jaxon Smith-Njigba | Jaxon Smith-Njigba |
Michael Wilson (WR – ARI)
At 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, 3rd-rounder Michael Wilson easily stands out amongst the “Micky Mouse Club House” array of WRs. Since the team has moved from DeAndre Hopkins, Wilson is slated for starting duties on the outside, while his smaller teammates duke it out for slot usage. If healthy, I expect Wilson to be a diamond in the rough for the Cardinals.The redshirt senior came back for a fifth year due to the COVID-19 pandemic to boost his draft stock after more missed games due to lower-body/foot injuries. He posted a 20% dominator rating in just six games with only a 10% target share. But if you pro-rate his dominator rating removing his games missed, his dominator rating jumps to 34%. He made the most of every target, finishing top-8 in broken missed tackles and yards created after the catch among his classmates per Sports Info Solutions. His 2022 season was easily his most productive since his sophomore year when he first broke out. In 2019 at 19 years old, he caught 56 balls for 672 receiving yards and 5 receiving touchdowns. – Erickson
Puka Nacua (WR – LAR)
Every day. All day. Always. Puka Nacua. Nacua’s path to a prominent role in the Rams’ offense is fairly easy, with only scrubs on the depth chart after Cooper Kupp, Tyler Higbee, and Van Jefferson. The camp buzz and drumbeat have been consistent around Nacua so far. Don’t be surprised if the volume gets louder and louder the closer we get to Week 1. – DBro
Ji’Ayir Brown (S – SF)
Light on draft capital, the 49ers didn’t make their first selection until the third round, where they grabbed Pann State safety Ji’Ayir Brown 87th overall. A two-year college starter who was named defensive MVP of last season’s Rose Bowl, Brown is a versatile defensive back capable of playing either safety position or lining up as a slot corner. The talent-rich 49ers didn’t have many screaming draft need, but Brown should add useful depth. – Pat Fitzmaurice
Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR – SEA)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba has stiff competition for targets as he’s flanked by Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf every snap, but Smith-Njigba has the talent to carve out a steady role in Seattle’s passing attack. In 2021 Smith-Njigba ranked first in yards per route run and PFF receiving grade (minimum 50 targets per PFF). If father time catches up with Lockett at all, don’t be shocked if Smith-Njigba assumes the number two role in Seattle. – DBro
AFC East | AFC North | AFC South | AFC West | NFC East | NFC North | NFC South | NFC West
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