NFL Power Rankings Week 5: Believing in the Vikings and rookie check-in

In honor of Jayden Daniels’ historic start to his NFL career, the Power Rankings are checking in on rookies this week. Daniels, the No. 2 pick in April’s draft, has overshadowed top pick Caleb Williams and given Washington Commanders fans hope that they’ve finally found their savior. The news is not quite so good in most other places, but we’ve found some highlights (or lowlights) for everyone.

We also have a new No. 1 that has come out of nowhere despite losing their first-round draft pick to injury.

Last week: 4

Sunday: Beat Green Bay Packers 31-29

The Vikings are having the NFL’s most surprising season without much help from their rookie class. First-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy was lost to a knee injury in the preseason, opening the way for Sam Darnold, who leads the league with 11 touchdown passes and has thrown only three interceptions. First-round edge rusher Dallas Turner has only five tackles and one sack through four games.

Up next: vs. New York Jets, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (London)

Last week: 2

Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Chargers 17-10

Wide receiver Xavier Worthy had a career-high 73 yards (on three catches) against the Chargers, and Kansas City is really going to need him now. Veteran wide receiver Rashee Rice is expected to miss the rest of the season after suffering a knee injury against the Chargers. Worthy, who ran the fastest 40-yard dash in NFL combine history (4.21), has nine catches for 154 yards this season. Second-round rookie offensive lineman Kingsley Suamataia has already lost his starting job at left tackle.

Up next: vs. New Orleans Saints, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Last week: 14

Sunday: Beat Buffalo Bills 35-10

Second-round right tackle Roger Rosengarten made his first career start Sunday against the Bills, and Derrick Henry went right behind him for an 87-yard touchdown on the Ravens’ first offensive snap of the game. Plus, the rookie didn’t allow a quarterback pressure on 20 pass-blocking snaps, according to The 33rd Team. In the non-rookie category, Henry finished with 199 yards. It was the seventh-highest total of his career and the third time in his last five games that he’s topped 150 yards.

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

4. Buffalo Bills (3-1)

Last week: 1

Sunday: Lost to Baltimore Ravens 35-10

No rookie got more preseason publicity than second-round wide receiver Keon Coleman, who lights up the room with his personality. On the field, it’s been fine if less dynamic. Coleman is the second-leading wide receiver on the team, but he has fewer catches (eight for 126 yards) than running back James Cook. The problem for Buffalo on Sunday, though, was the defense, which gave up 7.9 yards per play, which tied for the worst total in a game this season.

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

Last week: 3

Monday: Beat Seattle Seahawks 42-29

The Lions decided to double their chances of getting some cornerback help by taking Terrion Arnold in the first round and Ennis Rakestraw in the second round. Arnold has been a hit, playing more than 90 percent of the team’s snaps. Rakestraw, meanwhile, has barely seen the field. The defense won’t matter all that much if the offense keeps playing like it did Monday night, when quarterback Jared Goff finished a perfect 18-for-18 for 292 yards and two touchdowns. He became the first quarterback in NFL history with more than 10 pass attempts and no incompletions.

Up next: Bye

6. Washington Commanders (3-1)

Last week: 18

Sunday: Beat Arizona Cardinals 42-14

First-round quarterback Jayden Daniels, the No. 2 pick, has changed the complexion of the season for the Commanders and may have finally changed the trajectory of the franchise. Daniels has completed 82 percent of his passes so far, the highest completion percentage in a four-game stretch in the NFL (for quarterbacks with more than 100 attempts) since the league’s merger. He has led more scoring drives (23) than he has thrown incompletions (19). He also has the highest EPA per dropback of any NFL starter (.32). He’s 10th in passing yards (897). And he’s second among quarterbacks in rushing (218). Congratulations, Commanders.

Up next: vs. Cleveland Browns, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

7. Houston Texans (3-1)

Last week: 5

Sunday: Beat Jacksonville Jaguars 24-20

The Texans did OK in the 2024 draft considering they didn’t have a first-round pick. Their top four picks are pitching in, starting with second-round cornerback Kamari Lassiter, who is starting and tied for the team lead in tackles Sunday with six. The real story against the Jaguars, though, was Nico Collins, the 2021 third-round pick who had 151 receiving yards Sunday and leads the NFL with 489 this season.

Up next: vs. Buffalo Bills, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

8. Seattle Seahawks (3-1)

Last week: 6

Monday: Lost to the Detroit Lions 42-29

First-round defensive tackle Byron Murphy was inactive Monday night with a hamstring injury. He had played 45 percent of the Seahawks’ defensive snaps, a higher percentage of offensive or defensive snaps than any of his draft classmates. The Seahawks haven’t needed much from their newcomers because quarterback Geno Smith has been so good. After putting up a career-high 395 passing yards against the Lions on Monday night, Smith leads the NFL with 1,182.

Up next: vs. New York Giants, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Last week: 12

Sunday: Beat Philadelphia Eagles 33-16

First-round center Graham Barton has played every snap, but fourth-round running back Bucky Irving is looking like the Bucs’ best pick. Irving had 10 carries for 49 yards and a touchdown Sunday and is Tampa Bay’s leading rusher with 203 yards. His 5.8 yards per carry ranks seventh in the league (among backs with at least 20 carries), according to TruMedia. On the veteran front, Mike Evans got going Sunday with eight catches for 94 yards, his highest output of the season.

Up next: at Atlanta Falcons, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

Last week: 8

Sunday: Lost to Indianapolis Colts 27-24

The Steelers drafted three offensive linemen in the first four rounds and all three have started at least one game after South Dakota State product Mason McCormick opened the game against the Colts. McCormick, Troy Fautanu (when he’s healthy again) and Zach Frazier could turn into one of the best single-year offensive line draft hauls in a long time. Throw in the way quarterback Justin Fields is playing (312 passing yards, 55 rushing yards, three touchdowns Sunday), and the Steelers can feel OK despite their first loss of the season.

Up next: vs. Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, 8:20 p.m. ET

Last week: 13

Sunday: Beat New England Patriots 30-13

Third-round right guard Dominick Puni has been one of the finds of this year’s class by any team. Puni, who played six college seasons at Central Missouri and Kansas, didn’t allow a pressure on 29 pass block snaps against the Patriots on Sunday, according to The 33rd Team, and that’s become something of a trend for Puni. He’s only allowed six pressures this year, according to TruMedia. In the wildest rookie news in the NFL this year, first-round wide receiver Ricky Pearsall could come off IR this week after being shot in a robbery attempt during the preseason.

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

12. Los Angeles Chargers (2-2)

Last week: 10

Sunday: Lost to Kansas City Chiefs 17-10

It looks like Jim Harbaugh hit on his first L.A. draft class. First-round tackle Joe Alt had played 100 percent of the team’s snaps and looked very good at times (three pressures allowed in 76 pass-blocking snaps, according to TruMedia) before missing Sunday’s game with a knee injury. Second-round wide receiver Ladd McConkey had a career-high 67 yards Sunday and leads the team with 173 receiving yards.

Up next: Bye

13. Green Bay Packers (2-2)

Last week: 7

Sunday: Lost to Minnesota Vikings 31-29

The most impactful newcomer from this class has been safety Javon Bullard, a second-round pick who is third on the team with 20 tackles. The two players the Packers took before Bullard — offensive lineman Jordan Morgan and linebacker Edgerrin Cooper — aren’t regulars in the lineup. The continued production from the 2023 draft class of pass catchers — Luke Musgrave, Tucker Kraft, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks — means the Packers may have been due a miss or two this year.

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

14. Dallas Cowboys (2-2)

Last week: 16

Thursday: Beat New York Giants 20-15

Dallas is getting a lot of work out of its rookie class and is going to need more now that DeMarcus Lawrence is out for a while with a foot injury. That opens the door for second-round pick Marshawn Kneeland to get a lot of snaps at defensive end. Kneeland has three quarterback hits in 108 snaps this season. First-round pick Tyler Guyton and third-round pick Cooper Beebe are already starting on the offensive line.

Up next: at Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, 8:20 p.m. ET

15. Atlanta Falcons (2-2)

Last week: 20

Sunday: Beat New Orleans Saints 26-24

Atlanta might end up getting a historically low number of snaps out of its 2024 rookies. First-round quarterback Michael Penix Jr. hasn’t played and probably won’t unless Kirk Cousins gets hurt. Defensive linemen Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus have been inactive all four weeks. Edge rusher Bralen Trice suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason. Fifth-round linebacker JD Bertrand is the only member of the class who has taken an offensive or defensive snap, and he’s only played nine so far. The Falcons won Sunday without scoring an offensive touchdown, the first time they’ve done that since 2004.

Up next: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Thursday, 8:15 p.m. ET

16. New Orleans Saints (2-2)

Last week: 9

Sunday: Lost to Atlanta Falcons 26-24

First-round left tackle Taliese Fuaga has started all four games this season, and second-rounder Kool-Aid McKinstry and sixth-rounder Khristian Boyd are semi-regulars in the defensive rotation. The Saints are coming back to earth after a hot start. New Orleans averaged 45.5 points in Weeks 1 and 2 but have been held to 18 points per game the last two weeks.

Up next: at Kansas City Chiefs, Monday, 8:15 p.m. ET

17. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)

Last week: 21

Sunday: Beat Pittsburgh Steelers 27-24

The rookie class in Indianapolis hasn’t done much yet. First-round edge rusher Laiatu Latu hasn’t started a game and has produced only three tackles and one sack. Second-round wide receiver Adonai Mitchell has only two catches. The story Sunday was anti-rookie Joe Flacco, who came in for injured quarterback Anthony Richardson and threw for 168 yards and two touchdowns. The 39-year-old, who is only eight days younger than Richardson’s mother, is playing for his fifth team and played in his 189th game Sunday.

Up next: at Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

“[Anthony Richardson’s] mom is 8 days older than I am, so there’s no chance in the world he thinks I’m cool.” 😂😂😂

– Joe Flacco with an ALL-TIME interview with @AKinkhabwala pic.twitter.com/773ilbNIDz

— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) September 29, 2024

Last week: 24

Sunday: Beat Cleveland Browns 20-16

There’s really only one rookie making much impact in Las Vegas, but Brock Bowers has been enough. Even after a two-catch, 19-yard game Sunday, Bowers is second among NFL tight ends in receiving yards (216). He’s producing a first down on 45.8 percent of his targets. He also got his first carry on Sunday. He took it 12 yards, and he showed in college that he can be an impact player in the run game.

Up next: at Denver Broncos, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

Last week: 26

Sunday: Beat Los Angeles Rams 24-18

At the moment, No. 1 pick Caleb Williams is suffering from the comparison to Jayden Daniels, but pretty much anyone would right now. The bad news for Williams: He’s 29th in the league in EPA per dropback (minus-.22). The good news: His weekly passer rating has gone 55.7, 51, 80.8 and 106.6. Sunday was his best game by far (73.9 percent completion rate, .23 EPA per dropback), and it coincided with his fewest number of dropbacks (26 one week after having 56). First-round wide receiver Rome Odunze has been fine (10 catches, 166 yards) but not spectacular.

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

.@CALEBcsw with a DIME to @idjmoore 😮‍💨

📺: #LARvsCHI on FOX pic.twitter.com/VuNxyUUWWY

— Chicago Bears (@ChicagoBears) September 29, 2024

20. Philadelphia Eagles (2-2)

Last week: 11

Sunday: Lost to Tampa Bay Buccaneers 33-16

First-round cornerback Quinyon Mitchell is one of the bright spots Eagles fans are holding on to after a frustrating start in Philadelphia. He has played 99 percent of the team’s snaps and is allowing a 47.1 percent completion percentage and 69.2 passer rating on balls thrown his way, according to Pro Football Reference. No one else in the class is making much impact on offense or defense for the Eagles, who gave up 445 yards to Tampa Bay on Sunday and trailed 24-0 while having zero yards of total offense at one point in the second quarter.

Up next: Bye

21. Arizona Cardinals (1-3)

Last week: 17

Sunday: Lost to Washington Commanders 42-14

After a one-catch, 4-yard debut, first-round wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. has 14 catches for 239 yards in the last three weeks, which ranks eighth in the league in that span. His four touchdown catches in the last three weeks lead the league and his 17.1 yards per catch in that span is sixth-best among players with double-digit catches. Third-round rookie running back Trey Benson added 50 rushing yards Sunday.

Up next: at San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

22. Los Angeles Rams (1-3)

Last week: 19

Sunday: Lost to Chicago Bears 24-18

First-round edge rusher Jared Verse had back-to-back sacks erased by penalties Sunday. It’s been that kind of season for Verse, who has been one of the best rookie defenders in the league but doesn’t have the numbers to back it up yet. Verse has one sack and four quarterback hits, but he does have a 23.3 percent pass-rush win rate, according to TruMedia. That’s Aidan Hutchinson territory. Second-round defensive lineman Braden Fiske and third-round safety Kamren Kinchens are also regulars in the rotation.

Up next: vs. Green Bay Packers, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

Jared Verse – 50.0% pass rush win rate vs the Bears 💪

The highest mark in a single game this season (Tied with Dexter Lawrence) pic.twitter.com/6hmDIYwgVw

— PFF LA Rams (@PFF_Rams) September 30, 2024

23. Cincinnati Bengals (1-3)

Last week: 22

Sunday: Beat Carolina Panthers 34-24

First-round right tackle Amarius Mims got his first start Sunday, and the Bengals got their first win. There’s probably not a direct line of causation there, but Mims played well. Fourth-round tight end Erick All has been a surprise with 12 catches, but third-round wide receiver Jermaine Burton has been a disappointment. He’s played 21 snaps and has one catch. The Bengals gave themselves a chance to get back in the hunt with Sunday’s win. If they can survive the Ravens next week, they have the Giants, Browns, Eagles and Raiders after that.

Up next: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

24. New York Jets (2-2)

Last week: 15

Sunday: Lost to Denver Broncos 10-9

First-round tackle Olu Fashanu got his first start Sunday. Third-round wide receiver Malachi Corley has been a disappointment (one catch, 4 yards), but fourth-round running back Braelon Allen has played well enough (27 carries, 130 yards) that Robert Saleh was having to defend not giving him goal-line carries on Sunday. As for the old guy, quarterback Aaron Rodgers does not seem happy. “When your defense holds them to 10, you’ve got to win the game 100 percent of the time,” he said Sunday.

Up next: at Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, 9:30 a.m. ET (London)

25. Denver Broncos (2-2)

Last week: 28

Sunday: Beat New York Jets 10-9

First-round quarterback Bo Nix had seven completions for minus-7 yards in the first half Sunday. And the Broncos won! Nix finished with 60 passing yards, becoming the first quarterback (with at least 20 pass attempts) to win with so few yards since Eli Manning in 2007, according to ESPN Sports & Info. The only player this season with fewer yards per pass attempt than Nix (4.8) is Bryce Young, who got benched. He’s 32nd in the league in EPA per dropback (minus-.30). Speedy fourth-round wide receiver Troy Franklin also is struggling (four catches, 9 yards).

Up next: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET

26. New England Patriots (1-3)

Last week: 23

Sunday: Lost to San Francisco 49ers 30-13

The only important question left about New England’s season is when will first-round quarterback Drake Maye play? The Patriots have gone with veteran Jacoby Brissett so far to protect Maye, but New England is averaging 13 points per game, which ranks 31st in the league. In other (admittedly less interesting) rookie news, fourth-rounder Layden Robinson has played every snap so far at guard while third-round offensive tackle Caedan Wallace has played fewer than 30 percent of the snaps.

Up next: vs. Miami Dolphins, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

27. Carolina Panthers (1-3)

Last week: 25

Sunday: Lost to Cincinnati Bengals 34-24

It was difficult to judge first-round wide receiver Xavier Legette with Bryce Young at quarterback. Since Andy Dalton has taken over, Legette has eight catches for 108 yards. His best game came Sunday when he had six catches (on 10 targets) for 66 yards. With second-round running back Jonathon Brooks sidelined by injury, Legette is the only rookie doing much right now in Carolina, where Chuba Hubbard had 104 rushing yards Sunday.

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

Last week: 31

Monday: Beat Miami Dolphins 31-12

First-round offensive tackle JC Latham has played every snap so far, and second-round defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat has played more than half the defensive snaps, but no one else in the class has made a significant impact. Of course, none of the Titans players has. Monday night was Tennessee’s first win of the season, and it came with Mason Rudolph at quarterback after Will Levis left with a shoulder injury.

Up next: Bye

29. New York Giants (1-3)

Last week: 29

Thursday: Lost to Dallas Cowboys 20-15

Rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers is in concussion protocol, and it’s unclear what the Giants offense will look like without him. Nabers leads the NFL with 35 catches and has seen 38.2 percent of New York’s passing targets. Only two players since 2000 — Brandon Marshall and Steve Smith — had a higher team target percentage in a season, according to TruMedia. New York needs Nabers if it has any chance against its upcoming slate — Seattle, Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Washington.

Up next: at Seattle Seahawks, Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET

30. Cleveland Browns (1-3)

Last week: 30

Sunday: Lost to Las Vegas Raiders 20-16

The Browns had only two picks in the first four rounds because they’re still paying the bill on Deshaun Watson, and it doesn’t look like they used them well. Second-round defensive lineman Michael Hall is on the commissioner’s exempt list after a preseason arrest. Third-round offensive lineman Zak Zinter has played fewer than 40 percent of the snaps. Sorry, Browns fans, there’s just no good news coming around the corner. Enjoy Myles Garrett.

Up next: at Washington Commanders, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

31. Miami Dolphins (1-3)

Last week: 27

Monday: Lost to Tennessee Titans 31-12

First-round edge rusher Chop Robinson had played fewer than 50 percent of the snaps coming into Monday night’s game (and not making much of an impact), but that workload might go up after Jaelan Phillips left the game with a knee injury. Overall, it’s been a disappointing rookie class in Miami. Only three of their seven picks are on the 53-man roster. Maybe that was a sign of things to come in Miami, where the Dolphins managed only 184 yards Monday night with Snoop Huntley at quarterback.

Up next: at New England Patriots, Sunday, 1 p.m. ET

32. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)

Last week: 32

Sunday: Lost to Houston Texans 24-20

Let’s try to focus on the positives. First-round wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has 17 catches for 275 yards and two touchdowns. OK, so maybe there’s only one positive in Jacksonville, where Doug Pederson has joined the head coaching hot seat list even if he balked at having to answer a question about that Sunday afternoon. “As coaches, we can’t go out there and make the plays, right? It’s a two-way street,” he said after the game. Bad vibes in Duval.

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

(Top photo of Justin Jefferson and Sam Darnold: Stacy Revere / Getty Images)