It seems like it was ages ago when fans were clamoring to watch this NFL season. Now that it is here, we are already through Week 7. During that time, several rookies have become household names. A lot of football has been played, and it was tough to narrow down our list; but here are five of the best rookies as we approach the midpoint of the NFL season.
Josh Jacobs - Oakland Raiders, Running Back
The rookie running back has been better than advertised. For his production level, he is a bargain given that he was drafted No. 24th overall. He is an early favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year and he has been a breath of fresh air for the drama-filled Raiders. Jacobs is averaging a whopping 5.0 yards per carry and is on pace to rush for nearly 1400 yards. Maybe he'll have a chance to one day make the likes of Bo Jackson and Marcus Allen proud, as the Alabama alum is making a big name for himself.
Gardner Minshew II - Jacksonville Jaguars, Quarterback
The legend of Uncle Rico 2.0 continues as Minshew’s play on the field isn't more popular than his mustache or jorts, but he is turning around the Jaguars team that has searched for a consistent quarterback since the days of David Garrard. Minshew has brought a spark to the offense and his charisma has fans excited in Duval. The Jags are now 3-4, which doesn’t seem like much, but many football betting experts still think Jacksonville could end up as division champions.
Devin Bush - Pittsburgh Steelers, Linebacker
The thought of replacing Ryan Shazier has always felt like an insurmountable task for the Steelers after the mike backer was severely injured a few years ago. So when The Rooney Family decided to pick the Michigan product in the first round, the hope would be that he could be the next leader of their once-vaunted defense. As the first half of the season concludes, Bush has been the perfect stalwart for the Steelers defense. Although the team is struggling mightily offensively, the rookie has been a bright spot. Bush's 52 tackles on the season have him on pace to reach 140 on the season, a number Shazier never approached in each of his four seasons in the NFL.
Terry McLaurin, Washington Redskins, Wide Receiver
The former Ohio State Buckeye has been one of few bright spots for the struggling Redskins. McLaurin is on pace to fall just short of 1,000 yards and 11 TDs for the season. Through seven games, McLaurin has shown that he is a match-up nightmare in the slot and as an outside receiver. His route-running ability has earned him high praise from the artist formerly known as Chad Ochocinco a.k.a Chad Johnson, which says a lot given that Johnson is a former All-Pro.
Darnell Savage - Green Bay Packers, Safety
It's rare to see the Packers being celebrated for anything related to defense, but Darnell Savage has been.....a savage for the lack of a better word. The Packers have played championship-caliber defense spearheaded their first-round pick, as ESPN took to Twitter to share their rookie rankings and Savage came in as an impressive No. 5 on their list. If Green Bay can continue to allow Aaron Rodgers to operate with a lead, the Packers could be the NFC favorite to head to the Super Bowl.
Honorable Mention: Marquise “Hollywood“ Brown (Baltimore), Daniel Jones (New York Giants), Kyler Murray (Arizona), and Brian Burns (Carolina)
