After three weeks of the regular season, several rookies are already making their mark in the NFL.
Here’s an evaluation of each AFC West team’s top draft pick, accompanied by a grade based on how they’ve fared:
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (No. 12 overall)
After losing his first two starts, Nix secured his first win on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. In the 26-7 upset, he completed 25-of-36 passes for 216 yards and posted an above-average 80.8 QBR. Additionally, he rushed for 47 yards and one touchdown on nine carries.
“I think we got to see a really good glimpse of where he can take this offense and where we can go with him at the helm,” Broncos wide receiver Courtland Sutton said of Nix in a postgame news conference.
While Nix may be improving, he probably needs more time to become a franchise QB. The 24-year-old has thrown zero TDs and four interceptions through three starts and is tied for 20th in the league in passing yards (600).
Grade: C+
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy (No. 28 overall)
In a 27-20 Week 1 win over the Baltimore Ravens, Worthy had two receptions for 47 yards and one TD catch. He also rushed for a 21-yard TD. Over the past two games, he only has four receptions for 34 yards and four carries for 18 yards.
Chiefs second-year WR Rashee Rice seems to be emerging as a No. 1 option for Kansas City, which could be curbing Worthy’s production. Through three games, Rice leads the team in targets (29), receptions (24) and receiving yards (288).
In his Monday news conference, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid hinted he may increase Worthy’s workload throughout the season. If the WR takes advantage of this opportunity, he could become a dynamic playmaker. Worthy ranks second on the team in yards per reception (13.5).
Grade: B
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (No. 13 overall)
During a recent appearance on FanDuel’s “Up & Adams,” future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski said Bowers could “surpass” him as a pass-catching TE.
Bowers having a better career than Gronkowski — who earned four first-team All-Pro nods in 11 seasons with the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers — seems unlikely. Still, the Georgia product has excelled through his first three games.
Bowers is tied for eighth in the league in receptions (18) and 17th in receiving yards (197). The 21-year-old’s play is one reason the Raiders rank fourth in the league in passing yards (244.7).
Grade: A+
Los Angeles Chargers right tackle Joe Alt (No. 5 overall)
Through his first three games, Alt has faced elite edge-rushers, including T.J. Watt of the Pittsburgh Steelers and Maxx Crosby of the Las Vegas Raiders. Despite the challenging matchups, he has only allowed two sacks and three pressures, per Pro Football Focus.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Alt sprained his MCL in a 20-10 Week 3 loss to the Steelers and is expected to miss Sunday’s home game against the Chiefs.
Aside from the injury, Alt’s career is off to an excellent start. During a recent news conference, Chargers offensive coordinator Greg Roman said Alt “could reach the same stratosphere” as Hall of Fame OT Jonathan Ogden, who starred under Roman as a Baltimore Ravens assistant O-line coach from 2006-07.
Grade: A+
