Ranking the best and worst NFL rookie performances of Week 1

So-so NFL rookie performances in Week 1

Kyle Pitts

Kyle Pitts was Atlanta’s second-leading receiver against the Eagles with four catches for 31 yards. That kind of production doesn’t stand out. The Falcons’ offense stands out even less.

The tight end has more to give offensively. It’s just not clear his team has more to give him.

Zach Wilson

Speaking of teams not giving their rookies much to work with. The Jets have drafted promising young quarterbacks and spit them out over and over. Did anyone really expect Zach Wilson to get different treatment?

Wilson went 20-of-37 for 258 yards and a touchdown in his first NFL action. He also threw an interception as the Jets fell to the Panthers.

The stat that matters? He took six sacks.

The second half was better than the first for the rookie QB, but there’s not much he could do behind a dismal offensive line and a run game averaging 2.6 yards per carry.

Trey Lance

Even though he didn’t win the starting job over Jimmy Garrappolo, Trey Lance has a package of plays that got him in the game on Sunday. All-in-all, the package wasn’t anything special. He ran the ball three times and gained two yards. However, he threw a single pass and it went for a five-yard touchdown, so he has that to hang his hat on.