Using a traditional grading system scale, players are ranked at their position based on a weighted average in a series of position-specific metrics. An exactly average performance will get a 75 overall grade, which translates to a C on the grading scale.
Each week, PFSN will present the highest-graded rookie at each position with analysis on why that player excelled. Below, we take a look at the first-year players who led the way in Week 4.
QB: Jaxson Dart, New York Giants
(75.5, C)
The New York Giants haven’t had much hope at quarterback since Eli Manning’s retirement. His fellow Ole Miss alum provided a promising first step in leading the Giants to their first win of the season in Week 4.
Jaxson Dart ranked 16th among all quarterbacks at the position, demonstrating early signs that he could develop into one of the league’s premier dual-threat passers. Dart was fifth among QBs in rushing EPA, producing 54 yards and a score on his 10 carries.
As a passer, Dart struggled to avoid sacks when pressured, resulting in the second-worst EPA per dropback when pressured in Week 4 (-1.32). Still, this was a promising first step for Dart’s tenure and a potential job-saving win for Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen (at least for now).
RB: Omarion Hampton, Los Angeles Chargers
(83.4, B)
Omarion Hampton was the third-highest graded running back of the week, behind only James Cook and Kyren Williams. The Los Angeles Chargers rookie generated 128 yards on just 12 carries, highlighted by his 54-yard touchdown. But even removing that long score, Hampton still would have averaged a robust 6.7 yards per carry.
128 rushing yards for Omarion Hampton in Week 4….the most by a Chargers rookie since LaDainian Tomlinson back in 2001. pic.twitter.com/jMMA2cod7M
— Moody (@EricNMoody) October 1, 2025
Moving forward, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Hampton get more work with the offensive line injuries, leaving Justin Herbert under siege in the pocket. The Chargers have a designed run rate of just 36.4%, fourth-lowest through Week 4. In Jim Harbaugh’s first season, Los Angeles had the 10th-highest designed run rate at 45.5%.
WR: Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(77.6, C+)
For the second straight week, Emeka Egbuka is the highest-graded rookie wideout. At this point, Egbuka is the clear Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite, with his 282 receiving yards and four receiving scores leading all rookies.
A 77-yard touchdown highlighted his day vs. the Philadelphia Eagles, boosting a day where Egbuka actually caught just four of his 10 targets. For the season, Egbuka is generating 2.6 yards after the catch over expected, eighth-best among all wide receivers.
TE: Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks
(78.1, C+)
After recording 38 receiving yards in his first three games combined, Seattle Seahawks rookie Elijah Arroyo broke out on Thursday Night Football. The Miami product delivered two catches for 44 yards, while also playing a season-high 36 offensive snaps.
As you’d expect given his stat line, the Seahawks stretched the field with Arroyo, who saw an average target depth of 11.8 air yards. That was the highest of any tight end who received three or more targets in Week 4. That fits with his college usage, as Arroyo had the fifth-deepest aDOT of any FBS TE to receive 25+ targets in 2024 (11.1 air yards).
OL: Grey Zabel, Seattle Seahawks
(79.4, C+)
Grey Zabel was another Seahawks rookie who delivered in the team’s Thursday Night Football win. The Seattle left guard allowed two pressures on 31 pass blocking snaps, but neither turned into a sack. In addition, one of them came on a long dropback (3+ seconds to pressure), which PFSN penalizes offensive linemen for less than if the pressure arrives more quickly.
For the season, the first-rounder has had some ups and downs and ranks 39th among guards with a 74.6 grade. That may not sound spectacular, but he’s yet to allow a sack and has given up just eight pressures. As Zabel further assimilates to the leap in competition from FCS North Dakota State to the NFL, his OL Impact grade should only rise.
EDGE: Abdul Carter, New York Giants
(79.8, C+)
Both of the Giants’ first-round picks shone in their win over the Chargers, with Abdul Carter delivering eight pressures. That doubled his prior high in a single game, as Carter had 11 pressures over his first three games combined.
Abdul Carter is 7th in True Pressure Rate and 5th in most high-quality (1v1 win) pressures with 10. Here’s three of them against the center in what has basically become a right of passage for the next ‘dude’ at EDGE in the NFL: pic.twitter.com/nU53O5jxij
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) October 1, 2025
His 25% pressure rate was the second-highest among EDGEs with 30+ pass rush snaps, behind Laitu Latu of the Indianapolis Colts (29.0%). Impressively, five of Carter’s pressures came within 2.75 seconds, the quickest pressures of any edge rusher this week. His five QB hits were also tied for the most by an edge rusher in a single game all season.
DT: Elijah Roberts, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
(80.5, B-)
With Calijah Kancey down for the season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed another defensive tackle to elevate their game next to Vita Vea. Fifth-round rookie Elijah Roberts could emerge as a candidate for a larger role, particularly on passing downs.
Roberts played 26 snaps in Week 4 and only got to rush the passer 10 times, but generated a pair of pressures and a quick pressure. In addition, his one tackle in the run game held Saquon Barkley to a two-yard loss. Roberts has graded out solidly in both games since Kancey’s torn pectoral, having also recorded a 77.2 (C+) grade in Week 3.
LB: Demetrius Knight Jr., Cincinnati Bengals
(81.5, B-)
It’s been a disastrous fortnight for the Cincinnati Bengals, who have been outscored 76-13 over their last two games. Rookie linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. was one of the lone bright spots in the team’s Monday night no-show against the Denver Broncos, earning our highest rookie linebacker grade of the week.
Knight had 10 tackles and six solo tackles, both top-10 at the position this week. He also picked off Bo Nix in the red zone at the end of the first half to briefly give the Bengals some life.
CB: Nohl Williams, Kansas City Chiefs
(82.5, B-)
Nohl Williams isn’t yet a starter for the Kansas City Chiefs, but the third-round rookie impressed in a situational role against the Baltimore Ravens. Williams was our ninth-ranked cornerback overall in Week 4, playing a season-high 20 snaps in the blowout win.
On 18 coverage snaps, Williams was targeted twice and didn’t allow a catch on either target. He had a pass breakup on one of those targets as well, and already has three on the season despite very limited playing time. Williams was an elite ball hawk at Cal with an FBS-leading seven interceptions in 2024, so it’s hardly surprising that his ball skills have translated seamlessly to the NFL.
S: Jonas Sanker, New Orleans Saints
(86.4, B)
The New Orleans Saints kept things closer than expected against the unbeaten Buffalo Bills in Week 4. The play of Jonas Sanker was one reason why, as the third-rounder was PFSN’s fourth-ranked safety for the week.
Sanker was targeted twice and delivered a pass breakup and his first career interception. He was one of only two safeties with multiple PBUs + interceptions this week, along with Pro Bowler Brian Branch. He also recorded five tackles, four of which were solo tackles.
