Ranking the 6 Pepsi Zero Sugar NFL Rookie of the Year Finalists

1. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels redefined what it means to be a dual-threat quarterback in his rookie season with the Washington Commanders. Daniels posted a 100.1 passer rating, a 69.0% completion rate, and an unprecedented 891 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns as a quarterback. His 3,568 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes ranked second among rookie QBs. Not only did Daniels break multiple rookie quarterback records, but his 11 Rookie of the Week awards set an NFL milestone for most weekly honors ever.

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6. WR Brian Thomas Jr, Jacksonville Jaguars

Brian Thomas Jr. was unstoppable in his rookie campaign for the Jacksonville Jaguars, leading all rookies with 10 touchdown receptions and ranking third with 87 catches and 1,282 receiving yards. His consistent production made him only the fourth rookie in the Super Bowl era with over 1,100 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. Thomas also posted seven consecutive games with at least 75 receiving yards, the second-longest streak in NFL rookie history. He’s already a fan favorite in Jacksonville.

5. RB Bucky Irving, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' ground game got a huge boost with Bucky Irving, who dominated as a rookie running back. Irving led all rookies with 1,514 scrimmage yards, 1,122 rushing yards, and eight rushing touchdowns. He set a new franchise rookie record with eight games featuring at least one rushing touchdown. Irving’s consistency and explosiveness out of the backfield provided a steady presence in Tampa Bay’s offense all season long.

4. WR Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Malik Nabers gave the New York Giants a spark on offense, delivering one of the best rookie wide receiver campaigns in NFL history. His 109 receptions and 1,204 receiving yards ranked second among rookies, while his seven touchdown receptions tied for fourth-most. Nabers shattered records by recording 14 games with five or more receptions, the most ever by a rookie. Giants fans are thrilled about the long-term potential of their young playmaker.

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3. QB Bo Nix, Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos’ rookie QB, Bo Nix, delivered a record-setting debut season. Nix led all rookie quarterbacks in completions (376), passing yards (3,775), and touchdown passes (29). His 93.3 passer rating ranked second, and his ability to make plays with his legs resulted in four rushing touchdowns. Nix became the first rookie QB in NFL history with seven games featuring multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions, as well as multiple games with at least 300 passing yards, four touchdowns, and a passer rating over 140. The Broncos have found their leader.

2. TE Brock Bowers, Las Vegas Raiders

Brock Bowers made NFL history as a rookie tight end, finishing the season with a league-leading 112 receptions and 1,194 receiving yards among all tight ends. Bowers set the all-time rookie record for receptions in a season, while his totals also rank as the third-most by a tight end in NFL history. His record-breaking performance in receiving yards also marked the most ever recorded by a rookie tight end. Raiders fans are already touting him as one of the franchise's future cornerstones.

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1. QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Jayden Daniels redefined what it means to be a dual-threat quarterback in his rookie season with the Washington Commanders. Daniels posted a 100.1 passer rating, a 69.0% completion rate, and an unprecedented 891 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns as a quarterback. His 3,568 passing yards and 25 touchdown passes ranked second among rookie QBs. Not only did Daniels break multiple rookie quarterback records, but his 11 Rookie of the Week awards set an NFL milestone for most weekly honors ever.

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