Top 10 Players Who Have Been Impressive Through 5 Weeks of The NFL

1. Patrick Mahomes – First on the list is Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes. Patrick Mahomes is a game-changing player, this former MVP is leading the NFL with 1,831 passing yards, Mahomes also has 11 touchdowns with 0 interceptions, a completion percentage of 65.6% and a quarterback rating of 114.7 with only 5 weeks into the NFL season. It is worth noting that Patrick Mahomes has also led his team to a 4-1 record and first place in the AFC West. Patrick Mahomes can take over a game offensively and bring his energy and swag to it. The way he electrifies the crowd is something most players simply can not do. I do not see Mahomes slowing down anytime soon. 

• 2. Christian McCaffery – Coming in second is superstar running back for the Carolina Panthers, Christian McCaffery. Christian McCaffery has played exceptionally throughout 5 weeks of the NFL season. McCaffery is starting the season off hot by leading the league in rushing yards with 587 yards on 105 carries. Alongside McCaffery leading the league in rushing yards, he also has 6 rushing touchdowns, 5.6 yards per rushing attempt, a career-high in yards per game with 117.4, and a career-high in rushing attempts a game with 21.0.  Christian McCaffery has 31 receptions on 40 targets to go along with 279 receiving yards and 1 receiving touchdown, with 9 receiving yards per reception. It is safe to say that McCaffery is beast with catching the ball just like he is when he is rushing the ball. McCaffery is a freakish athlete and by the looks of it, it seems as if he has no plans of slowing down. 

• 3. Shaquil Barrett – Coming in third is an outside linebacker for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Shaquil Barrett. I think it is fair to say that no one expected Barrett to perform at such a high level throughout the first 5 weeks of the NFL. Shaquil Barrett leads the league in sacks with 9 sacks. Shaquil Barrett also has 3 forced fumbles, 2 pass deflects, 1 interception, 16 solo tackles, 6 assisted tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and 10 quarterback hits, that stat line is very impressive. Shaquil Barrett brings his energy to the field when he is present and knows how to take over a game defensively. Shaquill is the type of player every coach would love to have on their defensive and is every quarterback’s worst nightmare. At the rate he’s going, he could very well end up bringing home that defensive player of the year award.

• 4. Michael Thomas – Fourth on the list is star wide receiver for the New Orleans Saints, Michael Thomas. Michael Thomas is arguably one of the greatest wide receivers of this generation. Thomas is an elite player with raw talent that can do it all when needed. 5 weeks into the NFL season Michael Thomas leads the league in receiving yards with 543 on 45 receptions, which is impeccable. Alongside leading the league in receiving yards, Thomas has 3 touchdowns, averaging 12.1 yards per reception, and is averaging 108.6 yards a game on the season. I believe that Michael Thomas’s talent speaks for itself when he steps on the field.

• 5. Myles Garrett – Coming in fifth is superstar defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, Myles Garrett. Myles Garrett is without a doubt a top 5 defensive linemen in the NFL, throughout 5 weeks of the NFL Myles Garrett has 7 sacks 1 forced fumble, 11 solo tackles, 4 assisted tackles, 6 tackle for loss, 9 quarterback hits. Myles Garrett is a force to be reckoned with and is every offensive linemen’s worst nightmare, Myles Garrett’s ability to get past his opponent and get to the quarterback and stop the run is lethal and something that a lot of defensive linemen struggle to do. It is safe to say that Myles Garrett will not slow down anytime soon and will be one of the league’s most dangerous defensive players for years to come.  

• 6. Deshaun Watson – Coming in sixth is one of the better quarterbacks in the NFL, Deshaun Watson. Deshaun Watson has been off to a great start throughout 5 weeks of the NFL, Watson has thrown for 1,364 yards on 159 throwing attempts completing 110 of them, which is approximately a 69.2% completion percentage. Deshaun Watson has thrown for 11 touchdowns, 1 interception, has a quarterback rating of 115.9 which is a career-high, along with yards per game which is 272.8. Many NFL analysts will often compare Deshaun Watson’s playstyle to Green Back Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers because Watson can use his legs to extend plays and shake defenders, which is what Aaron Rodgers is known for. At any given moment in any game of the season, Deshaun Watson is liable to pop off and have a never-forgotten game. 

• 7. Chris Godwin – Coming in seventh place is an upcoming superstar for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chris Godwin. Chris Godwin has played outrageously good so far. Chris Godwin was an underdog coming into this season, Chris Godwin has 33 receptions for 511 receiving yards, averaging 15.5 yards per reception, 6 receiving touchdowns, and averaging 102.2 yards per game. Chris Godwin can stretch the field and split the secondary in half creating a 1v1 matchup which most times he will win. Having a guy like Godwin apart of your offense is vital because he can be used as a decoy to draw defenders to him freeing up other options for the quarterback to throw to.

• 8. Lamar Jackson – Coming in ninth is Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Lamar Jackson has been very good so far throughout 5 weeks of the NFL, Jackson has thrown for 1,271 yards on 106 completions, 65.4% completion percentage, 11 touchdown passes, 5 interceptions, a quarterback rating of 65.2, and a career-high in yard per game with 254.2. Not only can Lamar Jackson sling the ball but he can also carry it,  Lamar Jackson has rushed the ball on 50 attempts while rushing for 308 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, and 61.1 rushing yards per game. Lamar Jackson is an elite quarterback with tons of raw talent and potential, Lamar Jackson is a generational talent, there are not many second-year quarterbacks that can play at the level that Jackson is playing at. With so much potential, you can expect to see Jackson grow as a player and as a leader. 

• 9. Adam Thielen – Coming in eighth is star wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings, Adam Thielen. There is no surprise that Adam Thielen is on this list based on his breakout season last year, Adam Thielen has 20 receptions for 309 yards, 15.5 yards per reception, and 4 touchdowns. Adam Thielen is known for his amazing route-running and magnet hands. He can speed down the field and beat his 1v1 matchup for an easy catch and score. Having someone like Thienlen on your team is a blessing. 

• 10. Josh Jacobs – Coming in tenth is rookie running back for the Oakland Raiders, Josh Jacobs. Josh Jacobs has been very impressive, to say the least, with only 5 weeks into the NFL season Jacobs has rushed for 430 yards on 88 rushing attempts, 4 rushing touchdowns, 4.9 yards per rushing attempt, 86.0 rushing yards per game, and 17.6 rushing attempts per game. Josh Jacobs has very unique skills when it comes to running the ball due to his craftiness and speed, Jacobs can run the ball straight up the middle or he can be utilized by running the ball north and south. While Jacobs is not known for his ability to catch the ball, he can still create plays for the offensive most of the time. Josh Jacobs has nothing but a bright future ahead of himself and will more than likely develop into the league’s next great running back.