Kenneth Walker III, Sauce Gardner and Zach Tom Sor

Week 7 NFL The rookie pill is back with a heavy heart as one of the favorite names on the roster will miss the rest of the season. However, the new name makes their presence felt in a big way in his first start at left tackle. As they say, one door closes, another opens.

We also saw the highly touted draft pick break out for the first time in weeks after being given a different role on the team. Some amazing names have a significant impact on their teams. The Seattle Seahawks draft looks like a gem, and the New York Jets rookies help them look like contenders.

NFL rookie report card

Remember, there are no half measures here. We don’t cheat with pros and cons – just full letter grades.

Jets CB Sauce Gardner: A

It’s getting hard to come up with anything new about Sauce Gardner. He was a great starter. If Gardner stays at this pace, he will establish himself as a top-10 cornerback in the entire league. The NFL moves fast. Some would have considered JC Jackson the best quarterback in the NFL just seven weeks ago.

There is no time to fuss with the narrative. If Gardner continues to virtually shut down the entire side of the field with his mental prowess and uncanny length, he’ll be in the same conversation as the top cover guys. In Week 7, he allowed four catches on 10 targets for just 16 yards. He also broke up three passes and made nine solo tackles.

Patriots QB Bailey Zappé: D

Bailey Zappé probably should have started the game against the Chicago Bears. The chants of “ZAPPE, ZAPPE, ZAPPE” from the crowd started early and continued until Bill Belichick fired Mack Jones after a failed interception.

Cepe came out of the gate hot. New England scored a touchdown on two consecutive possessions, but things went downhill after that. Two of the Patriots’ possessions in the third quarter were triples and the next two led to interceptions by Zappa.

I wanted to see Zappe in a negative scenario, and I managed to see it. It will be interesting to see which direction Belichick takes as the starter against the Jets next week.

Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker III: A

Kenneth Walker III has 353 yards over the past three games and is averaging 6.8 yards per carry over that span. While 143 of those yards have come on just two carries, Walker has an undeniable ability to create explosive running plays. His eight rushes for 15-plus yards rank him third behind only Nick Chubb and Saquon Barkley.

MORE: Kenneth Walker III is the Week 7 Player of the Week

Walker had 168 yards on 23 carries against the Chargers and scored two touchdowns along the way. His zone run is excellent, and his 5-foot-9, 215-pound frame makes him difficult to bring down on first contact.

Jets RB Brice Hall: F

Brice Hall is getting a failing grade due to a season-ending ACL injury. Hall seemed poised to win the All-Rookie of the Year. On Sunday, he scored the Jets one touchdown on a 62-yard run down the left sideline.

I will miss watching Hall. He was such a loose and natural runner, and he fit incredibly well in Mike Lafleur’s offense. Let’s hope Hall can get back on track and be 100% by the start of next season.

Packers OT Zach Thome: B

Zach Thome’s versatility has been his calling card since Wake Forest. In his career, he started double-digit games at center and left tackle. He played 30 snaps at left guard and 54 at left tackle early in his NFL career.

Tom got the start at LT and didn’t allow a single pressure in Green Bay’s 23-21 loss to the Washington Commanders. Tom isn’t necessarily the guy who moves people in the run game, but his most important role is to protect Aaron Rodgers’ blind side, which he did admirably.

Rapid-Fire Week 7 NFL Rookie Ratings

It’s time for quick strikes.

Cowboys OT Tyler Smith: C

Tyler Smith has been a road grader in the running game and that continues. However, he struggled a few times against Detroit in pass protection, with one play leading directly to a missed touchdown opportunity.

Patriots CB Jack Jones: A

The Patriots spin around corners like I recycle Nespresso capsules, but always seem to hit a pin. Jones has been that way so far for the Patriots as a rookie.

Cowboys DE Sam Williams: A

Mickey Parsons’ doppelgänger had a Parsons-like day in the stats against Detroit. He finished with two sacks, three stops and a forced fumble, which virtually sealed Detroit’s fate.

Bears OT Braxton Jones: B

Things haven’t been easy for the Bears’ offensive line in 2022, but Jones and the rest of that unit stepped up in a big way against the Patriots on Monday night. Jones allowed two pressures but no sacks in the game.

Falcons WR Drake London: F

It boggles my mind how Drake London and Kyle Pitts can combine for just five targets and under 20 receiving yards against Cincinnati in a game where they are trying to climb out of a big hole. London caught his only target in the Falcons loss.