Record-breaking Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden II leads list of standout rookies from Week 7

Adjusting to the NFL can be difficult for rookies, but each season, a few stand out almost immediately. Here are five from Week 7.

Los Angeles Chargers TE Oronde Gadsden II (fifth round) 

Gadsden's performance was one of few positives for the Chargers in their 38-24 home loss to the Indianapolis Colts. The 165th pick of the 2025 draft had seven receptions for a team-high 164 yards and one touchdown catch. 

Per Syracuse.com's Chris Carlson, Gadsden broke the team record for receiving yards by a rookie TE in a game. Hall of Famer Antonio Gates held the previous mark with 117 receiving yards against the Green Bay Packers in 2003. 

The former Syracuse star should remain a key piece of the Chargers' passing attack throughout the rest of the season. His breakout performance earned him more trust with Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert. 

"He did an incredible job and found ways to get open. When we needed him most, he stepped up big time," the QB said postgame, per Eric Smith of the team website. "He's done a great job all year, and he's going to continue to make big plays for us."

New York Giants QB Jaxson Dart (first round) 

Despite the Giants' historic collapse in a 33-32 road loss to the Denver Broncos, Dart (pick No. 25) still deserves kudos for another solid performance. Against Denver's sixth-ranked passing defense (179.9 YPG), the Ole Miss product completed 15-of-33 passes for a season-high 283 yards and tossed three TDs and one interception. He also ran for 11 yards and one TD on five carries. 

"[The Giants have] found a little spark with that quarterback," Broncos head coach Sean Payton said postgame. "I was talking to [New York owner] John Mara not too long ago, and I said we were hoping that change would've happened long after our game."

Dart replaced former Broncos QB Russell Wilson after Week 3, which has provided an instant boost for New York's offense. The Giants have averaged 25.3 PPG in four games with Dart after averaging 17.3 PPG in three games with Wilson. 

Jacksonville Jaguars CB/WR Travis Hunter (first round)

In a 35-7 loss to the Los Angeles Rams in London, Hunter (pick No. 2) showcased the versatility that made the 2024 Heisman winner one of the better prospects in the class. On offense, the former Colorado Buffaloes star caught his first career touchdown and had eight receptions for 101 yards. On defense, he had one pass defensed. 

Questions about how the Jaguars best use Hunter linger. Despite the offensive breakout, Jacksonville may want to consider making him play more corner. According to Pro Football Reference, 14 of Hunter's 81 snaps in Sunday's game against L.A. were defensive. That may be one reason Rams QB Matthew Stafford threw five TD passes, an International Series Game record.

Chicago Bears RB Kyle Monangai (seventh round) 

Bears rookie HC Ben Johnson turned to Monangai (pick No. 233) more in Sunday's home game against the New Orleans Saints, and that paid dividends for their ground game. In the 26-14 win, the former Rutgers star ran for 81 yards and one TD on 13 carries. The Bears, meanwhile, finished with a season-high 222 rushing yards. 

When Johnson served as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator from 2022-24, his backfield featured RBs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Perhaps Monangai and fellow RB D'Andre Swift could become a similar tandem in Chicago. Following the win, the rookie RB said he believes Johnson will give him more touches if he keeps taking advantage of his opportunities. 

Cleveland Browns RB Quinshon Judkins (second round)

In Cleveland's 31-6 win over the Miami Dolphins, Judkins (pick No. 36) rushed for a season-high three touchdowns and 84 yards on 25 carries. Per The Draft Network's Justin Melo, the ex-Ohio State standout became the first Brown to score three TDs in a game since RB Nick Chubb did so against the Baltimore Ravens in 2019. 

"[Judkins] continues to establish himself as one of the most exciting high-upside running backs in the league," wrote Melo in a story published Monday. "The future is incredbly bright for Judkins, who is beginning to position himself in Offensive Rookie of the Year conversations."

As of Monday, DraftKings Sportsbook lists Judkins' OROY odds at +1000, the fourth best behind Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (+450), Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR Emeka Egbuka (+275) and Dart (-105).