Every week of every season in NFL history there have been players who were either expected to do great or players who were just supposed to be there who would then completely flip expectations. This season is no different, there are expected stars who are failing to live up to the hype, then there are players ranging from rookies to journeymen veterans who are shocking every fan.
Each and every team has these players, whether that is for good or for bad. In this most recent edition of the NFL power rankings I will be discussing who is the most surprising for each team, that could mean good or bad.
It is important to note that every team has more than one of these players and it is also opinionated (obviously), so the players on this list may differ from those on any other list of surprising players this season.
With that being said, let’s get into the most recent edition of the NFL power rankings and like every power ranking, we are not going to agree on everything, so feel free to let me know how wrong I am down below.
Rank Kansas City Chiefs (6-1)
1 Prev. (2 ↑1)
Week 7 Result: 43-16 W against Denver
Surprise Player: Clyde Edwards-Helaire
It seems like whenever you discuss the Chiefs offense this season you have to discuss the rookie running back Edwards-Helaire. There isn’t much that can be said that hasn’t already been said about him, he’s the running back the Chiefs offense needed that adds a brand-new layer that they did not have last season. Edwards-Helaire is an early canididate for offensive rookie of the year and it is clear why, if he can continue to develop from what he already is then the Chiefs offense will be the best for years to come.
Rank Pittsburgh Steelers (6-0)
2 Prev. (3 ↑1)
Week 7 Result: 27-24 W against Tennessee
Surprise Player: Chase Claypool
Chase Claypool has been one of the best receivers on the Steelers this season, if not the best, and he has been one of the best rookie receivers in the game this season. Claypool has 333 receiving yards on the season with four touchdowns and a 72% catch rate. The Steelers already had a very potentially dangerous wide receiver combo, now with Claypool that becomes even more dangerous. Claypool has had his low points as well as his high points, but if you get him involved then he will not disappoint.
Rank Baltimore Ravens (5-1)
3 Prev. (4 ↑1)
Week 7 Result: Bye
Surprise Player: Devin Duvernay
Duvernay may only have 90 receiving yards on the season, but his role is so much more than that on the team. With how he has been playing he probably will get some more playing time soon, but he has been a kick returner that they have not really had since Jacoby Jones. Duvernay is averaging 34.4 yards on his kick returns and he is tied with Marquise Brown in all-purpose yards. Duvernay has been really good for a rookie who is making the most of his opportunities, the question is, will he get more?
Rank Seattle Seahawks (5-1)
4 Prev. (1 ↓3)
Week 7 Result: 37-34 L against Arizona
Surprise Player: D.K. Metcalf
It’s tough to say that Metcalf is a surprise player since he was looking great by the end of last season, this season though he is looking like a bona fide stud. If there is one issue with Metcalf it would be that he has a low catch% at 54.5%. Otherwise, there is no real weakness of his game, he can do short routes, long routes, he’s got speed, size, and strength. If Metcalf can work on his hands over the course of the season, he could easily become a top five receiver in the league.
Rank Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2)
5 Prev. (8 ↑3)
Week 7 Result: 45-20 W against Las Vegas
Surprise Player: Scott Miller
It’s become a bit of a meme lately, but Brady makes certain type of receivers look great and this is no different with Miller. Miller has been a great option since Evans and Godwin have been out for some time, the thing is, how will he be worked in when they are completely healthy. I see no reason why Miller will stop being utilized in this offense, but before the season started not many people expected Miller to have this type of production.
Rank Green Bay Packers (5-1)
6 Prev. (6 ⏤)
Week 7 Result: 35-20 W against Houston
Surprise Player: Preston Smith
Last season in free agency the Packers brought in Preston and Za’Darius Smith in hopes they would add to the pass rush. Last season they did with a combined 25.5 sacks with Preston having 12 of them. This season they have a combined 6.5 sacks with Preston having 0.5 sacks. This means that right now he is not really pulling his weight, this is not what you want to see out of someone who had 12 sacks last season. One of the Smiths is doing well right now, the other not so much, this defense works better when both of them are on.
Rank Tennessee Titans (5-1)
7 Prev. (5 ↓2)
Week 7 Result: 27-24 L against Pittsburgh
Surprise Player: Stephen Gostkowski
When Gostkowski was with the Patriots, he was one of the better kickers in the league, only kicking below 80% two times in his career, now in his first season with the Titans he is at 62.5%. Sure, Gostkowski has helped win some games like against Minnesota when he went 6 for 6, but he has also made some wins much close than they should have been. Most kickers who are at the pro level can do better than what he is doing right now. Even though they are winning games right now despite him, he needs to get better unless he doesn’t want a job.
Rank Buffalo Bills (5-2)
8 Prev. (7 ↓1)
Week 7 Result: 18-10 W against New York Jets
Surprise Player: Tre’Davious White
Last season, White was easily a top five, if not top two corner in the league. While he is still a very good corner, he is not playing at the same level he was last season. People aren’t really throwing his way with only 20 targets, but in those targets, 12 of them were receptions and two led to touchdowns. Again, it is not that White is playing bad, but he is not playing to the level that a player of his caliber should and that is part of the reason the Bills pass defense is only in the middle of the road.
Rank Arizona Cardinals (5-2)
9 Prev. (11 ↑2)
Week 7 Result: 37-24 W against Seattle
Surprise Player: Chandler Jones
Jones is like a case you will see later in the list and it may be a bit unfair to place him on here since he is out for season, but when he was playing, he was underperforming. In his career, Jones was known as a sack machine, this season in five games he only had one sack, and this came after a season where he had 19. It’s not only that though, he had only 11 tackles and 1 tackle for loss. Jones is a better player than this and we will see when he is back if he can return to his old form, this season is a bust, but he can return stronger than ever.
Rank Los Angeles Rams (5-2)
10 Prev. (10 ⏤)
Week 7 Result: 24-10 W against Chicago
Surprise Player: Darrell Henderson
Getting rid of Todd Gurley was a decision that was made even though it was a tough one. So far, it seems like that decision has paid off for him as the Rams have one of the best run games in the league. Henderson is not the great number one back who will get all the yards, the Rams have a system in place where multiple backs work with the ball and it works well, Henderson just happens to be in charge of that. Henderson may only average 58.9 rush yards per game, but overall, he has 500 plus yards with four touchdowns. The surprise is more because he did not do get opportunities in his rookie season, now he has the opportunity and he is making the most of it.
Rank New Orleans Saints (4-2)
11 Prev. (13 ↑2)
Week 7 Result: 27-24 W against Carolina
Surprise Player: Malcolm Jenkins
Malcolm Jenkins has been a very good safety in his time in the NFL, this season it seems like something is missing. Not only was his play supposed to be great, but he was brought in to be a defensive leader in the secondary and so far, this secondary has been one of the worst in the league. He is not necessarily playing bad, but when he was brought in they expected more, they need more if they are going to make the playoffs in the loaded NFC.
Rank San Francisco 49ers (4-3)
12 Prev. (14 ↑2)
Week 7 Result: 33-6 W against New England
Surprise Player: Emmanuel Moseley
Moseley has had his ups and downs this season, but part of the reason he is a surprise is because he has helped make up for some of the injuries on the defensive side. Moseley is in his third season and has matched a career high in interceptions with one to go along with six pass deflections. Moseley has played most of every game, outside of the Giants game, and in the games, he has played he has held opponents to a 53.3 catch%. He may not be playing at an all-pro level, but he is doing very well on the defensive side.
Rank Cleveland Browns (5-2)
13 Prev. (15 ↑2)
Week 7 Result: 37-34 W against Cincinnati
Surprise Player: Odell Beckham Jr.
Is it unfair to say that a player who is out for the remainder of the season due to injury has underperformed when he was healthy, maybe, but it’s true. You can say it’s Beckham or you can say it’s Mayfield, but either way he has been worse than expected. In seven games, Beckham had 45.6 Y/G which is the worst in his career and a 53.5 catch %, also a career low. Beckham had his worst season of his career last season and this season was supposed to be better, well, it wasn’t and now he is injured for the remainder of the season so he can’t try to improve it.
Rank Chicago Bears (5-2)
14 Prev. (9 ↓5)
Week 7 Result: 24-10 L against Los Angeles Rams
Surprise Player: Nick Foles
Nick Foles may be a better option then Mitchell Trubisky, but that may not really be saying that much when it comes to starters. When comparing the two, most of the stats favor Foles, but the one that favors Trubisky is wins and losses. It is unfair to say Trubisky is 3-0 considering Foles came in and won the game against Atlanta, so 2-0 sounds better, but if we count that win then Foles is 3-2 with 6 TD and 6 INTs. He was brought in as competition and fill in as needed, well, there may be more competition in the future if this play continues.
Rank Indianapolis Colts (4-2)
15 Prev. (16 ↓1)
Week 7 Result: Bye
Surprise Player: Philip Rivers
The Colts brought in Philip Rivers for one reason and one reason alone, to make the playoffs and win a Super Bowl. Well, the Colts do have a 4-2 record, but Philip Rivers has not been the typical Philip Rivers. Obviously, since he is older, he is not going to be the same quarterback that he once was, but Rivers has not even been good in a lot of the games. Sure, his numbers don’t look bad, but he only has one game where he had multiple TD passes, and that was the game he actually led the team to a win. Rivers has done the minimum needed on the offensive end to get wins, but they need more out of him to fulfill why he was brought in.
Rank Las Vegas Raiders (3-3)
16 Prev. (12 ↓4)
Week 7 Result: 45-20 L against Tampa Bay
Surprise Player: Nelson Agholor
The Eagles and specifically Eagles fans were fed up with Agholor and his hands last season when he only caught 56.5% of balls his way last season. This season he joined a new team in the Raiders with a new QB and his catch % is his highest in his career at 75. He also has almost 300 yards on the season with four receiving touchdowns which is most on the Raiders. A change of scenery was needed, and it has been doing wonders for Agholor, if he can keep this up then he can help bring the Raiders to a playoff berth.
Rank Detroit Lions (3-3)
17 Prev. (22 ↑5)
Week 7 Result: 23-22 W against Atlanta
Surprise Player: T.J. Hockenson
Hockenson was supposed to be the tight end to help Stafford out when he was drafted last season. He didn’t really prove to be that guy last season, but this season he has been showing that he is that guy. Hockenson is the third leading receiver on the team with 256 yards and he has the most touchdowns on the team with four. While those are great, he is showing he is reliable with a 71 catch%, up from 54.2% last season. He is proving why he was their number one pick last season and in only the second season that is a good sign.
Rank Miami Dolphins (3-3)
18 Prev. (19 ↑1)
Week 7 Result: Bye
Surprise Player: Jason Sanders
It may be a bit of a cop out since the Dolphins are doing really well this season, but the surprise has been the play out of their kicker. I would consider it a cop out, but Sanders is 100% this season on 15 attempts, miles better than he was last season. In his rookie season, Sanders was 90% then last season he regressed down to 76.7%, this season he is doing exactly what you need out of a kicker. Sanders is part of why the Dolphins are getting their wins and you can’t do better than 100%, now he needs to keep it up.
Rank Carolina Panthers (3-4)
19 Prev. (20 ↑1)
Week 7 Result: 27-24 L against New Orleans
Surprise Player: Robby Anderson
There is no doubt that Anderson has always been a good receiver, but this season he is looking like a star. In fact, both him and Moore are, but Moore had more of that trajectory already, that’s why the focus is on Anderson. Anderson has never had over 1,000 receiving yards in a season, but in his first season in Carolina, he is averaging 91.4 yards per game at 640 yards through seven games. While his Y/G are up, what may be even more important is that is catch % is up. Anderson has always been in the mid 50s, but now he has a 78% which is what they expected out of him when they got him. Now if the Panthers can do this once Christian McCaffrey is back, watch out for them.
Rank Philadelphia Eagles (2-4-1)
20 Prev. (23 ↑3)
Week 7 Result: 22-21 W against New York Giants
Surprise Player: Travis Fulgham
The Eagles have dealt with so many injuries this season that they brought in a receiver in Fulgham who was brought in specifically for depth. He may have been brought in for depth, but he has provided so much more than that. In four games this season he has 357 yards and three touchdowns, both leading the team from Eagles receivers. With the way he has been playing, Fulgham has earned himself a spot on the roster even when the Eagles return to full health.
Rank New England Patriots (2-4)
21 Prev. (17 ↓4)
Week 7 Result: 33-6 L against San Francisco
Surprise Player: J.C. Jackson
The Patriots have had some serious struggles on the offensive side in recent weeks as well as some defensive struggles. The offensive struggles are more prevalent, but the defense (with all the opt outs) have had their struggles as well. Jackson has proved he is a good complement to Gilmore or even as the number three corner, and in his third season this is what they were expecting. Jackson hasn’t been bad in his first two seasons, but this season he has hit another level. With three interceptions and seven pass deflections this season Jackson has helped this defense rank 11th in the pass.
Rank Los Angeles Chargers (2-4)
22 Prev. (25 ↑3)
Week 7 Result: 39-29 W against Jacksonville
Surprise Player: Justin Herbert
Tyrod Taylor definitely has drawn the short end of the stick over his career and this season has been no different. Taylor was the starter until he suffered a punctured lung and then Herbert took over. Since Herbert took over, he has been great and though he has only led them to two wins, it easily could have been four or even five. Herbert has had his mistakes this season as every rookie has, but he has also shown he is the starter of the future and deserves to be. Herbert has a four to one touchdown to interception ratio and will only continue to get better as he gets playing time.
Rank Denver Broncos (2-4)
23 Prev. (21 ↓2)
Week 7 Result: 43-16 L against Kansas City
Surprise Player: Michael Ojemudia
Ojemudia was not the top-rated cornerback prospect entering the draft, but he has proven so far that he was undervalued in the draft. There is definitely an argument to be made that he has been the best corner out of that draft. Ojemudia has been on the field virtually all game every game as he is one of the starting corners. Currently on the season he has held the nearest opponent to a 55.6% completion rate and though he has allowed two touchdowns, some mistakes are expected. He has been far from perfect, but for a third-round draft pick, there is not much more they could have asked for.
Rank Dallas Cowboys (2-5)
24 Prev. (18 ↓6)
Week 7 Result: 25-3 L against Washington
Surprise Player: CeeDee Lamb
Lamb was supposed to be one of the best, if not the best wide receiver in this latest draft class. Well, so far, he has proved that he is one of the best and he has already made himself into the number two receiver on the Cowboys. Lamb is three yards shy of 500 yards on the season as well as two touchdowns. This was mostly with Dak Prescott, so it is not clear what his production is going to be over the remainder of the season. Whatever happens though, it is clear that Lamb will be a problem in this league for years to come.
Rank Houston Texans (1-6)
25 Prev. (24 ↓1)
Week 7 Result: 35-20 L against Green Bay
Surprise Player: Randall Cobb
Imagine if the Texans did not trade away Hopkins over the offseason, they may have a couple wins. That might be a little unfair and even if he were on the team then it would have been unlikely that the Texans would have even brought Cobb in. Cobb had a good season in Dallas last year and now took his talents to the other Texas team, currently, he is the number three receiver on the team, but he has 372 yards and two touchdowns. Cobb is a good number three receiver and though the Texans aren’t winning, the signing of Cobb has been a good one.
Rank Cincinnati Bengals (1-5-1)
26 Prev. (26 ⏤)
Week 7 Result: 37-34 L against Browns
Surprise Player: Joe Burrow
Being a number one pick brings along some high expectations, especially at the quarterback position. While the picks are full of expectations, they usually go to teams that are not surrounded with talent. The Bengals are that team and even though they don’t give the greatest protection for Burrow, Burrow has proven that he is worthy of starting for an NFL team. The biggest problem with Burrow (more the Bengals as a team) is that he can’t put away opposing teams. The Bengals have had very close games this season but have failed to put many teams away and that is why they have one win.
Rank Washington Football Team (2-5)
27 Prev. (31 ↑4)
Week 7 Result: 25-3 W against Dallas
Surprise Player: Montez Sweat
Sweat isn’t necessarily a surprise that he has done well getting to the opposing quarterback, but he is the man leading the charge on the line which is good for the future. Currently, Sweat has five sacks which is very good for seven games in on the season, the only problem is that he is a one-dimensional player as of now. Out of 15 tackles on the season, one third of his tackles are sacks and another third of his tackles are tackles for losses. This is not a bad thing especially since he is getting to the opposing QB and only in his second season he definitely has room to improve.
Rank Minnesota Vikings (1-5)
28 Prev. (28 ⏤)
Week 7 Result: Bye
Surprise Player: Kirk Cousins
The Vikings lost a star wide receiver in Stefon Diggs over the offseason, but even so, they drafted Justin Jefferson who looks like he could easily be a star in the making. Even so, Cousins has not looked good this season, and this is a shock from a usually consistent quarterback. In five full seasons as a starter, Cousins has had double digit interceptions four times to go with 25+ touchdowns five times. This season he is on pace to throw for 29 touchdowns which is good (11 in 6 games), but he is also on pace for 27 interceptions (10 in 6 games). Cousins needs to turn things around quick if the 1-5 Vikings want a chance to go anywhere.
Rank Jacksonville Jaguars (1-6)
29 Prev. (29 ⏤)
Week 7 Result: 39-29 L against Los Angeles Chargers
Surprise Player: James Robinson
Losing Leonard Fournette was the final move of the fire sale that the Jaguars have had over the past two seasons. Since Fournette was no longer on the team that meant an undrafted rookie RB would be starting in Robinson. While Robinson has not been close to the best running back of the season, he has definitely been serviceable in filling the void left by Fournette. Robinson has over 700 yards from scrimmage this season to go along with six total touchdowns which accounts for a third of the Jags offensive touchdowns, pretty good for an undrafted rookie.
Rank Atlanta Falcons (1-6)
30 Prev. (27 ↓3)
Week 7 Result: 23-22 L against Detroit
Surprise Player: Russell Gage
All draft picks have expectations, but when Atlanta selected Gage in the sixth round of the 2018 draft it was never meant to be a potential number one receiver. Okay, am not calling him a potential number one, but the Falcons have two great wide outs in Jones and Ridley that can be considered number ones, having Gage as a number three helps take some pressure off of them. Atlanta currently has three receivers with over 300 yards and though it has not helped in the win department, if Ryan can utilize his three receivers well, then the offense should be up there as one of the best.
Rank New York Giants (1-6)
31 Prev. (30 ↓1)
Week 7 Result: 22-21 L against Philadelphia
Surprise Player: Daniel Jones
Is it fair to say Daniel Jones is a surprise player, maybe, the bigger question though is, is it a surprise for the good or for the bad? Losing Saquon Barkley early in the season meant all the pressure was placed on Jones and Jones has not been that great at leading the offense. It’s not all on him, just look at the weapons he has, but while he hasn’t been great through the air, the real shock is that he leads the team in rushing. Jones has 296 rushing yards which is over 100 more than the next closest in Devonta Freeman, now if the passing can improve, he may be on to something.
Rank New York Jets (0-7)
32 Prev. (32 ⏤)
Week 7 Result: 18-10 L against Buffalo
Surprise Player: Quinnen Williams
Williams was supposed to be an immediate problem coming out of college and entering the league. Through seven games this season, Williams has equaled or is just behind his stats from last season where he played in 13 games. While his stats may not look like anything special: 28 tackles, five tackles for losses, five quarterback hits, one forced fumble, and three sacks; they are good for a second-year defensive lineman. William’s stats and play still may not be what they expected out of him when they drafted him, but the good news is that the play is improving.