In Week 6, many rookies made debuts or had impact performances, two of them coming from Bucs players. The Bucs dominated the New Orleans Saints, and two performances from that game stood out.

Running back Bucky Irving and cornerback Tykee Smith both showed why Jason Licht and this Bucs front office drafted them. Their performance in Week 6 has them up for the Pepsi Rookie of the Week Award.

In his first start of the season, Bucky Irving ran for 81 yards and found the endzone twice. He and Sean Tucker helped the Bucs rush for 272 yards against the Saints' defense in what was considered a tough matchup for them on the ground.

Tykee Smith pitched in with two forced fumbles and one interception that sealed the game for the Bucs in the fourth quarter. Smith benefited from the return of Antoine Winfield Jr. to the secondary allowed him to be more aggressive in his play.

Smith and Irving are joined by Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels, Tyron Tracy Jr., and Caleb Williams on the ballot for the award.