Throughout the NFL season, we’re ranking the top 10 rookies in the league based on their progress. Here’s the breakdown following Week 12:
10. Cincinnati Bengals WR Tee Higgins: The second-round Clemson product has a shot at a 1,000-yard rookie campaign. And it was no Joe Burrow, no problem for Higgins in Week 12; he caught all five passes thrown his way and scored his fifth touchdown of the season.
9. New England Patriots G Michael Onwenu: The sixth-round pick from Michigan (sound familiar?) is the top-rated rookie offensive lineman at Pro Football Focus.
8. Washington Football Team edge Chase Young: The No. 2 overall pick out of Ohio State was a huge factor as Washington beat the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving. He leads all rookies with 4.5 sacks.
7. Indianapolis Colts S Julian Blackmon: The third-rounder out of Utah has two picks, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 10 games, but that doesn’t do justice to his impact.
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers OT Tristan Wirfs: The No. 13 overall pick out of Iowa has been responsible for just one sack on Tom Brady through 11 games.
5. Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow: Five interceptions in 10 starts is pretty damn impressive when you consider Burrow’s lack of support in Cincinnati. It’s a shame we won’t see him again until 2021. We’ll keep him in the top five until somebody shines enough to move ahead of him.
4. Pittsburgh Steelers WR Chase Claypool: Only eight NFL players have scored more touchdowns this season than the Notre Dame second-rounder (10). He’s also on pace to push 1,000 yards for an unbeaten team.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars RB James Robinson: The undrafted Illinois State product put up 159 scrimmage yards and scored another touchdown in a Week 12 loss. Only Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook have more rushing yards this season.
2. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: Only six wide receivers have more yards than the first-round LSU product, who leads the NFL with 12.8 yards per target. He scored two touchdowns in a Week 12 victory and could make a move into the top spot with a few more strong performances.
1. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert: It was a struggle in Week 12 for the No. 6 overall pick out of Oregon, but he still has a triple-digit passer rating and a 22-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio despite difficult circumstances in his first season.
