Throughout the NFL season, we’re ranking the top 10 rookies in the league based on their progress. Here’s the breakdown following Week 13:
10. New England Patriots OT Michael Onwenu: The sixth-round pick from Michigan (sound familiar?) is the top-rated rookie offensive lineman at Pro Football Focus. He’s been responsible for just two sacks this season.
9. Indianapolis Colts S Julian Blackmon: The third-rounder out of Utah has two picks, six passes defensed, and a forced fumble in 11 games, but that doesn’t do justice to his impact.
8. 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.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers WR Chase Claypool: It’s been a quiet couple of weeks for the Notre Dame product, but only nine NFL players have scored more touchdowns this season than Claypool (10).
6. Washington Football Team RB Antonio Gibson: The third-rounder out of Memphis suffered a toe injury early in Week 13, but he’s still averaged 5.4 yards per carry with eight touchdowns in Washington’s last six 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. Washington Football Team edge Chase Young: The No. 2 overall pick out of Ohio State was a huge factor as Washington upset the Steelers on Monday evening. He leads all rookies with 4.5 sacks.
3. Jacksonville Jaguars RB James Robinson: The undrafted Illinois State product put up 108 scrimmage yards and scored another touchdown in a Week 13 loss. Only Derrick Henry and Dalvin Cook have more rushing yards this season. He still has a shot at Offensive Rookie of the Year.
2. Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert: Recent struggles have cost the No. 6 overall pick out of Oregon the top spot here. His once-top-10 passer rating has plummeted to 94.2, as he’s posted a 1-to-3 touchdown-to-interception ratio in back-to-back ugly losses.
1. Minnesota Vikings WR Justin Jefferson: With yet another 100-plus-yard game in Week 13, only two wide receivers have more receiving yards this season than the first-round LSU product. Jefferson also leads the NFL with 12.4 yards per target, and he’s scored four touchdowns in his last three games.
