Throughout the NFL season, we’ll be ranking the top 10 rookies in the league based on their progress. Here’s the breakdown following Week 1.
10. Philadelphia Eagles WR DeVonta Smith: The No. 10 overall pick caught six of eight passes for 71 yards and scored a touchdown in a drop-free, victorious performance on the road against the Atlanta Falcons.
9. Cleveland Browns CB Greg Newsome II: The No. 26 overall selection surrendered just 18 yards in coverage and drew one of the strongest Pro Football Focus grades among rookie defenders in Week 1 as the Browns nearly upset the Kansas City Chiefs.
8. Pittsburgh Steelers OT Dan Moore Jr.: The fourth-rounder has been a surprise sensation for the Steelers. He surrendered a sack but was otherwise solid on Ben Roethlisberger’s blind side in a road upset over the Buffalo Bills.
7. Detroit Lions OT Penei Sewell: It won’t be easy for the No. 7 overall pick to live up to expectations early in Detroit, but Sewell was PFF’s highest-graded offensive lineman in Week 1 as the Lions hung with the San Francisco 49ers.
6. Green Bay Packers C Josh Myers: The second-round selection has Corey Linsley’s big shoes to fill, but he surrendered just one pressure despite the Packers losing in ugly fashion to the New Orleans Saints.
5. Kansas City Chiefs C Creed Humphrey: Aside from a solo penalty, it was a clean slate for the second-round Oklahoma product as Patrick Mahomes’ center in a Week 1 win over the Browns.
4. Los Angeles Chargers OT Rashawn Slater: It was a completely clean slate (no sacks, no hurries, no hits, no penalties) for the No. 13 overall selection on Justin Herbert’s blind side as the Bolts took down the Washington Football Team on the road.
3. New England Patriots QB Mac Jones: Against a very tough defense in his NFL debut, the No. 15 overall pick completed 29-of-39 passes and posted a triple-digit passer rating in a mistake-free performance.
2. Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons: The No. 12 overall selection looked like a reliable veteran in an active debut that included seven tackles, a quarterback hit, and a pass deflection as the Cowboys nearly upset the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in prime time on the road. He looks like the real deal.
1. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase: Five catches for 101 yards and a huge touchdown in an upset Week 1 victory. The No. 5 overall pick also avoided drops while looking like an elite No. 1 receiver for Joe Burrow in Cincinnati.
