Throughout the NFL season, we’re ranking the top 10 rookies in the league based on their progress. Here’s the breakdown following Week 8.
10. New England Patriots QB Mac Jones: The first-round Alabama product has nine touchdown passes to six interceptions and solid rate-based numbers for a Pats team that’s very much alive entering the second half of the season.
9. Las Vegas Raiders CB Nate Hobbs: The surprising fifth-rounder has yet to surrender a touchdown in coverage and has a sub-90 opposing passer rating.
8. Denver Broncos CB Patrick Surtain II: The ninth overall selection has surrendered just 23 completions on 45 attempts and a 72.1 passer rating in coverage. He also has an interception.
7. New York Giants edge Azeez Ojulari: The second-rounder out of Georgia leads all rooks with 5.5 sacks.
6. Kansas City Chiefs G Trey Smith: The sixth-round revelation is getting better and better each week. He has the second-best run-blocking grade among qualified first-year offensive linemen at Pro Football Focus.
5. Los Angeles Chargers OT Rashawn Slater: The No. 13 overall pick has the top pass-blocking grade among qualified rookies at PFF. He’s given up just two quarterback hits thus far.
4. Dallas Cowboys LB Micah Parsons: The versatile first-rounder has shined with 2.5 sacks, 11 quarterback hits, and 42 tackles. He’s a big reason the Cowboys defense has exceeded expectations this year, and a huge reason they upset the Minnesota Vikings without Dak Prescott on Sunday night.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers RB Najee Harris: Only two running backs have more yards from scrimmage than the first-round Alabama product. He’s also scored four touchdowns in his last four outings.
2. Kansas City Chiefs C Creed Humphrey: The second-rounder leads all qualified NFL centers with a PFF grade of 90.7. It’s been a tough season for the Chiefs, but that has nothing to do with this selection.
1. Cincinnati Bengals WR Ja’Marr Chase: The No. 5 overall pick out of LSU caught just three passes in a tough Week 8 showing, but he still ranks in the top-four in the league in receiving yardage and touchdowns.
