Throughout the 2018 NFL season, we’re monitoring the progress made by the league’s rookie class by power ranking them based on their play, their circumstances, or both.
Here’s how the rookie crop shakes out with 11 weeks in the books.
1. New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley: The No. 2 overall pick out of Penn State has recorded 100-plus scrimmage yards in nine of his first 10 NFL games, adding 10 touchdowns for a team with a 3-7 record.
2. Indianapolis Colts LB Darius Leonard: The second-round selection out of South Carolina State leads the NFL with 104 tackles, and he’s now got an interception to go along with five sacks. He should be in the Pro Bowl.
3. Colts G Quenton Nelson: The October offensive rookie of the month continues to kick ass for one of the best offensive lines in the league. He should also be in the Pro Bowl.
4. Los Angeles Chargers S Derwin James: The No. 17 overall pick out of Florida State has 3.5 sacks, a pick, seven passes defensed, and 71 tackles as a consistent force in the L.A. secondary.
5. Detroit Lions DT Da’Shawn Hand: The fourth-round pick out of Alabama has the highest Pro Football Focus grade among rookies this season.
6. Denver Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb: The No. 5 overall pick out of North Carolina State has sacks in four consecutive games, moving him just 3.5 back of the rookie record of 11.5. He was dominant Sunday against the Chargers.
7. Cleveland Browns RB Nick Chubb: The second-rounder out of Georgia is finally getting more work in the post-Hue Jackson era, and he now leads all rookie backs with a yards-per-attempt average of 6.2. It helps that he had the longest run in team history against Atlanta before Cleveland’s Week 11 bye.
8. Dallas Cowboys LB Leighton Vander Esch: The No. 19 overall selection out of Boise State has been on fire in relief of the injured Sean Lee. He’s got interceptions in back-to-back games and his Week 11 performance against the Falcons was his best yet.
9. Browns QB Baker Mayfield: The No. 1 overall pick out of Oklahoma just might be taking off. He’s been lights-out the last two weeks, and suddenly his numbers (61.8 percent, 13 touchdowns to seven interceptions, 87.5 passer rating) aren’t too shabby.
10. Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay: The undrafted Colorado product ranks eighth in the NFL in rushing following a 106-scrimmage-yard performance against the Chargers. He’s also up to six touchdowns.
Honorable mentions: Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley, Browns CB Denzel Ward, Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander, Cincinnati Bengals S Jessie Bates III, Giants G Will Hernandez, Broncos RB Royce Freeman, San Francisco 49ers OT Mike McGlinchey, Colts RT Braden Smith, Carolina Panthers WR D.J. Moore
