Ranking the top 10 NFL offensive and defensive rookies after 10 weeks
Their NFL careers may be only 10 weeks long, but a number of rookies are already thriving with their respective teams.
Here are the top 10 first-year players on offense and defense heading into the final stretch of the season:
Offensive rookies
10. Mecole Hardman, WR, Chiefs
The league and its fans collectively gasped in fear when the Kansas City Chiefs drafted Hardman and his 4.33 speed in the second round. And the rookie's campaign has thus far played out as expected. He's yet to receive consistent opportunities with elite options ahead of him on the depth chart, but the Georgia product makes the most out of even the smallest chances. Four of Hardman's five touchdowns are scores of 30-plus yards. Few players can turn nothing into something at a quicker rate than he can.
9. Elgton Jenkins, G, Packers
The Green Bay Packers made Jenkins their starting left guard after two games and never looked back. The 2019 second-rounder is already a strong run blocker, but he's impressed head coach Matt LaFleur more so with his pass-blocking prowess. Jenkins has yet to give up a sack or hit in eight starts, according to PFF, and quickly adapted to Aaron Rodgers' unique play style.
8. Daniel Jones, QB, Giants
It's been an up-and-down start for Jones with the New York Giants, but the flashes of potential he's shown through eight starts are more than enough to give the team hope that it has its franchise quarterback. The first-round rookie has completed 63% of his passes for 1,984 yards, 15 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. The physical ability is there, including the athleticism to extend plays with his legs. Jones will be leading Big Blue for many years to come if he continues to improve his pocket presence and post-snap processing.
7. Marquise Brown, WR, Ravens
"Hollywood" couldn't have asked for a better start to his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens. Brown torched the Dolphins for 147 yards and two touchdowns in his first game, proving his elite speed and playmaking ability in college translates to the pros. The speedy receiver has battled injuries in recent weeks but still has the 12th-most receiving yards on deep targets, and Lamar Jackson has a 134.4 passer rating when targeting Brown. Not many defenders can keep pace with this rookie.
6. Erik McCoy, C, Saints
The New Orleans Saints added to their stout blocking unit when they selected McCoy in the second round. The former Aggie was named the team's starting center prior to Week 1 and already looks like a seasoned veteran. McCoy uses athleticism and technique to win one-on-one matchups against interior defenders and has allowed only seven total pressures in pass protection, according to PFF. Rookie centers don't garner much attention, but McCoy is worthy of the spotlight.
5. Gardner Minshew, QB, Jaguars
A sixth-round rookie who few saw as ever being a starter, Minshew came out of nowhere to keep the Jacksonville Jaguars' season alive after Nick Foles went down in Week 1. He may not win Rookie of the Year, but such unexpected contributions at the most important position on the field are without question one of the top stories of the year. The Jaguars are turning back to Foles now that he's healthy, but it's clear Minshew has a bright future.
4. DK Metcalf, WR, Seahawks
Concerns over his versatility, route-running, and lack of college experience dropped Metcalf to the 64th selection by the Seattle Seahawks. You can bet most teams already regret not taking a shot at the athletic pass-catcher. Standing at a monstrous 6-foot-4 and 230 lbs, Metcalf utilized his speed and strength to quickly gain trust from quarterback Russell Wilson. He leads all rookie wideouts in targets, receptions, yards, and deep receiving yards, and is tied for first with five touchdowns.
3. Terry McLaurin, WR, Redskins
When fans start calling you "Scary Terry" after just a handful of NFL games, you know your pro career is off to a hot start. He torched the Philadelphia Eagles for 125 yards and a touchdown on just five catches in his NFL debut with the Washington Redskins and continued that momentum throughout the first half of the season. McLaurin combines elite speed (4.35 40-yard dash time), high-level awareness, and advanced route-running skills to elude defenders and get open. Improved quarterback play will only elevate the rookie's game.
2. Kyler Murray, QB, Cardinals
As the first overall pick by the Arizona Cardinals, Murray entered the league with extremely high expectations, and he's thus far handled them with class. The dynamic passer is well on his way to turning around a Cardinals franchise that has one playoff appearance this decade. Murray is accurate on every level of the field and displays excellent anticipation of his receivers' routes. He ranks eighth in the NFL with 2,553 passing yards while completing 64% of his passes. He's accumulated eight touchdowns to one interception over his last five games and is well on his way to proving worth the risk atop the draft.
1. Josh Jacobs, RB, Raiders
Selected with the initial pick of the two first-rounders received in the Khalil Mack trade, Jacobs has been everything the Oakland Raiders were hoping he'd be, and more. His immediate impact as the centerpiece of a resurgent Raiders offense has him in the driver's seat for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, but he stands out in a crowd including far more than just first-year players. The Alabama star is the NFL's highest-graded running back this season, according to PFF.
Defensive rookies
10. Nik Needham, CB, Dolphins
The only undrafted player on this list has suited up for just five games thus far, but Needham is making his presence felt on the Miami Dolphins' defense. The former UTEP defender plays with a chip on his shoulder every down. He displays technical skills in coverage and established himself as a potential long-term piece on a rebuilding squad. Miami's pass defense has performed better with Needham starting at cornerback than it did with Xavien Howard.
9. Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, DB, Saints
Billed as a defensive chess piece coming out of Florida, Gardner-Johnson is showcasing his versatility with the New Orleans Saints, too. The rookie started the campaign as the team's third safety, but injuries and suspensions thrust him into the primary slot-corner role. It's a position that best utilizes his talents, and he's helped the Saints field a top-ten pass defense since he entered the lineup.
8. Cole Holcomb, LB, Redskins
Drafted later than most players here, Holcomb has emerged as a pleasant surprise during a forgettable campaign in D.C. Injuries moved the fifth-round rookie into the starting lineup and he's thrived in run defense. Holcomb ranks second among first-year players with 58 tackles and first in stops at or behind the line of scrimmage.
7. Chase Winovich, DE, Patriots
The New England Patriots getting a talented player like Winovich, who fell as far into the third round as he did likely only due to his size, was one of the biggest steals in the draft. Demonstrating the pass-rush ability that made him such an interesting prospect coming out of Michigan, Winovich has racked up 4.5 sacks despite largely being limited to a situational role. Those numbers will really start to take off as he gets more opportunities, adding yet another dynamic element to an already great New England defense.
6. Darnell Savage, S, Packers
Savage's ability to make plays in coverage and near the line of scrimmage has played a huge role in the defensive emergence in Green Bay. The former Maryland star plays every game like it's his last, but his aggressive style rarely leads to mistakes. Savage has the potential to impact every level of the defense with his combination of awareness, ball skills, and closing speed. Quarterbacks are completing 63% of their passes when throwing into his coverage.
5. Brian Burns, LB, Panthers
The Carolina Panthers lead the NFL in sacks through 10 weeks thanks in large part to their rookie edge rusher. Burns' length and explosive athleticism made him an instant success in the pros, as he notched 4.5 sacks in his first six games and wasn't a liability in run defense. The talented outside linebacker already scored his first defensive touchdown and has blocked two kicks on special teams. With 21 total pressures and multiple tackles behind the line of scrimmage, Burns is proving he probably should have been taken off the board earlier than No. 16.
4. Dexter Lawrence, DT, Giants
After a dominant collegiate career at Clemson, Lawrence has emerged as one of the few bright spots on the Giants' defense. His 6-foot-4, 342-pound frame makes him incredibly difficult to block. Lawrence is already a dominant run defender - to the surprise of no one - but his development as a pass-rusher has New York fans encouraged. He has more pressures than any other rookie interior defender and often requires a double-team to slow him down. Lawrence wasn't the most exciting first-round draft pick in April, but he already looks to be one of the league's best bargains.
3. Devin Bush, LB, Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers appear to have finally solved their issue at inside linebacker. Though limited in experience, Bush is already the heart of Keith Butler's defense, combining incredible speed with advanced instincts. The Michigan product always seems to be around the ball, leading all rookies in tackles and stops behind the line of scrimmage. A pure stat stuffer, Bush has recorded two interceptions, four fumble recoveries, a defensive touchdown, one sack, and four pass breakups in 10 games. He's the real deal.
2. Josh Allen, DE, Jaguars
If you thought the Jacksonville Jaguars got a steal when they selected Allen seventh overall, you were right. The versatile pass-rusher rounds out a talented Jaguars front four and wins most matchups with his athleticism and play strength. After a slow start to his rookie campaign, Allen has amassed seven sacks and two forced fumbles in his last seven games. Only San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa appears in the backfield more often than Allen does. He has the look of a future All-Pro and his presence may very well make Yannick Ngakoue expendable this spring.
1. Nick Bosa, DE, 49ers
Not only is Bosa the clear favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year, but he's in contention for Defensive Player of the Year, too. Arguably the top overall player in his draft class, Bosa already possesses a developed pass-rush repertoire. His 44 total pressures lead all rookies and rank just outside the top 10 among NFL edge defenders. Despite playing defensive end and often matching up against elite blockers, Bosa always appears to be around the ball. The Ohio State product has forced a fumble and recovered one, and intercepted a pass in just nine contests. He's captured two NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors and is well on his way to superstardom. If he isn't named the best defensive player in the league this year, it won't be many more before he is.