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Top 5 NFL Rookies Entering Week 11 | Devonta Smith Is The Silent Assassin For Philadelphia Eagles

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Top 5 NFL Rookies Following Week 10

NFL rookies who are used to playing a 12-13 game schedule in college will now enter into a portion of the season that will see many of them hit the proverbial “rookie wall.”

The following rookies will still make major contributions in Week 11.

Ja’Marr Chase (Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals) 

His team had a bye in Week 10, but Bengals wideout Ja’Marr Chase has been somewhat of a standout this season. He leads all rookies with 835 yards receiving and seven touchdowns. His 44 grabs is second to rookie Jaylen Waddle of the Miami Dolphins (60). The Bengals have drafted their franchise QB and WR in the last two drafts. The fact that they were college teammates doesn’t hurt this connection one bit. Scary hours for the rest of the league.

DeVonta Smith (Wide Receiver, Philadelphia Eagles) 

DeVonta Smith won the 2020 Heisman Trophy because of his adept route-running and quickness. He’s shown flashes of that all season, but in the last three weeks he’s really come on with three touchdown grabs. Couple that with 16 total catches, 304 yards and four touchdowns in that same timeframe as well, and he seems to be hitting his stride. For the season, he’s accumulated 42 catches, 603 yards and four touchdowns. Sky is the limit for the quiet assassin.

 

Creed Humphrey (Center, Kansas City Chiefs) 

The demise of the Chiefs was greatly exaggerated. A lot of their offensive success is aided by the dominance that center Creed Humphrey has demonstrated weekly. It says something when you’re the top-ranked center in the entire NFL, not just among the rookie class.

He’s allowed a league-low five pressures and no sacks all season as the primary blocker. His play has been infectious, uplifting a struggling offensive line to propel the Chiefs to a three-game winning streak. The AFC is once again on notice. An athletic mauler is the anchor of the KC offensive line.

 

 

Mac Jones (Quarterback, New England Patriots)

When the Patriots released Cam Newton there were a lot of whispers that Belichick didn’t know what he was doing. “Not So Fast” (Lee Corso Voice). All Jones has done is play solid and cerebral football. The Pats have turned their season around.

Fresh off the first three-touchdown passing game of his career, “Mac Attack,” has been the best rookie signal caller in the 2021 Draft class. Jones has passed for 2,333 yards with 13 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He hasn’t been flawless by any means, but he’s made the “must-have” plays, reminiscent of a young Tom Brady before he evolved as a passer. Jones’ 94.1 passer rating is solid for an offense still trying to find its identity. Accuracy and composure are his best attributes.

 

Rashawn Slater (Left Tackle, San Diego Chargers)

Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater has allowed just one sack the entire season, as he protects the blindside of franchise QB Justin Herbert. While the aforementioned Humphrey is the top-rated rookie run blocker, Slater holds that distinction in the passing game. He’s a franchise tackle with a Hall of Fame skillset. Bolts got a real one with this pick.

Honorable Mention

Micah Parsons – The front runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year has been a Swiss Army knife for a vastly improved Cowboys defense this season. His speed and athleticism are noticeable weekly. With six sacks to go along with 58 tackles, Parsons’ versatility is his best asset. The rookie’s 15 QB hits and 17 QB pressures jump off the screen.

Najee Harris – The Pittsburgh Steelers’ running back is already showing the versatility he displayed at Alabama. He’s currently the only player in the league with 40 receptions and 150 carries, while placing second among NFL backs in scrimmage yards. His six touchdowns will be 12-14 by season’s end, as we hit the cold months. He’s doing all of this with an offensive line that could actually run block.

Jevon Holland – The Dolphins’ rookie safety flashed often last Thursday night as the Fins upset the Ravens. He used to do a lot of spying on Lamar Jackson and boy was he up to the task. Miami has two sensational rooks in WR Jaylen Waddle and Holland, who’s one of the highest-rated rookie defenders by Pro Football Focus.

His effect can’t be measured in stats, Turn on the film and watch how fast and physical he plays.

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