The rookies had fantastic performances all across the league last week. Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Xavier Worthy was Patrick Mahomes leading receiver with 61 yards on four receptions in their loss to the Buffalo Bills. But that performance was not good enough to land him on this week’s rankings. Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens had eight tackles (six solo), one interception, one forced fumble, one stuff, and one pass deflection; that was not enough to break into this week’s rankings either.

Dropped Out

Tyler Nubin – If the New York Giants had a bye week during week 10, Tyler Nubin could see himself in the rankings. However, other secondary rookies are outperforming him in recent weeks, including Kinchens, who is close to overtaking Nubin as the best first-year safety in the league. 

Malik Nabers – Similarly to his teammate, Malik Nabers falls out of the rankings for the first time primarily due to the bye week. The breakout wide receiver will have a new quarterback in Tommy DeVito against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. A midseason change for the Giants could spark a return to pre-injury form for Nabers.

Marvin Harrison Jr. – The bye week came at a perfect time for Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Arizona Cardinals. Following his 111-yard receiving game in week eight, he’s had 34 and 54 yards in weeks nine and 10. Rookie wide receivers will be competing to finish the season in the top 10; it could be decided by performances from a single game or drive. 

Bucky Irving – The Buccaneers running back returned to the top 10 only to drop out this week. Like the other three, the bye week is partially why he dropped out. The other part is due to his inconsistency in the run game. Bucky Irving matches up against one of the worst run defenses in the league and has a great chance to re-enter the rankings next week. 

Just Missed the Cut

Brian Thomas Jr. – Having had four receptions for 34 yards in weeks nine and 10, Brian Thomas Jr. was the only light in the Jacksonville Jaguars blowout 52-6 loss to the Detroit Lions. His 82 yards receiving on five receptions showcases that no matter the opponent, the leading rookie wide receiver cannot be overlooked or underestimated. 

10. Braden Fiske – DT

The Rams defensive tackle had a great outing against the New England Patriots. In his best performance of the season, Braden Fiske had three tackles (two solo), two sacks, two TFLs, and a forced fumble.  

His average separation from the quarterback on pass rushes was 4.18 yards, while the league average is 4.57. Increasing his ability to close that gap quicker and more often spells trouble for Rams’ opponents, meaning they would have to deal with two dangerous pass rushers. 

9. Ladd McConkey – WR

Ladd McConkey was his quarterback’s desired target on the Los Angeles Chargers game-winning drive against the Cincinnati Bengals. On a four-play, 87-yard, 27-second drive, he was targeted twice and had two receptions for 55 yards.

He was 25 yards shy of being the game’s top receiver but was the leading receiver for the Chargers with 123 yards from six receptions on nine targets. This was his second 100+ yard receiving game, surpassing Nabers for receiving yards, and is second among rookie wide receivers.

8. Edgerrin Cooper – LB

While having a breakout performance can get players into the rankings, consistency will keep players in these rankings. Edgerrin Cooper has been reliable for the Green Bay Packers.

He has 51 tackles this season and is the fourth-leading Packer in tackles; Cooper added eight in the Packers’ win over the Chicago Bears. This was the first time since week six that Green Bay held an opponent to under 20 points, and linebackers are the heart and soul of solidifying defensive foundations.

7. Joe Alt – OT

The biggest compliment an offensive lineman can receive is being trusted in one-on-one coverage. It is one of the most challenging positions in the NFL, and Joe Alt continues to improve each week. He was the highest-rated offensive tackle last week, with an overall player grade of 84.1 grade on Pro Football Focus (PFF).

His ability to force defensive linemen and linebackers who blitz wide allows Justin Herbert more time in the pocket to complete passes. It also opens up the opportunity for the scramble and designed QB runs, in which Herbert had five rushes for 65 yards. 

6. Bo Nix – QB

After Bo Nix just missed the cut in week eight and 10’s rankings, he finally broke through after having his game of the season. In the Denver Broncos‘ dominant victory over the Atlanta Falcons, Nix threw for 307 yards, four touchdowns, and had an 84.9% completion, only throwing five incompletions on 33 attempts.

The Broncos quarterback is coming into form at a pivotal time in the season. They are the third wild card team in the current playoff picture in the AFC, and if he keeps up this form, he could compete for Rookie of the Year. 

The Philadelphia Eagles have the most improved defense and secondary throughout the season, and cornerback Cooper DeJean has been locking up his wide receiver matchups. He entered last week with an 85.9 grade in coverage this season, first among cornerbacks in the league, per PFF.

Against the Washington Commanders, DeJean had five tackles (two solo). The Eagles allowed two 20+ yard receptions and held Washington to 191 receiving yards, the second-fewest they have had this season.

4. Quinyon Mitchell – CB

Quinyon Mitchell has a case to make for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He is the second Eagle in the rankings this week due to his ability to force teams away from their WR1.

Mitchell is first among NFC corners with a 25% forced incompletion rate. Against the Commanders, he played 39 coverage snaps, saw one target, and allowed zero receptions. He held Terry McLaurin to zero receptions and other notable receivers this season, CeeDee Lamb, Malik Nabers, Ja’Marr Chase, Amari Cooper, to two receptions or fewer and less than 20 yards receiving.

Head Coach Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels have refused to blame the Commanders quarterback’s rib injury for the recent drop in form. He threw for under 200 yards for the second time this season and threw his third interception. 

Washington was held to 18 points, tied for fewest this season. Daniels was the most prolific quarterback in the NFC, but with his current slump, the Commanders have fallen behind in their efforts to win the NFC East.

Following the bye week, Brock Bowers saw 16 targets, a career-high, in the loss against the Miami Dolphins. He had 13 receptions, a touchdown, and 126 yards receiving, making it his first 100+ yard receiving game.

Bowers is the leading rookie receiver with 706 yards and has been the Las Vegas Raiders’ primary target. The Raiders have underperformed and struggled to win games this year. While the team will need to add improvements for next season, the tight end position will not be one of them.

The only fault in his game in the past few weeks was on a New England touchdown drive. Jared Verse gifted the Patriots a fresh set of downs after they recovered a Kinchens forced fumble, which would have set up a fourth down. Later in the drive, a miscommunication meant eligible offensive tackle Vederian Lowe was wide open for the touchdown.

Verse headlines a dangerous Rams defense and had five tackles against the Patriots. He continues to make his presence known with his pressure rate, forcing teams to play away from Verse. The edge rusher, in addition to Mitchell, has been the most consistent rookie this season.