Top NFL Rookie Rankings Week 10 | 11-20
11. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Claypool was the most efficient player among all the rookie receivers, though with his increased role in the Steelers’ offense, that efficiency has fallen off. Targeted 13 total times against the Cowboys, he caught eight of them for 69 yards. While that’s a nice total, his 5.31 yards per target leads a lot to be desired. Claypool also had a pair of drops on the day. As one of the top NFL rookies, those kinds of performances need to stop.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 125, WR15
12. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
The Chicago defense kept the Bears in a tight game with the Titans, and Jaylon Johnson was a major reason why. Johnson saw a number of snap across from star Titans receiver AJ Brown, and he was as competitive as any corner had been against Brown this year. Johnson registered another two pass deflections, raising his season total to 12. Johnson sits right in the middle of the Rookie Rankings Week 10.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 75, CB12
13. Julian Blackmon, S, Indianapolis Colts
Julian Blackmon doesn’t get the recognition a number of other top defensive rookies do, but he’s been just as good, if not better. Blackmon stepped into the Colts free safety void when Malik Hooker got hurt and has left no questions as to who the free safety of the future is for Indianapolis. Another really quality find by arguably the top talent evaluator in the NFL, Chris Ballard.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 175, S13
14. Jonah Jackson, iOL, Detroit Lions
If you’re waiting for the day Jonah Jackson falls down this list, you’re going to be waiting for a while. Jackson came into the NFL with an incredible floor, as I was certain he was at worst going to be a starting-caliber guard by day one. He’s been all that and then some, as his emergence has helped transform the Lions’ offensive line.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, iOL5
15. Jeremy Chinn, LB/S, Carolina Panthers
A knee injury prevented Jeremy Chinn from playing in the Panthers game against the Chiefs, a game where Chinn’s absence was missed tremendously. The Panthers were able to keep the game within two and had Chinn been there, could have helped prevent them Chiefs from scoring 33 total points. Chinn is a fan favorite for Defensive Rookie of the Year due to his impressive tackle numbers and is one of the top NFL rookies in 2020.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 100, S5
16. Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens
Patrick Queen was again quiet for a majority of the game against Indianapolis, but he has cleaned up his game overall and has been a nice positive for the Ravens the past few weeks. Earlier in the year, Queen was making mistakes but would register a lot of tackles, and some thought that was enough. However, Queen has done a good job of ironing out the mistakes. While his overall production has slipped, his game impact has only improved.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 125, WR15
17. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson was one yard away from registering his third 100-yard game on the season. Rushing for 99 yards and finding the end zone once, Robinson brings his season totals to 580 yards and five touchdowns, good for sixth and seventh in the NFL, respectively. Robinson forced himself into a feature role this offseason and is now rewarding Jacksonville for their faith in him.
Pre-draft ranking: Unranked
18. Tee Higgins, WR, Cincinnati Bengals
Since Week 4, Tee Higgins is averaging 82.6 yards a game. That’s a 16 game pace of 1,325 yards. I predicted that Higgins would be a 1,000-yard receiver by year three, but if he continues this pace, he could be a 1,000-yard receiver in year one. The chemistry Higgins has had with Burrow, a fellow rookie, is impressive. This is a young duo to watch for the foreseeable future and Higgins is one of the top NFL rookies so far this season.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, WR7
19. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Football Team
Antonio Gibson has taken over work as Washington’s lead back, and he’s been one of the NFL’s most effective rushers. Among the league leaders in broken tackles and yards after contact, Gibson is creating production for himself, not something many rushers can say for themselves. He’s also found the end zone consistently and is now tied for seventh in rushing touchdowns.
Pre-draft ranking: RB10, Top 100
20. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
The separation on this list between Gibson and Clyde Edwards-Helaire is marginal, and for the next few weeks, their rankings will be dependent on which player has the better performance. Edwards-Helaire was bottled up well by the Carolina defense, rushing for 2.80 yards per carry, but was able to produce as a receiver producing 20 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, RB5
The top five NFL rookies trying to crack the top 20
21. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy has now had back to back weeks of strong production, posting the best game of his young career this past Sunday. Registering seven receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown, Jeudy displayed his already elite route running as he created separation at will against the Atlanta secondary. If Jeudy can continue this stretch of play, he’ll find himself gradually moving up the rankings.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 15, WR
22. Michael Ojemudia, CB, Denver Broncos
After a brief stint in the top 20, Michael Ojemudia falls back just outside at 22 in our Week 10 Rookie Rankings. This is due to a combination of poor tackling and a very, very poor outing against the Falcons. It’s no easy task to cover Julio Jones; in fact, some might say he’s uncoverable, and he looked that way against Ojemudia. Ojemudia has still been an overwhelming positive on the season for Denver, but he was a liability on Sunday.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 150, CB16
23. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk has registered 206 receiving yards in his last two weeks while playing with a backup quarterback. His rise in the rankings was inevitable, as the first-rounder is continuing to make plays for the San Francisco 49ers. Aiyuk is just another strong name in the incredibly impressive 2020 class.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 75, WR9
24. Solomon Kindley, iOL, Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins’ offensive line had its way with the Cardinals defensive front for a majority of the game, and in the middle of the battle was Solomon Kindley. Kindley has continued to be a consistent presence on the Dolphins offensive line. He’s been excellent in the run game and more than competent as a pass protector. Kindley is already better than I thought he’d ever be in the pre-draft process.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 200, iOL18
25. Darnell Mooney, WR, Chicago Bears
The Bears offense is poor. Darnell Mooney creates separation extremely well for a day three pick, and with better quarterback/offensive line play, is likely one of the rookie leaders among receiving yards. He was a great find by Chicago and should be a featured piece in their passing offense for the foreseeable future. Mooney rounds out the Week 10 Rookie Rankings.
Pre-draft ranking: Unranked