11. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Chase Claypool struggled to make a big impact in back-to-back weeks. He’s averaging 45 yards per game in that span and has struggled with drops, as has the entirety of the Steelers receiving unit.
Claypool is still one of the most intimidating physical specimens in the NFL, and his future remains bright, but both he and the Steelers’ offense have cooled off after a hot start.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 125, WR15
12. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Antoine Winfield had a bye this week after posting an impressive stat line against the Kansas City Chiefs. Will he and the Bucs be ready to host the red-hot Minnesota Vikings? They have their work cut out for them to stop Jefferson, a fellow rookie superstar. Winfield’s bye prevents him from climbing or falling these Week 14 NFL Rookie Rankings.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, S4
13. Jeremy Chinn, LB/S, Carolina Panthers
Like Winfield, Chinn doesn’t see movement in these Week 14 NFL Rookie Rankings due to a bye week. He had arguably his best game of the season against New Orleans before the bye. Will he carry that momentum into his Week 14 matchup against Drew Lock and the Broncos?
Pre-draft ranking: Top 100, S5
14. Brandon Aiyuk, WR, San Francisco 49ers
Brandon Aiyuk makes one of the biggest jumps we’ve seen on this list for the entire season. That jump is due to a mix of a slow start to the season, a stint on the reserve list, and consistent productivity as an effective receiver in a Nick Mullens-led offense.
Aiyuk is currently averaging 94 yards per game over his last four contests, and he’s found the end zone in each of the past three games.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 75, WR9
15. Antonio Gibson, RB, Washington Football Team
It looked like it would be another dominant performance for Antonio Gibson before a toe injury on his second carry led to him missing the rest of the game.
Washington’s offense missed Gibson and the edge he brings in the run game, as the team struggled to move the ball in-between the tackles. Hopefully, this injury doesn’t derail the rest of Gibson’s season, one of the top NFL rookie running backs this year.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 100, RB10
16. Patrick Queen, LB, Baltimore Ravens
The tackle numbers were down for Queen in the game against Dallas, but he impacted the passing game, registering a pass deflection and an interception. He hauled in his first career interception on a heads-up play, locating the football in the air and having the athletic ability to get to the ball before it hit the ground.
He has been one of the top NFL rookie defenders, and he remains a constant on these NFL Rookie Rankings.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 100, LB6
17. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson remains the top undrafted free agent in these rookie rankings and will likely be the best UDFA from the class when it’s all said and done. He’s come in and become one of the most productive rushers in the NFL in his first year.
In Week 13, Robinson registered 78 rushing yards and a touchdown while also providing 30 yards through the air. He’s been one of the few bright spots for the Jaguars this season.
Pre-draft ranking: Unranked
18. Derrick Brown, DL, Carolina Panthers
Rising a spot in the rankings on a bye week isn’t something that happens often, but, luckily for Derrick Brown, a couple of rookies ahead of him had poor performances this past week. This opened the door for Brown to continue rising in these rankings.
Brown has improved as a pass rusher every week. Will he finally register his first sack this week against the Denver Broncos?
Pre-draft ranking: Top 15, iDL2
19. Javon Kinlaw, DL, San Francisco 49ers
Javon Kinlaw has produced another quality performance, this time against the Buffalo Bills. Several times, Kinlaw was mere seconds from sacking quarterback Josh Allen, but Allen would make a play and get the ball out of his hands. It’s nice to see both first-round interior defensive linemen develop throughout the year.
Which rookie will end up the better player, Kinlaw or Brown? Either way, it will be a fun storyline to watch throughout their careers.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 10, iDL1
20. Jonah Jackson, iOL, Detroit Lions
An encouraging player for Detroit, Jonah Jackson has been one of the most consistent rookies throughout the season. Unfortunately, that didn’t continue this past week, as Jackson struggled against a talented Chicago defensive line. Jackson will need to bounce back after a rough week.
Can he get back to the level he was playing at earlier in the season? Despite an off game, he has still been one of the NFL’s top rookies.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, iOL5
21. Jaylon Johnson, CB, Chicago Bears
Johnson registered another pass deflection this past week, bringing his season total to an incredibly impressive 15. He’s utilized his length for clogging passing lanes and knocking the ball out of the air. This week, he did so at the goal line.
Unfortunately, Johnson did struggle for a majority of the game and gave up a big touchdown to Marvin Jones Jr. that would prove to be a deciding factor in the Lions’ comeback win. Johnson has been the top NFL rookie cornerback, but he still has a fair bit of development to do.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 75, CB12
22. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
It’s been interesting following Jerry Jeudy throughout the season. He’s been handicapped by the Broncos’ quarterback play, but he also hasn’t made the kinds of plays after the catch that fans were hoping he would. At the very least, he hasn’t done it with enough consistency.
What he has done, however, is display all year that he’s already one of the NFL’s elite route runners, something everyone who watched him at Alabama expected.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 15, WR2
23. Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Miami Dolphins
Miami’s “Chosen One” has finally made his debut in the NFL Rookie Rankings here in Week 14. Tua has done a good job managing Miami’s game as their elite defensive and special teams units win them games.
Ideally, the Dolphins get him a top-flight WR prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft because their talent is currently not good enough. Will he continue to rise through these rankings of the top NFL rookies?
Pre-draft ranking: Top 12, QB2
24. Clyde Edwards-Helaire, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Clyde Edwards-Helaire had the flu earlier in the week, which caused the Chiefs to pivot to other running game options. Edwards-Helaire did not see the field, and if this trend continues, he could fall out of the rookie rankings completely. Hopefully, he’s back to 100% and sees the field this upcoming week.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, RB5
25. D’Andre Swift, RB, Detroit Lions
D’Andre Swift hasn’t seen the field since the Lions beat the Washington Football Team back in Week 10. Detroit’s offense has obviously missed him, as he’s their top rusher and receiver out of the backfield. Can he return Week 14 and continue his play as one of the top NFL rookies, or will he miss yet another game?
Pre-draft ranking: Top 25, RB1