PFF: Top 15 highest graded NFL rookies through Week 10

It has been an interesting season for NFL rookies. Pro Football Focus has released a list of their 15 highest graded NFL rookies so far this season, but the list contains some surprising names.

PFF’s highest overall graded NFL rookies

1. Kansas City Chiefs center Creed Humphrey (90.5): Humphrey was the 63rd overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. Not only does PFF grade Humphrey as the top rated rookie, but he is also the highest graded NFL center so far this season. He is a pivotal part of the Chiefs offensive line.

2. New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (87.0): Of all rookie quarterbacks, Jones was probably talked about the least entering the season. The 15th overall pick out of Alabama has thrown for 2,540 yards, 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions on the season. Jones is playing his best football of the season right now, and he has the Patriots in a playoff spot after Thursday night’s victory.

3. Los Angeles Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater (82.2): Slater has played every offensive snap for the Chargers after being drafted 13th overall out of Northwestern. The Chargers have been brilliant at times on offense, and Slater has played a big role at left tackle. In nine games, he has allowed multiple pressures just three times.

4. Indianapolis Colts edge Kwity Paye (79.6): Paye was selected 21st overall by the Colts out of Michigan. The former Wolverines star defensive player has 17 tackles on the season, including 10 solo stops. He also has one sack, two forced fumbles, and one pass defended. Paye has 16 pressures over the last two games.

5. Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts (79.5): The Falcons spent a premium draft pick on Pitts when they selected him fourth overall. Pitts has been heavily involved in the offense, although a lot of his production comes from two games. The Florida Gators product broke out for nine receptions, 119 yards and a touchdown in London in Week 5 and followed that up with seven receptions for 163 yards the following week. On the season, Pitts has 43 receptions on 69 targets for 635 yards and a touchdown, making him one of the most productive NFL rookies.

6. Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith (79.1): Like Humphrey, Smith has played a big role on the offensive front for the Chiefs this season. Smith is still developing as a pass protector, but the Tennessee product is a powerful body on the offensive line and was a great value pick in the sixth round.

7. Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Devonta Smith (77.9): Smith has been very good for the Eagles this season. He has 42 receptions on 68 targets for 603 yards and four touchdowns. The former Heisman Trophy winning Alabama star has emerged as a top weapon in the Eagles’ offense.

8. Las Vegas Raiders cornerback Nate Hobbs (77.6): Hobbs was a fifth round pick out of Illinois, but he has become a key part of the Raiders secondary. On the season, Hobbs has 42 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and one pass defended.

9. Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase (76.6): Chase has reunited with his former LSU quarterback, Joe Burrow. He was taken fifth overall and has become a valuable part of Cincinnati’s offense. Chase caught a touchdown in each of his first three games and has seven total on the season along with 835 yards on 44 receptions.

10. Miami Dolphins safety Jevon Holland (76.3): Holland, a second round pick out of Oregon, has been versatile and valuable for the Dolphins this year. He blitzed 22 times with six pressures last week, ranking him higher on this list. On the season, Holland has 38 tackles, two sacks, one forced fumble, one interception, and five passes defended.

11. Miami Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle (76.3): Waddle has been quietly consistent this year on a struggling Dolphins offense. He has 60 receptions on 84 targets for 557 yards and three touchdowns. The former Alabama receiver has 34 combined first downs and touchdowns, leading NFL rookies.

12. Dallas Cowboys linebacker Micah Parsons (73.3): Parsons has played linebacker and defensive line on a Cowboys defense struggling with injuries. No matter where the former Penn State star has played, he has produced. On the season Parsons has 58 tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble, and two passes defended.

13. Las Vegas Raiders safety Trevon Moehrig (72.8): Moehrig has also become a key part of the Raiders secondary. On the season, he has 33 tackles with one interception and four passes defended. The Raiders selected him with a second round pick out of TCU.

14. Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Pat Freiermuth (72.8): The Steelers addressed a position of need by taking Freiermuth in the second round out of Penn State. He has emerged in recent weeks with at least seven targets in three of his previous four games. On the season, Freiermuth has 32 receptions on 42 targets for 276 yards and four touchdowns.

15. San Francisco 49ers running back Elijah Mitchell (72.6): The 49ers running back room has been a bit of a revolving door, but Mitchell has remained consistently productive. The sixth round pick out of Louisiana has 116 rushes for 560 yards (4.8 yards per carry) with three touchdowns in seven games.