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USATSI

Offensive Rookie of the Year will be a hot topic over the next month. There is no question that either Chiefs center Creed Humphrey or Chargers offensive tackle Rashawn Slater have been the best performers on that side of the ball this season. However, Patriots quarterback Mac Jones has also played well and the award almost always goes to a skill position player. 

Those three players all comfortably made it on our Week 12 Rookie Power Rankings, but some others just missed the cut. 

The way Giants wide receiver Kadarius Toney was used on Monday night left a bit to be desired. He is capable of so much more than he has shown thus far. Jets wide receiver Elijah Moore was more impressive. If he continues to play at that level, he will crack this list in short order. Jets running back Michael Carter plays bigger than his size and was trending towards making the list, but an injury cut his Week 11 short and will cost him some time moving forward. The rookies in New York are worth monitoring through the remainder of the season.

We will be tracking rookie performers each week and identifying those who stood out. These rankings are not based on statistical performance but rather overall play. Without further ado, the cumulative regular season rookie rankings as we head into Week 11:

Week 12 Rookie Rankings
1
Creed Humphrey Kansas City Chiefs C
Interior defensive line play has not exactly been a strength for Dallas this season and Humphrey kept it that way Sunday. The Cowboys were held at bay all afternoon.
2
Rashawn Slater Los Angeles Chargers OT
Slater looked bored at times against Pittsburgh. He was rock solid once working on an island again regardless of who the Steelers put on his side.
3
Mac Jones New England Patriots QB
It was a Damien Harris and Rhamondre Stevenson game for New England. They did not need much from Mac Jones, who had an awful interception against the Falcons. Jones has not been lighting it up downfield like Justin Herbert a year ago, but that is not how the offense is constructed. Some have been minimizing Jones' play just for fulfilling his role.
4
Ja'Marr Chase Cincinnati Bengals WR
Chase was back in the end zone this week. He did not have a huge statistical day but it could have been bigger if he had come down with a contested catch downfield. The ball hung in the air just a little bit too long.
5
DeVonta Smith Philadelphia Eagles WR
Smith is Philadelphia's unquestioned top wide receiver. Downfield options are a bit limited with Jalen Hurts at quarterback, but Smith is a huge problem for opposing defenses on deep over routes.
6
Micah Parsons Dallas Cowboys OLB
Parsons played exclusively playing on the edge against the Chiefs, and it had nothing to do with the injuries. Parsons is probably the best edge rusher on that roster. There is no need to move him back to linebacker. He was winning with speed, quickness, bull rushes and a stab to win inside leverage. It was another stellar performance by the rookie from Penn State.
7
Kyle Pitts Atlanta Falcons TE
Pitts was growing with Calvin Ridley in the offense, but he has become the focal point for defenses in the absence of Ridley. The Patriots had a safety shaded to Pitts' side often. He was more of a decoy against the Patriots.
8
Nate Hobbs Las Vegas Raiders CB
Hobbs has been the most consistent rookie cornerback in the NFL this season. He looks comfortable in his role, whether that is covering the slot receiver or blitzing.
9
Pat Freiermuth Pittsburgh Steelers TE
Freiermuth has emerged as a reliable target for Ben Roethlisberger. The Pittsburgh offense has some limitations, but it has been amusing to see the rookie from Penn State used on a screen one play and then blocking for another tight end screen on the next.
10
Jaylen Waddle Miami Dolphins WR
Waddle is now fifth in the NFL in receptions. He was exclusively used in the short to intermediate levels Sunday so his yards per reception was low, but that is how Miami uses him. When asked to do more this year, he has proven capable.
11
Kwity Paye Indianapolis Colts DE
Paye is not flashy and is certainly not contending for the rookie lead in sacks, but he bridges the gap with his run defense.
12
Jevon Holland Miami Dolphins FS
Miami plays Holland deep and that sometimes makes it difficult to parse success one play to the next because he is not involved as often as other rookies in this class. He showed in college that he has a diverse skillset and that has been evident in some big plays this year.
13
Greg Newsome II Cleveland Browns CB
Newsome is playing more zone but has proven capable of playing over the slot or along the boundary. He can carry a route vertically or across as the field as well as any rookie in this class.
14
Christian Barmore New England Patriots DE
Barmore has some power in his hands and has flashed forcing pressure on the opposing quarterback. As the season draws to a close, he can rise substantially if those moments happen more consistently.
15
Rondale Moore Arizona Cardinals WR
Moore was on the field for 31 offensive snaps. Of those, 24 ended in a pass attempt and he was the recipient on 11 occasions. It is difficult to be more efficient than Moore was against the Seahawks.

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