Week 3 served as a tiebreaker in our Rookie Power Rankings for some of the mixed-bag performers through the first two games of the season, while it solidified the case for several others. The top 10 is AFC heavy, but an NFC rookie retained the crown.
We will be tracking rookie performers each week of the season and identifying those who stood out. Without further ado, the cumulative regular season rookie rankings as we head into Week 4:
Week 4 Rookie Rankings
| 1 | 
Micah Parsons
Dallas Cowboys LB
|
| Parsons' ability to play linebacker and edge rusher at a high level gives him significant value. He is seemingly involved on every play. I do think the gap narrowed a bit between Parsons and the field this week. | |
| 2 | 
Ja'Marr Chase
Cincinnati Bengals WR
|
| It was the media that dropped the ball on Chase in the preseason. The drops were overblown and he proves it every week. The LSU product has four touchdown receptions in three games. | |
| 3 | 
Odafe Oweh
Baltimore Ravens LB
|
| Oweh was regarded as a raw prospect with athleticism leading up to the draft. He has flashed some strength, in addition to improving his hand usage and ability to string together pass rush moves. I have been very impressed with his development so early in his career. | |
| 4 | 
Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah
Cleveland Browns LB
|
| Owusu-Koramoah was praised for his coverage ability leading up to the draft. Those skills are still on display, but I was more impressed with the linebacker getting off blocks and making tackles in the gap. He is playing fast right now. | |
| 5 | 
Greg Newsome II
Cleveland Browns CB
|
| Newsome has been very consistent. He gives a little cushion in coverage but breaks hard. The game is coming naturally to him and he is not afraid to play downhill. | |
| 6 | 
Rondale Moore
Arizona Cardinals WR
|
| Moore was lightly used in a win over Jacksonville. It was a weird throwback game where A.J. Green had 112 receiving yards. Moore still does a lot for that team but his impact was negligible in Week 3. He was also involved in one of the strangest plays I've ever seen. A ref threw a flag while Moore was attempting to field a punt. The flag hit the ball in the air, changed its direction and led Moore to muff it. | |
| 7 | 
Patrick Surtain II
Denver Broncos CB
|
| Surtain was thrust into a larger role this week and he made the most of it. The Broncos were criticized for drafting a position where they already had some talent, when they had other needs. Denver was equipped to handle a few injuries because of that decision. | |
| 8 | 
Asante Samuel Jr.
Los Angeles Chargers CB
|
| Samuel has two interceptions in the past two games. He is aggressive despite being labeled as undersized during the draft process and he understands route distribution. The game is already slow for him. | |
| 9 | 
DeVonta Smith
Philadelphia Eagles WR
|
| For the second consecutive week, Smith's statistics were underwhelming but that does not tell the whole story. Smith had a step on a deep over and Jalen Hurts did not place it ahead of him. There were a few other plays left on the field by Hurts and that is little fault of the receiver. | |
| 10 | 
Mac Jones
New England Patriots QB
|
| Jones had his worst game of the season against the Saints. In fairness, his pass catchers did him no favors but the rookie quarterbacks are giving a lot of runway for a non-quarterback to win Offensive Rookie of the Year. | |
| 11 | 
Rashawn Slater
Los Angeles Chargers OT
|
| Slater had a really ugly hold that wasn't called in the second quarter but otherwise played a fantastic game. Los Angeles was able to secure an upset over the rival Chiefs because Justin Herbert had time in the pocket. | |
| 12 | 
Samuel Cosmi
Washington Football Team OT
|
| Hand up, I thought Cosmi's transition to the NFL would take some time. He flaunts great athleticism but had some issues with pad level and dropping anchor. It is not always pretty how he wins, but he wins. | |
| 13 | 
Osa Odighizuwa
Dallas Cowboys DT
|
| It was interesting to watch Odighizuwa Monday night. He primarily played inside but was occasionally moved to the edge. His combination of strength and motor led to 1.5 sacks for the UCLA product. | |
| 14 | 
Creed Humphrey
Kansas City Chiefs C
|
| Humphrey had a good week against the Chargers even though it ended in a loss for Kansas City. He has been the most consistent rookie center to this point. | |
| 15 | 
Jaycee Horn
Carolina Panthers CB
|
| Horn was having a good season before an injury derailed it. He fell just off the list each of the first two weeks so I wanted to recognize him. It will be difficult for him to get back on this list because it is a season long compilation. Nate Hobbs, Michael Carter II and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka were some of the others under consideration for this pick. | |
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