A lot of people expected, including myself, thought that Trevor Lawrence of the Jacksonville Jaguars, the number one pick in the 2021 NFL Draft out of Clemson, would be the best rookie quarterback in the NFL this season. That has simply not been the case. Let’s take a look at the top five offensive rookies from winning teams in Week 10, and the rookie quarterback not named Lawrence number one on the list.
5) Chuba Hubbard–Carolina Panthers
The Edmonton native has had a fine rookie season running the football in Carolina. On Sunday, Chuba Hubbard had nine carries for 27 yards and a touchdown, in a 34-10 Panthers win over the Arizona Cardinals. It was only Arizona’s second loss of the 2021 NFL season.
4) Eli Mitchell–San Francisco 49ers
In Monday night prime time action, the San Francisco 49ers upset the Los Angeles Rams 31-10 in a NFC West Divisional Matchup. After winning seven of their last eight games, all of a sudden the Rams are on a two-game losing streak. In the 49ers’ win to conclude week 10, 49ers rookie running back Eli Mitchell was very productive on the ground, as the native of Erath, Louisiana had 27 carries for 91 yards.
3) DeVonta Smith–Philadelphia Eagles
While in college it was common for DeVonta Smith to have multiple touchdown games while with the Alabama Crimson Tide. On Sunday, Smith had his first multiple touchdown game in the NFL. In a 30-13 Eagles win over the Denver Broncos, Smith had four catches for 66 yards and two major scores.
2) Rhamondre Stevenson–New England Patriots
On paper, the week 10 matchup between the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns was supposed to be one of the more intriguing matchups of the weekend. Well, it was anything but. The Patriots clobbered the Cleveland Browns 45-7 thanks to a big day by rookie running back Rhamondre Stevenson. The Oklahoma product from Vegas had 20 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns, along with four catches for 14 yards.
1) Mac Jones–New England Patriots
So what rookie quarterback deserves a lot of love? Well, it is Mac Jones of the Patriots, who all of a sudden looks like a seasoned veteran, rather than a rookie at age 23. Jones looks mighty comfortable in the pocket, and delivered big time on Sunday in the 38-point New England win over the Browns. He completed 19 of 23 passes for 198 yards and three touchdowns. It was an efficient performance for the Patriots, something Tom Brady was able to accomplish in New England for two decades.
