The NFL no longer has a neat midpoint thanks to the expanded schedule, but eight weeks still provide enough data to judge this rookie class. From the 2026 draft, 19 offensive and 13 defensive players were selected in Round 1. The top overall pick hasn’t started yet, but many other first-year players are already affecting games.
Midseason All-Rookie Team
Offense
Quarterback — Jalon Daniels (Buccaneers)
Daniels is the only rookie quarterback to play in multiple games and log significant dropbacks, so he earns the QB spot. The undrafted Kansas product flashed accuracy and athleticism at times — showing the ability to scramble for chunks of yards — but he also locked onto early reads and struggled to handle pressure. He took nine sacks on 123 dropbacks and finished with a 60-of-98 line for 501 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions.
Preseason pick: Fernando Mendoza, Raiders
Running back — Jeremiyah Love (Cardinals)
Love leads rookie rushers with 76 carries despite missing two games and is currently on injured reserve with an ankle issue that casts doubt on his availability later in the season. He displays solid vision, patience and the ability to make defenders miss in space, and he has 11 catches, but Arizona’s offensive line has limited his production — his 1.1 yards before contact is below average (TruMedia).
Preseason pick: Jeremiyah Love, Cardinals
Wide receiver — K.C. Concepcion (Browns)
Concepcion has been productive, especially recently, with about half of his catches and more than half of his yards coming in the last three games as he builds chemistry with Deshaun Watson. The Texas A&M receiver has 33 receptions for 352 yards and ranks second among rookie receivers in yards after the catch per reception (5.5, TruMedia).
Preseason pick: K.C. Concepcion, Browns
Wide receiver — Carnell Tate (Titans)
The No. 4 overall pick leads rookies with 34 receptions and 413 receiving yards but has been turnover-prone (four drops, three fumbles) and missed his first career game with a shoulder injury. Tate has the size and quickness to win off the line, though he hasn’t been a consistent downfield threat in man coverage.
Preseason pick: Carnell Tate, Titans
Wide receiver — Denzel Boston (Browns)
Boston opened the season with several explosive downfield plays — he had a 20+ yard catch in each of his first five games — but his production has cooled of late. A classic X-receiver, he’s consistently open and rarely drops the ball (one official drop), but he needs to refine chemistry with Watson and finish more plays.
Preseason pick: Denzel Boston, Browns
Also notable: Omar Cooper Jr. (Jets), Germie Bernard (Steelers), Caleb Douglas (Dolphins), Antonio Williams (Commanders), Malachi Fields (Giants)
Tight end — Kenyon Sadiq (Jets)
Sadiq leads rookie tight ends with 17 catches for 186 yards and remains dangerous after the catch — ranking second among all receivers and tight ends in yards after the catch per reception (6.0). He’s also a physical run-blocker who sustains blocks well, making him a multi-dimensional contributor for New York.
Preseason pick: Kenyon Sadiq, Jets
Preseason consideration: Eli Raridon, Patriots
Left tackle — Spencer Fano (Browns)
Fano has shown the athleticism and technique to project as a high-upside left tackle, with good communication and footwork, though he needs to add play strength. He’s been charged with two sacks and 18 pressures allowed on 311 pass-blocking snaps (TruMedia).
Preseason pick: Spencer Fano, Browns
Also considered: Kahlil Benson (Chiefs), Jayden Williams (Cardinals)
Left guard — Kadyn Proctor (Dolphins)
Proctor, a former Alabama tackle, offers more upside than some of his interior rivals thanks to his physical traits. He’s allowed nine pressures and one sack in 186 pass-blocking snaps (TruMedia), a solid start for a rookie transitioning to guard.
Preseason pick: Kadyn Proctor, Dolphins
Also considered: Emmanuel Pregnon (Jacksonville)
Center — Jake Slaughter (Chargers)
Slaughter stepped in after Tyler Biadasz’s camp injury and has been a mixed bag: mobile and capable in space, but vulnerable to power rushes up the middle. TruMedia credits him with eight pressures and one sack allowed on 261 pass-blocking snaps.
Preseason pick: Jake Slaughter, Chargers
Right guard — Vega Ioane (Ravens)
Ioane has spent time at center but will be slotted here; he’s one of the best rookie interior linemen alongside Cleveland’s Austin Barber. TruMedia marks him with seven pressures and one sack allowed on 210 pass-blocking snaps. He plays with a stout base and seeks work after blocks.
Preseason pick: Francis Mauigoa, Giants
Right tackle — Blake Miller (Lions)
After a shaky preseason, Miller has settled into an adequate role on Detroit’s right side. He’s credited with one sack and 13 pressures allowed on 226 pass-blocking snaps (TruMedia). Pittsburgh’s Max Iheanachor also merits mention for his role in that team’s running attack.
Preseason pick: Monroe Freeling, Panthers
Defense
Defensive tackle — Gracen Halton (49ers)
Halton has been a force against both the run and pass — he’s logged three run stuffs (second among rookie interior defenders) and turned eight pressures into two sacks. He’s arguably been the more impactful of San Francisco’s interior rookies.
Preseason pick: Kayden McDonald, Texans
Defensive tackle — Skyler Gill-Howard (Lions)
Gill-Howard hasn’t been a major run-stopper but leads rookie interior defenders with 15 pressures and has two sacks, outpacing several higher-drafted peers. He earned the edge over the Jets’ Darrell Jackson Jr. and is providing more value than his sixth-round status suggested.
Preseason pick: Christen Miller, Saints
Edge — David Bailey (Jets)
Bailey tops rookies with 5.5 sacks and 26 pressures; his 15.4% pressure rate (TruMedia) is the best among rookies. He prefers a spin move but will need to add more variety to his rushes; he also sets the edge in the running game and brings violent hand play.
Preseason pick: David Bailey, Jets
Edge — Gabe Jacas (Patriots)
Jacas has been an energetic, versatile rusher for New England, mixing speed and power to win in multiple ways. He’s posted a 15.0% pressure rate (second among rookies with at least 100 pass-rush snaps), with 23 pressures and three sacks.
Preseason pick: Reuben Bain Jr., Buccaneers
Linebacker — Arvell Reese (Giants)
Reese is a physical, athletic linebacker who plays square to the line, sheds blocks to fill run gaps and flashes pass-rush ability when called upon. With New York dealing with injuries, Reese has stepped into a steady role and remains a well-rounded rookie.
Preseason pick: Arvell Reese, Giants
Linebacker — Sonny Styles (Commanders)
Styles is a fluid, explosive athlete who can close quickly in coverage and has been used as a situational rusher. He’s converted eight pressures from 45 pass-rush snaps and totals 54 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and one interception this season.
Preseason pick: Sonny Styles, Commanders
Linebacker — Kendal Daniels (Falcons)
The linebacker corps has impressed enough to justify three spots here; Daniels earns the final spot after proving capable both in run fits and pass rush. The Oklahoma product has 53 tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception, and he shows the range to cover sideline-to-sideline.
Preseason pick: Caleb Downs, Cowboys
Also notable: Josiah Trotter (Buccaneers), Jacob Rodriguez (Dolphins), Anthony Hill Jr. (Titans), Harold Perkins Jr. (Falcons)
Cornerback — Mansoor Delane (Chiefs)
Delane has been a physical, downhill corner who plays the ball well at the point of attack and can close quickly in coverage. He was beaten for chunk yards in one outing (89 of the 227 receiving yards allowed came against Jaxon Smith-Njigba in that game), but overall he’s been a clear top rookie corner.
Preseason pick: Mansoor Delane, Chiefs
Cornerback — Malik Muhammad (Bears)
Muhammad has taken advantage of opportunities after injuries in Chicago’s secondary, showing playmaking potential even if he must improve his tackling — he carries a 19.2% missed-tackle rate (TruMedia).
Preseason pick: Brandon Cisse, Packers
Safety — Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (Browns)
Cleveland has slowly expanded McNeil-Warren’s responsibilities, using him over the slot and as a single-high safety. He showed out on Thursday Night Football and has the range to close on the ball, though a near-missed interception-return TD against Baltimore was a costly highlight that didn’t stick.
Preseason pick: Dillon Thieneman, Bears
Safety — Zakee Wheatley (Panthers)
Wheatley has been a steady, positionally sound presence for Carolina’s injury-riddled secondary, rarely out of place and contributing with one interception and one forced fumble. He could tighten up his tackling, but he’s been reliable overall.
Preseason pick: Treydan Stukes, Raiders
Also notable: Robert Spears-Jennings (Steelers), Dillon Thieneman (Bears)
Fan Take:
Seeing this many rookies make meaningful contributions by midseason matters because it shows how quickly fresh talent can alter a team’s trajectory and roster-building strategy. If these players continue to develop, the NFL landscape could shift as younger, cost-controlled talent forces teams to rethink how they balance veterans and newcomers.
Source: www.cbssports.com
