Top 10 rookies in NFL Playoffs Divisional Round ranked feat. Jared Verse, Quinyon Mitchell, and more

The NFL playoffs are where legends are made. Some rookies prove that age is no barrier to success when the stakes are the highest. Who can forget Jamarr Chase’s dominance in leading the Cincinnati Bengals to the Superbowl in his rookie season in 2021 or the emergence of ‘Mr Irrelevant’ Brock Purdy in 2022?

Rookie Performances in the Wild Card Round

We have already seen a few impressive playoff performances by rookies in last week’s Wild Card Round, from Jared Verse leading the Rams’ defence on a nine-sack performance of the Minnesota Vikings to Jayden Daniels continuing his historic season by guiding the Washington Commanders to a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We rank the top 10 rookies that will be playing in the NFL Playoffs Divisional Round.

1. Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

In a stacked quarterback draft class with five quarterbacks going in the top 12, Jayden Daniels is the last man standing in the class. His performances have already surpassed expectations in guiding the Washington Commanders to this stage, something few predicted prior to the start of the season. He brought the franchise its first playoff win in 19 years against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last week. Daniels threw for 268 yards and two touchdowns to lead the team to victory and set up a meeting against the NFC #1 Seed, Detroit Lions, on Sunday.

2. Jared Verse, Los Angeles Rams

NFL: NFC Wild Card Round-Minnesota Vikings at Los Angeles Rams - Source: Imagn

Jared Verse is already one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL, and his performances helped turn the Los Angeles Rams season around. He had 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks and 2 forced fumbles in the regular season. More importantly, he holds up on run defence too with 50 run stops this season. Last week, Verse became the first player in 14 years to score a defensive touchdown in a playoff game when he scooped and scored a fumble recovery as opposing quarterback Sam Darnold was getting sacked. This week, Verse is in for a tough test as the Los Angeles Rams face the #2 seed Philadelphia Eagles and their vaunted offensive line.

3. Quinyon Mitchell, Philadelphia Eagles

NFL: Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles - Source: Imagn

Quinyon Mitchell has been instrumental in the Philadelphia Eagles having the top-ranked defence in the NFL this season. Along with fellow rookie Cooper DeJean and veteran Darius Slay, the Eagles have arguably the deepest cornerback room in the league. The Eagles have allowed the second-lowest passing yards this season, and Mitchell’s coverage skills are a big reason why. This week, the Eagles cornerbacks will have their hands full with Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp coming into town.

4. Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

NFL: Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs - Source: Imagn

If this list was ranked by big-play potential, Xavier Worthy could be first on the list. While his 638 yards rank him only seventh among all rookie wide receivers, his explosive 4.21s 40-yard speed could be the difference as the games come down to one or two plays. If the Kansas City Chiefs were to achieve a three-peat, Worthy would undoubtedly have to play a role.

5. Terrion Arnold, Detriot Lions

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions - Source: Imagn

The Detroit Lions' defence will get some respite this week as rookie cornerback Terrion Arnold is expected to be back. He appeared to have hurt his foot in the final regular season game against the Minnesota Vikings, but Arnold should return for the Divisional Round game against the Washington Commanders and was a full participant in practice. Arnold played all 16 games in the regular season and is regularly called upon to defend the opposition’s #1 receiver.

6. Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

Syndication: Democrat and Chronicle - Source: Imagn

The Buffalo Bills will certainly be hoping Keon Coleman has another 100-yard game in him this season as he did in week 8 against the Tennessee Titans where he went for 125 yards. It has largely been receiver-by-committee this season in Buffalo, with the likes of Khalil Shakir, Amari Cooper, Curtis Samuel and Coleman sharing the receptions. However, Coleman stands out as he can unlock opposing defences with his speed and that may be what the Bills need to overcome the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round.

7. Braden Fiske, LA Rams

NFL: Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams - Source: Imagn

While Jared Verse gets more of the accolades, fellow rookie Braden Fiske has been holding his own in the interior of the Rams defensive line. Having gone to Florida State with Verse, the duo have excellent chemistry as evident last week in the nine-sack performance in the Wild Card round. Fiske had one tackle, one assist, and a half-sack to continue an impressive season. He ended the regular season as the rookie leader in sacks with 8.5.

8. Roger Rosengarten, Baltimore Ravens

NFL: Denver Broncos at Baltimore Ravens - Source: Imagn

The best offensive tackles are those you rarely hear from, and Roger Rosengarten has been one of the unsung heroes for the Baltimore Ravens offence this season. Last week, the second-round rookie went up against former NFL Defensive Player of the Year T.J. Watt and shut him out. Rosengarten allowed only one quarterback hurry and zero sacks, continuing his impressive regular season form, where he only allowed four sacks all year.

9. Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles

NFL: Philadelphia Eagles at Washington Commanders - Source: Imagn

Along with Quinyon Mitchell, Iowa standout Cooper DeJean has similarly impressed for the top-ranked Philadelphia Eagles defence. DeJean is known for his fierce tackling, but he has done well in coverage all season. As a slot corner or safety, DeJean has been targeted 71 times but did not give up a single touchdown.

10. Kamari Lassiter, Houston Texans

NFL: AFC Wild Card Round-Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans - Source: Imagn

Like DeJean, Kamari Lassiter is another hard-tackling corner. He has formed a strong partnership with Derek Stingley Jr, one of the best corners in the league, and is the backbone of the Texans' secondary. Last week, with the Texans trailing, Lassiter picked off Los Angeles Chargers’ quarterback Justin Herbert for his fourth career interception.