Bears TE Colston Loveland, Bills CB Maxwell Hairston headline list of NFL standout rookies from Week 9

"No, no, no ... yes, yes, yes," the QB said in a postgame news conference.  

The Bears need more of those unexpected plays from Loveland for the rest of the season. Chicago (5-3) is eighth in the NFC, just outside of the playoff picture. 

Chicago Bears RB Kyle Monangai (seventh round) 

Like Loveland, Monangai played a key role in the Bears' thrilling win over the Bengals. Against Cincinnati, he rushed for a season-high 176 yards on 26 carries. 

"I'm not surprised," Chicago head coach Ben Johnson said of Monangai postgame. "That's kind of who he's been since he's been here, very reliable. He's going to do what you're coaching. I think he's hard to bring down. I think that showed up. What he was at Rutgers was the bell cow for that team, and he proved today he can carry the load if called upon." 

Monangai — who has rushed for 281 yards over his past three games — could continue to become a critical offensive piece for the Bears. That would have the 233rd pick of the 2025 draft looking like a huge steal for Chicago.

Buffalo Bills CB Maxwell Hairston (first round)

Before Buffalo's home game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Hairston said he wanted "an opportunity to pick off [QB] Patrick Mahomes." The former Kentucky star did so late in the fourth quarter of Sunday's game. 

On a third-and-10, Hairston snagged an inaccurate Mahomes pass intended for wide receiver Xavier Worthy at Buffalo's 33-yard line. His first career interception helped seal a 28-21 victory for the Bills, who have won five consecutive regular-season games against the Chiefs.

Hairston — who ran a 4.28 40-yard dash at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine —  also showcased his speed while covering Worthy. The former Texas star, who broke the 40-yard dash record (4.21) at the 2024 combine, had just three receptions for 23 yards against Buffalo. 

His quickness should earn Hairston (pick No. 30) more playing time. Pro Football Focus credited him with a season-high 30 snaps against the Chiefs. 

Denver Broncos RB RJ Harvey (second round)

After earning Rookie of the Week for Week 8, Harvey (pick No. 60) kept rolling against the Houston Texans. In the Broncos' 18-15 road victory, the Central Florida product had 56 yards (51 receiving and five rushing) and one TD catch. The back now has three straight games with a TD catch.  

"We're just starting to see, right in front of our eyes — a guy that we feel strongly about," Broncos head coach Sean Payton said of Harvey in a postgame news conference. "He can go. And he and [RB J.K.] Dobbins — it's nice to have that as a coach. 

Now that Payton has more trust in Harvey, he may soon give him more touches. Through nine games, the back has just 46 carries and 26 targets. 

Seattle Seahawks WR Tory Horton (fifth round) 

The Washington Commanders struggled to stop the former Colorado State star on "Sunday Night Football." In Seattle's 38-14 road win, Horton — who was filling in for injured WR Cooper Kupp — had four receptions for 48 yards and two TD catches. It was his first game with multiple TD catches. 

The Seahawks (6-2) are first in the NFC West and third in the conference. In his postgame news conference, Horton suggested Seattle is a Super Bowl contender, saying, "This team is special."  

Horton (pick No. 166), continuing to solidify himself as a big-play specialist, will help keep Seattle in the thick of the championship hunt. Through eight games, he leads the team in TD catches (five).