Patriots RB TreVeyon Henderson, Saints QB Tyler Shough headline list of NFL standout rookies from Week 10 

According to CBS Sports, New England's win marked the second time a team had rookies score three 50-plus-yard TDs in a game in the past 50 years. The other came during the 1998 season, when former Minnesota Vikings WR Randy Moss, a Hall of Famer, had three receiving TDs of 50-plus yards in a 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys on Thanksgiving.   

The TD was Williams' only catch of the game, but head coach Mike Vrabel said it was one of the most critical plays for the short-handed Patriots. Against Tampa Bay, Williams was filling in for starting WR Kayshon Boutte (hamstring), while Henderson replaced starting RB Rhamondre Stevenson (toe). 

"We're going to need everybody throughout this season," Vrabel told the media postgame. "Two explosive plays [from Henderson], and Kyle's play early, we really needed that one. That was the one we're talking — just needing one play, and he hit it, and it was great to see him have that success." 

Through 10 games, Williams has just three receptions for 92 yards and one TD catch. Perhaps the big play against the Buccaneers will help increase the Washington State product's workload. 

New Orleans Saints QB Tyler Shough (second round) 

In a 17-7 upset over the Carolina Panthers, Shough (pick No. 40) completed 19-of-27 passes for 282 yards and two TDs. The former Louisville star became the first Saints rookie QB to start and win a game since Dave Wilson in 1981.

"It's a great honor just because of this organization," Shough said of the stat postgame. "But at the end of the day, I think we've got a lot more to go in the tank, and that's a good step. I think we can continue to progress."

Saints rookie HC Kellen Moore has already confirmed Shough will remain the team's starter for the rest of the season. The 26-year-old QB clearly wants to make the most of the opportunity. 

If Shough continues to make a strong impression, that would give the Saints (2-8) something to consider this offseason. The 2026 NFL Draft looks thin at QB. With that in mind, rolling with Shough again next season may be better for New Orleans than reaching on a passer in the draft.

Cleveland Browns LB Carson Schwesinger (second round)

Despite battling a nagging ankle injury, Schwesinger played 100 percent of the team's defensive snaps in a road game against the New York Jets (via Pro Football Reference). In Cleveland's 27-20 loss, the UCLA product logged a team-high 10 tackles.

Schwesinger (pick No. 33) now has three games with 10 or more tackles this season, putting him in the Defensive Rookie of the Year conversation. As of Monday, FanDuel Sportsbook lists him as the DROY favorite (+230). 

If Schwesinger wins the award, he would become the second Brown to do so. Former Cleveland LB Chip Banks won DROY during the 1982 season. 

Atlanta Falcons LB Jalon Walker (first round)

After being named NFL Rookie of the Week for Week 9, Walker (pick No. 15) followed that up with another strong performance against the Indianapolis Colts. In Atlanta's 31-25 overtime loss in Berlin, the former Georgia star had a season-high six tackles and one sack. 

In a post on his X account on Monday, The Athletic's Dane Brugler wrote, "With his tape and tools, Walker was an easy player to bet on [in the 2025 draft]." 

 Through seven games, the LB is tied for sixth in the league in forced fumbles (two) and ranks third on the team in sacks (four).