Mitchell Evans Top NFL Rookie by Pro Football Focus Grades

The Carolina Panthers have two rookies ranking among the NFL's top newcomers through Week 8 of the 2025 season, with tight end Mitchell Evans earning the highest Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade among rookies at 84.1. Evans, a fifth-round pick from Notre Dame, has contributed significantly to the Panthers' rushing success, ranking third among tight ends in run-blocking and allowing no pressures in pass protection, despite modest receiving stats. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills convincingly defeated the Panthers 40-9, with PFF providing detailed player grades highlighting performances in the game, though specific player grades were not detailed in the summary. The Pittsburgh Steelers suffered a loss to the Green Bay Packers but still had notable defensive performances, including from linebacker Payton Wilson and defensive tackle Cameron Heyward, as indicated by PFF grades. These insights from PFF offer a nuanced understanding of individual and team performances beyond the basic statistics for Week 8 of the NFL season.