Post by jcappy on Oct 8, 2015 16:59:16 GMT -5
insider.espn.go.com/nfl/insider/story/_/id/13832510/newyork-jets-de-leonard-williams-tops-mel-kiper-rookie-rankings-nfl
We're now four weeks into the NFL season, and the list looks a lot different than it did two weeks ago, as we've seen a few rookies getting more reps (and trust) from coaches. Last season, the Jets hit a home run in the draft along the defensive line, and it looks like they'll do it again this year.
Here are the parameters, same as always:
This is a measure for all games this season, not just last week.
Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?
Here's my latest ranking of the top 15 rookies in the NFL.
1. Leonard Williams, DE, New York Jets
I don't think he has been as good as he will be, but Williams gets bonus points. Remember, this defense has been without arguably the best pure run defender in the league in Sheldon Richardson. Williams has had to step up, and the Jets are allowing 3.8 yards per carry, among the best run defenses in the league. He has played 200 snaps, and they've meant a lot to the Jets, who are off to a 3-1 start.
2. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
He's coming off the first game where his mistakes (interceptions) really cost the Titans, so it'll be interesting to see how he bounces back. That said, Mariota has been everything you could hope for and more if you're a Titans fan, and he's just getting started. If the 8-2 TD-INT ratio stays anywhere near where it is, we'll be talking about a remarkable rookie year. But it's early . . .
3. Henry Anderson, DE, Indianapolis Colts
I really liked Anderson out of Stanford, but probably not enough. He's already on pace to be one of the NFL's best run defenders, but he's also providing a consistent pass rush. He has been so good, you wonder when the Colts will ask him to start blocking.
4. Ronald Darby, CB, Buffalo Bills
He's played more than 60 snaps in each of the past three weeks after a more limited role in Week 1, and it's starting to look like coach Rex Ryan sees him not just as a good cornerback, but already the best one the Bills have.
5. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
Cooper is on pace for 96 receptions and about 1,500 yards receiving. Sure, they like to simply swing the ball across the formation and let him run, but the fact that they can speaks to how Cooper has the respect of defenders as a route runner. He's not a good rookie wide receiver -- he's a really good NFL wide receiver, and he wins down the field, too.
6. Hau'oli Kikaha, DE/OLB, New Orleans Saints
Not only is Kikaha getting to the quarterback, he's doing a good job against the run. He's not an explosive player in a quick-twitch sense, but he has good instincts and it speeds him up. The Saints have to be thrilled with him so far.
7. Jordan Hicks, ILB, Philadelphia Eagles
Hicks was needed early on because the Eagles have been really banged-up at linebacker, and so far he has acquitted himself well. He hasn't come off the field in the past two weeks, and that should become the norm.
8. Stephone Anthony, ILB, New Orleans Saints
Asked to be a starter right out of the gate -- which was the plan when they selected him -- Anthony has lived up to the draft slot. He reads the game well and is also getting into the backfield to make plays.
9. Mitch Morse, C, Kansas City Chiefs
Last week was probably his worst game, but he has been a steady starter through four weeks. The Chiefs appear to have done pretty well for themselves in the draft, based on the early returns.
10. David Parry, NT, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts did well plucking talent out of Palo Alto. Parry plays in a rotation (he gets close to 40 snaps a game now) but he has been really good, and really hard to move.
The next five
11. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
He has just 10 catches, but you can see the Seahawks working him into the passing game, including as a decoy. And Lockett is also already one of the returns who scares opposing coaches.
12. Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
He has been beaten a bit in the past couple of weeks, but Peters is the real deal and will bounce back. He's got tremendous natural talent as a pure cover corner, and the ball skills are a bonus.
13. Kwon Alexander, MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They've asked him to play a big role, and Alexander has done pretty well. Something to remember: He'll play the entire season as a 21-year-old. He's a pup even by rookie standards.
14. Eric Kendricks, ILB, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings dealt a linebacker this week comfortable knowing that Kendricks will be where he is for a long time to come. A gifted cover linebacker, he brings a versatile skill set, and coach Mike Zimmer has to be thrilled with the early returns.
15. Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
Yeah, yeah -- I know other running backs, such as Karlos Williams, are well ahead of Gurley in total yardage. But when you look like one of the top 10 backs in the NFL, period, I'm putting you here. Expect a healthy Gurley to keep moving up if they can give him consistent blocking.
Here are the parameters, same as always:
This is a measure for all games this season, not just last week.
Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?
Here's my latest ranking of the top 15 rookies in the NFL.
1. Leonard Williams, DE, New York Jets
I don't think he has been as good as he will be, but Williams gets bonus points. Remember, this defense has been without arguably the best pure run defender in the league in Sheldon Richardson. Williams has had to step up, and the Jets are allowing 3.8 yards per carry, among the best run defenses in the league. He has played 200 snaps, and they've meant a lot to the Jets, who are off to a 3-1 start.
2. Marcus Mariota, QB, Tennessee Titans
He's coming off the first game where his mistakes (interceptions) really cost the Titans, so it'll be interesting to see how he bounces back. That said, Mariota has been everything you could hope for and more if you're a Titans fan, and he's just getting started. If the 8-2 TD-INT ratio stays anywhere near where it is, we'll be talking about a remarkable rookie year. But it's early . . .
3. Henry Anderson, DE, Indianapolis Colts
I really liked Anderson out of Stanford, but probably not enough. He's already on pace to be one of the NFL's best run defenders, but he's also providing a consistent pass rush. He has been so good, you wonder when the Colts will ask him to start blocking.
4. Ronald Darby, CB, Buffalo Bills
He's played more than 60 snaps in each of the past three weeks after a more limited role in Week 1, and it's starting to look like coach Rex Ryan sees him not just as a good cornerback, but already the best one the Bills have.
5. Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
Cooper is on pace for 96 receptions and about 1,500 yards receiving. Sure, they like to simply swing the ball across the formation and let him run, but the fact that they can speaks to how Cooper has the respect of defenders as a route runner. He's not a good rookie wide receiver -- he's a really good NFL wide receiver, and he wins down the field, too.
6. Hau'oli Kikaha, DE/OLB, New Orleans Saints
Not only is Kikaha getting to the quarterback, he's doing a good job against the run. He's not an explosive player in a quick-twitch sense, but he has good instincts and it speeds him up. The Saints have to be thrilled with him so far.
7. Jordan Hicks, ILB, Philadelphia Eagles
Hicks was needed early on because the Eagles have been really banged-up at linebacker, and so far he has acquitted himself well. He hasn't come off the field in the past two weeks, and that should become the norm.
8. Stephone Anthony, ILB, New Orleans Saints
Asked to be a starter right out of the gate -- which was the plan when they selected him -- Anthony has lived up to the draft slot. He reads the game well and is also getting into the backfield to make plays.
9. Mitch Morse, C, Kansas City Chiefs
Last week was probably his worst game, but he has been a steady starter through four weeks. The Chiefs appear to have done pretty well for themselves in the draft, based on the early returns.
10. David Parry, NT, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts did well plucking talent out of Palo Alto. Parry plays in a rotation (he gets close to 40 snaps a game now) but he has been really good, and really hard to move.
The next five
11. Tyler Lockett, WR, Seattle Seahawks
He has just 10 catches, but you can see the Seahawks working him into the passing game, including as a decoy. And Lockett is also already one of the returns who scares opposing coaches.
12. Marcus Peters, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
He has been beaten a bit in the past couple of weeks, but Peters is the real deal and will bounce back. He's got tremendous natural talent as a pure cover corner, and the ball skills are a bonus.
13. Kwon Alexander, MLB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They've asked him to play a big role, and Alexander has done pretty well. Something to remember: He'll play the entire season as a 21-year-old. He's a pup even by rookie standards.
14. Eric Kendricks, ILB, Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings dealt a linebacker this week comfortable knowing that Kendricks will be where he is for a long time to come. A gifted cover linebacker, he brings a versatile skill set, and coach Mike Zimmer has to be thrilled with the early returns.
15. Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
Yeah, yeah -- I know other running backs, such as Karlos Williams, are well ahead of Gurley in total yardage. But when you look like one of the top 10 backs in the NFL, period, I'm putting you here. Expect a healthy Gurley to keep moving up if they can give him consistent blocking.
