NFL Rookie Report: Week 3 Grades for Every Team's Rookie Class

Thanks to the production of rookies like Robert Griffin III, Andrew Luck and Janoris Jenkins, the NFL is continuing its youth movement. This draft class boasts a ton of players making an immediate impact and showing even more long-term potential.

However, not every team is getting the type of production it was expecting. A team like the Jacksonville Jaguars is absolutely disappointed by the lack of production from Justin Blackmon.

Read through the rest of this article to see if your team is benefiting from or disappointed in its rookie class.

Dallas Cowboys: B-

Picks: Morris Claiborne, Tyrone Crawford, Kyle Wilber, Matt Johnson, Danny Coale, James Hanna and Caleb McSurdy

The Dallas Cowboys secondary is quickly developing into one of the best units in the league. This is especially true for the cornerback duo of Brandon Carr and Morris Claiborne. Those two helped hold Josh Freeman and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' passing attack to 110 yards and only 10 completions.

The Dallas offense has yet to find its rhythm, making the play of the defense even more important.

Even with Jay Ratliff and Kenyon Coleman inactive, Tyrone Crawford failed to see a significant amount of playing time. Instead, the Cowboys went with a rotation of Josh Brent, Marcus Spears and Jason Hatcher. They even used Anthony Spencer at defensive end from time to time.

Basically, this means the Cowboys aren't completely comfortable giving Crawford a lot of playing time. He's still a bit raw, so his playing time should increase as he develops.

New York Giants: D+

Picks: David Wilson, Rueben Randle, Jayron Hosley, Adrien Robinson, Brandon Mosley, Matt McCants and Markus Kuhn

The good news for David Wilson is that he's still getting some touches. However, the bad news is that he has been passed by Andre Brown on the depth chart. Brown's breakout performance against the Carolina Panthers will only make it more difficult for Wilson to get touches moving forward.

Rueben Randle is in the same position, as Ramses Barden took advantage of his opportunity with Hakeem Nicks out of the lineup. The only reason Nicks missed the game is because it was held on Thursday night. He'll definitely play this weekend, which means Randle will continue to get minimal playing time.

Jayron Hosley has been the star of this rookie class. Due to several injuries at the cornerback position, Hosley has been forced into action. The rookie cornerback played well, even recording an interception against the Panthers.

Hosley has also done a good job generating pressure on the quarterback. His quickness allows the Giants to use him in blitz packages.

Philadelphia Eagles: A

Picks: Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks, Vinny Curry, Nick Foles, Brandon Boykin, Dennis Kelly, Marvin McNutt, Brandon Washington, Bryce Brown and Damaris Johnson (undrafted)

Fletcher Cox, Mychal Kendricks and Brandon Boykin are all making a major impact on the Philadelphia Eagles defense. Kendricks' presence in the linebacking corps is one of the main reasons this unit has played at such a high level.

He's a very versatile player who holds up against the run and can drop into coverage. Kendricks still has some learning to do, but it's great that he has a veteran like DeMeco Ryans showing him the ropes.

Cox isn't putting up big numbers, but that's mainly because the Eagles have a ton of depth along the defensive line. Cox will get his opportunities and is talented enough to cash in on those chances.

Philadelphia has one of the top secondaries in the league because of its depth. Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Nnamdi Asomugha are playing at a high level, but it's the emergence of Boykin that is really making a difference. Because of the pass-heavy offenses in the NFL, it's important to have several capable cornerbacks.

Damaris Johnson is providing the Eagles with an offensive spark. Philadelphia really needs someone to step in and make up the production lost with Jeremy Maclin being injured. Johnson's quickness and playmaking ability means he likely keeps a spot on this roster.

Bryce Brown is making an impact as a change of pace to LeSean McCoy. Brown won't get many carries, but he is a good power-type back.

Washington Redskins: B+

Picks: Robert Griffin III, Josh LeRibeus, Kirk Cousins, Keenan Robinson, Adam Gettis, Alfred Morris, Tom Compton, Richard Crawford and Jordan Bernstine

The Washington Redskins continue to get excellent production from Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris. These two players make up a bulk of the Redskins' offensive production. More importantly, they give Washington a reason to be optimistic about the future.

Griffin is already one of the more exciting players in the NFL. He's doing a great job moving the offense, avoiding mistakes and keeping the Redskins competitive.

The Redskins traded a lot in order to land Griffin, and it's already paying off.

Buffalo Bills: B+

Picks: Stephon Gilmore, Cordy Glenn, T.J. Graham, Nigel Bradham, Ron Brooks, Zebrie Sanders, Tank Carder, Mark Asper and John Potter

The Buffalo Bills have a major need for someone to step up and give them another threat at the wide receiver position. This past weekend, T.J. Graham saw increased playing time and took advantage of that opportunity. Buffalo targeted him five times, including one that resulted in a touchdown.

Stephon Gilmore continues to give the Bills a strong presence on the outside. His physical style of play is disrupting the timing of the opposing team's offense. He's doing a great job using the bump-and-trail technique. Gilmore will have his share of rookie mistakes, but this is a player with a ton of upside.

The Bills' offensive line is much improved this year thanks to the presence of Cordy Glenn. He's doing an excellent job in both the running game and in pass protection. Ryan Fitzpatrick is being provided with plenty of time to locate open targets.

Nigel Bradham is making a ton of plays on special teams. His speed helps him quickly get down the field on coverage teams. Don't overlook the importance of a strong special teams unit.

Miami Dolphins: B

Picks: Ryan Tannehill, Jonathan Martin, Olivier Vernon, Michael Egnew, Lamar Miller, Josh Kaddu, B.J. Cunningham, Kheeston Randall and Rishard Matthews

Ryan Tannehill had another rough day against a very tough New York Jets defense. He struggled with accuracy and the ability to locate open targets. However, he really isn't getting much help from his wide receivers. This group lacks a true playmaker.

These are the types of performances we can expect from Tannehill moving forward. The key is that he learns from his mistakes and continues to develop.

Keep an eye on Jonathan Martin, because he's playing at a very high level. Martin is using inside hand placement and leverage to move defenders off the line and open running lanes. He's also doing a good job reaching the edge and protecting the quarterback.

Lamar Miller has shown that he's capable of picking up big chunks of yards, as he's averaging 5.9 yards per carry. With Reggie Bush likely to miss some time with a knee injury, Miller could be in line for a lot more touches in the coming weeks.

Both Olivier Vernon and Kheeston Randall remain a part of the defensive line rotation. Vernon is proving that he has some ability to generate pressure on the quarterback. He's also seeing a lot of time on special teams.

New England Patriots: A-

Picks: Chandler Jones, Dont'a Hightower, Tavon Wilson, Jake Bequette, Nate Ebner, Alfonzo Dennard and Jeremy Ebert

Chandler Jones failed to record a sack for the second straight week, but it's no reason to worry. Jones is still generating pressure on the quarterback. His quickness off the ball and nonstop motor are making things difficult for the opposing offense.

The thing with Jones is that he's not only a good pass-rusher, but he also does a good job pursuing the football in the run game.

Safety Tavon Wilson is giving the New England Patriots someone who can match up with the opposing team's tight end. He did a good job keeping an eye on both Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson of the Baltimore Ravens.

Dont'a Hightower is on the field a lot for the Patriots, as he's lining up alongside Jerod Mayo in nickel situations. His athleticism and quickness are what allow him to do a decent job in coverage. The more versatility he can provide, the more playing time he'll earn.

New York Jets: C-

Picks: Quinton Coples, Stephen Hill, Demario Davis, Josh Bush, Terrance Ganaway, Robert T. Griffin, Antonio Allen and Jordan White

Many jumped on the Stephen Hill bandwagon after his impressive Week 1 performance. That game shows what type of upside he possesses. However, Hill is still very raw and will struggle at times. This was apparent this past weekend against the Miami Dolphins.

Mark Sanchez targeted Hill seven times, second-most on the team, but he failed to make a catch and had a few drops. If the New York Jets are willing to deal with the downs, Hill will provide them with plenty of explosive plays. He's just going to be very inconsistent.

When he's able to get on the field, Quinton Coples is doing a good job working his way into the backfield. He's using a combination of power and speed moves to get pressure on the quarterback. However, he just doesn't seem like a great fit in the Jets' 3-4 alignment.

Arizona Cardinals: B-

Picks: Michael Floyd, Jamell Fleming, Bobby Massie, Senio Kelemete, Justin Bethel, Ryan Lindley and Nate Potter

The good news keeps on coming for the Arizona Cardinals. Not only are they undefeated, they also got a Michael Floyd sighting. One catch for eight yards isn't a breakout performance, but at least it was for a touchdown.

Look for Floyd to get more targets in the upcoming games. He has the potential to add another element to the Cardinals offense.

Bobby Massie had some struggles against the quicker defensive linemen of the Philadelphia Eagles. However, the majority of offensive linemen in the league struggle to handle Jason Babin and Trent Cole. Massie needs to use this as a learning experience and move forward. He still has plenty of upside, and the Cardinals are counting on him to improve.

Jamell Fleming sees a lot of time on special teams, as well as some opportunities on defense.

San Francisco 49ers: F

Picks: A.J. Jenkins, LaMichael James, Joe Looney, Darius Fleming, Trent Robinson, Jason Slowey and Cam Johnson

The fact that the San Francisco 49ers don't need either of their top two draft picks active can be spun in a positive direction. This shows that the team already has a lot of depth and talent. However, it's always frustrating when a first-round pick doesn't produce.

A.J. Jenkins hasn't shown the maturity or consistency needed to be on the active roster. Jim Harbaugh just isn't willing to take a chance on Jenkins and sit someone like Kyle Williams.

The fact that Jenkins isn't in the immediate plans isn't a disaster—just yet. At some point, the 49ers will want to see him take a step forward in his development.

LaMichael James may need someone to suffer an injury before he can find his way onto the roster. There just isn't room for him with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, Brandon Jacobs and Anthony Dixon in the mix.

Seattle Seahawks: A

Picks: Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, Russell Wilson, Robert Turbin, Jaye Howard, Korey Toomer, Jeremy Lane, Winston Guy, J.R. Sweezy and Greg Scruggs

Russell Wilson isn't putting up elite numbers, but he's doing everything needed to win football games. His abilities to avoid turnovers and perform in pressure situations are what make him such a promising player. It also helps that the Seattle Seahawks are developing a game plan that suits Wilson's skill set.

The big news from the game against the Green Bay Packers is the breakout performance by Bruce Irvin. He registered two sacks and at times looked absolutely unstoppable. His use of a power move really shows that he's developing. Moving forward, teams must account for where Irvin lines up.

Jeremy Lane saw some playing time because of the Packers' multiple receiver sets. He held his own in coverage and did a good job supporting the run.

I was disappointed the Seahawks didn't work Robert Turbin into the game plan. His quickness could give them a real change of pace. Marshawn Lynch is a terrific running back, but he lacks great quickness through the hole.

St. Louis Rams: B-

Picks: Michael Brockers, Brian Quick, Janoris Jenkins, Isaiah Pead, Trumaine Johnson, Chris Givens, Rokevious Watkins, Greg Zuerlein, Aaron Brown and Daryl Richardson

Because of an injury to Michael Brockers, Janoris Jenkins has been the most productive rookie for the St. Louis Rams. He's an instinctual player who is a very aggressive defender. Against the Chicago Bears, Jenkins provided tight coverage and supported the run.

The Rams have found themselves an excellent field-goal kicker in Greg Zuerlein. He's a perfect 8-of-8 on the season while also connecting on a 56-yard field goal against the Bears. Zuerlein's consistency is what helps teams win football games.

With Steven Jackson fully healthy and in the lineup, neither Daryl Richardson nor Isaiah Pead got much work at running back in Week 3. Richardson got a total of four carries, while Pead was mostly used as a kick returner.

Denver Broncos: C+

Picks: Derek Wolfe, Brock Osweiler, Ronnie Hillman, Omar Bolden, Philip Blake, Malik Jackson and Danny Trevathan

The Denver Broncos made rookie running back Ronnie Hillman active for the first time in the game against the Houston Texans. Hillman is one of the quicker backs on the roster, and he is a good complement to starter Willis McGahee.

He only had two carries this past weekend, but that number could increase with McGahee being a little banged up. Hillman has the talent to take advantage of an opportunity. He could easily have some good production with just a few extra carries.

Derek Wolfe continues to make an impact along the defensive line. His versatility allows the Broncos to employ several different defensive alignments.

I'm still very high on Malik Jackson. This is a player who could be a difference-maker if he gets an opportunity.

Kansas City Chiefs: C+

Picks: Dontari Poe, Jeff Allen, Donald Stephenson, Devon Wylie, DeQuan Menzie, Cyrus Gray, Jerome Long and Junior Hemingway

Dontari Poe continues to show improvement each and every week. He appears more confident and comfortable in his role. Against the New Orleans Saints, Poe was very active and did a good job pushing the pocket. He showed a much better burst off the line and snap awareness.

The Kansas City Chiefs knew that it would take some time before Poe reached his full potential. This is still the case, but we are starting to see flashes of how dominant he can be at the line of scrimmage.

Oakland Raiders: B-

Picks: Tony Bergstrom, Miles Burris, Jack Crawford, Juron Criner, Christo Bilukidi, Nathan Stupar and Rod Streater (undrafted)

The Oakland Raiders are getting solid play from linebacker Miles Burris. His nonstop motor, quickness and good instincts allow him to always be around the football. The Raiders have quickly recognized that Burris also possesses some pass-rushing ability.

It's his good short-area burst and snap awareness that make Burris a good candidate to be used in blitz packages.

Rod Streater remains a part of the offensive game plan because of injuries at the wide receiver position. However, he also suffered an injury of his own. Overall, Streater is a solid target but offers little upside.

Tony Bergstrom and Jack Crawford offer excellent depth and some potential as starters down the line.

Oakland did a good job adding useful players despite not picking until the third round.

San Diego Chargers: C+

Picks: Melvin Ingram, Kendall Reyes, Brandon Taylor, Ladarius Green, Johnnie Troutman, David Molk, Edwin Baker and Michael Harris (undrafted)

Melvin Ingram and Kendall Reyes are still a heavy part of the rotation on the defensive side of the ball. However, their production has dropped off this past week. I was surprised to see the San Diego Chargers use Ingram in coverage more often than not.

Ingram's strength is his ability to generate pressure on the quarterback. Obviously, he isn't going to do that while in coverage.

Undrafted rookie Michael Harris is unexpectedly playing a major role for the Chargers. He's being asked to fill in at left tackle while Jared Gaither is out with an injury. This could be more than a temporary role, as Gaither has struggled with injuries throughout his career.

Harris isn't playing at an elite level, but he's holding his own. The biggest thing he's struggling with is the strength of the defenders. He's getting pushed back into the pocket by the bull rush. A lot of this is because he's worried about giving the edge, so he's off balance and under-prepared for the power move.

He'll continue to develop, but the Chargers are in trouble if he has to hold that spot for the entire season.

Chicago Bears: B-

Picks: Shea McClellin, Alshon Jeffery, Brandon Hardin, Evan Rodriguez, Isaiah Frey and Greg McCoy

Alshon Jeffery is quickly becoming a major part of the Chicago Bears offense. This past weekend, he was the second-most-targeted wide receiver behind only Brandon Marshall. Jeffery has shown a lot of promise, but he's also had some drops.

The thing with Jeffery is that he has a tendency to lose focus. Chicago needs to keep him involved in the game in order to get the most of his ability.

Shea McClellin didn't record a sack against the St. Louis Rams, but he did make his presence felt. Because of all the attention paid to Julius Peppers, McClellin gets a lot of favorable matchups. He's still developing as a pass-rusher, but his speed makes him an immediate threat.

Evan Rodriguez has played well this season, but suffered a knee injury over the weekend. The extent of the injury is unknown at this time.

Detroit Lions: D+

Picks: Riley Reiff, Ryan Broyles, Dwight Bentley, Ronnell Lewis, Tahir Whitehead, Chris Greenwood, Jonte Green and Travis Lewis

Dwight Bentley and the entire Detroit Lions secondary were torched by Jake Locker. The Tennessee Titans offense registered 378 passing yards and two touchdowns. This is a concerning situation, as Locker didn't look this great in his first two games.

Bentley particularly struggled with tackling and giving the wide receiver too much space. However, he showed excellent quickness when breaking on the ball.

Ryan Broyles was active again this week but failed to get a target. He still might not be 100 percent from a knee injury he suffered last season.

Ronnell Lewis and Tahir Whitehead continue to provide solid special teams play. However, neither has been able to make an impact on defense.

Green Bay Packers: B-

Picks: Nick Perry, Jerel Worthy, Casey Hayward, Mike Daniels, Jerron McMillian, Terrell Manning, Andrew Datko and B.J. Coleman

The Green Bay Packers secondary is getting a nice contribution from two rookies: Casey Hayward and Jerron McMillian. This is an important development, because the Packers secondary is trying to rebound from a terrible 2011 season.

Green Bay's high-powered offense puts a lot of pressure on opponents to keep pace. This is why the secondary will be tested a lot this season. Having depth is a key to slowing down a team's passing attack throughout the course of a season.

Jerel Worthy continues to show flashes of this ability. He possesses a quick first step, which allows him to gain a step on the offense. Worthy left the game against the Seattle Seahawks with a knee injury, so his status is uncertain. However, if healthy, he'll continue to get plenty of reps.

The Packers brought in Nick Perry to help out with the pass rush, but he's doing a better job against the run. Perry is using inside hand placement and a good anchor to set the edge. However, Green Bay needs him to develop into a pass-rusher.

Actually, he's part of a rotation at linebacker and at times is off the field several series in a row.

Minnesota Vikings: A-

Picks: Matt Kalil, Harrison Smith, Josh Robinson, Jarius Wright, Rhett Ellison, Greg Childs, Robert Blanton, Blair Walsh, Audie Cole and Trevor Guyton

Matt Kalil played a well-rounded game against the San Francisco 49ers. He protected the edge against a top-notch speed-rusher like Aldon Smith and also did an excellent job opening running lanes.

One play in particular stood out. It was on the goal line, and Kalil fired off the ball, engaged Justin Smith and turned him from the play. Smith is very difficult to control at the line of scrimmage. This shows just what type of upside Kalil possesses.

Harrison Smith is a four-down player who contributes on defense and special teams. Minnesota even uses him as a punt protector. On defense, Smith is asked to both play deep coverage and support the run. He's very instinctual and is rarely out of position. This is a real difference-maker.

The Vikings are giving Josh Robinson more and more snaps on defense. He's being used on the outside in nickel situations, with Antoine Winfield getting bumped inside. Robinson possesses a ton of potential, but he needs experience in order to develop.

The Minnesota Vikings found a very solid field-goal kicker in Blair Walsh. He's a perfect 7-of-7 on the season, including a perfect 3-of-3 from 50 yards or longer.

Baltimore Ravens: B-

Picks: Courtney Upshaw, Kelechi Osemele, Bernard Pierce, Gino Gradkowski, Christian Thompson, Asa Jackson, Tommy Streeter and DeAngelo Tyson

Despite a slow start to the season, Courtney Upshaw is now making his presence felt. He's doing a great job setting the edge against the run and also providing a bit of a pass rush. Upshaw is able to make an impact because he's a very disciplined, smart and aggressive player.

Look for Upshaw to continue to make an impact all season. He absolutely earned more snaps with his recent play.

Baltimore must be extremely pleased with how Kelechi Osemele has played. He's doing a good job protecting the quarterback and opening running lanes. Because Osemele and Michael Oher are playing well, the Ravens' offensive line has a good young nucleus.

Bernard Pierce still has a strong hold on the No. 2 running back spot. However, he isn't going to get many carries with Ray Rice in the mix.

Cincinnati Bengals: A

Picks: Dre Kirkpatrick, Kevin Zeitler, Devon Still, Mohamed Sanu, Brandon Thompson, Orson Charles, Shaun Prater, Marvin Jones, George Iloka, Dan Herron and Vontaze Burfict (undrafted)

Marvin Lewis has always done a good job handling players with a troubled past. That experience is the reason the Cincinnati Bengals were able to land Vontaze Burfict. The undrafted rookie is now making a major impact for the Bengals.

Burfict possesses a ton of talent, but immaturity cost him a shot at being a first-round draft pick. Cincinnati brought him into the mix because it felt the upside outweighed the risks. This move is paying off, as Burfict is now a starter and making plays all over the field.

The Bengals finally found a way to use the versatile Mohamed Sanu. While at Rutgers, Sanu was used as a Wildcat quarterback often. This is why Cincinnati felt comfortable allowing him to throw a 73-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green.

Sanu still hasn't made much of an impact as a wide receiver, but he'll improve with more experience.

Cincinnati continues to get solid play from Kevin Zeitler. He won't make headlines, but his contribution helps the running game stay consistent.

Cleveland Browns: B-

Picks: Trent Richardson, Brandon Weeden, Mitchell Schwartz, Josh Gordon (supplemental), John Hughes, Travis Benjamin, James-Michael Johnson, Ryan Miller, Emmanuel Acho, Billy Winn, Trevin Wade, Brad Smelley and L.J. Fort (undrafted)

I've never been a big fan of Brandon Weeden, but he's starting to show some signs of improvement. His pocket presence has improved, and he is exhibiting the ability to make proper reads and the willingness to take shots down the field.

When evaluating Weeden, it's important to keep in mind that he doesn't have a lot of help. Some of his top targets, like Travis Benjamin and Josh Gordon, are also rookies. This type of inexperience results in a lot of mistakes, miscommunication and growing pains.

Both Benjamin and Gordon are starting to show signs that they can make a major impact this season. Because of his speed, Benjamin is able to provide the Cleveland Browns with a solid vertical threat. However, he's also doing a good job creating space in the intermediate routes.

Gordon's size and speed combination make him a tough cover for any defensive back. He'll continue to have up-and-down performances because he's so raw. However, it's obvious this rookie has a ton of upside.

Opposing defenses know the Browns want to feed Trent Richardson the football. This is why he's producing such a low yard-per-carry average. Look for his numbers to improve if Weeden starts to play better.

Pittsburgh Steelers: D-

Picks: David DeCastro, Mike Adams, Sean Spence, Alameda Ta'amu, Chris Rainey, Toney Clemons, David Paulson, Terrence Frederick and Kelvin Beachum

Optimism for the Pittsburgh Steelers draft class continues to decline. Not only are they dealing with injuries to David DeCastro and Sean Spence, they are also trying to handle an underperforming Mike Adams. His play has been so inconsistent that he was actually inactive for the game against the Oakland Raiders.

Chris Rainey remains the only rookie making an impact each week. However, he has yet to really provide the Steelers with an explosive play. On the season, Rainey has only tallied 42 offensive yards.

Atlanta Falcons: F

Picks: Peter Konz, Lamar Holmes, Bradie Ewing, Jonathan Massaquoi, Charles Mitchell and Travian Robertson

Things have remained the same all season for the Atlanta Falcons' draft class. Nobody is seeing much time on the field, with only three rookies making the active roster. The good news for the Falcons is that they don't seem to really need much help.

Peter Konz is the big name of the group. He's still in the future plans at either guard or center, but it may be a season or two before he makes a real impact.

Carolina Panthers: A

Picks: Luke Kuechly, Amini Silatolu, Frank Alexander, Joe Adams, Josh Norman, Brad Nortman and D.J. Campbell

The Carolina Panthers' special teams are benefiting from the 2012 rookie class. Both Joe Adams and Brad Nortman are making contributions as rookies. Adams is the primary punt and kick returner and is picking up some solid yardage. However, he's yet to break off a big return.

Nortman is averaging over 42 yards per punt and has stuck five balls inside the 20-yard line. Carolina's offense has struggled some this season, so Nortman figures to get a lot of work moving forward.

Luke Kuechly had his first double-digit-tackle performance against the New York Giants. He was making plays from sideline to sideline, including three tackles behind the line of scrimmage. However, he and the rest of the Panthers' run defense really struggled against New York. A lot of this had to do with issues up front, but the linebackers also must do a better job.

Frank Alexander is playing well enough to continue to earn more playing time. When on the field, he is generating some pressure on the quarterback. I've noticed that he looks much quicker than he did in college. He also developed a nice rotation between his inside and outside rush moves. However, it's his quick and violent hands that are helping him make an impact.

The entire Panthers defense struggled against the Giants. Josh Norman had an up-and-down performance, but he did better than the rest of the secondary. It's obvious he's improving each week.

Amini Silatolu is also improving each week. He's a very aggressive and physical blocker who excels at opening running lanes.

New Orleans Saints: C+

Picks: Akiem Hicks, Nick Toon, Corey White, Andrew Tiller and Marcel Jones

Akiem Hicks and Corey White are receiving more and more playing time each week on the New Orleans Saints defense. These two have a chance to salvage the Saints' entire draft class. Hicks has the most upside of the two, and he showed that against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hicks possesses tremendous size and athletic ability. However, he has a tendency to play too high, which impacts his effectiveness. This is the type of thing that can be corrected with some coaching. Hicks has very limited experience playing football at this level, as he spent most of his time playing in Canada.

White is a big hitter, but he has shown good coverage ability. The Saints have made him a major part of their defensive backfield rotation.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B

Picks: Mark Barron, Doug Martin, Lavonte David, Najee Goode, Keith Tandy, Michael Smith and Drake Dunsmore

Don't be surprised if we start to see LeGarrette Blount take some touches away from Doug Martin. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense is stagnant, and a lot of that has to do with the fact that Martin is only averaging 3.4 yards per carry.

This isn't to say that Martin won't be successful in the future, but the Buccaneers can't continue with this type of production. Of course, the inconsistency with the passing attack has allowed defenses to commit more defenders to stopping the run. The Buccaneers' entire offense needs a spark.

Tampa Bay is getting excellent production from its two rookie defenders. Mark Barron and Lavonte David are both in the top three on the team in tackles. These two are showing excellent instincts, quickness and high motors.

Houston Texans: C-

Picks: Whitney Mercilus, DeVier Posey, Brandon Brooks, Ben Jones, Keshawn Martin, Jared Crick, Randy Bullock and Nick Mondek

The Houston Texans' top pick, Whitney Mercilus, is having a hard time getting defensive snaps. He can't get on the field because Connor Barwin and Brooks Reed are playing at a high level. The fact is Houston sees no reason to take either of those players off the field.

Eventually, Mercilus will start to see more snaps on the defensive side of the ball. However, it could be deep into the season before he gets an opportunity.

Jared Crick is seeing limited time as part of the defensive line rotation. However, he doesn't figure to get more than a few snaps a game.

The Texans are rotating Ben Jones in on a few series at right guard. They're still trying to find a long-term solution at that spot.

Keshawn Martin is still in the mix at the wide receiver position. He's working his way back into the picture after having some issues with drops early in the season.

Indianapolis Colts: A

Picks: Andrew Luck, Coby Fleener, Dwayne Allen, T.Y. Hilton, Josh Chapman, Vick Ballard, LaVon Brazill, Justin Anderson, Tim Fugger and Chandler Harnish

The Indianapolis Colts are getting a ton of production from their rookie class. Each of the first seven picks has seen the field and made an impact. Andrew Luck is obviously the biggest difference-maker. His play has helped the Colts remain competitive in almost every game this season.

T.Y. Hilton was the breakout performer this weekend against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He used his speed to give the Colts a good vertical threat. Hilton registered four catches, 113 yards and a touchdown. With Austin Collie out for the season, Hilton can expect to see an increased role in the offense.

Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen continue to be important parts of the offensive attack. Their versatility allows the Colts to run plenty of two-tight-end sets.

Keep an eye on Vick Ballard, as he should start taking touches away from Donald Brown very soon. The Colts can't keep giving Brown the ball if he's only averaging 3.6 yards per carry.

Jacksonville Jaguars: D

Picks: Justin Blackmon, Andre Branch, Bryan Anger, Brandon Marshall, Mike Harris and Jeris Pendleton

I'm shocked that Justin Blackmon is having such a hard time making an impact. During the preseason, he showed that he's more than capable of getting involved in the offense. However, he's been able to only catch four passes for 31 yards.

Obviously, a lot of his struggles are because of the inconsistent quarterback play. Blaine Gabbert has really struggled to get the ball to his wide receivers. In the past two weeks, Gabbert has only completed nine passes to wide receivers.

The best rookie for the Jaguars has been punter Bryan Anger. He currently leads the league in punting yards, is second in average yards per punt and has been able to pin the ball inside the 20-yard line five times. Because of the Jaguars' offensive struggles, there's a good chance Anger finishes the year as one of the most used punters in the league.

Andre Branch has been a bit of a disappointment, as he has failed to register a sack this season. Branch is still a bit raw, but he needs to do a better job working his way into the backfield.

Tennessee Titans: B-

Picks: Kendall Wright, Zach Brown, Mike Martin, Coty Sensabaugh, Taylor Thompson, Markelle Martin and Scott Solomon

Due to an injury to Colin McCarthy, Zach Brown is seeing a lot of playing time in the Tennessee Titans' linebacker rotation. Because of his athleticism and quickness, he has been around the ball often. Brown still needs to improve his knowledge of the game and strength, but it's apparent he has a lot of potential.

Mike Martin and Coty Sensabaugh are also a part of the rotation on defense. Martin is using his quickness off the ball and nonstop motor to make an impact. He's doing a good job pushing the pocket and making plays away from his frame. Martin is one of those players who doesn't stand out but consistently makes plays.

Because of the struggles of the running game, Kendall Wright is consistently getting a high number of targets. This past weekend against the Detroit Lions, Wright tied Kenny Britt for the most targets on the team.

Look for Wright to have better matchups moving forward because of Britt's presence in the lineup.

Taylor Thompson continues to see time on special teams while he develops as a tight end.