Midseason Rookie Report Cards for Every NFL Team
While some NFL teams are already looking brilliant for the decisions they made during and after the 2014 NFL draft, other general managers might be left to answer tough questions as their teams’ rookie classes are underperforming.
Although hardly a chapter has been written in the book of each rookie’s NFL career at this point, every team expects to get some immediate dividends from its first-year players, even if it’s assumed the best is yet to come.
In the following 32 slides, each team is assessed upon those immediate dividends.
The following report card is not intended to project how much a team will get out of its 2014 rookies going forward, nor is it to give a definitive grade to how well each drafted. Each grade is based upon the cumulative performance—or lack thereof—of each team’s first-year players through the first seven or eight games of their inaugural seasons.
Arizona Cardinals
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The Arizona Cardinals’ decision to trade down to the No. 27 overall pick from the No. 20 slot has yielded immediate results.
First-round pick Deone Bucannon has already become a significant player on the Cardinals defense as an in-the-box strong safety and nickel linebacker. His game is still inconsistent, especially in coverage, but he’s coming off his best performance of the year against the Philadelphia Eagles, in which he recorded eight tackles, broke up a pass on the game’s second-to-last play and recovered a fumble.
John Brown, who the Cardinals selected with the third-round pick (No. 91 overall) they acquired from the New Orleans Saints in the aforementioned trade, has also made an immediate impact. It looks as though the Cardinals found a gem in the speedy pass-catcher from Division II school Pittsburg State, as he has already emerged as a weapon at slot receiver.
Other contributions from the Cardinals draft class have come from defensive ends Ed Stinson and Kareem Martin, who have been a consistent part of Arizona’s defensive line rotation since Darnell Dockett went down with a season-ending injury. Arizona’s only early-round pick who has yet to make a significant contribution is tight end Troy Niklas, selected No. 52 overall, who has caught just one pass so far this season.
Even with decent production from its draft class to this point, the biggest boost to Arizona’s grade comes from undrafted rookie Chandler Catanzaro. Since beating out Jay Feely to win Arizona’s place-kicking job this preseason, Catanzaro has made the first 16 regular-season kicks of his career to set an NFL record.
Grade: B
Atlanta Falcons
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While Jake Matthews has started more games at left tackle than any other rookie offensive lineman, the No. 6 overall pick’s play has been a huge disappointment. He has looked overmatched, especially as a pass-blocker, and has the worst cumulative grade from Pro Football Focus (subscription required) among NFL offensive tackles this season.
No Falcons draft pick has made a lasting impact yet.
Defensive lineman Ra’Shede Hageman, safety Dezmen Southward and running back Devonta Freeman have all had some positive moments but have not received significant playing time. Prince Shembo appeared to be emerging as one of the team’s top two inside linebackers—he actually started two games ahead of Joplo Bartu—but has since been shuffled out of the rotation for the past three weeks.
Injuries have pushed undrafted signee James Stone into the lineup at center the past two games. His play has been mediocre.
Grade: D
Baltimore Ravens
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Sticking with the best player available strategy and selecting inside linebacker C.J. Mosley in the first round of this year’s draft, rather than adding a player at a position of greater need, has proved to be an excellent decision for the Baltimore Ravens.
Mosley has been all over the field for the Ravens defense as a tackler, coverage linebacker and blitzer. He ranks fourth in the NFL with 76 tackles, leads all linebackers with six passes defensed and is tied for the lead among LBs with two interceptions.
The other three players selected by the Ravens within the top 100 picks—defensive end Timmy Jernigan, safety Terrence Brooks and tight end Crockett Gillmore—have each made some solid contributions from the bench. Gillmore has not made any big plays yet as a receiver but is currently starting with Owen Daniels sidelined with a knee injury.
Another solid contributor has been fourth-round pick Lorenzo Taliaferro, who has unexpectedly surpassed Bernard Pierce on Baltimore’s running back depth chart to form a one-two punch in the Ravens backfield with Justin Forsett. Taliaferro has 226 rushing yards and four touchdowns this season.
Grade: B+
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Buffalo Bills
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The Buffalo Bills set the bar very high for Sammy Watkins when they traded up to select him with the No. 4 overall pick in this year’s draft, and he’s been worth the investment so far.
Watkins leads all rookie receivers with 590 receiving yards and is tied for the lead in receiving touchdowns (five). The fast, fluid pass-catcher has clearly emerged as the team’s No. 1 receiver and has been especially good the past two weeks, in which he has 12 catches for 279 yards and three touchdowns (which would have been four if not for a premature celebration against the New York Jets on Sunday).
Another rookie standout for the Bills has been third-round pick Preston Brown. A fill-in starter at the beginning of the year, Brown has since replaced strong-side linebacker Keith Rivers in the starting lineup on the merits of his play. Brown has been excellent as a downhill run defender but is also showing improvement by the week in pass coverage.
Second-round pick Cyrus Kouandjio has not yet been active for a game after a bad preseason, but the Bills have had two rookie starters on the offensive line in seventh-round pick Seantrel Henderson and fifth-round pick Cyril Richardson.
Henderson has had some struggles but has been a slight upgrade for the Bills this year at right tackle; Richardson played very poorly in four starts and has since been replaced at left guard by Kraig Urbik.
Grade: B+
Carolina Panthers
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Tied with the aforementioned Sammy Watkins with 38 receptions and five receiving touchdowns, Kelvin Benjamin has immediately become the No. 1 receiver the Carolina Panthers need him to be.
The No. 28 overall pick has already made a number of highlight-reel plays, as he has taken advantage of his 6’5”, 240-pound size and won battles with defensive backs at the catch point. He has drawn some criticism for dropped passes, but he’s added length and skill the Panthers did not previously have in their receiving corps.
Benjamin has been Carolina’s only consistently productive rookie, but a number of others have shown glimpses of their upside.
Third-round pick Trai Turner was worked gradually into the lineup at right guard and played well in three starts before missing Carolina’s Week 8 game with a knee injury. Fifth-round pick Bene Benwikere played well in his first two games at slot cornerback, but he followed them with a few bad ones before suffering an ankle injury in Week 5 that has kept him out since.
Second-round pick Kony Ealy has been brought along gradually, but the defensive end recorded his first sack in Week 8 and is starting to show his pass-rushing potential.
Adding to the production of the draft class has been a couple of undrafted rookies from Ohio State. Andrew Norwell started at left guard in Week 8 and played well while Philly Brown has been the Panthers’ lead kickoff and punt returner.
Grade: B-
Chicago Bears
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Since Charles Tillman went down with a season-ending injury in Week 2, Kyle Fuller has taken full advantage of the opportunity to be one of the Chicago Bears’ starting cornerbacks.
Fuller has had some inconsistencies in coverage, but far fewer than most rookie cornerbacks. And he has made no shortage of big plays, totaling three interceptions and three forced fumbles.
Four other rookies—defensive tackles Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson, safety Brock Vereen and undrafted linebacker Christian Jones—have also seen some significant playing time on the Bears defense, but none has made a great deal of impact on a struggling unit.
The Bears don’t have any rookies seeing regular playing time on offense, but they are the only team in the league with a rookie punter. Pat O’Donnell hasn’t lived up to the “Megapunt” hype—his net punting average of 35.7 yards is second worst in the NFL.
Grade: C
Cincinnati Bengals
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Only two Cincinnati Bengals draft picks—second-round pick Jeremy Hill and fourth-round pick Russell Bodine—have played more than 100 snaps through the first seven games of the team’s season.
Bodine has started every game for the Bengals at center with mixed results. Pro Football Focus grades him as the second-worst center in the NFL.
Hill has shown some potential as a runner and receiver, but he hasn’t had a great deal of opportunities for touches as the No. 2 running back behind starter Giovani Bernard. He has 326 yards from scrimmage.
The only other rookie to see significant playing time for Cincinnati has been undrafted H-back Ryan Hewitt. The Stanford product has just three offensive touches this season but has contributed as a blocker and special teamer.
First-round pick Darqueze Dennard is buried on the Bengals’ cornerback depth chart and has played just 34 snaps this year, according to PFF. Third-round pick Will Clarke has been active for just one game.
Grade: D+
Cleveland Browns
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Neither of the Cleveland Browns’ first-round picks have lived up to the hype thus far, but Cleveland has had impressive contributions from its Day 2 draft picks and some undrafted free agents.
No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert has struggled in his early attempts to cover NFL wide receivers, though the cornerback is looking more comfortable each week and has recorded three passes defensed in his past two games. Meanwhile, No. 22 overall pick Johnny Manziel remains the backup to starting quarterback Brian Hoyer and has thrown just one pass.
Making up for the first-rounders’ slow starts has been left guard Joel Bitonio, who has been the best rookie among non-first-round picks. He hasn’t been as impressive the past two weeks since center Alex Mack went down with a season-ending injury, but he brought immediate excellence to the team’s offensive line, especially as a run-blocker.
Third-round pick linebacker Christian Kirksey has also played well. He has played significantly more snaps than Craig Robertson, showing proficiency when tackling and defending the pass.
Fellow third-rounder Terrance West and undrafted rookie Isaiah Crowell both showed right out of the gates that they can be productive running backs, but they have had their opportunities for touches limited since veteran Ben Tate returned from injury.
Crowell’s ability to step in and make some plays as a change-of-pace back was not a big surprise despite his going undrafted. Two who have been greater revelations: wide receiver Taylor Gabriel, who has caught 16 passes for 317 yards, and K’Waun Williams, who has played well in limited action as a slot cornerback.
Grade: B
Dallas Cowboys
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The Dallas Cowboys have the NFL’s No. 1 rushing offense and arguably its best offensive line, and first-round pick Zack Martin has been a big reason why.
Excelling as both a run-blocker and a pass protector, Martin has made a natural transition to right guard from left tackle and has proved to be the missing piece for a blocking unit that has led running back DeMarco Murray to more than 100 rushing yards in all of Dallas’ games thus far.
While Martin has made Jerry Jones’ regret of passing up Johnny Manziel with the No. 16 overall pick look silly, Dallas has had little production from the rest of its rookie class.
Fourth-round pick Anthony Hitchens has 21 tackles and three starts, and he should be in line for more playing time after weak-side linebacker Justin Durant suffered a season-ending injury Monday.
Other than Martin and Hitchens, no other Cowboys rookie has played more than 85 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Grade: C
Denver Broncos
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With the league's best roster, the Denver Broncos haven’t had many opportunities to get their rookies significant playing time.
The only one who has is first-round pick Bradley Roby. Playing primarily as a slot cornerback, Roby has shown his playmaking ability against both the run and pass, as he has recorded 34 total tackles and six passes defensed. He has played relatively well in coverage for a rookie.
Denver’s other draft picks have been non-factors. Neither second-round pick Cody Latimer nor third-round pick Michael Schofield has taken an offensive snap this year.
Aside from Roby, the only other Broncos draft pick to see more than 50 snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus, has been seventh-round pick Corey Nelson, a backup linebacker and special teams player who has nine total tackles on the year.
The only other rookies to make any contribution have been undrafted running back Juwan Thompson, who has 107 yards and three touchdowns on 24 carries, and undrafted receiver Isaiah Burse, who has 97 yards on 16 punt returns.
Grade: D
Detroit Lions
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Injuries kept the top talents from the Detroit Lions’ rookie class from making significant contributions in the first half of the season.
No. 10 overall pick Eric Ebron was underwhelming in the Lions’ first six games; the tight end, expected to be an immediate impact player for their offense, caught just 10 passes for 103 yards and one touchdown. He has missed Detroit’s past two games with a hamstring injury, further slowing down his disappointing rookie season thus far.
Second-round pick Kyle Van Noy could be a boon to a Detroit linebacker corps that lost Stephen Tulloch to a season-ending injury, but Van Noy missed the first eight weeks of the season after sports hernia surgery. He is eligible, as of this week, to be activated from injured reserve with a return designation.
Another rookie who was expected to be a significant contributor, fourth-round pick Nevin Lawson, started the season as the the team’s No. 3 cornerback but suffered a season-ending foot injury in Week 2.
The only other rookie who has seen significant playing time besides Ebron has been fifth-round pick Caraun Reid. The Princeton product is in line to start after Nick Fairley suffered a knee injury on Sunday, but Reid has looked overwhelmed thus far by bigger, stronger offensive linemen.
Grade: F
Green Bay Packers
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Quietly, Green Bay Packers first-round pick Ha Ha Clinton-Dix and fifth-round pick Corey Linsley have been two of the NFL’s best rookies this season.
Clinton-Dix hasn’t made many big plays yet and has had some issues with missed tackles, but he’s been an active contributor on the Packers defense with 43 total tackles and is holding his own as a coverage safety.
Linsley has been one of the league’s most pleasant surprises. Only added to the starting lineup when JC Tretter went down with a knee injury in the preseason, he has been a rock-solid anchor of the Packers offensive line and is currently graded as the NFL’s fourth-best center by Pro Football Focus.
Inconsistently, second-round pick Davante Adams and fourth-round pick Richard Rodgers have shown flashes of their ability to become pass-catching weapons in the Packers passing offense. Adams, a wide receiver, has 24 receptions for 263 yards and two touchdowns while Rodgers, a tight end, has seven receptions for 111 yards.
Two draft picks, defensive end Khyri Thornton and wide receiver Jared Abbrederis, had their seasons end before they began due to injuries. However, the Packers have gotten some production on the defensive line from undrafted rookie Mike Pennel, who has played both defensive end and nose tackle and recorded eight total tackles.
Grade: B+
Houston Texans
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The Houston Texans could soon have one of the superstars of the rookie class in No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, but a knee injury that sidelined him from Weeks 2-7 has kept him quiet halfway through his debut season.
There haven’t been any other rookie standouts in his place.
Second-round pick Xavier Su’a-Filo remains a backup on the offensive line, as he has struggled in limited action. Third-round pick C.J. Fiedorowicz, a tight end, has caught just two passes for 16 yards.
Houston’s most productive rookie has been sixth-round pick Alfred Blue, the team’s second-string running back. He has 221 yards on 61 rushing attempts, 59 yards and a score on five receptions and a touchdown on a blocked punt in the Texans’ season opener against Washington.
Three other late-round picks—fullback Jay Prosch, defensive end Jeoffrey Pagan and cornerback Andre Hal—have seen playing time but made little impact.
Grade: F
Indianapolis Colts
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Despite having no first-round pick and only five draft choices in total, the Indianapolis Colts already have five rookies seeing significant playing time and performing well.
Their top draft choice, No. 59 overall pick Jack Mewhort, has been a big upgrade on their offensive line at left guard. A consistent pass protector and solid run-blocker, Mewhort missed two games with an ankle injury but has played impressively when on the field.
Another rookie, undrafted signee Jonotthan Harrison, has also emerged as a starter on the Colts interior offensive line as its center. It’s debatable whether it was the right move by Indianapolis to move him into the lineup ahead of A.Q. Shipley, who had been playing fairly well, but the Colts seem to be committed to Harrison starting for the time being.
Third-round pick Donte Moncrief hasn’t had consistent opportunities to play, but he’s shown big-play ability when he has. For the season, the wide receiver has 16 receptions for 216 yards, including seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown in his most recent game.
Outside linebacker Jonathan Newsome, a fifth-round pick, has given the Colts some solid work as a rotational pass-rusher. Finally, defensive lineman Zach Kerr has looked like an undrafted gem, as he has provided disruption off the bench, including nine total tackles and two sacks, while playing some defensive end and nose tackle.
Grade: B+
Jacksonville Jaguars
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The Jacksonville Jaguars needed lots of immediate help from their rookie class, especially on offense, and they’ve gotten no shortage of it so far.
The team’s first-round pick, quarterback Blake Bortles, has struggled with turnovers but has also shown the potential to be the franchise quarterback the Jaguars need him to be. He has thrown 12 interceptions, the most among all NFL quarterbacks this year even though he has started only five games, but he has at least brought more playmaking ability to the field than incumbent veteran Chad Henne.
Bortles has had rookies contributing all around him.
Second-round pick Allen Robinson and undrafted signee Allen Hurns have combined for 61 receptions, 807 yards and five touchdowns as the team’s top wide receivers. Robinson has emerged as a consistent No. 1 target, while Hurns has more big-play ability but has struggled with drops.
On the offensive line, center Luke Bowanko and right guard Brandon Linder have steadily developed into quality starters up front. Linder has improved so much that he’s actually graded by Pro Football Focus as the seventh-best guard in the NFL this year.
Defensively, fifth-round pick Telvin Smith has emerged over the past two weeks as a playmaker in the Jaguars’ linebacker corps. The speedy defender ranks fifth on the team in tackles and should continue to become more productive.
No. 39 overall pick Marqise Lee hasn’t been much of a contributor yet—in part because of the emergence of Robinson and Hurns—but with six rookies already playing key roles and doing so adequately, the Jaguars have reason to be happy with their first-year players thus far.
Grade: A-
Kansas City Chiefs
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The only Kansas City Chiefs rookie to play more than 100 snaps on either offense or defense this season has been sixth-round pick Zach Fulton. Fulton has started all seven of Kansas City’s games at right guard.
First-round pick Dee Ford has displayed some potential as a pass-rusher, but the outside linebacker has had few opportunities to play behind starting outside linebackers Tamba Hali and Justin Houston.
Third-round pick Phillip Gaines has started to emerge as a playmaker at slot cornerback in the past two weeks, but he played only three defensive snaps in Kansas City’s first five games, according to Pro Football Focus.
Fourth-round pick De’Anthony Thomas has big-play potential as a runner, receiver, kickoff returner and punt returner, but the explosive athlete has only 19 combined touches between those four capacities.
The Chiefs’ best rookie, especially in recent weeks, has been undrafted kicker Cairo Santos, who has made his last eight field goals. Aside from Santos, the Chiefs’ draft class currently lacks an impact player.
Grade: D
Miami Dolphins
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Needing to stabilize its offensive line, the Miami Dolphins selected Ja’Wuan James with the No. 19 overall pick in this year’s draft. Stability is what they’ve gotten from James, who has started all seven of their games and been a reliable pass-blocker. He's been the most consistent rookie tackle in the league.
Jarvis Landry, the Dolphins’ second-round pick, currently leads all rookies by a wide margin with 842 all-purpose yards. He ranks second on the team with 25 receptions for 255 yards and a touchdown, leads the league with an average of 31.3 yards per kickoff return and is also Miami’s lead punt returner.
Miami’s first two picks have exceeded expectations thus far, but the rest have all been quiet.
Undrafted rookie Chris McCain had a big season opener in which he recorded a sack and a punt block, but he has barely seen the field since. No Dolphins rookie aside from James or Landry has played more than 56 snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
Grade: B-
Minnesota Vikings
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When the Minnesota Vikings selected Anthony Barr with the No. 9 overall pick in this year’s draft, some analysts (including myself) felt there were better options on the board. Barr has emphatically proved his doubters wrong.
Currently ranked as the No. 1 overall player in the Bleacher Report rookie rankings, Barr has been an exceptional addition to the Minnesota defense. He’s looked polished and made plays all over the field—including a game-winning forced fumble and fumble return touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this past week—while being asked to play in multiple capacities as a run defender, pass-rusher and dropping back into coverage.
Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who the Vikings traded up to the last pick of the first round to select, has led Minnesota to two wins in four starts. He’s struggled to find his rhythm and has thrown five interceptions with only two touchdowns, but he’s played well enough as a rookie quarterback to give the Vikings hope to what he could become.
Another emerging standout of the Vikings rookie class is third-round pick Jerick McKinnon. He’s taken advantage of the chance to become Minnesota’s lead running back with Adrian Peterson’s future with the team uncertain. He has averaged 5.2 yards per carry while also catching 17 passes.
The only one of Minnesota’s four top 100 picks who has not yet become a significant contributor is defensive end Scott Crichton, who has played sparingly and recorded just one tackle. The Vikings have had more contribution in a rotational capacity from defensive tackle Shamar Stephen, who has 11 tackles.
Grade: A-
New England Patriots
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While the New England Patriots have called upon some of their rookies to play early, it’s been mostly because of need rather than merits.
Fourth-round pick Bryan Stork has started three games at center, but he has been oft-penalized and overwhelmed. Fellow fourth-round pick Cameron Fleming started at right guard against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 4 but hasn’t seen the field since due to a finger injury.
Dominique Easley, the Patriots’ first-round pick, has been a disappointment. He has just eight tackles and one sack in seven games, as his quickness and pass-rushing ability have not yet been able to shine through, despite the fact that he has started two games.
Another fourth-round pick, James White, has barely seen action at running back, as he sits behind Jonas Gray—who was only called up from the practice squad because Stevan Ridley suffered a season-ending injury—on the depth chart. Sixth-round pick Zach Moore has flashed some pass-rushing ability but has played sparingly.
Undrafted rookie Deontae Skinner actually started a game at linebacker due to the team’s lack of depth at that position, but he has since been released following the Patriots’ pre-deadline trade acquisition of veteran linebackers Akeem Ayers and Jonathan Casillas.
Arguably, the Patriots’ most impressive rookie has been backup quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. The second-round pick has seen the field in only two games in which the outcome was clearly decided. He has completed nine of 10 passing attempts for 92 yards.
Grade: D-
New Orleans Saints
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Brandin Cooks, who the New Orleans Saints traded up to the No. 20 overall pick to select in this year’s draft, has become a playmaker right away for their offense.
The dynamic slot receiver has caught 40 passes—the most among rookies—for 372 yards and two touchdowns. He has also been used as a gadget-play runner and as the team’s lead punt returner.
While Cooks has looked like he was worth moving up for, the Saints have had almost no production from the rest of their rookies.
Only three of the Saints’ other five draft picks are still on their roster. The two who have seen playing time, cornerback Stanley Jean-Baptiste and safety Vinnie Sunseri, have just eight snaps apiece, according to Pro Football Focus.
One rookie who has shown some intriguing potential is undrafted defensive end Kasim Edebali. He didn’t play much in the team’s first seven games but had a breakout performance against the Green Bay Packers in which he recorded two sacks and a forced fumble.
Grade: D
New York Giants
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New York Giants first-round pick Odell Beckham Jr. missed the team’s first four games with a hamstring injury, but his playmaking ability has been evident since he returned to the lineup. In three games, he has 10 receptions for 106 yards and three touchdowns.
The only rookie who has been a consistent fixture in New York’s lineup has been second-round pick Weston Richburg, who has started all seven Giants games thus far at left guard. He’s had ups and downs in making the transition from center, where he played at Colorado State, but there’s been potential to see in the interior offensive lineman’s growth.
Fourth-round pick Andre Williams has had at least 15 carries in each of the past four weeks while veteran running back Rashad Jennings has been sidelined with a MCL sprain, but he hasn’t played well enough to prove that he should continue to see the field when Jennings returns. Williams has averaged just 3.1 yards per carry and has been ineffective as a receiver.
None of the Giants’ other rookies have seen more than 25 snaps on offense or defense, according to Pro Football Focus.
Beckham and Richburg have displayed potential while Williams has been serviceable, but the immediate dividends of New York’s rookie class have been limited thus far.
Grade: C
New York Jets
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Few rookies have been criticized more heavily than New York Jets first-round pick Calvin Pryor—even his own head coach, Rex Ryan, admitted that Pryor “hasn't had the impact necessarily that all of us had expected," according to ESPN.com’s Rich Cimini. However, as Bleacher Report’s Ryan McCrystal explained earlier this week, Pryor has been misused by the Jets more than anything he’s done wrong himself.
Pryor hasn’t made many big plays, but that’s largely because he’s been lined up as a deep safety, often away from where the action happens in plays. To his credit, he’s performed adequately in an unnatural position, providing decent coverage on the back end, although he is more likely to thrive if used in a strong safety role closer to the line of scrimmage.
While Pryor has been a staple on the back end of New York’s defense, tight end Jace Amaro is quickly becoming a go-to player on the team’s passing offense.
In spite of his own issues with drops and the Jets having horrendous quarterback play from Geno Smith and Michael Vick, Amaro leads all rookie tight ends with 32 receptions for 285 yards and a touchdown. He currently leads the team in passes caught.
The Jets have had solid if uneven production from their first- and second-round picks, but no impact from any other rookies. Jalen Saunders was New York’s punt returner for three games, but the fourth-round pick was released after fumbling twice.
Grade: C+
Oakland Raiders
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Although the Oakland Raiders as a whole have been the worst team in the league, losing each of their first seven games, their rookie class has been the best in the NFL.
It helps that the Raiders had a high demand for rookies to contribute immediately, but five first-year players have already stepped up to become impact players
No. 5 overall pick Khalil Mack is graded by Pro Football Focus as the best 3-4 outside linebacker in the NFL. He’s been outstanding against the run, especially when setting the edge, and has recorded 43 total tackles, including 10 for loss. Mack has not yet recorded a sack, but has shown an ability to pressure the quarterback off the edge.
Second-round pick Derek Carr has been the league’s most impressive rookie quarterback to this point. His play has been inconsistent but still, he’s completed 61 percent of his passes and thrown nine touchdowns with only five interceptions while starting all seven of Oakland’s games.
Third-round pick Gabe Jackson has established himself as a steady starter at left guard, while fourth-round pick Justin Ellis has been an improvement in the middle of the defensive line since taking over as its starting nose tackle.
Seventh-round pick T.J. Carrie has also made impressive contributions. He’s played relatively well as the team’s third cornerback and has also put his athleticism and value on display by taking over duties as the team’s kickoff and punt returner.
Grade: A
Philadelphia Eagles
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Starting with the top of their draft class, the Philadelphia Eagles’ rookies have been a disappointment through the first half of their season.
First-round pick Marcus Smith has seen some playing time at both outside and inside linebacker but has received just 50 snaps total, according to Pro Football Focus. He has yet to record a tackle.
The only productive Eagles draft pick has been wide receiver Jordan Matthews. The second-round pick hasn’t made any special plays but has caught 29 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns.
Philadelphia’s other rookie receiver, third-round pick Josh Huff, has just two receptions. The only other drafted Eagles rookie to see playing time, defensive tackle Beau Allen, has just three total tackles.
Like the aforementioned Kansas City Chiefs, the Eagles’ best rookie has been an undrafted kicker, Cody Parkey, who has made all but one of his 15 field-goal attempts thus far.
Grade: D+
Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers haven’t had any consistent producers among their rookie class thus far, but a couple of their draft picks have shown the skills to be special in limited action.
Inside linebacker Ryan Shazier was one of the most active players on the Steelers defense before he suffered a knee injury that caused him to miss four games.
Shazier is an outstanding athlete who can make plays all over the field, but the first-round pick was eased back into play in Week 8 and is not yet being reinstalled in an every-down role, according to Dave Bryan of SteelersDepot.com.
Fourth-round pick Martavis Bryant did not play at all in the Steelers’ first six games, but his ability to be a big-play weapon has quickly become apparent in Pittsburgh’s last two outings, in which the big, fast wideout has caught seven passes for 123 yards and three touchdowns.
Although he is the only rookie who has appeared in all eight Steelers games thus far, defensive end Stephon Tuitt hasn’t made much impact. The second-round pick has recorded just two tackles.
The sprinter speed and big-play potential of third-round pick Dri Archer hasn’t translated to the field yet for the Steelers. Archer has just 46 yards on 11 offensive touches and has been replaced by LeGarrette Blount as Pittsburgh’s lead kickoff returner.
Sixth-round pick Daniel McCullers, the only other rookie still on the Steelers’ roster, has played just 14 snaps so far, according to Pro Football Focus.
Grade: C-
San Diego Chargers
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When he has been healthy, Jason Verrett has been a significant upgrade for the San Diego Chargers at the cornerback position, which they desperately needed.
Although he has missed two games due to injuries, Verrett is ranked by Pro Football Focus as the NFL’s fourth-best cornerback this year. He has been the most consistent of this year’s rookie cornerbacks in coverage.
The only other Chargers draft pick to see significant playing time on offense or defense has been third-round selection Chris Watt, who has been rotating at the right guard position with Johnnie Troutman but has not yet beaten him out for a start.
Outside of their draft picks, however, the Chargers have also had the best non-kicker undrafted rookie in the NFL this year: Branden Oliver.
Injuries gave Oliver an opportunity to become San Diego’s lead running back for the last four weeks, and he has taken advantage. He has rushed for 352 yards and two touchdowns on 85 carries and caught 21 passes for 162 yards and a score.
Grade: B
San Francisco 49ers
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There haven’t been any stars to emerge from the San Francisco 49ers’ rookie class yet, but some of their draft picks have started to put their talent on display as role players.
San Francisco’s best rookie so far has been fifth-round pick Aaron Lynch. Being used primarily as a situational pass-rusher, the explosive outside linebacker has shown the ability to beat blockers around the corner and bring heat at opposing quarterbacks.
Fourth-round pick Bruce Ellington has caught only four passes as a wide receiver, but he also has three touches on running plays, is averaging 25.8 yards per kickoff return and has returned 14 punts for 107 yards.
First-round pick Jimmie Ward has had some growing pains in his transition to playing slot cornerback full time. Although he has played less, fourth-round pick Dontae Johnson has been more impressive as a cornerback in coverage.
With a toe injury sidelining inside linebacker Patrick Willis, third-round pick Chris Borland was thrust into starting duty in San Francisco’s most recent game against Denver. He’s looked a bit overwhelmed in coverage but has recorded 15 tackles in less than two full games.
Carlos Hyde entered the season with hype but the second-round pick hasn’t done much as the 49ers’ No. 2 running back behind Frank Gore. He has rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries and has not contributed much as a pass-catcher.
One position where the 49ers will need a rookie to step up—either third-round pick Marcus Martin or undrafted rookie Dillon Farrell—is at center, where Daniel Kilgore went down with a season-ending injury in San Francisco’s most recent game.
Grade: C
Seattle Seahawks
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The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks haven’t looked nearly as sharp in the first half of this season, and one reason why might be their lack of an impactful rookie class.
Seattle’s starting right tackle, Justin Britt, has been its only rookie playing in a significant capacity. He has started all seven of Seattle’s games but has played unspectacularly, struggling in pass protection.
More playmaking opportunities could be coming the way of wide receiver Paul Richardson, Seattle’s other second-round pick, in the wake of the team trading away Percy Harvin. Richardson had two kickoff returns for 73 yards in Seattle’s most recent game Sunday, but has caught only seven passes for 60 yards.
Fourth-round pick Cassius Marsh, the only other Seahawks rookie who has seen significant playing time this year, was placed on injured reserve after breaking his foot earlier this month.
Grade: D-
St. Louis Rams
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The St. Louis Rams’ defensive front has been struggling as a whole this season, but its star has been No. 13 overall pick Aaron Donald.
An explosive penetrator at the defensive tackle position, Donald has made blowing up plays in opposing backfields a weekly habit. Despite being one of the NFL’s smallest defensive tackle at just 6’1” and 285 pounds, the Pittsburgh product’s quickness and technical skill has enabled him to be the NFL’s best run-stopping defensive tackle this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
No. 2 overall pick Greg Robinson has started only three games so far this season, all at left guard, but the real evaluation of his rookie season will come in the second half of the year, as he is set to take over as the Rams’ starting left tackle after Jake Long went down with a season-ending injury.
The rookie class has brought a much-needed infusion of talent to the Rams secondary. Sixth-round pick E.J. Gaines has been a pleasant surprise as one of the team’s starting cornerbacks on the outside, while second-round pick Lamarcus Joyner has been effective at slot cornerback and made a big impact in run support.
Another rookie cornerback, undrafted player Marcus Roberson, replaced injured Janoris Jenkins in St. Louis’ starting lineup against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 8, and played well enough that he too might become a significant part of the Rams secondary going forward.
One more rookie who has started to produce for the Rams has been third-round pick Tre Mason. He has 30 rushing attempts for 157 yards and one touchdown.
Grade: A-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Only five rookies have seen the field for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season, and four of them are pass-catchers.
Wide receiver Mike Evans and tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins, Tampa Bay’s first- and second-round picks, have made some plays but have not emerged as standouts yet. Evans has caught 25 passes for 336 yards and two touchdowns, while Seferian-Jenkins has 12 receptions for 165 yards and a score.
Sixth-round pick Robert Herron has also seen some playing time as a slot receiver. He has caught six passes for 58 yards.
Undrafted rookie Solomon Patton, who was listed on the roster as a wide receiver, was the Buccaneers’ lead kickoff and punt returner for their first six games, but he has since been replaced and released.
The only other rookie play for Tampa Bay this season has been cornerback Brandon Dixon, who was drafted but waived by the New York Jets. He has played only 48 snaps, according to Pro Football Focus, and has not recorded a tackle.
Grade: C
Tennessee Titans
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After a slow start for the team’s rookie class, a number of Tennessee Titans draft picks emerged as key players during the second quadrant of their season.
First-round pick Taylor Lewan has been the team’s starting left tackle for three games since Michael Roos underwent season-ending knee surgery. The Titans haven’t suffered any significant drop-off at the position; Lewan has played well.
Second-round pick Bishop Sankey hasn’t had a standout performance yet but has led the Titans in rushing in each of their past three games. In total, Sankey has rushed for 302 yards and a score on 75 carries, while he also has eight receptions for 64 yards.
Fifth-round pick Avery Williamson has quietly been Tennessee’s best and most productive rookie since he became a starting inside linebacker in Week 5. The Kentucky product, who has recorded 36 total tackles and three passes defensed, made veteran Akeem Ayers expendable to trade.
The most important rookie to the outcomes of Titans games for the rest of the season could be sixth-round pick Zach Mettenberger, who took over in Week 8 as the team’s starting quarterback. Fourth-round pick Marqueston Huff’s playing time has also expanded in recent weeks at slot cornerback.
The only Tennessee draft pick not currently playing a significant role for the team is fourth-round choice DaQuan Jones. The defensive lineman from Penn State has played only 25 snaps this year, according to Pro Football Focus.
Grade: B
Washington Redskins
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There wasn’t much good to say about the Washington Redskins’ rookie class in the team’s first seven games, but two of their rookies finally produced during a Monday Night Football win against the Dallas Cowboys earlier this week.
For the most part this year, fourth-round pick Bashaud Breeland has looked to be in over his head as a starting cornerback. He has allowed 1.80 yards per coverage snap this season, according to Pro Football Focus.
That said, he has played well the last two weeks, especially on Monday night, as he recorded four pass breakups and a forced fumble in Washington’s surprise victory.
Playing his first game as a starter on Monday night in place of injured outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, second-round pick Trent Murphy also had a breakout performance. Underwhelming in the first seven weeks of the season as a pass-rusher, he started showing his ability to get after the quarterback on Monday while also batting a pass and recovering a fumble.
The only other rookie to do anything of note for Washington this year has been wide receiver Ryan Grant. The fifth-round pick from Tulane has caught five passes for 57 yards.
While it looks like Breeland and Murphy should be significant players for the franchise from here on out, the team’s rookie class as a whole has been among the league’s least productive overall.
Grade: D
Dan Hope is an NFL/NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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