NFL's Biggest Surprise Players Through Week 3

Most people love surprises. Of course, they have to be good ones.

And that is the task at hand here as we take a look at 11 different players and give our choice for the biggest surprise at 11 different positions after three weeks (or in one player’s case, two games).

What constitutes as a surprise? A player performing above expectations, a rookie who has come along faster than expected or even a free-agent pickup who has filled in admirably for a team finding itself short-handed.

Yes, you may see some familiar names in this piece and perhaps a former first-round draft choice as well. But each of these 11 players has their own set of circumstances, and their play has been a bit of a pleasant surprise.

And there’s nothing wrong with that.

Quarterback: Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans

Weston Kenney/Associated Press

For the Tennessee Titans, it has been a rough two weeks since the team’s 42-14 Week 1 win at Tampa Bay.

And while rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota has been far from perfect, he has made his team much more competitive than it was a year ago.

On Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts, the talented passer completed 27 of his 44 passes for 367 yards and a pair of touchdowns. But he was also sacked three times and threw the first two interceptions of his young career.

There were question marks regarding Mariota’s timetable in terms of adapting to the pro game, particularly since he did not take a lot of direct snaps from center while at the University of Oregon. In three games, the 2014 Heisman Trophy winner has completed 62.9 percent of his passes for 833 yards, eight touchdowns and the two aforementioned interceptions.

It’s been a strong but unspectacular start for Mariota, but his performance has certainly been surprising. 

Running Back: Dion Lewis, New England Patriots

Charles Krupa/Associated Press

Who knew the New England Patriots had already found a replacement for running back Shane Vereen before he signed with the New York Giants?

Head coach Bill Belichick did.

Former Philadelphia Eagles running back Dion Lewis, a fifth-round pick by the that team in 2011, is now a member of the defending Super Bowl champions. In three games, the former University of Pittsburgh standout has totaled 45 touches and racked up 325 yards from scrimmage and two touchdowns during the team’s 3-0 start.

Lewis took a bit of a backseat during Sunday’s 51-17 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars. But three games into 2015, he leads the team with 146 yards on the ground and ranks third on the team with 15 receptions.

Did anyone see this coming, especially from a player who had not seen any action in the league since 2012?

Well, perhaps one man.

Wide Receiver: Travis Benjamin, Cleveland Browns

Jason Miller/Getty Images

Huh?

From the team that gave us former Pro Bowler Josh Gordon, who led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013 and has barely been seen since, here’s wide receiver Travis Benjamin.

It’s not like we aren’t aware of the team’s fourth-round draft pick from 2012. He had some moments during his first three years in the league. Then again, Benjamin’s career high for receptions in a season came as a rookie and was matched in 2014—a mere 18 catches.

In 38 games in his first three seasons, Benjamin totaled only 41 catches, five for touchdowns. In three games in 2015, he’s caught 10 passes for an amazing 249 yards and has already scored four times. Make that five if you include his 78-yard punt return in the team’s Week 2 win over the visiting Tennessee Titans.

Hopefully for head coach Mike Pettine, Benjamin won't be the only bright spot for the Browns this season.

Tight End: Crockett Gillmore, Baltimore Ravens

Patrick Smith/Getty Images

We know what you're thinking. The real surprise is that the Baltimore Ravens, who have reached the playoffs six of the last seven seasons, are 0-3 for the first time in the franchise’s brief history.

It has also been a rough start for quarterback Joe Flacco, who has had to rely on veteran wide receiver Steve Smith in the passing attack. But he’s also found some help in the form of a second-year performer.

As a rookie in 2014, tight end Crockett Gillmore played in 15 games, made one start and caught 10 passes for 121 yards and a score. The Colorado State product has started all three of the Ravens’ contests this season and ranks third on the team with 10 receptions, good for 151 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

It’s been a down year for the Ravens to date, but the combination of Gillmore and rookie Maxx Williams may eventually evoke some positive memories, like those of the one-time tandem of Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson.

Offensive Lineman: LG Gabe Jackson, Oakland Raiders

Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Has anyone noticed that the Oakland Raiders are 5-4 in their last nine games since the team’s morbid 0-10 start in 2014?

It’s safe to say that opposing clubs are paying attention now if they weren't before. On Sunday at Cleveland, the Silver and Black broke an 11-game road losing streak with a 27-20 victory. Jack Del Rio’s team rolled up an impressive 469 yards in the win with running back Latavius Murray, quarterback Derek Carr and wide receiver Amari Cooper all having quality outings.

One of the keys so far has been the play of the offensive line, and second-year left guard Gabe Jackson has stood out. Following an up-and-down rookie campaign, Pro Football Focus ranks Jackson (who has played 211 snaps to date) as the league’s sixth-best guard.

Defensive End: DE Chris Baker, Washington Redskins

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

This offseason, the Washington Redskins made their share of changes on the defensive side of the ball.

It started with the hiring of coordinator Joe Barry and continued with the signings of free-agent defensive linemen such as Terrance Knighton, Stephen Paea and Ricky Jean-Francois.

Somewhat under the radar was incumbent Chris Baker, who has found his niche in Barry’s defense at defensive end. Via Pro Football Focus, the six-year veteran has played 76 snaps and totaled 10 tackles and 0.5 sacks. More significantly, the Redskins have allowed only 225 yards on the ground in three games (averaging 75 yards per contest) and Baker has had a big say in that regard.

If Washington fails to make strides in the NFC East standings this season, it doesn’t figure to be the fault of Barry’s defense.

Defensive Tackle: NT Jaye Howard, Kansas City Chiefs

Reed Hoffmann/Associated Press

Monday night at Lambeau Field, Howard and the Kansas City defense will get a major test against quarterback Aaron Rodgers and a potent ground game led by Eddie Lacy or James Starks.

While Dontari Poe is a former Pro Bowler, it’s actually been Jaye Howard who has started the team’s first two games at nose tackle. He and Poe have made for a good combination up the middle, and the Chiefs entered Week 3 eighth in the NFL in run defense.

Chiefs defensive coordinator Bob Sutton discussed Howard's progress with Terez A. Paylor of the Kansas City Star:

"

He knows how to use his hands, he’s learning how to get off blocks and not just rely on that first-step quickness. Now he’s becoming a more complete D-lineman from a technique standpoint, and eventually you’ve got to have it if you’re going to survive, because just like anybody, if you become just a one-(trick) type of guy, people will know how to block you.

"

Howard, tied for second on the team with 12 tackles in two contests, has been a pleasant surprise to date. And if his play continues to stand out, the Chiefs are well on their way to bouncing back from a year which saw them give up the fifth-most rushing yards in the league in 2014.

Inside Linebacker: Shea McClellin, Chicago Bears

Joe Robbins/Getty Images

The third time proved to be the charm for former first-round pick Shea McClellin, who began his career as a defensive end and wound up at weak-side linebacker in the Chicago Bears' 4-3 defense.

Back in August, Steve Rosenbloom of the Chicago Tribune talked about the trials and tribulations of the 19th overall pick in the 2012 draft (from Boise State) and where he would eventually fit…or not. In Vic Fangio’s scheme, McClellin has found a home at inside linebacker, and while the Bears have been far from imposing on defense, he leads the team with 23 total tackles.

In what has already been a long season for John Fox’s team, McClellin has been a bright spot and perhaps a player Fangio and the Bears may eventually build their defense around.

Outside Linebacker: Hau'oli Kikaha, New Orleans Saints

Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

Like the Chicago Bears, the New Orleans Saints aren’t wowing anyone when it comes to defense these days.

But that doesn’t mean the team hasn’t had a few players play well early in the season.

Rookie outside linebacker Hau'oli Kikaha ranks second on the team with 18 tackles, adding a pair of sacks and two forced fumbles. The second-round pick from the University of Washington was part of a Saints draft class that stressed defense as six of the team’s nine selections were used to aid Rob Ryan’s ailing unit.

In Sunday’s 27-22 loss at Carolina, Kikaha totaled six tackles and had the lone sack of Panthers quarterback Cam Newton. The young defender has lots to learn but is off to a nice start for Sean Payton’s struggling squad.

Cornerback: Josh Norman, Carolina Panthers

Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers are 3-0 for the first time since 2003, a season which saw them reach Super Bowl XXXVIII.

And cornerback Josh Norman has played a huge part in the team’s strong start. The fifth-year pro has totaled 15 tackles, defended a team-high five passes, forced one fumble and recovered one fumble during the club’s unbeaten start.

Norman has also grabbed two interceptions, and he returned one of them 30 yards for a touchdown in the Week 1 win at Jacksonville. The second came on Sunday and in spectacular fashion in the end zone, preserving the team’s 27-22 victory over the New Orleans Saints.

Entering Monday night’s tilt between the Kansas City Chiefs and Green Bay Packers, the staff at Pro Football Focus ranks Norman as the league’s third-best cornerback to date in 2015.

Safety: FS Darian Stewart, Denver Broncos

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

This offseason, the Denver Broncos added safety Darian Stewart to a secondary that sent cornerbacks Aqib Talib and Chris Harris and strong safety T.J. Ward to the Pro Bowl in 2014.

So far, the former St. Louis Rams and Baltimore Ravens defender has been a solid addition. On Sunday night in the team’s 24-12 win over the Detroit Lions, he totaled eight tackles. In three games with the Broncos, he ranks third on the team with 16 tackles. He also has one fumble recovery and a game-saving interception in the team’s Week 1 win over the Ravens.

Stewart’s best season came in 2011 with the Rams, when he totaled a career-high 84 tackles, one interception, a pair of forced fumbles and three sacks. Thanks in part to his current teammates as well as the guidance of defensive coordinator Wade Phillips, Stewart may be in for a huge year on one of the league’s best defensive units.

All free-agent information and player signings/transactions are courtesy of Spotrac. Depth chart information comes via Ourlads. Unless otherwise noted, all player and team statistics come from Pro Football Reference and ESPN.com.