Midseason Grades For All 32 First-Round Draft Picks

At the beginning of October, I wrote an article where I graded first-round draft picks based on their performance through the first quarter of the season.

The grades were based on how well I thought they did through the first four weeks of the season as compared with the rest of the league.

A lot of people thought I should grade them on a rookie curve, easing up grades because, well, they were new to the league.

I think that's the dumbest way to grade a professional athlete.

You strap on a helmet and the guy across from you doesn't care if you've been in the league ten years or ten minutes. He wants to keep his job and the only way he can do that is by stopping you from doing yours.

Well, now we're midway through the season and I wanted to re-evaluate all 32 first-round draft picks.

As stated above, I graded all of them based on how they'd done through Week 4. Now you'll see my grade based on how I think they've done through Week 8.

Capiche? Capiche.

Just a little explanation before we get started—guys who get A's are at the top of their class through the first eight weeks (comparable to Aaron Rodgers), those who get B's are second-tier guys (like Tony Romo), students with C's are average (think Colt McCoy), players with D's are below average (Rex Grossman, anyone?) and those receiving F's are doing a hair better than those on injured reserve (the name Kyle Boller rings a bell). An Incomplete grade means they've been in a few snaps, but nothing significant (think Jake Locker).

So, again, without further ado about nothing, I give you my midterm grades for all first-round draft picks through the first eight weeks of the season.

1. QB Cam Newton (Carolina Panthers): B+

In the first quarter, Cam Newton received a B+, based on the fact that while he was breaking rookie passing records left and right, he had terrible red zone passing efficiency and wasn't winning games.

In the second quarter of the season, Newton has done nothing to dissuade me from the B+ grade I gave him. He's consistently doing three things:

1. Putting up big yards—Newton didn't throw for less than 224 yards or more than 290 yards in Weeks 5-8.

2. Throwing incomplete in the red zone—He's only completing 40.5% of his passes when 20 yards or less from the end zone

3. Not winning games—As in Weeks 1-4, Newton only has one win in Weeks 5-8.

The rookie from Auburn is an absolute talent, and will certainly break the rookie passing record of 3,739 yards that Peyton Manning set in 1998, but he's thrown nine interceptions this season.

He's the best rookie quarterback in the league, but he still doesn't belong in the same category as other A-level quarterbacks like Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers.

First-quarter grade: B+

Second-quarter grade: B+

Mid-term grade: B+

2. LB Von Miller (Denver Broncos): B+

At the end of the first quarter of this season, I thought Denver hit a homerun with their first-round draft pick, giving Von Miller an A-, and grading him just below the likes of Brian Urlacher and Clay Matthews.

In Weeks 1-4, he had collected four sacks, forced two fumbles and offensive coordinators were taking their running backs to the opposite side of the field as Miller. But during Weeks 5-8, Miller's performance dropped off a bit—especially in run support.

For example, against San Diego, Ryan Mathews gained most of his 125 yards around the left tackle—and right where Miller should have at least run him out of bounds after six or seven yards. Instead, Mathews' second run of the game was a 36-yarder around the left tackle.

And last week against Detroit...eh, let's not talk about last week against Detroit.

All in all, Miller's an incredible talent. But, like Newton before him, he's not in the upper echelon of linebackers quite yet.

First-quarter grade: A-

Second-quarter grade: B

Mid-term grade: B+

3. DE Marcell Dareus (Buffalo Bills): B-

Last quarter, I gave Bills DE Marcell Dareus a C-. In Buffalo's scheme, the defensive end is responsible for absorbing the blocks so the linebackers could stop the run and sack the quarterback. Through four weeks, Buffalo had done little on defense, so I graded Dareus as below average.

Dareus answered his average performance in the beginning of the season and exploded in Weeks 5-8.

The Bills run defense has moved up to 19th in the league and improved from 129.5 yards per game to 120.0 yards per game—a great improvement in only four games, especially considering they were up against the Eagles and Giants.

Also, Dareus collected 3.5 sacks in just three games (Buffalo had a bye week in Week 7). That's not 3.5 tackles. It's 3.5 sacks.

He's living up to being the third overall pick of the draft and Buffalo's 5-2 record owes much of it to Marcel Dareus and an improving Buffalo defense.

First-quarter grade: C-

Second-quarter grade: A-

Mid-term grade: B-

4. WR A.J. Green (Cincinnati Bengals): A-

Rookie wide receiver A.J. Green was inconsistent in the first quarter of the season, catching touchdowns against Cleveland and Denver, but becoming invisible against San Francisco. For his up-and-down quarter, I gave Green a B, but in retrospect, probably should have given him at least a B+.

In Weeks 5-8 (excluding Week 7, the Bengals had a bye week), A.J. Green is performing as well as any wide receiver in the league. If he stays healthy, he's on pace for 1,180 yards and 11 touchdowns.

When was the last time Cincinnati had a receiver catch for over 1,100 yards or catch 11 touchdowns? 2007. And it took two receivers—Chad Ochocinco (1,440 yards) and T.J. Houshmandzadeh (12 touchdowns—to complete the task. Green's going to do it all by himself and earn a trip to the Pro Bowl while doing it.

First-quarter grade: B

Second-quarter grade: A

Mid-term grade: A-

5. CB Patrick Peterson (Arizona Cardinals): D+

For all the hype surrounding rookie cornerback Patrick Peterson, he didn't do anything to impress me the first quarter of the season, getting burned time and time again on deep routes. A punt return for a touchdown was his lone highlight among several lowlights. For that, I gave Peterson a D+ for the first quarter.

Well, now we're midway through the season and Peterson is only getting marginally better, a far cry from Matt Bowen's proclamation that he's "the best player on the [draft] board".

The rookie from LSU dressed in just two games during Weeks 5-8 and the Cardinals defense got whipped on both outings. Minnesota's Adrian Peterson literally ran all over him and Pittsburgh's Ben Roethlisberger threw to 10 different receivers against he and the rest of the Cardinals secondary.

He has another punt return for a touchdown, but is that why he was drafted? You can get someone in the sixth or seventh round to run back kicks. You get someone with a top-five pick to cover receivers. Peterson's doing none of that and his grade doesn't deserve to go anywhere because of it.

First-quarter grade: D+

Second-quarter grade: D+

Mid-term grade: D+

6. WR Julio Jones (Atlanta Falcons): B

If he had just one touchdown, Atlanta's Julio Jones might have gotten higher than the B+ I gave him in the first quarter. But opposing defenses kept the former Alabama wide receiver out of the end zone and I just couldn't give him an A.

Now the standout wide receiver that came out of the gate firing on all cylinders has been sidelined with a hamstring injury. It's a devastating blow to the Falcons, but one that hasn't hit them too hard—they've won both games Jones hasn't appeared in.

It's not Jones' fault he got injured, so I won't give him anything but an Incomplete for the second quarter, leaving his midterm grade at a B.

First-quarter grade: B

Second-quarter grade: Incomplete

Mid-term grade: B

7. DE Aldon Smith (San Francisco 49ers): B+

After a sub-par first quarter in which he only had one good game (which was against Philadelphia), I couldn't give rookie linebacker Aldon Smith more than a C.

Well, in three games during Weeks 5-8 (San Francisco had a bye week on Week 7), Smith was a force to be reckoned with, collecting five sacks, forcing a fumble and even knocking down a pass.

The 49ers are on a five-game winning streak in which they've only allowed an average of 12.6 points per game. Aldon Smith has been right in the thick of it and is a big reason why San Francisco's going to host its first playoff game since 2002.

First-quarter grade: C

Second-quarter grade: A+

Mid-term grade: B+

8. QB Jake Locker (Tennessee Titans): Incomplete

Tennessee quarterback Jake Locker had only attempted one pass in the first four weeks, forcing me to give him an Incomplete for the first quarter of the season.

It was exactly the same news in the second quarter.

We're in the middle of the season and Tennessee has only given Locker two pass attempts. That's two more than you, me and anyone else who's reading this (unless Tom Brady is reading this, in which case I would implore Mr. Brady to get back to Giselle).

Locker's latest "opportunity" came when things got out of hand for Tennessee in their 41-7 loss to Houston. He came in with just over nine minutes remaining and was sacked on the very first play. He then threw a 12-yard pass on a 3rd-and-15.

It's just not been a very good situation for Locker to come into. He may be on the right track with practice and the film room, but on the field, things look bad.

For the first eight weeks of the season, I'm giving Locker an Incomplete. I need more than two pass attempts and some hand-offs to Chris Johnson.

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: Incomplete

Mid-term grade: Incomplete

9. OT Tyron Smith (Dallas Cowboys): B+

Tyron Smith was a great pick for the Dallas Cowboys, settling into the right tackle position beautifully and earning the A- grade I gave him for the first quarter.

Well, Smith's performance definitely stayed strong until the Cowboys met the Eagles last Sunday night. If not for that game, Smith would have gone Weeks 5-8 without allowing a sack. Instead, Jason Babin collected two sacks around the right end of the Cowboys line and forced Smith to end the second quarter of the season on a sour note.

Smith has certainly earned his star this year, but Babin showed him he still has a ways to go before he can be considered one of the top right tackles in the game. 

First-quarter grade: A-
Second-quarter grade: B

Mid-term grade: B+

10. QB Blaine Gabbert (Jacksonville Jaguars): D+

After a lackluster first quarter for Blaine Gabbert in which he struggled with mediocre receivers and lost all three games he played in, I had no choice but to give the rookie quarterback a C.

Well, he finally got his first win as a member of the Jaguars, but it was on the heels of a 9-for-20, 93-yard performance.

Stellar.

In Weeks 5-8, Gabbert's only averaged 130 yards a game, he's thrown two interceptions and his completion percentage (48.3%) is the worst in the NFL.

He's lucky he's not the incumbent and there's a rookie breathing down his neck.

First-quarter grade: C

Second-quarter grade: D-

Mid-term grade: D+

11. DE J.J. Watt (Houston Texans): A

J.J. Watt was one of the most impressive rookies of this year through the first four games, collecting a sack, 14 tackles and an A grade from me.

Well, if Watt's performance in Weeks 1-4 got him an A, Weeks 5-8 will do the same.

In the second quarter of the season, Watt's collected a sack and helped make Houston the sixth-best run defense in the league.

Houston is 5-3 and sitting at the top of the AFC South, looking down at Tennessee, Jacksonville and Indianapolis.

Looking waaaaaaaaaaaay down.

First-quarter grade: A

Second-quarter grade: A

Mid-term grade: A

12. QB Christian Ponder (Minnesota Vikings): B-

The rookie quarterback from Florida State sat on the bench through the first four games of the season, prompting an Incomplete grade from me and a lot of restless fans in Minnesota.

Well, Christian Ponder finally got the starting nod two weeks ago against Green Bay and he's done pretty well for himself, compiling a 1-1 starting record, throwing for 455 yards and three touchdowns. He made a few rookie mistakes (DON'T THROW IT TO CHARLES WOODSON! EVER!) but he's made far more good throws and reads than bad ones.

He's a good quarterback, but the two guys he's gone up against—Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton—are better.

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: B-

Mid-term grade: B-

13. DT Nick Fairley (Detroit Lions): D+

Injured through the first four games of the season, Nick Fairley got an Incomplete grade for the first quarter as he tried to get himself out of the weight room and onto the field.

Well, Fairley has made his way onto the field, appearing in all four games of the second quarter, but his inability to stay on the field is a concern for any Detroit fan. And even when he's on the field, he's not making plays. 

He wasn't even on the stat sheet against Chicago or San Francisco, and he has only collected one total sack through eight weeks so far.

I know he's coming along slowly and rehabbing from injury, but it's just not enough for the $10 million contract he signed or the $5.7 million bonus he cashed in on.

Fairley's done a below-average job through the first half of the season and deserves a grade that reflects that. He gets a D+.

Why not an Incomplete? Because unlike some of the other guys who got Incompletes (like Julio Jones or Jake Locker) Fairley is getting on the field and has chances in practice to collect some playing time. He's just not doing it.

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: D+

Mid-term grade: D+

14. DE Robert Quinn (St. Louis Rams): C-

Robert Quinn may have gotten on the stat sheet a couple of times in the first quarter, but they were very average stats, deserving only a C- out of me in the first quarter.

Well, it's more of the same for the underachieving Robert Quinn of the underachieving St. Louis Rams.

In Weeks 5-8, Quinn has only one sack and three tackles, almost identical to his stats during Weeks 1-4 (one sack, three tackles) except that in Weeks 1-4 Quinn had a forced fumble. In Weeks 5-8, nada.

It's not looking good for Quinn or the Rams as they've hit the bottom of the NFC West—the second-worst division in football (below the AFC South, of course).

First-quarter grade: C-

Second-quarter grade: C-

Mid-term grade: C-

15. OL Mike Pouncey (Miami Dolphins): C+

The Dolphins may be full of disappointments, but one shining star on their team is right in the middle of their offensive line—rookie center Mike Pouncey, who got a B- grade from me in the first quarter (and probably would have gotten higher if he played on any other team in the league).

Well, if you're one for optimism (and in South Beach, you need a lot of optimism) one thing the winless Miami Dolphins can hang their hat on is their running game. Thanks in part to a strong interior offensive line, the Dolphins are rushing for 116.9 yards per game, 13th-best in the league.

Miami quarterbacks have also been sacked 27 times, with 12 of them coming in Weeks 5-8 (which is sad because Miami had a bye in Week 5, so that's an average of four sacks a game).

Pouncey's run blocking is great. His pass blocking, not so much. At least Pouncey's in great company—no one on the Dolphins can protect the quarterback.

First-quarter grade: B-

Second-quarter grade: C

Mid-term grade: C+

16. DE Ryan Kerrigan (Washington Redskins): A-

Ryan Kerrigan is another one of those rookies who didn't need a lockout to get ready for the NFL, performing as well as any other linebacker in the league through the first four games and earning an A grade from me.

Well, it was much of the same in Weeks 5-8 for Kerrigan, who collected one sack, forced a fumble and is a regular contributor on Washington's mediocre defense.

They slid down to the 20th-best run defense during the last few weeks, but that's hardly Kerrigan's fault. The Redskins defensive line can get sacks, but they can't stop a running back to save their lives.

Kerrigan's a good player on a bad team. If he was on any other team that played the 3-4 (say, Houston) he'd have double the sacks and be able to really do something with that defensive line ahead of him. Instead, he's having to do double the work for half the reward.

First-quarter grade: A

Second-quarter grade: A-

Mid-term grade: A-

17. OL Nate Solder (New England Patriots): C+

Why is Tom Brady going to break Dan Marino's single-season passing record this year? His offensive line. Everyone on that line is performing well and rookie Nate Solder is no exception, earning a B- last quarter.

Well, Tom Brady is still leading the AFC in passing yards, but he's been hit 33 times and sacked 18 times. Both of those are middle-of-the-league stats that Brady hides under the rug with his ability.

I still think Solder is a behemoth, but he gave up another two sacks during Weeks 5-8.

First-quarter grade: B-

Second-quarter grade: C+

Mid-term grade: C+

18. DT Corey Liuget (San Diego Chargers): C-

On the heels of a first quarter that included just three tackles and a part in one of the league's worst run defenses, rookie defensive tackle Corey Liuget earned just a D+ for the first quarter.

Liuget may have gotten better to get more playing time in Weeks 5-8 as compared to Weeks 1-4, but San Diego only got worse in run defense, going from allowing 101.5 yards per game at the end of Week 4 to allowing 117.7 yards per game.

The rookie from Illinois got a forced fumble last night against Kansas City, but if he and the rest of the Chargers don't improve that run defense, they'll make it two years in a row without a trip to the playoffs for the first time since 2003.

Liuget, and the rest of the San Diego defense, is average at best and Liuget has performed just a hair under expectations.

First-quarter grade: D+

Second-quarter grade: C

Mid-term grade: C-

19. CB Prince Amukamara (New York Giants): Incomplete

With a first quarter missed due to injury, rookie cornerback Prince Amukamara of the New York Giants earned an Incomplete grade from me.

Well, it's been four more weeks and Amukamara is making strides in practice, but still hasn't made his professional debut. That means a second consecutive Incomplete grade.

Giants fans are hoping for a return this week as the team travels to New England to face Tom Brady and the league's top passing attack.

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: Incomplete 

Mid-term grade: Incomplete 

20. DL Adrian Clayborn (Tampa Bay Buccaneers): B-

In the first four games of the season, Adrian Clayborn proved he was worth Tampa Bay's first round draft pick, picking up two sacks, two quarterback pressures, a pass deflected and a forced fumble, earning a B grade from me.

Clayborn dropped off a bit in the second quarter of the season, collecting only one sack and a handful of tackles, but he was instrumental in Tampa Bay defeating New Orleans on October 16th.

Because of what I believe to be a slight decline in performance from the first quarter to the second, I'm giving Clayborn a slightly lower C for how he played in Weeks 5-8. When you average his first and second quarter grades, Clayborn gets a slightly above average grade from me.

First-quarter grade: B

Second-quarter grade: C

Mid-term grade: B-

21. DL Phillip Taylor (Cleveland Browns): C+

Phillip Taylor is a big man who performed in a big way through the first quarter of the season, recording 20 tackles, knocking down a pass and picking up a B grade from me.

But during Weeks 5-8, Taylor and the rest of the Cleveland run defense dropped to 26th in the league, contributing to a quarter of the season that saw the Browns lose three out of four.

Taylor had two sacks and a forced fumble, so that's something to hang his hat on (especially as a nose tackle in a 3-4 system), but a defensive lineman has to be graded with the rest of his team. His line is allowing opposing running backs to rush for over 127 yards a game. That's just not good enough, especially in the run-first, run-second, play action pass and then run-third AFC North.

His performance against Seattle helped salvage a win for Cleveland, but other than that, their defense has been so-so.

First-quarter grade: B

Second-quarter grade: C

Mid-term grade: C+

22. OL Anthony Castonzo (Indianapolis Colts): B-

Indianapolis was an absolute mess through the offseason, balancing Peyton Manning's injury and absolutely no time to get rookies up to speed. Anthony Castonzo was among one of the casualties. Although he did just a hair above average, earning a B- grade for the first quarter, his potential was through the roof coming out of Boston College.

Now Castonzo and his Colts are sitting at 0-8 and counting down the days until they can select Andrew Luck in the 2012 draft.

Lucky for Castonzo, he's been able to watch the tragedy from the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury against Tampa Bay in Week 4.

He's got nothing to grade on for Weeks 5-8 and is getting an Incomplete.

First-quarter grade: B-

Second-quarter grade: Incomplete

Mid-term grade: B-

23. OL Danny Watkins (Philadelphia Eagles): C

Eagles rookie Danny Watkins didn't get on the field during the first quarter, prompting me to give him an Incomplete, but I probably should have given him an F since it was less about circumstance and more about his ability (or lack thereof).

Well, Watkins finally won the starting job Week 5 against Buffalo and has dressed in all three Eagles games between Weeks 5-8. Breaking into the lineup and keeping your job during the second quarter is a feat in itself, but let's look at the performance.

Watkins struggled against Buffalo, allowing penetration into the backfield and not giving LeSean McCoy much room when his number was called to be the lead blocker.

Then, against Washington, McCoy ran for 126 yards and a touchdown, but most of those yards were around the right tackle, not behind Watkins. He gave up a sack to Barry Cofield in the second quarter and then was a part of giving up another when he missed his assignment and Kedric Golston and Oshiomogho Atogwe combined for one at the end of the third quarter.

However, Sunday night against Dallas, Watkins and the rest of the offensive line made Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy look like varsity players beating up on the JV team.

He's been pretty inconsistent, but he's ending the second quarter on a high note.

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: C

Mid-term grade: C

24. DE Cameron Jordan (New Orleans Saints): C-

Cameron Jordan was the epitome of mediocrity for New Orleans through the first four weeks, collecting nine tackles, zero sacks and a C grade from me.

Well, it's much of the same for Jordan, who still has yet to sack the quarterback.

How long was Earnest Graham's run around right tackle and right by Jordan? 34 yards. Or the short pass a couple of plays later, again at Jordan? 19 yards.

How about two weeks later when Steven Jackson couldn't get enough of Jordan and the right side?

The rookie from California hasn't proven himself very good at run blocking and pass rushing was never his forte in college. He's below average at best.

First-quarter grade: C

Second-quarter grade: D

Mid-term grade: C-

25. OL James Carpenter (Seattle Seahawks): C-

With Seattle's quarterback problems, they really needed their offensive line to step up in a big way. Through the first four games of the season, I thought James Carpenter failed more than he succeeded, allowing Tavaris Jackson to get sacked 14 times and earning a C+ grade for the first quarter.

Now, we're eight weeks in and Carpenter hasn't gotten any better. He's the cornerstone to a Seahawks offensive line that has allowed the quarterback to get hit a league-leading 63 times and sacked a league-leading 28 times.

Ugh.

There's five reasons why Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst don't have feeling in the right side of their bodies after games, and one of them is James Carpenter.

First-quarter grade: C+

Second-quarter grade: D

Mid-term grade: C-

26. WR Jonathan Baldwin (Kansas City Chiefs): B+

Kansas City was at the bottom of the NFL food chain through the first quarter of the season, really hoping every week that Jonathan Baldwin could rehab from an injury he sustained in camp. But Baldwin didn't, and didn't make an appearance in the first four games, forcing me to give him an Incomplete for the first quarter.

Baldwin finally made his professional debut against Oakland in Week 7, catching a pass for 14 yards in the Chiefs 28-0 win over the Raiders.

Last night, Baldwin was the reason Kansas City is tied with San Diego and Oakland for the lead in the AFC West, blowing up for five receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.

He's been injured most of the season but if last night is any indication of how good Baldwin can be, the Chiefs struck gold at the 26th overall pick.

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: B+

Mid-term grade: B+

27. CB Jimmy Smith (Baltimore Ravens): C

Coming out of college, many draft pundits had Jimmy Smith as the best cover corner in the draft. Through the first four games of the season, no one knew whether those pundits were correct as Smith missed the entire first quarter and earned an Incomplete.

In Week 7, Smith finally made his way onto the field in Baltimore's embarassing 12-7 loss to Jacksonville on Monday Night Football. Other than a few plays (in which he wasn't involved) Smith didn't do much to stop the Jaguars anemic offense.

The next week, against pass-happy Arizona, Smith only played a handful of snaps where the Cardinals were in obvious passing downs and contributed on special teams.

I have to give Smith a C based on his performance in the games he's appeared between Weeks 5-8. Ravens fans can only hope it's the injury slowing him down. 

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: C

Mid-term grade: C

28. RB Mark Ingram (New Orleans Saints): B

Mark Ingram did everything the Saints asked of him through the first four games, scoring a touchdown, averaging nearly 3.5 yards a carry and earning a B grade from me for the first quarter.

He's still the workhorse New Orleans envisioned him to be, averaging 13-14 touches a game and regularly finding the endzone.

In Weeks 5-8, Ingram averaged 4.0 yards per carry, doing better than the 3.5 yards per carry he had in Weeks 1-4. He's also held on to the football, not giving up a fumble like he did in the first quarter of the season.

He's an above average running back doing everything asked of him. What more could you want?

First-quarter grade: B

Second-quarter grade: B

Mid-term grade: B

29. OL Gabe Carimi (Chicago Bears): D+

Jay Cutler is absolutely miserable behind his offensive line and Gabe Carimi only contributed to that, being part of a group that allowed Cutler to get sacked 15 times and earning a D+ grade for the first quarter from me.

The second quarter, which Carimi missed due to injury, was both better and worse for the rookie offensive lineman. It was better in the sense that he sat out and was protected against further criticisms. It was worse because he couldn't go through the necessary growing pains of most rookie linemen.

He's missed most of the first half due to injury and in the games he's appeared in, he's doing less than average. Step it up, Carimi. Chicago fans (and Cutler) are counting on you.

First-quarter grade: D+

Second-quarter grade: Incomplete 

Mid-term grade: D+

30. DT Muhammad Wilkerson (New York Jets): B

In the first four weeks, the New York Jets were the talk of the town and rookie Muhammad Wilkerson was a star, stuffing the run, allowing Jets linebackers to make sacks and earning a B- grade for the first quarter.

But I think Wilkerson improved in the second quarter, in three games during the second quarter, Wilkerson did a much better job than the four games to open the season—especially in support of the run defense.

In Week 5, when BenJarvus Green-Ellis ran for 136 yards and two touchdowns, it was rarely against Wilkerson's side. In Week 7 against San Diego, it seems there wasn't a defensive play where the rookie from Temple wasn't involved.

Wilkerson has earned a B for his performance through the first half of the season.

First-quarter grade: B-

Second-quarter grade: B+

Mid-term grade: B

31. DT Cam Heyward (Pittsburgh Steelers): B

Pittsburgh drafted Cam Heyward to be a fixture at defensive tackle, but through the first four games he was just a substitute, not able to break into the starting lineup and earning only a B- for the first quarter from me (although it probably should have been a C+).

Well, he started the second quarter of the season on a high note against Tennessee, sacking Matt Hasselbeck, forcing a fumble and getting in on a couple of tackles.

Pittsburgh's run defense has vastly improved, going from allowing 119.5 yards per game to just 99.1 yards per game. That's an incredible turnaround in just four weeks and has helped the Steelers become the eighth-best run defense.

Heyward is still absorbing tackles, stuffing the run and even getting on the highlight reel every once in a while.

First-quarter grade: B-

Second-quarter grade: B+

Mid-term grade: B

32. OL Derek Sherrod (Green Bay Packers): C

Derek Sherrod wasn't able to make it onto the field for the Green Bay Packers in the first four games, but that didn't seem to derail Aaron Rodgers, winning four straight to open the season, but leaving Sherrod with an Incomplete for the first quarter from me.

But in the second quarter, he got onto the field a little more, prompting a C grade from me.

In Week 5 against Atlanta, after starting left tackle Chad Clifton went down with a hamstring injury, rookie Derek Sherrod, who was a major disappointment in training camp and preseason action, held up well at right tackle while Marshall Newhouse shifted to left tackle.

It's hard, though, to give Sherrod a grade. He's not good enough to break the starting lineup, but is that due to his lack of skill as a player or how good Green Bay's offensive line is? He played in only one game during the second quarter, so I'll grade him on that and take it down a bit because of his inability to get more game time.

First-quarter grade: Incomplete

Second-quarter grade: C

Mid-term grade: C