As the season progresses, more and more rookies are beginning to feel comfortable on their rosters, and coaching staffs are giving them a chance to shine. While the three key rookie quarterbacks continue to show their youth, all of which lost this past weekend, it’s the depth of rookie classes that have given some struggling teams hope this year.
The Giants, Browns and Rams are starting to see three or more rookies play a key part of their weekly game plan, and proving while depth in each draft is sometimes as important as finding that star player.
Rank-(LW) – Team
1-(1) Jacksonville Jaguars
Blake Bortles continues to show improvements, including this past week as a downfield passer and runner. Allen Robinson and Marqise Lee have flashed at receiver this year thus far. Storm Johnson didn’t seize his opportunity as a starter yet, but could prove to a positive return for a 7th rounder.
2-(3) Minnesota Vikings
Teddy Bridgewater returned and struggled mightily against the Lions, leading the offense to just three points. Jerrick McKinnon has become the feature back, but it remains to be seen if he can produce as a lead back. Anthony Barr has now become an every down, key part of the Vikings defense.
3-(2) Buffalo Bills
Sammy Watkins struggled again this past week with Kyle Orton at the helm. After flashing earlier in the year, he’s been inconsistent since Orton’s naming. Seantrel Henderon is still the starting right tackle, but he struggled mightily this past week. Preston Brown didn’t have his best week, but he’s still going to be heavily relied upon the rest of the year for the playoff hopeful Bills.
4-(4) Chicago Bears
Kyle Fuller is still the leader of the secondary for the Bears, playing well beyond his years. Adding to his play, the Bears have begun utilizing Will Sutton and Ego Ferguson more on the defensive interior.
5-(5) Carolina Panthers
Kelvin Benjamin had seven catches on eight targets, including a touchdown, which is another strong day for the rookie feature weapon. Right Guard Trai Turner has been adequate on the interior. Kony Ealy, the team’s second-round pick, has begungetting more snaps at DE.
6-(6) Cleveland Browns
Isaiah Crowell has taken the reigns of the RB2 job from Terrence West, and has looked strong in that role. In part, he can thank left guard Joel Bitonio, who has been the Browns best blocker after Joe Thomas and Alex Mack. Justin Gilbert is still slowly being utilized, with 29 snaps last week.
7-(16) New York Giants
Andre Williams doesn’t have the top-tier quickness or top-end speed to be a starter in the NFL for the long-term, and was a liability for the Giants this past week. Odell Beckham didn’t get a ton of targets, but his vertical stretching ability was evident, and production should come soon. Weston Richburg at guard was one of the leading issues for the Giants shutout loss last week.
8-(7) Arizona Cardinals
John Brown is still the third option for the Cardinals, but he’s been effective in that role and taking what the offense is willing to involve him in.
9-(8) Oakland Raiders
Derek Carr played well enough, showing steady signs of improvement, while Khalil Mack continues to be a force for the defense, particularly in the run game, which is much needed for an inconsistent front-seven.
10-(9) Baltimore Ravens
CJ Mosely had another strong week, and he’s the lead enforcer for this team’s run defense. Lorenzo Taliferro, after a few intriguing weeks, looks to be back to the third-string of the offense.
11-(10) Green Bay Packers
Davante Adams received 67 snaps and 6 catches this past week, and he’s now emerged as the 4th option in the passing offense now. HaHa Clinton-Dix has become very reliable in run defense and in centerfield, and is one of the defensive leaders for the back end of the defense.
12-(14) St. Louis Rams
Tre Mason finally got a chance to be activated, and he offered a handful of big runs. Don’t expect his production to skyrocket though, as the Rams are set to use a three-pronged rushing attack. Greg Robinson got the start at left guard and did adequately. Aaron Donald received his first NFL start, but he’ll likely still be a rotational guy in his rookie season.
13-(11) Atlanta Falcons
Jake Matthews struggled this past week, but he’s still entrenched and a key part of the Atlanta offense at left tackle. Devonta Freeman saw just 10 snaps, and is clearly the third running option in the offense.
14-(18) Dallas Cowboys
Zach Martin was the Cowboys highest graded offensive lineman in the upset victory over the Seahawks, and has been arguably the biggest catalyst in the running game’s resurgence. Also, receiver Devin Street saw 12 snaps, and he’s still the team’s WR4.
15-(30) San Diego Chargers
Jeremiah Attaochu is no longer involved, but cornerback Jason Verrett has emerged as arguably the best defensive player on the field at times, out-performing the other defensive backs in last week’s win.
16 – (18) New Orleans Saints
After the bye week, the Saints are likely to start using Brandin Cooks with more creativity.
17-(13) Pittsburgh Steelers
Ryan Shazier was still out for Pittsburgh. No sign on exactly when he’ll return.
18-(19) Cincinnati Bengals
Jeremy Hill was doubled in his snap count compared to Giovani Bernard last week, so he’s still the clear RB2. However, he’s a key part of the running and passing game, and his snaps should rise as the year goes on.
19-(20) Philadelphia Eagles
Jordan Matthews continues to be involved, but he fluctuates between the third, fourth and fifth option in the offense. First-round defensive end Marcus Smith saw just 16 snaps, and they’re bringing him along slowly in their defense.
20-(17) Tampa Bay Bucs
Mike Evans remained out, but the offense utilized fellow rookie tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins saw 60 snaps and has begun to be a key part of the Bucs game-plan week to week.
21-(21) New York Jets
Jace Amaro continues to see his role in the offense rise, including seeing 36 snaps this past weekend and being used in interior and outside routes. Calvin Pryor has still yet to become an every-snap safety in New York.
22-(23) Denver Broncos
Bradley Roby has become the weekly slot cornerback for the Broncos, playing 48 snaps last week. He’s providing value this year in the third cornerback role, and is being groomed to be the outside starter in future years.
23-(25) Seattle Seahawks
Justin Britt played adequately this past week, one of his best performances of the week. He’s still just an average starter, but he’s showing signs of more consistency.
24-(26) Miami Dolphins
Ja’Wuan James struggled mightily in pass protection this past week, but his week to week play still makes him a positive, instantly contributing rookie this year. Jarvis Landry was 3rd in snaps at receiver for the Dolphins, and it looks as though he’s now firmly in the weekly offensive gameplan, as expected.
25-(24) Houston Texans
Alfred Blue still back to full back-up duty with Arian Foster back, but CJ Fiedorowicz has begun to see more snaps, with 25 coming this past week as blocker, mostly as a blocker. It seems Jadeveon Clowney returns this weekend.
26-(15) Detroit Lions
Eric Ebron lead all Lions tight ends in snaps with 47, and could continue to see his role increase with Calvin Johnson still out. Defensive tackle Caraun Reid has begun getting more snaps at both interior defensive line spots.
27-(22) San Francisco 49ers
Frank Gore is still the lead man in San Francisco, and Carlos Hyde is still the clear back-up. He won’t be a major impact unless Gore gets hurt or begins to lose production value.
28-(27) Washington Redskins
Ryan Grant isn’t getting enough touches to be deemed a huge impact. Cornerback Bashaud Breeland struggled in an increased role, but that’s usually the case with rookie cornerbacks.
29-(28) Tennessee Titans
Bishop Sankey seems to be on track to get substantial carries, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s the clear lead man in Tennessee.
30-(29) Indianapolis Colts
Jack Mewhort remained out for Indianapolis, but he was playing well previously. Receiver Donte Moncrief saw 12 snaps, and is clearly behind Hilton, Wayne and Nicks in the receiver depth chart.
31-(31) Kansas City Chiefs BYE
Zach Fulton is the starter at right guard, and he’ll be relied upon next week against the Chargers coming off a bye.
32-(32) New England Patriots
Dominique Easley didn’t see any snaps this past week, and Jimmy Garoppolo won’t see many this year barring a Tom Brady injury.
