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ARLINGTON, TX – AUGUST 19: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys during a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at AT&T Stadium on August 19, 2016 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

NFL Rookie Report: Week 1 Edition

Posted by on Sep 15, 2016 16:45

Reviewing the opening weekend performances from the NFL’s 2016 rookie class.

As with every season, Week 1 of the 2016 NFL schedule featured plenty of highly anticipated rookie debuts. The 2016 rookie class taking to the field for the first time as fans were finally able to see the potential of their first year players in competitive action on Sunday.

With a new crop of rookies opening up their debut seasons this past week, the first edition of the TGS Rookie Report reviews the Week 1 performances from the 2016 NFL Draft class. Following is a recap of the week that was for the 2016 rookies.

Carson Wentz, Philadelphia Eagles 

With first overall pick Jared Goff on the inactive list for the Los Angeles Rams, second overall pick Carson Wentz started his first game at quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday. A strong debut for Wentz, who guided the Eagles to a season opener win over the Cleveland Browns to start his Eagles career.

Wentz had no problems against the Browns defense in the Eagles 29-10 win over Cleveland. The former FCS star with the North Dakota State Bison looking comfortable at the pro level in his debut with 278 yards and two touchdowns. A debut that will have Eagles fans confident in Wentz as he starts his NFL career after a collegiate career spent winning championships in the second division of the NCAA.

Things will certainly get more difficult for Wentz as he faces tougher opposition this season, but a winning effort with encouraging statistics is all that the Eagles could ask for out of the second overall pick in his NFL debut. Wentz will likely struggle eventually, but for now he is succeeding while making the transition from FCS football to the bright lights of the NFL. A perfect situation for an Eagles franchise that is looking to build something for the future with Wentz in the post-Chip Kelly era in Philadelphia.

Ezekiel Elliott, Dallas Cowboys 

Drafted with the fourth overall pick to make an instant impact behind the Dallas Cowboys stout offensive line, Ezekiel Elliott failed to provide the performance the Cowboys might have expected from the rookie. A forgettable debut from Elliott one of the factors that led to a loss at home against the New York Giants to open the season for the Cowboys.

Elliott rushed for 51 yards on 20 carries in the loss against the Giants. A 2.6 yards per carry average that will have the Cowboys worried after Week 1 as after Elliott was handed the feature back role it appears there could be some rookie growing pains for the running back.

While the Giants committed to shutting down the run with Dak Prescott at quarterback, Elliott’s debut will have the Cowboys coaches looking at the tape to see how they can open things up for the rookie. 2.6 yards per rushing attempt won’t get things done for the Cowboys with Tony Romo on the sidelines with a broken back, so expect some adjustments as the pressure is on Elliott to produce after a stagnant debut.

Jalen Ramsey, Jacksonville Jaguars 

The top cornerback taken in the 2016 draft, Jalen Ramsey shined in his NFL debut for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Ramsey shutting down his assignments in the Jaguars loss to the Green Bay Packers, thriving in pass coverage despite having a very tough Week 1 challenge with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

Ramsey didn’t allow a single completion in his NFL debut as a shutout of Rodgers and three tackles highlighted the day for the fifth overall pick. An impressive start to the season for Ramsey, who the Jaguars coaching staff expect to be a lockdown corner right away as a rookie.

Ramsey is confident and brash with immense talent to back it up. All factors that should make the rookie cornerback one of the most exciting first-year players to watch this season. If Ramsey can continue to be a shutdown corner throughout the year, the wins should start to come for the Jaguars.

Myles Jack, Jacksonville Jaguars 

While Jalen Ramsey shined in the Jacksonville Jaguars season opener, linebacker Myles Jack failed to have the same impact. Mostly because Jack wasn’t given a chance to impress at all on Sunday as a rookie who found himself on the bench for his NFL debut.

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Jack played in zero defensive snaps for the Jaguars on Sunday as the former UCLA star was relegated to special teams in his first game for Jacksonville. An outcome that nobody would have expected when Jack was considered to be one of the best defensive prospects in the draft class before his knee injury at UCLA.

It could be that the Jaguars have a plan to work in Jack slowly, but for now it looks as if the linebacker will be a depth piece until he gets back to full speed after his injury. Once considered to be a can’t miss talent, Jack now has a far less instant path to success in front of him. On talent alone, Jack should end up having a successful career, so once he is healthy there should be more to report on when it comes to the former Bruins star.

Karl Joseph, Oakland Raiders 

Like Jack, Oakland Raiders first rounder Karl Joseph is also coming off of a knee injury that cost him his final collegiate season. Also like Jack, Joseph didn’t play a single defensive snap in his NFL debut. Joseph latched to the bench during the Raiders season opener against the New Orleans Saints as head coach Jack Del Rio opted to go with veteran safeties Reggie Nelson and Nate Allen instead.

Del Rio told reporters this week that Joseph should expect defensive snaps in the home opener against the Atlanta Falcons this week, but his Week 1 benching indicates that he is unlikely to be a starter right away in Oakland.

Expect Joseph to slowly see an increase in defensive snaps, but for now the first rounder will sit behind the veteran safeties until further notice. A plan that might be wise for the Raiders, who can afford to ease Joseph into the picture after his ACL tear last season. Joseph should eventually see more playing time, but the first round pick of the Raiders could be a bench player for the bulk of his rookie year based on the early reports out of Oakland.

Sterling Shepard, New York Giants 

Drafted by the New York Giants to give Eli Manning a secondary target behind Odell Beckham Jr., Sterling Shepard filled the role nicely in his debut. A big Week 1 performance helping the Giants to victory as Shepard looked like a viable second receiver in the win over the Cowboys.

Shepard caught three passes in the win, including a touchdown as the rookie showed why he is considered a redzone threat with his first TD catch in the NFL. Manning only targeted Shepard four times in the game, but the future looks bright for the Giants second rounder after his first NFL touchdown helped to lift New York to a big NFC East win on the road.

Will Fuller, Houston Texans 

A speedster drafted to be the compliment to DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller had arguably the best rookie performance of the week in the Houston Texans win over the Chicago Bears. A monster day from Fuller one of the keys to victory on the day for the Texans in their season opener.

Fuller had the first 100-yard receiving day in a season opener for a first round pick since 1984. The 21st overall selection in the 2016 draft looking right at home in the NFL as he blew by the Bears secondary at will in the win as new Texans quarterback Brock Osweiler’s favorite target on the afternoon.

With Fuller adding another wrinkle to the overhauled Texans offense, it looks like Houston could be real as a contender in the AFC South. Brock Osweiler appears to love throwing it to Fuller and with elite speed from the rookie it is easy to see why after a dominant 100 yard, one touchdown performance to open his NFL career in spectacular fashion.

Honorable Mentions 

Jalen Richard: Richard took his very first NFL carry to the house as the Oakland Raiders running back helped provide the turning point in the Silver and Black’s dramatic comeback win over the New Orleans Saints.

Tajae Sharpe: Sharpe was the best receiver on the field for the Tennessee Titans on Sunday as the fifth round pick had seven receptions. Showing a connection with quarterback Marcus Mariota that should be monitored for the rest of the season as Sharpe could be in line for a very productive rookie season in Nashville.

Dak Prescott: The Cowboys interim starting quarterback had a respectable debut, but failing to register a passing touchdown in their home defeat to the New York Giants will be the focus this week out of Dallas. 25-45 passing with no interceptions is a good start, but the Cowboys will need more from Prescott until Tony Romo returns from injury.

Carl Nassib: The Cleveland Browns defense may have surrendered a big day to Eagles rookie quarterback Carson Wentz, but third round pick Carl Nassib was making things difficult all afternoon. Two quarterback hits and his first career sack the highlights of what was an impressive debut from Nassib as a pass rusher for the Browns.

 

About Chase Ruttig

Chase Ruttig is a Canadian sportswriter who covers North American sports for various outlets.

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