Race For Rookie of the Year, Week 4

We’ve reached the first quarter mark of a season that has delivered the usual thrills and spills.

It’s also introduced us to a host of new NFL players ready to star in this league for years to come. Some are putting their best foot forward from day one, and have already marked themselves as possible contenders for rookie of the year.

Well, here at Pro Football Focus I’m conducting my own little race, and right now it’s time for the Week 4 top 10.

1. Robert Griffin III, QB, WAS (+11.6)

So, is the appeal fading? Not quite yet as a strong performance with his arm led the Redskins to another victory. At this point it’s going to take a big drop off in his play, or a big rise in someone elses, to make this competitive.

2. Chandler Jones, DE, NE (+8.2)

Our fifth ranked defensive end added a sack, hit and hurry to his totals but was far from convincing against Buffalo. There’s still a belief (in my head) that he’d be more productive for spending a little less time on the field.

3. Harrison Smith, S, MIN (+6.7)

The big riser this week, Smith can consider himself a key reason for the Vikings turnaround. His touchdown-saving disruption of a Calvin Johnson catch epitomizes what he’s brought to the Vikings.

4. Cordy Glenn, LT, BUF (+5.9)

Looked as rattled as we’d seen him this week against New England, earning his first negative grade. Starting to want to see more of him in the run game, as the quick release of Fitzptrick makes life a little easier for him.

5. Mychal Kendricks, LB, PHI (+5.5)

His quietest game to date against the Giants, but not so much that it sees him plummet down the rankings. Will be looking for him to deliver more punch in the upcoming weeks.

6. Kevin Zeitler, RG, CIN (+5.2)

Looks like he belongs in the NFL and rarely puts much of a foot wrong. Not the most dominant guard in the run game, but has proven a fine addition to the Bengals' line as the long-term replacement for Bobbie Williams.

7. Dont'a Hightower, LB, NE (+3.5)

Walked away with a sack and a tackle, but a hamstring tweak limited him to nine snaps as he looked to rebound from a disappointing showing against Baltimore. Is likely to be fit for the weekend, if the Patriots are to be believed.

8. Alfred Morris, RB, WAS (+2.5)

It’s not just that he now has the fifth most rushing yards in the league. It’s not even the league-leading four rushing touchdowns. It’s that Morris looks to be getting better week-in and week-out. What a find.

9. Mike Martin, DT, TEN (+4.5)

Each year Tennessee find themselves productive tackles, and Martin looks no different. He added a hit and a hurry to his already impressive tally of quarterback pressures.

10. Jerron McMillan, S, GB (+6.2)

He may be ‘just’ a nickel safety, but with the Packers shifting to it so quickly McMillan has got a load of playing time and it’s easy to see why. Didn’t have his finest game against New Orleans, but the only thing keeping him off the list was a lack of playing time.

Dropping Out:

Bruce Irvin, DE, SEA: Is he productive? Yes. Has he played enough snaps to hold onto his spot in the top 10? No. He could be back very quickly.

Trent Richardson, RB, CLV: While he hasn’t disappointed, he hasn’t exactly set the world alight. He’s peering in right now.

Russell Wilson, QB, SEA: It won’t be long before the Matt Flynn movement builds up. Wilson, and it’s not all on him with some conservative coaching, isn’t challenging defenses.

Five To Watch:

Matt Kalil, LT, MIN: Another solid showing. Kalil is holding his own in pass protection, but lacks any real punch in the run game.

Ryan Tannehill, QB, MIA: Possibly the revelation of the draft class, this ‘project’ quarterback is nowhere near as raw as advertised. He has his moments, but the Dolphins fan base must be excited by him.

Andrew Luck, QB, IND: He didn’t play this week but there’s been enough early signs to say he’s getting better. Hard to see him not making the big boy list at some point.

Fletcher Cox, DT, PHI: Cox made some plays against the Giants, but all too infrequently. One to watch if he can put it together for an entire game.

Bobby Wagner, MLB, SEA: As well as he has played, his two-down role keeps him off a very competitive list.

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