When the opposition is waxing lyrical about him, then you know a guy played well.
That was the case once again for Robert Griffin III who shows no signs of slowing down, with impressive performance after impressive performance. Only a fool would attempt to say he is not the unquestioned front runner in the race for rookie of the year, and while I have my moments, I’m not that guy.
Instead it’s shaping up to be a battle for second spot. But just because the leader is looking almost untouchable, doesn’t mean the guys behind him aren’t playing well. This class of rookies has adapted to the NFL quick as a hiccup and they’ve made it easy to be encouraged by their prospects.
1. Robert Griffin III, QB, WAS (+20.6)
Von Miller was the guy last year who we kept expecting to drop off, only to be amazed by his consistently excellent performances. RG3 is doing the same, and from an arguably more demanding position. Kudos.
2. Chandler Jones, DE, NE (+11.9)
There’s no point lying. Jones got a bit of a schooling against savvy veteran D’Brickashaw Ferguson. He still walked away with (a seasons low) two hurries and two defensive stops, but we’ve seen better from him.
3. Kevin Zeitler, RG, CIN (+11.1)
I can’t help but remember my first impression of Zeitler. He looked lost in his first game in preseason and I figured he could be in store for a long year. Now he’s making a serious case for a Pro Bowl spot.
4. Alfred Morris, RB, WAS (+6.1)
A first career fumble was disappointing. A third career 100-yard rushing game, less so. Now he has forced the fifth-most missed tackles of all running backs.
5. Casey Hayward, CB, GB (+12.2)
The question mark on Hayward was how he could cope when asked to start. Another positive grade has helped push him to the highest coverage grade of all defensive backs. How did he last until the end of the second round?
6. Russell Wilson, QB, SEA (+7.5)
Outside of a terrible throw into triple coverage he had a decent enough showing against a good 49ers defense. Shame his receivers didn’t help him out.
7. Ryan Tannehill, QB, MIA (+6.1)
Has coped exceptionally well when teams have pressured him, and hasn’t let 18 drops by his team slow him down. Hasn’t always been pretty, but it’s been a very promising start.
8. Matt Kalil, LT, MIN (+6.6)
I started off down on Kalil because I wanted an all-singing, all-dancing left tackle. As time has gone on I’ve come to accept that having a tackle who has given up just two hits, seven hurries and no sacks through Week 7 of his rookie year is pretty impressive.
9. Mike Martin, DT, TEN (+9.5)
He’s at the mercy of how much playing time his coaches give him. This week that was less than 50% of all defensive snaps and it was also one of his least visible performances, as he struggled to make an impact.
10. Bobby Wagner, LB, SEA (+8.4)
Clings onto his spot in the Top 10 despite his worst game as a pro. The 49ers mauling offensive line will do that to a young linebacker.
Dropping Out
Trent Richardson, RB, CLV: Looks like being a season of teasing, but one where injury ultimately limits his ability to consistently get the job done.
Five to Watch:
Andrew Luck, QB, IND: Decent again against Cleveland, it’s been a rookie year where the Colts have asked perhaps too much out of him too soon.
Dwayne Allen, TE, IND: The most impressive rookie in Indianapolis? Well it’s Allen, who is now up to sixth in our tight end rankings thanks to some solid all round play.
Dont’a Hightower, LB, NE: Back on the radar after a return to action against the Jets. Looked more assertive than before his mini-hiatus.
Lavonte David, LB, TB: Makes a lot of tackles and is doing a good job of stabilizing the Bucs' linebacker unit.
Harrison Smith, S, MIN: Could quite easily be in the Top 10. Big part of the Vikings' turnaround on defense.
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