NFL Week 10 All Rookie Team
By Ben Natan
The best part about the draft evaluation process is finally getting to see the prospects make plays during a game. Some of the guys have been better than expected, some worse and some are doing exactly what we thought. Here are the best rookies from week ten of the NFL season.
Quarterback
Derek Carr
Oakland Raiders
14th Overall Prospect, 2nd Quarterback, 1st Round Pick
In a week where the rookie quarterbacks as a whole did not shine, you have to take the bad with the good. Carr had some rookie plays on sunday, but had some big time throws that continue to give encouragement for the rookie’s future. He had a beautiful touchdown pass early in the game with a defensive end breathing down his neck, and he had a few deep passes over the course of the rest of the game that makes you love his courageousness going down the field. His bad plays usually came with bad mechanics, something that plagued him in college, so in fixing that, he could see a lot more positive going forward.
Running Back
Terrance West
Cleveland Browns
159th Overall Prospect, 8th RB, 5th Round Grade
West is simply the back that gets it done. He is not flashy like other running backs, but he is a down hill runner who picks up the tough yards. That was evident on thursday as he toted the rock for a large part of the game and picked up a big chunk of his yards after contact. West will never be a dynamic back, but his dependability and hard running is something a team can value.
Nov 6, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns running back Terrance West (28) runs the ball during the third quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Carlos Hyde
San Fransisco 49ers
49th Overall Prospect, 2nd Running Back, 2nd Round Grade
Despite barely seeing the field, Hyde made the most of his 4 (!!) carries. He was tough running and had a beautiful touchdown run where he created after contact. It is a waste of talent to have him on the field for less than 15 snaps during a game and hopefully the 49ers can give him a heavier workload with Frank Gore declining.
Wide Receiver
Jordan Matthews
Philadelphia Eagles
20th Overall Prospect, 1st Wide Receiver, 1st Round Grade
Jordan Matthews spent much of Monday night dismantling the Panthers defense. He did a fantastic job of working underneath to get open and capitalizing on his targets. He he did a very good job picking up yards after the catch all night and chipped in two touchdowns to put the icing on his big day. Since Mark Sanchez stepped in last week, Matthews has seen a lot more targets so hopefully this is just an indication of what the second half of his season will look like.
Nov 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) catches 13-yard touchdown against Carolina Panthers free safety Thomas DeCoud (21) during the second quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports
Odell Beckham Jr.
New York Giants
22nd Overall Prospect, 2nd Wide Receiver, 1st Round Grade
Odell Beckham is good. Very, very good. He had himself a day against one of the best cornerbacks in the league, Richard Sherman, and made it look like nothing. Beckham’s incredible footwork and ball skills were just too much for the big defensive backs of Seattle and he made big plays all day. It is great to see Beckham come back from an injury and play so well. He is really going to be special.
Tight End
Crockett Gilmore
Baltimore Ravens
145th Overall Prospect, 10th Tight End, 4th Round Grade
In what has been a very underwhelming year for rookie tight ends, it is the little things that count to make this list. Gilmore was not a big part of the passing game on Sunday, but he did a very good job as a run blocker. It may not be a world beater of a week, but Gilmore did his job very well. Hopefully we see more impact from rookie tight ends in the second half of the season.
Offensive Tackle
Justin Britt
Seattle Seahawks
Unranked
In what has been a surprisingly good rookie season, Britt continues to impress with a strong game on Sunday. He did a decent job in pass protection, but the strength of his game showed up in the run game. He was a bully coming downhill and did a great job moving guys at will. This has been a very good pick from the Seahawks and Britt can get much better.
Taylor Lewan
Tennessee Titans
43rd Overall Prospect, 6th Tackle, 2nd Round Grade
Taylor Lewan continues to validate the Titans taking him top 15 in the draft. He had another big game where he looked fantastic in the run game and had a solid outing in the passing game. He still has his issues staying consistent fro snap to snap, and still gave up some to the defense occasionally, but overall he had a very good day. He continues to show his awesome potential and he likely has a long future in the NFL.
Offensive Guard
Zack Martin
Dallas Cowboys
31st Overall Player, 5th Offensive Lineman , 1st Round Grade
Another day of excellence from Martin. He looked fantastic against a very underrated Jaguars defensive line. He kept his quarterback clean all day in pass protection and was also a mister in the run game, getting to second level with ease and putting guys on the ground. Martin has already transformed into a top notch guard in this league and the Cowboys should be thrilled with him.
Joel Bitonio
Cleveland Browns
12th Overall Player, 3rd Offensive Lineman, 1st Round Grade
Bitonio, like Martin, has established himself as one of the best guards in the league and this past week was no different. He had another strong day keeping the quarterback upright, rarely giving up push over the course of the game. In the running game, he was his same, nasty self. He came downhill like a turbocharged steamroller and paved the way for the Cleveland running game. He is one of my favorite players to watch in the league and I am excited to continue to watch him.
Center
Corey Linsely
Green Bay Packers
Unranked
Linsley has been having a very good season for the Packers and Sunday night was another good showing from him. He did a solid job in pass protection and was a big part of Aaron Rodgers air raiding the Bears. Just as important, Linsely played smart in the running game and did a great job moving downfield. The center position is still undervalued in the league, but the Packers got a steal with Linsely.
Interior Defensive Line
Aaron Donald
St. Louis Rams
46th Overall Prospect, 7th IDL, Early 2nd Round Grade
Weeks go by and I grow more and more confident that I underestimate Aaron Donald’s ability. His quickness is translating immediately to the NFL level and he is incredibly disruptive because of it. He is, theoretically, stoppable, but his anticipation and burst off the ball is just too damn much for 90% of NFL linemen. On Sunday, he continued to show that awesome penetrating ability and his intelligence was evident, as always, in attacking the run game. It is still a bit early, but my oh my, does it look like the Rams got a steal with Aaron Donald.
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; St. Louis Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald (99) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
DaQuan Jones
Tennessee Titans
15th Overall Prospect, 3rd IDL, 1st Round Grade
Outside of Aaron Donald, the impact from rookie interior defensive linemen this week was relatively small. Luckily for Jones, in his limited snaps he was able to make a big impact on the field. Despite only seeing the field for 12 snaps (Per Pro Football Focus), Jones was still able to create pressure in the passing game and had some good plays against the run. He still needs to work on his leverage, but it is clear that the talent is there. I would love to see Jones on the field more, as he has a tremendous amount of talent and the Titans should want their best guys out there.
Edge Defender
DeMarcus Lawrence
Dallas Cowboys
18th Overall Prospect, 3rd Edge Defender, 1st Round Grade
Finally seeing meaningful snaps after coming back with an injury, Lawrence had a positive impact on Sunday’s game in London. He played a solid game as both a pass rusher and a run defender, being able to create pressure and also chasing down running plays. Lawrence’s play going forward will be a huge part of keeping this Cowboys defense afloat and he looks up to the task.
Aaron Lynch
San Fransisco 49ers
75th Overall Player, 6th Edge defender, 2nd Round Grade
Outside of Khalil Mack, Lynch has been the best edge defender in this class so far. His athletic ability is evident on every snap. He did not have his best game rushing the passer, but still had some snaps where he brought the heat. He was outstanding defending the run all day, though. It is pretty scary to think about how good he is now and the fact that he will be playing across from Aldon Smith soon.
Linebacker
Chris Borland
San Fransisco 49ers
76th Overall Player, 7th Linebacker, 2nd Round Grade
Borland had an outstanding game on Sunday and was a big part of the 49ers win. Borland was instinctive and explosive coming down hill against the run. He had a fantastic game attacking the line of scrimmage and was all over the place the entire day. Despite getting labeled as a 2-down linebacker by most pre draft, he had a fantastic showing in the passing game, moving well and closing on receivers to limit the passing offense. With Patrick Willis out for the season, Borland’s impact is going to be needed in a big way and he will have the ability to shine through.
Nov 9, 2014; New Orleans, LA, USA; San Francisco 49ers inside linebacker Chris Borland (50) celebrates after a fumble by New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (not pictured) in overtime at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The 49ers won 27-24. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Preston Brown
Buffalo Bills
Unranked
A regular on these articles, Brown showed off his talents once again against the Chiefs. He did not have a great game in coverage like he has the last few weeks, but he exhibited his superb ability to come up and stop the run. He is an aggressive and intelligent player when he gets to attack the line of scrimmage and Sunday was no different. I vastly underestimated Brown coming into this year and he has been a pleasant surprise.
Telvin Smith
Jacksonville Jaguars
29th Overall Prospect, 3rd Linebacker, 1st Round Grade
Despite the rest of his team playing pretty poorly against a talented Cowboys offense, Smith had a good outing. He looked very good in coverage as he has recently and his speed made an impact rushing the passer as well. He had some issues against the run, but overall he had a very good game. He has already emerged as on of Jacksonville’s best defense. He is an exciting player to watch.
Cornerback
K’Waun Williams
Cleveland Browns
Unranked
Another fantastic showing front he undrafted rookie, Williams was incredibly active all game. He was physical and insightful and coverage, doing a great job of playing the ball and covering his receiver. To go along with a good day in coverage, Williams was active in the run game as well. He has been an outstanding find for Cleveland and is one of the best rookies on their team, which is really saying something.
EJ Gaines
St. Louis Rams
81st Overall Prospect, 10th Corner, 2nd Round Grade
Gaines continues to go a bit under the radar, but he is having a very good rookie year. He is physical, smart and plays the ball well and Sunday was no different. He did a good job all game of covering his assignment, looking good manned up and running in zones. He even had a big time pass defended against another rookie stud in John Brown. The Rams needed playmakers in their secondary and Gaines looks like that guy.
Safety
Deone Bucannon
Arizona Cardinals
96th Overall Player, 8th Safety, 3rd Round Grade
Bucannon had another solid game on Sunday. He plays near the line of scrimmage quite a bit and sunday marked the first time he played really well against the run. He game has seemingly slowed down for him quite a bit and he looked better because of it. He blitzed quite a bit on Sunday too and his speed helped him pick up a sack. In coverage he still did not look great, but flashed the ability that made Arizona want him in the first round.
Nov 9, 2014; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals safety Tyrann Mathieu (32) and safety Deone Bucannon (36) against the St. Louis Rams at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 31-14. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Ha Ha Clinton Dix
Green Bay Packers
9th Overall Player, 1st Safety, 1st Round Grade
After a rough outing the last time he played, Clinton Dix rebounded with a strong game against the Bears. He looked good coming up against the run, but looked even better in coverage. He moved well and diagnosed plays from his zone very nicely. He has been up an down this entire season, so hopefully he can find some consistency.
Rookie Of the Week: Jordan Matthews
In a Monday night embarrassment of the Panthers, Matthews was brightest spot on the Philadelphia offense. His ability to work underneath is invaluable to the offense and he did a great job converting short passes into long games. He has shown steady improvement over the season, and with a quarterback who is targeting him more, it is hard not to get excited about him for the rest of the season.
Nov 10, 2014; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Jordan Matthews (81) scores a touchdown past Carolina Panthers cornerback Josh Norman (24) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Panthers 45-21. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports