The regular season came storming in and with it came a new group of rookies who look to join the likes of Doug Martin, Andrew Luck and Lavonte David. They all took the field for the first time this week and after some great performances and players struggling, changes have come to the Top-10 rookie rankings.
10. Star Lotulelei Defensive Tackle, Carolina Panthers
A new name emerges on this list, as Lotulelei becomes the first defensive lineman to join the top-10 ranks. The Panthers selected him with the 14th Overall pick and he has already impressed early.
Carolina started off the season with a great opportunity to upset the Seattle Seahawks. It was a great game and the group that really stood out for the Panthers was the front seven. While linebacker Luke Kuechly and defensive end Greg Hardy draw plenty of recognition, Lotulelei stood out. He finished with four solo tackles including a tackle for loss, but his biggest impact came in stopping Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch. The Pro-Bowl running back finished with 17 carries but for a mediocre 2.5 yards per carry. Carolina shut down the running game and got pressure on Russell Wilson, limiting the Seahawks to just 12 points. It was an excellent performance against a great opponent, and a sign of things to come.
9. Giovani Bernard Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
Bernard was maybe the most loved rookie in the preseason and expectations for a big rookie year were high. A combination of being on “Hard Knocks” and an excellent preseason led many to believe he was set to be a force in the Bengals offense. But after the first regular season game, his role in the offense may not be as big as we thought.
Bernard saw limited action against the Bears, but he was affective with those carries. He carried the ball four times for 22 yards, a 5.5 yards per carry average and significantly better than BenJarvus Green-Ellis’s 1.8 yards per carry. While Green-Ellis did get 14 more carries he finished with only three more yards than Bernard. Both Bernard and Green-Ellis added a reception, but Green-Ellis was able to find the end zone. This was a difficult matchup for the Bengals as they faced a Chicago defense that forced a lot of turnovers and did an excellent job shutting down the running game. Bernard should receive more chances next week against a depleted Steelers defense, especially if Green-Ellis continues to falter.
8. Eric Reid Free Safety, San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco made the decision this offseason to let Dashon Goldson take the big paycheck in Tampa Bay. So they used their wealth of draft picks to trade up for Reid and he earned the starting free safety job.
Some questioned the 49ers for trading up to take Reid early, but once again it looks like the 49ers made another excellent addition. Making his first start against Aaron Rodgers, Reid struggled at times with missed tackles but when San Francisco needed a play, he made it. As Green bay was driving down the field near the 50, Reid made a big play. Rodgers delivered a nice ball to Jermichael Finley who couldn’t hold on, Reid reacted quickly and made a diving grab to pick off the pass and give his offense great field position. If not for that interception, Green Bay could have drove down the field and scored a touchdown in what ended as a very close game. Reid added seven tackles and a pass deflection, but the rookie stepped up when his team needed him the most. Something tells me San Francisco won’t miss Goldson at that spot and will be happy to save millions in the process.
7. Eddie Lacy Running Back, Green Bay Packers
There may have been no tougher opener for Lacy than the one he faced to begin his NFL career. A road game against the 49ers, a team that doesn’t give up big games to some of the best running backs in all of football. Green Bay’s offensive line struggled in the preseason giving any push, making this a nightmare matchup for Lacy.
Lacy couldn’t find any room to run in the first quarter, he carried the ball four times but his biggest run went for only two yards. The second quarter got off to a great start when he found room on the outside for a gain of 10, but was called back on the holding penalty. Then he fumbled on the next play while fighting for yards and the 49ers recovered at the Green Bay 14. Lacy didn’t take the field again until the second half. He saw more work in the second half and capped it off with a 2-yard touchdown to give Green Bay the first lead of the game. Lacy would finish the night with 14 carries for 41 yards and added 31 receiving yards on a screen pass. The fumble was a killer for the Packers. Lacy finished his day off on a high note and with no real competition behind him, should get more opportunities next week in his regular season debut at Lambeau field.
6. E.J. Manuel Quarterback, Buffalo Bills
The first quarterback selected rockets up the rankings now that he is healthy and climbs even higher after an impressive performance against New England. In a game where Buffalo was expected to get steamrolled, Manuel stepped up and battled with Tom Brady and fell just short of pulling off the upset.
While Patriots dealt with injuries on offense, Manuel took on a healthy Patriots team that has turned into one of the better defensive teams in football. While they focused on limiting his mobility and keeping him in the pocket, Manuel was efficient through the air and looking through his reads. He finished the day with two touchdown passes, including his first to fellow rookie Robert Woods. The biggest takeaway was that Manuel didn’t turn the ball over, something many rookies struggle with in their first season. He faces another tough test against the Panthers next week, but should find some holes in the secondary if given time to throw.
5. Luke Joeckel Offensive Tackle, Jacksonville Jaguars
This was going to be the year where the Jaguars took a step forward and Blaine Gabbert gave Jacksonville even a little bit of promise for the future. Instead, the Jaguars were shutdown offensively and the offensive line failed to protect their quarterback.
Joeckel battled injuries in camp but was healthy for the game in a tough test against a fierce Chiefs pass rush. He was beat several times by Justin Houston around the outside and gave up four pressures and a sack. He wasn’t helped out by an offense that could never take advantage of the blitz and keep the defense honest. Now Joeckel will prepare for the Raiders, a team that may be just as bad as Jacksonville on both side of the ball. Even if Gabbert can’t turn his career around, the future is bright with Joeckel on the right side.
4. DeAndre Hopkins Wide Receiver, Houston Texans
The Texans struggled in the first half on Monday Night Football, but a second half comeback was helped by their passing game. While Andre Johnson and Owen Daniels were the leading weapons, Hopkins stepped up with a strong game of his own.
He was held to just one reception for no gain in the first half, but his role on this team really started to show in the second half. Each of Hopkins’ receptions in the second half picked up the first downs and helped Houston move the ball down the field. He had a chance for a touchdown but great coverage broke up the play and prevented his first career score. The slow first half likely has to do with it being his first game back since a concussion suffered in the preseason. He won’t make big plays but he will become a reliable weapon for this offense and help the Texans improve their passing game.
3. Tyrann Mathieu Free Safety, Arizona Cardinals
It was a great first week for rookie safeties and Mathieu was just one of the many who stood out as impact players. When Arizona drafted him they hoped he could contribute a little on defense and special teams, and so far he has surpassed all expectations.
Mathieu was everywhere on the field against the Rams, and showed a nose for the football and some fight. He got into it with several Rams players throughout the game, just talking back and forth. He finished third on the team with seven solo tackles, and showed his ability to fly to the football and bring hits. His biggest play came early in the game when Rams tight end Jared Cook was nearing the end zone after a big catch-and-run, only to have Mathieu punch the ball out and the Cardinals recovered. He had some bumps, drawing a pass interference call but for the most part it was a great performance by the rookie. It won’t be long before he officially earns the starting free safety job and when he does his play could vault him into becoming a defensive rookie of the year candidate.
2. Kyle Long Offensive Guard, Chicago Bears
The player who so many questioned the Bears when they took him with the 20th pick has now turned into the one of the best rookies in all of football. Long would face his biggest test of the season in his debut, and despite some struggles he still impressed in the end.
It’s never easy for a veteran to take on an All-Pro defensive tackle like Geno Atkins and even more difficult for a rookie in his first start. Long didn’t get off to a great start, getting pushed around and allowing interior pressure. Chicago started out slow offensively, but turned it around in the second half with the help of their rookie right guard. Long showed improvement in the second half and with the help of Roberto Garza and fellow rookie Jordan Mills prevented a sack the entire game. Chicago walked away with the win and after facing the best defensive tackle in football; things should only get easier for Long.
1. Tavon Austin Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams
After sitting through the preseason waiting for the regular season to arrive so we could finally see the Rams plans for Austin, a little disappointment begins to set in. We saw him used in a variety of roles; ranging from receiver, to returner and running an end-around, but maybe it’s possible Austin was hyped up too early.
Austin finished the night with six receptions for 41 yards on seven targets, and one carry but for a loss of a yard. He was the second most targeted receiver in the game, just behind Cook. His performance could have been better if not for a pass interference penalty on a deep ball, as he went back and forth all game with Mathieu. Austin was looked at on short throws, where he could make defenders miss in the open field. Right now Austin looks like the second option for the Rams, but will have to make some big plays in order to find the end zone. He is a playmaker, but he may struggle with consistency this season.