As the preseason comes to a close and the regular season approaches, all eyes will be focused on the upcoming rookie class. The Top-10 rookie ranks continues and even in a week where many starters don’t see action, there is more movement in the rankings. We are just days away from the regular season kicking off, and here are the top-10 rookies heading into the 2013 season.
10. Jon Bostic Middle Linebacker, Chicago Bears
Bostic has made headlines so far with the Bears, drawing praise from coaches and a fine from Roger Goodell. But the second-round pick has been dominant so far in Chicago and has earned the role of replacing Brian Urlacher.
Bostic drew a fine after a helmet-to-helmet hit during the third quarter against the Chargers, Bostic leveled wide receiver Mike Willie and forced the incompletion. The fine drew the ire of Bostic’s teammates, who celebrated the big hit when it happened. Bostic has shown this season that he can fly to the football and deliver big hits. While the Bears signed D.J. Williams to start at middle linebacker, he has battled a calf injury throughout the preseason which has opened the door for Bostic. After four games, Bostic has shown he can bring a new life to the Bears defense and be the present and future at middle linebacker. If Bostic is given the starting job over Williams, he will shine this season.
9. Quinton Patton Wide Receiver, San Francisco 49ers
When the 49ers lost Michael Crabtree to a torn Achilles in the offseason, many wondered who could step up among the 49ers young receivers. At first many believed A.J. Jenkins was ready to take the stage but after he was traded away, the path is clear for Patton to emerge as a threat in this offense.
Patton didn’t even have a chance to take the field until the third week of the preseason, as he recovered from a fractured index finger to start training camp. Once Patton was on the field, everyone saw why so many draft writers loved the former Louisiana Tech receiver. Patton is Mr. Reliable; he runs clean routes and has the toughness to go across the middle. When Kaepernick throws him the ball, you know Patton is going to catch it and will fight for extra yards after the catch. In two preseason games, Patton has shown the same aggressiveness and selflessness that fits perfectly with the 49ers locker room. He only played in two games, but Patton was the best 49ers receiver in the preseason and likely has earned the second receiver role opposite of Anquan Boldin.
8. Kenbrell Thompkins Wide Receiver, New England Patriots
Another great team that has been surrounded by question marks about their receivers, who may have found the help they needed from an undrafted free agent. While Thompkins had a quiet game in the final preseason game against the Giants, he only saw four targets and Tom Brady never took the field.
Thompkins has emerged as New England’s number two receiver and should receive plenty of targets this season from Brady. Danny Amendola will likely take the role of Wes Welker and could emerge as a 100+ reception threat. But if Amendola can’t stay healthy which he has struggled with in his career, which could open the door for Thompkins to take over as the top receiver. Obviously, Rob Gronkowski will remain Brady’s go-to target but Thompkins should be in for a very nice year and have an excellent rookie season.
7. DeAndre Hopkins Wide Receiver, Houston Texans
What first appeared as Houston taking it safe with their first-round pick now has developed into a legitimate concern. Hopkins is still being held out with a concussion and with the season only a week away, he has yet to pass the final concussion test.
Whenever Hopkins returns to the field, he may get off to a slow start as he tries to get back into a rhythm with the offense and earning the confidence of his quarterback. But once he settles back in, Hopkins can climb back up near the top of this year’s rookie class. He will have plenty of opportunities this season facing single coverage as teammate Andre Johnson draws the double team. We saw in the first week of the preseason that Hopkins isn’t afraid to go up and get the football, and his strong hands are a big reason why he will emerge as an excellent weapon for this offense. He falls because of the lingering concussion, but once he returns to the field he will deliver on the high expectations.
6. Giovani Bernard Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals
The first running back selected in the 2013 draft, Bernard is quickly emerging as the Bengals top running back. While Cincinnati limited BenJarvus Green-Ellis to just eight carries, Bernard stepped up when given the opportunity.
Bernard showed off his speed and ability to change a game as a receiver and on outside runs. But what nobody was expecting was his success at the goal line, the Bengals kept him on the field and he found the end zone three times. He finished the season with 116 rushing yards on 27 carries for a nice 4.3 yards per carry and an additional seven receptions for 71 yards as a receiver. Pass protection remains the biggest issue for him and it is the one thing that will help Green-Ellis stay on the field over Bernard. But Bernard is clearly the better talent and even if he does have to come out for some plays, the rookie is in for an excellent year. If he can improve his protection skills, he will become the lead back for the Bengals and emerge as a rookie of the year candidate.
5. Eddie Lacy Running Back, Green Bay Packers
If the Packers want to take some pressure off of Aaron Rodgers this season, one player who could help is Lacy. After Green Bay stole him late in the second round, the rookie running back has shown how important he can be to this offense.
Lacy was in a battle with DuJuan Harris for the starting role, but Harris is now on injured reserve and Lacy has earned the lead role for this running attack. While he won’t wow you with his speed, Lacy brings a punch to the backfield and the hard-nosed runner Green Bay has lacked since Rodgers took over at quarterback. Lacy’s preseason stats are a product of having a majority of his snaps come with the backup quarterback, but when he was on the field with Rodgers he was extremely affective. Green Bay probably won’t run it enough for Lacy to rush for 1,000 yards, but he should get plenty of goal-line work and could have a 10-touchdown season.
As the Cardinals prepare to open their regular season, Mathieu is poised for a big rookie season and is emerging as a favorite for defensive rookie of the year. Even though he may not start the season at free safety, we will see his versatility early.
4. Tyrann Mathieu Free Safety, Arizona Cardinals
Mathieu has been everywhere on the field this preseason for the Cardinals, he spent time at cornerback, safety and kick returner. That versatility gives Arizona even more depth and flexibility on defense, something that makes a very good Cardinals defense even better.
When Mathieu is on the field, he will be the beneficiary of an excellent front seven who will put pressure on the quarterback and allow Mathieu to roam and make plays. He should be a playmaker in the secondary and intercept a few passes, but also can come off the edge on a safety blitz and get after the quarterback. If Mathieu can pick up a handful of sacks and interceptions and the Cardinals have a bounce-back year, he could emerge as the defensive rookie of the year.
3. Luke Joeckel Offensive Tackle, Jacksonville Jaguars
As the Jaguars head into the season, Gus Bradley is hoping that quarterback Blaine Gabbert can build on the success he had in the preseason. The 2011 first-round pick has struggled in his first two seasons, but could be poised for resurgence thanks to the arrival of Joeckel at right tackle.
Joeckel battled a hip flexor injury during the preseason that cost him live action, but he was able to return to the field for the final week of the preseason. While he didn’t work with the starters long, Joeckel again showed why he was selected second overall by Jacksonville. He was an excellent left tackle in college but with Eugene Monroe anchoring the left side, the Jaguars moved him over to right tackle. He gives them an excellent pass-protector who can give Gabbert a clean pocket to work with. While he may not receive any accolades this season, if Gabbert is able to step up a lot of the credit should go to Joeckel. This is turning into an excellent offensive line and one that could help turn around the Jaguars future.
2. Kyle Long Offensive Guard, Chicago Bears
For the first time since the rookie rankings started, Long is not moving up the list. While he stays at the second spot, he is still set to be an impact player this season and will prove the Bears didn’t reach for him like many claimed on draft day.
Long was known as a great athlete at Oregon but was new to the offensive line and was still a work in progress. But once he arrived in Chicago he started dominating and immediately locked up the starting spot at right guard. Not only has he shown athleticism, but also has shown excellent awareness so far. He finished as one of the top rated guards by Pro Football Focus and helped Matt Forte find plenty of running lanes in the preseason. Chicago has a chance to contend in the NFC North and if their offense can step up and lead them to the playoffs, Long will be a big reason why.
1. Tavon Austin Wide Receiver, St. Louis Rams
It was another shaky performance for Austin in the Rams final preseason action against the Ravens, but the future is still bright for the electrifying rookie receiver. The preseason stats will show Austin was far from a game-changed and his only big play was a punt return. But as Jeff Fisher told the media this past week, we haven’t seen the Rams real plans for their first-round pick.
In four games, Austin was held to just eight receptions for 66 yards and a fumble. He did return a punt 81 yards, but many believed he was never properly used during the preseason. He needs to line up everywhere on the field, in a similar role to Randall Cobb with the Packers. He is a fine route-runner but the best way to get him involved in the offense is to use screens, reverse plays and slants across the middle. St. Louis hasn’t shown their game plan for him because they don’t want to give other teams time to plan against it. When St. Louis begins the season next week against the Cardinals, their true plans for Austin will be revealed. He will line up everywhere including as a return man, and soon will show why the Rams traded up to get him with the eight overall pick.