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Kiper's midseason All-Rookie team: Watson steals the show
Time for my midseason look at the best rookies in the NFL. Some positions are obvious -- especially at quarterback -- and some aren't so obvious. There are plenty of changes from my preseason team.
I went 30 deep on my previous Rookie Big Board, and below you'll find the best rookies at every position through Week 8. I'm including again where each player landed on my final top 300 prospects list before the 2017 draft.
Here are the parameters (same as always):
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, HOU
Running Backs
Kareem Hun, KC
Leonard Fournette, JAX
All Purpose Back
Christian McCaffrey, CAR
Wide Receiver
Cooper Kupp, LAR
JuJu Smith-Schuster, PIT
Tight End
Evan Engram, NYG
Offensive Line
Garrett Bolles, DEN
Ryan Ramczyk, NO
Cam Robinson, JAX
Dion Dawkins, BUF
Pat Elflein, MIN
Time for my midseason look at the best rookies in the NFL. Some positions are obvious -- especially at quarterback -- and some aren't so obvious. There are plenty of changes from my preseason team.
I went 30 deep on my previous Rookie Big Board, and below you'll find the best rookies at every position through Week 8. I'm including again where each player landed on my final top 300 prospects list before the 2017 draft.
Here are the parameters (same as always):
- This is a measure for all games played this season -- not just last week.
- Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
- Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
- Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, HOU
Final Big Board Rank: 34
Preseason Pick: DeShone Kizer, CLE
Kizer, who has really struggled, was my preseason pick because he was the only rookie QB who was starting Week 1. Then Watson was inserted into the Texans' lineup at halftime of the season opener, and he has been electric ever since. He might have passed up Kareem Hunt for front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Watson leads the league in Total QBR (81.9) and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes (19). He has made some questionable decisions -- he has thrown eight interceptions -- but the good has outweighed the bad. I had a second-round grade on him because of his inconsistencies as a thrower. I did have Watson going to the Texans at pick No. 57 in my two-round mock draft in April (he ended up the 12th overall pick). Watson has the potential to be a superstar, and he's keeping the Texans, who are missing a few major pieces on defense, in the AFC South race.
Preseason Pick: DeShone Kizer, CLE
Kizer, who has really struggled, was my preseason pick because he was the only rookie QB who was starting Week 1. Then Watson was inserted into the Texans' lineup at halftime of the season opener, and he has been electric ever since. He might have passed up Kareem Hunt for front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Watson leads the league in Total QBR (81.9) and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes (19). He has made some questionable decisions -- he has thrown eight interceptions -- but the good has outweighed the bad. I had a second-round grade on him because of his inconsistencies as a thrower. I did have Watson going to the Texans at pick No. 57 in my two-round mock draft in April (he ended up the 12th overall pick). Watson has the potential to be a superstar, and he's keeping the Texans, who are missing a few major pieces on defense, in the AFC South race.
Running Backs
Kareem Hun, KC
Final Big Board Rank: 82
Preseason Pick: Dalvin Cook, MIN
Hunt is in a touchdown drought -- he hasn't scored in five games. That was after six total touchdowns in his first three games. He still leads the league in rushing yards (763) and is averaging a robust 5.2 yards per carry. What I liked about the third-round pick from Toledo is that he was involved in the passing game in college; he had 41 catches for 403 yards in 2016. He has 28 catches for 307 yards and two TDs in Kansas City. Cook was my preseason pick to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he looked solid until he tore his ACL in Week 4.
Preseason Pick: Dalvin Cook, MIN
Hunt is in a touchdown drought -- he hasn't scored in five games. That was after six total touchdowns in his first three games. He still leads the league in rushing yards (763) and is averaging a robust 5.2 yards per carry. What I liked about the third-round pick from Toledo is that he was involved in the passing game in college; he had 41 catches for 403 yards in 2016. He has 28 catches for 307 yards and two TDs in Kansas City. Cook was my preseason pick to be the Offensive Rookie of the Year, and he looked solid until he tore his ACL in Week 4.
Final Big Board rank: 7
Preseason pick: Fournette
The 4-3 Jags are winning thanks to their stout defense and efficient running game, with Fournette leading the way. Although he doesn't have a great offensive line, he is creating holes for himself. Check out this 90-yard touchdown to close out the Jags' upset win over the Steelers. That's some serious breakaway speed for a 230-pound back. Despite missing the Week 7 win over the Colts with an ankle injury, Fournette is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (6). He's also contributing in the passing game, with 15 catches and a touchdown. He had only 41 catches in his three seasons at LSU, where he looked like a first-round pick from the minute he stepped on the field as a freshman.
Preseason pick: Fournette
The 4-3 Jags are winning thanks to their stout defense and efficient running game, with Fournette leading the way. Although he doesn't have a great offensive line, he is creating holes for himself. Check out this 90-yard touchdown to close out the Jags' upset win over the Steelers. That's some serious breakaway speed for a 230-pound back. Despite missing the Week 7 win over the Colts with an ankle injury, Fournette is tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns (6). He's also contributing in the passing game, with 15 catches and a touchdown. He had only 41 catches in his three seasons at LSU, where he looked like a first-round pick from the minute he stepped on the field as a freshman.
All Purpose Back
Christian McCaffrey, CAR
Final Big Board: 6
Preseason pick: McCaffrey
I'm going with McCaffrey here over the Bears' Tarik Cohen simply because the No. 8 overall pick is on pace for 98 catches, which is rare for a rookie, let alone a rookie running back. The Panthers are using McCaffrey all over the field. Now, there are some concerns. He's averaging only 2.4 yards per carry (his longest run is only 11 yards) and 7.7 yards per catch, and he hasn't made a huge impact in the return game. But Carolina is committed to using him, and he could see even more targets with Kelvin Benjamin traded to Buffalo.
Preseason pick: McCaffrey
I'm going with McCaffrey here over the Bears' Tarik Cohen simply because the No. 8 overall pick is on pace for 98 catches, which is rare for a rookie, let alone a rookie running back. The Panthers are using McCaffrey all over the field. Now, there are some concerns. He's averaging only 2.4 yards per carry (his longest run is only 11 yards) and 7.7 yards per catch, and he hasn't made a huge impact in the return game. But Carolina is committed to using him, and he could see even more targets with Kelvin Benjamin traded to Buffalo.
Wide Receiver
Cooper Kupp, LAR
Final Big Board rank: 83
Preseason pick: Kupp
It has been a strange year for rookie receivers. The three taken in the first round -- Mike Williams, John Ross and Corey Davis -- have combined for nine catches, no touchdowns, two games started and at least three injuries. McCaffrey has been the best rookie receiver. Kupp has 23 catches and three touchdowns while playing almost 70 percent of the Rams' offensive snaps. He was one of the most physically ready receivers in the 2017 draft. Kupp had an NFL skill set in the slot coming out of Eastern Washington, where he had 428 catches and a whopping 73 receiving touchdowns in his college career.
Preseason pick: Kupp
It has been a strange year for rookie receivers. The three taken in the first round -- Mike Williams, John Ross and Corey Davis -- have combined for nine catches, no touchdowns, two games started and at least three injuries. McCaffrey has been the best rookie receiver. Kupp has 23 catches and three touchdowns while playing almost 70 percent of the Rams' offensive snaps. He was one of the most physically ready receivers in the 2017 draft. Kupp had an NFL skill set in the slot coming out of Eastern Washington, where he had 428 catches and a whopping 73 receiving touchdowns in his college career.
Final Big Board rank: 39
Preseason pick: Zay Jones, Buffalo Bills
It has been fun to watch Smith-Schuster, the league's youngest player, pick up a bigger role for the Steelers. He broke out in Week 8 with a seven-catch, 193-yard performance that included a 97-yard touchdown. He has four touchdowns for the season, and he's eating into the playing time of uber-talented wideout Martavis Bryant. Smith-Schuster had 20 touchdowns his past two seasons at USC, and he was in the first-round discussion for much of 2016. A 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine dropped him a little bit. Jones has only 10 catches on 32 targets, and his playing time might decrease with the Kelvin Benjamin addition.
Preseason pick: Zay Jones, Buffalo Bills
It has been fun to watch Smith-Schuster, the league's youngest player, pick up a bigger role for the Steelers. He broke out in Week 8 with a seven-catch, 193-yard performance that included a 97-yard touchdown. He has four touchdowns for the season, and he's eating into the playing time of uber-talented wideout Martavis Bryant. Smith-Schuster had 20 touchdowns his past two seasons at USC, and he was in the first-round discussion for much of 2016. A 4.54 40-yard dash at the combine dropped him a little bit. Jones has only 10 catches on 32 targets, and his playing time might decrease with the Kelvin Benjamin addition.
Tight End
Evan Engram, NYG
Final Big Board rank: 21
Preseason pick: O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This was a tougher decision than the receivers. First-round picks Engram, O.J. Howard and David Njoku each have three touchdown catches. Engram gets the edge because of his totals (30 catches for 342 yards) and because he has played the highest percentage of his team's offensive snaps (79.6 percent compared to 64 percent for Howard and 43.1 percent for Njoku). The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Engram was the fastest tight end at the combine (4.42 40), which pushed him into the first round. With no Odell Beckham Jr. for the rest of the season, Engram will be a big piece of the Giants' game plan as they try to dig out of a 1-6 hole.
Preseason pick: O.J. Howard, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This was a tougher decision than the receivers. First-round picks Engram, O.J. Howard and David Njoku each have three touchdown catches. Engram gets the edge because of his totals (30 catches for 342 yards) and because he has played the highest percentage of his team's offensive snaps (79.6 percent compared to 64 percent for Howard and 43.1 percent for Njoku). The 6-foot-3, 240-pound Engram was the fastest tight end at the combine (4.42 40), which pushed him into the first round. With no Odell Beckham Jr. for the rest of the season, Engram will be a big piece of the Giants' game plan as they try to dig out of a 1-6 hole.
Offensive Line
Garrett Bolles, DEN
Final Big Board rank: 42
Preseason pick: Bolles
Bolles was plugged into the Broncos' starting lineup at left tackle on day one and has missed only a handful of snaps due to a leg injury. He hasn't been perfect, but he has been solid. Also, he might be blocking for a new quarterback soon.
Preseason pick: Bolles
Bolles was plugged into the Broncos' starting lineup at left tackle on day one and has missed only a handful of snaps due to a leg injury. He hasn't been perfect, but he has been solid. Also, he might be blocking for a new quarterback soon.
Final Big Board rank: 29
Preseason pick: Ramczyk
If there was an award for midseason offensive lineman of the year, Ramczyk would get it. He hasn't missed a snap this season, starting a left tackle for a few games in place of Terron Armstead and now moving to the right side to replace injured Zach Strief. I thought he might be better as a right tackle in the NFL because of his run-blocking, and Armstead, who is signed through 2021, is locked into the left tackle spot, barring injury.
Preseason pick: Ramczyk
If there was an award for midseason offensive lineman of the year, Ramczyk would get it. He hasn't missed a snap this season, starting a left tackle for a few games in place of Terron Armstead and now moving to the right side to replace injured Zach Strief. I thought he might be better as a right tackle in the NFL because of his run-blocking, and Armstead, who is signed through 2021, is locked into the left tackle spot, barring injury.
Final Big Board rank: 28
Preseason pick: Robinson
The offseason trade for Branden Albert didn't work out, so Robinson stepped into the starting left tackle spot on day one in Jacksonville. He played every snap until he sprained his ankle early in Week 8. Quarterback Blake Bortles said earlier this season that Robinson has been "awesome" and "unbelievable." Robinson was a phenomenal run-blocker at Alabama who I thought might be better served to start at right tackle until he got some more experience in the NFL. So far, so good, though.
Preseason pick: Robinson
The offseason trade for Branden Albert didn't work out, so Robinson stepped into the starting left tackle spot on day one in Jacksonville. He played every snap until he sprained his ankle early in Week 8. Quarterback Blake Bortles said earlier this season that Robinson has been "awesome" and "unbelievable." Robinson was a phenomenal run-blocker at Alabama who I thought might be better served to start at right tackle until he got some more experience in the NFL. So far, so good, though.
Final Big Board rank: 54
Preseason pick: Taylor Moton, Carolina Panthers
Yes, this makes four tackles, but the guard options are virtually nonexistent, especially after Forrest Lamp, my top-ranked guard, was ruled out for the season in training camp. Dawkins, who started three games at left tackle in place of Cordy Glenn for the Bills, was actually my second-ranked guard, so he can slot in nicely. Dawkins did start for three seasons at left tackle at Temple. He showed good leg drive and footwork and the ability to get to the second level with ease, and he used his hands well to engage defenders and drive them off the ball. Moton has played only 19 offensive snaps.
Preseason pick: Taylor Moton, Carolina Panthers
Yes, this makes four tackles, but the guard options are virtually nonexistent, especially after Forrest Lamp, my top-ranked guard, was ruled out for the season in training camp. Dawkins, who started three games at left tackle in place of Cordy Glenn for the Bills, was actually my second-ranked guard, so he can slot in nicely. Dawkins did start for three seasons at left tackle at Temple. He showed good leg drive and footwork and the ability to get to the second level with ease, and he used his hands well to engage defenders and drive them off the ball. Moton has played only 19 offensive snaps.
Final Big Board rank: 62
Preseason pick: Elflein
My midseason team does have a center. Elflein, my top-ranked center in an underwhelming class, has settled in for the Vikings and played almost every snap on an improved offensive line. The third-round pick started 40 career games at Ohio State and won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center in 2016.
Preseason pick: Elflein
My midseason team does have a center. Elflein, my top-ranked center in an underwhelming class, has settled in for the Vikings and played almost every snap on an improved offensive line. The third-round pick started 40 career games at Ohio State and won the Rimington Trophy as the nation's top center in 2016.
