Bracie Smathers
Footballguy
In the rookie thread on Baltimore LB Aurthur Brown I posted some grades for all rookie inside LBers from PFF but it could easily get lost in the shuffle and I didn't post the other IDP grades for all of the other rookies, so here is the complete list of IDP rookies by draft order.
Next post breaks out workable list of the rookies who stood out both positively and negatively and have the highest grades over-and-above the rest of the group and the rookies who have the lowest grades lower-and-below the rest of the group.
I think this is a good place to post updates on each rookie during the X-Games so we can keep tabs. For instance, St. Louis rookie LB Alex Ogletree had a low grade compared to the rest of the rookies taken in the first and second rounds but he is getting work at both inside and outside linebacker and the recent four game suspension of WSLB Von Dunbar could mean the Rams have put him on the fast-track to start much sooner than he'd normally warrant and sooner than the Rams would want so that added information should be attached to his low-grade.
Add any other tidbits on the top IDP rookies, and since the PFF grades only encompass the 1st and 2nd rounds they do not list all of the top performing IDP rookies.
Here's the list of IDP rookies by draft order, only the first and second rounds.
FIRST ROUND
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/08/12/rookie-review-first-round-rookies-preseason-week-1/
3. Dion Jordan, DE, Miami Dolphins
Grade: +1.0
Snaps: 21 as a situational third-down rusher over two games
Analysis: In limited early-game work as the team goes easy with his injured shoulder, the presumed pass-rush specialist faced run plays on five of his seven snaps against the Jaguars and got in on one tackle for a loss. Had some joy in the Hall of Fame game and now has a hit and a hurry on 12 pass rushes.
5. Ezekial Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions
Grade: +0.9
Snaps: 22 as the Detroit starters got a big work out
Analysis: It will be alarming that on 12 pass rushes he didn’t generate a single bit of pressure, but there aren’t too many tougher tasks than D’Brickashaw Ferguson. We wouldn’t count on him making too many interceptions like the one he returned for six, but showed good awareness (and hands) to make it.
6. Barkevious Mingo, OLB, Cleveland Browns
Grade: +2.8
Snaps: 32 in starting sub package and with backups
Analysis: A fine debut from Mingo who wasn’t against the starters but still delivered three quarterback hits and one hurry on just 16 pass rushes. Now let’s see how he does against the starters, because that was extremely encouraging.
9. Dee Milliner, CB, New York Jets
Grade: +0.3
Snaps: 39 snaps
Analysis: A lengthy debut at the Jets got their top pick plenty of action. He was targeted four times and gave up three of those for 39 yards. He did break up the other ball to show his top-end talent, but they won’t want to see him missing tackles or giving up first downs to the likes of Matt Willis going forward.
12. D.J. Hayden, CB, Oakland Raiders
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: The Raiders’ cornerback is closing in on being ready after his health woes, but Week 1 of preseason came too soon.
13. Sheldon Richardson, DE, New York Jets
Grade: -0.9
Snaps: 33 with the starters and backups.
Analysis: A quiet day for Richardson who wasn’t able to pick up any pressure, though impressed against the run with two defensive stops. Granted they didn’t come against first-teamers but it represents something to build on.
14. Star Lotulelei, DT, Carolina Panthers
Grade: -0.9
Snaps: 13 snaps with starting defense
Analysis: Lotulelei only played 13 snaps, 11 of which came against the pass. He did not record a pressure while his -0.5 run grade was the result of getting sealed inside by left tackle on an early second-quarter run.
15. Kenny Vaccaro, S, New Orleans Saints
Grade: -0.6
Snaps: 31 snaps as part of second string defense.
Analysis: Quiet debut. Didn’t do an awful lot wrong, but didn’t stand out despite extra playing time. That can be the way of things as a safety sometimes, though he did get beat for a first down by Travis Kelce.
[SIZE=small]17. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers[/SIZE]
Grade: -1.9
Snaps: 41
Analysis: Though he played a healthy dose of snaps, Jones failed to stand out for the Steelers. His 16 snaps rushing the passer translated to just a single hit, and he lost contain against the run more than the Steelers will have been happy with seeing.
18. Eric Reid, S, San Francisco 49ers
Grade: +0.2
Snaps: 45 snaps with second string defense
Analysis: Reid threw his body around and made some big hits, but he was a little out of control on his missed tackle in the middle of the third quarter. He did a really nice job of filling his gap and finishing the play on his one run stop.
[SIZE=small]22. Desmond Trufant, CB, Atlanta Falcons[/SIZE]
Grade: -2.7
Snaps: 24 with the starters and second string.
Analysis: Tough debut for Trufant who got run over on the Falcons’ opening defensive play and would give up a first down on their second drive. Looked a little lost at times in what can at best be described a tentative debut.
[SIZE=small]23. Shariff Floyd, DT, Minnesota Vikings[/SIZE]
Grade: +3.6
Snaps: 15
Analysis: Floyd looked dominant for the Vikings before a knock to the knee sent him to the sidelines for the rest of the game. In the 15 snaps he was on the field for, he looked quick, powerful and destructive against both the run and the pass.
[SIZE=small]24. Bjoern Werner, OLB, Indianapolis Colts[/SIZE]
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: The Colts kept him on the sidelines as a precaution after he went through pregame warm-ups.
[SIZE=small]25. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings[/SIZE]
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: The Vikings opted against further damaging his hamstring and had him sit out the preseason opener.
[SIZE=small]26. Datone Jones, DE, Green Bay Packers[/SIZE]
Grade: -0.1
Snaps: 1
Analysis: Came off after one pass rushing snap where he didn’t register any pressure. It can only get better from here.
[SIZE=small]28. Sylvester Williams, DT, Denver Broncos[/SIZE]
Grade: -0.7
Snaps: 22 snaps with first and second string
Analysis: Williams did little of note in his first action. He was quiet on his seven snaps against the run and got shut out as pass rusher on his 15 attempts.
[SIZE=small]30. Alec Ogletree, LB, St Louis Rams[/SIZE]
Grade: -1.7
Snaps: 23 with the starters
Analysis: While a nice tackle for a loss is what Rams will want to see more of, they’ll be less inclined to see him give up a touchdown and first down as he did in game one. The NFL can be a steep learning curve, especially if you’re to be an every-down player from Day 1.
[SIZE=small]32. Matt Elam, S, Baltimore Ravens[/SIZE]
Grade: +1.4
Snaps: 40
Analysis: Elam spent the majority of his time backed away from the line of scrimmage as a deep safety (24-of-40 snaps). He logged a pair of run stops on three tackles when coming forward and wasn’t challenged through the air.
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SECOND ROUND
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/08/13/rookie-review-second-round-rookies-preseason-week-1/
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33. Jonathan Cyprien, FS, Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: Cyprien was on the PUP list and unavailable for Week 1.
36. Darius Slay, CB, Detroit Lions
Grade: +0.4
Snaps: 29 snaps, started at RCB
Analysis: Despite seeing a fair amount of time, Slay was untested in coverage. He did notch a hurry on his only blitz and also picked up an illegal block penalty on a punt return.
38. Manti Te’o, ILB, San Diego Chargers
Grade: -0.4
Snaps: 9 snaps with starting base defense; came off the field on passing downs
Analysis: Not an action-packed game for Te’o, whose grade stems largely from running into a block on one of his four snaps against the run.
40. Tank Carradine, DE, San Francisco 49ers
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: Still recovering from a knee injury suffered at the end of last season.
43. Johnthan Banks, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: +1.4
Snaps: 25 snaps with the starters, 17 at RCB and 8 at LCB
Analysis: Only targeted twice, allowing one completion for five yards. Banks was a sure tackler as he came up and made four total stops, evenly split between coverage and the running game.
44. Kawann Short, DT, Carolina Panthers
Grade: +2.6
Snaps: 22 snaps, mostly with second string
Analysis: Good start for Short who picked up a hit and two hurries on his 18 pass rushes while also forcing a holding call. Only four of his 22 snaps came against the run.
45. Kevin Minter, ILB, Arizona Cardinals
Grade: -0.5
Snaps: 31 snaps with the second string defense
Analysis: Not a bad start for Minter who recorded five tackles, including three stops, but his third-quarter whiff on fellow rookie Johnathan Franklin is one he’ll want back.
46. Kiko Alonso, ILB, Buffalo Bills
Grade: -0.5
Snaps: 22 snaps with starting defense
Analysis: Alonso was all over the field in the first quarter, though not always in a good way. He looked a little tentative against the run at times, but he made a nice play covering TE Coby Fleener down the seam, knocking away a potential touchdown.
49. Johnathan Hankins, DT, New York Giants
Grade: 0.0
Snaps: 27
Analysis: Used largely as a rusher, Hankins notched a pair of pressures on his snaps but was otherwise relatively anonymous. He did show a nice bullrush taking Maurkice Pouncey back to the quarterback for one of his pressures.
50. Jon Bostic, MLB, Chicago Bears
Grade: +1.4
Snaps: 27 snaps with the starters
Analysis: Bostic had one of the plays of the game as he read quarterback Cam Newton’s eyes, jumped his pass, and took it back for a touchdown. He has some work to do in the running game as he overshot a gap and got handled at the second level a couple times, but overall, a nice first week for Bostic.
51. David Amerson, CB Washington Redskins
Grade: +3.0
Snaps: 28 snaps with the starters, 26 at RCB
Analysis: Amerson did a nice job of keeping the ball in front of him. He broke up a pass on a hitch route and made another fine stop for a 3-yard gain on 3rd-and-4. Throw in a willingness to take on blocks in the running game and it was a great start for Amerson.
52. Jamie Collins, LB, New England Patriots
Grade: -0.3
Snaps: 37 with the second string
Analysis: Still adjusting to life as a linebacker at the NFL level. Picked up a tackle for a short gain against the run but will be disappointed with his pass rushing performance. Two pressures from 10 pass rushes might seem like a good return, but both of those came unblocked and he missed a tackle on the quarterback on one of them.
53. Margus Hunt, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: -0.5
Snaps: 41 with the second stringers
Analysis: A quiet debut. Notched two pressures but one of those was unblocked. The other, a real display of his power with a big bullrush. Looked strong again at the point of attack, with Atlanta unable to get much movement on him in the run game.
54. Jamar Taylor, CB, Miami Dolphins
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: Still missing time recovering from a hernia.
56. Arthur Brown, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
Grade: -0.1
Snaps: 21 snaps with first-team nickel defense
Analysis: Spent most of his time on the field in coverage (12 of his 21 snaps), but did manage to record an unblocked pressure on a rare chance to go after the QB.
57. D.J. Swearinger, FS, Houston Texans
Grade: -0.3
Snaps: 42
Analysis: Swearinger saw a lot of time against the Vikings, coming in with the second team and staying for the remainder of the game. He made a nice hit early for a stop but his day may be remembered for missing a tackle and allowing FB Zach Line to get loose and rattle off 61 yards up the sideline for a score.
60. Robert Alford, CB, Atlanta Falcons
Grade: +2.8
Snaps: 51 as part of the second string defense
Analysis: Put forward a case for being tested by some starters. Very eager to get involved and not shy about going after ball carriers in the run game. Lost himself once in coverage but didn’t allow a reception on three targets while finishing with two pass break ups. Impressive.
Next post breaks out workable list of the rookies who stood out both positively and negatively and have the highest grades over-and-above the rest of the group and the rookies who have the lowest grades lower-and-below the rest of the group.
I think this is a good place to post updates on each rookie during the X-Games so we can keep tabs. For instance, St. Louis rookie LB Alex Ogletree had a low grade compared to the rest of the rookies taken in the first and second rounds but he is getting work at both inside and outside linebacker and the recent four game suspension of WSLB Von Dunbar could mean the Rams have put him on the fast-track to start much sooner than he'd normally warrant and sooner than the Rams would want so that added information should be attached to his low-grade.
Add any other tidbits on the top IDP rookies, and since the PFF grades only encompass the 1st and 2nd rounds they do not list all of the top performing IDP rookies.
Here's the list of IDP rookies by draft order, only the first and second rounds.
FIRST ROUND
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/08/12/rookie-review-first-round-rookies-preseason-week-1/
3. Dion Jordan, DE, Miami Dolphins
Grade: +1.0
Snaps: 21 as a situational third-down rusher over two games
Analysis: In limited early-game work as the team goes easy with his injured shoulder, the presumed pass-rush specialist faced run plays on five of his seven snaps against the Jaguars and got in on one tackle for a loss. Had some joy in the Hall of Fame game and now has a hit and a hurry on 12 pass rushes.
5. Ezekial Ansah, DE, Detroit Lions
Grade: +0.9
Snaps: 22 as the Detroit starters got a big work out
Analysis: It will be alarming that on 12 pass rushes he didn’t generate a single bit of pressure, but there aren’t too many tougher tasks than D’Brickashaw Ferguson. We wouldn’t count on him making too many interceptions like the one he returned for six, but showed good awareness (and hands) to make it.
6. Barkevious Mingo, OLB, Cleveland Browns
Grade: +2.8
Snaps: 32 in starting sub package and with backups
Analysis: A fine debut from Mingo who wasn’t against the starters but still delivered three quarterback hits and one hurry on just 16 pass rushes. Now let’s see how he does against the starters, because that was extremely encouraging.
9. Dee Milliner, CB, New York Jets
Grade: +0.3
Snaps: 39 snaps
Analysis: A lengthy debut at the Jets got their top pick plenty of action. He was targeted four times and gave up three of those for 39 yards. He did break up the other ball to show his top-end talent, but they won’t want to see him missing tackles or giving up first downs to the likes of Matt Willis going forward.
12. D.J. Hayden, CB, Oakland Raiders
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: The Raiders’ cornerback is closing in on being ready after his health woes, but Week 1 of preseason came too soon.
13. Sheldon Richardson, DE, New York Jets
Grade: -0.9
Snaps: 33 with the starters and backups.
Analysis: A quiet day for Richardson who wasn’t able to pick up any pressure, though impressed against the run with two defensive stops. Granted they didn’t come against first-teamers but it represents something to build on.
14. Star Lotulelei, DT, Carolina Panthers
Grade: -0.9
Snaps: 13 snaps with starting defense
Analysis: Lotulelei only played 13 snaps, 11 of which came against the pass. He did not record a pressure while his -0.5 run grade was the result of getting sealed inside by left tackle on an early second-quarter run.
15. Kenny Vaccaro, S, New Orleans Saints
Grade: -0.6
Snaps: 31 snaps as part of second string defense.
Analysis: Quiet debut. Didn’t do an awful lot wrong, but didn’t stand out despite extra playing time. That can be the way of things as a safety sometimes, though he did get beat for a first down by Travis Kelce.
[SIZE=small]17. Jarvis Jones, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers[/SIZE]
Grade: -1.9
Snaps: 41
Analysis: Though he played a healthy dose of snaps, Jones failed to stand out for the Steelers. His 16 snaps rushing the passer translated to just a single hit, and he lost contain against the run more than the Steelers will have been happy with seeing.
18. Eric Reid, S, San Francisco 49ers
Grade: +0.2
Snaps: 45 snaps with second string defense
Analysis: Reid threw his body around and made some big hits, but he was a little out of control on his missed tackle in the middle of the third quarter. He did a really nice job of filling his gap and finishing the play on his one run stop.
[SIZE=small]22. Desmond Trufant, CB, Atlanta Falcons[/SIZE]
Grade: -2.7
Snaps: 24 with the starters and second string.
Analysis: Tough debut for Trufant who got run over on the Falcons’ opening defensive play and would give up a first down on their second drive. Looked a little lost at times in what can at best be described a tentative debut.
[SIZE=small]23. Shariff Floyd, DT, Minnesota Vikings[/SIZE]
Grade: +3.6
Snaps: 15
Analysis: Floyd looked dominant for the Vikings before a knock to the knee sent him to the sidelines for the rest of the game. In the 15 snaps he was on the field for, he looked quick, powerful and destructive against both the run and the pass.
[SIZE=small]24. Bjoern Werner, OLB, Indianapolis Colts[/SIZE]
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: The Colts kept him on the sidelines as a precaution after he went through pregame warm-ups.
[SIZE=small]25. Xavier Rhodes, CB, Minnesota Vikings[/SIZE]
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: The Vikings opted against further damaging his hamstring and had him sit out the preseason opener.
[SIZE=small]26. Datone Jones, DE, Green Bay Packers[/SIZE]
Grade: -0.1
Snaps: 1
Analysis: Came off after one pass rushing snap where he didn’t register any pressure. It can only get better from here.
[SIZE=small]28. Sylvester Williams, DT, Denver Broncos[/SIZE]
Grade: -0.7
Snaps: 22 snaps with first and second string
Analysis: Williams did little of note in his first action. He was quiet on his seven snaps against the run and got shut out as pass rusher on his 15 attempts.
[SIZE=small]30. Alec Ogletree, LB, St Louis Rams[/SIZE]
Grade: -1.7
Snaps: 23 with the starters
Analysis: While a nice tackle for a loss is what Rams will want to see more of, they’ll be less inclined to see him give up a touchdown and first down as he did in game one. The NFL can be a steep learning curve, especially if you’re to be an every-down player from Day 1.
[SIZE=small]32. Matt Elam, S, Baltimore Ravens[/SIZE]
Grade: +1.4
Snaps: 40
Analysis: Elam spent the majority of his time backed away from the line of scrimmage as a deep safety (24-of-40 snaps). He logged a pair of run stops on three tackles when coming forward and wasn’t challenged through the air.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
SECOND ROUND
https://www.profootballfocus.com/blog/2013/08/13/rookie-review-second-round-rookies-preseason-week-1/
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33. Jonathan Cyprien, FS, Jacksonville Jaguars
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: Cyprien was on the PUP list and unavailable for Week 1.
36. Darius Slay, CB, Detroit Lions
Grade: +0.4
Snaps: 29 snaps, started at RCB
Analysis: Despite seeing a fair amount of time, Slay was untested in coverage. He did notch a hurry on his only blitz and also picked up an illegal block penalty on a punt return.
38. Manti Te’o, ILB, San Diego Chargers
Grade: -0.4
Snaps: 9 snaps with starting base defense; came off the field on passing downs
Analysis: Not an action-packed game for Te’o, whose grade stems largely from running into a block on one of his four snaps against the run.
40. Tank Carradine, DE, San Francisco 49ers
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: Still recovering from a knee injury suffered at the end of last season.
43. Johnthan Banks, CB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Grade: +1.4
Snaps: 25 snaps with the starters, 17 at RCB and 8 at LCB
Analysis: Only targeted twice, allowing one completion for five yards. Banks was a sure tackler as he came up and made four total stops, evenly split between coverage and the running game.
44. Kawann Short, DT, Carolina Panthers
Grade: +2.6
Snaps: 22 snaps, mostly with second string
Analysis: Good start for Short who picked up a hit and two hurries on his 18 pass rushes while also forcing a holding call. Only four of his 22 snaps came against the run.
45. Kevin Minter, ILB, Arizona Cardinals
Grade: -0.5
Snaps: 31 snaps with the second string defense
Analysis: Not a bad start for Minter who recorded five tackles, including three stops, but his third-quarter whiff on fellow rookie Johnathan Franklin is one he’ll want back.
46. Kiko Alonso, ILB, Buffalo Bills
Grade: -0.5
Snaps: 22 snaps with starting defense
Analysis: Alonso was all over the field in the first quarter, though not always in a good way. He looked a little tentative against the run at times, but he made a nice play covering TE Coby Fleener down the seam, knocking away a potential touchdown.
49. Johnathan Hankins, DT, New York Giants
Grade: 0.0
Snaps: 27
Analysis: Used largely as a rusher, Hankins notched a pair of pressures on his snaps but was otherwise relatively anonymous. He did show a nice bullrush taking Maurkice Pouncey back to the quarterback for one of his pressures.
50. Jon Bostic, MLB, Chicago Bears
Grade: +1.4
Snaps: 27 snaps with the starters
Analysis: Bostic had one of the plays of the game as he read quarterback Cam Newton’s eyes, jumped his pass, and took it back for a touchdown. He has some work to do in the running game as he overshot a gap and got handled at the second level a couple times, but overall, a nice first week for Bostic.
51. David Amerson, CB Washington Redskins
Grade: +3.0
Snaps: 28 snaps with the starters, 26 at RCB
Analysis: Amerson did a nice job of keeping the ball in front of him. He broke up a pass on a hitch route and made another fine stop for a 3-yard gain on 3rd-and-4. Throw in a willingness to take on blocks in the running game and it was a great start for Amerson.
52. Jamie Collins, LB, New England Patriots
Grade: -0.3
Snaps: 37 with the second string
Analysis: Still adjusting to life as a linebacker at the NFL level. Picked up a tackle for a short gain against the run but will be disappointed with his pass rushing performance. Two pressures from 10 pass rushes might seem like a good return, but both of those came unblocked and he missed a tackle on the quarterback on one of them.
53. Margus Hunt, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
Grade: -0.5
Snaps: 41 with the second stringers
Analysis: A quiet debut. Notched two pressures but one of those was unblocked. The other, a real display of his power with a big bullrush. Looked strong again at the point of attack, with Atlanta unable to get much movement on him in the run game.
54. Jamar Taylor, CB, Miami Dolphins
Grade: n/a
Snaps: 0
Analysis: Still missing time recovering from a hernia.
56. Arthur Brown, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
Grade: -0.1
Snaps: 21 snaps with first-team nickel defense
Analysis: Spent most of his time on the field in coverage (12 of his 21 snaps), but did manage to record an unblocked pressure on a rare chance to go after the QB.
57. D.J. Swearinger, FS, Houston Texans
Grade: -0.3
Snaps: 42
Analysis: Swearinger saw a lot of time against the Vikings, coming in with the second team and staying for the remainder of the game. He made a nice hit early for a stop but his day may be remembered for missing a tackle and allowing FB Zach Line to get loose and rattle off 61 yards up the sideline for a score.
60. Robert Alford, CB, Atlanta Falcons
Grade: +2.8
Snaps: 51 as part of the second string defense
Analysis: Put forward a case for being tested by some starters. Very eager to get involved and not shy about going after ball carriers in the run game. Lost himself once in coverage but didn’t allow a reception on three targets while finishing with two pass break ups. Impressive.