QB
Daniel Jones – NYG (1st round)
The new franchise QB in New York has arrived. Daniel Jones, in his first start, took on the Bucs on the road and went down 28-10 in the second quarter. Starting with the first play of the second half, Jones led the biggest NYG comeback since 1970 with a little help from fellow rookie and TB kicker Matt Gay, who missed a 34-yard field goal that would have won it. Jones finished with 336 yards on 23/36 with 2 touchdowns. He also led the team with 28 yards on the ground and scored 2 more times there, including the game winning 4th and goal dart up the middle. Jones showed poise, a short memory (to overcome 2 lost fumbles by the way), and accurate passing in addition to the most athletic movement the position has seen in 20+ years.
RB
Alexander Mattison – MIN (3rd round)
Dalvin Cook leads the NFL in rushing and may be the most explosive back in the league. But it is Mattison that is raising eyebrows in addition, as the perceived inside bruiser has been showing plus-speed and acrobatic movement to avoid tackles. He ran his way to 58 yards on just 12 carries including a 10-yard score that saw him break multiple tackles.
WR (2)
Terry McLaurin – WAS (3rd round)
Three weeks into the season, McLaurin is time and time again proving he is the team’s most dangerous threat in the passing game. He finished with a line of 6/70/1 and had another long catch called back because of a penalty by the offensive line.
Mecole Hardman – KC (2nd round)
It doesn’t take a lot of opportunities for Hardman to make flash plays. On just 2 catches, Hardman compiled 97 yards including an 83-yard touchdown. He also had 1 rushing attempt for 7 yards, giving him his first 100-total yard day of his career. Something tells me we are going to see plenty more of those.
TE
Dawson Knox – BUF (3rd round)
The surprise 3-0 Bills are feeding off the blue-collar culture that has been instilled since Head Coach Sean McDermott arrived in town. Look no further than Knox for a player that heightens that approach as much as anyone. Knox had 3 catches for 67 yards and 1 touchdown. His physical style after the catch sent CIN defensive backs flying as they tried to tackle him and got the fans and team alike going. He is a physical hustler with underrated speed and ball skills.
OT (2)
Greg Little – CAR (2nd round)
After spending some time in concussion protocol early in the year, Little was available and Head Coach Ron Rivera actually rotated him and veteran Darryl Williams at left tackle. When RG Trai Turner went down, Williams went there and Little stayed in at tackle. It was the best left tackle the team has had all year and Little held his own against Terrell Suggs and Chandler Jones.
Jawaan Taylor – JAX (2nd round)
Taylor is likely going to be a mainstay as long as he remains healthy. His footwork is getting better and that is allowing him to fully take advantage of his heavy hands. On a short week, the first of his career, Taylor was more than solid on the right side.
EDGE (2)
Montez Sweat – WAS (1st round)
On a night where very few things went right for WAS, Sweat came out of it with 7 tackles – 2 TFL – 1 sack. He was brought in for his pass rush prowess but he is playing stout and active against the run as well, looking like an every down threat.
Josh Allen – JAX (1st round)
On the week 3 Thursday night tilt, Allen looked like the shiny Ferrari in a parking lot full of Toyotas. He had 4 tackles – 2 sacks – 1 pressure with some dominant stretches early on. He was matched up against Jack Conklin, one of the better right tackles in the NFL for most of the game and TEN had to end up doubling him down the stretch. Allen won with an array of styles and is starting to look more and more comfortable.
DT (2)
Dexter Lawrence – NYG (1st round)
After Tampa Bay scored on each of their first 6 possessions, NYG allowed just 1 score in the second half. Lawrence was a big part of that, as he was a stone on a couple of big 3rd down stops. He finished with 2 tackles / 1 sack / 1 pressure.
Trysten Hill – DAL (2nd round)
Even though the opponent will be the weakest Hill sees all year (MIA), Hill showed the most explosive pass rush we have seen out of him so far. He was jumping the snap and getting the MIA blockers off himself in a hurry. He had 2 pressures in this one.
LB (2)
Devin Bush – PIT (1st round)
Bush led the team with 11 tackles and also recovered 2 fumbles, proving to always be around the action. PIT’s defense couldn’t come up with the big stop but Bush is slowly leading the way on a resurgence that should see this side of the ball back to what we are used to seeing within a year or two.
Bobby Okereke – IND (3rd round)
With Darius Leonard out because of a concussion, it was Okereke that got the starting nod. With a woefully similar skill set, Okereke produced at a high level on INDs impressive defensive effort. He had 8 tackles and provided solid coverage up the middle, as Matt Ryan’s ATL offense had issues all afternoon finding their flow.
CB (2)
Lonnie Johnson – HOU (2nd round)
Johnson is looking more and more confident in his technique and if he continues this progression pace, HOU is going to have themselves a corner. He played a physical 84% of the snaps wit 6 tackles and a pass breakup. He was a major piece to holding LAC WR Mike Williams to just 45 yards on 3 catches.
Rock Ya-Sin – IND (2nd round)
Ya-Sin is playing the outside role in nickel/dime situations. He is protecting the deep ball very well and was partially responsible for Calvin Ridley seeing just 1 target in the IND win.
S (2)
Darnell Savage – GB (1st round)
Savage is quickly becoming one of the emotional leaders and top playmakers on the GB defense. He had 5 tackles and an interception in GB’s win over DEN. He played every defensive snap and is now someone the opposition needs to locate pre-snap every play.
Mike Edwards – TB (3rd round)
Edwards has been capitalizing on the absence of Justin Evans in the TB secondary. He finished with 6 tackles, 1 pass break up (a dropped INT), and 1 TFL. He has been all over the field but specializing in downfield pursuit and in-box defense.