NFL Rookie Rankings Week 3 | #11-25
11. Jeff Okudah, CB, Detroit Lions
People will question this ranking due to the perception that Okudah has been “bad” in his first two games. However, Okudah faced arguably the two best wide receivers in the NFL, not an easy task for any corner, let alone someone playing their first two career games.
While I can concede that Okudah was bad against the Packers in Week 2, I don’t think he was an overall negative against the Cardinals. He looked like he belonged, and he registered two tackles for loss, an interception, and a pass deflection. Okudah was my third-ranked player for a reason, the Lions fans dubbing him a bust already are misinformed and downright foolish.
Pre-draft ranking: Third overall, CB1
12. Justin Jefferson, WR, Minnesota Vikings
Justin Jefferson finally had his coming out party as he registered seven receptions for 175 yards and a touchdown. That performance skyrocketed Jefferson to first among all rookies in receiving yards; however in order for me to put him higher on the list, I need to see him find consistent success. Prior to his Week 3 game, he failed to register more than three receptions and 50 yards.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, WR5
13. Justin Herbert, QB, Los Angeles Chargers
If Anthony Lynn benches Justin Herbert in favor of Tyrod Taylor, he should be fired immediately. Herbert has had rookie moments, and those will continue to happen. However, in two games, he’s averaging 320 yards per game at a ridiculous 69.5 completion percentage. He has the offense moving down the field, and benching him after a few starts that he’s performed well in is blasphemous.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 15, QB3
14. Javon Kinlaw, IDL, San Francisco
Javon Kinlaw has played good football through three weeks, and he’s been a quality replacement for DeForest Buckner. However, a lack of consistency on a down-to-down basis as well as a lack of pass-rush productivity has him drop a bit in the rankings. He still has work to do with his pad level and hand usage, but his upside remains excellent.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 10, IDL1
15. James Robinson, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
James Robinson is the biggest rookie surprise this season. The undrafted free agent is 11th in the NFL in rushing at an excellent at 4.9 yards per carry. He’s also produced as a receiver, registering 129 receiving yards through three games this year. Robinson made Leonard Fournette expendable, and he’s been a great find for Jacksonville.
Pre-draft ranking: Unranked
16. Jonah Jackson, iOL, Detroit Lions
I tried to tell people that Jonah Jackson was destined to be an above-average NFL player from the get-go, and so few wanted to listen. His combination of power, motor, and technique made it as easy a projection as they come. He might never be the best guard in football, but he’ll be a damn good player for the majority of his career.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 50, iOL5
17. Jerry Jeudy, WR, Denver Broncos
Jerry Jeudy has been good, but not great. I expected more from the 15th overall pick when he became the de facto WR1 in Denver following an injury to Courtland Sutton. I recognize that quarterback play in Denver has been….shotty…following the injury to Drew Lock, but I’d like to see Jeudy do more with his touches. He was an elite YAC receiver at Alabama, and I’d like to see more of that in the NFL.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 15, WR2
18. Henry Ruggs III, WR, Las Vegas Raiders
Henry Ruggs III has failed to produce like some hoped he would when he became the 12th overall pick. However, being an elite producer was never his game. Ruggs provides a massive impact by threatening defenses deep and opening up space for his teammates. He suffered an injury and is expected to miss at least his next game, and maybe more.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 25, WR3
19. Jeremy Chinn, LB/S, Carolina Panthers
Depending on who you ask, Jeremy Chinn has either been very good or very bad. What isn’t arguable, however, is how much he’s been able to produce through his first three weeks. He ranks just outside the top ten in tackles with 27. He also had a nice blitz this past week against the Chargers. Chinn has been flying sideline to sideline for the Panthers defense, and while he room to grow in coverage, he’s been as productive as any rookie linebacker. I had Chinn ranked as a safety during the draft process, and he’s done a bit of both for Carolina.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 100, S5
20. Laviska Shenault, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s clear Jacksonville wants to make Laviska Shenault an important part of the offense, but he wasn’t able to produce with his touches in this Week 3 game. He averaged less than six yards per touch, and it was his worst game of the season. However, Shenault has proven to be a weapon early in the season, and Jacksonville is not afraid to use him any way they see fit.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 75, WR11
21. Chase Claypool, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers
Once again, Chase Claypool was targeted sparingly but was effective with his touches. On the bright side, Claypool saw an increase in targets for the third consecutive week. On the downside, he only caught one of his four targets. Claypool continues to make the most of his receptions, though, averaging an incredible 25.17 yards per reception.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 125, WR15
22. Solomon Kindley, iOL, Miami Dolphins
Solomon Kindley has been the best player on the Dolphins offensive line. Raise your hand if you called that one, don’t worry; I’ll wait.
Kindley has been dominant at the point of attack, which is what I expected from him coming out of Georgia. I really like his ability as a people mover in the run game, and it was easy to project his success in that area in the NFL. What I didn’t expect was for him to be so comfortable in pass protection. He’s more than held his own through the first three weeks. A limited athletic ceiling does lead me to wonder just how good he can be, but if he plays as he has for the rest of his career, Miami won’t complain.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 200, iOL18
23. Damien Lewis, iOL, Seattle Seahawks
Damien Lewis has been an elite run blocker and an average at best pass protector for Seattle so far. That’s pretty much exactly what I expected from him coming out of LSU. Elite power and strong hands make him a nasty finished, but slow feet and limited athletic ability limit his ceiling.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 150, iOL8
24. Kevin Dotson, iOL, Pittsburgh Steelers
Fourth-rounder Kevin Dotson has been a blessing in disguise for the Steelers this season. The expectation was the Dotson would be a reserve this season and eventually move into a starting role either next year or the year after. However, an injury forced him into the starting line-up, and he’s been excellent. Pittsburgh benched him with the return of David DeCastro, but I think he should be starting over right guard Matt Feiler.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 250, iOL23
25. Michael Onwenu, iOL/OT/TE, New England Patriots
Yes, you read that position correctly. The Patriots have used Onwenu in pretty much any way they see fit, and he’s been excellent. Whether he’s used as a jumbo tight end or an emergency right tackle, he’s dominated at the point of tackle. The only reason he’s not higher is because of the volatility of the snaps he’s getting. The only game he played over 50% of the Patriots offensive snaps was in Week 3.
Pre-draft ranking: Top 200, iOL20