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Zack Martin tops Rookie Rankings
Cowboys guard currently the best rookie in the NFL; notes on top 15
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
After playing tackle in college, Zack Martin has played exceptionally well as a guard this season.
There's an interesting trend here if you look at some of the best rookie performances:
• Zack Martin played left tackle last year at Notre Dame. But he's played guard all year in Dallas.
• Same story with Joel Bitonio, who played left tackle at Nevada. He's also moved inside to guard.
• Khalil Mack has a good all-around game, but has excelled more as a run-stopper than he has in the pass rush.
• Anthony Barr was a pure pass-rusher in college, but that's almost a secondary part of his game now.
Notice anything there? In each example, you have a case where the guy is providing value right away, but the high-end hope for what that player could become in terms of positioning hasn't been fully realized. It's not bad to get a really good guard in Round 1, but you certainly pay a really good left tackle more money. Same with a guy who can consistently apply pressure on the QB versus a guy who is a stalwart in the run game. (To be fair, Mack is rushing the passer. It's Barr who has made a more significant change, and one that diminishes his role as a "disruptor.")
To me, this shows why it can pay to draft players who aren't just great at a high-end skill area, but also offer a functional versatility.
That all said, here are the usual parameters:
• This is a measure for all games this season, not just last Sunday.
• 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? Remember, I've hit reset on these players as far as future value; this is all about production.
Here's my latest ranking of the top 15 rookies in the NFL:
1. Zack Martin, OG, Dallas Cowboys
The story of the season for Dallas has been the effectiveness of the offensive line. And what's remarkable about that unit is if you go through every game (and that's my Monday this year), you realize that Martin has been the most consistent player. He's been outstanding, probably a top-10 player at the position league-wide. And remember, this is a guy who could flip outside to tackle.
2. C.J. Mosley, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
Mosley hasn't had many splash plays over the past couple weeks, but he's also been relatively mistake-free. I didn't "drop" him as much as Martin has just been exceptional. Not to overstate it, but Mosley really looks like the long-term answer and leader of this linebacking corps. He's not in the same mold as Ray Lewis, he's just going to be among the NFL's best in his own way.
3. Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams
If you just went on a per-play basis, my Defensive Rookie of the Year pick would probably be No. 1 overall here. But Donald didn't get starter snaps until Week 6. He's still playing on a rotational basis, but that's normal, and keeps him fresh, which has been a problem for offenses. He's going to lead the rookie class in sacks at this point. He's constantly in the backfield.
4. Khalil Mack, OLB, Oakland Raiders
As I noted above, Mack isn't a player you can judge based just on sack totals. But watch him on a play-to-play basis and you're seeing a guy who is just a dynamo against the run. He plays with such balance, leverage and does a great job of shedding blocks and finding the ball carrier, or containing him. Mack has more than justified his pick slot.
5. Anthony Barr, OLB, Minnesota Vikings
Barr doesn't rush the passer constantly, but the Vikings have done a good job of taking advantage of that part of his game more often recently, and the instincts you saw at UCLA are showing up. What's really impressive about Barr is how he already looks like such a complete player -- remember, this kid is just a couple years removed from playing offense.
6. Joel Bitonio, OG, Cleveland Browns
Bitonio has been rock-solid, particularly in the run game, which is a big reason the Browns are where they are. Cleveland had some hiccups after the loss of Alex Mack at center, but the line has shown improvement over the past couple weeks, and Bitonio and veteran Joe Thomas are a big reason why.
7. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans has 249 yards and three touchdowns in the past two weeks, and he's now piling up targets. When Evans was drafted, I noted his ability to separate might be an issue because he's not a great change-of-speed runner, but that's not an issue when you can simply throw to him when he's covered. He's making contested catches.
8. Corey Linsley, C, Green Bay Packers
In part because of the offense he came from, Linsley looks more comfortable early in his career using his quickness and power as a run-blocker, creating angles and getting to the second level. But he's been good enough in protection, and the Green Bay offense has certainly gotten things ramped up. I'm really interested to see him next time he runs into Mr. Suh.
9. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
He had just three catches against Miami on Thursday night, but don't put all of that on Watkins, as his QB didn't help him much on a couple of those. At this point, Watkins is far and away the Bills' leader in targets (84) and TD catches (5), and with nine catches of 20-plus yards, he's shown he can create the big play. He's a constant threat after the catch.
10. E.J. Gaines, CB, St. Louis Rams
Arguably the biggest steal of the 2014 NFL draft so far, Gaines is doing really good work in relative anonymity. But every week he's making plays. He leads the Rams in passes defended and basically never comes off the field -- maybe a handful of plays a game in non-passing situations. This is a guy who makes me wonder what I was missing when I watched him at Mizzou.
Cowboys guard currently the best rookie in the NFL; notes on top 15
By Mel Kiper Jr. | ESPN Insider
After playing tackle in college, Zack Martin has played exceptionally well as a guard this season.
There's an interesting trend here if you look at some of the best rookie performances:
• Zack Martin played left tackle last year at Notre Dame. But he's played guard all year in Dallas.
• Same story with Joel Bitonio, who played left tackle at Nevada. He's also moved inside to guard.
• Khalil Mack has a good all-around game, but has excelled more as a run-stopper than he has in the pass rush.
• Anthony Barr was a pure pass-rusher in college, but that's almost a secondary part of his game now.
Notice anything there? In each example, you have a case where the guy is providing value right away, but the high-end hope for what that player could become in terms of positioning hasn't been fully realized. It's not bad to get a really good guard in Round 1, but you certainly pay a really good left tackle more money. Same with a guy who can consistently apply pressure on the QB versus a guy who is a stalwart in the run game. (To be fair, Mack is rushing the passer. It's Barr who has made a more significant change, and one that diminishes his role as a "disruptor.")
To me, this shows why it can pay to draft players who aren't just great at a high-end skill area, but also offer a functional versatility.
That all said, here are the usual parameters:
• This is a measure for all games this season, not just last Sunday.
• 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? Remember, I've hit reset on these players as far as future value; this is all about production.
Here's my latest ranking of the top 15 rookies in the NFL:
1. Zack Martin, OG, Dallas Cowboys
The story of the season for Dallas has been the effectiveness of the offensive line. And what's remarkable about that unit is if you go through every game (and that's my Monday this year), you realize that Martin has been the most consistent player. He's been outstanding, probably a top-10 player at the position league-wide. And remember, this is a guy who could flip outside to tackle.
2. C.J. Mosley, ILB, Baltimore Ravens
Mosley hasn't had many splash plays over the past couple weeks, but he's also been relatively mistake-free. I didn't "drop" him as much as Martin has just been exceptional. Not to overstate it, but Mosley really looks like the long-term answer and leader of this linebacking corps. He's not in the same mold as Ray Lewis, he's just going to be among the NFL's best in his own way.
3. Aaron Donald, DT, St. Louis Rams
If you just went on a per-play basis, my Defensive Rookie of the Year pick would probably be No. 1 overall here. But Donald didn't get starter snaps until Week 6. He's still playing on a rotational basis, but that's normal, and keeps him fresh, which has been a problem for offenses. He's going to lead the rookie class in sacks at this point. He's constantly in the backfield.
4. Khalil Mack, OLB, Oakland Raiders
As I noted above, Mack isn't a player you can judge based just on sack totals. But watch him on a play-to-play basis and you're seeing a guy who is just a dynamo against the run. He plays with such balance, leverage and does a great job of shedding blocks and finding the ball carrier, or containing him. Mack has more than justified his pick slot.
5. Anthony Barr, OLB, Minnesota Vikings
Barr doesn't rush the passer constantly, but the Vikings have done a good job of taking advantage of that part of his game more often recently, and the instincts you saw at UCLA are showing up. What's really impressive about Barr is how he already looks like such a complete player -- remember, this kid is just a couple years removed from playing offense.
6. Joel Bitonio, OG, Cleveland Browns
Bitonio has been rock-solid, particularly in the run game, which is a big reason the Browns are where they are. Cleveland had some hiccups after the loss of Alex Mack at center, but the line has shown improvement over the past couple weeks, and Bitonio and veteran Joe Thomas are a big reason why.
7. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans has 249 yards and three touchdowns in the past two weeks, and he's now piling up targets. When Evans was drafted, I noted his ability to separate might be an issue because he's not a great change-of-speed runner, but that's not an issue when you can simply throw to him when he's covered. He's making contested catches.
8. Corey Linsley, C, Green Bay Packers
In part because of the offense he came from, Linsley looks more comfortable early in his career using his quickness and power as a run-blocker, creating angles and getting to the second level. But he's been good enough in protection, and the Green Bay offense has certainly gotten things ramped up. I'm really interested to see him next time he runs into Mr. Suh.
9. Sammy Watkins, WR, Buffalo Bills
He had just three catches against Miami on Thursday night, but don't put all of that on Watkins, as his QB didn't help him much on a couple of those. At this point, Watkins is far and away the Bills' leader in targets (84) and TD catches (5), and with nine catches of 20-plus yards, he's shown he can create the big play. He's a constant threat after the catch.
10. E.J. Gaines, CB, St. Louis Rams
Arguably the biggest steal of the 2014 NFL draft so far, Gaines is doing really good work in relative anonymity. But every week he's making plays. He leads the Rams in passes defended and basically never comes off the field -- maybe a handful of plays a game in non-passing situations. This is a guy who makes me wonder what I was missing when I watched him at Mizzou.
