TRAVELING COACH PRESENTS: THE ROOKIE REPORT – WEEK 4

TOP 5 ROOKIE PERFORMANCES WEEK 4

Finally we have multiple rookie quarterbacks on this list. Despite all 3 quarterbacks losing, they all made great strides in there games in week 4. Two of the 1^st round quarterbacks who didn’t make the list, managed to pick up the first wins of their careers. As much as it pains me at times to say it, it’s a quarterback league. They are the highest paid players, faces of their franchises, and keys to franchise success. With that success comes a great pressure which most of these guys have experienced playing at big time colleges and in national championship games. A quarter into the season the cream is rising to the top of this draft class.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

QB – Mac Jones – 6’3” 217 – Alabama – 1^stround pick (15^th overall) vs. Tampa Bay Bucs (L, 19-17)

Game day Stats: 31-40 completions / 275 passing yard / 2 touchdown pass / 1 interception

Mac Jones did he best early Tom Brady impression Sunday night in prime time. Jones ran the offense extremely well despite a complete absence of a running game. He made quick accurate decisions and got the ball to his play makers in space. Jones did a nice job within the pocket avoiding the rush but still was sacked 4 times. Despite the loss, the Patriots look like they will be in good hands at the quarterback position. Jones is primed to put up huge numbers this week against the Texans.

Performance Rating: 4.00

Next Game: at Houston Texans 1:00pm Sunday

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

2. WR – DeVonta Smith – 6’1” 175 – Alabama – 1^st round pick (10^th overall) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L, 42-30)

Game Day Stats: 7 receptions / 122 receiving yards / 6 first down catches

After two pedestrian games, the Slim Reaper went over the century mark for the first time this season. He continues to catch footballs on short and intermediate routes. He has found the soft spots in defenses zones and converting first downs. Coming out of Alabama Smith was known for getting behind defenses and making big plays. He has yet to do that in the NFL. With Carolina’s secondary being banged up this week’s match up could see Smith explode of some big gains.

Performance Rating: 3.85

Next Game: at Carolina Panthers 1:00pm Sunday

CINCINNATI BENGALS

3. WR- Ja’Marr Chase – 6’0” 208 – LSU – 1st round pick (5th Overall) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 24-21)

Game Day Stats: 6 receptions / 77 receiving yards / 3 First downs

Chase continues to be productive for the 3-1 Bengals. His strong frame and ability to get open have made him a favorite target of Joe Burrow. After struggling to move the ball in the first half, Chase hauled in a 44 catch on the first drive of the 3^rd quarter which seemed to ignite the offense which scored 24 points in the 2^nd half. The maturation process is happening right in front of us. Sunday’s match up against the Green Bay Packers will be a huge test to see just how far they have come.

Performance Rating: 3.75

Next Game: vs. Green Bay Packers 1:00pm Sunday

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

4. QB – Trey Lance –6’4” 224 – North Dakota State – 1^st round (3^rd overall) vs. Seattle Seahawks (L, 28-21)

Game day Stats: 9-18 completions / 157 passing yard / 2 touchdown pass / 0 interceptions / 7 carries / 41 rushing yards

Trey Lance got some opportunity to play this week and showed some flashes of what made him an intriguing prospect at North Dakota State. He used his arm strength and athletic ability to keep the 49ers in the game. You could still see some inconsistencies in his footwork but the ability is there. It reminds me of when Michael Vick came into the league and was behind veteran QB Chris Chandler. Vick improvised a lot until the offense was built around his skill set. The same will have to happen for Lance as well.

Performance Rating: 3.75

Next Game: at Arizona Cardinals 4:25pm Sunday

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

5. QB – Trevor Lawrence – 6’6” 213 – Clemson – 1^st round pick (1^st overall) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (L, 24-21)

Game Day Stats: 17-24 completions / 204 passing yard / 8 carries/ 36 rushing yards / 1 rushing touchdown / 0 turnovers

Trevor Lawrence looked much more comfortable Thursday night. Lawrence and his coach continue to grind but Trevor does his grinding on the field. Lawrence looked smooth running RPO’s and the zone read running game. For the first time in his short pro career he did not turn the ball over. The Jaguars have to protect their number one pick and give him the tools to succeed. It looks as if it’s headed in that direction. The Titans defense this week might have some different ideas.

Performance Rating: 3.70

Next Game: vs. Tennessee Titans 1:00pm Sunday

SLEEPER 6

DENVER BRONCOS

DB – Caden Sterns- 6’1” 207 – Texas – 5^thround pick (152^nd overall) vs. Baltimore Ravens (W, 23-7)

Game day Stats: 3 total tackles / 2 sacks / 1 pass breakup

If you want to succeed as a late round rookie in the NFL you need to take advantage of every rep you get. In 7 total defensive snaps last week Sterns recorded 2 sacks, 1 pass break, and 3 tackles. The Texas product is in the mix of a very talented secondary and has earned him some playing time in the next week.

Performance Rating: 3.65

Next Game: at Pittsburgh Steelers 1:00pm Sunday

Week 4 2021 Draft Class Match up results:

New York Giants WR – Kadarius Toney vs. New Orleans Saints CB – Paulson Adebo

Toney got his first start this season on Sunday and showed flashes of breaking out. The Giants have been slow to get him involved in the offense but he did play a vital role in the Giants surprising victory. Toney had 6 receptions for 76 yards, picking up 5 first downs. The speedy rookie helped Daniel Jones earn NFC offensive player of the week. Adebo matched up with Toney for most of the game and struggled to keep up (Targeted 7 times for 5 catches & 93 yards. Winner: Kadarius Toney

Week 5 2021 Draft Class Match ups:

Pittsburgh Steeler RB – Najee Harris vs. Denver Broncos RB – Javonte Williams

The 2 top rookie rushers in the NFL this season will try to help lead their respective teams to a win Sunday. Harris has had a heavy workload thus far in the season but has yet to break the century mark rushing. Williams has shared some carries with Melvin Gordon. Gordon is banged up and William should see an increase in carries.

Week 4 Throwback Draft Class Match up results:

Battle of the ’20 and ’21 Number #1 Picks

Cincinnati Bengals QB – Joe Burrow vs. Jacksonville Jaguars QB – Trevor Lawrence

Lawrence played a very efficient game Thursday night but Joe Burrow is taking the next steps to move to the upper third of the league at his position. Burrow led the Bengals in the second half comeback down 2 scores. He found 8 different receivers for 348 yards and 2 touchdown passes. Winner: Joe Burrow

The Drafted legend vs. The Legend who drafted him

Tampa Bay Bucs QB – Tom Brady vs. New England Patriots Coach – Bill Belichick

I have always found this debate foolish. The foolishness comes with the argument of who deserves more of the credit for the championships. I have always been under the belief that one couldn’t do it without the other. All those game winning touchdown drives and excellent defensive game plans are what made those Patriot teams so great. Last year Super Bowl win for Brady was not done alone. Brady didn’t go play for the Jaguars and win a super bowl. He went to a well-coached, talented team, who needed a quarterback to stabilize the team. Thursday night Belichick brought that great game plan and damn near pulled off the upset. Brady wasn’t great but got the win. These are the two best to ever do it at there respective positions. This one is an even Draw

Week 5 Throwback Draft Class Match up:

Battle of the B gap

Baltimore Ravens LB – Patrick Queen vs. Indianapolis Colts RB – Jonathan Taylor

Both players had excellent rookie campaigns. Queen led his team in tackles and Taylor led all rookies in rushing yards. Both have gotten off to solid starts to their sophomore years. Colt/Ravens is always a big AFC match up. If Queen and the Ravens can stop the run they will win the game. See ya in the B Gap.

Notes:

Rookie kicker out of Florida Evan McPherson hit a 35 yard game winning field goal on Thursday night to give the Bengals a 24-21 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars
Wake Forest product Carlos Basham Jr. recorded the first sack of his young career for the Buffalo Bills.