It’s still too early to determine which of the post-Round 4 rookies earn a 53-man roster spot, which rookies those teams will attempt to stash on practice squads, and which unfortunate youth who are sent packing. Regarding the players selected in the first four rounds, for those who played poorly or not at all due to injury, we should never conclude our overall evaluation based on the first week of preseason action.
Take note: placement within my previous rookie rankings are shown in parenthesis (##). Some players have a ⇧ or ⇩ next to their name, but that doesn’t necessarily indicate they have been moved up or down in the ranks. Only an indication of how their current stock is viewed.
For instance, Justin Fields played an outstanding game last week against Miami, but he actually dropped a couple spots in my ranks. These particular rankings are from a non-Superflex perspective. But Fields did make a notable leapfrog over Trevor Lawrence. Javonte Williams appeared every bit as good as what we saw from his North Carolina days, perhaps even better. He just hasn’t shown us enough yet to move into the top-3. The ⇩ can either represent a concerning injury, poor preseason play, a recent free agent addition clouding the situation, or to currently falling outside of my 53-man roster projections.
1- (1) Najee Harris, RB, PIT
2- (2) Kyle Pitts, TE, ATL
3- (3) Ja'Marr Chase, WR, CIN
4- (4) Javonte Williams, RB, DEN ⇧
5- (5) Jaylen Waddle, WR, MIA
The production isn’t there quite yet for Najee Harris, but his O-line has perhaps surprisingly been one of the best run-blocking units during preseason play. Do not overreact to the recent Joe Burrow or Ja’Marr Chase reports. Burrow is less than a year removed from having his leg literally bent backwards. Being out of rhythm and timid in the face of pressure is entirely expected. That’s why we have training camp and preseason games. The same applies for Chase returning from a year away from live football. The fact that Chase has avoided quadricep/hamstring strains is a win in my eyes.
6- (8) Travis Etienne, RB, JAC
7- (11) Trey Sermon, RB, SF ⇧
8- (6) DeVonta Smith, WR, PHI ⇩
9- (10) Elijah Moore, WR, NYJ ⇧
10- (14) Michael Carter, RB, NYJ ⇧
DeVonta Smith drops a couple spots after already showing a vulnerability to injury, regardless of whether it’s directly related to his paper-thin frame. I have some doubts as to whether Smith will even be able to outlast the top RBs in the class. Elijah Moore may have picked up a soft tissue strain, but I — as well as Scott Barrett — have a rock solid man-crush on the ultra-talented youngster. Trey Sermon and Michael Carter move up with every indication pointing to them receiving early roles well in excess of those initially anticipated.
11- (18) Amon-Ra St. Brown, WR, DET ⇧
12- (19) Dyami Brown, WR, WAS ⇧
13- (7) Kadarius Toney, WR, NYG ⇩
14- (9) Rashod Bateman, WR, BAL ⇩
15- (16) Terrace Marshall Jr., WR, CAR ⇧
Amon-Ra St. Brown and Dyami Brown are significant movers among this group. ARSB has an opportunity to instantly become Detroit’s WR1. His otherworldly work ethic is simply unheard of from a kid his age. Brown is unlikely to be anything better than his team’s WR3, but he’s shown more than enough to land inside the top-15. Giants’ HC Joe Judge has been cryptic about the status of Kadarius Toney. It appears he is dealing with a lower-body injury. Both he and Rashod Bateman are missing out on priceless camp/preseason reps.
16- (17) Rondale Moore, WR, ARI ⇧
17- (13) Justin Fields, QB, CHI ⇧
18- (12) Trevor Lawrence, QB, JAC
19- (15) Trey Lance, QB, SF
20- (22) Rhamondre Stevenson, RB, NE ⇧
Justin Fields is not only the QB providing the Bears’ with their best chance for immediate success, his combination of arm strength/accuracy, legs, and pocket awareness are currently ahead of each of the other QBs in the class. Rhamondre Stevenson could quickly move into the top-15 if he proves his late-game production from Preseason Week 1 is not a fluke.
21- (35) Josh Palmer, WR, LAC ⇧
22- (25) Chuba Hubbard, RB, CAR ⇧
23- (21) Pat Freiermuth, TE, PIT
24- (23) Tutu Atwell, WR, LAR ⇧
25- (26) Zach Wilson, QB, NYJ ⇧
26- (20) D'Wayne Eskridge, WR, SEA ⇩
27- (40) Jaelon Darden, WR, TB ⇧
28- (27) Amari Rodgers, WR, GB
29- (38) Cornell Powell, WR, KC ⇧
30- (32) Larry Rountree III, RB, LAC ⇧
Both Josh Palmer and Larry Rountree III appear set for significant roles for the Chargers. The Panthers need Chuba Hubbard to be the RB2 to spell Christian McCaffrey but, no matter how many carries he siphons, Hubbard is not a threat whatsoever to CMCs receiving numbers.
31- (43) Marquez Stevenson, WR, BUF ⇧
32- (60) Jacob Harris, TE, LAR ⇧
33- (45) Nico Collins, WR, HOU ⇧
34- (24) Anthony Schwartz, WR, CLE ⇩
35- (29) Mac Jones, QB, NE
36- (30) Elijah Mitchell, RB, SF
37- (36) Khalil Herbert, RB, CHI
38- (70) Jake Funk, RB, LAR ⇧
39- (28) Kenneth Gainwell, RB, PHI ⇩
40- (47) Chris Evans, RB, CIN ⇧
Marquez Stevenson may not see the reps right away. However, his spot on the 53-man is already secure based on his special teams work. And he just happens to be one of the fastest players on an offense that features one of the strongest arms in the NFL (Josh Allen). I never envisioned Jacob Harris would return so quickly from core surgery. Just further evidence in favor of the benefits of youth infused with insane athleticism. Some were blown away by Mac Jones’ performance last week. For me, it stood as evidence pointing more toward a game manager-like future. I need to see significantly more snaps before I anoint him of anything.
41- (33) Tylan Wallace, WR, BAL ⇩
42- (41) Shi Smith, WR, CAR
43- (48) Kellen Mond, QB, MIN ⇧
44- (42) Hunter Long, TE, MIA
45- (52) Tommy Tremble, TE, CAR ⇧
46- (50) Kawaan Baker, WR, NO ⇧
47- (UNR) Noah Gray, TE, KC ⇧
48- (56) Kylen Granson, TE, IND ⇧
49- (46) Racey McMath, WR, TEN
50- (82) Jaret Patterson, RB, WAS ⇧
51- (34) Dez Fitzpatrick, WR, TEN ⇩
52- (54) Ihmir Smith-Marsette, WR, MIN ⇧
53- (57) Demetric Felton, WR, CLE ⇧
54- (37) Kylin Hill, RB, GB ⇩
55- (65) Sam Ehlinger, QB, IND ⇧
56- (71) Ian Book, QB, NO ⇧
57- (UNR) D.J. Turner, WR, LV ⇧
58- (61) Simi Fehoko, WR, DAL
59- (UNR) Sammis Reyes, TE, WAS ⇧
60- (58) Kyle Trask, QB, TB
61- (UNR) JaQuan Hardy, RB, DAL ⇧
62- (88) John Bates, TE, WAS ⇧
63- (86) Javon McKinley, WR, DET⇧
64- (87) Michael Strachan, WR, IND ⇧
65- (UNR) Miller Forristall, TE, TEN ⇧
66- (96) Dedrick Mills, RB, DET ⇧
67- (100) Trey Ragas, RB, LV ⇧
68- (67) Dazz Newsome, WR, CHI
69- (59) Davis Mills, QB, HOU ⇩
70- (69) Tre' McKitty, TE, LAC ⇩
Sans those who descended due to injury, the rookies ranked between 40-and-70 are either the QBs and TEs who should be viewed as long-term projects, or those that currently find themselves on the positive side toward securing their 53-man roster spot. Of course, most teams still have a pair of preseason games on the schedule, so it’s much too early to slot all of them into definitive categories.
71- (44) Jermar Jefferson, RB, DET ⇩
72- (53) Caleb Huntley, RB, ATL ⇩
73- (76) B.J. Emmons, RB, LV ⇧
74- (99) Stevie Scott III, RB, NO ⇧
75- (31) Javian Hawkins, RB, ATL ⇩
76- (72) Dax Milne, WR, WAS
77- (63) Gerrid Doaks, RB, MIA ⇩
78- (49) Brevin Jordan, TE, HOU ⇩
79- (92) Cade Johnson, WR, SEA ⇧
80- (39) Kene Nwangwu, RB, MIN ⇩
81- (89) Zach Davidson, TE, MIN ⇧
82- (66) Jalen Camp, WR, JAX ⇩
83- (68) Sage Surratt, WR, DET ⇩
84- (64) Tre Nixon, WR, NE ⇩
85- (83) Brennan Eagles, WR, DAL
86- (75) Deon Jackson, RB, IND ⇩
87- (94) Isaiah McCoy, WR, PIT ⇧
88- (55) Seth Williams, WR, DEN ⇩
89- (74) Frank Darby, WR, ATL ⇩
90- (62) Tim Jones, WR, JAX ⇩
91- (UNR) Quintin Morris, TE, BUF ⇧
92- (UNR) Asim Rose Jr., RB, MIN ⇧
93- (95) Brandon Smith, WR, DAL
94- (77) Kenny Yeboah, TE, NYJ ⇩
95- (79) Connor Wedington, WR, SEA ⇩
96- (73) Shane Buechele, QB, KC ⇩
97- (UNR) Tyler Vaughns, WR, IND ⇧
98- (98) Feleipe Franks, QB, ATL
99- (UNR) John Raine, TE, ATL ⇧
100- (UNR) Tarik Black, WR, IND ⇧
101- (UNR) Rico Bussey Jr., WR, PIT ⇧
102- (UNR) Dillon Stoner, WR, LV ⇧
103- (UNR) Mekhi Sargent, RB, MIN ⇧
104- (UNR) Ben Skowronek, WR, LAR
105- (91) Spencer Brown, RB, CAR ⇩
106- (UNR) Otis Anderson, RB, FA ⇧
107- (UNR) Luke Farrell, TE, JAX
108- (80) Gary Brightwell, RB, NYG ⇩
109- (UNR) Antonio Nunn, WR, ATL
110- (UNR) Matt Bushman, TE, LV
111- (UNR) Josh Johnson, RB, SEA
Those rookies found between 71-and-111 in the rankings either project as falling short of making their respective rosters due to injury, or have significant work to do in order to avoid the practice squad or chopping block.
Dropped out (previous ranking): Tamorrion Terry (51), Trevon Grimes (78), Jonathan Adams Jr. (81), Pooka Williams Jr. (84), Blake Proehl (85), Garrett Groshek (90), Marlon Williams (93), CJ Marable (97)
