After three weeks of the common season, a number of rookies are already making their mark within the NFL.
This is an analysis of every AFC East staff’s prime draft choose, accompanied by a grade primarily based on how they’ve fared:
Buffalo Payments large receiver Keon Coleman (No. 33 general choose)
The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has flashed potential however has struggled to keep up consistency.
Following what he referred to as a “so-so” preseason, throughout which he caught simply two passes for 20 yards in two video games, Coleman loved a productive NFL debut. Throughout Buffalo’s 34-28 come-from-behind Week 1 win towards Arizona, he led the staff in targets (5), receptions (4) and receiving yards (51) and showcased a formidable field-stretching potential.
The second-round choose (Buffalo didn’t have a first-rounder) could not construct on his stellar season-opening efficiency in the course of the Payments’ 31-10 Week 2 drubbing of Miami, failing to haul in his solely goal. Whereas the outing was disappointing, Coleman needed to take care of troublesome cornerback matchups, going through Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller.
Then, in Buffalo’s 47-10 Week 3 win over the Jaguars on Monday, Coleman was benched for all the first quarter for disciplinary causes. Nevertheless, he made an influence as soon as he obtained on the sphere, catching his lone goal for a 24-yard landing, the primary of his profession.
Though Coleman undoubtedly has expertise, the 21-year-old nonetheless has a methods to go earlier than he could be trusted as Buffalo’s No. 1 wideout.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins edge-rusher Chop Robinson (No. 21 general)
Robinson has the bodily instruments to grow to be a top quality pass-rusher, however his lack of manufacturing to start his profession has solely made Miami’s choice to cross on an offensive lineman all of the extra regrettable.
Via three video games, Robinson has break up time between particular groups and protection, and though he almost blocked a punt throughout Miami’s Week 3 loss to Seattle, he has did not make a lot of an influence defensively. Robinson continues to be looking for his first profession sack and has solely three whole tackles and 4 pressures, which ranks 65th amongst NFL edge-rushers and sixth amongst rookies.
Miami should hope Robinson can put all of it collectively sooner or later throughout his rookie season, although his NFL profession has begun to play out equally to what he did on the collegiate degree. In three seasons between Maryland and Penn State, Robinson incessantly generated strain however solely managed 11.5 career sacks.
Grade: C-
New York Jets offensive sort out Olu Fashanu (No. 11 general)
After buying OTs Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses earlier within the offseason, the Jets shocked some by spending a first-round choose on Fashanu. Nevertheless, the choice has rapidly proved to be sensible, as Moses suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise throughout final Thursday’s 24-3 residence win over New England.
Fashanu, who had been rotating at each sort out spots all through coaching camp and the preseason, will function the starter on the proper facet of the road for not less than the following two video games. The Penn State product was largely restricted to particular groups reps via his first three profession video games however lastly noticed some motion on offense final week.
On 14 offensive snaps towards the Patriots, Fashanu did not enable a strain or sack and had a key block on a blitzing linebacker that helped RB Breece Hall rating a one-yard landing. With matchups towards the robust Denver and Minnesota defenses within the next two games, Fashanu could have his work lower out for him in his first stint as a starter.
Grade: B
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (No. 3 general)
Even if he confirmed promise in the course of the preseason, the Patriots have opted to ease Maye into the NFL. The previous UNC Tar Heel stays the first backup to journeyman Jacoby Brissett, who’s averaging simply 122.7 passing yards per recreation, although it is doable Maye might take the reins before later.
Throughout Thursday’s loss to the Jets, Maye made his NFL debut in mop-up obligation after the Patriots mustered simply 93 yards of offense. Though time expired earlier than New England might attain the top zone, Maye led the staff on a 16-play drive, its longest of the sport. General, Maye accomplished 4 of his eight passes for 22 yards and rushed for 12 yards on two carries, one an 11-yard achieve on a fourth-and-eight scramble.
All issues thought of, Maye has appeared strong when referred to as upon, nevertheless it nonetheless could be finest for the Patriots to maintain him on the bench — and away from their disastrous offensive line. New England has already surrendered 11 sacks this season. Even so, if Brissett continues to wrestle, it would not be shocking to see Maye make his first profession begin towards a struggling Dolphins staff in Week 5.
Grade: Incomplete
