PHSports: Mid-Season Rookie Review 2006

by Armin Mohajeri

Top 5 Offensive Rookies:

Not only has Colston been the steal of the draft, he’s also been the top offensive rookie in the league in the first half of the season.1) WR Marques Colston, Saints (7 round, 252 overall):^thnd He was 3 picks away from being Mr. Irrelevant. With 33 receptions for 577 yards and 6 TDs, he’s on pace for 75 receptions, 1300+ yards and 14 TDs.

Addai has rushed for 447 yards while receiving for 144. He has 2 TDs (one running, one receiving). That projects to 1000+ rushing yards, 325+ receiving yards. He’s a little light on TDs (projecting to ~5 on the year), but has produced for an undefeated team.2) RB Joseph Addai, Colts (1^st round, 30^th overall):

With 395 yards rushing for 3 TDs and 110 yards receiving, he’s on pace for 900+ rushing yards for 7 TDs and 250+ receiving yards.3) RB Laurence Maroney, Patriots (1 round, 21 overall):^stst While he has shared time with Corey Dillon, Maroney has shown flashes of being the go-to back, and has made Corey Dillon expendable for the upcoming offseason.

In limited time, Leon Washington has put up 397 yards rushing for 2 TDs (76 yards receiving).4) RB Leon Washington, Jets (4 round, 117 overall):^thth That’s on pace for 900+ yards and 4+ TDs. However, if you were to consider that he’s really only started 3 games (arguably 4), he’s on pace for ~1500 yards. He would be up there at the #2 spot, however consistency has been lacking (based on sharing time and poor team play).

Reggie Bush is currently tied for 6 in the NFL in receptions (42).5) RB Reggie Bush, Saints (1 round, 2 overall): ^stndth He has not had an offensive TD, but has a game-winning 65-yard punt return for a TD against Tampa Bay. His 212 yards rushing and 290 yards receiving project to nearly 500 rushing and 650+ receiving yards. Add a couple of TDs to his offensive repertoire, and he shoots up to #2.

Honorable Mentions:

He’s been a playmaker for the Packers and one would think that if he had a QB like Tom Brady throwing to him, he might have even better numbers.WR Greg Jennings, Packers (2 round, 52 overall):^ndnd

While many thought (whether right or wrong) that his promotion to starting RB in the preseason was to motivate Tatum Bell, it’s evident that despite an early fumbling problem, Shanahan has no problem turning things over to Mike Bell.RB Mike Bell, Broncos (Undrafted): He decimated the Colts defense in the second half of their game and nearly (single-handedly) put the first blemish on their record.

5TDs each.RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville (2 round, 60 overall) & TE Owen Daniels, Texans (5 round, 98 overall): ^ndththth

No QBs!

Top 5 Defensive Rookies:

Nothing like having a guy prove you right.1) DE Mark Anderson, Bears (5 round, 159 overall):^thth I had this kid pegged as a sleeper who reminded me a lot of Robert Mathis (DE, Colts). Anderson has 7.5 sacks, putting him on pace to get 17+ sacks on the season. He’s also forced 3 fumbles and recovered one. He’s the edge rusher on passing downs for the top defense in the league.

2) OLB AJ Hawk, Packers (1 round, 5 overall):^stth Hawk has 52 tackles and 2.5 sacks, projecting to ~120 tackles and ~6 sacks on the season. He quieted concerns over his lack of production in the preseason.

His stats don’t tell the whole story, though he leads all NFL rookies in tackles with 63 (projected 144).3) MLB DeMeco Ryans, Texans (2 round, 33 overall):^ndrd Ryans is the leader of the Texans defense, making the calls from the middle linebacker position.

He’s been solid, starting for the Ravens, racking up 3 interceptions (one for a TD).4) FS Dawan Landry, Ravens (5 round, 146 overall): ^thth He has the ball-hawk mentality, and is usually around to make the tackle at the second level.

The Lions drew a lot of criticism for not drafting Leinart and going with Sims.5) OLB Ernie Sims, Lions (1 round, 9 overall):^stth However, Sims has been all over the field for the Lions defense. He has 59 tackles and is on pace for 135.

Honorable Mentions:

The Bills raised many eyebrows by drafting this 20-year-old who was projected to go late in the 1 or early in the 2 round.SS Donte Whitner, Bills (1 round, 8 overall):^stthstnd Whitner has amassed 45 tackles, one interception, while being the most solid player in the Buffalo defensive backfield.

Dumervil stepped in when Courtney Brown went down.DE Elvis Dumervil, Broncos (4 round, 126 overall): ^thth In those three games he’s put up 5 sacks. That would put him on a freakish pace…however, since he’s only played three games, he doesn’t end up on the list.

As the 3 CB on the Panthers, he’s putting up similar numbers to the starters (Gamble, Lucas).CB Richard Marshall, Panthers (2 round, 58 overall): ^ndthrd My biggest question on my Post Draft Analysis was why so many teams that could have used a CB passed on him.

Top 3 Teams:

I could stop at Marques Colston and Reggie Bush, but then I’d be doing a disservice to Roman Harper and Jahri Evans.1) New Orleans Saints: Harper was on the fast track, gaining the starting strong safety position (before a season-ending injury). Evans is the starting left guard of an offensive line that’s been solid so far. There are teams that have more than 4 contributors, but this group has quantity and quality.

Leon Washington is a Top 5 offensive rookie.2) New York Jets: Two-fifths of their offensive line are rookies (Ferguson, Mangold). Brad Smith is getting on the field more and more, as the coaches figure out new ways to utilize him. Drew Coleman is the starting CB now.

The Bills got quality out of their draft, but this ranking is based more on quantity.3) Buffalo Bills: Donte Whitner, Ko Simpson, Kyle Williams, Keith Ellison and Terrance Pennington are all starters. John McCargo had a season-ending injury. Ashton Youboty has seen time in spots. Aaron Merz has started in a game. Ellison was one of my surprise picks in my Post Draft Analysis, as I felt he could be a starter on this team (which he proved me right on).

I refuse to put the Houston Texans on this list, even though DeMeco Ryans, Charles Spencer, Eric Winston, Owen Daniels and Wali Lundy are all either starters or strong contributors.Note: The fact that they took Mario Williams over Reggie Bush nullifies their standing for a top draft.