After giving the sophomore class some attention in last week’s 32 Observations (you'll find it here), it’s time to give the rookies a look. The first-round picks are expected to contribute right away and are under the biggest microscope. Therefore, I will keep the focus on the rookies who were drafted in the second round or later, and deliver a tidbit about them. While most teams have one later-round pick performing well, not all of them do. Here are the interesting facts you need to know about these rookies.
Each rookie's draft round, and overall selection number appear in parenthesis.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills: Left tackle Cordy Glenn (2-41) has a Pass Blocking Efficiency of 96.9, which is the sixth-highest among left tackles.
Miami Dolphins: Oliver Vernon (3-72) has a Pass Rushing Productivity of 8.0 when lining up on the right side, which is 14th among the defensive ends with at least 100 pass rushes on the right.
New England Patriots: Safety Tavon Wilson (2-48) has allowed just 10 yards per catch, which is significantly lower than the 13.2 typically allowed by safeties.
New York Jets: In Week 7, linebacker Demario Davis (3-77) was in for 71 snaps, and it was the first time he had more than 50% of his team’s snaps. He had a Run Stop Percentage of 10.3 which ranked ninth for inside/middle linebackers this week.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens: Courtney Upshaw (2-35) has a Run Stop Percentage of 9.3, which leads all 3-4 outside linebackers, and is a higher mark than any 3-4 outside linebacker had in 2011.
Cincinnati Bengals: Although he has only three solo tackles and two assists this season, defensive tackle Devon Still (2-53) has made an impact in the run game over the past two weeks. He has contributed to a tackle for a loss and two for short gains to help him to a +2.7 run defense rating over the past two games.
Cleveland Browns: Wide Receiver Josh Gordon (2-Supp) leads all receivers, with at least 30 targets, in yards per catch at 23.8.
Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Adams (2-56) has had significant playing time in three games at right tackle. Although he has allowed a sack in each, he hasn’t allowed much more pressure, which has led to a positive pass block rating in every game.
AFC South
Houston Texans: Although defensive end Jared Crick (4-126) hasn’t had much playing time, he has made four stops on 33 run snaps, or a run stop every 8.25 run plays he is in.
Indianapolis Colts: Dwayne Allen (3-64) is the only tight end with a rating above +1.0 in catching, pass blocking and run blocking.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Although Mike Harris (6-176) has been in for only 31 snaps this season, he has already recorded two pass defenses compared to two catches allowed.
Tennessee Titans: Defensive Tackle Mike Martin (3-82) has the second-most stops of all defensive tackles at 16.
AFC West
Denver Broncos: Defensive end Derrick Wolfe (2-36) is the only rookie on the Broncos with more than 50 snaps. His Pass Rushing Productivity of 2.9 is the lowest among defensive ends with 100 pass rushes.
Kansas City Chiefs: Although left guard Jeff Allen (2-44) has had problems pass blocking, he has yet to allow a sack in his 131 pass blocks.
Oakland Raiders: While the Raiders have some depth at defensive end, they’ve still found time to put Jack Crawford (5-158) on the field for 17 run plays. In that time he had three run stops for a Run Stop Percentage of 17.6. The next highest by a Raiders defensive end is 8.5.
San Diego Chargers: Kendall Reyes (2-49) is the only rookie outside of Melvin Ingram with more than seven snaps with the Chargers. He made an impact against the Raiders and Saints with five quarterback hits and four hurries in those two games, but he only has one hurry and no other pressure in the four other games.
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys: Backup defensive end Tyrone Crawford (3-81) has just four tackles on the year. But all four of them were stops, which means he has made a stop on one in every nine run plays he has been in for.
New York Giants: Although Jayron Hosley (3-94) allowed just two catches last week against the Redskins, they both went for touchdowns. He has allowed 15 yards per catch this year.
Philadelphia Eagles: Mychael Kendricks (2-46) leads all outside linebackers in missed tackles at 10.
Washington Redskins: A total of 21 players have missed tackles on Alfred Morris (6-173) runs this year, which is the fourth-most for running backs.
NFC North
Chicago Bears: Although he has played only 38 snaps this season, Evan Rodriguez (4-111) has the second-highest blocking grade of all fullbacks at +5.0.
Detroit Lions: In his first start Monday Night, cornerback Jonte Green (6-196) allowed just one catch for 23 yards, or a Yards per Coverage Snap of 0.56.
Green Bay Packers: So far Casey Hayward (2-62) has allowed just 13 catches on 29 targets for a catch rate of 44.8, which is third-lowest in the league among cornerbacks.
Minnesota Vikings: Fullback/Tight End Rhett Ellison (4-128) is the only Viking with more than 10 pass blocks that has yet to allow a pressure.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons: The only Falcons rookies that have played any snaps are offensive linemen Peter Konz (2-55) at 19 and defensive tackle Travian Robertson (7-249) at six.
Carolina Panthers: Frank Alexander (4-103) has become the second-most effective pass rusher on the Panthers. His Pass Rushing Productivity of 11.2 is just behind Charles Johnson, who is at 11.7.
New Orleans Saints: Although defensive tackle Akiem Hicks (3-89) has played in only 37.3% of the teams snaps, he has recorded at least one stop in each of his past four games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Lavonte David (2-58) is leading all 4-3 outside linebackers in Run Stop Percentage at 14.7.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals: Although cornerback Jamell Fleming (3-80) has allowed a high catch rate of 69.6%, he has allowed only 8.8 yards per catch and has yet to allow a catch of 20 yards or more.
St. Louis Rams: Kicker Greg Zuerlein (6-171) has made 12 of 14 kicks beyond 40 yards. Only seven kickers made more than 12 from that distance all of 2011.
San Francisco 49ers: The only rookie to see any offensive or defensive snaps so far is Garrett Celek (Undrafted). He has played 33 snaps at tight end.
Seattle Seahawks: Quarterback Russell Wilson (3-75) has thrown the ball deep on 16.6% of his pass attempts, which is the highest percentage in the league.
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