The ranking from my 2019 NFL Draft Big Board is listed in parenthesis.

 

Josh Allen, Jaguars DE (1)

Last week (BYE)

No statistics recorded

Season stats

25 tackles, 7.0 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 2 forced fumbles

Allen should be refreshed coming out of the bye, and the Jaguars will need him to be as the defensive line hopes to win up front against Indianapolis this weekend. The No. 7 overall pick is on pace for over 12.0 sacks this season.

 

Christian Wilkins, Dolphins DL (3)

Last week (@ IND)

4 tackles

Season stats

32 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 1 pass defended

A career-best performance to start November was followed up by another strong performance (and win) for Wilkins last week, and Miami’s first-round pick now leads all rookie defensive lineman in tackles heading into Week 11. Also, it’s worth noting that Wilkins has generated pressure on the quarterback in back-to-back weeks, and his play has helped the Dolphins turn things around. Buffalo’s Josh Allen will be a challenge to takedown this weekend.

 

Deandre Baker, Giants CB (6)

Last week (@ NYJ)

1 tackle

Season stats

38 tackles, 3 passes defended

Baker is getting a lot of heat for his play this season, but anyone that actually watches the games should see that he isn’t far off, and the rookie basically needs to correct the mental mistakes more than anything else. The pure cover skills are there for Baker when he’s asked to stick to his man on the perimeter, so hopefully he can gain confidence and finish over the final six games.

 

Dexter Lawrence, Giants DL (7)

Last week (@ NYJ)

2 tackles

Season stats

26 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick

The Giants allowed 34 points to the Jets in last week’s loss, but the defensive line did their part by holding Le’Veon Bell to 1.9 yards per carry, and Lawrence was able to generate multiple pressures on Sam Darnold up the middle. New York heads into the bye week at 2-8, and they’ll try to get their overall defensive issues fixed by Week 12.

 

A.J. Brown, Titans WR (9)

Last week (v KC)

1 reception, 17 yards

Season stats

27 receptions, 446 yards, 3 touchdowns // 1 rush, -2 yards

I thought Brown would need to be a significant factor if the Titans were going to upset the Chiefs last week, but he caught one pass, and Tennessee was able to win on just 19 passing attempts by Ryan Tannehill. He’s certainly shown flashes in his first season, but Brown probably won’t establish himself as a true No. 1 from a statistical standpoint until things open up (potentially with a new quarterback in 2020).

 

Brian Burns, Panthers OLB (10)

Last week (@ GB)

1 tackle

Season stats

16 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown

As stated in previous weeks, the wrist injury suffered last month is impacting Burns’ play, as he was on the field for a season-low 11 snaps last week, and his lone tackle was the first statistic recorded over the past three games. Unfortunately, Carolina’s first-round pick will likely be limited by the injury for the remainder of his rookie campaign after beginning his career with 4.5 sacks in six games.

 

Daniel Jones, Giants QB (18)

Last week (@ NYJ)

26/40 (65.0%), 308 yards, 4 TD // 3 attempts, 20 yards

Season stats

63.0%, 1,984 yards, 15 TD, 8 INT // 32 attempts, 208 yards, 2 TD

Critics are knocking Jones for the turnovers this season, but he’s a rookie quarterback that’s attempting 36.6 passes per game for a banged-up offense that lacked talent to begin with, so the mistakes are to be expected. Getting stripped by Jamal Adams for a touchdown and losing to the Jets shouldn’t take away from Jones’ four-touchdown performance. After a bye followed by a matchup against the Bears to close out November, the Giants will take on the Packers, Eagles, Dolphins, Redskins, and Eagles again.

 

Justin Layne, Steelers CB (19)

Last week (v LAR)

No statistics recorded

Season stats

1 tackle

Layne was active in Week 10 following nearly a month of being a healthy scratch, but he played just two snaps on special teams and is still looking for the first defensive action of his career.

 

Jaquan Johnson, Bills S (23)

Last week (@ CLE)

1 tackle

Season stats

3 tackles

This week will be a homecoming for Johnson—who played his college ball at the University of Miami—so it would be great to see him make a play on special teams to help Buffalo bounce back from last week’s loss.

 

Chase Winovich, Patriots DE (32)

Last week (BYE)

No statistics recorded

Season stats

11 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 1 touchdown

The smaller Winovich (250 pounds) taking on Jason Peters (328 pounds) should be an enjoyable matchup this weekend for however many snaps the rookie gets against him, but if “The Bodyguard” is unable to go for Philly as he recovers from a knee injury, first-rounder Andre Dillard will protect Carson Wentz’s blindside. Both players may struggle with Winovich’s motor in a limited role off the bench.