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Home / frontnfl / 2019 NFL Rookie Report: Week 14
AP Images/White Wolf Editing

2019 NFL Rookie Report: Week 14


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

 

Josh Allen, Jaguars DE (1)

Last week (v TB)

6 tackles, 1.0 sack

Season stats

34 tackles, 9.0 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 2 forced fumbles

Allen’s ninth sack of the season broke Jacksonville’s rookie record, and I thought he should have also been credited for a forced fumble on the play (Jameis Winston recovered the ball anyway, though). That said, Allen doesn’t care about the record or numbers, saying it “doesn’t mean anything” because they didn’t win. If he can clear the concussion protocol, Allen has a good chance of reaching double-digit sacks against the Chargers.

 

Christian Wilkins, Dolphins DL (3)

Last week (v PHI)

2 tackles, 1 pass defended

Season stats

44 tackles, 1.0 sack, 2 tackles for loss, 2 passes defended

Miami is 3-2 over their past five games, and while I’m obviously not around the team to know, I’m sure Wilkins’ leadership is a big reason for the turnaround. In Sunday’s upset win over Philadelphia, the former Clemson standout showed his versatility by dropping back in coverage and deflecting a pass over the middle. No matter how they finish over the final four games, the future is very bright for Wilkins and the Dolphins.

 

Deandre Baker, Giants CB (6)

Last week (v GB)

4 tackles

Season stats

43 tackles, 3 passes defended, 1 tackle for loss

Baker’s playing time has decreased in back-to-back weeks as New York rotates him with fellow youngster Sam Beal at right cornerback, but he’s remained the starter, and there have been improvements in coverage over the second half of the season. Monday night will be a quality test against Alshon Jeffery, and Baker has the length to contend with him.

 

Dexter Lawrence, Giants DL (7)

Last week (v GB)

3 tackles

Season stats

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

The Giants limited Aaron Jones to 11 carries for 18 yards (1.6 YPC) and zero touchdowns last week, and the run defense has been excellent since acquiring Leonard Williams to pair with Lawrence, Dalvin Tomlinson, and B.J. Hill on the defensive line. It will be fun to watch the emerging front try to control the game on Monday night against an established offensive line for the Eagles.

 

A.J. Brown, Titans WR (9)

Last week (@ IND)

3 receptions, 45 yards

Season stats

34 receptions, 626 yards, 4 touchdowns // 1 rush, -2 yards

There was no rookie report last week because of Thanksgiving (I tried hitting on most of these guys in the Week 13 game picks), but it’s worth highlighting Brown’s performance from two weeks ago against Jacksonville when he caught four passes for 135 yards and a touchdown. The score—a 65-yard catch-and-run—once again displayed Brown’s elite speed despite a well-built frame.

 

Brian Burns, Panthers OLB (10)

Last week (v WAS)
1 tackle

Season stats

19 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble 1 fumble recovery, 1 touchdown

A changeup in the coaching staff may lead to more playing time for Burns to close out his rookie campaign, and it will be interesting to see who Carolina hires to replace Ron Rivera in 2020. Even an offensive-minded head coach would want to have a say in the defensive scheme, so the Panthers potentially switching back to a 4-3 front would likely mean Burns becomes a dynamic off-ball outside linebacker—which he has the skillset to do.

 

Daniel Jones, Giants QB (18)

Last week (v GB)

20/37 (54.1%), 240 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT // 5 attempts, 6 yards

Season stats

61.6%, 2,374 yards, 18 TD, 11 INT // 39 attempts, 241 yards, 2 TD

Jones showed great toughness in last week’s loss to the Packers by staying in the game with a high-ankle sprain, and it figures that the offense will likely have all the skill-position players back in the lineup on Monday night when the No. 6 overall pick is doubtful to play. Hopefully the absence is a one-week thing and Jones can build some momentum into next season against a soft schedule over the final three weeks (v MIA, @ WAS, v PHI).

 

Justin Layne, Steelers CB (19)

Last week (v CLE)

No statistics recorded

Season stats

2 tackles

Layne was active for back-to-back games and recorded a special teams tackle two weeks ago in Cincinnati, so look for him to remain a factor on Sunday. Also, while I doubt it happens, a matchup against the Cardinals would be the time to see him get some defensive snaps if Kliff Kingsbury’s offense tries spreading things out with four wideouts.

 

Jaquan Johnson, Bills S (23)

Last week (@ DAL)

No statistics recorded

Season stats

4 tackles

Another promising defensive back that’s been limited to special teams, Johnson and his teammates on the third unit will hope to make a big play this weekend in a crucial AFC matchup against the Ravens.

 

Chase Winovich, Patriots DE (32)

Last week (@ HOU)

1 tackle, 1.0 sack

Season stats

17 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 1 tackle for loss, 1 touchdown

The Patriots struggled to contain Deshaun Watson and the Houston offense last Sunday night, but Winovich showed great awareness on his sack by keeping his eyes on the quarterback and pursuing down the line before he could run. The sack was Winovich’s first since the final week of October.

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