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

 

Josh Allen, Jaguars DE (1)

Last week (v NYJ)

2 tackles, 2.0 sacks, 1 forced fumble

Season stats

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

Playing in Jacksonville has led to less attention from the national media, but Allen is on pace for 14.0 sacks at the midway point of his rookie campaign, and that’s despite not even being a full-time player in recent weeks. I had Allen ranked over Nick Bosa (who has 7.0 sacks himself) because of my preference for a 3-4 front and the Kentucky product’s fit in one, so it makes it all the more impressive that he’s been able to immediately get to the quarterback in the Jaguars’ 4-3 defense.

 

Christian Wilkins, Dolphins DL (3)

Last week (@ PIT)

5 tackles

Season stats

23 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass defended

The Steelers ended up running for 158 yards and a touchdown against Miami on Monday Night Football, but Wilkins still flashed in his first primetime appearance, and the team has no reason to believe he isn’t a franchise cornerstone for 2020 and beyond. Especially after the fire shown by head coach Brian Flores in what was a competitive game, it will be fun to watch the defense when they add more pieces around Wilkins.

 

Deandre Baker, Giants CB (6)

Last week (@ DET)

7 tackles

Season stats

32 tackles, 2 passes defended

Baker allowed a touchdown in coverage against Kenny Golladay on a jump ball last week, but he defended it well, and the pure talent to stick with his man is easy to see. New York’s top corner has been great over the past six games, but he will be tested on Monday night against Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup—both of whom got the better of him in his NFL debut.

 

Dexter Lawrence, Giants DL (7)

Last week (@ DET)

3 tackles, 0.5 sack

Season stats

22 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 blocked kick

Lawrence already having 2.5 sacks might not seem like a big deal, but that puts him on pace for 5.0 sacks on the year, which is impressive for a guy that most “experts” called a one-dimensional run-stuffer earlier this year. They might have simply been able to wait until free agency, but the Giants acquiring former No. 6 overall pick Leonard Williams gives them a loaded defensive front with Lawrence, Williams, B.J. Hill and Dalvin Tomlinson.

 

A.J. Brown, Titans WR (9)

Last week (v TB)

2 receptions, 11 yards, 1 touchdown

Season stats

22 receptions, 348 yards, 3 touchdowns // 1 rush, -2 yards

He only finished with three targets, but Brown caught the game-winning touchdown in Sunday’s victory over Tampa Bay, and I think we’d be talking about him as one of the best young players in the league if he were playing in a more pass-happy offense. The rookie has converted a first down on 14-of-22 receptions to start his career.

 

Brian Burns, Panthers OLB (10)

Last week (@ SF)

No statistics recorded

Season stats

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

I thought Burns would be able to make some noise last week against San Francisco’s backup offensive tackles, but he wasn’t a factor at all while playing a career-low 34% of the defensive snaps in a 51-13 beatdown. It’s fair to wonder if Burns’ wrist injury is affecting him, but we’ll see if the Panthers can play with a lead and let the Florida State product get after Ryan Tannehill this weekend.

 

Daniel Jones, Giants QB (18)

Last week (@ DET)

28/41 (68.3%), 322 yards, 4 TD // 4 attempts, 13 yards

Season stats

62.5%, 1,466 yards, 10 TD, 7 INT // 23 attempts, 134 yards, 2 TD

Jones was excellent in Sunday’s loss to the Lions, and throwing four touchdowns without an interception should help boost his confidence heading into a divisional matchup against the Cowboys. Notably, two of Jones’ scores last week were to rookie Darius Slayton, and the offense will finally be at full strength in Week 9 with Sterling Shepard (concussion) cleared to return.

 

Justin Layne, Steelers CB (19)

Last week (v MIA)

No statistics recorded

Season stats

1 tackle

Layne was a healthy scratch coming out of the bye, but injuries to a few teammates may lead to him getting back on the gameday roster as a special teams contributor.

 

Jaquan Johnson, Bills S (23)

Last week (v PHI)

1 tackle

Season stats

2 tackles

While he is still without playing time on defense, Johnson’s snap count on special teams was a career-high (19 snaps, 73% played), and if the Bills can blow someone out for this stretch before Thanksgiving (v WAS, @ CLE, @ MIA, v DEN), he may see some action.

 

Chase Winovich, Patriots DE (32)

Last week (v CLE)

1 tackle, 0.5 sack

Season stats

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

Officially not having Michael Bennett on the roster didn’t lead to an expanded role for Winovich, but he was able to team up on a takedown of Baker Mayfield (on the fourth-and-16 play that Cleveland inexplicably took a penalty on instead of calling a timeout to make it fourth-and-11) for one of his 16 defensive snaps. Winovich and The Boogeymen should be fired up for Sunday Night Football against Baltimore.