Rookie Hot List (Rookie Watch): NFL Week 2 of the 2011 NFL Season

The Rookie hot list is essentially a play on the Heisman Watch for NFL Rookies. Each week I’ll look around the league for the most impressive rookie performances and the players who have had the best rookie seasons. Obviously the first few weeks of the season the list will fluctulate largely based on individual game performances since the sample size is so small. Let me know if you think I missed a stellar rookie performance.

10. Jacquian Williams, LB, New York Giants

He might not be one of the top 10 rookie performers, but each week I’ll try to highlight a player to watch who is doing well and really exceeding expectations. The New York Giants drafted recieved universal appraisal, but no one understood or liked the pick of Jacquian Williams in the sixth round. Through two weeks though, Williams has probably seen the field more than any other Giants defensive rookie. Including starter Greg Jones. The Giants are using Williams in a variety of ways and really like his ability in coverage. Williams was the one who pressured Bradford on the backward later pass. Williams also has been making big tackles on special teams. Williams had a big game vs St. Louis registering 7 tackles. He probably won’t be here all season, but had a very nice game Monday and the Giants clearly think he has tremendous upside. He’s on the field a lot.

9. Phil Taylor, DT, Browns

The Mammoth of a man is slowly working his way up the charts. The Browns defense is far from special and most people considered Taylor to be an ideal 34 NT prospect, but early he’s making the Browns look smart. The Browns got Phil Taylor from the pick they acquired with the Falcons (this year) and a first round pick next year. Taylor has 11 tackles through the first two games, which is really good for a defensive tackle.

8. Julio Jones, WR, Atlanta Falcons

Jones is a monster at WR and while he didn’t dominate vs the Eagles he was good enough. Plus I’m confident in his ability to maintain a high level of play all season long. Jones is a plus run blocker as well. He’s also been prodcutive, though he’s yet to find the end-zone. 7 receptions for a 100 yards on the season (14.3 yards per reception).

7. Daniel Thomas, RB, Miami Dolphins

Exploded on Sunday in his first N.F.L game averaging 5.9 yards per carry (107 yards on 18 carries), but only a long of 14 and also had a fumble. So far early he has out performed first round pick Mark Ingram who is avearging 3.4 yards per carry and couldn’t punch it in the end zone in week 1 vs the Packers, costing the Saints a chance to tie that game.

6. Denarius Moore, WR, Oakland Raiders

This ranking is based on his performance in the training camp and the preseason as his performance Sunday vs Buffalo (which was impressive). Moore was by far the best rookie in the Raiders training camp and on Sunday he showed why. With Murphy, Ford, and Heyward Bey all missing in action, Moore stepped up. He had 5 catches for a 146 yards including a few acrobatic, very tough catches. He also had a 25 yard run. If Moore continues to play this way the Raiders won’t be able to keep him off the field even when all of their receivers return.

5. A.J. Green, WR, Bengals

He’s playing well, but this might be more about where he’s going than where he is right now. Denarius Moore was more impressive Sunday than Green, but Green was still good. He’ll be in the top five most of the year, especially if Andy Dalton continues to play well. He has 11 catches for a 165 yards and 2 touchdowns this year.

4. Karl Klung, DT, Tennessee Titans

One of the biggest reasons the Titans were able to handle the Ravens on Sunday. Klung had two tackles, a sack and 2 forced fumbles on Sunday. The Ravens were unable to get anything started because of the efforts of players like Karl Klung. Last week DT, Chris Neild of the Redskins shined, this week it’s Karl Klung

3. Ryan Kerrigan OLB Washington Redskins

Can Kerrigan play standing up? This was the question constantly asked about Kerrigan leading up to the draft. Early on in the 2011 NFL season that answer is a resounding, Hell yes. Kerrigan had a big game vs the Giants in week one and then registered his first sack Sunday vs the Cardinals. He also already has 4 passes defensed. He’s been all over the field and looks poised for a big season and nice career. The Redskins with Kerrigan and Orakpo might have the best young talent at the OLB at the 34 position in the entire league.

2. Andy Dalton, QB, Cincinnati Bengals

Our first apperance on this list. Quarterbacks are always weighted a little bit higher. It’s the most important position on the field. I assumed Dalton was going to struggle pretty bad (I did not think he was worth the lofty 2nd round selection), but so far he’s looked good. Now he’s played against two pretty bad teams (Broncos and the Browns), but I can’t take away his production. Three touchdowns and no interceptions while completing 66 percent of his passes. And a QB rating of 105.7. The Bengals just lost Jordan Shipley for the season which could hurt the offense, but they still have the excellent young A.J. Green and the talented Jerome Simpson.

1. Cam Newton, QB, Carolina Panthers

Andy Dalton has played well, but Andy Dalton has also played some pretty bad teams. Cam Newton just lit up the defending Superbowl champions. Sure he made a couple of bad reads and threw three interceptions, twice victimzed by Charlels Woodson, but all in all he has looked excellent. He’s avearing 427 passing yards per game. Whew doggy. 3 TD and 4 INT he also has 71 yards rushing and two rushing touchdowns. He’s avearing a whopping 10.3 yards per pass attempt. Ridiculous.

Dropped off the list: Randall Cobb, Tryon Smith, Chris Neild, Von Miller, Doug Baldwin, Patrick Peterson

Just missed the cut: Patrick Peterson, Von Miller, Akeem Ayers, Mason Foster, Mike Pouncey

I can’t follow EVERY team’s rookies intently, even though I try. Let me know who I’m over looking here, especially excellent play along the offensive line.

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