Many players are out of the blocks quickly in 2019. Here’s a look at 15 of those who are playing at an elite level.
Devin McCourty
The New England defense has been stunning Devin McCourty is the leader in the secondary and he has three picks in three games. He’s one to fear and Josh Allen has to look out for the former Rutgers star Sunday in Buffalo.
Patrick Mahomes
The Chiefs’ quarterback picked up where he left off last season. Thus far, Patrick Mahomes has thrown for 1,195 yards and 10 TDs. He gets his first indoor game Sunday at the Lions. Look out.
Shaq Barrett
His name should be Sack Barrett. The Tampa Bay LB has eight sacks already, including seven in his last two games. Add in a dozen tackles and you have a force for the Bucs. He will be trying to sack Jared Goff Sunday as Tampa Bay journeys West to play the Rams at the Coliseum.
Dak Prescott
Dak Prescott is doing his best to show Jerry Jones how much he is worth. The QB from Mississippi State has led the Cowboys to a 3-0 start by throwing nine TD passes and rushing for another another. He is averaging more than 300 yards per game through the air.
Marlon Mack
The transition to Jacoby Brissett has been eased by the continued rushing of Marlon Mack. The third-year RB is third in the league in rushing with 299 yards and a pair of TDs. Expect the Oakland Raiders to have a tough time stopping Mack on Sunday.
Preston Smith
Not surprising to find a Packer on the list. Perhaps the surprise is it is a defensive player off to a starring start. Preston Smith is in his first year with Green Bay after spending four in Washington. He already has 4.5 sacks and has been in on 13 tackles. Thursday he gets to harass Carson Wentz and the Eagles.
Clay Matthews
A change of scenery from Green Bay to Los Angeles has done nothing to dampen the defensive force Clay Matthews is. The veteran has forced a pair of fumbles to go with four sacks and nine tackles as the Rams are off to a 3-0 start. Sunday’s matchup between LA and TB will be intriguing as you have a pair of sack stars in Matthews and Shaq Barrett on the field as opposing times.
Keenan Allen
The Chargers are sluggish at 1-2 but don’t blame the elite WR, Keenan Allen. He is tormenting opposing secondaries to the tune of 29 catches, including a trio of TDs, and 134.7 yards per game. Those numbers don’t figure to slow as Los Angeles faces the pathetic Miami Dolphins in Week 4.
John Ross
The ultimate turnaround has happened for the Cincinnati Bengals’ John Ross. After missing his rookie year and barely contributing last season, the former Washington star has taken off despite the 0-3 start for his team. Ross has 13 receptions for 292 yards and three TDs. Coming into this season, he had all of 21 catches for 210 yards in his NFL career.
Cooper Kupp
Cooper Kupp has bounced back from a knee injury that cost him the second half of last season in fine fashion. The star WR from Eastern Washington has 23 grabs for 268 yards and a pair of TDs.
Zane Gonzalez
The Cardinals are looking for their first victory. Zane Gonzalez has helped them find confidence in their kicking game, however. He us 9-for-9 on field goals and nailed all his PATs.
Terry McLaurin
Washington was counting on big things from a rookie out of Ohio State. It is getting them, only not from first-round pick Dwayne Haskins. WR Terry McLaurin has caught at least five passes and scored a TD in each of his first three games. Overall, he has 16 receptions for 257 yards going into a favorable matchup with the New York Giants.
Darren Waller
Raiders TE Darren Waller is coming off a game that saw him catch 13 passes for 134 yards. After three games, he is at 26 receptions for 267 yards. Pretty fair stats for a player who had 18 catches in his first three NFL seasons. He faces the Colts on Sunday.
Mark Ingram
The Heisman winner from Alabama has changed homes from the New Orleans Saints to the Baltimore Ravens. He is off and running and giving Lamar Jackson a great ground option. Ingram has scored five TDs in 2019 and has 257 yards rushing heading into a matchup with the Cleveland Browns.
Tom Brady
The list would not be complete without acknowledging the amazing 42-year-old Tom Brady. The Patriots’ QB keeps rolling. He has thrown for 911 yards and seven TDs as the Patriots are off to a 3-0 start. They figure to be tested for the first time Sunday in an AFC East battle of the unbeatens against Buffalo.
