The NFL is heading into Week 6. A good time to check up on how the first-round picks of 2019 are faring. There are a bunch who have missed considerable time and can’t be graded to this point. Others, however, have shown they earned their slots while some are having trouble making the jump from college to the pros. (The number in parentheses reflects where the player was chosen in the opening round.)
32. Jonah Williams (11)
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The Bengals are snakebit in so many ways. One of them was the loss of Jonah Williams, who underwent surgery in June to repair a torn labrum. Grade: Incomplete
31. N’Keal Harry (32)
The New England Patriots’ first-round pick has been on IR with hamstring issues. The team could bring him back soon. A word of caution after Tom Brady’s recent comments: “We’ve had a lot of young players over the years try to come into our offense. It’s a challenging position in our offense because there’s a lot that’s put on receivers. Young players, it’s hard to count on. There’s been not a lot of young players that have had major contributions in our offense. That’s just the reality at that position,” he said. “We have a high level of communication, a high level of detail. I think sometimes it takes guys a few years to understand it.” Grade: Incomplete
30. Johnathan Abram (27)
The good news for Oakland is the rookie DB was in on five tackles in his debut. The bad is he went out with a torn rotator cuff and was placed on IR, ending his rookie season. Grade: Incomplete
29. Jeffery Simmons (19)
The Tennessee Titans hope to have Jeffery Simmons on the field for their Week 7 game. He’s been rehabbing an ACL and the Titans say he has come along quicker than most. Grade: Incomplete
28. Chris Lindstrom (14)
There is not enough to go on about the Atlanta Falcons’ first selection, Chris Lindstrom, as the offensive lineman underwent surgery to mend a broken foot. Grade: Incomplete
27. Andre Dillard (22)
Consider this season the one where Andre Dillard is the apprentice to future Hall of Famer Jason Peters in Philadelphia. This is no slight to the former Washington State offensive lineman as anyone would be lucky to learn from Peters. Dillard has seen sparse action — 10 plays through five games — and it’s too early to judge. Grade: Incomplete
26. Devin White (5)
An MCL sprain has slowed Devin White’s rookie season in Tampa Bay. He played 100% of the snaps in the opener before being sidelined after six plays in Week 2. Still, he appears on track for a great career as a player and leader. Grade: Incomplete
25. Quinnen Williams (3)
Like everything else this season, Quinnen Williams’ went wrong early. He suffered a sprained ankle in the season opener and has not played since. If anything can go wrong for Gang Green in 2019, it will. Grade: Incomplete
24. L.J. Collier (29)
The Seahawks picked up Jadeveon Clowney from Houston and it is a good thing as L.J. Collier has not lived up to first-round billing in the Great Northwest … yet. The former TCU defensive lineman has played in two of five games. And there are no injuries to blame on his absence. He has one tackle in 16 plays. Ugh. Grade: F
23. Dwayne Haskins (15)
Ohio State QBs have not thrived in the NFL. It feels as if Dwayne Haskins may be added to the list of Buckeyes who struggled. Thus far reports indicate he is nowhere near ready to play and in the one appearance he did make, he threw three picks. Ugly, as Washington’s season has been. Grade: F
22. Deandre Baker (30)
Deandre Baker is struggling as a rookie. In the loss to the Vikings, he lost his cool and was subsequently burned by Adam Thielen. He has been targeted and torched by the opposition to the tune of almost 22 yards per reception. Not good. Dak Prescott and Josh Allen actually had perfect passer ratings when looking at receivers covered by the former Georgia CB. Grade: F
21. Garrett Bradbury (18)
The Vikings were hoping for a starting center when they selected Garrett Bradbury out of NC State. They got one as he has been on the field almost all the time. While he is on the field, his pass-blocking is challenged. He is not grading out well according to Pro Football Focus and already has four penalties. Grade: C-minus
20. Clelin Ferrell (4)
The Raiders love their Clemson players and Clelin Ferrell was at the top of their list. He’s struggled getting to the QB with only 10 pressures in 130 plays He missed the win over Indy with a concussion. They hope — and need — to have him back and in the form they expected. Grade: C-minus
19. Daniel Jones (6)
The QB from Duke, who was chosen to an uproar of New York Giants fans, stepped into the lineup and led Big Blue to a pair of victories. He came back to earth against Minnesota. So far, so average. Daniel Jones is going to have to protect the ball. Making rookie mistakes … often. Grade: C-minus
18. Montez Sweat (26)
Montez Sweat is learning NFL life can be tough as a member of winless Washington. The edge rusher has a sack and has been in on 20 tackles through five games. He’s on the field about half the time with the Washington defense. Grade: C
17. Noah Fant (20)
The Denver Broncos got off to a slow start and so has former Iowa TE Noah Fant. His time on the field has dropped from 81% in the opener to mid-60s. He only has been targeted 16 times with 12 catches. Grade: C
16. Rashan Gary (12)
The Packers’ believed Gary was a better prospect than Nick Bosa. He’s shown some of that talent in flashes However, he has yet to fully unleash. Against Dallas, the former Michigan star was burned on a pattern by Ezekiel Elliott out of the backfield … big time. Another instance of a Buckeye taking advantage of a Wolverine. Gary has only been on the field for about 30% of Green Bay’s plays. Grade: C
15. Jerry Tillery (28)
Jerry Tillery is seeing action on about 40% of the defensive snaps for the Los Angeles Chargers. The former Notre Dame DL has a couple QB hits and 1.5 sacks. Before judging harshly, remember he missed a lot of time while recuperating from surgery in March. He’s going to come along. Grade: C
14. T.J. Hockenson (8)
Former Iowa TE T.J. Hockenson had a great debut for the Detroit Lions. He made a half-dozen catches for 131 yards and a TD in the opening tie with Arizona. Hockenson has slowed since with five catches for 35 yards in the next three games. He went into concussion protocol after a hard hit against KC in Week 4. Hockenson had three catches for 27 yards in that game before being derailed. Growing pains: Grade: C-plus
13. Tytus Howard (23)
The Houston Texans got a nice player in Tytus Howard. Talk about a big leap without a ton of issues. How about going from Alabama State — not the Crimson Tide — to starting in the NFL? This is exactly what Howard has done. He’s been on the field for 258 plays and has a pair of penalties and allowed one sack. A good start. Grade: B-minus
12. Dexter Lawrence (17)
Daniel Jones isn’t the only rookie from an ACC school making a good impression on the Giants. Clemson’s Dexter Lawrence, the middle of three first-rounders, has been in on 13 tackles and has a pair of sacks through five games as a defensive lineman. He’s a bright spot in a season full of gray areas for Big Blue. Grade: B
11. Ed Oliver (9)
The Bills drafted defensive lineman Ed Oliver out of Houston after a controversial season with the Cougars. Thus far, he has been a cog in one of the best defenses in the league. He’s missing his first sack and he is aware of that goose egg. “It’s a game of inches,” Oliver said last week. “Being inches away or a second, millisecond away is too late.” He’s a star in the making. Grade: B
10. Kyler Murray (1)
Kyler Murray is in an impossible spot in Arizona. Rooke coach, worst team in the league in 2018 and the Heisman winner from Oklahoma starts immediately for the Cardinals. He has better than 1,500 total yards in a handful of games. Arizona is still weak and a work in progress. Four TD passes against four picks. He’s doing what he can with a team that miles to grow. Grade: B
9. Christian Wilkins (13)
The DE out of Clemson is making more tackles than most Dolphins. He has 17 total thus far in Miami’s miserable start. Wilkins is looking for his first sack. That said, Miami has a grand total of five through its first four losses. Don’t fault Wilkins, who has shown major promise. Grade: B
8. Devin Bush (10)
Loved the Steelers’ selection of the LB from Michigan and he has done everything asked of him and more throughout a troubled start for Pittsburgh. Bush is on the field for almost all of the plays and has 28 total tackles, three fumble recoveries, a sack and a highlight-reel INT. A Steelers’ star in the making. Grade: B-plus
7. Kaleb McGary (31)
Kaleb McGary of the Falcons is starting after a couple of health scares. On July 31, McGary had a cardiac ablation procedure to correct a heart arrhythmia problem called ventricular tachycardia. He then suffered a knee injury against Philadelphia but returned later in the game, earning much respect from his teammates. “He said it in the postgame, ‘I didn’t want to let my teammates down. I didn’t want to be that guy…’ and when you have a guy like that with that mindset — and I already thought Kaleb McGary was big, nasty, physical, ornery — but even more now, that’s why you go up and draft him in the first round,” WR Harry Douglas commented. Grade; B-plus
6. Marquise Brown (25)
The Ravens have plenty of flash and speed in their offense. Lamar Jackson and Marquise Brown have teamed to add a huge spark to Baltimore. He broke into the lineup with a four-catch, 147-yard game that featured a pair of touchdowns. “Hollywood” from Oklahoma needs to remain healthy and stay away from ankle and leg injuries to become a major force. Grade: A-minus
5. Josh Jacobs (24)
The Oakland Raiders were in desperate need of a feature running back when they took Josh Jacobs. The former Alabama star has delivered with 430 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground in his first five games. This is what Jon Gruden and Mike Mayock were hoping for when they selected Jacobs. Grade: A
4. Brian Burns (16)
The Panthers chose Brian Burns out of Florida State seeking to boost their pressure on the quarterback. He has done just that, already notching 3.5 sacks and forcing a fumble and recovering one. He has nine QB hits to go along with 14 overall tackles. A force. Grade: A
3. Darnell Savage (21)
Green Bay got a winner when it picked Darnell Savage in the first round. Before suffering an ankle injury against Dallas, he was almost always on the field … and playing well. He already has forced a fumble and has an INT as the Packers are off to a 4-1 start, much because of their defense. Grade: A
2. Josh Allen (7)
The Jaguars expected to get a strong edge rusher when they selected Josh Allen out of Kentucky. The Wildcat has delivered for his next “cat” team. Allen already has a trio of sacks, has forced a fumble and been in on 18 tackles. A big piece of Sacksonville. Grade: A
1. Nick Bosa (2)
There were plenty of people who believed the 49ers were lucky when the Cardinals chose Kyler Murray first. And there is no reason to question those folks as Nick Bosa has stepped into the Bay Area from Ohio State and become a force opponents can’t handle. Grade: A
