Analysis
12/8/21
6 min read
Week 13 Rookie Report: Waddle On Pace to Break Record
Whether they are high draft picks, late-round value picks or undrafted free agents, we’ll take a look each week of the NFL season at how NFL rookies are doing. Here’s this week’s report:
Stock Up Offensive Players
WR: Jaylen Waddle - Yet again, Waddle had a big day. He continues to get touches and has done well with them. He had 9 catches for 90 yards, finishing with a grade of 71.8. Waddle is on pace to break Anquan Boldin's rookie record of 101 catches, and poised to be the second rookie to eclipse 100 catches and 1,000 yards, joining Boldin.
QB: Zach Wilson - Wilson has struggled the majority of his career so far but played well on Sunday, particularly in the first half. He started out red hot, scoring 3 times in his first three drives. He finished the day 23 of 38 for 226 yards, 2 TDs and 1 INT with a passer rating of 83.9 and a PFF grade of 67.0.
RB: Javonte Williams - In Williams’ first start, he showed why he should be getting more touches. He had 23 carries for 102 yards and caught 6 passes for 76 yards and a TD. He finished with a grade of 62.7.
WR: Amon-Ra St. Brown - St. Brown was a reliable target on Sunday and was a big part of their first victory of the season. He caught 10 passes for 86 yards, including hauling in the game-winner. He finished with a grade of 71.5.
WR: Elijah Moore - Moore has grown into the Jets' number one option over the past few weeks. On Sunday, he was getting open a lot, even with Darius Slay traveling to cover him. He finished the day with 6 catches for 77 yards and a TD, a 9-yard rush, and likely could have done more damage. He finished the day with a grade of 67.0.
OL: Dan Moore Jr - Moore Jr has found himself on both parts of this list, as he has been up and down to start his career. He played very well on Sunday though, as he allowed no pressures all game in pass protection, good for a grade of 69.9.
Stock Down Offensive Players
QB: Trevor Lawrence - Lawrence did not play badly but he and the rest of the offense just have not been able to get it going. He went 16 of 28 for 145 yards with a 71.3 passer rating, and a grade of 56.7. Lawrence has thrown just one touchdown in the last five weeks.
WR: Rondale Moore - After being more involved in the offense early in the season, Moore has taken a bit of a step back. He had just 1 catch on Sunday on two targets, the other of which he dropped. He finished with a grade of just 44.0.
WR: Rashod Bateman - Bateman has been playing very well of late but did not get it going on Sunday. He had just one target, which he dropped, finishing with a grade of 41.3.
OL: Drew Dalman - Dalman made his fourth career start on Sunday and did not play very well. He struggled in pass protection, allowing 3 pressures, good for a grade of 47.9.
OL: Jake Curhan - Curhan, who went undrafted, made the start for the Seahawks on Sunday, which was his fifth of the season. He had a hard time in pass protection, as he gave up 2 sacks, finishing with a grade of 28.6.
Stock Up Defensive Players
DL: Jaelan Phillips - Phillips was great once again, particularly in the pass rush. He had 2 sacks and 6 total pressures, finishing with a grade of 70.1.
DL: Azeez Ojulari - Ojulari has been very disruptive in the pass rush all season and showed that on Sunday. He had 3 pressures and a sack and finished with a grade of 82.5.
LB: Micah Parsons - Who else but Micah Parsons would appear at this spot? Parsons played great again, as he had 5 tackles, 1 sack, 2 TFLs, and a QBH. He finished with a grade of 86.9.
LB: Ernest Jones - Jones has been pretty solid when he has played this season. He was great on Sunday, as he had 9 tackles, 0.5 sacks, and allowed just 3 catches on 8 targets in coverage. He finished with a grade of 89.8.
DB: Nate Hobbs - Hobbs has been great all year and performed very well on Sunday again. He had 5 tackles, an INT, and finished with a grade of 69.7.
Stock Down Defensive Players
DL: Milton Williams - Williams has played well this season but had a hard time against the Jets. He did not play well against the run and generated very little pressure in the pass rush. He finished with a grade of 31.6.
DL: Alim McNeil - Similarly, McNeil has been a good player as a rookie but did not do much on Sunday. He was not very disruptive against either the run or the pass, as he finished with a grade of 36.8.
LB: Zaven Collins - Collins made his first appearance since Week 13, and did not play very well. He had just 1 tackle and has largely struggled in his last few appearances. He finished with a grade of 25.6.
DB: Richie Grant - Grant has been inconsistent thus far in his career and did not play well on Sunday. He allowed 5 catches for 71 yards and a TD. He finished with a grade of just 46.7.
DB: Tre Norwood - Norwood is coming off a very solid week but did not play well against the Ravens. He was targeted just 3 times but allowed catches on all of them including a TD. He finished with a grade of just 27.9.
Week 14 Matchups
Going into Week 14, there are some noteworthy matchups of rookies that will be worth keeping an eye on.
Elijah Moore vs Paulson Adebo - Moore has been very hot of late and may garner more attention from Marshon Lattimore, but Adebo will have his hands full when matched up with Moore. Adebo has been inconsistent but has shown a number of good signs so far as a rookie.
Rashawn Slater vs Azeez Ojulari - We highlighted Ojulari going into last week and that matchup did not disappoint. He has been one of the most productive edge rushers and Slater has been one of the best offensive tackles, so their matchup will be a must-watch.
