Steal of the Draft
Seven weeks into the season, perhaps it’s a little early to start looking ahead to the future, but considering games this season constitute 100 of these individuals young careers, the sample size seems more than adequate. The NFL has already felt the impact of the class of 2010, perhaps so than even Mel Kiper’s most ingratiating dreams would allow. So who’s ahead in the polls at this point in the season? Let’s take a look.
- Sam Bradford, St. Louis Rams Obviously the first pick of the draft can’t be a steal, however, Rams fans will largely ignore such a technicality. Though there have been plenty of rookie mistakes so far in the season, and many more likely to come, Bradford has the rams playing .500 football, quite the accomplishment for anyone who has followed the state of the franchise over the past few seasons.
- Jahvid Best, Detroit Lions Through the first two weeks of the season it looked as if Best might run away with the ROY honors, covering the first 40 yards in just over 4 second pace. As the season has progressed, however, Best has slowed down, if not in terms of foot speed in terms of productivity. After 2 TDs in week 1 and 3 in week 2, Best has been held without a score since. Not to mention, his yards per carry has dipped to 3.2. Though he still remains a viable threat out of the backfield, the big play has eluded him in recent weeks just as he so often sidesteps defenders. Overall, however, he has proven to be quite the asset to the Lions offense with a late first round pick.
- Aaron Hernandez, New England Patriots Leave it to the Pats to find the season’s most prolific receiver in 4th round. A tight end in name only Hernandez has been used in several different looks, already racking up significant yardage totals, even if he hasn’t yet found pay-dirt. With Moss gone and the Pats lacking in explosive offensive threats, look for Hernandez to get even more touches going forward.
Longshot: Danario Alexander, St. Louis Rams Last year’s leading receiver in college football is finally back from knee surgery after injury risks forced him to go undrafted. He already seems to have a nice rapport with 1 on this list, to the tune of 4 catches, 72 yards and TD in his week 7 debut. The talent and work ethic are certainly there, but will he see the targets?