Week 13 has arrived and our 2020 rookies are making moves in the 2020 season. This week TC56 group has a couple of undrafted rookies proving once again its an inexact science. Two more running backs also are on the list. Despite living in a passing league, running the football plays a huge role in post season. Coming into the league running backs have the easiest adjustment. Besides pass protection, running back is a plug and play position in the NFL. The ability to run the football and play defense is a old philosophy but still stands the test of time. Here is you week 13 top 1st year players.
TOP 5 ROOKIE PERFORMANCES WEEK 13
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
- CB – Cameron Dantzler – 6’2” 188 – Mississippi State – 3rd Round pick (89th Overall) Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 27-24)
Game Day Stats: 4 tackles / 1 forced fumble / 1 fumble recoveries / 1 interception / 1 pass break ups
Having a physical corner with long arms can be a huge advantage when defending today’s wide receivers. Cameron Dantzler fits those characteristics perfectly. Sunday, Dantzler came up with some big plays to help the Vikings win a game in overtime that neither team seemed to want to win. It was a day of first for the young corner from Mississippi State. He grabbed his first interception at a crucial point in the 2nd quarter. With his team down 9-0 and the Jaguars offense driving, Dantzler pulled the ball away from a Jags receiver going over the middle. Later in the game he halted another Jacksonville drive by both forcing and recovering his first fumble of his career. When targeting Dantzler, Quarterback Mike Glennon was 1-7 for 3 yards in the game. The Vikings will need more of the same out of him as they go to Tampa Bay next week in important conference clash.
Performance Rating: 4.25
Next Game: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00pm Sunday
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
2. RB – Jonathan Taylor – 5’10” 226 – Wisconsin – 2nd round pick (41st Overall) vs. Houston Texans (W, 26-20)
Game Day Stats: 13 carries / 91 rushing yards / 3 Catches / 44 yards / 1 receiving touchdown
Jonathan Taylor “Thomas” followed up his Home Improvement performance with a little road improvement in Houston. Taylor showed good power early on with a signature run dragging several defenders with him and setting the tempo for the day. He came up with a clutch catch and run on 4th & 4, going 39 yards for the score. Taylor looked good running all day with a one cut and go style that made him an All-American at Wisconsin. The Colts travel to Las Vegas next week and face a Raiders defense team that gave up 206 rushing yards to the Jets. Expect another big game from JT this week. At 8-3 the Colts ability to run the ball come playoff time is going to be vital to their success.
Performance Rating: 4.10
Next Game: at Las Vegas Raiders 4:05 Sunday
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
3. WR – Justin Jefferson – 6’1” 202 – LSU – 1st Round pick (22nd Overall) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (W, 27-24)
Game day Stats: 9 receptions / 121 receiving yards / 1 touchdown
Justin Jefferson has become very consistent over the last 4 weeks and developed a nice rhythm with Kirk Cousins. His targets are up averaging 10 per game during this time and it is no coincidence they are 3-1 in those games. Jefferson is a complete receiver. He can run all routes and at any depth. This week he caught a beautiful over the shoulder deep ball for a 40 yard reception. On Jefferson’s touchdown catch he ran an excellent route turning the defender around and hauling in the score from 20 yards out. On this catch, he went over the 1000 yard mark. Jefferson and the Vikings are going to be in must win situations down the stretch to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Performance Rating: 4.00
Next Game: at Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1:00pm Sunday
NEW YORK GIANTS
4. 2020 Rookie Class –vs Seattle Seahawks (W, 17-12)
Game day Stats:
Andrew Thomas – Thomas is improving every week and was voted PFF top Left Tackle this week.
Shane Lemieux – Lemieux has brought a level of nastiness to the Giants run game. (130 yards on average since entering the lineup)
Matt Peart – Peart has gotten spot time and has shown good skills run blocking as well as in pass protection.
Niko Lalos – 2 takeaways in 2 weeks. The Greek Freak
Darnay Holmes – 5 tackles 1 interception. Picked off Wilson off a deflection.
Tae Crowder – 7 tackles 1 sack. Crowder has come back from injury and hasn’t miss a beat did a nice job of open field tackle.
Carter Coughlin – Has been used in coverage and as a pass rusher but made an impact having him spy Russell Wilson in the second half of Sunday’s games.
Cam Brown – With Kyler Fackrell on the IR Cam Brown will have to step up. He did a good job setting the edge when he was on the field.
For the first time this year I am choosing a draft class instead of a singular player. The Big Blue rooks contributed across the board on Sunday for a huge upset win over the Seahawks. The Giants have come a long way from 1-7 this season and the contribution of the 2020 draft class cannot be over looked. From offense, defense, special teams, starter, and role players, these young Giants are finding a way to get it done week in and week out. Xavier McKinney, who may be the most talented of the class has just come back and will soon make an impact.
Performance Rating: 3.90
Next Game: vs. Arizona Cardinals 1:00pm Sunday
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
5. RB – James Robinson – 5’10” 225 – Illinois State – Undrafted – vs. Minnesota Vikings (L, 27-24)
Game Day Stats: 18 carries / 78 rushing yards / 1 rushing touchdown / 6 receptions / 30 receiving yards
Despite the tough loss Robinson had another solid game for the struggling Jaguars. Robinson is the featured runner for Jacksonville and continues to be a triple threat back.
Performance Rating: 3.85
Next Game: vs. Tennessee Titans 1:00pm Sunday
SLEEPER 6
NEW YORK JETS
DB – Javelin Guidry – 5’9” 190 – Utah – Undrafted – vs. Las Vegas Raiders (L, 31-28)
Game Day Stats: 6 total tackles / 2 forced fumbles
Guidry made some big plays on Sunday to help the Jets win unlike some of the people in the organization. The undrafted rookie from Utah made an excellent play on Henry Ruggs, forcing a fumble and making a heady play by holding onto Ruggs which allowed a teammate to recover the fumble. Guidry has gotten a ton of experience this season and adds versatility to the Jets secondary
Performance Rating: 3.80
Next Game: at Seattle Seahawks 4:05pm Sunday
Week 13 2020 Draft Class Match up Results:
Rookie Leader rushing yards vs. Rookie leader receiving yards:
Jacksonville Jaguars RB – James Robinson vs. Minnesota Vikings WR – Justin Jefferson
- Robinson had a solid game but Justin Jefferson is quickly moving toward the lead dog in offensive rookie of the year race. He went over 100 yards for the 4th time this year and has become a dynamic tandem with Adam Thielen. Winner: Justin Jefferson
Week 14 2020 Draft Class Match up:
Tampa Bucs DB – Antoine Winfield vs. Minnesota Vikings WR – Justin Jefferson
- Jefferson is a star and becoming key to Minnesota offensive production. Winfield will be playing against his fathers old team (Antoine Winfield Sr. played 14 seasons in the NFL 9 with Minnesota) and has had a good rookie season. Jefferson runs slant routes well and Winfield is a safety so we should see these two meet a couple times.
Week 13 Throwback Draft Class Battle Results:
Battle of #1 Pick Quarterbacks:
Los Angeles Rams QB – Jarod Goff ’16 vs. Arizona Cardinals QB – Kyler Murray’19
- Goff was efficient and did not turn the ball over. Murray who is dynamic but inconsistent. If you want to win in the NFL as a QB you have to be consistent and take care of the football. Winner: Jarod Goff
2018 Draft Class SEC Rivalry:
Cleveland Browns RB – Nick Chubb vs. Tennessee Titans LB – Rashad Evans
- Chubb had over 100 yards of total offense and the Browns held on for dear life. Evans had 6 tackles with 1 being for a loss. A tight race but to victory goes the spoil. Winner: Nick Chubb
Week 14 Throwback Draft Class Match up:
2019 QB Draft Class:
New York Giants QB – Daniel Jones vs. Arizona Cardinals QB – Kyler Murray
Murray was the number 1 pick back in 2019 which came as no surprise but the Giants take Jones at 6 which came as a shock to many Giants fans. Jones has proven more than worthy of that selection. The two met last season and Jones played better but Murray’s team won. Round two has Jones coming off an injury and both teams trying to get into the post season.
2017 QB Draft Class:
Houston Texans QB – Deshaun Watson vs. Chicago Bears QB – Mitchell Trubisky
- Watson has been an excellent player for the Texans but the franchise has let him down building around him. Trubisky was has been average for a Bears franchise that has talent but no consistency. Trubisky being picked second was a shock, i often think if he was drafted where he should have been if the narrative on him would be different. It also doesn’t help Mahomes and Watson was picked after him.
Rookie Play of the Weekend:
Notes:
- The Eagles Jalen Hurts threw his 1st career touchdown pass and will make his 1st career start against the New Orleans Saints.
- Oakland Raiders Henry Ruggs, after struggling to make plays most of the days, Ruggs got behind a Jets defender in the closing seconds of the game and hauled in a 46 yard touchdown catch his 2nd of the year.
Rookie League Leaders:
TD Passes: Chargers – Justin Herbert – 23
Passing Yards: Chargers – Justin Herbert – 3224
Rushing TD: Washington – Antonio Gibson – 11
Rushing Yards: Jaguars – James Robinson – 968
Receiving TD: Steelers – Chase Claypool: 8
Receiving Yards: Vikings – Justin Jefferson: 1039
Receptions: Vikings – Justin Jefferson: – 53
Total Touchdowns: Washington – Antonio Gibson – 11
Total Points: Bills – Tyler Bass – 105
Total Tackles: Panthers – Jeremy Chinn – 87
Tackles for a Loss: Washington – Chase Young – 7
Sacks: Washington – Chase Young – 4.5
Interceptions: Rams – Jordan Fuller – 3
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