All 22 Rookie Report VS Browns
Will Campbell-With 5 sacks from 1 guy I thought his tape might be bad, but I believe only 2 of those were thru Campbell. He actually had a good game. His first run block rep was poor but after that he was back to his very good run blocking and overall was better in pass pro than the Garrett sack fest would have had you think. I call it another test passed overall.
Jared Wilson-Best game of the year from him. Thoroughly impressed with his improvement. I've been on the average guard, pro bowl center train but if he can repeat this week's performance he could stick at guard. He had 1 play he was walked back a bit to the QB, was a little late recognizing where the end was on 1 pulling run play. He gave up a sack but was when Drake tried to get thru a crack to break free of the pocket and not on Wilson. Otherwise, he was great. He Finally showed the ability to get to the second level AND then actually block someone. His run blocking was phenomenal. Hopefully this is a sign of his growth and not a 1 game thing. Had his best PFF rating of the year and was still rated too low by them. They rated Campbell higher than him and he was better than Campbell this game. Loved his game this week.
Craig Woodson-Overall I thought a meh game from Woodson. He got beat on the TD but was in good position, diagnosed it well and somehow missed knocking the pass down. Missed a tackle down the field on one of their longer plays. Overall, his coverage was solid enough. He was not fooled by a play that fooled him last week with a deep crosser faking inside and breaking out. Showed he learned from his previous mistake. Many plays his job is to not get anyone beating you deep and he does that well enough. Run support is adequate. Would like to see better open field tackling and more aggressiveness attacking routes. Seems like a smart player. I think overall he's just a solid safety and after watching tape you can see why safety isn't a premium position by pay or draft status. If he could improve on some tackling and be more aggressive/confident in what he sees he'll react quicker and be in position for some picks because he knows what he is doing, just seems to play a very conservative type of ball.
Joshua Farmer-20 plays on defense and pretty invisible. He is a power guy but lacks quickness so is a waste on pass rush and 14 of his 20 plays were on passes. He holds up well on run plays as appears to have good strength. Seems like a run defending DL and think he could do that well but as a pass rusher he's below average as of today. Rotational depth piece and hope for growth.
Elijah Ponder-Outside of special teams showed up on 8 defensive snaps. ON 1 play they had a designed roll out to his side as the end, he was doubled but also never really made any effort to widen is rush to keep the QB from getting outside. He does flash a little quickness on pass rushes, had a stunt where he got free but ball was out quick. Helped flush QB on 1 of his pass rushes. Unlike Ponder, he actually showed some skills in the 8 plays. Held a point of attack on a run and got in on the tackle. 8 plays not much to go on but just looks the part of a decent player. Good depth piece that can hopefully grow.
Tre Henderson-His scouting report was not great inside runner but excellent to the outside. 8 games in Josh finally decided to play to his strength and he had his best game. The fumble in red zone not good but he never fumbled in college, he actually had the ball in good position against his body, just a real good placement and timing of the hit. Surprised he did not fumble when hit from behind down the sideline which shows he really does do a good job with how to hold the ball when running. I have zero concerns on him as a fumbler. Only had 14 offensive plays. 10 runs and 4 passes. Blocked once on a blitz from the safety and did well on a big pickup to Hollins. Also chipped very well the one play he chipped the end. Despite fumble he had his best game, good runs, good cuts. I thought 1 of the KO returns he had a chance to break for a longer return but chose to go a direction I thought was less chance of success.
Andy Borregales/Julian Ashby- Hasn't missed a field goal since his first field goal of the year vs Raiders. Missed the 2 XP vs Miami and been perfect on those since. He is 8 for 8 on the season under 40 yards on field goals. Ball comes off foot nicely every time. The last XP the snap was a little wide and Baringer almost dropped it but pulled it back in and placed it in time, Borregales did not get distracted by it all and got the XP down the middle. Other than that 1 snap Ashby has been great. He did get bowled over on 1 punt but held ground plenty long enough. Only 1 guy that was drafted after Ashby has played in a game, Trikweze Bridges as a Dallas CB, of course he was waived by the team that drafted him. Good use of 6th and 7th round picks to get your long snapper and Field goal kicker when most of those guys wash out.
Cory Durden-Not a rookie, drafted in 2023 but first year playing more than 4 games. I watched his tape because I noticed he flashed a few times when I was checking out other guys. Had 20 plays and unlike Farmer and his 20 plays he actually flashed and made some plays. He was giving 7 time pro bowler Joel Bitonio a hard time. Bull rush was very good. In the backfield on a couple runs. Guy looks like a player. Impressive quickness and strength. Seems to have a little trouble getting the tackle on some plays where he has the chance, but he was disruptive on multiple plays. Nice to have a guy that can do that to keep the others fresh. Pleasantly surprised by that pickup.
Drake Maye-Not a rookie but wanted to touch on a few things. The pick was a bad decision. Not seeing the guy is one thing but that window was very tight and not likely to get the first down. However, the guy is ridiculous with some of the passes. The Diggs Offensive pass interference throw was absurd, the throw to Rham was also ridiculous. Even the slant/in cut to Diggs to the 1 yard line was a beautiful rope and the follow up throw around the defender on the line jumping for Diggs TD was so Brady like it was scary. His ball seems so catchable, and I think it's because he has an amazing ability to put touch on the ball. The TD to Boutte and the placement and touch is one most NFL QB's wont successfully makes on any regular basis, but I feel like Drake could make that 9 out of 10. Say what you want about the crap offense they have but that Cleveland defense is no joke. Kind of crazy it is his first year in this system.
Though I thought he was likely going to be the best QB in the NFL when drafted, I was anticipating no earlier than year 3. FYI, his weird slide at the end of the run was caused a bit by Diggs, he was going to slide and Diggs peeled off in front of him to where he intended to slide and he had to adjust to not slide into him. He's MVP #1 to me, we will see how the season goes and if Lamar comes back and leads Ravens to the division, even with the missed games, he could get into the discussion. Mahomes has a very good defense in KC. However, Mahomes was only 2 wins and 3 losses with his top wr out.
Maye has just been the better QB thru 8 games. I think he's first 8 game's MVP and I don't think it is that close.
