Rookie Report: Sammy Watkins, Telvin Smith show off playmaking ability in Week 7
The Rookie Report provides a running look at first-year standouts, surprises, and Rookie of the Year candidates.
Here's who stood out during the seventh week of the season, including some of the names to watch heading into Week 8.
Offense
Sammy Watkins
WR, Buffalo Bills
Watkins hauled in a season-high nine catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns - including the game-winner - in the Bills' 17-16 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. He leads all rookies with 35 receptions through seven games.
Jerick McKinnon
RB, Minnesota Vikings
McKinnon posted his second 100-yard game of the season in Week 7, rushing for 103 yards on 19 carries against the Bills' fourth-ranked run defense. According to ESPN's Ben Goessling, 143 of McKinnon's 309 yards this season have come after contact, and his 2.38 yards-per-carry average after contact ranks third in the NFL.
Tre Mason
RB, St. Louis Rams
Mason, a third-round pick out of Auburn, rushed for 85 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the Rams' 28-26 victory over the Seattle Seahawks. The Rams plan to stick with the hot hand at running back moving forward, which could mean more opportunities for Mason.
Allen Robinson
WR, Jacksonville Jaguars
Robinson recorded the first touchdown of his career on a 31-yard catch-and-run to give the Jaguars a 7-6 halftime lead over the Cleveland Browns. The second-round pick leads all Jaguars receivers with 34 catches for 371 yards this season.
Odell Beckham Jr.
WR, New York Giants
The loss of Victor Cruz has led to a bigger role for Beckham Jr., who was the only Giants offensive player besides quarterback Eli Manning to play every snap against the Dallas Cowboys. He finished the game with four catches for 34 yards and two touchdowns.
Defense
Telvin Smith
LB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Smith recorded four tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, an interception and two passes defensed against the Browns, helping the Jaguars to their first win of the season. The two turnovers created by Smith led to 10 points for Jacksonville.
Khalil Mack
LB, Oakland Raiders
Mack recorded a team-high 11 tackles in the Raiders' 24-13 loss to the Arizona Cardinals, bringing his season total to 37. Despite going sackless through the first seven games, Pro Football Focus gave Mack the highest grade (+16.6) among first-round draft picks.
Aaron Donald
DT, St. Louis Rams
Making his second start of the season against the Seahawks, Mason finished with five tackles, three tackles for a loss, one sack and two quarterback hits. He has been one of the biggest bright spots for the Rams' defense this season.
C.J. Mosley
LB, Baltimore Ravens
Mosley made things difficult for the Atlanta Falcons in Week 7, finishing with six tackles and one tackle for a loss. According to ESPN, Mosley is the only defender in the NFL with at least 60 tackles, an interception, a fumble recovery and a forced fumble this season.
Anthony Barr
LB, Minnesota Vikings
Barr continues to prove why the Vikings were wise to select him with the No. 9 overall pick in May's draft. He racked up another 10 tackles in Minnesota's 17-16 loss to the Bills along with two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble and one pass defensed.
Quick Hits
- Chargers cornerback Jason Verrett could miss significant time with the shoulder injury that forced him out of Thursday's game against the Denver Broncos, according to Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports.
- The Detroit Lions will be without first-round pick Eric Ebron for a second consecutive game Sunday as he recovers from hamstring injury.
- Browns head coach Mike Pettine is still figuring how to juggle rookie running backs Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West, but said it's a good problem to have.
- Kicker Chandler Catanzaro used the $1,500 signing bonus he received from the Arizona Cardinals to purchase a fancy pair of headphones.
- New York Jets tight end Jace Amaro continues to struggle with drops, and admits that trying to come up big on every play is hurting him this season.