Rookie Report: Matt Jones breaks out of slump; Mario Edwards Jr. has monster day
The Rookie Report provides a running look at first-year standouts, surprises, and Rookie of the Year candidates.
Offense
Matt Jones, RB, Washington Redskins
Jones hit pay dirt in more ways than one in the Redskins' blowout win over the New Orleans Saints.
The third-round pick racked up 187 total yards of offense, 78 of which came on a nifty touchdown catch-and-run in the second quarter. His 131 receiving yards were the most by a Redskins running back since Dick James had 140 in 1962.
After the game, Jones said he found $15 on the field between plays. He kept $5 and gave the rest to teammate Pierre Garcon.
Jeremy Langford, RB, Chicago Bears
The Bears' rookie sensation put together another strong performance in Week 10, rushing for 73 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries and adding seven catches for 109 yards and another score. The highlight of the game was this screen pass he took 83 yards to the house:
Since taking over for the injured Matt Forte in Week 8, Langford has compiled 370 all-purpose yards and three touchdowns.
Maxx Williams, TE, Baltimore Ravens
Williams hasn't made a lot of noise through the first half of the season, but his Week 10 performance could be a sign of bigger things to come. He caught four passes for 40 yards and a touchdown – the first of his career – in the Ravens' 22-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The second-round pick leads all rookie tight ends with 16 receptions and ranks second behind the New York Giants' Will Tye with 148 receiving yards.
Defense
Mario Edwards Jr., DE, Oakland Raiders
Edwards was a bright spot for the Raiders in their 30-14 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, filling up the stat sheet with a team-high 11 tackles, one tackle for a loss, a sack, and two quarterback hits.
The Florida State product said he's been trying to go harder in practice and pay better attention to what's being asked of him. He's also benefited from the guidance of fellow defensive lineman Justin Tuck, who has remained with the team since being placed on season-ending injured reserve in October.
Malcom Brown, DT, New England Patriots
Making his fourth straight start for the Patriots, Brown notched seven tackles and a sack in a thrilling 27-26 victory over the New York Giants. It was the most productive game of the season for the 6-foot-2, 320-pounder.
Brown's fourth-quarter sack of Eli Manning proved critical, as it forced the Giants to kick a field goal, and set up Stephen Gostkowski's game-winning 54-yard field goal.
Kevin Johnson, CB, Houston Texans
After struggling early on against the Cincinnati Bengals, Johnson came up with a clutch play late in the game by pulling down All-Pro receiver A.J. Green on fourth down, allowing Texans safety Quintin Demps to recover the forced fumble and preserve a 10-6 victory.
"Anytime you draft a corner in the first round, you're hoping he can help you win a game like that, and that's what he did," head coach Bill O'Brien said.
Quick Hits
- Buffalo Bills running back Karlos Williams has an opportunity to break a touchdown record set by former Patriots running back Robert Edwards in New England on Monday.
- Miami Dolphins running back Jay Ajayi could be in line for more carries against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
- Dallas Cowboys first-round pick Byron Jones played well filling in for Morris Claiborne in Week 10 and could get the start Sunday if the veteran cornerback is unable to play.
- Jordan Raanan of NJ.com has a round-up of what's being said about the New York Giants' rookie class.
- Despite his disappointing numbers, New York Jets wide receiver Devin Smith isn't about to declare himself a bust.