Blogging The Boys
Each week we dive into each team’s rookie class and compare how they stack up against each other. (Grades for each player are the overall offensive or defensive grade handed out by PFF.com)
First Round
Currently missing time with high-ankle sprain
Grade: 65.0
Second Round
Carolina’s offense is a split personality, and that matters for a rookie edge. On paper, the Panthers block the run really well and pass protect just below average. They rank seventh in Run Block Win Rate (73%), but in pass protection they rank 27th in Pass Block Win Rate (54%). So basically, defenses feel their pads on first down, but you can squeeze the pocket if you’re patient and smart.
The headache is the guy behind that line, a familiar face, Rico Dowdle. He’s fresh off detonating Miami for 206 rushing yards last week, so if the Dallas’ edges don’t set the edge and tackle clean, he will break off runs again.
For Ezeiruaku, his snap usage is trending up, and has done so every week since the first game against Philadelphia, thanks to his hot motor and relentless energy on defense. If the Cowboys force passing downs and Ezeiruaku keeps his rush-lane integrity, he’s walking into the kind of matchup that rewards his speed and rush sequencing. The Panthers want to bludgeon you on early downs and ask their tackles to hold up long enough after that. Ezeiruaku has been inching closer every week to a sack, and this is the kind of game where he could finally be raising his arms to celebrate.
Grade: 59.7
Third Round
Currently on Non-Football injury list (NFI)
Fifth Round
The fifth-rounder out of Texas finally got the green light in Week 5 and made his presence felt straight away with a 32-yard kickoff return that jump-started field position in the win over the Jets. He struggled in the run department with only seven yards on four carries.
What jumped off the screen was pace. Blue pressed the front side on zone runs like a vet and hit the return lane with urgency. The blocking wasn’t always there so he struggled to get past the second level, but you can see his speed and how it is just waiting for an opportunity.
Grade: 64.2
Fifth Round
What has flashed on tape with Shemar so far is he plays every down with urgency and a plan. Dropped into the lineup after Jack Sanborn exited, James looked better than his predecessor. Hopefully this week, James will work on his pursuit angles and awareness on play-action, something he did struggle with last week. It’s been positive from James so far, and leading the team in tackles against the Jets is a good place to return to when asking if he deserves more playing time. He’s quick, aggressive, mostly right at reading his landmarks, and all that’s encouraging...
