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 out with high ankle sprain.
Grade: 65.0
Second Round
Washington’s offense is a moving target because Jayden Daniels turns dropbacks into field trips. He’s been sacked 14 times, which is middle of the pack and the Commanders just coughed up three turnovers on Monday night after juggling injuries up front. That’s the kind of environment where a high-motor edge like Ezeiruaku can really shine.
The issue holding Ezeiruaku from having free reign here is Jacory Croskey-Merritt. The Commanders running back gives them a real downhill threat and he’s at 344 yards on 60 carries this year, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. Add Daniels’ 176 rushing yards and that’s a recipe that keep’s Ezeiruaku having to hold his rush lines and set the edge.
If the Cowboys can bottle first down and then produce on second and third down, Ezeiruaku’s high-effort style comes into play. On a defense searching for rhythm, he’s one of the few who consistently tilts reps in the right direction.
Grade: 72.0
Third Round
Currently on Non-Football injury list (NFI)
Fifth Round
Blue’s tape has been light so far since taking over from Miles Sanders, and that lack of usage slows a rookie trying to find rhythm. You can see the traits, but the touches have been scattered enough that a couple of two-yard runs and a checkdown tackle short of the sticks end up defining his tape so far.
His issues have been with processing and play strength. On outside zone he’ll occasionally bounce before he’s fully pressed the landmark, shrinking the crease he’s trying to hit. Inside, the feet can get a little busy so defenders arrive square and put his rush attempt into a panic play. He needs to keep stacking clean pass-pro reps so the coaching staff trusts him in the pressure downs. Once he settles in, the hope is the traits will finally meet the touches and the production will look a lot more like the speed.
Grade: 56.4
Fifth Round
James looks like a linebacker built in a hurry. The areas of development are exactly what you’d expect from a rookie playing fast. He’ll overrun some inside running plays and open the cutback lane, take one step too early on play-action and leave a window behind him, or take poor angles. In coverage, the assignment is mostly fine, but the timing can drift when quarterbacks extend the play.
Grade: 52.6
Sixth Round
Inactive
Grade: N/A
Seventh Round
So the bad news*.* Toia had trouble winning the first inch of the rep, which is everything against a run-heavy script. His pad level wasn’t consistent,...
