After three weeks of the regular season, several rookies are already making their mark in the NFL.
Here’s an evaluation of each AFC East team’s top draft pick, accompanied by a grade based on how they’ve fared:
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman (No. 33 overall pick)
The 6-foot-4, 215-pounder has flashed potential but has struggled to maintain consistency.
Following what he called a “so-so” preseason, during which he caught just two passes for 20 yards in two games, Coleman enjoyed a productive NFL debut. During Buffalo’s 34-28 come-from-behind Week 1 win against Arizona, he led the team in targets (five), receptions (four) and receiving yards (51) and showcased an impressive field-stretching ability.
The second-round pick (Buffalo did not have a first-rounder) couldn’t build on his stellar season-opening performance during the Bills’ 31-10 Week 2 drubbing of Miami, failing to haul in his only target. While the outing was disappointing, Coleman had to deal with difficult cornerback matchups, facing Jalen Ramsey and Kendall Fuller.
Then, in Buffalo’s 47-10 Week 3 win over the Jaguars on Monday, Coleman was benched for the entire first quarter for disciplinary reasons. However, he made an impact once he got on the field, catching his lone target for a 24-yard touchdown, the first of his career.
Although Coleman undoubtedly has talent, the 21-year-old still has a ways to go before he can be trusted as Buffalo’s No. 1 wideout.
Grade: C
Miami Dolphins edge-rusher Chop Robinson (No. 21 overall)
Robinson has the physical tools to develop into a quality pass-rusher, but his lack of production to begin his career has only made Miami’s decision to pass on an offensive lineman all the more regrettable.
Through three games, Robinson has split time between special teams and defense, and even though he nearly blocked a punt during Miami’s Week 3 loss to Seattle, he has failed to make much of an impact defensively. Robinson is still searching for his first career sack and has only three total tackles and four pressures, which ranks 65th among NFL edge-rushers and sixth among rookies.
Miami must hope Robinson can put it all together at some point during his rookie season, though his NFL career has begun to play out similarly to what he did at the collegiate level. In three seasons between Maryland and Penn State, Robinson frequently generated pressure but only managed 11.5 career sacks.
Grade: C-
New York Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (No. 11 overall)
After acquiring OTs Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses earlier in the offseason, the Jets surprised some by spending a first-round pick on Fashanu. However, the decision has quickly proved to be wise, as Moses suffered an MCL sprain and bone bruise during last Thursday’s 24-3 home win over New England.
Fashanu, who had been rotating at both tackle spots throughout training camp and the preseason, will serve as the starter on the right side of the line for at least the next two games. The Penn State product was mostly limited to special teams reps through his first three career games but finally saw some action on offense last week.
On 14 offensive snaps against the Patriots, Fashanu didn’t allow a pressure or sack and had a key block on a blitzing linebacker that helped RB Breece Hall score a one-yard touchdown. With matchups against the tough Denver and Minnesota defenses in the next two games, Fashanu will have his work cut out for him in his first stint as a starter.
Grade: B
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye (No. 3 overall)
Despite the fact that he showed promise during the preseason, the Patriots have opted to ease Maye into the NFL. The former UNC Tar Heel remains the primary backup to journeyman Jacoby Brissett, who is averaging just 122.7 passing yards per game, though it’s possible Maye could take the reins sooner than later.
During Thursday’s loss to the Jets, Maye made his NFL debut in mop-up duty after the Patriots mustered just 93 yards of offense. Although time expired before New England could reach the end zone, Maye led the team on a 16-play drive, its longest of the game. Overall, Maye completed four of his eight passes for 22 yards and rushed for 12 yards on two carries, one an 11-yard gain on a fourth-and-eight scramble.
All things considered, Maye has looked solid when called upon, but it still might be best for the Patriots to keep him on the bench — and away from their disastrous offensive line. New England has already surrendered 11 sacks this season. Even so, if Brissett continues to struggle, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Maye make his first career start against a struggling Dolphins team in Week 5.
Grade: Incomplete