Mark Pszonak contributed to this report.
At the halfway point of the NFL season, it’s time to take a look at the top 15 NFL rookies and how we scouted and rated them out of high school. Today we look at Nos. 10-12 with all guys three stars or lower out of high school.
ROOKIE RANKINGS: Nos. 13-15
The skinny: Hooker committed to Ohio State over Michigan, Pitt, Virginia Tech, West Virginia and Penn State in the summer prior to his senior year. Hooker earned All-American honors after the 2016 season with the Buckeyes, which helped him soar up NFL Draft boards. Selected with the 15th overall pick by Indianapolis, he quickly slid into a starting role with the Colts this fall. While Indianapolis has struggled this season, Hooker gave fans and the coaching staff something to be excited about in the future. However, after totaling 22 tackles, three interceptions and four pass break-ups through seven games, he tore his MCL and ACL and is out for the remainder of the season.
Farrell’s take: Hooker was a mid-level three-star prospect who slid under the radar and turned into a steal for Ohio State. He was always athletic, but only played two years of high school football and was therefore a bit raw at his position. Hooker developed into a ball hawk in coverage, and we missed on this one. He was honestly a better basketball player than a football player in high school, and he’s taken that athleticism and turned himself into star. Now he’s shining in the NFL although the injury is a setback.
The skinny: Engram committed to Ole Miss over Wake Forest, Marshall and several other FBS programs during the summer prior to his senior season. At Ole Miss, he developed into one of the top pass catching tight ends in the country. After a senior season that saw him reel in 65 receptions and eight touchdowns, he was selected with the 23rd pick in the first round by the New York Giants. Engram has already caught 34 passes for 412 yards and four touchdowns, but now with the Giants’ receiving corps decimated with injuries look for a big close of the season.
Farrell’s take: Lack of size was the main reason Engram wasn't as highly ranked as some of the biggest name tight ends in the country, but let’s be real – Engram is a tight end with wide receiver skills who has become a mismatch for anyone. His ball skills are off the charts, his route running is excellent, and a reliable target is a quarterback’s best friend. He was more productive than any of the bigger name tight ends out of his class in college and he’s becoming a weapon already at the NFL level.
The skinny: Ramczyk was offered a scholarship by Pittsburgh, but he chose not to take it. He signed at Winona State, but did not enroll and instead attended Mid-State Technical College. Ramczyk then went to Wisconsin-Stevens Point, where he played for two seasons before transferring to Wisconsin. After becoming an All-American with the Badgers, Ramczyk was drafted with the 32nd pick of the first round by New Orleans. He has played like a veteran in his first season with the Saints, playing both tackle positions due to injuries, while helping rejuvenate the New Orleans rushing attack.
Farrell’s take: Ramczyk was clearly not on our radar as a Winona State University signee. He went from Winona State to a technical college to become a welder to UW-Stevens Point and on to Wisconsin. And now he’s emerged as the best rookie tackle in the NFL. Think Jack Conklin (last year’s top rookie lineman) with a less direct path to college football.
