Ranking the top NFL rookies at midseason: Nos. 4-6
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 No. 4-6 with a pair of LSU products leading the way.
The skinny: While USC was considered the heavy favorite for Smith-Schuster throughout his recruitment, UCLA made a serious push until the end. However, at the end, the Bruins couldn’t make up the difference and he committed to the Trojans. Smith-Schuster had a huge final two seasons at USC, proving himself to be one of the top big play receivers in the country. Despite the impressive level of play, he still slipped into the second-round of this spring’s draft, where Pittsburgh selected him. He has proven many doubters wrong so far this season with 24 receptions for 424 yards and four touchdowns, as his role has continued to expand in recent weeks.
Farrell’s take: An amazing athlete, JuJu reminded me a bit of Marqise Lee because he could be dominant on defense or offense in high school. But unlike Lee, I didn't freeze up when it came to giving out a fifth-star here, and Smith-Schuster is proving worthy. He's one of the best weapons in the country and has emerged as a dominant, physical receiver despite taking some hits from the national media early last season when USC was struggling. It’s clear that the move to Sam Darnold at quarterback saved his season and he’s been his usual self ever since. Now he’s the youngest player to score four touchdowns in NFL history and is off to a great start.
The skinny: White left no doubt about his recruitment by making a commitment to LSU at a Junior Day almost a year before his own Signing Day. Following a long line of successful LSU defensive backs, White quickly made his presence known in Baton Rouge. After earning All-SEC and All-American honors after the 2016 season, White was selected with the 27th overall pick by Buffalo. With the Bills, he has already become one of the more productive cornerbacks in the league, with 31 tackles, one interception, one forced fumble, two fumble recoveries and a very impressive 12 pass break-ups.
Farrell’s take: It never hurts to play defensive back at LSU and we saw White as an athletic lockdown corner who could also impact on special teams as well. He played quarterback in high school, which has helped him read offenses but made him a tougher evaluation. In the end we got it right, and he’s off to a great start in the NFL.
The skinny: While he was long considered a heavy lean to LSU, Fournette still dragged out his recruitment until the Under Armour All-American Game where he committed to the Tigers over Alabama and Texas. Fournette dominated during his time at LSU, becoming one of the more dominant offensive players in the country. This led him to be selected with the fourth overall pick by Jacksonville, where he immediately became the lead back. Despite being suspended this past weekend for a violation of team rules, he has still totaled 596 yards and six touchdowns on the ground, plus 136 yards and a touchdown through the air for the Jaguars.
Farrell’s take: We were obviously taken with Fournette as he was the highest-ranked running back since Bryce Brown was No. 1 in 2009. I didn’t like all the comparisons to Adrian Peterson out of high school and I still don’t see that many similarities as Fournette isn’t as upright or shifty, but is more powerful. He’s been dominant at each level for the most part and has the rare size/speed combination that NFL scouts loved which is why he was drafted so high. His struggles against Alabama in big games worried some but he’s had zero issues at the NFL level so far. He’s a huge get for the Jags and has lived up to the hype.