Ranking the top NFL rookies at midseason: Nos. 7-9
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. 7-9, with two defenders and a surprise running back upstart.
ROOKIE RANKINGS: Nos. 10-12 | 13-15
The skinny: Adams took official visits to his three finalists, LSU, Florida and Ole Miss, before committing to the Tigers at the 2014 Under Armour All-America Game. Adams had three very productive seasons in Baton Rouge, which was culminated in 2016 with 76 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss and one interception. Drafted with the sixth overall pick by the New York Jets, Adams became an immediate starter and contributor for a young and revitalized defense. Currently with 43 tackles, two sacks and two fumble recoveries, Adams has given Jets’ fans something to be excited about during this season and the future.
Farrell’s take: Many felt Adams would head to Florida even leading up to his announcement and the Tigers were thrilled they kept him closer to home. Adams was one of the most active safeties you’ll ever see on a high school football field. He was fearless in run support and loved to make receivers pay for coming into his area. Adams also had excellent ball skills at the prep level. The only thing that held him back from a fifth star was his lack of length, but he has overcome that with amazing instincts. I can still hear his constant chatter and smack talk from our Rivals100 Five-Star Challenge Presented by Under Armour in Chicago as Adams certainly doesn’t lack for confidence. He’s gone from leader in college to young leader in New York.
The skinny: Kamara signed with Alabama coming out of high school, but transferred after his redshirt season. He ended up at Hutchinson C.C. in Kansas for a season before finding a new FBS home at Tennessee, who he committed to over Georgia. With the Vols, Kamara had two productive seasons, totaling 1,977 yards and 23 touchdowns. Drafted in the third round by New Orleans, Kamara quickly shined in pre-season camps. He has carried that over to the season with 311 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, plus 341 yards and two touchdowns through the air for the surprising Saints.
Farrell’s take: Kamara was a blazer out of high school, and his JUCO film is a thing of beauty, so talent was never a concern for us at all; he was a four-star out of prep and a five-star out of JUCO. I’m still surprised he wasn’t utilized better at Tennessee, and it shows already in the NFL, as he’s a great third-down weapon and change-of-pace back with elite speed.
The skinny: With his brother, J.J. Watt, obviously making a huge name for himself at Wisconsin, it didn’t come as much of a surprise when his younger brother committed to the Badgers during the spring over Minnesota and Northern Illinois. Initially a tight end with the Badgers, Watt struggled with injuries until the 2015 season, when he was moved to linebacker. A huge 2016 season catapulted him into the first round of this spring’s draft, where he was selected by Pittsburgh. He has become a playmaker for the Steelers as a rookie, with 28 tackles, four sacks and one interception.
Farrell’s take: Perhaps based on his bloodlines, we should have had Watt ranked higher. When will we learn? T.J., like his brother J.J., was as much a tight end prospect as he was a defensive prospect and really hit his stride in college. Now he’s an elite pass rusher who is also disruptive in pass coverage and a great pick for the Steelers.
