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Rookie Watch: Standout performers as NFL preseason wraps up

The NFL preseason is in the books, and plenty of rookies had outstanding performances. Here is a review of each rookie's recruitment, how they fared in the preseason and a take from Rivals.com National Recruiting Director Mike Farrell.

FARRELL 50: Nos. 1-5 | 6-10 | 11-15 | 16-20 | 21-25 | 26-30 | 31-35 | 36-40 | 41-45 | 46-50

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Jamal Adams
Jamal Adams (AP)

Recruitment: Adams committed to LSU over Florida at the Under Armour All-America Game. Ole Miss, Texas, Texas A&M and others were also involved in his recruitment.

Performance: According to Pro Football Focus, the former LSU star played snaps at linebacker, strong and free safety, slot corner and boundary cornerback in the Jets’ 32-31 loss to the New York Giants in Week 3. In the preseason finale Thursday, Adams made three solo tackles, including one for a two-yard loss on fourth down.

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 in Chicago as Adams certainly doesn’t lack for confidence. He got shook up in the game because he’s so physical and fearless and just needs to worry about staying healthy the way he plays.

Recruitment: After an official visit to Oklahoma State, there was some thought Carson would flip to the Cowboys from Georgia. But Carson announced he was sticking with the Bulldogs. However, later that evening, the JUCO running back decided on Oklahoma State.

Performance: In a 26-13 win over Kansas City in week 3, Carson had eight carries for 46 yards and also caught two passes for 44 yards. The seventh-round selection of the Seahawks also had 10 yards on three carries against the Raiders on Thursday. WR Doug Baldwin said Carson is the most polished rookie running back he’s been around.

Farrell’s take: A three-star out of high school and a three-star out of JUCO, he has fought through serious injury and academic issues to land in the NFL. He was athletic enough to play either side of the ball in high school but became a true running back recruit in junior college. He always showed good hands and ability in space, but it is surprising to see him make this kind of impression being such a late pick.

Recruitment: Davis, a former Auburn commitment, pledged to the Gators shortly after his official visit to Florida in mid-December. Tennessee and Duke were two other programs involved in the three-star’s recruitment.

Performance: Davis led the Lions in snaps this past week in Detroit’s 30-28 loss to New England in Week 3 and the former three-star linebacker recorded five solo tackles and three assists as well. In coverage, Davis allowed a touchdown. He did not play in the preseason finale and is slated to be the team’s starting middle linebacker.

Farrell’s take: Davis had good size and was a kid who covered a lot of ground and could tackle but needed work at the point of attack and shedding blocks. He was overlooked in the Florida linebacker class by bigger names like Alex Anzalone, Matt Rolin and Daniel McMillian, but he’s getting the last laugh. His ability to drop in coverage was off the charts in high school and college so it’s odd to see him give up a tourchdown in coverage, but otherwise he has a very good game against the Patriots.

Recruitment: The five-star linebacker made an early commitment to Alabama only to decommit and pick Auburn. Foster then took official visits to Washington and San Diego State weeks before Signing Day and then reportedly left his late Auburn official early to take a trip to Alabama one last time.

Performance: The former Alabama star recorded eight tackles in the first half of San Francisco’s 32-31 loss to Minnesota in Week 3 and had bone-jarring hits on RB Dalvin Cook, WR Laquon Treadwell and bulldozed OL Alex Boone. Foster sat out Week 4 and is projected to start at weak side linebacker.

Farrell’s take: Foster was a huge linebacker with a ton of potential who could thump downhill but also move laterally. He also had a major bust factor tag between a knee injury that limited him late in high school and his bizarre recruiting process. Foster waited his turn and had a great final season at Alabama. Despite all the questions, he was so talented that we still had him ranked as the No. 13 player in 2013 and No. 1 inside linebacker. He showed with his play last season and now in the NFL that he can put it all together.

Recruitment: A two-star prospect out of Austin, Texas, Jones committed to East Carolina in the summer prior to his senior season. Arkansas State was his only other offer at the time. His father, Robert Jones, played for the Pirates.

Performance: Now that Sammy Watkins is off to the Los Angeles Rams, Jones is quickly becoming the top receiver in the Bills’ offense. In a 13-9 loss to Baltimore, Jones only had three catches for 28 yards. Perhaps, more importantly, the former East Carolina standout was targeted eight times, more than any Buffalo pass catcher. Jones did not play in Buffalo’s preseason finale.

Farrell’s take: Now known as Zay Jones, he was a bit too slow for a higher ranking despite the bloodlines and that’s what held him back from better offers. His brother, Cayleb Jones, was much more well-known and was once a five-star for us, but Zay has turned out to be the better prospect.

Recruitment: Originally a Cal commit out of high school, McKinley did not quality and attended Contra Costa College for one season. After that campaign, the former Richmond (Calif.) John F. Kennedy recruit picked UCLA.

Performance: McKinley continues to look like a really smart first-round pick by the Falcons especially after he recovered a fumble and had at least two pressures in Atlanta’s 24-14 loss to the Cardinals in week 3. He did not play in the final preseason game.

Farrell’s take: McKinley was a talented kid who only got better in JUCO. He always had that elite athleticism despite being very raw. His passion and motor are clear on the field and he was always a very aggressive player. He was a three-star out of high school but developed into a high four-star in JUCO with his relentless work ethic. He’s athletic and can get off the edge, which is why the Falcons coveted him and he will be a great addition to the defense.

Recruitment: Rush was a two-star prospect in high school who committed to Central Michigan in the summer before his senior season. It was his only offer.

Performance: Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said Dallas would “very likely” keep three quarterbacks on the roster – a rare move for that franchise – and Rush’s performance in Dallas’ 24-20 win over Oakland didn’t hurt. The former Central Michigan star completed 12 of 13 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns in Week 3. The Cowboys game vs. the Texans was cancelled Thursday due to Hurricane Harvey.

Farrell’s take: Rush is another MAC quarterback who was overlooked by everyone and turned into an excellent signal caller with a future in the pros. He had the size, he could move around and he has adequate arm strength so it’s a bit puzzling why no one else went on him. We had him as a two-star because his footwork was not pretty and he wasn’t on balance that much, but he’s clearly fixed that.

Recruitment: Stewart, a quarterback and safety in high school, quickly committed to Alabama after being offered personally by coach Nick Saban. Utah, Clemson, Tennessee and others were involved in his recruitment.

Performance: The Jets offense is a disaster and they could tank in hopes of landing USC quarterback Sam Darnold, UCLA quarterback Josh Rosen or any quarterback with a pulse. One bright spot in the Jets’ 32-31 loss to the Giants in Week 3 was Stewart, who finished with five receptions for 82 yards and two touchdowns. Stewart did not play in Week 4.

Farrell’s take: Stewart was a Rivals100 athlete who could have been a star at running back, wide receiver or defensive back out of high school. He had a powerful build, loved physical contact but also had great ball skills. Playing quarterback allowed him to be more elusive in the open field after the catch as he developed as a wide receiver.

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