Time for my midseason look at the best rookies in the NFL. Some positions are obvious -- especially at quarterback -- and some aren't so obvious. There are plenty of changes from my preseason team.
I went 30 deep on my previous Rookie Big Board, and below you'll find the best rookies at every position through Week 8. I'm including again where each player landed on my final top 300 prospects list before the 2017 draft.
Here are the parameters (same as always):
This is a measure for all games played this season -- not just last week.
Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Deshaun Watson, QB, Houston Texans
Final Big Board rank: 34
Preseason pick: DeShone Kizer, Cleveland Browns
Kizer, who has really struggled, was my preseason pick because he was the only rookie QB who was starting Week 1. Then Watson was inserted into the Texans' lineup at halftime of the season opener, and he has been electric ever since. He might have passed up Kareem Hunt for front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. Watson leads the league in Total QBR (81.9) and is tied for the league lead in touchdown passes (19). He has made some questionable decisions -- he has thrown eight interceptions -- but the good has outweighed the bad. I had a second-round grade on him because of his inconsistencies as a thrower. I did have Watson going to the Texans at pick No. 57 in my two-round mock draft in April (he ended up the 12th overall pick). Watson has the potential to be a superstar, and he's keeping the Texans, who are missing a few major pieces on defense, in the AFC South race. (Note: Watson tore his ACL in practice on Thursday and is out for the season.)