Commentary

Rookie Watch: Ward earns spotlight

Originally Published: October 13, 2010
By Matt Williamson | Scouts Inc.

Cleveland Browns safety T.J. Ward has been on and off of my Top 10 list throughout the first several weeks of the season.

His numbers are excellent and he is a tackling machine who always is around the football. Ward is in a very tackle-rich environment, though. That isn't to take away from what he brings to the Browns' defense. Attitude and physicality are things he certainly does bring.

He was fined $15,000 last week for a brutal hit on Cincinnati Bengals rookie Jordan Shipley in Week 4. In Week 5, Ward blocked a field goal attempt at the end of the first half against the Atlanta Falcons.

He should be on and off this list all season long. When he does drift out of the top 10, he won't fall far.

Ranking   Player, position (draft position) Last week
1
 Sam Bradford, Rams QB (first round, No. 1)
We had to know that days like this would be coming. Bradford had a brutal game in a loss to the Detroit Lions. Most rookie quarterbacks usually have one of those days -- but Bradford also lost his top target, Mark Clayton. How will he respond?
1
2
 Ndamukong Suh, Lions DT (first round, No. 2)
Suh's stat line is quite nondescript, but his presence was massive once again as the Lions dismantled St. Louis to get their first win of the season. Suh also had an interception.
2
3
 Mike Williams, Buccaneers WR (fourth round, No. 101)
Williams was a key player in Tampa Bay's shocking win in Cincinnati. Fumbles might be an issue, but this was a great performance. He could become a great player.
8
4
 Aaron Hernandez, Patriots TE (fourth round, No. 113)
Hernandez was on bye in Week 5, but his role is ready to expand due to the Randy Moss trade. That deal should be a direct reflection of the confidence New England has in Hernandez.
6
5
 Nate Allen, Eagles S (second round, No. 37)
An intelligent ball hawk with great range, Allen has been a perfect complement to Quintin Mikell. With the draft pick the Eagles received for Donovan McNabb, they are set at free safety for some time.
9
6
 Jahvid Best, Lions RB (first round, No. 30)
His outing against the Rams wasn't particularly impressive, but he does seem to have recovered from the toe injury. Of course, there is some hit-and-miss to his overall game.
3
7
 Dez Bryant, Cowboys WR (first round, No. 24)
Roy Williams is playing good football, which is limiting what Bryant is able to accomplish. But I am a huge believer that Bryant is going to be a big-time impact player sooner rather than later.
4
8
 Earl Thomas, Seahawks FS (first round, No. 14)
The Seahawks were on a bye in Week 5 and prepare to visit Chicago this week. Such a road trip could catapult Thomas up these rankings considering the state of the Bears' offense and Thomas' penchant for getting his hands on the ball.
10
9
 Tony Moeaki, Chiefs TE (third round, No. 93)
Moeaki is now Matt Cassel's top and most trusted target. Moeaki has excellent movement skills and the ability to go up and make the highlight-reel grab.
7
10
 Maurkice Pouncey, Steelers C (first round, No. 18)
Pouncey has more or less been a staple of my Top 10 list. He fell off slightly last week, but in my opinion, is clearly one of the Top 10 rookies in this league. The Steelers had a bye in Week 5, and now they will play host to Shaun Rogers and the Cleveland Browns -- and Pouncey finally will be snapping to Ben Roethlisberger.
NR
Other notables: T.J. Ward, Browns S (second round, No. 38); Tyson Alualu, Jaguars DT (first round, No. 10); Dexter McCluster, Chiefs WR/RB (second round, No. 36); Devin McCourty, Patriots CB (first round, No. 27); Gerald McCoy, Buccaneers DT (first round, No. 3)

Matt Williamson

ESPN.com
  • Hosts "Football Today" podcast
  • Joined ESPN in 2005
  • Was an NFL and college scout for the Cleveland Browns

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