Rookie Report: Gurley runs wild over Browns; Cooper joins elite company
The Rookie Report provides a running look at first-year standouts, surprises, and Rookie of the Year candidates.
Offense
Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams
Gurley only has four NFL games under his belt, but he's already looking like a seasoned veteran. He was virtually unstoppable against the Cleveland Browns in Week 7, carrying the ball 19 times for 128 yards and two touchdowns - the first two of his career - to become the first rookie to rush for 125 or more yards in three straight games since Cadillac Williams in 2005.
Rams head coach Jeff Fisher said he can't recall a running back becoming so dominant as quickly as Gurley has: "No, and I've been around some really good ones. I don't recall them having the numbers after three full games that Todd has."
Amari Cooper, WR, Oakland Raiders
Like Gurley, Cooper's NFL career is off to a hot start. He caught five passes for 133 yards and a touchdown in the Raiders' 37-29 win over the San Diego Chargers, joining Anquan Boldin and Randy Moss as the only rookie receivers since the 1970 merger with 500-plus yards through their first six games.
The Alabama product is also the first rookie with three 100-yard receiving performances in his team's first six games since Mike Ditka in 1961.
T.J. Yeldon, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Yeldon had his most productive game of the season in the Jaguars' 34-31 win over the Buffalo Bills, rushing for 115 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The touchdown was the first of Yeldon's career, and the Jaguars' first TD on the ground this season.
Yeldon heads into the Jaguars' bye week with 406 rushing yards, which ranks second among rookies and 17th in the NFL.
Defense
Eric Kendricks, LB, Minnesota Vikings
Making his second start at middle linebacker, Kendricks came up big for the Vikings in their comeback win over the Detroit Lions. He racked up six tackles, three tackles for a loss, and a team-high two sacks.
Kendricks now has four sacks on the season, putting him a half-sack behind Everson Griffen for the team lead.
Landon Collins, S, New York Giants
Collins recorded a season-high nine tackles and helped create four turnovers en route to a 27-20 victory over the Dallas Cowboys - the Giants' first win over their divisional rivals since 2012.
The second-round pick is tied with Uani' Unga for the team lead in tackles with 42.
Stephone Anthony, LB, New Orleans Saints
Anthony recorded the first interception of his career in the Saints' 27-21 victory over the Colts, picking off an Andrew Luck pass intended for T.Y. Hilton deep in Indianapolis territory. Five plays later, the Saints scored a touchdown.
Approaching the halfway point of the season, the Saints should be pleased with the progress Anthony has shown. He's started all seven games and leads the team with 45 tackles.
Quick Hits
- Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs was at it again in Week 7, catching six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.
- Andrew Mason of DenverBroncos.com provided an update on the team's 2015 rookie class coming out of their bye week.
- Chicago Bears wide receiver Kevin White, who underwent surgery in August to repair a stress fracture in his shin, admitted he's "a long way off" from making his NFL debut.
- Could San Diego Chargers running back Melvin Gordon be the next Trent Richardson? Deep Shah of the Sports Quotient compared the two.
- Chris Fedor of Cleveland.com said it's time for Cleveland Browns nose tackle Danny Shelton to start playing like a first-round pick.