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2014 NFL Draft Rookie Update: Picks 6 Through 10

By @rickstavig

2014 NFL Draft

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Now that we’re nearly three-quarters of the way through the current football season, we’re starting to get a better idea whether or not the 1st rounders from the 2014 NFL Draft class were worth the hype or not. Don’t get me wrong, it’s still early in their careers and you shouldn’t assume a prospect has reached the pinnacle of their development, but we at least have an idea. So how are the top dogs looking? We already looked at the top-5 (here), so now we’ll look at picks 6 through 10.

Sixth overall pick Jake Matthews (LT, Atlanta Falcons) has struggled so far in his rookie year, but is continuing to show positive signs of improvement. A three week stretch in the middle of the year crushed his overall grade, and he’s still struggling with penalties, but he continues to give glimpses as to why the Falcons believe he’s their franchise blindside protector. The rest of this season will continue to test him as the remaining schedule is long on tough defensive front’s.

Mike Evans (WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers) was the seventh overall pick and he’s really begun to come on strong, despite the shaky QB situation. After tallying 25 receptions for 336 yards and 2 TD’s in his first six games, Evans has erupted the past three weeks with 21 receptions for 458 yards and 5 TD’s. His hands have been very consistent, with only 2 drops on 72 targets, and he’s been above average as a blocker. Right now he’s on pace for 74 receptions for 1,270 yards and 11 TD’s, tremendous numbers for any WR, much less a rookie. He looks like he could be one of the better receivers in the game before long at his current rate.

After struggling in the first couple of weeks, eight overall pick Justin Gilbert (CB, Cleveland Browns) has been coming along nicely. At this point he may just be the most consistent CB on the Browns roster, which is saying something considering the presence of a Pro Bowler like Joe Haden. He still gives up too many catches but does a very good job limiting anything after the catch and has only allowed one TD all year. He’s still searching for his first INT and has been battling a nagging heel injury, but this just continues to look like a good pick.

Ninth overall pick Anthony Barr (OLB, Minnesota Vikings) just might be the leading candidate for Defensive Rookie of the Year if it weren’t for fellow OLB Khalil Mack (5th overall, Oakland Raiders). Barr has been good against the run and generating pressure, and so far has 62 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 FF and 3 FR’s (one of which was a game winner in OT). He’s definitely seen his share of struggles in coverage, which was to be expected, but he’s shown signs of improvement. He needs to be more consistent wrapping up but this also looks to be a very good pick.

Eric Ebron was the tenth overall pick by the Detroit Lions. So far he’s only racked up 14 receptions for 125 yards and a TD, but we have to remember that the Lions offense historically doesn’t target TE’s very often. That needs to change. He’s been better than advertised as far as blocking and has shown consistent hands (1 drop on 24 targets) but needs to start making more plays after the catch.

Rick Stavig is an NFL Draft Columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @rickstavig or add him to your network on Google+.

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