Top 10: Ranking The Best First Round Picks
Eight games doesn't provide the full picture for a draft class, but it's at least a start. At the halfway point of the 2018 season, there has been no shortage of rookie contributions around the NFL – and none more so than from this year's crop of first-round picks.
10. Baker Mayfield, QB, Cleveland Browns — We knew it wouldn't be easy in Cleveland, but Mayfield has looked up to the task. He has already helped the Browns to two wins, averaging 245 yards per game in the process.
9. Frank Ragnow, C, Detroit Lions — Another criticized pick that looks smart in hindsight. The Lions drafted Ragnow to shore up the middle of their offensive line, and he's doing just that. The Lions have allowed just 13 sacks, which is among the best in the league, and they're developing a star running back in Kerryon Johnson with the help of the line.
8. Tremaine Edmunds, LB, Buffalo Bills — The Bills traded up from 22nd to 16th to draft Edmunds, and it looks like that's paying off so far. At just 20 years old, Edmunds' 54 tackles leads the team, and he's added six pass breakups and a couple of forced fumbles to go along with that.
7. Calvin Ridley, WR, Atlanta Falcons — Add Ridley to the long list of weapons in the Falcons' offense. Working behind Julio Jones and Mohamed Sanu, he's taking advantage of favorable coverages to the tune of 392 yards and a whopping six touchdowns after just seven games.
6. Leighton Vander Esch, LB, Dallas Cowboys — Another pick that was heavily scrutinized, but Vander Esch has put plenty of doubts to rest. He was thrown into the mix as a starter in Week 4, and the Dallas defense didn't miss a beat. He's averaging eight tackles per game and his 53 tackles leads the team.
5. Sam Darnold, QB, New York Jets — It hasn't always been pretty for the No. 3 overall pick. He's just 3-5 on the year and has thrown 10 interceptions. But Darnold has shown flashes of promising potential for a franchise that has been looking for a quarterback for a long time.
4. Bradley Chubb, DE, Denver Broncos — After a slow start to the season, Chubb has caught fire with 5.5 sacks run his last three games. Working opposite Von Miller, he's up to 24 total tackles with seven sacks for the Broncos.
3. Derwin James, S, Los Angeles Chargers — James has been a do-everything playmaker for a surging Chargers team. He's only got one interception to this point, but combine that with his 44 tackles, six pass breakups and 3.5 sacks and it's a pretty impressive resume.
2. Denzel Ward, CB, Cleveland Browns — Some questioned the decision to draft Ward over edge rusher Bradley Chubb, but it's looking like a smart call. Ward was a Day 1 starter and has played like a star, tallying 39 total tackles with nine pass breakups and three interceptions.
1. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants — It might not reflect in his team's record, but Barkley is having quite a rookie season. At the halfway point of the campaign, he's already over 1,000 all-purpose yards with seven total touchdowns. At the halfway point of the season, he's on pace to run and catch for 1,000 yards, each.
