The Buffalo Bills' 2016 rookie class has been the NFL's toughest to evaluate because of the loss of first-round pick Shaq Lawson for the first six games of the regular season, as well as a season-ending knee injury to second-round pick Reggie Ragland in training camp. Through three-quarters of the season, here's how the draft class breaks down:
Grade: B
Best rookie: OLB Shaq Lawson. The Bills gave Lawson an opportunity to start Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers as they look toward the future at the position. Since returning from the physically unable to perform list in Week 7, Lawson has played between 13 and 46 snaps on defense per game and has recorded two sacks. His size and athleticism have shown up during a few plays per game.
Most improved rookie: RB Jonathan Williams. The fifth-round pick has seen his role increase as the season has progressed. While he has yet to take over goal-line duties from Mike Gillislee, Williams is the Bills' biggest and most physical running back who plays a role in short-yardage situations. That's progress for a player who was a healthy scratch to start the season.
Most disappointing rookie: WR Kolby Listenbee. It's not necessarily fair to pin this label on Listenbee, who has not practiced or played since the summer because of double hernia surgery last winter. The sixth-round pick will remain on the non-football injury list for the remainder of the season, and he has posted several messages on social media expressing eagerness to hit the field again in 2017. If deemed healthy, he would have been a welcome addition to a wide receiver corps decimated by injuries this season.
The jury is still out on... ILB Reggie Ragland. The Bills' second-round pick was slated for a starting job but tore his ACL in August. Veteran Zach Brown has performed well in Ragland's place and leads the AFC in fan Pro Bowl voting at his position, but Ragland is expected to take back that starting role next season. Brown is scheduled to become a free agent.
Undrafted rookie check in: None of the Bills' undrafted rookies have made an impact this season. The best of the bunch was outside linebacker Bryson Albright, who has spent most of the season on the practice squad before being promoted to the 53-man roster last Saturday.