Here's my first update of the top rookies in the NFL. This one goes through Week 2, and I'm including another group of guys who just missed the list at the bottom. I've also included the rankings of where each player landed on my final top 300 prospects list before the 2017 draft. There are already some changes from my preseason All-Rookie team.
Here are the parameters (same as always):
This is a measure for all games this season, not just last week.
Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?
1. Kareem Hunt, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 82
Hunt is the NFL's leading rusher (229 yards), is averaging 7.6 yards per carry and has five total touchdowns. He's deserving of the No. 1 spot. What I liked about the third-round pick from Toledo is that he was involved in the passing game in college -- he had 41 catches for 403 yards in 2016. He already has eight catches for 126 yards and two TDs in Kansas City.
2. T.J. Watt, OLB, Pittsburgh Steelers
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 48
The younger Watt brother missed most of the Steelers' Week 2 win over the Vikings, but he's on this list because of what he did in the season opener against the Browns. With two sacks and an interception, he was incredibly disruptive. I noted before the draft that Watt likely would start out as a situational pass-rusher in a 3-4 defense, but he's proving tough to keep off the field. In fact, veteran James Harrison has played only three total snaps in two games. Watt is dealing with a groin injury, but he could play this week.
3. Marshon Lattimore, CB, New Orleans Saints
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 9
Lattimore, my top-ranked corner in the draft class, has had a great start to his pro career. Despite the Saints' defensive struggles, he has been outstanding in coverage. He got beat on one over-the-top throw in the Week 2 loss to the Patriots, but every other completion he has allowed has been short. After dealing with hamstring issues in college and in training camp, Lattimore is now in the concussion protocol.
4. Dalvin Cook, RB, Minnesota Vikings
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 35
The Vikings have installed Cook as their workhorse back, and free-agent signing Latavius Murray, who was expected to be the starter this season, has played only nine snaps through two games. Cook is averaging 5.6 yards per carry, and he has three rushes for more than 20 yards. He had 38 rushing touchdowns from 2015 to 2016 at Florida State, but he has yet to find the end zone in the NFL. He was my preseason pick to be Offensive Rookie of the Year.
5. Tre'Davious White, CB, Buffalo Bills
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 32
White's college experience has really shown so far. A four-year starter at LSU, he was one of the most consistent prospects I graded in the Class of 2017. He became Buffalo's No. 1 corner after Ronald Darby was traded to the Eagles. White has broken up three passes so far, and he has added nine tackles.
6. Deatrich Wise, DE, New England Patriots
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 189
The fourth-round pick is on pace for a 16-sack season. Wise won't get there, of course, but two sacks in two games is great. And he has played only 33.6 percent of New England's defensive snaps. He has upside -- Wise had 8.5 sacks as a junior at Arkansas before having a down 2016 season with 3.5 sacks.
7. Garett Bolles, OT, Denver Broncos
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 42
Bolles was plugged into the Broncos' starting lineup at left tackle on Day 1, and he has been a big part of the league's top rushing offense through two games. He suffered a bone bruise in Denver's win over Dallas but could play this weekend in Buffalo.
8. Haason Reddick, ILB, Arizona Cardinals
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 10
Reddick is playing middle linebacker for the Cardinals, and coach Bruce Arians called his Week 1 debut "outstanding." He has 15 tackles through two games. What I liked about Reddick coming out of Temple was his versatility. He could also play outside and get after quarterbacks. He had 22.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks in 2016.
9. Chris Carson, RB, Seattle Seahawks
Final 2017 Big Board rank: Unranked
Keep an eye on Carson, a physical runner who almost went undrafted. Seattle nabbed him at No. 249 overall, but he really impressed in training camp, even on a crowded depth chart. Thomas Rawls is recovering from a serious injury. Eddie Lacy was a healthy scratch in Week 2. C.J. Prosise is averaging only 2.8 yards per carry. Carson, meanwhile, has gotten the bulk of the carries -- including 20 in Sunday's win over the 49ers -- and is averaging 5.1 yards per rush.
10. Jarrad Davis, MLB, Detroit Lions
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 17
The Lions really needed a middle linebacker this offseason, and spending a first-round pick on Davis, my No. 2-ranked inside linebacker, filled their wishlist. He has 15 tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery so far. Davis has intangibles that you just can't teach, and he's super athletic. He struggled with ankle injuries at Florida last season, and he is now in the concussion protocol after taking a big hit in the fourth quarter of Detroit's win over the Giants.
11. Tarik Cohen, RB/WR, Chicago Bears
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 127
Through two games, the Bears are using the 5-foot-6 Cohen as the centerpiece of their offense (sorry, Jordan Howard). Cohen is the leading rusher (averaging 6.6 yards per carry) and receiver (16 catches on 21 targets), and he's returning punts, too. There's a reason he has been compared to Darren Sproles. Cohen is lightning quick and tough to tackle. I don't think he'll keep his insane receiving pace (128 catches in 16 games), but Chicago doesn't have many weapons, especially with Kevin White out for the season again. Cohen is a legit playmaker.
12. Cooper Kupp, WR, Los Angeles Rams
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 83
Though he doesn't have the size or athleticism of big-time outside targets, Kupp was one of the most physically ready receivers entering the 2017 draft. Now, Kupp leads the Rams in targets (12) and catches that resulted in a first down (six), and he had a touchdown in Week 1. He does have a drop, however. The third-round pick had 428 catches and a whopping 73 receiving touchdowns in his college career at Eastern Washington.
13. Leonard Fournette, RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 7
The No. 4 overall pick hasn't found many holes behind the Jaguars' offensive line, but he has been heavily involved in their game plan -- his 40 carries rank No. 2 in the league. Though Fournette is averaging only 3.5 yards per rush, he has the ability to break off big gains at any time. He is an explosive athlete. I like that Jacksonville is getting him involved in the passing game; he has five catches for 45 yards so far. He had only 41 catches in his LSU career.
14. Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, New York Giants
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 107
Tomlinson has been a reliable presence in the middle of the Giants' defense, playing next to Damon "Snacks" Harrison. What he does isn't going to show up on the stat sheet -- he's more of a plugger than a pass-rusher. But the second-round pick has eight tackles so far, and he's contributing.
15. Zach Cunningham, ILB, Houston Texans
Final 2017 Big Board rank: 40
Cunningham could shoot up this list now that Brian Cushing is suspended. His numbers aren't that impressive yet -- four tackles, one pass breakup -- but his playing time will increase, and he has a high ceiling. He led the SEC with 125 total tackles and four fumble recoveries at Vanderbilt last season.
Next in line
Kevin King, CB, Green Bay Packers; Kendell Beckwith, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Solomon Thomas, DE, San Francisco 49ers; Duke Riley, OLB, Atlanta Falcons; Eddie Jackson, S, Chicago Bears; Takk McKinley, DE/OLB, Atlanta Falcons; Jamal Adams, S, New York Jets; Marcus Maye, S, New York Jets; Adoree' Jackson, CB, Tennessee Titans; Gerald Everett, TE, Los Angeles Rams; Tyus Bowser, OLB, Baltimore Ravens; Christian McCaffrey, RB, Carolina Panthers; Jayon Brown, LB, Tennessee Titans; Evan Engram, TE, New York Giants; Budda Baker, S, Arizona Cardinals