NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

20. John Jenkins, NT, New Orleans Saints

Nose tackles aren’t known for piling up statistics, and Saints rookie John Jenkins is unlikely to become an exception. That said, the third-round pick has looked thus far to be an answer to the team’s need for a nose tackle to anchor its three-man front.

The athletic 346-pounder has recorded seven total tackles in three games—a solid number for a nose tackle.

Jenkins did not record any quarterback hurries in Week 3, according to PFF, but his ability to provide a solid presence in the middle on all three downs makes him very valuable in the Saints’ new defensive scheme.

9. Kenny Vaccaro, SS, New Orleans Saints

The Saints continued to see immediate results from first-round pick Kenny Vaccaro versus the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday. Vaccaro recorded his first career interception, which he returned 29 yards, and had seven total tackles in New Orleans’ 31-7 victory.

Vaccaro has played every Saints defensive snap through three weeks and has lined up all over the field on the back end of new defensive coordinator Rob Ryan’s scheme. He has been a very active defender, recording 17 tackles through three weeks. He hasn't given up any plays longer than 16 yards in pass coverage.

The Saints defense has made immediate progress this season with Ryan leading the way. And one reason for that progress has been Vaccaro, who has stepped in impressively for a rookie to an every-down, impact-player role.

NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4 | Bleacher Report

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

Jenkins' value in the middle is very underrated...

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

I like Jenkins, but IMO right now we would be better off with Bunkley in there taking the starter's share of snaps.

I wouldn't expect a Bleacher Report story to notice this but we are playing significantly more 4-man lines than 3-man. Big reason for that is Jenkins cannot play all the snaps and without him we have no true nose, so we end up with Jordan and Walker/Hicks/Richardson playing on the inside. Otherwise we would be getting no push.

When Bunkley gets back in a couple weeks, watch that run defense will get even better because they won't have to commit an extra man to the line.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

Umm, this may have just become my new favourite Meme!

Bloody Brilliant!

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

FYI...Bleacher Report graded our 3rd round pick of Jenkins as a "D".

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

Bleacher Report's accuracy is as renown as the accuracy of power rankings.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

I grade Bleacher Report as a "D". It's almost as worthless as the 5 p.m. Sportscenter.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

"The biggest play of the week by a rookie may have been made by Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter, who caught a game-winning 34-yard touchdown pass to beat the San Diego Chargers. Hunter, however, has not yet made his case for our ranking, as that was his first catch of the season."

Say what?

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

I was thrilled when we traded to acquire the 3rd rd pick to pick Jenkins. As I have said many times you win with the big uglies up front. God did not make a lot of men who are 350 pounds and can run . Jenkins is going to be a key defensive piece for years. You have to feel good about our young DL.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

I like J.Jenkins play right now but I think he is going to get much, much better. Bunkley getting dinged up a little has not been a bad thing for the playing time Jenkins has got. I expect when Bunkley gets back and Jenkins has a breather we will look even better!!

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

Would you take Vaccaro or Eric Reid at this point? Case closed that this is drivel.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

I completely agree. I think both are very good safeties and have a lot of potential but I always thought Vaccarro was better even in college. I'm an LSU fan so I watched a lot of eric reid. The guy is the prototype if you're building a saftey but the one thing he doesn't have yet is the knowledge. Vaccaro played a few different positions in college so he's able to play in a lot of different run and pass scenarios. Reid didn't have to do this much at LSU given the talent on the roster.

If you took Reid off the stacked 49ers defense and asked him to do what we've asked kenny to do you would be somewhat disappointed. The guy is a talented safety but not sure he could play cb, nickel, and lb.

The one thing I really do agree with in the ranking is the honey badger at number 4. I was hoping against hope he would be available in the later rounds. You can't teach playmaking and he has that in spades.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

When Jenkins and Bunkley line up in the middle with Cam and Hicks it's going to get scary for opposing offenses. That is a great line up.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

Most of our picks look solid.

Re: NFL Rookie Top 25 Rankings for Week 4[Bleacher Report]
 

I agree that Bunkley is going to help a lot. Hicks is great but he's going to crash and burn if he has to continue playing so many snaps. If we ever get our whole DLine healthy at one time we're going to be awesome.