ARROW UP
TIER 1 --> HIGHEST ROSTER STATUS WITHIN POSITION GROUPS
DEFENSE
JACKSON - DL1. That's all I got.
ALFIERI - OLB1. From an insignificant role vast majority of LY to playing every snap in '18. Not dominant but a nice piece.
OKEREKE - ILB1 goes from a 6-player rotation in '17 to playing every snap in '18.
HOLDER/ADEBO - Excellent combination limited by scheme. Going to miss Holder who has finally shown durability.
EDWARDS/BUNCOM - Edwards was playing every snap pre-injury. Would love to see some changes there post-bye week. But, you know, the boys have to get lined up correctly.
OFFENSE
COSTELLO - QB1
LOVE - RB1
R. WILLIAMS - FB1 I love watching this guy. Pure entertainment. Limited? yes.
JJAW - WR1 has obviously had an amazing first half of the season. Has a lot more versatility to his game than catching jump balls.
SMITH - TE1 will be a top 50-60 pick in April '19
LITTLE/HAMILTON/BURKETT/HERBIG/HALL - Little had a very good bounce back game against Utah in pass pro. He will have a great 2H of the season. This is a sure-fire first-rounder in April '20. I would expect Hamilton to be back at LG against ASU. Really miss him in the interior for pass pro. Burkett has been steady for 3 years. Not dominant but serviceable. Herbig changed his body and mentality for '18. Was more hype than production LY but has really improved. I don't see the player staying around. Hall is the most inconsistent player on the field every Saturday. He goes from series to series as serviceable to awful to drawing multiple penalties to having really good reps.
TIER 2 --> OTHER STARTERS WITH SIGNIFICANT ROLES
SWANN - Still inconsistent in YR 3 but trajectory heading the right direction. Should be very serviceable in '19/'20 but it looks like what we see is what we get.
M. WILLIAMS - Awesome story. Most improved player on the roster. No limitations hopefully in S/C during the off-season and there is a chance for a much bigger jump.
TOOHILL - OLB2 Was on his way to having a great YR. Improved pass rush has completed him.
BARTON - ILB2 Another awesome story. Testament to the player and Stanford doctors. Back at full contact in less than 1 YR. The thing about the 3 ILB that see the field is they all have the exact same strengths/weaknesses- quickness affords them the opportunity to avoid blocks to make some flash plays. But all 3 get swallowed by blocks ( although Bobby has shed more than others).
Irwin - Another player limited by scheme. This is a really good player. Can win on every route on the tree. Going to have an NFL career. This offense should be frightening.
TIER 3A—> OTHERS WITH ROLE
MURPHY - Not sure why the player would ever be asked to cover the slot 1v1. Sure would make more sense to put Adebo there and Murph outside OR Buncom/Antoine on the slot and Murph at high safety. Regardless, changes need to be made to NB/S moving forward.
BRANCH - ILB3 Having his most productive season. Multiple ways to interpret this.
HARRINGTON - Hasn’t made me forget about Schultz to this point. Was expecting much better in the run game.
CHAFFIN/HATTIS/POWELL- Called on for the Jumbo play.
SCARLETT- Still has the pleasure to run against 11 inside the defensive ‘box’ and free runners on both the back and front side on short-yardage.
SPEIGHTS - 3rd down back and RB2 - and that is a perfect role for this player.
WILSON - Ogre1. Meh.
TIER 3B --> BIGGEST RISERS FROM '17
BOOKER - Forced his way into a small rotation in YR 1. Trajectory continues to rise.
FISK - TE4 fits the offensive narrative. Physical, huge motor player. Reminds me of a Ben Gardner with a slightly higher ceiling. Would love to see the same transition.
PARKINSON - Changed his body dramatically in the spring/summer for the expanded role that would follow. Future first-rounder in April '20. I love the player.
REID - Was getting a couple of series before the Toohill injury. Uses his quickness well. Needs a big YR in S/C to become more complete.
SARELL - Small end of time-share to start the season. Would imagine there would probably have been more of him at LG and more Hamilton at RT if they remained healthy.
ST BROWN - Under-utilized weapon. Seen this movie before. Shaw will always default to physical over speed early in career. #FreeStBrown
WADE-PERRY - Exciting DT flashes at times. It looks like Reynolds is doing good work here. Wouldn't be surprised to see both him and M. Williams on the field together at times in '19. If he can match last off-season's S/C look out.
WILSON - Looked the part in August and now role has expanded. Multiple ST, including PR2, and a potential weapon on the outside who, is at the very least, gaining valuable reps to step in next year.
TIER 3C --> INCREASED ROLE DUE TO INJURY
ANTOINE - NB1 from playing a lot of snaps to all of them at S. Not a starting safety on a really good defense.
DALMAN - Did a servicable job filling in at both C/OG. Not the ideal size you look for at the position.
FANAIKA - Wildly inconsistent in pass pro makes it hard to stay on the field. Ideally used in jumbo only.
J. FOX - Big end of time-share at OLB2 with Toohill out. Will be an interesting position group in '19.
TIER 4 --> YOUNG PLAYERS (YR 1/2) BREAKING IN ON MULTIPLE ST
HEAD
KECK
N. WILLIAMS
K. WILLIAMS - Will be watching to see if they burn him on ST.
ARROW DOWN
BUTLER - Couldn't get on the field after injuries to Edwards and Antoine at safety.
CHAFFIN/HATTIS/POWELL/N.WILSON - Opportunities for all 4 players as injuries wrecked havoc. None were able to take advantage although Powell was limited with an injury.
EBOH - Hasn't had a role since Holder came back.
HEAD - See Butler.
HEIMULI - Unable to get any snaps at FB.
JOHNSON - RED FLAG here as the player hasn't been given another significant opportunity since USC.
MADDOX - No role.
PRYTS - If you are an ILB and Hansen can't find a spot to rotate you that would be the fundamental definition of an arrow down.
SIMMONS - Biggest mystery on the roster.
STEWART/PEEK - Blame it on injuries. That's fine but the player is always injured. He has also been recruited over.
INCOMPLETE
IB-S
MILLS - Praying to the football Gods that he is QB1 one day.
PEEK
PEREZ
ROBINSON
SCHAFFER
STEWART
WEDINGTON
TIER 1 --> HIGHEST ROSTER STATUS WITHIN POSITION GROUPS
DEFENSE
JACKSON - DL1. That's all I got.
ALFIERI - OLB1. From an insignificant role vast majority of LY to playing every snap in '18. Not dominant but a nice piece.
OKEREKE - ILB1 goes from a 6-player rotation in '17 to playing every snap in '18.
HOLDER/ADEBO - Excellent combination limited by scheme. Going to miss Holder who has finally shown durability.
EDWARDS/BUNCOM - Edwards was playing every snap pre-injury. Would love to see some changes there post-bye week. But, you know, the boys have to get lined up correctly.
OFFENSE
COSTELLO - QB1
LOVE - RB1
R. WILLIAMS - FB1 I love watching this guy. Pure entertainment. Limited? yes.
JJAW - WR1 has obviously had an amazing first half of the season. Has a lot more versatility to his game than catching jump balls.
SMITH - TE1 will be a top 50-60 pick in April '19
LITTLE/HAMILTON/BURKETT/HERBIG/HALL - Little had a very good bounce back game against Utah in pass pro. He will have a great 2H of the season. This is a sure-fire first-rounder in April '20. I would expect Hamilton to be back at LG against ASU. Really miss him in the interior for pass pro. Burkett has been steady for 3 years. Not dominant but serviceable. Herbig changed his body and mentality for '18. Was more hype than production LY but has really improved. I don't see the player staying around. Hall is the most inconsistent player on the field every Saturday. He goes from series to series as serviceable to awful to drawing multiple penalties to having really good reps.
TIER 2 --> OTHER STARTERS WITH SIGNIFICANT ROLES
SWANN - Still inconsistent in YR 3 but trajectory heading the right direction. Should be very serviceable in '19/'20 but it looks like what we see is what we get.
M. WILLIAMS - Awesome story. Most improved player on the roster. No limitations hopefully in S/C during the off-season and there is a chance for a much bigger jump.
TOOHILL - OLB2 Was on his way to having a great YR. Improved pass rush has completed him.
BARTON - ILB2 Another awesome story. Testament to the player and Stanford doctors. Back at full contact in less than 1 YR. The thing about the 3 ILB that see the field is they all have the exact same strengths/weaknesses- quickness affords them the opportunity to avoid blocks to make some flash plays. But all 3 get swallowed by blocks ( although Bobby has shed more than others).
Irwin - Another player limited by scheme. This is a really good player. Can win on every route on the tree. Going to have an NFL career. This offense should be frightening.
TIER 3A—> OTHERS WITH ROLE
MURPHY - Not sure why the player would ever be asked to cover the slot 1v1. Sure would make more sense to put Adebo there and Murph outside OR Buncom/Antoine on the slot and Murph at high safety. Regardless, changes need to be made to NB/S moving forward.
BRANCH - ILB3 Having his most productive season. Multiple ways to interpret this.
HARRINGTON - Hasn’t made me forget about Schultz to this point. Was expecting much better in the run game.
CHAFFIN/HATTIS/POWELL- Called on for the Jumbo play.
SCARLETT- Still has the pleasure to run against 11 inside the defensive ‘box’ and free runners on both the back and front side on short-yardage.
SPEIGHTS - 3rd down back and RB2 - and that is a perfect role for this player.
WILSON - Ogre1. Meh.
TIER 3B --> BIGGEST RISERS FROM '17
BOOKER - Forced his way into a small rotation in YR 1. Trajectory continues to rise.
FISK - TE4 fits the offensive narrative. Physical, huge motor player. Reminds me of a Ben Gardner with a slightly higher ceiling. Would love to see the same transition.
PARKINSON - Changed his body dramatically in the spring/summer for the expanded role that would follow. Future first-rounder in April '20. I love the player.
REID - Was getting a couple of series before the Toohill injury. Uses his quickness well. Needs a big YR in S/C to become more complete.
SARELL - Small end of time-share to start the season. Would imagine there would probably have been more of him at LG and more Hamilton at RT if they remained healthy.
ST BROWN - Under-utilized weapon. Seen this movie before. Shaw will always default to physical over speed early in career. #FreeStBrown
WADE-PERRY - Exciting DT flashes at times. It looks like Reynolds is doing good work here. Wouldn't be surprised to see both him and M. Williams on the field together at times in '19. If he can match last off-season's S/C look out.
WILSON - Looked the part in August and now role has expanded. Multiple ST, including PR2, and a potential weapon on the outside who, is at the very least, gaining valuable reps to step in next year.
TIER 3C --> INCREASED ROLE DUE TO INJURY
ANTOINE - NB1 from playing a lot of snaps to all of them at S. Not a starting safety on a really good defense.
DALMAN - Did a servicable job filling in at both C/OG. Not the ideal size you look for at the position.
FANAIKA - Wildly inconsistent in pass pro makes it hard to stay on the field. Ideally used in jumbo only.
J. FOX - Big end of time-share at OLB2 with Toohill out. Will be an interesting position group in '19.
TIER 4 --> YOUNG PLAYERS (YR 1/2) BREAKING IN ON MULTIPLE ST
HEAD
KECK
N. WILLIAMS
K. WILLIAMS - Will be watching to see if they burn him on ST.
ARROW DOWN
BUTLER - Couldn't get on the field after injuries to Edwards and Antoine at safety.
CHAFFIN/HATTIS/POWELL/N.WILSON - Opportunities for all 4 players as injuries wrecked havoc. None were able to take advantage although Powell was limited with an injury.
EBOH - Hasn't had a role since Holder came back.
HEAD - See Butler.
HEIMULI - Unable to get any snaps at FB.
JOHNSON - RED FLAG here as the player hasn't been given another significant opportunity since USC.
MADDOX - No role.
PRYTS - If you are an ILB and Hansen can't find a spot to rotate you that would be the fundamental definition of an arrow down.
SIMMONS - Biggest mystery on the roster.
STEWART/PEEK - Blame it on injuries. That's fine but the player is always injured. He has also been recruited over.
INCOMPLETE
IB-S
MILLS - Praying to the football Gods that he is QB1 one day.
PEEK
PEREZ
ROBINSON
SCHAFFER
STEWART
WEDINGTON
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