With the 2018 regular season at the quarter mark, former NFL scout Daniel Jeremiah has reviewed his notes from the first four weeks to rank the top 25 rookies in the league today.

Heading into Week 5, it's time to update my rookie rankings. This list will continue to change throughout the season, as we see more rookies given increased roles for their respective teams. I had a very difficult time sorting out the top three players on this list. They were each productive, impactful difference-makers during the first four games of the season.

Leonard has stuffed the stat sheet through four games, with 54 tackles, four sacks, two passes defensed and a forced fumble. He has incredible lateral range against the run and he's displayed timing and burst as a blitzer.

2

Derwin James

S

Chargers

1

James is a game-changing defender for the
Chargers. He's been their most effective pass rusher (three sacks) and he's excelled in coverage (six passes defensed, one pick).

3

Calvin Ridley

WR

Falcons

NR

Ridley is a smooth and explosive route runner, and he's already hauled in six touchdowns this season. He gets a lot of solo coverage with
Julio Jones on the opposite side and he's making opponents pay for it.

4

Denzel Ward

CB

Browns

NR

Ward has made the
Browns look smart for selecting him over the top pass rushers with the fourth overall pick. He has the speed and agility to match up with premier wideouts and he's ultra-aggressive in support.

5

Baker Mayfield

QB

Browns

1

The
Browns' offense has come alive since Mayfield was inserted into the lineup. I've been very impressed with his poise and ball placement.

6

Saquon Barkley

RB

Giants

4

Barkley has flashed his home run ability as a runner and he's been very reliable in the passing game. His short-area burst is off the charts.

7

Minkah Fitzpatrick

S

Dolphins

3

Fitzpatrick is always in great position in coverage and he has the size/strength to match up with bigger wideouts in the league. He offers tremendous versatility.

8

Donte Jackson

CB

Panthers

NR

Jackson is tied for the league lead with three interceptions. Taken late in the second round, he's proven to be a steal for the
Panthers. The LSU product has rare explosiveness and ball awareness.

9

Royce Freeman

RB

Broncos

4

Freeman has been very productive and he's displayed an outstanding combination of vision and power.

10

Phillip Lindsay

RB

Broncos

NR

Lindsay
obviously should've been selected -- what a post-draft find for Denver. He is quick as a hiccup and has deceptive strength.

11

Will Hernandez

OG

Giants

9

Hernandez is a powerful run blocker and he continues to improve in pass protection.

12

Fred Warner

LB

49ers

NR

I knew Warner was an excellent athlete, but I've been pleasantly surprised by his physicality. He continues to make plays each and every week.

13

Nick Chubb

RB

Browns

NR

Chubb had
his coming-out party against the
Raiders in Week 4. He is a violent runner and provides a little more juice than anticipated.

14

Bradley Chubb

OLB

Broncos

10

Chubb has 1.5 sacks thus far and he's shown glimpses of what he can do in passing situations. He should quickly climb this list as we get deeper into the season.

15

Roquan Smith

LB

Bears

NR

Smith is the second-leading tackler for the
Bears. He is dripping with instincts, physicality and athleticism.

16

Mike McGlinchey

OT

49ers

NR

I saw McGlinchey up close last week and came away impressed with his improvement in the passing game. He's always been a dominant run blocker.

17

Sony Michel

RB

Patriots

NR

Michel carried a heavy load in Week 4 and proved plenty capable of anchoring the
Patriots' rushing attack. He'll get more involved in the passing game as the season progresses.

18

Christian Kirk

WR

Cardinals

6

Kirk is an excellent route runner, and I love his natural instincts to work in zone coverages.

19

Maurice Hurst

DT

Raiders

NR

Hurst is a consistently disruptive force on the
Raiders' defensive front. He's a first-round talent.

20

Sam Darnold

QB

Jets

19

Darnold has experienced ups and downs, but I've been impressed with his ability to escape and his accuracy on the move.

21

Quenton Nelson

OG

Colts

14

Nelson is a mauler in the run game, but he's still developing as a pass protector.