Rookie Report: Gurley breaks out; Goldman making presence felt

The Rookie Report provides a running look at first-year standouts, surprises, and Rookie of the Year candidates.​

Offense

Todd Gurley, RB, St. Louis Rams

After being used sparingly in his season debut, Gurley was finally unleashed in the Rams' 24-22 upset win over the previously undefeated Arizona Cardinals. The Georgia product rushed for 146 yards on 19 carries – the majority of which came in the second half – and added two catches for 15 yards.

Rams wide receiver Tavon Austin put it best after the game: "(Gurley) came out this week and he exploded."

Duke Johnson, RB, Cleveland Browns

Johnson had a breakout game in San Diego, outshining fellow rookie running back Melvin Gordon by catching nine passes for 85 yards and a touchdown – the first of his career – and carrying the ball eight times for 31 yards.

Through four games, Johnson ranks second among rookies with 15 receptions and fourth with 117 receiving yards.

Jamison Crowder, WR, Washington Redskins

Crowder received an expanded role in Week 4 with Andre Roberts deemed a healthy scratch, and took full advantage of the opportunity. The fourth-round pick was targeted a team-high 12 times and finished with seven catches for 65 yards, averaging 9.3 yards per reception.

The performance earned Crowder the Redskins' starting slot receiver job, which head coach Jay Gruden said is a testament to his hard work.

Defense

Eddie Goldman, NT, Chicago Bears

Goldman was relentless in pursuit of his first career sack in Week 4, beating Oakland Raiders right guard J'Marcus Webb before taking down quarterback Derek Carr for a 15-yard loss. He and the rest of the Bears' defense held the Raiders to 243 total yards, their fewest of the season.

The Bears' second-round pick also had two tackles (one for loss) in the victory, giving him five total this season.

Za'Darius Smith, LB, Baltimore Ravens

Smith is starting to look like the pass rusher the Ravens hoped for when they drafted him in the fourth round. The former Kentucky standout enjoyed his best game of the season in Baltimore's overtime win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, notching four tackles and a pair of sacks.

Most impressive about Smith's performance was that his two sacks came on back-to-back plays while he was lined up at different positions – first from rush outside linebacker and then from a down-lineman role.

Owa Odighizuwa, DE, New York Giants

Making his NFL debut against the Buffalo Bills, Odighizuwa helped limit the NFL's top rushing offense to 55 yards on the ground and drew praise from Giants head coach Tom Coughlin for his solo takedown of quarterback Tyrod Taylor on an option play.

Odighizuwa, who missed the first three games of the season with a foot injury, saw the third-most snaps (47) on the defensive line and finished the game with two tackles.

Quick Hits

• The New Orleans Saints are leaning heavily on first-year players. Their eight defensive rookies have combined to play 804 snaps so far this season, by far the most of any team in the NFL.
• Despite being on record pace, Oakland Raiders wide receiver Amari Cooper isn't pleased with his performance through the first four games.
• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can't afford many more performances like the one Jameis Winston delivered in Week 4, writes Andrew Astleford of ESPN.
• Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stefon Diggs only has one NFL game under his belt, but teammate Mike Wallace already sees something special in him.
• The Pittsburgh Steelers are showing more trust in linebacker Bud Dupree as the season goes on.