Sep 23, 2018; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) sacks Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz (11) during the fourth quarter at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Throughout the 2018 NFL season, we’re monitoring the progress made by the league’s rookie class by power ranking them based on their play, their circumstances, or both.

Here’s how the rookie crop shakes out with three weeks in the books.

1. Indianapolis Colts LB Darius Leonard: The second-round selection out of South Carolina State has been all over the field for the Colts. He leads the NFL with 41 total tackles to go along with three sacks, a forced fumble and a pair of passes defended.

2. Los Angeles Chargers S Derwin James: The No. 17 overall pick out of Florida State is already making a huge impact in the L.A. secondary. After recording sacks in each of his first two games, he picked off the first pass of his career Sunday against the Rams.

3. New York Giants RB Saquon Barkley: Only two rookies have more receiving yards than the No. 2 overall pick out of Penn State. And Barkley also ranks sixth in the league in rushing with a solid 4.7 yards-per-attempt average.

4. Atlanta Falcons WR Calvin Ridley: The No. 26 overall selection out of Alabama wasn’t even targeted in Week 1, but he scored in Week 2 and then busted out for 146 yards and three touchdowns against the Saints on Sunday. He and A.J. Green are the only players in football with more than three touchdown grabs.

5. Cleveland Browns QB Baker Mayfield: He’s yet to start an NFL game, but Mayfield is the primary reason the Browns finally won a damn game in Week 3. The No. 1 overall pick was magnificent in relief of Tyrod Taylor against the Jets, completing 17 of 23 passes for a triple-digit passer rating.

6. Detroit Lions RB Kerryon Johnson: After playing only a small role the first two weeks of the season, the shifty second-round Auburn product shined in a Week 3 victory over the Patriots, becoming the first Lions back in five years to rush for 100-plus yards. He ranks second among rookie backs with a 5.6 yards-per-attempt average.

7. Denver Broncos RB Phillip Lindsay: Last week’s leader loses points for an early ejection against the Ravens, but the undrafted Colorado product still leads all rookies with a yards-per-attempt average of 6.0.

8. Carolina Panthers CB Donte Jackson: The second-round pick out of LSU has been making plays left and right. He, Earl Thomas and Xavien Howard are tied for the NFL lead with three interceptions apiece.

9. Buffalo Bills QB Josh Allen: It’ll be a roller-coaster ride this year for the raw Wyoming product, but Allen has been productive the last two weeks. He’s completed 60 percent of his passes and has scored four passing/rushing touchdowns, and he led the Bills to a shocking Week 3 upset over the Vikings.

10. San Francisco 49ers LB Fred Warner: The third-rounder out of BYU ranks third in the NFL with 33 tackles and has received plenty of praise from the folks at Pro Football Focus.

Honorable mentions: Browns CB Denzel Ward, Giants G Will Hernandez, Broncos OLB Bradley Chubb, New York Jets QB Sam Darnold, Green Bay Packers CB Jaire Alexander.

About Brad Gagnon

Brad Gagnon has been passionate about both sports and mass media since he was in diapers -- a passion that won't die until he's in them again. Based in Toronto, he's worked as a national NFL blog editor at theScore.com, a producer and writer at theScore Television Network and a host, reporter and play-by-play voice at Rogers TV. His work has also appeared at CBSSports.com, Deadspin, FoxSports.com, The Guardian, The Hockey News and elsewhere at Comeback Media, but his day gig has him covering the NFL nationally for Bleacher Report.