It’s crazy to think we are now more than a quarter of the way into the 2013 NFL season. Five weeks in and this year’s rookie class has been exciting and disappointing. While many of the top picks have been a bit of a letdown some first round picks have stepped up to make up for it. But the biggest production has come from the second and third round selections who are proving early on that great talent can be found anywhere.

10b.) Keenan Allen Wide Receiver, San Diego Chargers

A new name enters the rankings for the first time this season and he vaulted himself into the top ten thanks to a great performance when many football fans were sleeping. Even in a losing effort Allen showed why he is set to be one of the biggest steals in the draft.

Allen was targeted often late on Sunday against the Raiders being targeted nine times especially in the red zone. Allen missed out on a touchdown early in the game when he couldn’t bring his left foot down and just missed his knee coming down in bounds. He bounced back though later in the game breaking a tackle and fighting his way for a seven-yard touchdown.  Philip Rivers looked his way again late in the fourth quarter but was late throwing to a wide-open Allen and was picked off.  He did an excellent job getting open late in the game and finished with six receptions for 115 yards, marking his first 100+ yard receiving game of his young career. While the Chargers have experienced plenty of injuries at wide receiver Allen has taken advantage of his opportunities and is becoming a new favorite weapon for Rivers.

10a. Geno Smith Quarterback, New York Jets

Just when you think you have everything in order and there is a clear picture amongst the rookie rankings, there is always a player who jumps out of nowhere. In Smith’s case this is an example of a player who at the very last hour elevated his game to another level. A level where despite his inconsistency in previous weeks, he stepped up on the big stage and showed a national audience how special he can be.

This was supposed to be an easy win for the Falcons and a chance for their defense to turn things around against a rookie quarterback who had turnover problems. Smith already apologized to his teammates after his terrible performance last week but what he did tonight should cover for it all and more. Going on the road is tough for any rookie but to head to the Georgia Dome and beat the Falcons on Monday Night Football with a game-winning drive, this is how a rookie starts to build his legacy.

Smith was almost flawless on the night completing 16 of 20 passes for 199 yards with three touchdowns and zero interceptions. While the yardage total may say game-manager to some his drive at the end of the game showed everyone that he didn’t manage the game, he won it. It was the two-minute drill for Smith and the Jets offense starting at their own 20-yard line and trailing by one this is why you spend so much time in practice on these situations. Smith couldn’t have handled the emotion any better as he led the Jets down the field using his arm and legs. Smith completed all four of his passes for 45 yards and picked up a key first down with an eight-yard scramble to give New York the ball at the Falcons 38. 

The Jets picked up another 13 yards for good measure and it all led to a Nick Folk 43-yard field goal to win the game as time expired. Smith has been through all the ups and downs; from falling to the second round on draft day and multi-interception games the past three weeks. But the performance tonight showed everyone that New York has found their starting quarterback for the future. If there is anyone left questioning his work ethic or leadership ability, they clearly need to find something else to talk about.

9. Barkevious Mingo Outside Linebacker, Cleveland Browns

If we ranked the rookies based off their name alone, Mingo would be the unquestioned leader. But even without the name that everyone loves, the rookie outside linebacker has played a major role in the Browns turnaround season and the great play by their defense.

After dealing with a lung injury that cost him much of the preseason and the Browns opener, Mingo has simply been dominant to begin the year. He has been a sack machine picking up a sack in his first three starts and causing problems for the quarterback. Even when he can’t bring the quarterback down his ability to get into the backfield so quickly has been evident early on.  Against the Bills on Thursday he didn’t stuff the stat sheet with sacks, he flies to the football and recorded four tackles on the night and showed his quick reaction with a deflected pass. The sixth overall pick this year has been even better than the Browns could have expected especially this early. Mingo was viewed as a project player who needed to improve his technique, but now looks like an impact player already. Mingo is just heating up and is on his way to a 10-sack season in just his first season.

8. Kenny Vaccaro Free Safety, New Orleans Saints

We just have to admit it, this year’s safety class has been incredible and we are just five games into the season. Everyone is making plays as they fight to prove why they should be defensive rookie of the year.

Vaccaro was the first safety selected in the 2013 NFL Draft and while there may be a few who have outperformed him that is no slight on him. Vaccaro hasn’t even played the traditional safety role, he is the swiss army knife of Rob Ryan’s defense and a pure joy to watch play this season. He recorded his first career sack this week against the Bears and continues to bring pressure on the safety blitz. He struggled at times in coverage and was beat a few times by wide receiver Alshon Jeffery but still had a very good game and helped keep the Bears offense to just 18 points. While everyone likes to talk about the Saints incredible offense led by Drew Brees their defense is a big reason why they are undefeated this season. Vaccaro may not be a big contender for defensive rookie of the year but he has been a huge factor in the turnaround for this New Orleans’ defense.

7. DeAndre Hopkins Wide Receiver, Houston Texans

There is no denying the fact that Hopkins has been the best wide receiver in this year’s rookie class but quarterback play has just been a killer for his stock and the Texans’ hopes. Two straight games where Hopkins has just struggled to get open and make plays have pushed him down the rankings.

For the second straight week Hopkins hauled in just two receptions and failed to crack the 30-yard mark. Some blame has to go on Hopkins who doesn’t have the great speed to break free and is better moving the chains, but he has struggled to escape tight coverage. He was targeted just four times this past week against the 49ers and three the week before that. Keep in mind in his three previous games he has been targeted 26 times. But a lot of blame has to go on quarterback Matt Schaub who is making history for touchdowns he is throwing to the defense more so than touchdowns to his own wide receivers. Hopkins is talented but until a change is made at quarterback or Schaub can gain his confidence back and turn his own play around, Hopkins will continue to struggle to make plays.

6. Sheldon Richardson Defensive Tackle, New York Jets

Many questioned the Jets when they traded away star cornerback Darrelle Revis for a first-round pick. It appeared as if New York was going into rebuild mode and its selection of Richardson didn’t draw a lot of rave reviews. But now five weeks into the season everyone is raving about Richardson and the Jets defense has been a shining light in their rebuild.

When you watched Richardson in college you saw a freak of an athlete who has the size of a defensive tackle. While he was inconsistent at Missouri you couldn’t help but fall in love with the flashes of explosiveness, quick burst off the snap and a motor that never stops. He was a rare specimen and the Jets knew exactly what they would be getting from him if they could help him develop and become a more consistent player.

While Richardson deserves plenty of credit for creating problems as a pass rusher with three and a half sacks including one on Monday against the Falcons. But Wilkerson has made even more strides as a run stopper where he can make a quick move to get inside with Muhammad Wilkerson and shutdown the running lane or he can counter to the outside and force the running back right back into Wilkerson’s direction. He just creates havoc in the backfield and he is doing it every week. While Revis is making big bucks in Tampa Bay, the Jets are smiling at the present and future of their defense with Wilkerson, Richardson and Dee Milliner.

5. Eric Reid Free Safety, San Francisco 49ers

Remember when San Francisco made the decision to let Dashon Goldson go and save its money for future free agents like Michael Crabtree and Colin Kaepernick, everyone wondered if the right decision was being made to let a rookie fill in for a Super Bowl defense.

When the 49ers traded up for Reid it already seemed like a curious move especially because he was viewed as a player who wasn’t ready to start immediately in the NFL. But now five weeks into the season he has made Goldson an after thought for fans and really has been an upgrade at the position. One of the big questions facing Reid coming out of LSU was his coverage skills and if he could help in that area or be a liability. Reid has made tremendous strides and is now a stud playing coverage making plays with interceptions and shutting down the opponent’s passing game. He narrowly missed his third interception of the season against Houston just further evidence of his ball-hawk skills this season. Reid is flying to the football in coverage and against the run, he is doing everything you could ask for from a safety and he deserves a lot of credit for how great this defense has been without Aldon Smith and Patrick Willis. 

4. Giovani Bernard Running Back, Cincinnati Bengals

Just when we thought the Bengals and offensive coordinator Jay Gruden finally realized that Bernard was the most talented running back on the team and he needs the most touches, they go back to BenJarvus Green-Ellis.

Green-Ellis saw the ball most this week carrying it 19 times for 67 yards and a goal line touchdown. Meanwhile Bernard carried the ball 13 times for 62 yards and added two receptions for seven yards on just three targets. He averaged over a yard more than Green-Ellis but still just isn’t being given the ball as much as his teammate. But he moves up this list because of how successful he has been with the touches he is given. Even if more blunders are made by the coaching staff Bernard should still see 20 touches per game and you can count on him to make plays every time he gets his hands on the football.

3. Kyle Long Offensive Guard, Chicago Bears

After a rough day against Ndamukong Suh and the Lions, Long bounced back this week with a solid game. While he was called for a penalty for being an illegal man downfield, Jay Cutler admitted after the game the penalty was his fault. Long didn’t have his name called all game by the announcers which is always a good thing for an offensive lineman.

While playing the New Orleans Saints defensive line may not be as tough of a battle as the Lions, the Saints have impressed this year and their defensive line has been a big reason for that. Chicago gave up three sacks to the Saints but a lot of the pressure from New Orleans came from the outside. Long did a much better job holding his blocks and keeping his hands inside and not in the opponent’s facemask or grabbing their jersey. It wasn’t a dominant game for Long but it’s enough to keep him third on this list.

2. Tyrann Mathieu Free Safety, Arizona Cardinals

While the Cardinals continue to crawl along to begin the season, their defense continues to show why they are one of the most underrated units in the league. Headlined by Patrick Peterson and the return of Daryl Washington they have been great but Mathieu has taken what was a very good defense and made it great.

It has been an eventful rookie season for Mathieu, every week it seems like he is having a career achievement and it happened again this week. He recorded his first career sack on Sunday against the Panthers and it’s not easy to chase down Cam Newton. While Mathieu didn’t get as many snaps because of Rashad Johnson coming back, he still made plays against Carolina. Mathieu isn’t a pure safety for Arizona either he can also play cornerback and do well in coverage or he can come down to the line and bring pressure off the edge. He played a key role in shutting down the Panthers offense and keeping Newton from settling in. He may not officially be listed as the starter but Mathieu has been one of the best rookies this season and a vital piece on a great defense.

1. Kiko Alonso Middle Linebacker, Buffalo Bills

Fans had the chance to watch Alonso for the first time on national television last Thursday and he didn’t disappoint. While his interception streak may have ended Alonso made his presence felt and showed everyone why he is the early favorite to be rookie of the year.

While we didn’t se Alonso make a big play in coverage this past week we saw his athleticism and just how easy it is for him to blow up plays in the backfield. While Alonso wasn’t credited for the tackle his acrobatic leap over the Browns offensive line and into Cleveland’s backfield, he deserves a lot of credit. The Browns were near the goal line and that play by Alonso helped his teammates come in and wrap up Willis McGahee before he could get near the end zone.

Alonso made some big tackles of his own including one where he just blew through the line and destroyed the play for a seven-yard loss. Even when Alonso isn’t piling up the stats with interceptions he is flying to the ball and helping take down the ball carries, he is bringing pressure up the middle to force bad throws and he is making plays in coverage. There is no question that Alonso has been the best rookie this season.