Rookie Report Card: Charles Sims and Marqise Lee
I decided to put my own spin on the concept of a rookie report card this year. The Rookie Report Card is exactly what it sounds like, a report card. Not only will I cover my expectations for the player coming into the league and how he’s performed at the NFL level to this point, I’ll actually give him a grade in three categories. Those categories are performance to date, 2014 potential and long term upside. Each week I’ll cover at least two rookies and try to always include the biggest performers from that particular week.
The series continues with a closer look at Charles Sims and Marqise Lee.
Charles Sims, RB TB
Week 17 Stats: 18 carries, 69 yards, one touchdown, one reception, six receiving yards
Season Stats: 66 carries, 185 yards, one touchdown, 19 receptions, 190 receiving yards
During the early stages of the offseason last year, my feelings on Sims becoming a fantasy contributor were relatively lukewarm. He seemed like a good pass catcher that could contribute on third down both out of the backfield and as a blocker but was rather average as a runner between the tackles.
This is what I wrote about him before taking a closer look.
“Sims displayed quickness and long speed after transferring to West Virginia from Houston last year, but never exhibited elite skills to prove he can be a full-time tailback at the next level. While he’s shifty and fast, he doesn’t possess much power and lacks the ability to break tackles, often losing his balance after first contact. He also has an upright running style that caused him to take big hits while in college which could make him susceptible to injuries in the NFL. With all that said I like Sims to become a quality tailback at the next level, but he’ll most likely have to share the backfield with another runner and could limit his fantasy upside.”
As the offseason progressed and I got the opportunity to see more of him on film, I started coming around on Sims. Then he posted a 4.48 40-time at the combine as well as an impressive vertical (37.5 inches) and broad jump (10’-6”). After taking a second look, I decided Sims had a future as more than just a part time player. I wrote this after he was selected early in the third round by the Buccaneers, I wrote this about him.
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“Sims isn’t a three down running back and won’t be counted on in short yardage or at the goal line, but should have a role in the Buccaneers’ backfield. Although he was known in college while at both Houston and West Virginia for his prowess catching the ball out of the backfield, he’s also a shifty, quick runner with great vision. Most expect him to contribute only as a third down back and that may be the case for him as a rookie, but he has the potential to become a 12-16 carry runner at the next level due to his size, speed, elusiveness and effectiveness in the passing game.
Many have made the comparison of Sims to Bears running back Matt Forte which is fortunate considering Lovie Smith coached Forte, but I don’t quite see Forte’s chops between the tackles when I watch Sims. As a runner, Sims reminds me more of former Vikings tailback Robert Smith, who had a very good career in Minnesota but took a few years to develop into a featured back.”
Coming into the season, most didn’t have high hopes for Sims for good reason. The expectation was that he’d struggle to see the field behind Doug Martin. Then Sims fractured his ankle in practice in August and he became the forgotten man in the Tampa Bay backfield.
He returned to the field after missing half the season to split time with Martin and at times Bobby Rainey. In his first seven games he averaged less than seven rushes per game and never tallied more than 13 carries in a single game. Then in week 17 he finally got the chance to show his skills as a runner, toting the ball 18 times for 69 yards and a touchdown.
Sims had his ups and downs throughout the game. On his eight-yard touchdown late in the second quarter he took the handoff off left tackle, saw a crease and immediately hit full speed as he darted through the hole and dashed to the pylon. The run was perfectly executed and an excellent display of Sims’ abilities as a perimeter runner.
Earlier on that same drive, Sims had another memorable run. On first-and-ten from the 45-yard line, he took the handoff to his right, cut to the left and like a cannon, shot up the middle and to the second level of the defense. After breaking a tackle and shaking the safety he had just one man to beat but ran directly into wide receiver Tavarres King and fell to the ground. What could have been a 45-yard highlight touchdown turned into a laughable 18-yard gain for a blooper reel.
Overall, Sunday was Sims’ best showing of the season. He ran with burst through the hole, showed great anticipation by perfectly setting up his blocks and showed he can be a threat as a between the tackles runner. It’s just one game, but Sims displayed the things I’ve been hoping to see from him since returning from injury.
Sims was a target of mine in the third round of rookie drafts last summer and to this point, had been a disappointing selection. Had I not watched him play against the Saints on Sunday, I’d be a bit worried about his upside considering his 2.8 yards per carry average and the inconsistent reviews of his rookie season that I’ve read thus far. After watching him though, I’m quite certain that his uninspiring numbers have more to do with the woes the Bucs’ have experienced on the offensive line than his skills as a runner.
There will obviously be a lot of changes in Tampa Bay this offseason but assuming the Buccaneers enter 2015 with both Martin and Sims atop the depth chart in the backfield, it’s a good bet that they share the workload next season with Martin getting a few more touches than Sims. If that’s the case and the Bucs’ have a competent quarterback under center and an improved offensive line, Sims could prove to be a useful flex play as early as next season.
In the long run, I still don’t feel like Sims is a full time runner but absolutely believe he could handle 12-16 touches per week and more if needed in a pinch. His vision, burst and overall speed suggest he should average far better than 2.8 yards per carry and with his excellent hands out of the backfield and ability to pick up yardage after the catch, he should be a regular target in the passing game. Sims may have to always share the backfield with somebody, but he has the upside to become a RB2 in PPR formats and could turn into a steal for those who picked him last year and held him through a relatively useless rookie season.
| Rookie Report Card | ||
| Player: Charles Sims | ||
| Performance To Date | 2014 Potential | Long Term Upside |
| D | N/A | B |
Marqise Lee, RB JAX
Week 17 Stats: two receptions, 8 yards
Season Stats: 37 receptions, 426 yards, one touchdown, three carries, nine rushing yards
I’ve been aching to feature Lee in this space for more than a month. So even though the breakout I’ve been waiting for didn’t happen, I’m going to write about him anyways – but I’ll make it short and sweet.
We all know the strengths Lee showed coming out of USC. He demonstrated incredible quickness, great route running and excellent hands while in college to go along with his impressive ability after the catch. If there was a knock on him coming out of Southern California, it was his durability. After a junior season that was marred by injuries he entered the draft and was taken early in the second round by the Jaguars.
Outside of a hamstring injury that caused him to miss a few games and lose his starting job to Allen Robinson, Lee had a productive rookie season. He tallied 37 catches for 426 yards and a touchdown on the year including 21 catches for 229 yards and a score in the final five games after regaining his starting spot after Robinson broke his foot.
Over the last month, I’ve had a chance to watch Lee a few times. He’s made some rookie mistakes including a drop down the right sideline on the Jaguars’ final drive to tie the game on Sunday against the Texans, but he’s also proven he’s one of the only weapons on a bad Jacksonville offense.
After seeing him play multiple times throughout the latter part of the season, I’m convinced Lee has a bright future in the Jaguars’ passing attack for years to come despite his lackluster performance in week 17. He’s displayed the tools necessary to become a dynamic receiver who can make plays as a short to intermediate target as well as a deep threat. As a rookie, Lee has flashed solid route running and the ability to make difficult catches as well as impressive elusiveness after the catch. With another year to hone his craft, he’ll gain an understanding of how to further use those skills to his advantage and exploit NFL coverages more regularly.
Overall, the sky is the limit for Lee as long as he can avoid visits to the trainers. If Blake Bortles improves and the offensive line makes strides in pass protection, Lee has the upside to someday become a top-20 fantasy wide out. Even with uneven play under center though, there’s no reason to think Lee can’t become a useful fantasy receiver as early as next year.
Lee is without a doubt a breakout candidate in 2015 and is an excellent trade target going into the offseason. I wouldn’t be surprised if he took a leap equal to that of De’Andre Hopkins this year, who posted 76 receptions for 1,210 yards and six touchdowns in his sophomore season.
| Rookie Report Card | ||
| Player: Marqise Lee | ||
| Performance To Date | 2014 Potential | Long Term Upside |
| D+ | N/A | B+ |
Check back next week as I’ll give final grades to all the rookie quarterbacks with the running backs, wide receivers and tight ends coming throughout the NFL playoffs.
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