Every first-round rookie’s signature move in the NFL playoffs, ranked

These plays should make fans very excited for what’s ahead.

Several first-round rookies had the chance to show off their skills on the biggest stage yet in the NFL playoffs. While they didn’t always put together the most complete performances, just about every first-round pick had plays that showed why they were among the top 32 players selected in the 2018 NFL draft.

From Lamar Jackson’s fourth-quarter frenzy against the Chargers to Sony Michel scoring six rushing touchdowns in the playoffs (a rookie record), the 2018 first-round rookies had plays that should have us very excited for their careers.

Here’s a ranking of the signature plays that each first-round pick made in the playoffs.

1. Lamar Jackson flashing his electric playmaking

Lamar Jackson’s performance in his first season was a bit volatile, including his playoff game against the Chargers, but he flashes big time ability that can jumpstart an offense.

His big completion to Ken Dixon in the fourth quarter displayed the positive traits he has that made the Ravens want to select him in the first round.

The speed to run away from the Chargers defenders plus the awareness and accuracy to find Dixon on a broken play in the middle of the field — these are plays that only a few quarterbacks in NFL history have been able to make.

Jackson wasn’t the most consistent passer in the world as a rookie, but the flashes he has are exciting as hell.

2. Derwin James chasing down fellow rookie Sony Michel

Derwin James put together an elite season in his first year with the Chargers. James had 105 tackles, four tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, 13 pass breakups and three interceptions in his rookie season.

The most impressive play he made in the playoffs wasn’t an interception or a sack, but a tackle that saved a touchdown in the Divisional Round. James starts this play on the midfield logo and tracks Sony Michel down all the way to the 10-yard line.

Not only does this show of James’ athleticism, but it shows off his hustle too.

(Unfortunately it didn’t really matter because the Patriots scored a touchdown a couple plays later.)

3. Sony Michel weaving through the Chiefs defense

The Patriots drafted Sony Michel in the first round to replace Dion Lewis, who signed with the Titans during the offseason. Michel’s vision and agility were his big selling points while he was a prospect at the University of Georgia.

This run against the Chiefs in the AFC Championship game wasn’t Michel’s longest run of the postseason, but it does show off the traits the made the Patriots want to spend their second first-round pick on him.

Redirect off the penetration in the backfield, vision to see the second defensive lineman scraping over, and then the ability to finish without shying away from contact. Beautiful football.

4. Roquan Smith’s interception against Nick Foles

Roquan Smith got off to a bit of a slow start as a rookie due to a contract dispute for the Bears, but he made impact play after impact play once he was able to get on the field.

Smith’s speed is what made him a coveted linebacker prospect at the University of Georgia. That speed is huge in the middle of the field where he can play deep in zones, cover backs and tight ends in man coverage, and run sideline-to-sideline.

It also helps him click and close in short areas to make explosive plays on the ball.

Roquan ended up in coverage on Eagles running back Wendell Smallwood after dropping into his zone and made a fantastic break on the ball to secure an interception.

The 2018 draft gave NFL fans a handful of rangy, new-age linebackers that can really make plays in the passing game — Tremaine Edmunds, Leighton Vander Esch and Darius Leonard fit this description as well.

5. Quenton Nelson playing bullyball against the Texans.

The Colts hit a home run when the selected offensive guard Quenton Nelson with the sixth pick in the 2018 draft — hell, he was a first team All-Pro as a rookie. Nelson is a good athlete, and plays with phenomenal technique.

Most importantly, he’s as nasty as they come for offensive linemen — which is really saying something. Watch Nelson (left guard, #56) knock down the Texans defensive linemen and continue to drive him into the dirt.

Sure, the run only went for three yards, but the sheer explosion and power that Nelson is able to generate is exceptional.

6. Rashaad Penny’s open field running

Rashaad Penny saw a strikingly small workload as a rookie — just 85 carries as a rookie — but when he was able to get loose into the open field he, at time, showed the traits of a feature back.

Penny ran a 4.46 forty yard dash at 220 pounds and it’s very apparent how explosive he is when he gets into the open field. Here against the Cowboys he showed the vision to bounce outside, cut back inside to give his blocker a chance to block the cornerback, then accelerated up the field for a big gain.

Seattle’s backfield is crowded with Chris Carson and Mike Davis also having effective 2018 seasons, but Penny has the most raw talent of the three — and runs like these show it.

7. Leighton Vander Esch’s run stuff against Seattle

Leighton Vander Esch didn’t make many plays in Dallas’ two playoff games, but he did get a nice stop at the line of scrimmage against the Seattle Seahawks in the Wild Card round.

He dodged a poor block attempt by the Seahawks right guard, kept his balance, and then made the tackle right in the hole.

Vander Esch had 140 tackles in this rookie season and two interceptions that total in 56 yards of returns.

8. Marcus Davenport getting a hurry off a twist

Saints defensive end Marcus Davenport had a quiet postseason — he had three tackles in two playoff games. Still, he has explosive traits that can help him make plays that don’t really show up on the stat sheet.

The Saints are running a simple stunt between the defensive tackle and the defensive end. When Davenport comes inside, he gets in Nick Foles’ face just enough to cause an errant pass into the dirt.

9. Hayden Hurst... well, he didn’t really do much

The Ravens first first-round pick only played 16 snaps against the Chargers in the Wild Card round. He had one target that fell incomplete.