Ten NFL early-season studs and duds

It is still early in the NFL season. But after just three games, some players have already established themselves as studs and duds.

For example, a rookie quarterback who was not originally designated to start has looked tremendous. On the other hand are some players, including a veteran quarterback, who fans can barely stomach watching.

After some early season observation, the following offensive players have turned heads in both a good and bad ways.

Stud: Marvin Jones, wide receiver, Detroit Lions

The Lions are having a tough time and have not won since Week 1. Luckily, this has not stopped Jones from posting some jaw-dropping numbers.

It is already apparent is that he is the apple of quarterback Matthew Stafford’s eye.

Jones has been targeted 29 times compared to the 22 targets fellow receiver Golden Tate has received. So far, he has 18 catches for 408 league-leading yards and two touchdowns. Jones’ average of 22.7 yards per catch is also the highest in the league. This is taking into account receivers playing in a similar number of snaps per game.

It is quite clear that the Lions are natural fit for Jones’ skill set since his departure from Cincinnati. Should he keep up his pace, he would finish the season with 2,176 receiving yards and 10.7 touchdowns.

That is definitely a pie in the sky number. But, who are we to rain on Jones’ parade while he is in prime production?

Dud: Ryan Fitzpatrick, quarterback, New York Jets

Pretty much any good Fitzpatrick accomplished in his first two games went out the window in Week 3. He was an interception machine.

He threw six horrifying interceptions in Sunday’s loss to Kansas City. It was a brutal performance most found too painful to watch. In the end, Fitz completed only 20-of-44 passes for 188 yards, the six picks and one fumble. He finished the day with a quarterback rating of 18.2.

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For the season, Fitzpatrick has completed just 55.8 percent of his passes for 751 yards, three touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Needless to say, he could be going on another roller coaster ride in Week 4 when the Jets host the Seattle Seahawks. An about face is a must if Fitzpatrick wants to see the field in Week 5.

Stud: David Johnson, running back, Arizona Cardinals

Over the course of three games, Johnson has tallied up the most combined rushing and receiving yards, with 386 on the books.

He is averaging 72.3 rushing yards per game at a healthy pace of 4.6 yards per carry. Plus, he has scored three times. Talented as a pass-catcher as well, Johnson is also averaging 3.3 catches for a swift 56.3 yards per game.

Those who spent a first round pick on Johnson in fantasy football have fully reaped the benefit. In fact, Johnson says fantasy football is about the only topic his fans on social media are interested in.

The cool thing is, Johnson embraces it. The Cardinals aren’t exactly off to a glowing start this season. But Johnson is the one bright star that has dazzled on a weekly basis.

Dud: T.J. Yeldon, running back, Jacksonville Jaguars

Yeldon has really failed to make an impact in his three starts. So far, he has trudged along averaging a measly 2.5 yards per carry.

At this pace, it might take him until Week 4 to boost his 84 yards up to at least 100. It has been that bad.

Worse, in 14 catches, Yeldon has tallied only 51 yards. Week 2 saw Yeldon catch eight balls and notch only 10 yards.

And, he has not scored since rushing in one touchdown back in the season opener. Yeldon had his opportunity to shine while fellow back Chris Ivory was sidelined for the first two weeks. Clearly, he chucked that chance down the toilet.

With the Jaguars falling into their old habit of playing from behind, Yeldon’s situation is not likely to improve.

Stud: Carson Wentz, quarterback, Philadelphia Eagles

Wentz has been simply stunning throughout three games. As a result, he has helped lead the Eagles to three wins. Currently, Philly leads the NFC East for first place.

So far, there is nothing to suggest Wentz is not the real deal. He looks poised and confident and has yet to throw an interception in 102 passing attempts. This has resulted in 769 yards and five touchdowns, earning a quarterback rating of 103.8.

Astonishingly, he has been outperforming many seasoned quarterbacks already this year. Just ask Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. The two went head-to-head in Philly’s 34-3 victory.

Big Ben took four sacks for a loss of 35 yards, threw for 257 yards, zero touchdowns and one interception. Wentz avoided the sacks, passed for 301 yards and two touchdowns.

Wentz’s high level of performance after three games should hardly be considered a fluke.

Dud: Dez Bryant, wide receiver, Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott is amazing, and the Cowboys have won two-of-three games. But Bryant has really struggled to break out with some dynamic plays.

Thankfully, he scored his very first touchdown of the season against the Chicago Bears in Week 3. But, Bryant’s 23 targets fall two short of Cole Beasley’s 25.

Tight end Jason Witten has also drawn 20 targets. Prescott is spreading the ball around, and Bryant’s numbers are suffering. Over three games, Bryant has averaged 3.7 catches and just 50 yards per contest.

It may be that his success is dependent on Tony Romo. Bryant’s productivity took a steep fall when he played with the Cowboys myriad of backups last year.

Prescott seems to have found his groove. But, perhaps he will be looking Bryant’s way more often now that duo finally combined for their first touchdown.

Stud: DeMarco Murray, running back, Tennessee Titans

Murray has put an end to any confusion there may have been about who would be the starting running back in Tennessee. He is clearly dominating the role after three weeks of booming production. Meanwhile, rookie Derrick Henry has played a complimentary role.

Murray has rushed for an average of 81.7 yards in each game. He has also been a staple receiver for quarterback Marcus Mariota. As a result, he has already recorded 132 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

For the record, Murray has three total touchdowns. If he keeps up his current pace of  125.7 combined yards per game, he will complete the season with 2,010 yards.

The ridiculous thing here is Murray is averaging 6.0 yards per attempt. As a result, Tennessee’s ground game ranks seventh-best in the league. Before Murray, the Titans finished 25th-worst in this stat in 2015.

Dud: Blaine Gabbert, quarterback, San Francisco 49ers

Besides accomplishing a win in Week 1, Gabbert has not exactly elated 49ers fans. His current quarterback rating is 68.6.

Gabbert has struggled, completing just 55.2 percent of his attempts. This has resulted in a lowly average of 177.3 aerial yards per game. Gabbert has four combined touchdowns compared to three interceptions as a result.

Overall, he is just not producing well enough to prove he can be trusted for the entire season. This is a sad situation. Head Coach Chip Kelly has reiterated that Colin Kaepernick is Gabbert’s backup. He says Kap is still not 100 percent healthy.

It would appear that the team is committed to Gabbert as the starter at least for the time being.

49ers fans should strap in tight. It looks looks like a bumpy ride ahead.

Stud: Mike Evans, wide receiver, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are off to a rocky start after managing one win in Week 1. But their record is no reflection on Evans personal performances.

Evans has already scored three touchdowns, which is the grand total he managed in 2015. He is also averaging a sweet 100.3 yards per game resulting from 21 catches. If Evans keeps up this level of productivity, the third-year receiver will finish the season with 1,600 yards and 16 touchdowns.

At the very least, Evans scoring one touchdown in each of his first three games marks a Buccaneers record.

Evans posted a career-high 12 touchdowns in his rookie season. Then, he managed a career-high 1,206 receiving yards in 2015. This might be the season he truly breaks out and tops both of these stats all in one season.

Dud: Brock Osweiler, quarterback, Houston Texans

The Texans’ pricey investment in Osweiler is already nearing bust status. This was solidified by an ugly performance by Osweiler in a shutout loss to New England in Week 3.

Osweiler made terrible decisions all night long. He managed an average of only 4.8 yards per attempt on 24 completed passes. He also threw his fourth interception of the season.

So far, Osweiler has turned the ball over in each game. This is unfortunately overshadowing the three passing scores he has thrown.

And, it is not like Osweiler does not have a talented receiving corps to pass to. A shutout loss is certainly one of the most embarrassing things a quarterback can be a contributor to.

With some extra time to regroup, fans can only hope for a better showing against Tennessee in Week 4.