Most improved NFL players in the early season

Alexander is with his third team in three years, and he's really finding some comfort in the Bills' system. He already has a career-high four sacks through only four games.

A slot receiver, Beasley has all but replaced Terrence Williams in the pecking order among Cowboys wideouts. He has 23 receptions through four games.

With only weeks of experience in Minnesota, Bradford has played the best football of his career through three games. He's completed nearly 70 percent of his passes with 7.6 yards per attempt.

Brown leads the league in tackles through four games in only his first season with Buffalo. With 52 tackles, he's well on pace to surpass his career high of 93 tackles from his rookie season.

Carr has been nearly flawless for the Raiders through four games, with 9/1 TD/INT ratio and a 68 percent completion rate. It's not coincidence that the Raiders have started the year 3-1.

With Martavis Bryant suspended for the year, the Steelers needed another wideout to step up. Coates has been one of the beneficiaries with 21.7 yards per reception already.

Now in his second season, the "toolsy" Conley has made big strides as the Chiefs' No. 2 wideout. He has 15 receptions for 172 yards through four games.

Running backs usually thrive in Hue Jackson's offense, and that's been the case with Crowell so far. He's reached 100 yards rushing twice in four games and is averaging a staggering 6.4 yards per carry.

Diggs has delivered as Minnesota's unquestioned No. 1 wideout. He has 25 receptions for 372 yards and one score through four games.

Not much has gone right for the Jets in the early season, but Enunwa is a rare bright spot. He has 23 receptions for 243 yards and one score through four games.

The Chiefs curiously signed their former No. 1 overall pick to a lucrative extension in the offseason, despite his mediocre play through three seasons. He's shown why the Chiefs took the risk, with much improved play early in the season.

Golden has doubled his career sack total to eight overall in his second season, helping vastly improve Arizona's pass rush early in the year. The former Mizzou lineman was taken in the second round of the 2015 draft and has already equaled his rookie season total of four sacks this season.

Gordon looked lost in his rookie season for the Chargers, and they needed him to step up this year with Danny Woodhead getting hurt early in the year. While Gordon has only 3.2 yards per carry through four games, he already has six touchdowns and one 100-yard rushing game.

A pillar in the Packers' secondary over the last four seasons, Hayward has come over to San Diego and been a ball hawk. He has three picks through four games.

The Lions needed Jones to fill the void from Calvin Johnson's retirement, and he's done a great job. Through four games, Jones has 23 receptions for 482 yards and two scores.

Lacy got in better shape during the offseason, and the results are showing. He's averaged 5.0 yards per carry through three games.

With key losses on the Houston defense, McKinney has really stepped up in his second season. He's among the league leaders with 38 tackles and also has two sacks.

Thomas Rawls has been sidelined for much of the early season, but that hasn't halted the running game. Michael has played extremely well, averaging 4.6 yards per carry on 63 carries.

Murray is making a statement in a rebound season for the Titans after a forgettable year in Philadelphia. He has 340 yards rushing, 156 yards receiving, three rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns through only four games.

Peters already established himself as a ball hawk in his rookie season with eight picks. He's on an even greater pace this season, with four interceptions through four games.

With Corey Coleman and Josh Gordon out, Pryor is establishing himself as Cleveland's No. 1 receiver. He has 19 receptions for 290 yards and one score. He's also been used as a quarterback.

Not much has gone right for the New Orleans defense, but the Saints still need someone to make tackles. Robertson is among the league leaders with 41 tackles after coming over from Cleveland.

After struggling during the second half of last season, Ryan is on an other-worldly path through four games. He's completed more than 72 percent of his passes and is on pace for nearly 6,000 passing yards and 44 touchdowns. He's averaged an incredible 10.52 yards per pass attempt.

Just one year after being a seventh-round pick, Siemian has solidified the quarterback position in Denver. He's completed more than 67 percent of his passes and thrown six touchdowns in three-plus games, though he did suffer an injury in Denver's last game.

Walden has been a huge playmaker early in the season despite the Colts' struggles. He already has four sacks and two forced fumbles through four games.