With the 2016 NFL Draft in the rear view mirror, players are reporting for minicamps (even Sam “the $35 million man” Bradford made an appearance at Eagles camp…shocker!!). And fans are beginning to salivate as football season inches closer and closer to kicking off. In anticipation for what should be an oh-so interesting season in terms of rookie production and impact on the NFL landscape, it’s time to make some early predictions for which rookies will have the biggest imprint in their first professional seasons.
Honorable Mentions
Paxton Lynch – Quarterback, Denver Broncos
The Memphis Tigers product had a spectacular junior year in 2015, completing 296 of 443 passes for 3,778 yards, 28 touchdowns and four interceptions. Taken by the defending world champion Denver Broncos with the 26th overall pick, Lynch will now be thrust into a battle for the starting quarterback job with Mark Sanchez (which, if we’re being honest, should really terrify Broncos fans). The 6-foot-7, 245 pound Lynch is considered an ideal fit for Gary Kubiak’s play-option offense. However, most analysts see him as a project who will need to learn the intricacies of calling his own plays and adapting to the NFL game. In a perfect world for John Elway’s Broncos, Lynch will not start this season. However, if Mark Sanchez struggles with turning the ball over early in the season, as he’s been prone to do in the past, Lynch may be thrust into the starting job.
Devontae Booker – Running back, Denver Broncos
Booker, who played his college football at Utah, surprisingly tumbled down the draft board to the fourth round, where he was eventually chosen by the Denver Broncos. Booker now enters a near-ideal situation for an incoming running back with serious question marks surrounding C.J. Anderson, who was a bust during the 2015 season. Booker is a three-down workhorse who can make plays both as a rusher and pass catcher. Expect the speedy and physical back to thrive in the Broncos system and to be a serious threat to take away C.J. Anderson’s carries.
Joey Bosa – Defensive End, San Diego Chargers
The Chargers surprised many by taking Bosa, the former Ohio State Buckeye, with the third overall pick in the draft. While expectations for Bosa will be sky-high, the scheme fit for Bosa moving to a 3-4 system may lead to a difficult learning curve. While Bosa should develop into a solid NFL player, it’s difficult to see him having significant success in 2016.
Corey Coleman – Wide Receiver, Cleveland Browns
Given Cleveland’s lack of depth at the receiver position, look for Coleman to have a major impact on the Browns offense. An explosive, quick, dynamic playmaker, Coleman will get the opportunity for touches in his inaugural season.
Now, here’s my top 5 predictions for the rookies who will have the biggest impacts in their first NFL seasons.
Immediate Impact Rookies for the 2016 NFL Season
5. Jared Goff – Quarterback, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams showed the world what their intentions were when they aggressively moved up to the first overall position in the draft. Goff, the former Cal Golden Bear, will immediately take the reins of the Rams offense. Goff has a strong pocket presence, is solid under pressure and has the quick mind and release to work through multiple reads to get the ball to open receivers. While Goff will not be expected to have a transcendent Cam Newton-RGIII rookie season, he will be given the opportunity to produce in his rookie campaign.
4. Reggie Ragland – Linebacker, Buffalo Bills
Ragland slipped in the draft to the 41st overall pick due in large part to reports of his enlarged heart. However, doctors have publicly stated that this will not factor into his on-field production. A product of the prolific Alabama Crimson Tide that dominated its way to a 2015 national championship, Ragland will now be given the opportunity to make plays in one of the league’s most intimidating defenses. He’s a traditional, thumping run-stopper who will be a huge factor down the middle of the field.
3. Laremy Tunsil – Left Tackle, Miami Dolphins
Now that we’ve all come to grips with Tunsil’s leaked gas-mask bong video, it’s time to analyze Tunsil as a football player. Tunsil was an elite blind-side protector at Ole Miss, and his rare quickness on the edge mixed with his fast footwork should translate well to the NFL game. Tunsil is extremely flexible to schemes, and should fit in perfectly in Miami. It will be interesting to see how Tunsil can compete against an elite pass-rusher like J.J. Watt. However, the athletic Tunsil is a franchise tackle who could have easily gone first overall in the draft. Regardless of any potential character issues, Tunsil will be a huge factor for the Dolphins in 2016.
2. DeForest Buckner-Defensive End, San Francisco 49ers
Buckner, who went to San Fransico with the seventh overall pick, is joining a defensive line that is surrounded by question marks. The Oregon alumnus exhibits an exceptional combination of size, length, power, quickness and awareness. Explosive off the line of scrimmage, look for Buckner to power through double teams and disrupt passing lanes with massive hands and arm length. Buckner is downright vicious against the run and should be expected to explode into prominence immediately. Although all 3-4 ends from this point in history onwards will be compared to J.J. Watt, Buckner will easily contend for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016.
1.Ezekiel Elliot-Running Back, Dallas Cowboys
Fans and pundits can debate the wisdom of taking a running back with the fourth overall pick. However, that’s where any debate ends. Ezekiel Elliot enters an ideal situation in Dallas, with a dominant offensive line, a solid veteran quarterback and an elite-level receiver. Two years ago, the Cowboys pounded away on the ground en route to a playoff appearance. Elliott is a three-down, do-it-all rusher who scouts have declared to be the most complete running back to enter the league since Adrian Peterson. He’s fast, brutally explosive and surprisingly elusive, and is sure handed as a reliable receiver. Combine these attributes with his pass blocking abilities and Zeke not only enters the league as an Offensive Rookie of the Year favorite but as a guy who could easily be a top five rusher in the NFL.
