Six Predictions/Expectations for 2017 NFL Rookies
Mitchell Trubisky doesn’t see the field this season
- Being the #2 overall pick means that Mitchell Trubisky should see the field in his rookie year but don’t be surprised if the Bears put him behind other QBs like Mark Sanchez and Connor Shaw. The Bears invested a lot of money into Mike Glennon and with the Bears in rebuild mode, it wouldn’t make much sense to throw Trubisky on the field early this season. Trubisky may see some playing time late in the year but don’t expect to see him play early UNLESS he somehow shows up big in preseason.
Leonard Fournette finishes in the top 5-7 in rushing yards
- Last year we saw two rookie RBs finish in the top 5 in rushing (Ezekiel Elliott & Jordan Howard) and we may see that again in 2017 with Leonard Fournette. While Elliott and Jordan may have better offensive lines, Fournette is one of the best RBs to enter the draft in a long time so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him have similar production in Jacksonville.
Jamaal Williams battles for starting RB role with Ty Montgomery
- Green Bay found a gem last season with Ty Montgomery and they upgraded the position yet again this year with Jamaal Williams. Williams is more of a power RB like Jordan Howard who can be a 3rd down/goal line RB for the Packers but once he gets his chance, look for Williams to fight with Montgomery for the starting RB role in Green Bay.
Zay Jones has a more productive season than John Ross
- John Ross was a top 10 pick and Zay Jones was a second-round pick but I believe Jones may have a more productive season than Ross. Entering the draft, I saw Jones as a borderline 1st round pick and think his ceiling is as high as any WR in the draft. Ross may have the blazing speed, but Jones is in a position in Buffalo where he will enter the season the #2 WR next to Sammy Watkins.
OJ Howard has a pro bowl caliber season
- One of the biggest drops in the draft was OJ Howard falling out of the top 15 but his drop landed him in a great spot with Tampa Bay. With Mike Evans being Jameis Winston’s go-to weapon right now, Howard could step in week 1 as Winston’s #2 option and might work his way into a Greg Olsen type role leading him to a pro bowl caliber rookie campaign.
Three pass rushers finish with double-digit sacks
- This year's draft was full of pass rushing talent and with 8 first round pass rushers, there are 3 that have a chance to put up good numbers in their rookie seasons. Cleveland’s Myles Garrett, Philadlephia’s Derek Barnett and Dallas’s Taco Charlton were each drafted to good situations where they can thrive early and often with teams that need their talents this season. Garrett looks to be the Browns franchise defender while Derek Barnett and Taco Charlton are two pass rushers who were drafted to teams with good defensive coaching and schemes that fit their talents best. It wouldn’t be shocking to see other pass rushers put up good numbers this season including Miami’s Charles Harris and Atlanta’s Takk McKinley but Garrett, Barnett and Charlton are the three who will most likely see the most playing time out of the top pass rushers in this year’s class.