NFL Second Year Players Looking to Take Big Step in 2017
Carson Wentz | QB | Philadelphia Eagles
Last year, the Eagles made the decision to speed up the Carson Wentz development process and made their starter week 1 after trading Sam Bradford to the Vikings. Wentz started off the season hot but soon fell back to earth and began to show signs of being a rookie QB in the NFL. Since then, the Eagles upgraded their offense by signing WRs Alshon Jeffery and Torrey along with RB Legarrette Blount which is certainly a huge upgrade from last year’s offensive unit. With the new weapons on offense and another year learning the playbook, Wentz should make a substantial leap in his development and could lead to a potential playoff berth for Philadelphia as early as this season.
Paxton Lynch | QB | Denver Broncos
Unlike Carson Wentz, Paxton Lynch was not fortunate enough to earn the starting QB job in Denver last season, but looks to earn his spot this year after an up and down season from Trevor Siemian. While Lynch did not great production in 2016, he has more upside to the QB position than Siemian and being a 1st round pick, it only seems fitting that Denver give him a chance to show what he can do with a full season under center for the Broncos.
Paul Perkins | RB | New York Giants
The Giants have been an issue over the last year seasons finding a long-term answer at RB but with Rashad Jennings no longer on the team, Paul Perkins may be the answer. The 5-10 RB had some good moments last year as a backup but this year may be the year Perkins gets his chance to see starting reps for the Giants and forming a versatile backfield with fellow RBs Shane Vereen and rookie Wayne Gallman.
Michael Thomas | WR | New Orleans Saints
If we were to re-do the 2016 NFL Draft right now, Michael Thomas might be the first WR drafted and last year supports this case when he put up over 1,100 yards as a rookie with the Saints. Even though Thomas had a successful rookie campaign, he was still second fiddle to Brandin Cooks and one could argue he was the #3 option behind Willie Snead. With Cooks out of the equation, Michael Thomas should take a big leap with the Saints and might start the season as their #1 WR and the second coming of Marques Colston.
Robert Nkemdiche | DL | Arizona Cardinals
During the 2016 NFL Draft, Robert Nkemdiche was one of my favorite defensive prospects and it is unfortunate he was not able to perform consistently last year for Arizona. Nkemdiche is a massive player who plays with toughness but is quick for his size and can get in the backfield with ease. During last year I remember reading about how Nkemdiche was dominating in practices and at one point was told to take it easy because of how physical he was against his teammates. This physicality is what I loved most about Nkemdiche and with lackluster talent on their defensive line after the departure of Calais Campbell, this year may be the year we get to see Nkemdiche shine like he did at Ole Miss.
Chris Jones | DL | Kansas City Chiefs
Kansas City looks to be a team both in the playoff hunt and a team looking to re-tool after trading up in the draft for QB Patrick Mahomes and allowing some of their key contributors to walk including WR Jeremy Maclin, and DL Dontari Poe and Jaye Howard. One player that hopes to benefit from these changes though is second year DL Chris Jones. Jones was one of the quick risers in the 2016 NFL Draft yet could not earn enough playing time due to the amount of talent on the defensive line. With Poe and Howard both playing in new cities, Jones has the chance to earn a starting role on the Chiefs defensive line and show Chiefs fans what he can do once given the opportunity.
Emmanuel Ogbah | DE | Cleveland Browns
The Browns finally look at a young team on the rise and with Myles Garrett now on the team, Emmanuel Ogbah looks to benefit from having the #1 overall pick as a teammate. Ogbah had a decent season in 2016 (5.5 sacks) but since Garrett will garner more attention as their go-to pass rusher on the defensive line, this should allow Ogbah to get to opposing QBs with more pass blocking on Garrett. This situation seems reminiscent to Whitney Mercilus in Houston; when the Texans draft Jadeveon Clowney, Mercilus had his best season with Clowney on the team amassing 12 sacks, his best season of his career. Long story short don’t be shocked if Emmanuel Ogbah amasses 10 sacks or more this season.
Leonard Floyd | OLB | Chicago Bears
When the Chicago Bears drafted Leonard Floyd in 2016, it was under the assumption Floyd would start the year as a rotational pass rusher and work his way into the starting lineup. Instead, Floyd started the year opposite LB Pernell McPhee and went on to have a productive season finishing with 7 sacks in 12 games. In his first 6 games, Floyd seemed to be used improperly on defense, covering tight ends on passing downs and defending the pass rather than rush the QB which is what he was drafted to do in the first place. Chicago seemed to recognize the mistake and from week 7 on, Floyd was their go-to pass rusher and got 6.5 of his 7 total sacks in the final 8 games. The Bears now seem to have a healthy pass rushing group with McPhee, Willie Young and Lamarr Houston, Floyd should see an increase in his productivity and should eclipse the double-digit sack total in 2017.