NFL Second Year Players Who Will Have Big Seasons in 2018
MITCHELL TRUBISKY | QB | BEARS
The former #2 overall pick had an up and down rookie season with the Bears after starting QB Mike Glennon was benched for the North Carolina prospect. Now entering his second season, Mitchell Trubisky has a new head coach in Matt Nagy along with a slew of new talent around him including WRs Allen Robinson, Taylor Gabriel, rookie Anthony Miller as well as Superbowl winning TE Trey Burton. The new additions to the roster combined with Nagy’s fresh perspective on offensive schemes, look for Trubisky to have a much improved season and if he continues to progress in the right direction, don’t be surprised to see the Bears potentially compete for a playoff spot.
PATRICK MAHOMES | QB | CHIEFS
Much like Mitchell Trubisky in Chicago, Patrick Mahomes was drafted by Kansas City to be the Chief’s next star QB for head coach Andy Reid. During the off-season the team traded veteran QB Alex Smith to Washington, giving the starting gig to Mahomes in his season with hopes that he can lead the Chiefs back to the playoffs. With a great group of talent on offense including their newest WR Sammy Watkins, Mahomes could make an impact sooner rather than later in the NFL.
COREY DAVIS | WR | TITANS
One of the biggest surprises in the 2017 NFL Draft was when the Titans drafted Western Michigan WR Corey Davis in the top 5 but once he got out on the field, it was easy to see his impressive skills to go along with his 6-3 frame. After playing through an injury riddled rookie season, Davis looks to be 100% entering this season and with another year of building a connection with QB Marcus Mariota, Davis could be line for a big season and hopefully take over as the team’s #1 WR.
DALVIN COOK | RB | VIKINGS
During the 2017 NFL Draft, Florida State’s Dalvin Cook was viewed as one of the draft’s biggest steals after the Vikings drafted the talented RB in the second round. Cook was having a good rookie year but was soon derailed by a season ending injury. Now that Cook is healthy, early expectations are that the second year RB will resume his role as the team’s primary RB. With the team investing heavily in QB Kirk Cousins, the Vikings look to be going all-in this season and factor of this potential success could be from Cook if he plays up to his potential.
SIDNEY JONES | CB | EAGLES
Before suffering a season ending injury at Washington, CB Sidney Jones was widely regarded as one of the best CBs in the entire draft. The Eagles somehow snagged the talented defender in the second round in what could be the best spot for Jones in the entire league. Not only was Jones drafted to a team with a great defensive coordinator in Jim Schwartz but he was also drafted to a team who already had a very good starting secondary, allowing him to recover properly rather than be forced to play early. After recovering from his injury, Jones saw minimal playing time but was still able to get out on the field in his rookie year which should give him confidence entering this season. With the defense mostly intact, Jones will certainly be viewed as a starting CB, giving the Eagles one of the best CB groups with Jalen Mills, Ronald Darby and now a healthy Sidney Jones.
RAEKWON MCMILLAN | LB | DOLPHINS
Before the 2017 NFL season started, Dolphins rookie LB Raekwon McMillan was getting starting reps in Miami’s defense and was also viewed by some as an early favorite for defensive rookie of the year. Miami had a big problem come preseason when the Ohio State standout suffered an injury ending his rookie season and leaving a hole in the Dolphins’ LB group. McMillan is now healthy for Miami and is looking to take over as one of the leaders of the Dolphins’ defense. While Miami does have a productive LB in Koko Alonso, don’t be surprised if McMillan finishes the season as the signal caller for the Dolphins’ defense and one of their standout producers on defense.