Six NFL Rookie Predictions Before Training Camp
JOSH ALLEN WILL BE THE FIRST QB TO START IN 2018
The Buffalo Bills used some of their draft capital to trade into the top 10 to snag their QB of the future but a QB that was widely regarded as the project of the QB class. Josh Allen has tremendous upside and while he does have some work to do to reach his potential, Allen will be the first QB in his class to start in 2018. The Bills QB room is questionable at best with former National Championship winning QB AJ McCarron leading the pack as the team’s starting QB but it seems fair to say he won’t be starting for long. Don’t be shocked to see Allen follow Mitchell Trubisky’s path and start 4 or 5 weeks into the season if McCarron struggles for Buffalo.
SAM DARNOLD WILL NOT START 1 GAME IN 2018
Unlike Josh Allen, Sam Darnold was regarded as a potential week 1 starting QB but after being drafted by the New York Jets, Darnold’s chances of seeing the field in 2018 are slim. Not only did the Jet’s resign veteran QB Josh McCown but they also doubled down on the QB market and signed former Vikings’ QB Teddy Bridgewater as well. While Darnold may have both youth and talent on his side, it seems like New York will not push the former USC prospect to start in 2018 and may follow the same model as Kansas City did with Patrick Mahomes last season.
SAQUON BARKLEY WILL LEAD ALL ROOKIE RBS’ IN RUSHING BUT RONALD JONES WILL FINISH SECOND
During the NFL Draft there was a lot of debate and discussion about various prospects but there was in fact one consensus on one prospect- Penn State’s Saquon Barkley was the top RB in the draft. Now it shouldn’t be a surprise to see that I believe Barkley will mirror the success of last year’s RB class but outside Barkley, the other RB that should be receiving some hype is Tampa Bay RB Ronald Jones. The second round pick from USC is a gifted athlete with the ability to be a versatile weapon for the Buccaneers in both the running and receiving game. Not only does Jones have the talent to start week 1 but he is now on a team that needs help in the run game which should only aid his case as he fights for the start RB role.
DJ MOORE WILL LEAD ALL ROOKIE WR’S IN RECEPTIONS AND RECEIVING YARDS
Former Maryland WR DJ Moore was the first WR to hear his name called during the draft and it is almost a perfect fit with Cam Newton and the Panthers. Carolina is in desperate need of a go-to WR and may have found the most talented WR on the team since the great Steve Smith. Moore may not be the biggest or fastest WR in the group but he is a gifted route runner and is exceptional in after-the-catch situations. Look for Moore to see some looks early as Newton’s favorite target in 2018.
BRADLEY CHUBB WILL ECLIPSE 10 SACKS IN 2018
When Bradley Chubb feel to the Broncos at #5 it was almost to perfect of a fit for the NC State standout. Chubb was the top pass rusher in the draft and was drafted by team that has one of the league’s best pass rushers in Von Miller but also has a great mentor to help the younger rookie in former Bronco Demarcus Ware. With teammate Shane Ray facing surgery and his future up in the air, Chubb will step in as Denver’s starting pass rusher opposite Miller which could help Chubb eclipse the 10 sack mark in his rookie season.
JOSHUA JACKSON WILL LEAD ALL ROOKIE DBS’ IN INTERCEPTIONS
Throughout the early stages of the draft, Iowa’s Joshua Jackson was considered on the top CBs in the draft but for some reason fell to Green Bay in the second round. Not only is Jackson a gifted DB but he has shown in his college career that he has the instincts and potential to be a start CB in the NFL with ball-hawk type upside. Jackson has both the size and skills to step into Green Bay as a week 1 starting CB and if he beats out competition to earn the starting role, look for him have similar success with the Packers like he did in Iowa where all he did was produce interceptions.