Every year, with few exceptions, we see rookies take flight in this league. Last year we saw the league rushing leaders be rookies Ezekiel Elliot of the Dallas Cowboys and Jordan Howard of the Chicago Bears. The Chargers’ Joey Bosa propelled himself into the top tier of NFL defensive ends, and the Jaguars found themselves a star cornerback in Jalen Ramsey. This year, we take a look at players who can step in and be the next generation of stars. Here is my 2017-2018 NFL All-Rookie Team.
Quarterback: Deshaun Watson-Houston Texans
Deshaun Watson should be this year’s top quarterback prospect.
Let’s be clear: We’re not gonna see a Dak Prescott sequel with DeShaun Watson. Watson probably won’t start for a couple games this year, but being Tom Savage’s understudy, I see him getting the most playing time out of the quarterbacks taken this year. Pat Mahomes won’t start over Alex Smith and Mitch Trubisky will probably start the season behind Mike Glennon and Mark Sanchez. The only other quarterback I see playing as much, if not more, than Watson is DeShone Kizer, and I don’t think he’ll play better than Watson. Watson is a more refined player and is surrounded with plenty of talent in DeAndre Hopkins, Lamar Miller, and Will Fuller.
Running back: Leonard Fournette-Jacksonville Jaguars
Leonard Fournette is the prototypical NFL running back. He can bulldoze his way over defenders but he still has the breakaway speed to dash away from them in the second level. His game instantly translates to the NFL, and he will have ample opportunity to succeed in Jacksonville, a team that hopes to make something of their big name offseason additions.
Running back: Joe Mixon-Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Mixon is one of the most purely talented running backs in this class. He has excellent vision, elite speed, and ideal size to succeed in the NFL. To top it off, he is incredibly apt as a receiver. His off the field issues are absolutely a red flag and inexcusable, but from a pure football perspective, he can quickly transform the Bengals’ offense.
Wide receiver: Corey Davis-Tennessee Titans
Corey Davis was the best receiver in this draft and he will automatically become Marcus Mariota’s go-to target. He has ideal size and route-running to make a name for himself in this league. If he can fix his drop issues, the Titans may be looking at one of the next great receivers.
Wide receiver: Chris Godwin-Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chris Godwin has found himself in a great situation. He is on an offense that features Jameis Winston, Mike Evans, and DeSean Jackson. Godwin will probably play a number three receiver role, and while it is rare for a receiver of that kind, I think Godwin will become on of Winston’s most sought-after targets. With talent all around him, Godwin will receive much less attention than his skill set is worthy of. If he can take advantage of this, he has the potential for a great season.
Tight end: OJ Howard- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
For the same reason as Godwin, OJ Howard will find himself open very often. From a talent perspective, he can evolve into one of the league’s best tight ends. He has great size to play at this level, and he has incredible speed for his size. He wasn’t used as much as he probably should have been at Alabama, but when his number was called he certainly answered, and I think he will do the same in Tampa.
Offensive tackle: Ryan Ramczyk-New Orleans Saints
I thought Ryan Ramczyk was the best tackle in this year’s class. He has a high football IQ, as well as good feet and size to succeed. He has the pedigree of Wisconsin linemen, and showed he can play against NFL-level players like Arden Key and Taco Charlton. He has what it takes to play very well in this league, and I think he will make an immediate impact on a Saints’ line that experienced heavy struggles last year.
Offensive tackle: Garrett Bolles-Denver Broncos
Garrett Bolles is a very talented lineman who took his game to another level at Utah after transferring from Snow College. The Broncos’ line left a lot to be desired last year, and Bolles’s abilities can quickly turn around the left side of their unit.
Offensive Guard: Forrest Lamp-Los Angeles Chargers
Lamp was thought to be the best guard in this class, and I think his size and ability will translate very well into the NFL. The Chargers had a need at guard, and they addressed it with the addition of Lamp.
Offensive Guard: Dan Feeny-Los Angeles Chargers
As it turned out, the Chargers really needed help on the interior. Dan Feeny played a big role in the collegiate success of recent Indiana running backs, and his presence will be very beneficial to Melvin Gordon, who hopes to improve his game even more after an impressive year in 2016.
Center: Pat Elflein-Minnesota Vikings
After the shelling of Sam Bradford last year, it was clear the Vikings needed serious help upfront. They’re hoping Pat Elflein can provide answers on the interior. With his big, solid body, Elflein is capable of moving big men and creating holes for Dalvin Cook to run through. His size and ability put him in position to thrive in the NFL.
Defensive line: Myles Garrett-Cleveland Browns
Myles Garrett was the best player in this class, and he is hungry to prove why. He has the quickness to push lineman back on their heels and the size and hip fluidity to bend the corner to make plays on quarterbacks. Garrett is set to become a franchise cornerstone and he is ready to hit the ground running.
Defensive line: Derek Barnett-Philadelphia Eagles
My bold prediction throughout the draft process was that Derek Barnett will have a better rookie season than Myles Garrett. I stick by that prediction even more now that I know he is on a team where he will thrive. Playing opposite Brandon Graham and accompanied by Fletcher Cox and Timmy Jernigan on the interior, teams will essentially have to pick their poison. With the ample defensive talent that Barnett will be playing with, he can become an elite pass rusher if he takes advantage of an undeserved lack of attention.
Defensive line: Solomon Thomas-San Francisco 49ers
Solomon Thomas is an elite defender who can can play the three technique or the five. New defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, a disciple of the Seahawks Super Bowl team, will look to use Thomas the way Michael Bennett is used. San Francisco has built up their defensive line with Arik Armstead and DeForest Buckner, and Solomon Thomas will be an immediate contributor to their success moving forward.
Defensive line: Malik McDowell-Seattle Seahawks
Malik McDowell is an elite talent, and if serious effort concerns didn’t cause him to fall to the second round, he could have been a top five pick. If McDowell can play to his ability, the Seahawks have added another elite piece to their defense.
Linebacker: Reuben Foster-San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers stuck to building up their defense, and Reuben Foster will be one of the biggest pieces in the future. Character concerns caused him to slide to the end of the first round, but he was far and away the best linebacker in this class. He was a huge presence at Alabama, and he brings an attitude to the 49ers’ defense that will help their unit in the future.
Linebacker: Haason Reddick-Arizona Cardinals
Haason Reddick flew up draft boards after his performance at the Senior Bowl, and for good reason. He showed that he can come off the edge and play as a middle linebacker. Reddick will soon show he can play at this level and he will be a big part of the Cardinals’ defense this season.
Linebacker: Charles Harris-Miami Dolphins
Charles Harris showed his abilities as a pass rusher at Missouri, and his combination of speed and strength will allow him to play at a high level right off the bat. He will benefit from playing outside linebacker in Miami’s 3-4 system, where he can use his athleticism to push linemen back on their heels.
Cornerback: Gareon Conley-Oakland Raiders
The Raiders needed to improve their secondary this offseason and they did so by taking Gareon Conley out of Ohio State. Conley put together an impressive career at Ohio State, and he has good size and length to go against bigger receivers in the NFL. He will make a big difference in Oakland, and will be another critical piece on a defense that is entering elite territory.
Cornerback: Kevin King-Green Bay Packers
Kevin King had a very productive career at Washington where he played for 4 years. There were question marks around his athleticism entering the draft, but he answered those questions at his pro day. At 6’3, he is a big, lengthy corner who can develop into a star. Additionally, it won’t hurt that the NFC North isn’t a division of receivers.
Safety: Malik Hooker-Indianapolis Colts
Coming out of Ohio State, Malik Hooker was one of the best coverage safeties that we’ve seen in quite a while. He has great ball skills and instincts to supplement unbelievable range that will drastically improve the Colts’ secondary.
Safety: Jamal Adams-New York Jets
Like Hooker, Jamal Adams was one of the best safety prospects that’s been seen in a long time. He has coverage ability to succeed in the NFL, but he is at his best in a strong safety role where he can play more in the box. People at LSU rave about his leadership, and he will bring an identity to a Jets’ defense that they haven’t experienced since Rex Ryan (Except that identity won’t be a coach claiming they’ll win the Super Bowl every year).
Kicker: Zane Gonzalez-Cleveland Browns
Not much can be said about a kicker, but Zane Gonzalez was historically accurate at Arizona State, becoming the most prolific kicker in FBS history. He can step in and take over as Cleveland’s kicker.
Punter: Matt Haack-Miami Dolphins
Even less can be said about a punter. Matt Haack has a big leg and can send it deep to pin opponents back in their own territory.
Returner: Jabrill Peppers-Cleveland Browns
At Michigan, Jabrill Peppers was one of the most feared returners in college football. He has elite vision to see lanes open up, and he has the breakaway speed to make it to the end zone when he hits the second level.
