Predicting the Top Impact Rookie for Every NFL Team
Expectations for each team's rookie class are usually out of whack.
Fans become excited for the incoming talent and expect to see each member of the class succeed. This is simply unrealistic.
Certain players succeed, while others fail. Talent only takes athletes so far.
While the first-round picks often carry the heaviest burden, the NFL is littered with former mid- to late-round picks who went on to produce at a high level and become stars.
The right approach and situation are often the telltale signs of a successful professional football player.
In trying to predict the top impact rookie for every team this season, a heavy emphasis was placed on a combination of talent and opportunity. Each team had holes to address during the draft. Teams may preach the concept of taking the best player available, but it's a sliding scale based on team needs.
As such, not every first-round pick should be viewed as an organization's top impact rookie. History shows the failure rate of even top talents in the draft is much higher than teams would like to admit.
We're discussing individuals—talented individuals whose future isn't determined by an arbitrary number set in April or May. The real test comes in the fall when they're in training camp, practice and during games. Talent then rises to the top.
The key is identifying which of these talented prospects will become their team's next impact player. Only 11 first-round selections in this year's NFL draft appear to fit the bill. The rest of the league should find value from other additions made throughout and even after the draft.
Arizona Cardinals: LB Markus Golden
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Despite claiming one of the NFL's most aggressive defenses, the Arizona Cardinals finished 24th in the league last season with only 35 sacks.
Alex Okafor developed into the team's top pass-rusher and led the Cardinals with eight sacks. Okafor needs a true running mate since the Cardinals' base 3-4 scheme requires consistent edge pressure to realize its full potential.
Veteran LaMarr Woodley, who will turn 31 years old in November, isn't the answer. Instead, second-round pick Markus Golden has the best opportunity to become a solid rotational pass-rusher from the start of his career.
The Missouri product produced 20 tackles for loss and 10 sacks last season despite being hampered by a pulled hamstring.
While Golden's athletic testing was poor prior to the draft, his tape tells another story. Once he was fully healthy late in the season, he outplayed teammate Shane Ray for long stretches. Ray was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after the season and later drafted in the first round by the Denver Broncos.
With first-round pick D.J. Humphries competing to start at right tackle with Bobby Massie, it opens the door for Golden to be this year's top rookie in the desert.
Atlanta Falcons: RB Tevin Coleman
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Three years ago, an unknown sixth-round pick became the Washington Redskins' starting running back and a true workhorse for the offense. Alfred Morris carried the ball 335 times for 1,613 yards as a rookie.
Last year, the Cleveland Browns relied heavily on a pair of rookie running backs, former third-round pick Terrance West and undrafted free agent Isaiah Crowell. The duo combined for 1,280 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns.
Offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan was the common denominator in both cases. His zone-stretch running attack is a proven commodity that allows non-heralded backs to produce at a high level.
Shanahan's new project is Tevin Coleman. The Falcons' third-round pick is an ideal fit for the scheme after playing in a zone-heavy system during his time under head coach Kevin Wilson at Indiana University.
Last year, Coleman finished second in major college football with 2,036 rushing yards despite playing through a broken foot during the final seven games of the season.
The running back's blazing speed and familiarity with the blocking scheme should allow him to adjust quickly, add a new dynamic to the Falcons offense and post huge numbers.
Atlanta should also expect big contributions from fellow draftees Vic Beasley, Grady Jarrett and others, but Coleman presents an opportunity to balance the Falcons' explosive offense after two years of dealing with Steven Jackson's declining play.
Baltimore Ravens: TE Maxx Williams
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Health remains a concern at tight end for the Baltimore Ravens.
Dennis Pitta is the veteran starter and a reliable target, but he's dealt with lingering hip issues over the past two seasons.
Crockett Gillmore showed some promise in Pitta's stead last season with strong blocking and 10 receptions for 121 yards, but there is a reason why Baltimore selected the No. 1 tight end in this year's draft class.
The team chose Minnesota's Maxx Williams with the 55th overall pick. The first team All-Big Ten performer was a strong two-way performer as a blocker and, essentially, the only weapon in the Gophers' passing game last season. Williams snagged 36 receptions for 569 yards and eight touchdowns as a junior before declaring as an early entrant to the draft.
The 21-year-old target presents tremendous upside as an underneath target, particularly after the addition of first-round pick Breshad Perriman.
Perriman's 4.2 40-yard-dash speed will help open the field for the entire offense, which creates quite an impact unto itself. But the wide receiver is still a raw target. Concerns over drops and a lack of nuanced route-running prevented him from going higher in the draft than he did.
Williams, meanwhile, will work the middle of the field and likely prove to be Joe Flacco's new security blanket if Pitta doesn't regain his form this fall.
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Buffalo Bills: OG John Miller
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The Buffalo Bills offensive line is an overwhelming mass of humanity, and guard John Miller is its latest addition.
This year's third-round pick already settled into the first-team offense during OTAs and hasn't looked back. The first-year blocker hasn't had any trouble picking up Greg Roman's complicated blocking schemes despite scoring a seven and a 14 (out of 50) on the Wonderlic test, according to the Buffalo News' Tyler Dunne.
“They can measure you by a standardized test, but they can’t measure your football intelligence. It’s totally different going from X’s and O’s to whatever they’re testing," Miller told Dunne.
With Chris Williams still recovering from offseason back surgery, Miller will likely join Cordy Glenn, Richie Incognito, Eric Wood and Cyrus Kouandjio as the team's starting five when the Bills take the field Sept. 13 against the Indianapolis Colts. The group averages nearly 320 pounds.
The Bills didn't have a first-round pick in this year's NFL draft thanks to last year's Sammy Watkins trade, but Miller can follow in the footsteps of highly successful guards like the Dallas Cowboys' Zack Martin, Cleveland Browns' Joel Bitonio and Detroit Lions' Larry Warford as first-year players who solidified their respective offensive lines.
Carolina Panthers: WR Devin Funchess
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When Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton looks to either side of the formation, he'll have a 6'5" security blanket at wide receiver to rely upon once he drops back to pass.
Last year, the Panthers spent a first-round pick on Kelvin Benjamin, who went on to register 73 receptions for 1,008 yards during his rookie campaign.
Benjamin quickly became Newton's favorite target with the team having little else to speak of at wide receiver. So general manager Dave Gettleman decided to trade up in the second round of this year's draft to acquire Michigan's Devin Funchess.
Newton now owns a complete set of twin towers to create mismatches on a consistent basis.
"We're going to be a dynamic duo, two 6'5" guys out there on the outside just making damage and causing havoc on the field," Funchess told the Detroit News' Josh Katzenstein. "You never see that type of duo in the league, two 6'5" guys on the outside that are athletic and that can run and go up and get the ball. Nobody has that wingspan in the league like us, so it's going to be fun during the season."
The size of Carolina's targets, including 6'5" tight end Greg Olsen, isn't a coincidence. It's more than just creating mismatches. Newton can be erratic with his accuracy, and he displayed a tendency to overthrow targets throughout his career. But it's quite difficult to overthrow wide receivers with the size and catch radius of Benjamin and Funchess.
With first-round pick Shaq Thompson in a competition to start at linebacker, Funchess' immediate role in the offense gives him the nod as the team's top rookie this fall.
Chicago Bears: WR Kevin White
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Multiple rookies are expected to contribute at a high level this year for the Chicago Bears.
Second-round pick Eddie Goldman could become the focal point of the 3-4 defense at nose tackle, while third-round pick Hroniss Grasu is the team's center of the future.
But it all begins with this year's seventh overall pick, wide receiver Kevin White.
The West Virginia product exploded onto the scene as a senior and finished his final season in Morgantown with 109 receptions for 1,447 yards and 10 touchdowns.
White immediately enters this season as the Bears No. 2 target opposite Alshon Jeffery. Meanwhile, Jeffery will be asked to be the team's top option after Bears brass decided to trade Brandon Marshall earlier in the offseason.
Whether White can become the same type of presence as Marshall is yet to be seen, but the top-10 pick proved to be one of college football's best at using his body and coming down with difficult catches.
"This guy's dynamic," general manager Ryan Pace said after the draft, per ChicagoFootball.com's Kevin Fishbain. "He's big, he's strong, he's ultra-competitive. If I could stress one word for him, he's 'competitive.' You see it after the catch. You see it in the way he attacks the ball in the air. This is a dynamic playmaker for our offense."
Adam Gase created ways to spread the wealth between wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker during his first year as offensive coordinator with the Denver Broncos. He'll find ways to get the ball into the hands of both Jeffery and White as much as possible.
Cincinnati Bengals: TE Tyler Kroft
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This selection falls on Cincinnati Bengals tight end Tyler Kroft by default.
Cedric Ogbuehi, who was selected with the 21st overall pick in April's draft, is rapidly improving after offseason knee surgery, but he's expected to redshirt during his rookie campaign.
The team's second-round selection, Jake Fisher, is not expected to unseat Andrew Whitworth or Andre Smith as a starting offensive tackle.
The team's later-round picks like Paul Dawson and Josh Shaw are stuck behind solid veterans.
Only Kroft is in position to become part of the regular rotation.
Tyler Eifert is clearly the starting tight end, but he missed all but eight snaps last season because of shoulder and elbow injuries. His health will remain a concern until he proves he can play a full slate as the starter.
Kroft is an insurance policy behind the team's former first-round tight end. The Rutgers product can also contribute in two-tight end sets.
The start of his professional career was a little rocky after dropping multiple passes during OTAs, according to ESPN.com's Coley Harvey, but he can earn his spot on the roster by being an aggressive blocker, which Eifert certainly isn't.
Cleveland Browns: RB Duke Johnson
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Multiple rookies could perform at a high level among the Cleveland Browns' expansive draft class.
Much is expected of nose tackle Danny Shelton, whom the team drafted 12th overall in hopes of improving the abysmal run defense. Fellow first-round pick Cameron Erving will compete to start somewhere along the right side of the offensive line. Even sixth-round pick Malcolm Johnson is expected to start as a hybrid fullback/tight end.
These are three examples, but the team added numerous talent among its 12 selections with the ability to contribute as a rookie.
Running back Duke Johnson can add a completely different dimension to the Browns offense, though.
"The best way I can describe Duke is what Thurman Thomas was for Buffalo," Browns running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery told Mary Kay Cabot of the Northeast Ohio Media Group. "It's going to be all over the field. It's a 'Where's Waldo?' He gives you another dimension. He creates one-on-one problems."
Of course, Montgomery isn't placing Hall of Fame expectations on Johnson. He simply tried to describe how the Browns can use the explosive rookie in their offense.
Thomas wasn't simply the Buffalo Bills' starting running back. During the Bills' heyday, Thomas caught at least 48 passes in six straight seasons.
Johnson is already being used as a receiver in the slot and out wide as the Browns tinker with coordinator John DeFilippo's new offensive system.
One way or another, the Browns will find ways to incorporate Johnson into the offense. With a lackluster group of skill position players, the running back is arguably the team's most dynamic offensive threat.
Dallas Cowboys: OT La'el Collins
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When it comes to impact rookies, undrafted free agents aren't the most likely targets. However, things are a little different in Dallas after the Cowboys signed offensive lineman La'el Collins.
The LSU product was generally viewed as a solid first-round prospect, but he went undrafted because of an extraordinary set of circumstances.
Once Collins was able to sign with a team, organizations flocked to the beefy blocker in attempts to add his prodigious talent to their rosters.
In the end, he chose the Cowboys because it's where he always wanted to play. Plus, he wanted to be a part of the game's best offensive line.
This is the point where Collins' impact can truly be felt. As a legitimate top-20 talent in this year's class, the rookie can help a fantastic offensive line become even better.
At LSU, this versatile blocker played both guard and left tackle. In Dallas, he'll compete with left guard Ronald Leary and veteran right tackle Doug Free for a starting spot. Both of the aforementioned blockers received positive grades from Pro Football Focus last year, which would only speak to Collins' talent if or when he eventually starts a game.
During the last two seasons, center Travis Frederick and right guard Zack Martin played at a very high level during their rookie campaigns. The same should be expected of Collins.
Denver Broncos: LT Ty Sambrailo
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For good or bad, rookie Ty Sambrailo will protect Peyton Manning's blind side this season.
The Denver Broncos received a major blow to their plans when left tackle Ryan Clady suffered a torn ACL during OTAs.
Sambrailo's learning curve was suddenly expedited once he was thrust into the starting mix.
"[Sambrailo's] had no problem mentally," Broncos head coach Gary Kubiak said in June, per MileHighReport.com's Christopher Hart. "Physically, it's just going to be a continuous deal. He's a worker. I think the players respect how he's going about his business. Like I said, he's got to do it really fast."
This won't be the first time Manning and the Broncos will deal with adversity at left tackle. During the 2013 season, Clady landed on injured reserve with a Lisfranc injury. Chris Clark had his ups and down when he replaced Clady at the time. The veteran won't switch sides this time. Instead, he will stay at right tackle.
As a result, Sambrailo will receive a baptism by fire from the league's best pass-rushers. He'll face one of them every day in practice.
"When you're playing that left tackle, you've got to let guys know that you're that cornerstone of the offense," DeMarcus Ware told DenverBroncos.com's Andrew Mason. "That's what he's doing. He's doing a great job."
Detroit Lions: OG Laken Tomlinson
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A team doesn't select a guard in the first round to sit on the bench.
While recent history proved to be a mixed bag as it pertains to interior blockers selected in the opening frame of the NFL draft, guard is still one of the few positions where a rookie is expected to start from day one.
The position doesn't hold a high value around the league, and it takes a special talent to warrant first-round consideration.
Laken Tomlinson's selection with the 28th overall pick came as a bit of a surprise. It really shouldn't have, though.
As a 6'3", 323-pound blocker for an overshadowed Duke football team, Tomlinson still won the Anthony J. McKevlin Award as the ACC Male Athlete of the Year.
Think about that for a second: Not only did the league recognize him among all of his football peers, but he won the award after Duke's basketball team with a dominant Jahlil Okafor, who the Philadelphia 76ers selected third overall in June, won a national championship.
This is the level of talent the All-American brings to the Lions.
Tomlinson will be expected to play at a level similar to Larry Warford, who dominated as a rookie during the 2013 campaign. The duo will form a fearsome interior along the Lions offensive line with center Manny Ramirez sandwiched in the middle.
Detroit is now bigger and far more physical along its front five.
Green Bay Packers: S Damarious Randall
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Green Bay Packers general manager Ted Thompson has done such a terrific job in the draft over the last few years that the team didn't enter this year's draft with any massive holes to fill.
The re-signings of Randall Cobb and Bryan Bulaga were big reasons why Green Bay didn't have to fill any needs at certain points during the draft.
The secondary, though, took a hit after Tramon Williams and Davon House left via free agency. Sam Shields and Casey Hayward, however, are expected to rise to the occasion.
Shields is a longtime starter, but Hayward will expand his role to start at outside cornerback after years of playing over the slot.
What the Packers severely lacked was depth along the secondary. As such, the team spent two its first two selections on defensive backs, Damarious Randall and Quinten Rollins.
Of the two, Randall is considered the more versatile defender. The collegiate safety will make the switch to cornerback and compete with Hayward for the starting spot. Hayward missed the entirety of offseason practice with a lingering foot injury.
If Hayward can't stay healthy, Randall will likely find himself in the starting lineup. If he does, he can contribute as a nickel corner and third safety and on special teams.
Houston Texans: WR Jaelen Strong
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Prior to the draft, wide receiver Jaelen Strong was considered a late first- to early second-round prospect. Instead, he slid to the 70th pick in the third round when the Houston Texans decided to trade up and acquire his services.
With the organization's all-time leading receiver, Andre Johnson, now with the rival Indianapolis Colts, the Texans have a massive hole to fill at wide receiver.
DeAndre Hopkins will slide into the No. 1 role after his breakout sophomore campaign when he accounted for 1,210 receiving yards. The other starting spot remains unsettled.
The team signed veteran Nate Washington as a free agent, and he's a calming presence opposite Hopkins. A year ago, the 31-year-old wide receiver's production started to decline, though. Washington finished third on the Tennessee Titans with 40 catches for 647 yards.
As Washington nears his 32nd birthday, Strong should be able to show how potent he can make the Texans offense during training camp. The rookie missed most of OTAs and minicamp because of an injured hamstring.
Strong is a physical target with reliable hands. He was as good as any other wide receiver in this year's class at making contested catches. With Hopkins being an explosive vertical threat on the opposite side of the field, Strong should eventually prove to be the perfect complement in the team's offensive scheme.
Indianapolis Colts: S Clayton Geathers
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Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson covered all of his bases prior to the NFL draft. He addressed running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line, linebacker and safety before a single rookie was added to the equation.
As a result, this year's entire rookie class will have a difficult time cracking the lineup.
Those young players who prove to be the most versatile will garner the most playing time. The Colts' fourth-round pick, safety Clayton Geathers, is a perfect example.
“He’s going to be one of those guys that in today’s football you can play inside as a dime (linebacker) and get faster, get more speed on the field and matchup with the tight ends that we’ve got to cover now, the backs out of the backfield and things like that,” head coach Chuck Pagano told ESPN.com's Mike Wells. “He’s going to contribute, not only on defense, but he should be an outstanding special teamer as well.”
With the ability to immediately play in defensive sub-packages and special teams, Geathers should be on the field often.
The difference between Geathers and the team's other rookies is his ability to potentially start at the onset of his career. The safety received a few first-team repetitions during OTAs.
“He’s further ahead,” Pagano said at the time, per Wells. “He’s kind of exceeded our expectations to this point.”
It's unlikely Phillip Dorsett will work his way into a starting role this year with Andre Johnson, T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief ahead of him. D'Joun Smith must find his place in the cornerback rotation. Henry Anderson is stuck behind Kendall Langford and Arthur Jones.
Geathers, meanwhile, could win a starting spot outright from Dwight Lowery. If not, he will still be a big part of the team's plans this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars: RB T.J. Yeldon
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A year ago, Toby Gerhart signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars to become a feature back for the first time in his career. He never developed into the team's workhorse, though, and lost the starting spot after being injured. Even when he was on the field, the Stanford product averaged a woeful 3.2 yards per carry.
Clearly, Gerhart's acquisition can be viewed as a major free-agent bust. Thus, the team needed to add a legit starting running back in this year's draft. The answer came in the form of second-round pick T.J. Yeldon.
"[Yeldon] has a legitimate every-down back skill set with exceptionally quick feet, pro-ready blocking and receiving ability, and a consistent propensity for maximizing runs," Rotoworld.com's Evan Silva wrote.
Former quarterback Denard Robinson played well at running back after he took over for Gerhart, but his ability to withstand an NFL pounding is in question due to his sub-200-pound frame. Robinson finished last season on injured reserve after spraining his foot during a Week 14 contest against the Houston Texans.
Yeldon's combination of size, shiftiness and ability to contribute on third down makes him a superior option at running back compared to others already on the Jaguars roster prior to the draft.
With improved play from quarterback Blake Bortles and the team's offensive line, Yeldon should push for a 1,000-yard campaign this fall.
Kansas City Chiefs: WR Chris Conley
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The Kansas City Chiefs desperately needed an overhaul at the wide receiver position this offseason after last year's group couldn't even manage a single touchdown reception.
Dwyane Bowe and Donnie Avery are gone. Insert Jeremy Maclin and third-round pick Chris Conley.
Maclin signed a five-year, $55 million contract during free agency, and he'll serve as the Chiefs' go-to target. Conley, meanwhile, presents an intriguing combination of size and speed.
The 6'2", 213-pound Conley is freakishly athletic. His combine performance with a 4.35-second 40-yard dash, 45-inch vertical jump and 11'7" broad jump blew away the wide receiver competition.
What's often overlooked about him, though, is he led a run-dominated Georgia offense in receiving yardage each of the last two years.
With Conley in the lineup, the Chiefs can use Albert Wilson as an outside or slot receiver, which creates more flexibility within the offense.
The rookie is a tremendous vertical threat to decompress the Chiefs' West Coast passing attack. The organization is also interested in his ability to create on special teams. Conley will have every opportunity to win the kick returner job.
"He reminds me of Jacoby Jones after he catches it as a [kickoff] returner," special teams coordinator Dave Toub told ESPN.com's Adam Teicher. “He’s got real good timing on his catch. He catches it coming forward. He’s so fast and he’s big and he hits it [up the field]. That’s exactly what we look for as far as a kickoff returner."
As a returner and deep threat, Conley should drastically help the methodical Chiefs.
Miami Dolphins: OG Jamil Douglas
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As odd as this sounds, the Miami Dolphins haven't been right at guard since Richie Incognito's departure. The position remains a gigantic question mark to this day.
Daryn Colledge, Shelley Smith and Dallas Thomas all disappointed with their play last season. Neither Colledge nor Smith is still with the team, while Thomas is hanging on to keep to his starting spot.
Overall, the Dolphins have an intriguing draft class with multiple rookies who can exceed expectations this season, but fourth-round pick Jamil Douglas may be the most important if he can secure a starting position.
"It's not going to come easy—I have to put the work in—but if I have a good preseason and a good fall camp, I definitely think I can win the starting job," Douglas told AZCentral.com's Doug Haller. "It's just going to take some time."
Douglas already impressed during OTAs and minicamp, but his overall play was inconsistent. The Dolphins desperately need him to help solidify an offensive line that allowed Ryan Tannehill to become the league's most sacked quarterback over the last three seasons.
The competition to start at guard between Douglas, Thomas, Billy Turner and Jeff Linkenbach will continue throughout training camp.
All of this will be moot if the Dolphins eventually sign Evan Mathis to bolster their offensive line.
Minnesota Vikings: LB Eric Kendricks
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While the addition of cornerback Trae Waynes with the 11th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft must be an exciting proposition for the Minnesota Vikings, the team's draft will hinge on the success of second-round pick Eric Kendricks.
The UCLA product should step in from day one and become a leader of the defense as its starter at middle linebacker.
As the team completed minicamp, Kendricks already received first-team repetitions.
"He's further ahead than most rookies, I would say," head coach Mike Zimmer said after OTAs, per ESPN.com's Ben Goessling.
Kendricks was a three-year starter for the Bruins and became the school's all-time leading tackler. His career culminated when he won the Butkus Award as the nation's best linebacker.
Despite his small stature (6'0" and 232 pounds), Kendricks' natural instincts at the position can't be denied.
"I think you take a guy who usually gets to the ball the way he does—he's always been a ball hawk, even in college—it's kind of carried over," defensive coordinator George Edwards told Goessling. "I mean, he gets his hands on the ball a lot and gets in a good football position and understands how to get good angles."
The Vikings will likely receive contributions from multiple rookies in this year's draft class, but Kendricks has the potential to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year as a productive middle linebacker for a franchise on the upswing.
New England Patriots: DT Malcom Brown
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Once defensive tackle Malcom Brown started to slide into the late portions of the first round, the New England Patriots uncharacteristically decided not to trade out of the initial frame. Instead, the reigning Super Bowl champions chose to stand pat and select Brown once he fell to them with the 32nd overall pick.
The move was necessitated by the loss of veteran stalwart Vince Wilfork in free agency. Wilfork and the Patriots parted ways this offseason after 11 seasons.
Even with Wilfork in the lineup, the Patriots struggled to stop the run during the playoffs. New England finished 10th out of 12 playoff teams when it surrendered 127 yards per game on the ground during the postseason.
Brown can't truly replace Wilfork, because they're different types of players. But the Texas product presents versatility and disruptive ability within the Patriots defense.
At 320 pounds, the defensive lineman can play defensive tackle in a base 4-3 front and defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. He owns a quick first step and polished technique, which makes him difficult to block at the point of attack.
The Patriots' first-round pick isn't a traditional space-eater, but his ability to be a force against the run and pass makes him a candidate to immediately start over Sealver Siliga, Alan Branch and Dominique Easley.
New England's defense had multiple holes to fill in the secondary this offseason, but it all starts up front.
New Orleans Saints: LB Hau'oli Kikaha
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Prior to this year's NFL draft, Hau'oli Kikaha told Bleacher Report, "I'm rushing the quarterback wherever you put me. I know that."
The Washington product is quickly learning that playing in the NFL is about more than just getting to the quarterback.
“It’s half and half,” Kikaha told the New Orleans Advocate's Joel A. Erickson. “So a lot more coverage responsibility, but same deal. Sit on the edge and rush the passer.”
Kikaha's ability to sack the quarterback convinced the New Orleans Saints to draft him in the second round, though. His 19 sacks last season, which led college football, were the most by an FBS pass-rusher since Elvis Dumervil registered 20 sacks during his final season at the University of Louisville in 2005.
As Junior Galette deals with a lingering pectoral injury, Kikaha will likely see more repetitions with the first-team defense during training camp.
"I love the quickness, the passion, the way he plays the game," defensive coordinator Rob Ryan said in June, per ESPN.com's Mike Triplett. "He's really done a great job working with [linebackers coach Joe Vitt] on getting his zone drops, something that he hasn't had a lot of experience doing. And he's come a long way in just the few days that we've had him. He's an athlete and he can run, so we're real excited about him."
Even before Galette's injury, the Saints needed a legitimate bookend at outside linebacker to pressure the quarterback. New Orleans finished 25th overall with 34 sacks last season. Parys Haralson will likely start ahead of Kikaha, but the second-round draft pick's ability to get after the passer will be a boon to the Saints defense throughout the season.
New York Giants: S Landon Collins
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Landon Collins was generally considered the No. 1 safety prospect in this year's draft class. Yet, the Alabama product technically wasn't the first safety selected. In fact, he slid out of the first round altogether.
Collins fell because in-the-box safeties aren't viewed in the same way as they once were around the league.
The New York Giants still value the position, though, and traded up to acquire the safety with the first pick of the second round.
“It bothers me, because I know that I’m not a box safety," Collins told the MMQB.com's Jenny Vrentas a couple of weeks after the draft. "I can play in the box, but I’m not a box safety."
The Giants defense already benefited from Collins' addition since the safety took on a leadership role during minicamp.
"Collins has done a good job, gotten better, really doing a good job of starting to direct back there," Giants head coach Tom Coughlin said, per NJ.com's Nick Powell. "The coaches are excited about him going forward."
New York's top two picks should have a profound effect on the team's progress this season.
Ereck Flowers was selected ninth overall, and the offense could sink or swim based on his performance at left tackle while filling in for an injured Will Beatty. Flowers might not be ready for such a responsibility, but Collins appears to be more than ready to take on a big role within the defense.
New York Jets: DE Leonard Williams
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When the New York Jets selected Leonard Williams with the sixth overall pick, it was a clear case of best player available since the USC product was generally considered the No. 1 overall prospect in the class but there wasn't a clear path for him to start as a rookie.
After all, the Jets were already loaded at defensive end with Muhammad Wilkerson and Sheldon Richardson on the roster.
Fast forward two months, and Williams' role already changed because of NFL policy. Richardson failed the league's substance-abuse policy, which resulted in a suspension for the first four games of the 2015 season.
The Jets won't have to find ways to get the talented rookie defender on the field at the beginning of the season. He's now slated to start.
Williams appears ready for the challenge, too.
"He doesn't carry himself like a young 20-year-old," Jets head coach Todd Bowles told NJ.com's Dom Consentino. "He's got years beyond his age and the way he comes in and walks into it, treating it professionally."
Unlike other rookies, there hasn't been much of a learning curve for the highly touted defensive lineman.
"Sometimes you'll get rookies that just run around and don't know where to go; this guy is always where he needs to be," Bowles said.
Where Williams needs to be is at defensive end filling in for the suspended Richardson to open the season. Once the Pro Bowl defensive end returns to the lineup, Williams' role will diminish, but the rookie is primed to make an impact early in his career because of extenuating circumstances.
Oakland Raiders: WR Amari Cooper
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Amari Cooper may not have been the first overall selection in this year's draft, but there might not be another rookie in the league with more expectations placed upon him this season.
Everything said about the wide receiver since the Oakland Raiders selected him fourth overall has been positive.
All quarterback Derek Carr needed to see was one workout to determine Cooper is a star in the making. Carr's father, Rodger, relayed the story to the San Francisco Chronicle's Vic Tafur.
"'This guy is legit, Dad,' he told me. 'He makes breaks out of breaks at full speed.' And there was one play where Derek thought he overthrew him by 10 yards down the sideline, and Amari hit the nitrous button. And the whole place went nuts."
While Carr raved above Cooper's speed, the wide receiver's polish as a route-runner is generally considered his greatest asset.
During his final season at Alabama, the Miami native set multiple school records with 124 receptions for 1,727 yards and 16 touchdowns.
With Cooper on the roster, the Raiders now have a legit No. 1 receiver, which will only help Carr's growth as the starting quarterback.
“There was one ball that I put on this side of his facemask instead of his front and led him," Carr told ESPN.com's Bill Williamson. "It would have been a big play and that’s just the stuff of us getting out timing down, but it made me see like, wow, he can really get in there. I can just let it go. It’s nice."
As good as third-round pick Clive Walford could potentially be at tight end for the Raiders, this year's draft is clearly all about Cooper and what he does for the offense.
Philadelphia Eagles: WR Nelson Agholor
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The Philadelphia Eagles' leading receiver, whether it was DeSean Jackson or Jeremy Maclin, posted nearly identical numbers over the past two years.
Head coach Chip Kelly then released Jackson and let Maclin walk via free agency.
To counter their departures, the Eagles selected Nelson Agholor with the 20th pick in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft.
Agholor is built similarly to the aforementioned receivers and appears to be an ideal fit in Kelly's system. Because of the rookie's preparedness and natural ability to create after the catch, Agholor may be poised for a monster season.
"He is the type that takes in the knowledge that he's given and really applies it," Eagles cornerback Walter Thurmond told Bleacher Report. "He has tremendous athletic ability. He could have a year like Odell (Beckham Jr.) did last season."
As a member of the New York Giants last season, Thurmond saw exactly what went into Beckham's Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign.
Despite Thurmond's praise, it's hard to imagine Agholor matching Beckham's 1,305-yard season, especially with Jordan Matthews on the rise as the Eagles' potential No. 1 target.
However, Agholor will be a big part of Kelly's offense this season and one of the team's primary options.
Pittsburgh Steelers: CB Senquez Golson
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The overhaul of the vaunted Pittsburgh Steelers defense will begin this year—at least a year later than it should have happened.
Troy Polamalu and Ike Taylor retired, and the team released Brett Keisel after years of service. The defense relied far too heavily on them during the twilight of their careers. It's now time to find replacements.
Pittsburgh's secondary proved to be particularly weak and finished 27th against the pass last season.
The Steelers targeted playmaking defensive backs during the draft starting with Senquez Golson, whom the team selected in the second round. Last year at Ole Miss, he finished second at the FBS level with 10 interceptions. The cornerback also led the Rebels with eight pass breakups.
His ball skills help overcome his lack of size at 5'9" and 176 pounds. Golson is an all-around athlete—the Boston Red Sox selected him in the MLB draft—and won't back down from anyone.
"Smooth guy, doesn’t really say too much," Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown told ESPN.com's Jeremy Fowler. "Seems like he’s focusing on his business. I’m liking what I’m seeing from him."
It's a difficult proposition for any cornerback, let alone a rookie, to cover the league's leading receiver every day in practice. Golson continually refused to back down during OTAs and minicamp.
“Quick, competitive, hungry—he’s always a great challenge to go against him because he’s not going to quit,” Brown said. “Kill him on the route, he’s going to come back and try to swat the ball out of there, always fighting to the finish.”
Golson might not claim first-round physical traits, but he's exactly what the Steelers need for their ailing defense.
San Diego Chargers: RB Melvin Gordon
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The San Diego Chargers traded up in the first round of the 2015 NFL draft to select running back Melvin Gordon for one purpose: to feature him as the offense's new workhorse back.
It won't be an easy transition for the former 2,500-yard rusher, though.
"I kind of realized that now, you won’t be able to outmuscle guys, you won’t be the fastest guy out there, you won’t be the strongest guy out there so to get to you on top of your game you got to know what you’re doing and you got to know what everyone else is doing," Gordon said on The Jim Rome Show.
Even though San Diego drafted Gordon with every intention of making him its feature back, the rookie will receive help throughout the process from Danny Woodhead, Branden Oliver and Donald Brown.
The Wisconsin product doesn't need to post 100-yard games from the onset of his career, but the Chargers certainly won't complain if he does. He simply needs to provide consistency in the backfield and the threat of big-play ability.
The biggest concern with the rookie at this point isn't his ability to run the football; it's his confidence in pass protection.
If Gordon quickly acclimates to the Chargers' passing attack, the running back's role will continue to increase, and San Diego will have a legit three-down back on the roster to replace Ryan Mathews, who left to sign with the Philadelphia Eagles during free agency.
There is a lot of pressure for Gordon to perform early in his career, but he should be up to the task.
San Francisco 49ers: WR DeAndrew White
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Earlier, La'el Collins was listed as the Dallas Cowboys' impact rookie despite being an undrafted free agent. Collins, though, suffered through the extenuating circumstances that caused him from dropping out of the draft entirely.
The same can't be said for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver DeAndrew White, but he's on the list, too.
It's a testament to how well he performed during his initial practices with the team. Joe Fann of 49ers.com even listed White as the team's top rookie performer after minicamp. Fann included all rookies and not just undrafted first-year players.
While the hype builds around White, and his placement as an impact rookie may be viewed as a stretch at this point in the process, the 49ers wide receiver corps isn't completely settled, and this year's draft class wasn't comprised of instant-impact performers.
White can compete with the likes of Quinton Patton, Bruce Ellington and Jerome Simpson to be the third or fourth receiver on the roster. Meanwhile, the 49ers' early-round picks—Arik Armstead, Jaquiski Tartt and Eli Harold—aren't guaranteed to be immediate starters.
In fact, punter Bradley Pinion (selected in the fifth round) may be the only opening-day "starter" among this year's class.
White was held back at Alabama because of injuries and playing opposite elite talent. As a result, he was overlooked throughout the draft process.
“The NFL is not for everybody, but I feel like I’m at home; I feel like I belong here," White told 49ers.com's Tyler Emerick. "I know I’m going to succeed. This is just the beginning.”
Seattle Seahawks: WR Tyler Lockett
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Tight end Jimmy Graham will be the focal point of the Seattle Seahawks passing offense this fall, but the wide receiver corps should be vastly improved as well.
Everyone saw the emergence of Chris Matthews during Super Bowl XLIX. Last year's second-round pick, Paul Richardson, enters his second year and may be ready for the start of the season after suffering a torn ACL in the playoff contest against the Carolina Panthers. And the Percy Harvin trade proved to be addition by subtraction.
Tyler Lockett's selection in the third round of this year's class solves multiple problems among the unit. First, he can fill in for Richardson if the rising sophomore isn't ready for the start of the season. Second, Lockett is talented enough to do some of the things in Seattle's offense originally planned for Harvin.
The Kansas State product left the program as its all-time leading receiver. At 5'10" and 182 pounds, Lockett can play outside or slot receiver. His ability to create separation was among the best in this year's class. Plus, he's a dynamic return man.
Even if nothing materializes on the offensive side of the ball, Lockett will be a weapon on special teams. Seahawks special teams coach Brian Schneider is already impressed with his performance.
"Excellent, more than I expected in terms of him being able to track the ball and field the ball," Schneider told ESPN.com's Terry Blount. "His work ethic is unbelievable. So he’s everything you’re looking for and we’re just excited to see him go."
Head coach Pete Carroll even identified Lockett as one of the team's standouts during OTAs and minicamp.
"We’ve just thrown everything at him because he seems to be able to handle it," Carroll told Blount. "He studies really hard. You don’t really know until you get these guys how dedicated they will be, but he’s been an exciting addition to the team."
St. Louis Rams: OG Jamon Brown
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A team doesn't select a running back among the top 10 picks of the NFL draft—like the St. Louis Rams did when they chose Todd Gurley—without every intention of building its offense around the talented ball-carrier.
Gurley, however, is still recovering from a knee injury, so his talent isn't expected to be on display at the onset of the season.
St. Louis' revamped offensive line will be ready to roll, though. In fact, rookies will be manning both of the starting positions on the Rams' right side.
Jamon Brown is projected to start at right guard, while Rob Havenstein will take over at right tackle. Either of them could have earned the nod as the team's projected impact rookie, but Brown edges past Havenstein because of his higher ceiling.
Havenstein is an athletically limited right tackle who just gets the job done. Brown, on the other hand, has plenty of upside as he makes the transition from collegiate tackle to guard.
"I was with [Rams head coach] Jeff Fisher last night, and the Rams are really excited about OL Jamon Brown; they think the third-rounder has Pro Bowl potential," NFL.com's Gil Brandt tweeted.
The duo will form a massive right side capable of opening running lanes for whichever running back lines up behind or next to quarterback Nick Foles.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: QB Jameis Winston
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The legend of Jameis Winston continues to grow on a daily basis.
After becoming the No. 1 overall pick, the Florida State product met every early expectation and exceeded them.
Buccaneers tight end Luke Stocker described to PewterReport.com's Scott Reynolds what separates Winston from his fellow rookies:
"He’s extremely talented. No need to say it. Everyone knows that. What is impressive is the speed that Jameis has picked everything up – from the huddle to the cadence to the checks to the audibles. He’s picked everything up so fast. It’s not only everything he can mentally retain, but it’s also the hours he’s spent away from here in his playbook. We only get so many hours with the coaches here, but it’s the hours he puts in outside of the assigned time so he can come out here to practice and we don’t miss a beat. It’s impressive and really encouraging.
"
Winston's preparation will only accentuate his natural ability as a passer. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner threw with tremendous anticipation during his time at Florida State, but he forced multiple passes that resulted in interceptions.
"He gives you the spectacular, but he also gives you the rookie," former Buccaneers cornerback and television analyst Ronde Barber told CBS Sports Radio, via JoeBucsFan.com. "But what I will say about [Jameis] is he plays with zero fear. He’ll let go of any ball. He has that confidence."
With Mike Evans, Vincent Jackson and Austin Seferian-Jenkins at the skill positions, Winston has the potential to challenge Andrew Luck's rookie passing record so long as the Buccaneers offensive line holds up throughout the season.
Tennessee Titans: QB Marcus Mariota
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Questions continue to linger about Marcus Mariota's ability to digest and perform within a pro-style offense. If the early returns are any indication, he'll be just fine.
"He's probably further along at this point than we thought he would be, maybe," Tennessee Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt told ESPN's John Clayton.
This a positive sign for the Titans after they decide to invest the second overall pick in the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.
The initial narrative written about Mariota was he would require time to adjust to the NFL after playing in Oregon's spread offense. What was overlooked throughout the process was his ability to quickly digest information.
Plus, his natural ability as a passer was often undercut during evaluation process because of the Ducks' passer-friendly offense. Mariota's new teammates quickly realized how talented he is once he took over the offense.
Wide receiver Harry Douglas described Mariota as having "unbelievable accuracy", per ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky.
The Titans draft class should provide multiple impact rookies. Second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham has the potential to develop into a dominant wide receiver. Jeremiah Poutasi could be a day-one starter along the offensive line. David Cobb and Jalston Fowler could develop into the Titans' starting backfield by the end of the season.
Mariota, however, is the face of the franchise. The team's overall success will depend on how he transitions to the NFL once games start. As of right now, Titans fans shouldn't be too worried about how their new quarterback will respond.
Washington Redskins: OT Brandon Scherff
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The Washington Redskins made a statement when they selected offensive lineman Brandon Scherff with the fifth pick in the 2015 NFL draft.
It was a surprise move but one that sent a message. The message was simple: Washington will no longer be pushed around by other teams. The Redskins are going to be bigger and more physical in the trenches.
"Just get back to the old days—the ground-and-pound football, which will open up the passing lanes," Scherff told USA Today's Jim Corbett. "I think that's what they want to start doing, and that's what we will start doing from Day 1."
Scherff, the reigning Outland Trophy winner, is already slated to start at right tackle over Morgan Moses and Tom Compton, and he may not be the only rookie starter along the offensive line. The team also spent draft picks on guard Arie Kouandjio and center Austin Reiter.
The foundation is being built under the direction of new offensive line coach Bill Callahan to allow quarterback Robert Griffin III to finally sink or swim based on his own merit.
With Trent Williams and Scherff as the bookend offensive tackles, the Redskins now own one of the NFL's nastiest and most athletic duos.
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