10 Rookies Changing Positions Who Can Have Biggest Impact on 2024 NFL Season
L'Jarius Sneed's trade to the Tennessee Titans in March proved to be one of the NFL's biggest offseason moves.
The 27-year-old developed into a sticky cover corner as CB1 on a back-to-back Super Bowl-winning squad. Did you know that he played safety during his final season at Louisiana Tech?
The Kansas Chiefs chose Sneed in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL draft and immediately converted him back to corner, where he began his collegiate career. The move proved to be highly beneficial for both parties.
Other organizations will make comparable transitions after this year's draft in hopes of similar results. Some will work; others will not. But multiple highly regarded prospects already began the switch to a new spot after being drafted less than three weeks ago.
Unsurprisingly, this year's group of nomads run heavy on the offensive line with this year's class considered to be the deepest group of blockers in recent memory.
Each of the following 10 players fully expected to make switches for their new squads, which could have significant ripple effects throughout their respective rosters.
LT JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
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The transition from right to left tackle (or vice versa) is never automatic. Some believe the transition can be done smoothly, but it depends on the individual involved. Years of muscle memory from one dominant side is then flipped.
Last year, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' Tristan Wirfs made the successful move from the strong to the blind side and went to his third straight Pro Bowl as a result.
Conversely, Jedrick Wills Jr., who was drafted ahead of Wirfs in the 2020 class by the Cleveland Browns, did the same at the onset of his professional career and it's been a rocky road since.
Bill Callahan served as the Browns' offensive line coach during Wills' first four seasons. He's now taking on a similar project in JC Latham as part of the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans chose the Alabama product with this year's seventh overall pick intending to convert the 6'6", 342-pound blocker from right to left tackle.
Callahan has no doubt the rookie can handle his new spot:
"Number one, his athleticism, and then of course, all the measurable traits that he has, and then when you add in size, power, strength and it adds up to making that move. So I think if you have the athleticism and you have strength, and you add the muscle memory to change some skillsets, it's doable."
Tennessee has made huge moves this offseason. It completed the aforementioned deal for Sneed, and wide receiver Calvin Ridley signed a massive free-agent deal. Running back Tony Pollard has joined sophomore quarterback Will Levis in the backfield.
If Latham can hold down a premium position, which should significantly improve the league's worst offensive line from a year ago, the Titans can be competitive again.
RT Troy Fautanu, Pittsburgh Steelers
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The Pittsburgh Steelers weren't shy about their approach in this year's draft when the team chose three offensive linemen, with two coming in the opening two rounds.
"We just wanna roll people, man, to be honest with you guys," head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters when asked about the team's initial draft selections. "We have some backs that we like. We have a good offensive line. We took Broderick Jones a year ago. This draft pool or class we thought was really loaded with some top-end offensive line talent and we just wanted to draw from that well."
Interestingly, the organization is dead set on moving Jones back to left tackle—his collegiate spot—after a strong rookie campaign on the right side.
Thus, the Pittsburgh Steelers' first-round selection, Troy Fautanu, is already taking reps at right tackle after being a two-year starter at left tackle and having not played on the strong side for the Washington Huskies.
"For me, regardless of if the quarterback can see my rusher or not, I've got to block the guy," Fautanu said during rookie minicamp. "That's my mindset, whether or not I'm on the back side or the front side.
"I'm very confident in my ability. Whatever play is called, I'll try to do my best and execute my job."
To be fair, Fautanu did play right tackle in high school. It won't be totally unfamiliar, but the move will take some time for both offensive tackles as they reacclimate to old positions. Once they do, Pittsburgh has the potential to be dominant in the trenches again.
C Graham Barton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Ryan Jensen had been the NFL's most physical, tone-setting center. Unfortunately, a knee injury that he suffered in 2022 eventually ended his career, with the 32-year-old announcing his retirement earlier this year.
The former Tampa Bay Buccaneers player's experience and aggressiveness can't be outright replaced. Instead, they decided to invest this year's 26th overall pick in Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton, who brings high-level intelligence and athleticism to the team's offensive interior.
"We'll definitely start him off at center and see how he handles everything," offensive coordinator Liam Coen told reporters. "There's a lot of communication and things that can occur with the quarterback and the rest of the unit. We'll see how that communication goes, but we feel confident he'll be able to do some of those things. But if not, hey, we'll slide him over to guard and give him a shot there as well."
Barton ultimately starting at center or guard has yet to be decided, but he's the clear favorite to take over snapping duties.
Either way, the rookie will be transitioning from left tackle, where he started the last three seasons. As a freshman, he did play over the ball before bumping over to offensive tackle.
The Bucs won the NFC South last season and advanced to the divisional round in the postseason. They did so with a soft offensive interior and no semblance of an effective run game.
Fortifications along the middle of the O-line should go a long way to build upon last season's success.
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LT Tyler Guyton, Dallas Cowboys
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Maybe the biggest question surrounding the Dallas Cowboys offense this offseason was what the team planned to do with Tyler Smith.
The 23-year-old developed into a second-team All-Pro at guard this past season, but the organization was ready to move on from long-time left tackle Tyron Smith.
The guard could have bumped back out to left tackle, where he previously played, or Dallas could invest in a new blindside protector. Owner Jerry Jones chose the latter option.
After trading down in the first round, the Cowboys selected Tyler Guyton with the 29th overall pick. He played right tackle predominantly for Oklahoma over the last two seasons, though he'll make the switch to the left side as a pro.
The 22-year-old prospect was one of the better movers among this year's offensive-line class and a move never seemed like a huge obstacle.
"I've been playing left tackle since I've gotten into college," Guyton said, per Nick Harris of the Cowboys official site. "I actually feel like I'm better at left tackle and I'm more comfortable over there anyway. The switch should be pretty easy."
While supposedly easy, the rookie conceded he needs further reps.
"Just refining my technique, repetition over and over," he said. "Working on it so much that you can't get it wrong. It's just switching your footwork, your hands and your technique, and also fitting the plays in the run."
Interestingly, Guyton won't be the only Cowboys rookie making a switch. The team's third-round selection, Cooper Beebe, will get a look at center to replace Tyler Biadasz after starting the last 27 games at left guard for the Kansas State Wildcats.
"It's new for both of us," Guyton said. "We were pretty cool before this, but now we're together. We're pretty tight, going over plays together, doing whatever we can."
S Cooper DeJean, Philadelphia Eagles
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Throughout the latest NFL draft process, questions persisted about whether Cooper DeJean would be a cornerback or safety.
The unanimous All-American showed he can play both spots in college with Iowa, though he predominantly lined up as an outside corner with the athletic profile to stay there.
In fact, 78 percent of his collegiate snaps occurred as a traditional cornerback, according to Pro Football Network's Anthony DiBona.
Where a prospect lands ultimately determines their fate, and the Philadelphia Eagles chose DeJean in this year's second round.
Philadelphia already had cornerbacks Darius Slay, James Bradberry, Avonte Maddox, Kelee Ringo and Zech McPhearson on the roster before it chose the class' top cornerback prospect, Quinyon Mitchell, in the first round.
Considering the depth now found in the Eagles' secondary, DeJean can be expected to take on a hybrid role.
"Vic Fangio will use him (DeJean) as a safety, as a big nickel type," an anonymous executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "You can look at him like Eddie Jackson, who Chicago took when Vic was there (fourth round in 2017). He was a corner they saw as a safety. Cooper might also have some Minkah Fitzpatrick-type traits. He has to be in a system that has multiplicity to maximize him."
Initially, the Eagles are easing DeJean into the defense and allowing him to learn multiple roles.
"I really talked all three positions with them, how I worked mostly the nickel and corner position at rookie minicamp," DeJean told the Up & Adams Show Thursday (h/t CBS Sports' Jeff Kerr. "But there's been talks about safety during the pre-draft (process), and returning as well."
Basically, DeJean will be all over the field for what should be a much-improved Eagles secondary that finished 31st overall in pass defense last season.
OG Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders
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New Las Vegas Raiders offensive lineman Jackson Powers-Johnson is one of the most entertaining prospects to enter the NFL in some time.
The Oregon product is affable and funny off the field, yet nasty and powerful on the gridiron.
"I love physicality, I love violence," he told reporters during his first professional minicamp. "I think that's how the sport should be played. Putting on just the helmet and getting going, it's exciting."
Powers-Johnson started only one season at the collegiate level, but his performance was a dominant one and he captured the Rimington Trophy as the nation's best center.
The 328-pound blocker is rugged and has the strength to displace defensive lineman. He'll now use his size and talents at guard for the Raiders.
"Felt great," Powers-Johnson said of the move. "I haven't played left guard in a bit, but it's a new challenge, and it's exciting.
"When you get to step out of your comfort zone or do something you haven't done as much, that's fun for me. That's what football's all about. That's what life is all about. ... Yeah, it's been pretty seamless, but there's stuff I need to work on, and that's really exciting to me."
The Raiders feature, arguably, the league's worst quarterback situation. To offset those potential limitations, head coach Antonio Pierce will need to have his team establish an identity elsewhere.
The Las Vegas O-line is talented and able to serve as the squad's tone-setter, with Powers-Johnson now being the tip of the spear at guard.
LT Caedan Wallace, New England Patriots
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The New England Patriots left many scratching their heads after this year's NFL draft.
They clearly understood the assignment by sinking seven of their eight selections into offensive prospects after fielding an inferior product on that side of the ball last season.
Yet the team didn't chose a left tackle prospect despite a glaring need at the premium position. Or did they?
After investing in quarterback Drake Maye with the third overall pick, the opportunity to properly protect him became a priority. The Patriots did re-sign Michael Onwenu and brought in veteran offensive tackle Chukwuma Okorafor, but neither is a natural left tackle.
Surprisingly, New England still chose Caedan Wallace in the third round. All 40 of his collegiate starts with Penn State came at right tackle. Still, the Patriots are moving the 6'5", 314-pound lineman to left tackle.
"I don't find it all too hard to switch over," Wallace said after a rookie minicamp practice. "Just flipping things in my minds—hand placement, certain kicks, angles, things like that."
Wallace did play left tackle in high school. He also had the obstacles of playing opposite Rasheed Walker and then Olu Fashanu, so he didn't receive an opportunity to be a blindside protector for the Nittany Lions. He's been prepared for this transition, though.
"He hasn't taken any game reps, but he's taken many practice reps because I always make sure they're developing on both," Penn State offensive line coach Phil Trautwein told ESPN's Mike Reiss. "I don't want them to just be a 'right tackle' because I want them to have a long career and get on the field as fast as possible.
"His career kind of was just different, but I would have no hesitation to put him on the left side."
WR Jermaine Burton, Cincinnati Bengals
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A year ago, the Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2023 campaign with the league's best wide receiver corps. It's still good but not quite at the same level.
Tyler Boyd left in free agency to join the Tennessee Titans, and Tee Higgins' future is in doubt, as he's expected to play this season under the franchise tag. Ja'Marr Chase is the team's priority move forward and rightly so.
The unit as a whole is now a little shaky, though. Andrei Iosivas or Charlie Jones could carve out bigger roles during their sophomore campaigns.
However, the third-round selection of Jermaine Burton has the potential to be one of the best picks from the entire class.
The Alabama product didn't slide to the third round because of ability. He could separate as well as nearly anyone in the class, but questions about maturity came to the forefront among league circles.
"In the NFL, Burton should be a field-stretching No. 2 receiver," Bleacher Report scout Derrik Klassen wrote. "The offense should not run through him, but his ability to win vertically, find the ball in the air and run a full route tree will make him a valuable piece for any offense."
The rookie will add another dynamic threat, particularly with a transition to slot receiver. Boyd received the vast majority of those snaps over the last six seasons. Burton spent 80 percent of last season's snaps working as an outside target, according to Sports Illustrated's John Shipley.
"Burton is going to be a sneaky good player," an anonymous executive told The Athletic's Mike Sando. "He's fast, he's strong after the catch, he has a little dog to him. They do a good job getting those types of players established."
RB Sione Vaki, Detroit Lions
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Sione Vaki's contributions to the Detroit Lions are about to be multi-faceted, just like his draft evaluation.
The 22-year-old had been projected as a safety by pretty much everyone because that's predominantly where he played despite being a two-way performer through a chunk of Utah's 2023 campaign.
When the Utes needed help at running back due to injuries, Vaki stepped up and averaged 7.5 yards per carry on 42 opportunities.
Lions general manager Brad Holmes told reporters:
"I first saw him when he had first made the switch when they got kind of short at running back there at Utah. They just had him fill in. But we were more so looking at him as a safety, but he looks so natural as a runner. I was like, 'Wait, where did these backyard instincts of his come from of just him running the ball and making these plays?' Not only does he have these instincts that are (more) natural (than) we thought, he's not even majoring in it."
The Lions' plans were apparent when the announcement of Vaki's fourth-round selection occurred and assigned him as a running back.
While the pathway to being a primary ball-carrier in the Detroit offense is blocked by Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, neither played in every game last season. Furthermore, Vaki can be a potential weapon as a returner on special teams.
Clearly, the Lions saw plenty in Vaki as an offensive threat to include him as part of their backfield and plan to utilize him in different manners. He can help a squad with Super Bowl aspirations.
CB Jaylin Simpson, Indianapolis Colts
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The Indianapolis Colts experienced a youth movement in their secondary last season, and the plan is to do the same this fall.
General manager Chris Ballard did an excellent job this offseason in retaining the team's veteran talent. Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr., defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, linebacker Zaire Franklin, defensive end Tyquan Lewis and cornerback Kenny Moore II all signed new deals.
However, little was done to upgrade the secondary. The Colts front office even waited until the fifth round before it finally invested along its defensive backline.
Jaylin Simpson heard his name called with the 164th overall pick. He converted to safety during his final season at Auburn, but Indianapolis will move him back to cornerback.
"I got switched by my coaches," Simpson told reporters, "but it was because they knew I was a versatile guy and they felt as if I was the guy that could have played multiple positions. That's just going to translate, that's just who I am, that's what I do. I'm just a DB. I'm not one defined defensive back. Corner, safety, nickel—I can play all of them."
The rookie likely will, too.
The Colts need more quality depth at cornerback, though. With Moore and outside corners JuJu Brents and Jaylon Jones back, Indianapolis' top three options are set. From there, Dallis Flowers is coming off a season-ending Achilles injury, with Darrell Baker Jr. still on the roster after a less-than-stellar campaign.
Simpson could easily work his way into CB4 despite being a late-round selection because the Colts need all of the quality coverage options they can get when playing the likes of C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence and even Will Levis twice per season.
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