2016 NFL Draft: Late-Round Prospects Who Can Contribute as Rookies
Most of the time, NFL teams expect quick returns on their investments in early-round draft picks. After all, those picks should be the easiest to hit on, in theory.
But the real gravy on top of the draft biscuits is when a late-round pick comes in and makes an immediate impact.
Whether it's a special teams star making the most of his chances, an offensive playmaker who proves he should have been taken much earlier or a solid defender who takes advantage of injuries or a weak depth chart, every draft class seems to produce a small handful of these players.
Last year, it was Stefon Diggs, Adrian Amos, Karlos Williams, Quandre Diggs and more.
Who will it be this year?
Morgan Burns, KR, Kansas State
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One of the quickest ways for a squeaky wheel to get some grease in its rookie training camp is to make an impact on special teams, and few players in this year's draft class bring that ability to the table quite like Kansas State's Morgan Burns.
He can play corner on defense—24 career starts—but his true value at the next level will be in the return game. His explosive playmaking ability as a return specialist earned him a laundry list of postseason accolades, and he leaves Manhattan, Kansas, tied for the all-time Big 12 lead in kickoff returns for touchdowns.
Burns isn't likely to come off the board until Day 3, and he could possibly even end up as an undrafted free agent. No matter where he goes in that range, his electric return abilities could make him an immediate-impact player.
Dan Vitale, FB, Northwestern
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When you're a late-round pick, versatility can mean the difference between landing a roster spot or finding a new career after just a few practices. If NFL teams are looking for a Swiss Army knife in the backfield, Northwestern's Dan Vitale is a do-it-all player who can impact the game in many ways from day one.
NFL.com's Lance Zierlein noted Vitale's versatile skill set, which was put to good use by the Wildcats' coaching staff:
"Utilized at versatile 'superback' position during his time at Northwestern. Has shown ability to line up in slot, from behind center and all points in between. Runs better routes than many of the wide outs in this draft. Able to catch throws in traffic and take the hit. Shows no hesitation to stick his nose in the hole and into his intended target as a blocker. Generally solid radar as a blocker. Consistently lands his strikes inside the framework of defender. Team-oriented and highly coachable leader.
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Vitale has all the qualities that will endear him to his pro coaches, and his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game will increase his chances of sticking on a 53-man roster and making an instant impact.
Roberto Aguayo, K, Florida State
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It's not often a kicker decides to leave school early for the NFL draft. In fact, it's been 16 years since it happened, when the Oakland Raiders drafted Florida State's Sebastian Janikowski in the first round.
This time around, it's another Seminole. Florida State's Roberto Aguayo might not go in the first round, but he's every bit the special player at his position that his fellow FSU alum was back in 2000.
The changes to kicking rules in the NFL had a significant impact in 2015, which makes it even more necessary to have an effective, reliable performer at the position. Aguayo is the consensus best kicker in the country by a large margin, and he's just the second FSU player to be named a first-team All-American three times, joining Deion Sanders.
Kickers impact the game in a way no other player can, and Aguayo might fall to Day 3, but he could be one of the most valuable players to come out of this draft when all is said and done.
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Willie Henry, DL, Michigan
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Another versatile player—but this time on the other side of the ball—Michigan's Willie Henry lined up just about everywhere along the defensive line for the Wolverines last year. He tallied 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 2015, proving to be disruptive from any alignment.
CBS Sports' Dane Brugler pointed out some of Henry's attractive traits last month:
"Moldable frame with long arms and room to fill out. Balanced on the move to loop and avoid blockers in space. First-step power to put blockers on skates when he keeps his pads low and drives his feet. Carries his weight well in pursuit, closing with an extra burst most 300-pounders lack. Nonstop hustle and never shuts it down - his competitive fire is always burning.
Maintains gap integrity with the length to obstruct run lanes and sight lines. Doesn't wear down, with versatile experience lining up inside and outside. Production improved each season, showing clear development from year-to-year. Lives in the weight room.
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There are many ways to make an immediate impact in the NFL, and versatility, work ethic and competitiveness go a long way toward making that happen. Henry can be effective in any scheme from just about any position up front, which should allow him to earn at least a rotational role in his first season, with the potential for even more if he lands in the right spot.
Henry Krieger Coble, TE, Iowa
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As today's NFL moves toward seeking athletic tight ends who are basically just bigger receivers who can stretch the field and create mismatches in the passing game, the days of the complete, well-rounded prospect at that position appear to be coming to an end.
But there's still a place for guys like Iowa's Henry Krieger Coble, a sure-handed tight end who can catch the ball if needed but also has the old-school side to him as a willing and effective blocker.
He caught just 35 passes for 405 yards and a touchdown last season, but Krieger Coble's impact went way beyond the stat sheet. He was a huge contributor in the Hawkeyes' ground game as a blocker, as he showed toughness, technique and the ability to seal the edge and give his running backs a chance to bust big plays down the field.
Even in this year's weak tight end class, don't expect Krieger Coble to come off the board until the later rounds. He's not the flashiest guy at the position this year, but his well-rounded skill set will make him a valuable asset wherever he goes from the minute he hits the field—even if he doesn't light up the box score.
Mike Matthews, C, Texas A&M
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If his bloodlines are any indication, Texas A&M center Mike Matthews will leave his mark in the NFL. Mike's father is Hall of Fame offensive lineman Bruce Matthews, and he has two brothers playing in the league, including former top-10 pick Jake Matthews.
But with a particularly strong draft class at center this year, Mike could find himself pushed down the board a bit. That could make him a huge steal in the later rounds, as he brings the ability to start right away and be an effective, smart player who understands exactly what the position requires.
He's not the elite athlete or mauling run-blocker like others in this year's group of centers, but he's a sound technician who could earn a starting spot in the right situation as a rookie.
Matt Judon, DE, Grand Valley State
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This year's defensive line class is extremely deep along the interior, but not so much when it comes to impact edge-rushers. If NFL teams are looking for a small-school stud who could come out of the later rounds and make a splash, Grand Valley State's Matt Judon should be their man.
You want production? Judon led all divisions of college football in 2015 with 20 sacks. He posted 19 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks as a junior in 2014.
You want athleticism? Judon weighed in at 6'3", 275 pounds at the combine, then he ran a 4.73 40-yard dash, put up 30 reps of 225 pounds on the bench press and launched to a 35-inch vertical jump. Those numbers put him among the top performers at defensive end in every category.
As with many small-school prospects, Judon is still extremely raw and needs plenty of work on the finer points of being a successful pass-rusher at the NFL level. But he's got the physical tools to make an impact, even as a rookie, and he could develop into a special player with a long, productive NFL career.
Tyler Ervin, RB, San Jose State
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For smaller running backs to succeed in the NFL, they've got to bring a versatile skill set to the table, along with the ability to contribute on special teams. San Jose State's Tyler Ervin does just that, with the skills to be an effective third-down back and plenty of experience and success as a return man.
Ervin had a solid week of practice at the Senior Bowl this year. He showed the ability to run effectively between the tackles despite his small frame—5'10", 192 pounds—and displayed his skills as a receiver out of the backfield, too.
He can make an immediate impact as a return specialist, but Ervin's versatility and toughness could make him a much more successful running back at the next level than his current draft projections might suggest.
All observations obtained firsthand unless otherwise noted.
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