2016 NFL Draft: Immediate Starters Who Can Be Found on Day 2
The first round of the NFL draft generates the most hype, but the teams that win the draft are ones that can still uncover impact players on Day 2.
With the biggest names of free agency already inked to contracts for 2016, many teams now must turn to the draft to fill immediate holes.
Fortunately, there are plenty of prospects with instant-impact skills who should be on the board during the second and third round.
Here's a look at a few prospects who fall in the second tier at their position, but can still be relied upon to step into starting roles early in their NFL careers.
Connor Cook, Michigan State
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No one wants to kick off the 2016 season with Connor Cook as their starting quarterback. If that were the case, he would be more highly touted as a first-round pick.
But depending on how the first round plays out, a team could be caught in the unenviable position of looking for an immediate starter on Day 2.
The most frequent criticism of Cook has been his personality, which actually speaks volumes about his play on the field.
Cook is the type of prospect who does everything well, but nothing great. This sets his ceiling at a relatively low level, but also gives him a high floor and makes him a candidate to see the field early in his career.
Potential fits: Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos
Paul Perkins, UCLA
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Any team that is high on Ezekiel Elliott in the first round could have Paul Perkins as their fallback option on Day 2.
Like Elliott, Perkins impacts the game in all facets, excelling as a runner, receiver and in pass protection.
There are certainly more explosive and powerful runners in this class, but no one besides Elliott offers a more complete package.
Perkins has all of the tools needed to be a workhorse who never needs to be removed from the field for strategic purposes.
Potential fits: Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts
Devontae Booker, Utah
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If you're looking for the next Doug Martin, Devontae Booker is your guy.
Like Martin, Booker is short and well built, and while he lacks elite breakaway speed, his quick footwork and balance makes him tough to corral in the open field.
Durability is a definite concern, which will cause him to fall in the draft and potentially even remove him from draft boards. But if he clears his medical checks with teams after a season-ending meniscus injury in 2015, Booker could be viewed as an immediate starter.
Potential fits: Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys
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Nick Martin, Notre Dame
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Nick Martin, the younger brother of Cowboys guard Zack Martin is the definition of a plug-and-play prospect.
He lacks dominant size or elite mobility but he has enough functional strength and elite awareness on the field to excel immediately.
With experience at both guard and center, Martin's versatility is also an asset. He should be viewed as a prospect who can be plugged in immediately at center and left alone for the next 10 years.
Potential fits: Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins, San Diego Chargers
Shilique Calhoun, Michigan State
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It's a slight stretch to include Michigan State's Shilique Calhoun on this list because he may never be a three-down player in the NFL.
Calhoun gets bullied at the point of attack in the run game, even getting sealed off by tight ends. For that reason, he cannot be an every-down lineman in a 4-3 scheme and would be limited as a 3-4 linebacker as well.
But teams looking for a situational pass-rusher will fall in love with Calhoun's potential.
In a class lacking impact edge-rushers, Calhoun should be coveted in the second round as a prospect who can make an immediate impact in a specific role as a rookie.
Potential fits: Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals
Kenny Clark, UCLA
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Kenny Clark lacks the upside to land in the first round but his high floor makes him an ideal second-round selection.
At UCLA, Clark often lined up as a one-technique nose tackle in 4-3 sets, a position at which he should immediately excel in the NFL.
From that spot, Clark's primary role is to handle double teams, occasionally attempting to shoot the gap as a pass-rusher.
Dane Brugler and Rob Rang of CBS Sports have compared Clark to Domata Peko of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Clark should have a similar career in the same role in the NFL.
Potential fits: Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, Oakland Raiders
Dominique Alexander, Oklahoma
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Dominique Alexander is a notch below Darron Lee and Myles Jack, but fits the same mold as a new-age linebacker who wins with athleticism more than size and strength.
At just 6'0" and 232 pounds, certain teams will have Alexander removed from their board but his athleticism will put him high on the list for franchises looking for an inside or weak-side linebacker with elite range.
According to CFB Film Room, Alexander missed just six tackles in 2015 and appears to be one of the most reliable linebackers in this class in that area.
Much like Vikings linebacker Eric Kendricks in 2015, Alexander's athleticism should allow him to win a starting job and play a vital role in his team's success.
Potential fits: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Dallas Cowboys
Xavien Howard, Baylor
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Xavien Howard's draft stock took a hit with a shaky performance at the combine, but his play on the field should still land him within the first three rounds.
According to Pro Football Focus, he allowed a completion percentage of just over 30 percent in 2015 and was named to their All-Big 12 team.
Howard's 4.58-second 40-yard dash hurt his stock, but he demonstrates the necessary quickness on the field to make up for his lack of elite straight-line speed.
At the next level, Howard projects as a starting outside cornerback, who would fit best in a Cover 2 scheme.
Potential fits: Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Roberto Aguayo, Florida State
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It's been more than a decade since a kicker was selected within the first three rounds of the draft, and it's happened just nine times since 1990.
But when an elite kicker emerges, his success typically translates smoothly to the NFL and leads to a long career.
Florida State's Roberto Aguayo has been arguably the nation's best kicker for the past three years, demonstrating consistent accuracy and a strong leg.
In his three years with the Seminoles, Aguayo connected on five of his eight attempts beyond 50 yards.
Drafting a kicker as high as the third round generally isn't a popular decision, but Aguayo has the type of talent that only comes around every so often and will likely land him within the top 100 picks.
Potential fits: Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers
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