Which 2016 NFL Rookies Will Prove to Be Biggest Matchup Nightmares?
It's all about matchups in today's NFL, as teams do everything they can to catch their opponent in a favorable situation.
Whether it's an athletic pass-catcher at tight end against an overmatched linebacker, or a versatile defensive lineman with a bag full of tricks for any potential blocker, every NFL team is looking for players that force opposing teams to have a specific plan for how to stop them.
This year's draft class had its share of rare athletes and versatile playmakers who should provide these kinds of conundrums at the next level.
Who in this year's rookie crop will be the most frustrating problem in meeting rooms and huddles across the league?
DeForest Buckner, Defensive Lineman (49ers)
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It's not often you find a 6'7", 291-pound defender with the blend of athleticism, power and versatility owned by 49ers first-rounder DeForest Buckner.
San Francisco used their first-round pick last year on Oregon's Arik Armstead, who has a similar frame and skill set to Buckner—former Duck himself. But Buckner is Armstead to the next power, with the length and hand usage defensive line coaches love to work with, along with the aforementioned size and natural ability.
Buckner can line up anywhere on the defensive line and present problems for opposing blockers, using his power to bull-rush off the edge or his quickness to beat interior lineman off the ball. Teams will quickly learn they'll have to locate Buckner on every snap and plan for how to keep him contained in both the running and passing games.
Braxton Miller, Wide Receiver (Texans)
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The Texans spent their first-round pick on a speed demon in Notre Dame's Will Fuller, but it's the receiver they chose in the third round who could end up being the bigger matchup problem for opposing defenses.
Ohio State's Braxton Miller is still progressing through his transition from quarterback to receiver, but if his performance during Senior Bowl week is any indication, he's further along than anyone expected. He looked like a fairly refined pass-catcher all week in Mobile, with crisp routes and strong, soft hands. Combine that with his speed and explosiveness, and you have a recipe for a playmaker at any level.
With Fuller and DeAndre Hopkins taking most of the attention in the secondary, Miller should end up with some favorable matchups in the slot. Head coach Bill O'Brien should find plenty of different ways to get him the ball in space, where he'll make teams sorry they let him fall to the third round.
Noah Spence, Defensive End (Buccaneers)
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It's not often a team can grab the draft's best pure pass-rusher in the second round, but that's exactly what the Bucs did when they landed Eastern Kentucky's Noah Spence with the 39th overall pick.
Off-field concerns caused Spence to fall out of the first round, but when it comes to his on-field talent, there's little doubt he's got the ability to be an impact player. A highly touted recruit who began his career at Ohio State and flashed plenty of talent early on for the Buckeyes, Spence dominated for the Colonels in 2015, notching 11.5 sacks and 22.5 tackles for loss.
Spence has the explosive first step and effective range of pass-rushing moves to make an immediate impact for a Tampa Bay team desperate for a sack master. Even as a rookie, he should be able to make an immediate splash with his knack for getting after the quarterback.
He likely won't be counted on to be a full-time starter immediately, which should keep him fresh in the fourth quarter when opposing tackles are wearing down.
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Corey Coleman, Wide Receiver (Browns)
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It may have surprised some when Baylor's Corey Coleman was the first receiver off the board in this year's draft. But both the tape and the stat sheet show an explosive playmaker who could make an instant impact for a team desperate for a dynamic pass-catcher.
What Coleman lacks in size—5'11", 194 pounds—he makes up for with elite speed and explosiveness. He's quick and physical off the line of scrimmage, which makes it hard for defenders to jam him and redirect his routes. The former Bear had a field day with opposing secondaries in 2015, hauling in 20 touchdowns and averaging more than 18 yards per reception.
Cleveland lost their undersized deep threat in Travis Benjamin to free agency, but Coleman is an upgrade. His skill set is reminiscent of the Steelers' Antonio Brown, and he could easily present some of the same matchup challenges to opponents as his AFC North counterpart this season.
Jalen Ramsey, Defensive Back (Jaguars)
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No matter where the Jaguars line Jalen Ramsey up, he's going to be a huge problem for opposing offenses from Day 1, and every day thereafter.
Thought by some to be the best overall player in this year's draft, Ramsey had success at both safety and cornerback over his career at Florida State. Though he might be best suited in space and lined up at safety, Ramsey will likely start out as a corner, hoping to give the Jags the true shutdown cover man they've lacked for years.
The 6'1", 209-pound corner has the size and length to frustrate even the biggest, most physical NFL receivers. His rare blend of athleticism, instincts and ball skills will quickly make quarterbacks sorry for testing him, which should lead to them avoiding him and looking elsewhere early in his career.
Josh Doctson, Wide Receiver (Redskins)
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NFL offenses make their money in the red zone, and there was no better target in this draft class than TCU's Josh Doctson, whom Washington snagged in the back half of the first round.
With 25 touchdown catches and nearly 2,500 receiving yards over the past two seasons, Doctson's production speaks for itself. But his best traits are his leaping ability, body control and ball skills, which make him a terror to cover in the red zone. He routinely made opposing defenders look silly as he skied over them to haul in score after score for the Horned Frogs, something Washington clearly took notice of.
DeSean Jackson still gives Kirk Cousins his big-play threat, but it's Doctson who opponents will have to account for when Washington moves the ball inside the 20 and goes to the air. At 6'2", 202 pounds, Doctson will be more than a handful for smaller corners trying to keep him out of the end zone.
Myles Jack, Linebacker (Jaguars)
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UCLA linebacker Myles Jack was obviously viewed by the entire league as a risk in the first round, but it may turn out to be a huge reward for the Jaguars, who scooped up one of the draft's top talents at the beginning of Day 2.
A potentially degenerative knee issue scared teams off of Jack in the early going, but his rare talent and potential was too much for the Jags to pass up at the top of the second round.
Jack's athleticism and versatility should make it extremely difficult for opponents to game-plan for him, as he can line up in multiple positions and excel in coverage, run support or as a pass-rusher. Head coach Gus Bradley should be able to find plenty of creative ways to use Jack, which should mean frequent headaches for offensive coordinators as they try to neutralize him.
Hunter Henry, Tight End (Chargers)
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If there's one team that knows the value of an athletic pass-catcher at tight end and the matchup problems one can present to opposing defenses, it's the San Diego Chargers.
After deploying Antonio Gates for years to terrorize opponents with his rare skill set, the Bolts spent their second-round pick in this year's draft on his potential successor. Arkansas' Hunter Henry was the consensus top tight end in this year's draft class, and his skill set has the potential to create similar mismatches for quarterback Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense to exploit.
With Gates and receiver Keenan Allen getting most of the attention in coverage, don't be surprised if Henry takes full advantage if defenses forget about him. He might not get a ton of targets as a rookie, but he should give San Diego plenty of bang for their buck when Rivers looks his way, particularly on third downs and in the red zone.
Vernon Butler, Defensive Tackle (Panthers)
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It may have come as a surprise pick to some, but the Panthers know as well as any team the value of a dominant interior defensive line. With expiring contracts on the horizon for both Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short, Carolina spent the 30th overall pick in this year's draft on a likely replacement for whichever one they can't afford to extend, drafting Louisiana Tech's Vernon Butler.
At 6'4", 323 pounds, Butler boasts a rare combination of size and explosiveness, while retaining the power you'd expect from a player with his frame. He turned plenty of heads at this year's Senior Bowl, vaulting himself into the first-round conversation heading into the draft.
As a rookie, Butler should be able to take advantage of his role as a rotational player, coming into games fresh and facing blockers who have already had to deal with Lotulelei and Short for a number of snaps. He may not be a full-time starter in his first NFL season, but that shouldn't stop Butler from making an immediate impact.
Honorable Mention
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Derrick Henry, Running Back (Titans)
At 6'2", 247 pounds, Henry is a monster to bring down and has more quickness and speed than is normally expected from a back his size. With DeMarco Murray likely getting most of the early touches, Henry should benefit from using his punishing running style late in games, when opposing defenses are already worn down.
Robert Nkemdiche, Defensive Lineman (Cardinals)
Similar in skill set to former Cards star Darnell Dockett, Nkemdiche is a raw talent who will take some time to develop. That said, there's no denying his rare combination of power, explosiveness and athleticism. No matter where he lines up, he'll be a challenge for any opposing blocker from Day 1.
Bronson Kaufusi, Defensive Lineman (Ravens)
At 6'6", 285 pounds, Kaufusi is a mountain of a defender who combines his massive frame with solid hand usage and technique to be an effective pass-rusher. He's quick and physical, and will give opponents fits as he defends the run and gets after the quarterback from any alignment.
Kenyan Drake, Running Back (Dolphins)
Drake was the "lightning" to Henry's "thunder," making plays for the Crimson Tide in a variety of ways. He's an explosive playmaker who is dangerous in space, and he's better between the tackles than he's given credit for. If Miami can figure out how to use him properly, he could be a valuable weapon that linebackers and safeties will have a hard time keeping up with.
Chris Jones, Defensive Lineman (Chiefs)
The Mississippi State product has an intriguing blend of size, power and athleticism at 6'6", 310 pounds. He's versatile enough to line up in multiple spots, and should be able to take advantage of his matchups against interior blockers while most of the attention up front is paid to their edge-rushers.
*All observations obtained first-hand, unless otherwise noted.
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