Late-Round NFL Rookies Sure to Make an Impact in 2016
The 2016 NFL draft is complete, and it’s time to reflect on what happened over the course of the three-day event. Teams that drafted effectively and maximized their capital could start seeing rewards as soon as this season. The best value won’t be the early-round studs who have been talked about for months, it’ll be the late-round rookies who can elevate their respective team’s standing the most.
There will be late-round prospects who will make an impact in 2016. Every single year there are fifth-, sixth- and seventh-round picks who breakout and prove that they should have been selected much higher. 2015 stars include Minnesota Vikings fifth-rounder Stefon Diggs and Detroit Lions sixth-round cornerback Quandre Diggs.
Using the final three rounds as the qualifier for a late-round pick, I’ve found eight rookies who are sure to make an impact this season for their respective teams. Let’s jump into each player and situation to see why.
Christian Westerman, OL, Cincinnati Bengals
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The Cincinnati Bengals are one of the best franchises at drafting quality players throughout the draft and then developing those individuals into starters down the line.
It’s uncommon to find a starting-caliber player with the 161st overall pick, but the Bengals were able to land a highly-regarded interior offensive lineman. Arizona State guard Christian Westerman shockingly fell into the fifth round and the Bengals pounced to take him.
Westerman was the second-highest graded player taken in the fifth round and later by NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein. It’s easy to see why when watching Westerman, who moves well for a 6’3”, 298-pound power blocker. He’s strong but agile enough to lead block on pulls.
The Bengals have a need at center as incumbent Russell Bodine has been quite disappointing. Westerman is a little light for guard, making his transition to center a real possibility. Expect Westerman to push Bodine as much as he can handle, and I believe Westerman will win the starting center job in training camp and the preseason.
Paul Perkins, RB, New York Giants
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The New York Giants had a spectacular draft class in its entirety, adding potential starters in almost every round. One of their best steals came in the fifth round with the No. 149 overall pick, running back Paul Perkins.
New head coach Ben McAdoo has dealt with an unreliable stable of backs in the past two seasons, but now he’s added a more explosive threat.
Perkins was ranked as CBS Sports’ 97th-best overall prospect and seventh running back in the class. He finished his UCLA career with 5.6 yards per carry and a total of 3,488 yards and 29 touchdowns running the ball. He’s known for his open-field shiftiness and ability to create yards with little blocking in front of him.
He may not become a top back in a good offense, but he does bring a new dynamic to this offense and could quickly rise to the second-leading rusher as a rookie. Perkins is a more natural and effective player than Andre Williams, and his presence may put Shane Vereen’s roster spot in jeopardy. I expect Perkins and Rashad Jennings to be a solid pair in 2016.
Matthew Ioannidis, DL, Washington Redskins
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Washington Redskins general manager Scot McCloughan made tough decisions on where to invest his premium picks. He split his seven total picks with four players committed to defense. His defensive picks in the middle rounds were especially notable, including safety Su’a Cravens, cornerback Kendall Fuller and defensive lineman Matthew Ioannidis.
Ioannidis is notable because he walks into a situation where he can make an instant impact. The Redskins defensive line is especially weak after losing multiple veterans this offseason to retirement and free agency. The unit wasn’t overly effective anyway in 2015, so the talent needed upgrading.
Although not a household name, Ioannidis will challenge returning players Chris Baker and Stephen Paea at the 5-technique defensive end position. He’s 6’3” and 299 pounds, but stout despite being a little underweight. He produced 30 tackles for loss and 10 sacks in three seasons at Temple. His run defense and ability to play with leverage will allow him to get on the field early.
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Daniel Braverman, WR, Chicago Bears
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One of the best, if not the best, seventh-round pick in the 2016 class was Western Michigan wide receiver Daniel Braverman. The 5’10”, 177-pound slot specialist landed in an ideal situation with the Chicago Bears. He’ll be surrounded by towering threats Kevin White and Alshon Jeffery, with veteran Eddie Royal as the other slot receiver.
At least the plan is for each of those three players to compete in all 16 games. But the reality is that each missed significant time last year, and Royal hasn’t been reliable throughout his career. There is an opportunity for Braverman to earn significant snaps as the third receiver.
Braverman isn’t your typical slot receiver. He’s great on underneath routes, but he’s fast enough to win vertically. He was highly productive in college, scoring 19 times in the last two seasons. He also stood out against Ohio State in their 2015 matchup, finishing with 10 receptions for 123 yards and one touchdown. It was one of eight games last year with over 100 yards.
Jatavis Brown, LB, San Diego Chargers
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The San Diego Chargers knew they had to revamp their defensive front seven in the 2016 draft. Adding speed and playmaking ability, even in limited doses, is invaluable for a team that has to face the Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs and Denver Broncos a total of six times a year. They had to find a late-round gem to contribute this season.
One of those players in this class is Akron outside linebacker Jatavis Brown. The 5'11", 227-pounder was one of the most productive players in the country over the last three seasons. He finished his career with 340 tackles, 40.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles.
That type of production doesn't happen by accident. Brown is a tremendous athlete as well, as he proved with his ridiculous pro-day results. According to NFL Draft Scout, Brown ran a 4.44-second 40-yard dash, put up 33 bench-press reps, had a vertical jump of 35.5 inches and completed the three-cone drill in 7.19 seconds.
Brown won’t start, but he can pair with fourth-round pick Joshua Perry on passing downs and replace Manti Te’o and Denzel Perryman to provide coverage help. No other linebacker on this roster can move like Brown does, and he’s far from a sieve against the run.
Elandon Roberts, LB, New England Patriots
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Some rookies will make their presence felt on special teams instead of offense or defense. This is often where young players cut their teeth as they continue to train mentally and physically for the rigors of more responsibility on the team. But quality special teams players are valuable and can swing the momentum of a game in a heartbeat.
One of the best special teamers and backups selected in this class was Houston linebacker Elandon Roberts. The sixth-round pick for the New England Patriots was a one-year starter for the Cougars, but he was so impressive that he was worthy of a draft pick. He produced an incredible 142 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and six sacks in 2015 alone.
Roberts will provide depth to middle linebacker Jonathan Freeny for now. His biggest impact will surely come on special teams, as head coach Bill Belichick maximizes the depth on his roster. Roberts’ high-effort style and solid tackling ability will endear him to the Patriots quickly.
Kalan Reed, CB, Tennessee Titans
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The best sleeper cornerback available in this class was Southern Miss' Kalan Reed. The 5'11", 195-pounder had an excellent pro day after finishing college with a career-best season. He logged a 4.49-second 40-yard dash, incredible 41.5-inch vertical and solid 7.05-second three-cone drill, per NFLDraftScout. Despite the measurables, he fell to the final pick of the draft and was named Mr. Irrelevant.
On the field, Reed is physical, versatile and far from irrelevant. He split time between outside corner and the slot, showing a willingness to play the run tough and compete in man coverage. He's smooth in his movements and capable of forcing tight passing windows.
What separates Reed from his peers is his ability to find and play the ball. His four interceptions and 17 passes defensed in 2015 put him among the nation's leaders at the position. The Titans lack that type of consistent coverage presence in their secondary. It won’t take him long to crack their rotation and push the veterans on the depth chart.
Kolby Listenbee, WR, Buffalo Bills
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The Buffalo Bills have used a draft pick on a wide receiver in five of the last seven classes, constantly trying to provide their quarterback with adequate options. The latest receiver to join the team is TCU’s Kolby Listenbee. Listenbee is a deep burner who was acquired with a sixth-round pick.
He joins a wide receiver room filled with talented playmakers who haven’t been able to stay on the field. This is a good opportunity for Listenbee, as quarterback Tyrod Taylor has only built a strong rapport with star Sammy Watkins. The rest of the corps is up in the air and open for competition.
Listenbee and Taylor could be a magical tandem considering their skill sets. Listenbee was considered one of the best deep threats in the draft, running a 4.39 40-yard dash at the combine and finishing as a four-time track All-American in the 100-meter dash. This fits perfectly with Taylor, who is a tremendous deep passer.
All stats used are from sports-reference.com.
Ian Wharton is an NFL Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report.
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