Late-Round Rookie Draft Picks Who Could End Up NFL Week 1 Starters
Teams aren't usually expected to find rookie starters on Day 3 of the draft. That projection is reserved for the first three rounds, where the talent is greater and NFL-readiness generally more likely. Picks 100 and beyond aren't meant to be spots where NFL-ready prospects or top-tier talents are supposed to slip to.
But it's the inefficiency of the draft process and the inability for teams to perfectly project talent that make the NFL draft so much fun each year.
It's difficult to adequately project which Day 3 picks will end up as starters, but it's proved each year that double-digit picks in that area get a chance to play early as rookies. These eight players, whether it's because of talent, team need, or injuries and suspensions, have the best opportunity to step in as Week 1 starters.
Jordan Payton, WR, Cleveland Browns (5th Round)
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The Browns drafted five receivers in the 2016 NFL draft, so UCLA's Jordan Payton will have ample competition just to rise to the top of that crew alongside first-round pick Corey Coleman.
Andrew Hawkins and Brian Hartline are the two veterans still on the roster, but based on the fact that the Browns invested five draft choices in the position, it's clear that they don't feel committed to them long term. And with a new regime, their current contracts aren't indicative of keeping players just because of their salaries.
After Coleman, Payton is the most pro-ready of their young receiver options. Colorado State's Rashard Higgins is more of a slot presence, Princeton's Seth Devalve is a project and Auburn's Ricardo Louis is more athlete than completely NFL-ready receiver. Payton is a plus route-runner, finishes away from his frame on the perimeter with success and has the body type to hold up early in his NFL career.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams (4th Round)
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Tyler Higbee may have been a surprising fourth-rounder for many, not because of his talent but his off-field issues during the predraft process. But on the field, Higbee was in contention for the best tight end in the class, as his route refinement for a tight end, experience at multiple alignments and acceleration after catch all made him poised to contribute early in the NFL.
The Rams have shown a desire to play more two-tight end sets, and they're built to thrive in that alignment early with Higbee and Lance Kendricks.
His reliability as a pass-catcher and versatility to play multiple spots should quickly make him one of new quarterback Jared Goff's favorite targets to grow with. And without much receiver help after Tavon Austin and an offensive line that hasn't proved itself yet, Goff will need a safety valve like Higbee more often than not.
Evan Boehm, C, Arizona Cardinals (4th Round)
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With journeyman A.Q. Shipley slated as the starter, the Cardinals' primary need they needed to address during draft weekend was the center position. In one of the deepest center classes in recent history, the Cardinals waited until Round 4 to secure their new starting center. They landed on Missouri's Evan Boehm, an experienced and well-built starter from the SEC who successfully proved himself a leader for the Tigers offensive line.
With plus length and hand strength when engaged, Boehm is a safe draft pick who should have no problem starting early in the NFL. His athletic upside isn't great, but he fits the intangible, experiential and physical requirements the Cardinals appear to covet in offensive linemen, and he should be expected to win the starting job in training camp.
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Joe Haeg, OG, Indianapolis Colts (5th Round)
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Indianapolis drafted three offensive linemen in the first five rounds, all of whom could crack the opening-day roster. Joe Haeg, drafted as a guard after playing his college career at left tackle, should challenge Jonotthan Harrison and Hugh Thornton for either starting guard spot, so long as fellow draft pick Le'Raven Clark or 2015 starter Jack Mewhort isn't asked to play a guard spot.
Haeg is the former starting left tackle for Carson Wentz at North Dakota State, and he was the best pass protector at the FCS level. While his lack of great lateral quickness and athleticism in space took left tackle off the table for NFL teams, he should be able to thrive at left or right guard or even at right tackle once he's able to adjust.
After holding his own at the Senior Bowl against top talents, his transition to the NFL shouldn't be as drastic as other small-school prospects each year.
Parker Ehinger, OG, Kansas City Chiefs (4th Round)
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With only Jarrod Pughsley as a left guard option, a former undrafted free agent last year, the Chiefs needed to add a starter-worthy guard in the 2016 NFL draft. Waiting until the fourth round to add to the position, they appear to have faith in Parker Ehinger that, despite his draft position, he has the upside to grow quickly into a starter.
After earning ample attention in the preseason as one of the country's top senior offensive line prospects, Ehinger didn’t dominate during his senior season, but he still displayed the plus length and knee bend to grow as a future quality NFL offensive guard.
He was overpowered a bit too often as a senior, and he’ll need to continue to grow in his initial hand positioning and timing with his punches. But Ehinger has shown the ability to work in space as a run-blocker, finish upfield and, when in position, to be a high-quality blocker. He’ll have every chance to win the starting job in training camp, at least based on their current depth chart.
Charles Tapper, DE, Dallas Cowboys (4th Round)
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The most athletic edge-rusher at the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine, Charles Tapper rehabbed his draft grade after frustrating college film as an Oklahoma Sooner. In part, Oklahoma's inability to let him have more control as a pass-rusher while reducing him to an isolation rusher or an underneath run defender didn't enable him to grow as a true 4-3 or 3-4 pass-rusher.
Tapper ended up as an early fourth-round pick for a Dallas Cowboys defense still looking to build its defensive line youth. With current starter Demarcus Lawrence suspended for the start of the 2016 NFL season, Tapper has a great opportunity to win the starting job for those four games.
His size and athleticism is similar to Lawrence, and he can add more pass-rusher athleticism than any of the Cowboys' current weak-side pass-rushers. Once Lawrence returns, Tapper can revert back to situational roles while refining his pass-rushing development.
Tavon Young, CB, Baltimore Ravens (4th Round)
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One of many Ravens picks that could contribute and even start early in their careers, Tavon Young of Temple was easily my favorite selection, and he's poised to battle for the team's slot cornerback job as a rookie. He was featured against opposing teams' top receivers no matter where they aligned, including covering first-rounder Will Fuller of Notre Dame at both outside spots and in the slot during their teams' matchups.
At just 5'9", his size likely pushed him to Round 4, but that won't be much of an issue in the slot. He offers awesome physicality and body control throughout his receiver punch, and he finishes at the catch point with great activeness and anticipation.
He'll have a host of veteran competition for the job, but Young should earn the slot cornerback job and, potentially, battle with Lardarius Webb in the future for the outside job. I've compared him to Patriots surprise feature cornerback Malcolm Butler, and he'll get the same opportunity as a slot cornerback early in his career.
Deon Bush, S, Chicago Bears (4th Round)
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The hard-hitting safety who's shown the explosiveness to finish as an underneath safety and in the run game, Bush surprisingly fell to the fourth round in what ended up as a highly valued safety class by NFL teams. Bush slipped thanks to inefficient gather steps in his upfield pursuit, recklessness as he worked to the perimeter in the run game and good, not great, vertical recovery speed in coverage.
Still, the Bears have a need at strong safety that Bush should be able to compete for. Chris Prosinski played well enough in seven of the team's last eight games, but he's far from securing a long-term role. He re-signed with the Bears this offseason for just $840,000, so it's clear they don't have a ton of long-term confidence in him. That gives Bush a chance to win the job for Week 1 or, if not, be groomed as the starter in 2017.
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