Predicting This Year's Most Surprising NFL Rookies
Many expect first-round picks to make early contributions for their respective NFL teams, with the possible exceptions of quarterbacks like Carson Wentz or Paxton Lynch. But that doesn't mean players selected after Round 1 won't make immediate impacts.
Whether it's filling a need or it's pure talent combined with an ideal scheme, non-first-round draftees can still offer immediate value. These 10 prospects may not be penciled-in starters or obvious rotational players, but they'll have opportunities to become impactful contributors.
Kenneth Dixon, RB, Baltimore Ravens
1 of 10
Despite slipping to the fourth round, the quick and elusive Kenneth Dixon couldn't have landed in a better spot. Projected to go as high as early Round 2 in some mock drafts, Dixon landed on a Baltimore Ravens team that has a handful of running backs to compete with but no surefire, long-term answer.
Dixon, who offers in-hole quickness and the ability to get to his top speed easily, can be an ideal complement to 30-year-old Justin Forsett, who's more of an undersized physical runner with great open-field elusiveness.
Forsett suffered through injuries last year that put his reliability in question, and if those injuries persist, Dixon has the best opportunity of the remaining running backs on the roster to earn the starts and lion's share of the carries.
DeAndre Washington, RB, Oakland Raiders
2 of 10
Drafted in Round 5, DeAndre Washington is an undersized (5'8") back from a spread passing attack who didn't show off his physicality or ability to generate speed under duress. However, that didn't stop the running back-needy Oakland Raiders from coveting him on draft day and likely putting him second on the depth chart.
There's not much depth behind injury-prone Latavius Murray, and Washington offers a different dimension than upright power running. There is potential to earn plenty of third-down carries early in his career thanks to his receiving experience and open-field elusiveness.
Braxton Miller, WR, Houston Texans
3 of 10
The Houston Texans moved up a spot in Round 1 to secure Notre Dame's Will Fuller as the feature weapon opposite DeAndre Hopkins.
It was clear since the end of free agency the Texans would be targeting a receiver early in the draft to pair with Hopkins, and Fuller should have the first crack at that opportunity. But despite going two rounds later and still transitioning as a former quarterback, Braxton Miller could also surprise as a rookie contributor.
A focused and driven person, Miller made headway as a developing receiver during the last 12 months. Though he's still a work in progress as a route-runner, his explosiveness and open-field, big-play ability should be utilized, even as a rookie.
He won't be stealing Fuller's starting job yet, but Miller should emerge as the team's third-best receiving "weapon" by the end of training camp.
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Austin Hooper, TE, Atlanta Falcons
4 of 10
Since Tony Gonzalez's retirement, the Atlanta Falcons have been desperate for a quality pass-catching tight end to give quarterback Matt Ryan a versatile option. Hailing from the Stanford tight end pipeline, Atlanta added Austin Hooper in Round 3, who, based on his athleticism and lack of off-field concerns, was arguably the best tight end prospect in the 2016 class.
Hooper is still developing as a blocker and needs to bulk up and play with better blocking technique. But his natural catching and finishing ability with defenders attacking him should allow him to contribute early.
Expected to be used situationally to start, Hooper's route refinement on underneath throws, body control as a jump-ball receiver and experience working as a tight end, slot receiver and perimeter option all should allow him to find a home somewhere in the Falcons offense.
Tyler Higbee, TE, Los Angeles Rams
5 of 10
If not for Tyler Higbee's off-field concerns, he may have been a coveted second-round prospect and drafted shortly after the San Diego Chargers took Hunter Henry.
On the field, Higbee's crisp route running, experience at multiple alignments and acceleration after the catch make him likely to contribute early for a Los Angeles Rams team that needs the help. The Rams have shown a desire to play more two-tight end sets, and they're now built to thrive in that alignment early with Higbee and Lance Kendricks.
Higbee's reliability as a receiver and versatility should make him one of rookie quarterback Jared Goff's favorite targets. 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.
Higbee could have one of the better rookie tight end seasons we've seen in a few years.
Shilique Calhoun, DE, Oakland Raiders
6 of 10
The Raiders looked to build their defensive front seven once again, drafting three players in that area in 2016 (now nine times in the last three years).
Part of that focus stems from positional value in each draft class, but most comes from putting a premium on pass-rushing depth and scheme versatility with multiple top-end talents. Shilique Calhoun enters the roster as the likely backup strong-side outside linebacker behind free-agent addition Bruce Irvin.
Calhoun's experience as a strong-side edge-rusher while at Michigan State was the best part of his scouting report. He showed solid run-stopping ability, edge-setting experience and powerful pass-rush upside once engaged.
While he'll be relegated to a backup role, don't be surprised if, by season's end, he nears Irvin's number of snaps over the course of the season.
Jordan Jenkins, OLB, New York Jets
7 of 10
According to Pro Football Focus, none of the New York Jets' outside linebackers earned positive grades last season. First-rounder Darron Lee will look to complement and eventually supplant Erin Henderson, the one positively graded linebacker on the roster, at inside linebacker.
Jordan Jenkins has an opportunity to earn feature linebacker snaps as a rookie as well.
Lorenzo Mauldin and Trevor Reilly, the two projected starters at outside linebacker, are both lackluster athletes, and Reilly was drafted by the prior regime. While Jenkins didn't wow as much as expected in 2015 at Georgia, he can attribute that to a scheme change and having to play as a hand-down defensive end, neither conducive to his growth as a rusher.
With the type of bulk and length that head coach Todd Bowles covets in his edge-rushers and the NFL-readiness of his game, Jenkins should win the starting job early in his rookie season, if not immediately out of training camp.
Tavon Young, CB, Baltimore Ravens
8 of 10
Tavon Young of Temple was my favorite selection of the impressive Baltimore Ravens' draft class, and he's poised to battle for the team's slot cornerback job as a rookie.
He was featured against opposing teams' top receivers throughout his senior season at Temple, including covering eventual first-rounder Will Fuller of Notre Dame at both outside spots and in the slot.
At just 5'9", his size alone likely pushed him to Round 4, but size isn't an issue for slot cornerbacks. He offers physicality and body control throughout his receiver punch, and he finishes at the catch point with activeness and anticipation.
He'll have a host of veteran competition, but Young has an opportunity to earn the slot job and potentially battle with Lardarius Webb for a future starting role. Comparable to New England Patriots surprise feature cornerback Malcolm Butler, Young should get the same opportunity as a slot cornerback early in his career.
Deon Bush, S, Chicago Bears
9 of 10
Deon Bush is a hard-hitting safety who's shown the explosiveness to finish as an underneath defender in the run game. He surprisingly fell to the fourth round in what ended up being a good safety class.
Bush slipped thanks to inefficient footwork 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 Chicago Bears had 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. Prosinski, on just an inexpensive one-year deal, is replaceable on the roster.
If Bush can show signs of readiness in his rookie training camp, the Bears may opt for the explosive and developing rookie over the veteran but short-term answer in Prosinski.
Justin Simmons, S, Denver Broncos
10 of 10
With one of the best secondaries in the NFL, the Denver Broncos aren't looking for much there, and they can slowly build with mid-round draft picks as they aim for another Super Bowl run. Still, Justin Simmons should impress in rookie training camp as a free safety prospect with ample range and fluidity.
While Darian Stewart currently mans that position, he's in the last year of his contract and could save the Broncos $3.25 million if he's released during training camp. Simmons could give the Broncos an interesting dilemma after camp.
Even if Stewart isn't released, expect Simmons to be the first safety off the bench and even get looks if the Broncos want to go to a six-defensive back look with either a third safety or a dime cornerback.
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