NEXT UP REPORT: Season 81
by JAMoney14 | 2 years ago | 0 Comments
Over the course of Red Zone's 82+ season history, the new faces around the league have been some of the most entertaining things to watch throughout a cycle.
Max Ballard, Gio Small, Eric Haskins, Nordly Flowers, Thomas Mason... The list goes on.
The "NEXT UP" report is here to provide a little bit of insight on the new players in and around the league and what impacts they are having on the league we love.
Let's start with the signal callers, the most important position in the sport we love.
--QUARTERBACKS--
Almost universally, Red Zone GMs around the league understood that the class of signal callers ended with Kenny Brown. The star of Texas El-Passo was expected to go first overall, but not quite in the way it happened. Being the guy needing to replace Patrick Mahomes is tough, but Kenny did a good job.
Kenny Brown - Kansas City: Kenny Brown had a tough time as well, as he unfortunately tossed a rookie-high 27 interceptions in his first season. That said, Kenny's decision making showed glimpses of greatness as he led all rookies in completion %. At this point, Brown is the guy in KC and coach Blueprint has shown he's capable of engineering a strong passing attack. Kenny's sophomore campaign will be under massive scrutiny, but he was lauded as the 2nd coming, so it's time to see if he can handle it.
Joining Kenny as just three starting rookie QBs are Detroit's Emmett Edwards and New England's DaVante Dunn.
Emmett Edwards - Detroit: Edwards stormed into the forefront of all quarterbacks in the league, leading the Lions to an insane 14-win season and putting up stellar numbers. Edwards was selected 14th overall, with doubtful eyes hovering over the draft towards any QB that wasn't named "Kenny Brown". Edwards and his 42-year old hairline turned doubt into a #1 seed for the Lions. His turnover issues reared their ugly head several times, but that's expected for a rookie and Edwards is not expected to have any trouble carving out a strong niche with the Lions going forward.
Davante Dunn - New England: While Edwards excelled in their first year, tossing over 4,300 yards and 30 TDs, Dunn struggled mightily. Though volume wise, Dunn managed 27 TDs his rookie campaign, it came at the expense of a sub 50% completion and a 6-11 regular season record. Dunn is also working under new management after the previous regime stepped down mid-season. Dunn's main appeal is his massive arm, second only to Cory Jordan in the class. Selected in the 3rd round, expectations were low, so Dunn shouldn't be under much scrutiny if New England decides to give it another go. Chances are though, that the Patriots new ownership go with one of the many talented options in the upcoming Season 82 draft and Dunn will be relegated to clipboard Jesus for the rest of his career.
Other names to note at QB:
Cory Jordan - Green Bay: Jordan played behind Rodgers, but in reserve time came in to display insane arm strength and deep ball accuracy. With Rodgers aging, Jordan may see a chance to start at QB next season for the Patckers.
Jake Hackney - Carolina: Hackney, a 6th round pick, played periodically in the first half of the season before becoming a full time started in week 12. Hackney was thoroughly underhwleming in weeks 1-8, but actually showed some impressive resolve for Carolina as they scrapped back to win the NFC South under his leadership and his high completion %, along with an 8 TD, 7 INT ratio in the home stretch.
George Levine - Las Vegas: Levine came into the league as a 4th round pick, with Vegas showing they were not confident in Derek Carr to lead their team into the great beyond, they were looking to the small (5'11) but powerful arm of George. After shuffling around Carr and foles early on, Levine came into his own as the primary signal caller in Las Vegas for many important games. His tendency to throw interceptions cannot be ignored, but if they can reign that in, his arm may prove to be just enough for Vegas going forward.
Lamar Weldon - Minnesota: Lamar was expected to be the 2nd best QB in the class, and some pundits even said he should go higher than Brown. Hindsight is 20-20, but Minnesota clearly liked Weldon enough to invest the 30th overall pick in him. Weldon's accuracy at his young age is impressive, but other than being a very balanced player, the Vikings did not like what they saw in weeks 1-3 when he was a starter. He was eventually benched until some spot minutes opened up late in the season. Despite that, Weldon remains on the Vikings roster after their staff has made it clear that Cousins will not be returning. Weldon could easily wind up as a casualty next season for one of the many great QBs in the upcoming class, but his potential as a game manager will certainly yield interested parties if Adel goes that direction.
--RUNNING BACKS--
Of the 60 rookie players that took snaps at the position in Season 81, just 7 of them cracked 50 touches on the year.
Raheem Jackson - Philadelphia: Raheem is obviously the biggest name out there, despite being the 3rd back taken in the Season 81 draft. Jackson was selected due to his insane physical tools, being one of the faster backs out there while standing 6'0 over 200 lbs. Jackson is still known as a flashy, electric running back despite that tall frame. He used those tools to amass an incredibly impressive 1,500 yards on the ground and 18 touchdowns, including a highlight reel week 16 against Seattle, where he rushed for 162 yards and 4 TDs. It's fair to say that Jackson will be in ROY talks and will be a key piece for Philly's resurgence going forward.
Luke Henson - Indianapolis: The "Pale Rider" Luke Henson gained noteriety for intimidation factor as a massive tailback at N.C. State. He took that directly into his Red Zone career, being selected with the 6th pick in the 2nd round by the Colts. The Pale Rider may have represented death in the AFC, but he had a tougher time getting the ball rolling in the pros, managing just 4.32 yards per carry for the Colts. Henson's ability as a pass-catcher was revealed to the world, however, as he blew out every other rookie running back with 69 receptions and 766 yards to go along with his 999 rushing yards and bell-cow status in the backfield. Henson's potential has been questioned, but as it stands he clearly brings value to the Colts and is a quality replacement for Taylor, who was traded to Los Angeles this past offseason.
Jeremy Garner - Green Bay: Garner was the lone back taken in the first round and for good reason. Garner's "Barry Sanders" like ability to evade capture followed him to the league, where he had several showings of massive playmaking potential. Unfortunately, Garner's touches were limited due to AJ Dillion's presence, but with Dillion set to become a free-agent, Garner is expected to turn a corner in Season 82 and show ability as a pass catcher that was pretty absent during his rookie campaign.
Tremaine Farrow - Cincinnati: After Garner, there is a steep fall off in terms of rookie production, but Farrow joined the Super Bowl champion Bengals as the 32nd pick in the 3rd round. Scouts were uncertain of his potential, but the coaching staff in Cincinnati was elated to find out he had a lot more to offer than first throught development wise. Like Garner and Henson, Farrow did not crack 5 yards per carry, and only crossed 10 carries in a game 3 times all year. However, his presence behind Mixon was definitely important in keeping his fellow Georgia product as fresh as possible to lead the champions to a 14-3 record. Keep an eye on his presence as the Bengals look to continue dominating the AFC over the next few years.
Chris Merritt - Seattle: Another back who had questions coming out of college, Merritt has shown his raw talent before. Merritt has lots of question marks about his intangibles and ability to make players miss, but as a speedy, strong back, he's demonstrated enough to warrant Seattle's spell back role for Walker. Merrit managed 350 yards on 102 carries. He carried the 2nd lowest in YPC of those with 50+ carries at 3.45. His future is uncertain and will come down to how much coach Beech sees in his potential as a full-time spell back in Seattle.
Marquise Rowe - Dallas: Rowe was selected as the 6th pick in the 3rd round, arguably a reach knowing what we know now. Dallas' old staff was keen on replacing the expensive Ezekiel Elliot and tried to do that with Rowe out of Iowa. Rowe received less consistent work at RB than his peers, only managing to see the field at all in 9/17 games. Rowe seems limited in his development and behind Tony Pollard, likely not a chance to see RB1 anytime soon, but he is worth noting.
Teran Forsett - Jacksonville: Shortly after Rowe, Forsett fell off the board to Jacksonville. Despite being slotted behind Etienne Jr., Forsett made every carry count, amassing a very impressive 420 yards, on just 82 carries. That 5.12 carry average is good for 2nd amongst rookies and is likely the reason Jacksonville is happy with where they are. Forsett doesn't jump off the page in any one area, but on-field production doesn't lie and likely has earned him a steady paycheck for years to come as a rotation back in the league.
--RECEIVERS--
There are many names to look at with receiver/Tight End, so we'll try and keep it to the biggest names.
Sam Kelley - Indianapolis: Perhaps the shocker of anyone at this position, Kelley was not a highly touted prospect out of Penn State. Despite being "unremarkable", the Colts offense and QB Dak Prescott soon fell in love with his ability to run quick hitting routes. Kelley - at just 21 years old - amassed 1,300 receiving yards and a rookie-leading 12 TDs. Kelley exploded as a major deep target, something that nobody was expecting based on his collegiate tape. The Colts were able to ride that duo into the playoffs with Kelley expected to make consistent impacts during the rest of his career as a Colt.
Zach Dawsin - Baltimore: Dawson was the third receiver off the board last year, creating a possible chip on his shoulder. Most GMs were aware of Dawson's elite speed ,but feer were aware of the 5'10 receivers ability as a pure athlete. The Ravens jumped at the chance to select him with the 28th pick and have been rewarded with an immediate impact player (1,275 yards, 8TD) with huge upside, likely causing jealous eyes from the likes of the Eagles, who we'll get to in a second.
Steven McFadden - New Engalnd: McFadden, a standout at Georgia, was the first receiver selected due to his raw speed. Any GM watching the lean, 6'1 WR run a 4.25 40-yard dash immediately would be. McFadden's route running prowess was - and to some still is - questionable, but consider it a light price to pay for a 21 year old receiver with huge potential. McFadden hauled in 55 catches and unsurprisingly led all rookies (and most vets) in average yards per reception because of his speed both after the catch and beating defenders over the top. In addition, McFadden lit the world up with a high KR average and 1 KR TD in 19 attempts. McFadden is a superstar and will continue to be a focal point of defenses going forward.
Cole Covington - Minnesota: As the top pick in the 2nd round, the Vikings were hopeful the combination of Covington & Weldon would be a fixture going forward. While it didn't work out that way for Weldon, Covington excelled in the pass heavy offense, being one of just four rookies with 1,000+ yards and one of just 5 to score more than 5 TDs (8). Many still question his ceiling, but I think Minnesota would be just fine knowing they have an extremely talented, young player out of the gate for years to come.
Terron Dalton - San Fransisco: While not as highly touted as others on this list, Terron Dalton carved out an immediate niche for himself in San Fran as a speedy threat on the outside. Dalton's poor route running ability was mitigated by excellent coaching in San Fransisco, allowing him to thrive using his phsyical tools. Dalton scored 10 touchdowns on a very strong 5.33 YAC average over the course of the season.
Craig Bradfield - Jacksonville: Likely the latest pick we'll talk about in this piece, TE Craig Bradfield was taken as a flyer out of Missouri in the 7th round. Jacksonville was instantly intrigued by his agility at 275 lbs and gave him the starting job in his rookie year. Craig's quick burst and acceleration made it difficult for linebackers to keep up with him in short yardage situations and his well known strength and blocking prowess helped as well. Bradfield managed 750+ yards and 4 TDs as a pass catcher. There is still room for improvement, but Craig could easily be classified as the steal of the class, as he out performed early 2nd round pick Connor Allen in New England.
Kendrick Keaton - Kansas City: Keaton may be considered as a disappointment in his first year with Kansas City, as he was selected in the late 2nd round. Keaton is an alright receiver, but doesn't have any intangibles, potential, or athleticism that jump out at you. His presence was able to lend a hand, racking up about 400 yards through the air but reaching paydirt just once.
Trenton Gaddis - Minnesota: On paper, the 4th round pick seems like a perfect slot receiving option. Likely just due to competing for a spot on the field with fellow rookie Cole Covington and obviously Justin Jefferson/Hockenson, Gaddis did not blow up in his first year, but still played very well. Gaddis' combination of speed and surehandedness impressed throughout the year. Despite his smaller frame (5'9), Gaddis was the only rookie pass catcher with at least 20 receptions to not drop a single pass in Season 81, and he caught 49 in total. Minnesota may still be looking for their QB, but they have one of the strongest, youngest groups of receivers in the league.
Alphonso McDaniels - Philadelphia: "The Phonz" was selected with pick 10 overall, just 2 after McFadden. Most RZ scouts considered McDaniels as the #1 can't miss receiving prospect last year, and he still may be, but his year cannot be classified as anything other than underwhelming. Despite the resurgence of the Eagles as a team, McDaniels managed just 35 receptions on the year, though he turned that into 534 yards and must be accounted for. It should be noted that The Phonz was, however, strong as a return man. Although average as a kick returner, Alphonso was arguably the best punt return option in the league in Season 81. Perhaps the shift in focus on the Eagles offense played a part in that, and we'll see if McDaniels massive potential plays out that way going forward.
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Now we're skipping offensive line because, as important as they are, they're just not as flashy and there aren't as many fun metrics to point to in our current state. Generally speaking, any OL taken in the first two rounds last year contributed positively to their team and OL should still be considered one of the most important position groups in football, even if they're not as flashy.
Let's talk defense!
--DEFENSIVE LINE--
Just 28 rookies logged games in Season 81 on the defensive line, some faring far better than others. Let's talk about the biggest stars from last year and a few honorable mentions.
Zaire Anderson DT - Seattle: Zaire was lauded during his time at South Carolina for his incredible strength. The 6'4 309 lber was taken late in the 1st round and Seattle knew they had found a stud right away. Zaire managed with 27 TFLs in his rookie season, numbers that would be excellent for a 6 year veteran, much less a 1st year pro. Zaire added 12.5 sacks as well, leading all rookies. As a pass rusher or a run stopper, Zaire is a star right away. Unfortunately, it did not lead to any on-field success. With more pieces on defense around Zaire (and a motivated coaching staff), the Seahawks could find themselves threatening for the division crown next year.
George Ross DT - New Orleans: Ross was less saught after at first, but as another powerhouse, he found his spot in the early 2nd round with the Saints. Ross was not much of a pass rushing threat in year 1, but showed that he belonged as a 3-down DT in the pros. Ross managed 19 TFLs and 63 total tackles for a Saints team that was top 10 at stopping the run. Despite limited development opportunities, Ross is excepted to man the middle going forward.
Julius Kelley DE - Kansas City: Julius was the 5th player selected in the draft, and got out to a quick start, logging 4.5 sacks in the first 5 weeks, but unfortunately fell off from there. Kelley is undeniably the full package as a down lineman, but was not able to stay healthy throughout the season, missing a total of 9 games during the course of the season. Kelley's future remains bright if he can stay on the field as time goes on.
Derron Smith DT - Kansas City: Among a very talented group of defensive lineman KC drafted, the highest selected DT in the class was Derron Smith. Smith's presence was felt most against the run, as he spearheaded the defense for KC up front. Smith led all rookies with 28 TFLs in his rookie campaign, and added 4 sacks. Smith stayed very healthy save for a few early scares. If this keeps up, his massive potential could spell danger for the strong rushing attacks in the AFC West.
Will Bryan - Los Angeles (Rams): Will Bryan? He sure will. Bryan was passed over in favor of the bigger, stronger down lineman in the class, but finally found a home in LA in the early 2nd round. Bryan returned the favor by securing 8 QB sacks and 22 TFL in his rookie season. There were not many bright spots for the Rams in season 81, but if they have any silver linings, it's that they found a great player who has a chance to develop into an even better one, despite his low ceiling projection.
Jahlil Rhodes - Indianapolis: Rhodes, much like Bryan, fell in favor of the physically stronger, but the Colts saw in Rhodes what many others did not, and that was overall athletic tools and a long future in the league. The 21-year old was 3rd amongst rookie down lineman with 6.5 sacks on the year, but coupling his production next to DeForrest Buckner and Aaron Donald made the Colts one of the most dangerous teams to play in the entire AFC. Rhodes has remained healthy and will be pivotal for the Colts to make a run.
Chris Judge - New York (Giants): The best judge on draft day may have been New York (shocker) as they took Chris Judge with the 31st overall pick, ahead of some of the names previously mentioned. Judge's statistics in Season 81 are not elite, but he is absolutely worth mentioning as a 21-year old freak athlete, boasting lighting fast 40 times for his position without sacrificing much power. The production wasn't felt much this season, however due to a variety of reasons. Being 21, the Giants know what they have and how to turn it into even more production later on, so I am not concerned.
--LINEBACKERS--
The class of linebackers last season was not exactly stellar, despite many RZ classes being loaded with top tier talent in that area. Despite that, there were definitely a handful of standouts whose name you should absolutely be aware of going forward.
Carl Smith - Atlanta: While we await official RZ voting, we know now that 6th round pick Carl Smith may have a boring name, but he lacks a boring game. Smith was awarded AP Defensive Rookie of the Year this week due to his all-around skill and versatility. At MLB, Carl led all rookie LBs in tackles and pass deflections, while adding 3.5 sacks, 4 INTs, and 2 forced fumbles during the Falcons 9-8 season. Atlanta was expected to struggtle on defense with many positions being manned by first year players. Carl's limited ceiling is/was a concern, but with ths breakout season in Season 81, this will be less problematic going forward.
JaWuan Brown - Atlanta: Brown was selected in the 4th round by a Falcon team that didn't have much draft capital. Brown, originally an edge rusher from the University of Georgia, converted to 4-3 linebacker in his rookie season. Brown's speed and larger size made it possible, though he struggled in coverage for a young Falcon defense. Despite the struggles, Brown led all rookie LBs in sacks, with 6.5. Brown is expected to grow even more in his new role in season 82.
Oscar Boon - Washington: Oscar was the 6th pick in the draft based solely on his incredibly athleticism and very young age. As a 21-year old rookie, his expectations were low. The Commanders coaching staff decided that a slow development process was ideal, leaving Boon to only having spot minutes available as a backup. In his first seaosn, he secured just 24 tackles, 6 TFLs and a single sack. Needless to say, as Washington continues to remake their defense, Boon must be a larger part of that next year and beyond.
Taylor Sullivan - Baltimore: The Ravens' were celebrated in season 81 for a diverse and efficient offense, but they also held a top 3 rush defense thanks to players like Taylor. Sullivan was selected with the 60th pick overall and coaches were thrilled to see how much he brought to the table. Sullivan's high potential make him an immediate factor, but his ability to hang with larger players in the trenches despite his 6'0, 226lb frame opened eyes league wide. Sullivan led all tacklers for Baltimore with 136 total and added in a few huge interceptions to round out a very good defensive rookie year.
Marcus Gordon - Seattle: Gordon was the 3rd linebacker selected last year and showed up ready to work. The 21-year old lacked the speed and versatility to play interior linebacker, but found his niche as an edge rusher in his first year in Seattle. Gordon was able to remain healthy and added strong pressure to a team that ended up 4th in QB pressure overall. With Gordon's age and youth, it's fully expected for him to be a staple in the Seahawks pressure-heavy scheme for years to come.
Christopher Roby - Dallas: We would be remissed to not talk about Chris Roby, another in a long line of baffling decisions made by the previous coaching regime in Dallas. While Roby played well at Tennessee as a down lineman, the selection at 9th overall over much more proven players was a head scratcher. The new regime seemed to realize this immediate, as through a combination of pesky injuries and coach decisions, Roby didn't see much of the field once the coach who drafted him was unceremoniously removed from the league. Roby still has a chance to bounce back, but at this stage, doesn't seem to have much to separate him from more talented players on the Dallas front line.
Calvin Weston - San Francisco: Another backer who was taken late in the draft, Weston joined the Bay area after being selected in the 4th round. Unlike fellow 4th round pick JaWauan Brown, Weston is - on paper - a clear fit as a 4-3 linebacker. Unfortuantely, with the talent around him, the 49ers were not able to get him on the field as much as he would have liked. That said, in 10 games of action, Weston logged 51 tackles and 2 interceptions. I expect him to be moved into a more focused development going forward for San Fran and will find a way to use that incredibly nack for pass coverage in greater ways.
Keenan Wiggins - Buffalo: Dubbed "Da Wyrm" by his college teammates, the self-annointed "Dungeons and Dragons" aficionado must have rolled a Nat-20 when he was born, as he is arguably the most gifted athlete taken in the 1st round of the draft, save for maybe McFadden in New England. Da Wyrm was selected witht he 27th pick and for one reason or another, was unable to crack the starting lineup for most of the season, only managing to play in 8 games and picking up 33 tackles and an interception. While Wiggins has a lot to learn, being a 22 year old with his kind of raw tools and high developmental cieling could spell disaster for the AFC East if coach Jordan decides to prioritize his playing time next season.
--DEFENSIVE BACKS--
Just 31 rookie defensive backs logged playing time in Season 81, but some had immense impact that cannot be ignored. Let's learn who they are.
James Butler SS - Tampa Bay: The 23rd pick in the 2nd round was Miami's own James Butler. Butler had many scouts attention because of his combination of youth and athleticism. Unfortunately, he also scared away other scouts after seeing his less-than-stellar intangibles on game-film from South Beach. Butler's speed and leaping ability coupled with being 6'1 make him a scary proposition to deal with in base defense or cover 2 man situations. Butler managed 8 deflections and 3 interceptions guarding the pass, but was notable for his ability to slot into the front 7, helping Tampa Bay up close with 111 tackles and 5 TFL. His lack of experience showed, however, as Tampa was unable to muster anything better than the 3rd worst rushing defense in the league. Still, they have to be thrilled to find such a versatile athlete at an important position.
Trumaine Stoutmire CB - Jacksonville: Trumaine came in as the 4th CB taken off the board. The 22-year old Mass. native is held in high regard in many circles for his high potential, but that potential was certainly not realized in year 1. Stoutmire was gashed for 22 allowed catches, a mark far and away the highest amongst any CB who started more than 11 games (he started 16). That said, glimmers of greatness were shown, as he also managed the 2nd most tackles among ANY DB with 66 while pulling in 4 interceptions.
Trayvon Freeman FS - Seattle: Another 2nd round pick from the northeast region is Trayvon Freeman. Another in a long list of quality rookies in Seattle, Freeman is probably the most complete professional player in his class. Freeman clocked a remarkable 44 on his Wonderlic test at the combine. The 5th year senior is noted as an academic, and uses his almost prophetic play recognition to disrupt offenses. Freeman is thought to have already peaked as a player, something Seattle coaches are not worried about, considering he's one of the better starters in the league already. Statistically, Freeman does it all, tackling in the trenches and using the aforementioned play recognition to be a pest in the pass game.
Dexter Boyce SS - Atlanta: Boyce, much like Carl Smith and JaWuan Brown, was a very fortunate pick landed by Atlanta in last year's draft. Without much in the form of draft capital to work with, the Falcons took a flyer on Boyce in the 4th round. Boyce's stock plummeted late in the process after running a 4.71 40 yard dash at the Season 81 RZ Combine. Despite is lackluster distance run, Boyce continued to display the same explosiveness he did in just 2 years at Washington State. The 21-year old has high potential, though it will take crafty maneuvering for the Atlanta staff to get the most out of his extremely limited physical toolbox.
Carson Radovich SS- New York (Giants): Carson, born in Serbia before moving to America as a young boy, exploded onto the scene as a two-sport athlete at Ohio State University. Radovich was originally a walk-on at OSU before being given a scholarship, thanks in large part to his incredibly athleticism and penchant for physicality. The hammer of Serbia continued his destructive ways in season 81, logging 114 tackles and 7 TFL (along with 2 interceptions) in his rookie campaign for New York. The Giants staff is well known for getting the very most out of their athletes, and Radovich fits the bill perfectly.
Justin Wilber CB - Cincinnati: The 32nd overall pick was likely elated to learn he'd be joining a championship roster in Cincinnati. Wilber started 14 games for the powerhouse Bengals and the staff did a remarkable job at hiding his inadequacies throughout the year. Much like Stoutmire in Jacksonville, Wilber has kno0wn limitations, especially as a 1v1 man coverage player. Despite that, Wilber reeled in 3 interceptions and logged 7 deflections while giving up very few 1v1 catches allowed. The Bengals varied and strong defense deserves much of the credit, but credit should also go to the staff in Cincinnati for sticking with their 1st round draft pick instead of relegating him to spot bench play throughout the season.
Julius Macklin CB - Philadelphia: Despite a very impressive season for the team overall, many felt the Eagles draft lacked at first. Macklin's less-than-stellar intangibles were the cause of some speculation as he was taken 17th overall out of Alamaba, but Macklin held is own in a strong professional league. Macklin started 13 games for the Eagles, who ranked 7th in pass defense this past season. Like Cincinnati, the Eagles used a deft hand to hide Macklin's inability to read QBs eyes or defend in 1v1. Similar to Wilber, Macklin isn't thought of as a future star like Stoutmire, but more props should be given to coach Ramesu for placing trust in his young corner to see what he brings to the table.
Jalen Mays CB - Dallas: A bit of a gem to find with the 9th pick in the 5th round, Mayes came into the league as a burner from Florida who played both WR and CB for the Gators. Unfortunately for Dallas, Mayes was not every good as a cornerback coming out of college. The trust was placed in him from the start anyways, and he responded by utilizing his Deion Sanders like-speed to catch up on plays he was certainly beat on to the tune of 13 pass deflections, more than anyone at his position (for rookies). Dallas maintains hope he can gain Sanders' level of play recognition and feel for the ball that would create the perfect corner.
Kevin Lawton CB - Green Bay: Lawton was a teammate of Mays at the University of Florida, but came into the league slightly more refined from a technical standpoint. Lawton is slower and smaller than his former teammate, but Green Bay was drawn to his immediate feel for the ball as a 23-year old. Despite Mays raw athleticism, it's still thought that Lawton has much more to offer long-term and will evolve with the game much better than his counterparts. His rookie season saw him nab just 1 interception with 8 pass deflections, but more of that is likely due to him being better than most at covering receivers inside.
Dwayne Smallwood CB - Los Angeles (Chargers): Smallwood was projected as a top-10 pick, but perhaps due to the strong talent on the OL and DL, he somehow fell to the powerhouse Chargers at pick 29 in the first round. Smallwood combines everything you want in a corner into one. He's big, he's strong, he's fast, and he's the absolute best cover cornerback in the Season 81 class. Smallwood battled some clashing with coaches during his rookie season, unsatisfied with playing behind the older, more experienced Bryce Callahan and JC Jackson. Despite that, in his 11 games, Smallwood played extremely well against the 3rd and 4th best WRs on the other team, though he wasn't able to secure any interceptions yet. The Chargers are sitting on a field of riches at the moment, and many expect them to make some moves in that area to free up their 1st round pick from a season ago.
Elijah Cannon CB - Washington: Much like many other names on this list, Cannon was heavily scouted because of his speed and athleticism. The factor that made him stand out over others (literally and figuratively) was his size. At 6'4, Cannon is an intimidating presence with a Randy Moss-like stride, allowing him to cover great distances. Cannon was selected in the 1st round just before Smallwood, but has also unfortunately run into depth chart issues, with the coaching staff in Washington not granting the same amount of trust into their 22 year old rookie as guys like Macklin and Wilber. Cannon's ceiling is not as high as some of his peers, but as he stands, he is a nickel corner with starting caliber if he gets his shot.
Also I guess there were some kickers and shit too.
Thank you for reading and quick shout out to Adel for an otherwise innocuous statement that inspired the article.
These incoming players and the stories around them and how each of them bring something unique to their situation is what RZ is all about. Just thinking about these players careers playing out in front of our eyes. The what-ifs, the why-nots, the who-cares..es.
It's what made me fall in love with covering and creating media for this league. The long-term ramifactions to every single move, playcall, game result, everything.
Thanks for reading if you made it all the way through. Keep these players at top of mind, because they are the future of who runs this place.
Grazi