NFC rookies picked after NFL Draft Day 1 who could earn key roles in 2024: Marshawn Lloyd among 16 sleepers

Last year, the Rams got monster contributions from two Day 3 selections, Kobie Turner and Puka Nacua. Sam LaPorta broke rookie tight end records with the Lions, and Colby Wooden and Karl Brooks were instant successes in Green Bay with the Packers after going well outside of Round 1. 

In 2022, Seahawks cornerback Tariq Woolen was widely viewed as a super-athletic project-y outside corner. Fast forward to his rookie season — the former UTSA star led the NFL in interceptions with six and defended 16 more passes. Seattle certainly fast-tracked his developmental process. 

The year before that, Amon-Ra St. Brown was just an easy-to-miss, unsuspecting rookie picked after the first round, waiting for his chance in the Lions offense. Now, his reach is far wider than the greater Detroit area after an 88-catch eruption in Year 1 as a professional.

In 2020, Antoine Winfield Jr., Jeremy Chinn and Antonio Gibson were NFC rookies not selected on Day 1 of the draft who sure as heck played like Day 1 selections as rookies. 

In 2019, Deebo Samuel, Miles Sanders, Elgton Jenkins, DK Metcalf and Terry McLaurin headlined those outstanding value selections. And you, NFL fan starved for football, know all about your favorite team’s first-round pick in the 2023 draft. It’s time to really get acclimated with the non-Round 1 selections who have the talent — and situation — to flourish in their debut season in the NFL. 

Let’s zero in on the NFC rookies picked after the first round with the best chances to earn key roles as rookies. 

NFC East

Dallas Cowboys

IOL Cooper Beebe
Drafted: No. 73, third round
Impressive stat to know: 39 pressures allowed across 1,488 pass-blocking snaps at Kansas State

The Cowboys lost longtime center Tyler Biadasz in the mass Dan Quinn-led exodus from Dallas to Washington. While Beebe was a right tackle and left guard during an illustrious career at Kansas State,…

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Author : Chris Trapasso

Publish date : 2024-06-03 14:31:52

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