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Henry McKenna
AFC East Reporter
There’s always pre-draft discussion on whether NFL teams should draft for need or talent — and whether to start a player or sit him to give him time to develop. The truth is that it’s best to draft a player who can instantly make an impact. Making that work is just one of many challenging parts of running a football team.
There will be no shortage of rookies who enjoy instant NFL success this season. General managers occasionally thread the needle of drafting for both need and talent, simultaneously. So let’s take a look at where those two factors seem immediately apparent. Here are 14 highly talented rookies who are stepping into situations where their teams need them to immediately make an impact.
1. Bears QB Caleb Williams
OK, so here’s the least surprising one.
The No. 1 overall pick, a quarterback, needs to change things in Chicago. The surprising thing is that he might actually have the supporting cast to do it. The Bears underwent a face lift on offense that involved acquiring receivers Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze, running back D’Andre Swift, tight end Gerald Everett and center Ryan Bates. They should all help Williams succeed in ways Justin Fields could not.
Realistic expectations for Caleb Williams in Year 1
2. Cardinals WR Marvin Harrison Jr.
He’s already the No. 1 receiver on his team — and it’s not just because the rest of the receivers are underwhelming. Even as a rookie, Harrison could be the No. 1 receiver on several NFL teams. This guy is an instant starter — and he’s joining Kyler Murray, who desperately, desperately, desperately needs a playmaker at receiver.
3. Chargers WR Ladd McConkey
L.A. traded Allen and let Mike Williams walk in free agency. With Justin Herbert at quarterback and a total absence of proven receivers on the Chargers’ depth chart, McConkey might have the clearest path to 100 targets among all NFL rookies — maybe excluding Harrison.
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bears-qb-caleb-williams-leads-14-nfl-rookies-who-must-make-impact-from-day-1
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Publish date : 2024-07-25 15:47:36
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