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One of the best storylines each NFL season is watching which rookies emerge as surprise contributors. Within months, we’ll know who fell further in the draft than what they should have.
It’s no surprise that some fall through the cracks, as setting expectations for rookies can be difficult. The physical adjustment from college to the pros is tough enough for most, but the difference in mentality and schemes add an unknown factor. We also must consider the team’s depth chart and priority placed on developing young players.
Players taken in the first two rounds are often counted on to play in some form in their initial season. But as the draft progresses into Round 3 and beyond, teams are looking at likely redshirting the rookie or asking them to play on special teams.
Some first-year players will break through when they’ve earned the opportunity, and those late-round gems are easy to root for. We’ve sifted through every draft pick and depth chart to find one surprise rookie for each team.
All of these players were taken in the third round or later. Most aren’t even close to the top of their depth chart but have the talent to ascend in time.
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The Arizona Cardinals took a utilitarian approach to their draft class. They entered with needs at receiver, defensive end and along the offensive line. Leaving with wideout Marquise Brown (via trade), tight end Trey McBride, defensive ends Cameron Thomas and Myjai Sanders, and two guards helped fill those holes.
The edge help is especially notable after Chandler Jones departed this offseason. For Arizona to improve upon its surprising 11-6 season, the team will need its rookies to produce. The 6’5″, 270-pound Thomas has a bigger frame that should earn him snaps along the defensive line, whereas Sanders fits the profile as a pure edge-rusher.
He can earn his spot in a rotation with veterans Markus Golden and Devon Kennard. He totaled 13.5 sacks over his final three years at Cincinnati thanks to his speed. At 6’5″ and 255 pounds, Sanders is an ideal sub-package threat.
If he can get six or more sacks, the Cardinals’ defensive ceiling will rise. The secondary is solid, and J.J. Watt will anchor an athletic front seven. Finding that creative pass-rusher to complement Watt is the final piece.
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The Atlanta Falcons have low expectations as they enter the post-Matt Ryan era and reset their cap sheet for 2023, but their one clear position of strength is their running back depth.
Veterans Cordarrelle Patterson and Damien Williams are fine stopgaps to help the offense avoid disaster early in the season. Patterson enjoyed a career year in 2021 with 1,166 yards from scrimmage and 11 scores. But at some point, Atlanta should look to give fifth-round rookie Tyler Allgeier touches instead of riding the 31-year-old Patterson as losses mount.
Allgeier was a battering ram at BYU, totaling 2,899 yards and 36 touchdowns on the ground despite starting only two years. The 220-pounder has surprising quickness for his size and can make defenders miss. He’s not a flashy athlete like Patterson and Williams, but his ability to consistently drive the ball forward is needed.
There’s enough upside for Allgeier to become more than just a touchdown vulture and short-yardage back.
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A lot went wrong in 2021 as the Baltimore Ravens suffered a slew of injuries that changed their season. Their running back depth was lost before the campaign even began, and the franchise hoped that quarterback Lamar Jackson’s presence would open opportunities for lesser talents. Unfortunately, the Ravens learned the hard way that older backs who lack explosiveness couldn’t sustain success.
Gone are Devonta Freeman, Latavius Murray and Le’Veon Bell. Baltimore added Mike Davis from Atlanta on top of welcoming back J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards and Justice Hill off injured reserve. And yet, our pick to become a rookie gem…
Read More: Predicting Every NFL Team’s 2022 Surprise Rookie Gem | Bleacher Report